cultures world roles

Scout

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

wilderness and among barbarians and rangers, and many Scouts serve as the eyes and ears of war bands. Ambusher, spy, bounty hunter — these are just a few of the roles that Scouts assume as they range

the world. Scout Features Rogue Level Feature 3rd Skirmisher, Survivalist 9th Superior Mobility 13th Ambush Master 17th Sudden Strike

Path of the Ancestral Guardian

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Some barbarians hail from cultures that revere their ancestors. These tribes teach that the warriors of the past linger in the world as mighty spirits, who can guide and protect the living. When a

barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid. Barbarians who draw on their ancestral guardians can better fight to protect

Scout (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

wilderness and among barbarians and rangers, and many Scouts serve as the eyes and ears of war bands. Ambusher, spy, bounty hunter — these are just a few of the roles that Scouts assume as they range

the world. Scout Features Rogue Level Feature 3rd Skirmisher, Survivalist 9th Superior Mobility 13th Ambush Master 17th Sudden Strike

Path of the Ancestral Guardian (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Some barbarians hail from cultures that revere their ancestors. These tribes teach that the warriors of the past linger in the world as mighty spirits, who can guide and protect the living. When a

barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid. Barbarians who draw on their ancestral guardians can better fight to protect

Star Spawn Mangler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

summon these creatures to serve as guards and assassins, two roles at which they excel. Star Spawn The Material Plane represents only one small part of the multiverse. Beyond the best-known planes

communication. When the signs are right, cultists gather together, read aloud their blasphemous texts, and conduct the mind-searing rituals that guide star spawn into the world. Elder Evil Blessings

Aereni High Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

they split into two distinct cultures: the introspective Aereni and the warlike Tairnadal. While neither of these cultures have much interest in human activities, a small number of elves have immigrated

to Khorvaire over the years and have integrated with the cultures of the Five Nations. As a whole, elves are driven by tradition and respect for the past. Where humans value innovation, elves strive

Anthropologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

You have always been fascinated by other cultures, from the most ancient and primeval lost lands to the most modern civilizations. By studying other cultures’ customs, philosophies, laws

; Cultural Chameleon Before becoming an adventurer, you spent much of your adult life away from your homeland, living among people different from your kin. You came to understand these foreign cultures

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

then passing through the shadow of That-Which-Endures changed them forever. Now the newest race to call Faerûn home, the verdan do their best to find their way in an unfamiliar world

world. THAT-WHICH-ENDURES That-Which-Endures is a nameless, faceless, mysterious entity, something between a multiverse-spanning primordial spirit and an over-god. It represents the amoral and all

Aereni Wood Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

they split into two distinct cultures: the introspective Aereni and the warlike Tairnadal. While neither of these cultures have much interest in human activities, a small number of elves have immigrated

to Khorvaire over the years and have integrated with the cultures of the Five Nations. As a whole, elves are driven by tradition and respect for the past. Where humans value innovation, elves strive

Minotaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

—perhaps they were once thought of as gods—who established the minotaurs’ place in the world. Every minotaur in Ravnica claims descent from one of these heroes. The Ordruun line is

minotaur heroes are full of other names as well: those of the retainers, allies, lovers, servants, enemies, and others who played roles, however small, in the lives of the heroes. Almost every minotaur

Cloistered Scholar

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

assume roles of greater responsibility and prominence. You might be one of Candlekeep’s own, dedicated to the curatorship of what is likely the most complete body of lore and history in all the

world. Perhaps instead you were taken in by the scholars of the Vault of the Sages or the Map House in Silverymoon, and now you have struck out to increase your knowledge and to make yourself available

Centaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. Though they are smaller than a human rider mounted on a horse, they fill similar roles as cavalry warriors, messengers, outriders, and scouts. Affinity for Nature Centaurs have an affinity for the

natural world. Among the guilds that share that affinity, centaurs favor the rubblebelts of the Gruul Clans and the wide plazas of the Selesnya Conclave over the undercity tunnels of the Golgari and

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Those who think of other planes at all consider them remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth

into the mortal world. They adapt well to the mingled elements of the Material Plane, and they sometimes visit—whether of their own volition or compelled by magic. Some genies can adopt mortal

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

An archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains — their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. Those who

practice archaeology travel to the far corners of the world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priests, wars

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization? The Beast Within Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their

in blended communities. Their names typically overlap with the names of other cultures in their region. Many shifters prefer to keep their personal names for their friends and use “wandering

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

world. Their warriors were legendary, their empires always expanding. Yuan-ti temples stood at the centers of ancient metropolises, reaching ever higher in prayer to the gods they longed to emulate. In

emotions are foreign to most yuan-ti, which understand sentiment only as an exploitable weakness. A yuan-ti views the world and the events of its own life with such extreme pragmatism that it is nearly

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

leather, carefully tooled in the intricate designs the elves loved. But no elf in the world of Krynn could grow a beard . . . no elf, but . . . “Tanis?” said Flint hesitantly as the man

between these two worlds. In most parts of the world, though, half-elves are uncommon enough that one might live for years without meeting another. Some half-elves prefer to avoid company altogether

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their

, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups. Human Names and Ethnicities Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents

Life in Khorvaire

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

Life in Khorvaire Although Eberron is a vast world with many continents and cultures, your adventures begin in the land of Khorvaire. Here are a few details about everyday life there.

