brute bards diffusing contiguous religion

Dream Eater

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

dream eater lies not in brute force but in the ability to pierce its illusions and wrest others from its terrors. As such, bards and other persuasive adventurers find themselves uniquely poised to

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

time, the serpent gods heard those prayers, their sibilant voices responding from the darkness as they told the yuan-ti what they must do. The yuan-ti religion grew more fanatical in its devotion. Cults

’t be bound for long by brute force, and that many creatures will refuse to serve. As a result, yuan-ti first influence other creatures with the promise of wealth and power. Time and again

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

knowledge, rather than brute force. Harper agents are often proficient in Investigation, enabling them to be adept at snooping and spying. They often seek aid from other Harpers, sympathetic bards and

in the shadows. Order agents tend to be proficient in Religion, and frequently seek aid from law enforcement friendly to the order’s ideals, and the clergy of the order’s patron gods. The

Factions of the Sword Coast

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

and reorganized several times, the Harpers remain a powerful, behind-the-scenes agency, which acts to thwart evil and promote fairness through knowledge, rather than brute force. Harper agents are often

proficient in Investigation, enabling them to be adept at snooping and spying. They often seek aid from other Harpers, sympathetic bards and innkeepers, rangers, and the clergy of gods that are

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

, History, Nature, and Religion. Diplomat. Negotiating treaties, de-escalating conflicts, and issuing ultimatums are tasks that fall within the purview of the Diplomat, who typically puts their high

Charisma to work in the service of the state. These characters often come from a noble background and bring proficiency in skills such as Intimidation and Persuasion to their work. Bards are natural fits in

The Harpers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

using knowledge to win the day over brute force. However, as the Cult of the Dragon grows more brazen and destructive, the Harpers are forced to act more openly in their opposition. If the characters

unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, mages, and rogues

The Harpers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

using knowledge to win the day over brute force. However, as the Cult of the Dragon grows more brazen and destructive, the Harpers are forced to act more openly in their opposition. If the characters

unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, mages, and rogues

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Persuasion (or sometimes Intimidation) and Religion can be useful for this character. Many clerics fill this role, but devout bards can also be effective Teachers. Some Teachers bring skills from the

connection to the divine. This character might be the driving force behind the group’s quests, steering them according to divine will. Proficiency in skills such as Insight and Religion can help reflect

Dream Eater

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume Two

engulfing its prey in a phantasmagorical nightmare. The key to defeating a dream eater lies not in brute force but in the ability to pierce its illusions and wrest others from its terrors. As such, bards

The Harpers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

using knowledge to win the day over brute force. However, as the Cult of the Dragon grows more brazen and destructive, the Harpers are forced to act more openly in their opposition. If the characters

unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, rogues, and wizards

Bard: College of Spirits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Bard: College of Spirits Bards of the College of Spirits seek tales with inherent power—be they legends, histories, or fictions—and bring their subjects to life. Using occult trappings, these bards

end of the frightened creature’s next turn. 9 Tale of the Brute. Each creature of the target’s choice it can see within 30 feet of it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, a

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

skills. Bards and rogues make natural academic Financiers, as do those with the charlatan and noble backgrounds. Research Assistant. Whether their seeking to graduate, get published, or make their

sage background is an obvious choice for the Scholar, with acolyte and hermit also providing fine alternatives. Proficiency in skills such as Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion often proves useful for this character.

Modifying a Class

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

your world might worship a patron deity, performing secret missions in that deity’s name. To reflect this cultural detail, you could add Religion to the list of skills that a rogue character can choose

firmly in the world by associating the class with a particular race or culture. For example, you might decide that bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards represent the magical traditions of four

Lorehold Student

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

: History, Religion Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a hammer, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, a tome of history, a school uniform, and a pouch containing 15 gp

Lorehold. Bards thrive in Lorehold, and wizards (particularly those of the School of Divination) are numerous among its students. Clerics (often with the Knowledge or Light domains) are also quite common

Yuan-ti

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

serpent gods heard those prayers, their sibilant voices responding from the darkness as they told the yuan-ti what they must do. The yuan-ti religion grew more fanatical in its devotion. Cults bound

it seeks to control other creatures through terror, pleasure, and awe. Yuan-ti know that the world they hope to rule can’t be bound for long by brute force, and that many creatures will refuse to serve

Cultists of the Dead Three

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

person. He can take on an alternate appearance regardless of his current form, that of a hulking brute armed with a long, curved dagger that drips blood. In this form, he wears only a tattered loin cloth

) CHA 10 (+0) Skills Arcana +5, Religion +5 Senses passive Perception 10 Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Actions Skull Flail. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit

Conservatory Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

(Religion) check realizes that it’s used by worshipers of Graz’zt to commune with the demon lord, who requires a blood sacrifice. As an action, a character can spill some of their own blood into the bowl and

duration of the spell). Once the glyph is triggered, the trunk is safe to open. Treasure. The trunk contains, among personal items and clothing of little value, the instrument of the bards (Canaith mandolin

Area Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye

creature succeeds on a DC 16 Dexterity (Stealth) check. Shrine to Oghma. A character who examines the shrine and succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes the image on the shrine as the

holy symbol of Oghma, god of knowledge and patron to bards and wizards. If the check succeeds by 3 or more, the character intuits that rededicating the shrine to Oghma could help against the zombies

The Seldarine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

, to try new things, to imagine what they desire and then pursue it, and to be kind to others. In return for this freedom from the usual requirements of religion, Corellon expects them to address

be with. Stories of Hanali’s romantic adventures among elves and other mortals are perennial favorites when sung by elf bards and poets. In Arvandor, Hanali maintains a hidden pool called Evergold

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

This vast workshop is the center of Gond’s religion in Baldur’s Gate. Every day, the anvils and worktables that fill the High House of Wonders ring with the clamor of hammer and saw. Under the

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

Hall High House of Wonders This vast workshop is the center of Gond’s religion in Baldur’s Gate. Every day, the anvils and worktables that fill the High House of Wonders ring with the clamor of hammer

Forge Level (X27-X37)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

he regains a number of hit points equal to the amount of psychic damage dealt. A character who succeeds on a DC 20 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes the statue as a depiction of Deep Duerra

, allowing access to area X37. The portcullis can also be raised with a knock spell or similar magic. Brute force, in the form of a successful DC 25 Strength (Athletics) check, also works—but circumventing

Roleplaying a Giant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Religion. Of Annam’s many sons, none is greater than my patron deity. (Any) Giant Bonds d6 Bond 1 My clan is the most important influence on my life; our collective place in the ordning depends on

arrival of Thrym’s blue-skinned, icy children. Ordning of Might Position within the frost giant ordning is determined by sheer, brute strength. Frost giants know that those that use cunning, agility, and

Bathhouse Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

bereft of decor. Carved into each of its three doors is a full-figure depiction of one of the Dead Three. A character recognizes all the figures with a successful DC 10 Intelligence (Religion) check. East

, unarmored brute with a greatclub and a scarred face — towers above his opponent but is gravely wounded. The smaller figure is muscular and bare-chested. He clutches a bloody dagger in one hand and a

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