deceit instead are bards

Viari

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

Evasion. If Viari is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half

adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost

Oghma

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

their fellows. Not surprisingly, those who follow Oghma oppose those who foster deceit, trickery, and ignorance. Folk of many professions favor the Binder: wizards, cartographers, artists, bards

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the blood, as it once did. Because their population is so small, the yuan-ti are aware they are vulnerable in open warfare. Instead, their current plans assume they will never rule outwardly in

many methods for capturing enemies, such as poisoning, knocking out an opponent instead of making a killing blow, throwing nets, using magic such as suggestion, or restraining them in the coils of a

Mastermind

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

while a creature within 5 feet of you is granting you cover against that attack, you can use your reaction to have the attack target that creature instead of you. Soul of Deceit Starting at 17th

! Mastermind Features Rogue Level Feature 3rd Master of Intrigue, Master of Tactics 9th Insightful Manipulator 13th Misdirection 17th Soul of Deceit Master of Intrigue When you choose this

Bard Subclasses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Bard Subclasses A Bard subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Bard levels, as specified in the subclass. Bards form loose associations, which they call colleges, to preserve

Harmony with the Cosmos Bards of the College of Dance know that the Words of Creation can’t be contained within speech or song; the words are uttered by the movements of celestial bodies and flow

College of Glamour

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

College of Glamour The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Tutored by satyrs

, eladrin, and other fey, these bards learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others. The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of

Talentan Characters

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

, and bards and rogues certainly have a place on the plains. Outlander is a logical background, but you could easily be a bold folk hero, a dashing entertainer, or a clever charlatan. You could even be an

. Hermit and Outlander are sound backgrounds, but you could be an acolyte or a sage who consults with spirits instead of reading books. Warriors and shamans alike often wear masks in order to present a

Mastermind

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

, you can use your reaction to have the attack target that creature instead of you. Soul of Deceit Starting at 17th level, your thoughts can’t be read by telepathy or other means, unless you allow it

Modifying a Class

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

, paladins might not swear their oaths to ideals, but instead swear fealty to powerful sorcerers. To capture this story concept, you could build a new paladin spell list with spells meant to protect

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

The Old Dartwild Cabin

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

imparts the following information: Grave Theft. Two halflings dug up his grave in the dead of night and stole his Canaith mandolin (an instrument of the bards). Frody wants it back. (“It was a gift

characters slay Frody instead, he reappears 24 hours later as a neutral good ghost and haunts Toadhop until his spirit finds rest—which happens only when Golden Axe is returned to Frody’s grave.

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

Elf Traits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep. Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such

is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires. Subrace. Ancient divides among the

Elf Traits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep. Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such

is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires. Subrace. Ancient divides among the

Targets

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

, permeating every bit of matter and present in every manifestation of energy throughout the multiverse. Mortals can’t directly shape this raw magic. Instead, they make use of a fabric of magic, a

magic depends on the Weave, though different kinds of magic access it in a variety of ways. The spells of wizards, warlocks, sorcerers, and bards are commonly called arcane magic. These spells rely on

Lorehold Student

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

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

falls apart someday. Lorehold Trinkets. When you make your character, you may roll once on the Lorehold Trinkets table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s Handbook, for your starting

Viari

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

vengeance. Viari’s career as an adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a

Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Evasion. If Viari is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the

Bladesinging

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Bladesinging When faced with the endless onslaught of magical possibilities, many wizards suffer identity crises. Some overcome, some break, and some become sword-bards. Tasha Bladesingers master

equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest. Extra Attack 6th-level Bladesinging feature You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take

Silverquill Student

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

bards find a home in Silverquill, putting the power of their voices to use with Silverquill magic. Wizards (especially those who study the Schools of Illusion and Enchantment) are common in

may roll once on the Silverquill Trinkets table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s Handbook, for your starting trinket. Silverquill Trinkets d6 Trinket 1 A black leather notebook

College of Swords

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

College of Swords Bards of the College of Swords are called blades, and they entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing and

to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the target. Extra Attack Starting at 6th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. Master’s Flourish

Emotionless Evil

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

opponents than kill them. They use many methods for capturing enemies, such as poisoning, knocking out an opponent instead of making a killing blow, throwing nets, using magic such as suggestion, or

uses, either as sacrifices to the gods or as food. Depend on Deceit Yuan-ti have no sense of honorable combat. They are naturally stealthy, and if they can sneak up on enemies, either in an ambush or

