depend 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

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

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

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Realms

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

agriculture and trade. Most rural folk depend on farming to eat, and Faerûnians who live in cities ply skilled trades or use brawn to earn their keep, so they can purchase the goods and food provided by

others. News and gossip are carried between population centers by caravans and ships that bring in supplies for trade and by traveling bards and minstrels who recount (or invent) stories to inform and

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

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

Shifter Traits

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

(minimum of 1 temporary hit point). You also gain additional benefits that depend on your shifter subrace, described below. Once you shift, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest

shifters are fierce and aggressive, but they form deep bonds with their friends. Many longtooth shifters have canine traits that become more pronounced as they shift, but they might instead draw on

Statistics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

determined by a particular set of armor they don (like studded leather). Instead, each retainer’s armor class is simplified to one of three armor types: Retainers with light armor have AC 13. Retainers with

survivability depend on the training and expertise of their mentor, a retainer’s proficiency bonus is equal to their mentor’s proficiency bonus. Some of a retainer’s statistics refer to their

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

Death Curse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

of play, the Soulmonger gains the power to draw characters who are close to death, and the following rule applies: A death saving throw succeeds on a roll of 15 or higher (instead of 10 or higher

characters are under pressure to find and destroy the Soulmonger quickly, since many lives depend on it. Time pressure aside, Chult is a land ripe with adventure possibilities, and characters might be

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

Waterdeep

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

. Decades later, more deities began dying off, magic failed, and all manner of catastrophes started altering the very nature of the city. Lord Neverember wasted the city’s navy and then, instead of

Thayans and Baldurian merchants have coin enough to buy property within the city, if they choose, but that is no reason to award them noble titles and legal rights, instead of merely a mansion, for

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

Possible Visions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

merchant stalls, where the duergar hands the gem to a svirfneblin for appraisal. The gnome refuses to return the gem, instead giving it to one of her svirfneblin apprentices. The young apprentice skulks

Visions The other visions the characters might look for depend on what they experienced during their escape from the Underdark, and what you want the adventure to focus on (including the activities of other demon lords).

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

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

NPCs by Guild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Isperia has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Spellcasting. Isperia is a 15th-level

Languages all Challenge 23 (50,000 XP) Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Aurelia fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Aurelia has advantage on saving throws

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

Daoine Gloine

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

that inhabited the city captured a unique medusa — Gloine Nathair-Nathair, whose gaze could transform victims into glass instead of stone. A cult of the medusa arose to worship the creature, which was

eventually make his way to Daoine Gloine. But instead of being welcomed and allowed to work in peace, Kwalish found the city’s evil high priest threatening to transform him into Daoine Gloine’s latest

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

Locations I - L

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

shelter behind its walls. Random Encounters When in this region, use the Random Encounters in Icewind Dale table instead of the Random Wilderness Encounters table earlier in this chapter. Random

might strafe them once with her breath weapon or try to snatch up one of them with her claws, grappling the victim instead of dealing damage on a hit, only to drop the poor fool from a perilous height

D&D Beyond

Search Results