burning bards diffusing complex role

Kadroth

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

":"damage","rollAction":"Dagger","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.From this usurped office, he coordinates all cult activities in Ten-Towns. It's a role he carved out for himself by asserting that

to do so. For all his political machinations, Kadroth is a visionary who has so far made the cult stronger through his actions and decisions. He spends hours behind his desk, staring into the burning

Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

? Ah, then what manner of music they would bring to this world! — Fletcher Danairia, master bard Bards bring levity during grave times; they impart wisdom to offset ignorance; and they make the

ridiculous seem sublime. Bards are preservers of ancient history, their songs and tales perpetuating the memory of great events down through time — knowledge so important that it is memorized and passed

Build Your Group

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

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

, and Persuasion. The charlatan background is perfect for Talkers, but criminals, urchins, and others can fill the role with the right skills. Bards are a natural fit for the job as well.

Build Your Group

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

in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

Bardic Colleges

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

the bards, each of which is named after one of the colleges. See chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the game statistics of these magic instruments. Long ago, bards who sought the rank of

tradition fell when the colleges went into decline, but some bards dream of restoring it. College of Fochlucan The original College of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. Many years

Build Your Group

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

can be a crucial skill, which many characters in this role combine with magical means of scrying to learn about their enemies and objectives. Bards and wizards make natural Investigators, especially

cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with

Toil and Trouble

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

Toil and Trouble The quest in Easthaven begins at the same time as the burning of the Red Wizard, Dzaan, who is described in the “Arcane Brotherhood” section of appendix C. Whether the characters are

chapter 2 (see “Lost Spire of Netheril”). The captain of Easthaven’s militia, Imdra Arlaggath, takes notice of the characters during the burning and offers them a quest. Some fishers have gone missing on

General Features

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

General Features Recurring features of the guildhouse are described in the following sections. Doors Doors in the guildhouse complex are locked unless otherwise noted. Some individuals have keys to

specific areas, as noted in their descriptions. Others possess a master key that opens all locked doors in the complex. As an action, a character can use thieves’ tools to try to open a locked door

Build Your Group

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

firsthand experience with the creatures, cultures, forces, and histories being investigated, and the best way to get that is in the field. This role is similar to the Scholar, but the Field Researcher is

ballrooms, boardrooms, and seedy taverns, willing to do whats necessary to get what they need. Those in this role often exude Charisma and might be adept with the Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion

Sun Elves

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

with other art forms, which produces the complex dance of the bladesingers as well as the enchanting music of their bards and the meticulous craftwork of their artisans. Sun elf adventurers often bring

Company Positions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

Company Positions A franchise is a complex affair, requiring its participants to fulfill a myriad of important duties necessary for its proper growth (and the enrichment of Acquisitions Incorporated

Head Office). A company position establishes a character’s role within a franchise, as well as a relationship with the larger Acq Inc organization. When you choose a company position for your

Mielikki

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

attract. She is the patron of rangers in the same way that Milil is the patron of bards, but even rangers rarely pray to her directly. They instead pray to Gwaeron Windstrom, who they believe will

relationships with other deities of the natural world are more complex. Silvanus is sometimes thought of as her father and Eldath is considered her sister, but Mielikki walks her own path through the

The Vanthampur Family

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

complex below her villa. Thalamra is a widow three times over, and each of her dead husbands was kind enough to give her a son. Her oldest boy, Thurstwell, is a pale and sullen recluse in his forties. A

. Thurstwell’s real problem is that his mother doesn’t see him as her successor, and is grooming Amrik to fill that role. Despite his jealousy, Thurstwell would never visit harm upon Amrik for fear of incurring

Monsters as NPCs

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

Monsters as NPCs Named monsters that play a significant role in an adventure deserve the same attention you would give to a humanoid NPC, with mannerisms as well as ideals, bonds, flaws, and secrets

. It craves powerful magic items and surrounds itself with gold, platinum, and precious gems. Its bond is to its lair — an elaborate cavern complex carved out between the twisting sewers of Waterdeep

Menthis Plateau

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

the Horn is an excellent opportunity for aspiring bards. University, Upper Menthis Grand Stage This stage hosts grand performances of the beloved classics of Galifar, along with more modern works that

the Last War. Smoky Towers, Middle Menthis The Burning Ring The Ring offers blood sport and gladiatorial combat. These dangerous matches aren’t sanctioned by law, and the Burning Ring constantly

Interesting Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

. Students feeling bold may descend as far as Lower Menthis, home to a wide variety of illicit entertainments… including the prizefights of the Burning Ring. But for those who stay close to home, here’s a

large meeting rooms, and a small concert hall. Rumors say that this is an outpost of the secret Circle of Song, a society of bards and entertainers spread across Khorvaire; others swear that House

Phenax's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

local government or temple. 6 Defeat a champion of another god (most likely Heliod, Erebos, or Iroas). A Phenax Campaign Phenax fits easily into the role of primary campaign villain. He also

one of the necropoleis in expanding or dealing with various threats. Plots and schemes are Phenax’s lifeblood, suggesting a complex, shifting campaign full of surprises and twists. For example, a

Speakers for the Ancestors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

approve them again. As founding civilizations are rediscovered and rejoin the Radiant Citadel, the council is expanded, and the new Speakers gain power equal to that of their peers. A Speaker’s Role

The Speakers for the Ancestors face incredible challenges in their role. They must maintain the internal stability of a large and diverse city and ensure its people are treated equally and fairly

Build Your Group

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

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

this role, as are paladins—as long as they aren’t asked to do things that violate the tenets of their oaths. Marshal. Combat is the specialty of the Marshal, who focuses on enforcing the law of the