Life in Khorvaire

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

Life in Khorvaire Although Eberron is a vast world with many continents and cultures, your adventures begin in the land of Khorvaire. Here are a few details about everyday life there.

Familiar Faces

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

ongoing plot. All franchises need servants and hirelings to do mundane jobs, and NPCs the characters already know are a great fit for these roles. Employ these NPCs to make the world feel more familiar and real to the players and characters alike.

Familiar Faces This campaign provides many NPCs for you to do with as you please. They all have roles to play in the encounters and events of the adventure, but what happens to them after that is up

Readers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Readers The Keeper of Tomes appoints individuals to fill key roles, as described in the sections that follow. First Reader The First Reader constantly expands Candlekeep’s literary resources and base

, poetry, and literature. Fheminor Scrivenbark, a lightfoot halfling master sage. Primary expertise: history, folklore, and the cultures of Toril (past and present). Kazryn Nyantani, a human master sage

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

a perfect world, the creatures would be left alone to dig their tunnels and raise the next generation of kobolds, all the while seeking the magic that will free their imprisoned god (see the &ldquo

;Kurtulmak: God of Kobolds” sidebar). In the world they occupy, kobolds are often bullied and enslaved by larger creatures — or, when they live on their own, they are constantly fearful of

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

from Experience True bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires hard study

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves

Creating a Background

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

Creating a Background Backgrounds are designed to root player characters in the world, and creating new backgrounds is a great way to introduce players to the special features of your world

. Backgrounds that have ties to particular cultures, organizations, and historical events from your campaign are particularly strong. Perhaps the priests of a certain religion live as beggars supported by a

Readers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Readers The Keeper of Tomes appoints individuals to fill key roles, as described in the sections that follow. First Reader The First Reader constantly expands Candlekeep’s literary resources and base

, poetry, and literature. Fheminor Scrivenbark, a lightfoot halfling master sage. Primary expertise: history, folklore, and the cultures of Toril (past and present). Kazryn Nyantani, a human master sage

Familiar Faces

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

ongoing plot. All franchises need servants and hirelings to do mundane jobs, and NPCs the characters already know are a great fit for these roles. Employ these NPCs to make the world feel more familiar and real to the players and characters alike.

Familiar Faces This campaign provides many NPCs for you to do with as you please. They all have roles to play in the encounters and events of the adventure, but what happens to them after that is up

Chapter 5: Halflings and Gnomes

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

Chapter 5: Halflings and Gnomes Creatures of many races and cultures are embroiled in struggles that flare up across the multiverse. Other folk survive in the face of all this turmoil by keeping a

low profile and avoiding the wars and other depredations that keep the outside world in a state of flux. Halflings and gnomes are two groups that have survived by remaining largely unnoticed by the

After the Cataclysm

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

After the Cataclysm The Cataclysm ushered in a period of chaos. During the next three centuries, known as the Time of Darkness, cultures and ecologies were radically altered, causing famine, plague

disaster waned. Though many elves and mountain dwarves remained reclusive, other cultures tentatively rebuilt. Explorers ventured forth to map the drastically altered continent. Societies reestablished

After the Cataclysm

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

After the Cataclysm The Cataclysm ushered in a period of chaos. During the next three centuries, known as the Time of Darkness, cultures and ecologies were radically altered, causing famine, plague

disaster waned. Though many elves and mountain dwarves remained reclusive, other cultures tentatively rebuilt. Explorers ventured forth to map the drastically altered continent. Societies reestablished

Creating a Background

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

Creating a Background Backgrounds are designed to root player characters in the world, and creating new backgrounds is a great way to introduce players to the special features of your world

. Backgrounds that have ties to particular cultures, organizations, and historical events from your campaign are particularly strong. Perhaps the priests of a certain religion live as beggars supported by a

Chapter 5: Halflings and Gnomes

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

Chapter 5: Halflings and Gnomes Creatures of many races and cultures are embroiled in struggles that flare up across the multiverse. Other folk survive in the face of all this turmoil by keeping a

low profile and avoiding the wars and other depredations that keep the outside world in a state of flux. Halflings and gnomes are two groups that have survived by remaining largely unnoticed by the

Welcome to the Radiant Citadel

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

through the Radiant Citadel were created by members of the Dungeons & Dragons community with connections to various real-world cultures and mythologies. Embarking on the adventures of the Radiant Citadel

civilizations are bound to this wondrous site. Journeys through the Radiant Citadel is an anthology of exciting adventures that explore the cultures and myths of these realms. The adventures in Journeys

Welcome to the Radiant Citadel

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

through the Radiant Citadel were created by members of the Dungeons & Dragons community with connections to various real-world cultures and mythologies. Embarking on the adventures of the Radiant Citadel

civilizations are bound to this wondrous site. Journeys through the Radiant Citadel is an anthology of exciting adventures that explore the cultures and myths of these realms. The adventures in Journeys

Dragon Adventures

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

Dragon Adventures Dragons are not in your world. You are in theirs. -Fizban When you want a dragon encounter to be the goal or focal point of an entire adventure, how do you craft that adventure

to highlight the dragon’s importance, grandeur, and terrifying power? When you’re using the adventure hooks in this book, dragons will fall broadly into three roles: monster, schemer, or power. Think about those categories as you consider the role you want a dragon to play in your adventure.

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