Druid Circles

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

drinker’s Wisdom bonus, if any. If the drinker has threatened the balance of nature since the last full moon, the water instead deals 1d8 poison damage to the drinker. This damage is also dealt by a

circles in the North are often allied with the Harpers, as they have common purpose, with bards and rangers serving as go-betweens. Individual Harpers can usually expect a circle to at least grant them

Nine Hells

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

massive serpent with the upper torso and head of a hairless, horned humanoid. Mammon’s greed is legendary, and he is one of the few archdevils who will trade favors for gold instead of souls. His lair is

deceit and manipulation, and their unhindered pursuit of their own agendas make them truly terrifying foes. A descent into the Nine Hells is a journey into the heart of evil. Every shred of evil is

Gala at the Cerulean Lyceum

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

filled with Janyans enraptured by the low-toned, hypnotic music of a group of bards. Xoese-Addae leads the characters to a private audience suite overlooking the quad, occupied by a single Janyan wearing

its own realm.” Bond. “We serve Janya by defining the future instead of dwelling on the past.” Flaw. “Cross me and you’ll regret it more than you can imagine.” Caught in the Middle Both Zisatta and

Halflings

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

Scholars, wizards, druids, and bards of other races have different ideas about how halflings escape peril, suggesting that by virtue of something in their nature, they occupy a special place in the

the unknown doesn’t feel fear as much as wonderment. Instead of being frightened, the halfling remains optimistic, confident of having a good story to tell when it’s all over. Whether the situation

Alignment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

townsfolk. Chaotic Neutral. (CN) creatures follow their whims, holding their personal freedom above all else. Many rogues and bards are chaotic neutral. Lawful Evil. (LE) creatures methodically take

from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language

Screaming Devilkin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

believe that their appearance derives from the primal fear inspired by fiendish creatures, while bards assert that panic, being such a repulsive emotion, is embodied by an equally ugly creature

its turn within 15 feet of Ygorl takes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Ygorl fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Ygorl has

Giants

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

. Smiling ones are cloud giants who honor and emulate Memnor’s craftiness and deceit above all else. They are tricksters supreme who use sleight of hand, deception, misdirection, and magic in their

pursuit of wealth. They also possess a flair for unpredictability and a wicked sense of humor. While cloud giants expect a certain amount of trickery and deceit in their dealings with others of their kind

City Celebrations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

. Although some of the dancing is wanton and performed for show, large-scale ring dances in the street for all ages are also popular. All the dancing ends at dusk, after which bards and minstrels perform at

, on his statue in the City of the Dead, and atop the altars of the House of Wonder. Bards perform songs in honor of the wizard all over the city. The Open Lord visits taverns and inns throughout

Conservatory Locations

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

demonic stone hand rises from the floor and clutches a three-foot-tall, three-foot-wide brazier. The hand has five fingers instead of four. The stone hand merges seamlessly with the stone floor

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

Roleplaying a Giant

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

watching clouds drift past their mountaintop homes instead of living atop those clouds as in days of yore. Family First Most types of giants live communally in large groups of clan mates, but the central

flying predators such as manticores and wyverns. Second, the giants believe they deserve to be rewarded for their forbearance; no one could stop them from simply taking what they want, but instead of

Area Locations

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

in plate armor, and where a head should be, there is instead a featureless, luminescent orb. The neutral ghost haunting this area has no memory of its name or existence in life—a fact which pains it

twisted experiments (each uses the gray ooze stat block but is an Undead instead of Ooze). The masses ignore the room’s difficult terrain and attack if approached. N10: Crypt of the Silenced Singers

The Dark Seldarine

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

pupil surrounded by black instead of white. The liquid nature of Ghaunadaur is symbolic of its unpredictable nature, which is what makes attracting its attention so risky. It occasionally rewards its

opponents. Deceit and taking advantage of others’ weaknesses are recurring themes in the tales of her exploits. The only figure in the Dark Seldarine immune to Zinzerena’s deceptions is Lolth, although

Chromatic Dragons

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

dragon can breathe air and water. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Actions Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence

throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Actions Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon

Metallic Dragons

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

., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 24 Languages Common, Draconic Challenge 20 (25,000 XP) Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead

saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Actions Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Bite. Melee

Locations R - U

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

seasons and the movement of the stars. The Gray Wolves aren’t allowed atop the high plateau. Instead, they gather around an altar mound in the heart of a wolf-shaped depression southwest of Raven Rock

are even more formidable than the knights and have served the city well for years. Silverymoon is also a haven for Harpers — not surprising, given that many Harpers are wizards and bards. Grand and

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