Assigning Assets

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

Well of Dragons, and their voices carry tremendous weight. As such, make sure the players know they have a key role to play in planning the battle. The simplest approach is a one-to-one matchup, with

decide that assassins provided by the Zhentarim should counter the sacrificial prisoners by infiltrating the cult complex and escorting those prisoners to freedom. In that case, you might remind the

The Devilish Point of View

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

explain why the conflict erupted in the first place. The devils fight as a matter of pride mixed with burning resentment for a cosmic order that refuses to acknowledge their role as overseers of the

. If there was truly justice in the world, it would tell you, the multiverse would bend its knee to the Nine Hells in thanks for the devils’ role in preserving the cosmos. LEGIONS OF THE DAMNED Most

Speakers for the Ancestors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel

approve them again. As founding civilizations are rediscovered and rejoin the Radiant Citadel, the council is expanded, and the new Speakers gain power equal to that of their peers. A Speaker’s Role

The Speakers for the Ancestors face incredible challenges in their role. They must maintain the internal stability of a large and diverse city and ensure its people are treated equally and fairly

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

demons they are hunting. Characters with access to divination magic (including clerics with the Knowledge domains as well as wizards) might excel at this role. Many Scholars come from the sage background

Dragon as Monster

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, perhaps burning farmland and devouring livestock, demanding tribute from a village, or holding captives for ransom. Alternatively, a dragon might have established a new lair in the remote wilderness

only solution is to slay the dragon An adventure featuring a dragon in a monster’s role lends itself to a location-based structure. That location is likely the dragon’s lair, since it’s difficult to pin

Bronze Dragon Treasures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

one-sided bargains from unnerved sailors. Bronze dragons have a romantic view of their role as guardians of justice and prefer treasures that tie into their heroic narrative. Their hoards teem with

compound eyes 10 An elaborate clockwork zoetrope that, when activated, displays a moving picture of a bronze dragon fighting a red dragon over a burning city

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

on. Even a stupid or physically weak kobold is given a role in the tribe, whether something as simple as picking mushrooms for food or watching over hatchlings, and they all understand that their

moves its tribe to another area, ceding the contested territory to its more successful neighbors. As demonstrated by their hatred of gnomes, kobolds have a persecution complex and easily take offense

Khoravar

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

communication and cooperation between members of different cultures or species. Khoravar who follow this philosophy often become bards, diplomats, mediators, or translators. Others are fascinated by their

associated with House Lyrandar or House Medani, but you’re more interested in the role the house plays in supporting Khoravar communities than in the work of its guilds. 10 You ride with the Valenar, hoping one day to prove that you are worthy of taking on a patron ancestor.

Matriculating from the Schools of Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

school can help define your role in the business, as well as your fellow franchise members’ expectations for you. Abjuration Protective magic is often underappreciated by the members of the lesser

party members, your role as an abjurer is always greatly appreciated. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of protecting everybody else before you take care of yourself and the goods. And if you need to

Rumors and Legends

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

Rumors and Legends Countless legends have arisen regarding the mysterious Barrier Peaks, and those tales circulate constantly among adventurers, explorers, and bards. Rumors specific to Kwalish and

exist escaped from its hold and now populate the mountains. 16–25 Kwalish did not perish on his expedition. He alone survived, taking shelter in some complex he found in the peaks. 26–30 Fey woods

Redcloak Battalion

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

Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split

bitterly. Thrane. In the waning years of the Last War, the Redcloaks played a major role in the devastating Battle of Cairn Hill between Brelish and Thrane forces. Thanks to heavy losses on both sides, veterans of that battle tend to nurse bitter grudges against their enemies.

Caer Locations (C1-C9)

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

abound, and the cultists keep a fire burning in the hearth. Standing outside the door to the speaker’s office (area C9) is a sadistic little klutz (human cultist) named Thoob, whose job is to serve at

Kadroth’s beck and call. It’s a mostly thankless role that comes with a mountain of verbal abuse. The only time Thoob feels rewarded is when Kadroth orders him to relay instructions to another cultist

1. Entrance Plaza

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

reverting to their initial positions. The characters are free to continue on into the complex, but they receive no benefit from this interaction. Cultist Campsite and Ruined Fountain Varram’s cultists have

made camp in the plaza near the ruined fountain. A campfire is burning next to the fountain, and three bedrolls show where the rearguard cultists are camped. Seven shallow graves have been dug east of

1. Entrance Plaza

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

reverting to their initial positions. The characters are free to continue on into the complex, but they receive no benefit from this interaction. Cultist Campsite and Ruined Fountain Varram’s cultists

have made camp in the plaza near the ruined fountain. A campfire is burning down here, and three bedrolls show where the rearguard cultists are camped. Seven shallow graves have been dug east of the

Adventure Summary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

masthin shoots and dragonshards. The uneasy peace threatens to break down, renewing the conflict between settlers and lizardfolk. An alliance in Q’barra can involve disparate factions, as complex agendas

Shires, the halfling folk might play a larger role in the alliance. Baron von Hendriks of Fort Doom might be aware of the lizardfolk, even indirectly supporting them. As an alternative, set the

Never Alone

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

characters on their toes. In addition to those potential encounters, two unusual monsters also patrol the temple complex, and can be encountered at any time, wandering through any corridors or rooms—a

. Accustomed to inspiring fear, and having grown somewhat lazy in its guardian role, it is usually content to let foes flee from it rather than pursuing. Each time the characters finish a long rest in

D&D Beyond

Search Results