desert instead are bards

Tlincalli

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

and the lower body of an enormous scorpion, complete with a stinger at the end of a long tail. These desert creatures range across arid lands, hunting at dawn and dusk. In the hours between, they wait

tlincalli parents come to investigate. Tlincallis eat what they kill, whether their hunt nets desert animals or a caravan, but when they have new mouths to feed, they are careful to take some of their prey

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

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

Ghost of Amun Sa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

dune. At first, he seems to shimmer in the heat and desert haze, but as he walks closer, it becomes apparent that he’s a ghost. This is the ghost of Amun Sa, former pharaoh of Bakar. He walks in a

nurtured our crops. But I was a foolish and cruel ruler. I should have protected my subjects; instead, I taxed them into poverty to create a wondrous tomb for my own self-preservation. When they rebelled, I

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

Synopsis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

dragonmarked scions instead of Chosen. Alternatively, the Doomvault could be the Blood of Vol’s headquarters in Khorvaire. Vol uses the dungeon to harvest the power of dragonmarks so she can become

an undead god. Greyhawk. Perhaps Rary the Traitor found the Doomvault — yet another vestige of ancient Sulm — under the Bright Desert. Rary takes any chance to increase his power, even as he claims

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

Optional Encounter

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

, sensing your presence. The tiny creatures are desert-dwelling chwingas (see their stat block at the end of the adventure) that live in tiny caves built up on the shell of a giant dragon tortoise. If

dragon turtle stat block with the following changes: It speaks Draconic and Terran. It lacks a swimming speed and the Amphibious trait. Its breath weapon is a 60-foot cone of abrasive sand instead of

The Athasian Cult

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

The Athasian Cult Elemental cults are widespread in Athas. In a world without gods, people instead worship the powers they see in the world around them: air, earth, fire, and water. Elemental priests

serving Elemental Evil is not likely to seem out of the ordinary at first. In small desert villages, a cult could easily take shape and even attract popular support from a local community or tribe

Tlincalli

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

. These desert creatures range across arid lands, hunting at dawn and dusk. In the hours between, they wait out the day’s heat or the night’s cold by burying themselves in loose sand or earth or, if

leaves most would-be predators that dare to break an egg defenseless when the tlincalli parents come to investigate. Tlincallis eat what they kill, whether their hunt nets desert animals or a caravan

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

Blue Dragon Lairs

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

find ways to adapt. Instead of seeking out lofty domiciles, blue dragons build their lairs underground, burrowing beneath sand or using magic to hew rock into an intricate warren of rooms and tunnels

swallowed by desert sands. Some of the lair’s chambers still contain the remnants of temples and other structures. The traces of this metropolis suggest that it was of significant size, but very little of

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

Medusa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

Medusa Snake-Haired Recluse with a Petrifying Gaze Habitat: Desert; Treasure: Any With their hair of living snakes and their infamous petrifying gazes, medusas are hubristic creatures that inhabit

end of its next turn if it is still Restrained, ending the effect on itself on a success. Second Failure: The target has the Petrified condition instead of the Restrained condition.

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

3. Serpents of the Sands

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

3. Serpents of the Sands Two rows of sandstone pillars support the ceiling of this vast chamber. Before Iymrith claimed it as her own, this room was once a secret temple belonging to a sect of desert

Dendar the Night Serpent). Standing around the edge of the hole are three yuan-ti purebloods wearing desert robes and six yuan-ti malisons. Two of the malisons are type 1 (human body with a snake head

Brass Dragon Lairs

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

Brass Dragon Lairs Brass dragons prefer to make their lairs in hot, dry, rocky areas—desert canyons, caves beneath arid mesas, or ancient stone ruins. Brass dragons often compete with blue dragons

Dragon Lair Features The brass dragon lair shown in map 5.4 is an ancient ruin located within rough, stony canyons in a desert environment. The lair has the following features: Column Guardians. Massive

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

Tlincalli

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

tail. Desert Nomads. Tlincallis live austerely. They range across arid lands, hunting at dawn and dusk. In the hours between, they wait out the day’s heat or the night’s cold by burying themselves in

hunter, moves on, or fights to the death to defeat it. Makeshift Weapons and Objects. Tlincallis are uncivilized and don’t build cities, make clothing, or mine metals. Instead, they scavenge what they

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

Weretiger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

Weretiger Changed by the Power of the Tiger Habitat: Desert, Forest, Grassland; Treasure: Armaments Weretigers shape-shift from humanoid forms into tigers or tiger-humanoid hybrids. Although they

following effect. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 13. Failure: The target is cursed. If the cursed target drops to 0 Hit Points, it instead becomes a Weretiger under the DM’s control and has 10 Hit Points

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

Evereska

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

by natural features and magical guise. No significant human settlement stands within a hundred miles west of it, and to the east lies the hungry desert sands of Anauroch. Strange, then, that the

their wares. My kin don’t do anything so pedestrian as set up booths or tables for themselves, but instead deal with a few traders who might be at the inn at the time. These agents then travel out and

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

Journey Stage Challenges

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

unnecessary in your game. Even if the characters are in a desert, you can assume that a character with proficiency in the Survival skill can find enough food and water to sustain the party. Make sure you

. The characters encounter one or more Hostile creatures. For example, marching through a burning forest instead of circling around it might prompt an encounter with raging fire elementals. Damage. The

The Greyhawk Setting

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

cinders from the nearby Hellfurnaces. Land of Black Ice. Those who have ventured far north of the Burneal Forest tell of a strange phenomenon. Instead of normal stark-white snow and translucent blue

the ice, where the sun never sets. Riches of the Bright Desert. The Bright Desert, walled off from the rest of the Flanaess by the monster-infested hills of the Abbor-Alz and the aptly named Gnatmarsh

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

Storm Giant Quintessent

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

(15,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +5 Amphibious. The giant can breathe air and water. Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the giant fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Actions

remote island, a fog-shrouded loch, a beautiful coral reef, or a windswept desert bluff. The storm in which the giant lives could be a blizzard, a typhoon, a thunderstorm, or a sandstorm, as befits the

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

Building a Dungeon

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

–16 Beneath a graveyard 17–22 Beneath a ruined castle 23–26 Beneath a ruined city 27–30 Beneath a temple 31–34 In a chasm 35–38 In a cliff face 39–42 In a desert 43–46 In a forest 47–50 In a glacier

yuan-ti, choked by overgrown jungle plants, might feature ramps instead of stairs. Caverns carved by a beholder’s disintegration eye ray have walls that are unnaturally smooth, and the beholder’s lair

D&D Beyond

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