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Returning 35 results for 'npc score bards'.
Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide
a minimum score of 1). You can draw one additional card beyond your declared draws.
Rogue. An NPC of the DM’s choice becomes Hostile toward you. You don’t know the identity of this NPC
one of your ability scores by 2. You can’t decrease an ability that has a score of 5 or lower. Alternatively, you can choose not to adjust your ability scores, in which case this card has no
Magic Items
Keys from the Golden Vault
book, the spirit tries to leave the book and enter your body. If you fail a DC 20 Charisma saving throw, it succeeds, and you become an NPC under the DM’s control until the intruding spirit is
, one ability score of your choice increases by 2, to a maximum of 24. Another ability score of your choice decreases by 2, to a minimum of 3. The book can’t adjust your ability scores again
Magic Items
Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
already been claimed, you gain an equivalent hoard.
Idiot. Reduce your Intelligence by 1d4 + 1 (to a minimum score of 1) for the duration of the adventure. You can draw one additional card beyond
within 30 feet of you. The NPC serves you loyally for the duration of the adventure, believing that the fates have drawn them to you. You control this character.
Moon. You are granted the ability
Deck of Many Things
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Magic Items
Basic Rules (2014)
1d4 + 1 (to a minimum score of 1). You can draw one additional card beyond your declared draws.
Jester. You gain 10,000 XP, or you can draw two additional cards beyond your declared draws.
Key. A
ability to cast the wish spell 1d3 times.
Rogue. A nonplayer character of the GM's choice becomes hostile toward you. The identity of your new enemy isn't known until the NPC or someone else reveals
Eye and Hand of Vecna
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
from your body, devours it, and then takes control of the body like a puppet. If that happens, you become an NPC under the DM’s control.
Properties of the Hand. Your alignment changes to
neutral evil, and you gain the following benefits:
Your Strength score becomes 20, unless it is already 20 or higher.
Any melee spell attack you make with the hand, and any melee weapon attack made
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
the NPC’s loyalty score accordingly. Tracking Loyalty Keep track of an NPC’s loyalty score in secret so that the players won’t know for sure whether an NPC party member is loyal or disloyal (even if
the NPC is currently under a player’s control). An NPC’s loyalty score increases by 1d4 if other party members help the NPC achieve a goal tied to its bond. Likewise, an NPC’s loyalty score increases
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Loyalty Score in secret so that the players won’t know for sure whether an NPC party member is loyal or disloyal. An NPC’s Loyalty Score increases by 1d4 if other party members help the NPC achieve a
personal goal. Likewise, an NPC’s Loyalty Score increases by 1d4 if the NPC is treated particularly well (for example, given a magic weapon as a gift) or rescued by another party member. An NPC’s Loyalty
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
character Advantage on their Initiative roll. For example, if a conversation with an NPC is cut short because the Sorcerer is convinced that NPC is a doppelganger and targets it with a Chromatic Orb
characters, just for monsters, or for both. Initiative Scores for Characters. A character’s Initiative score is typically 10 plus all modifiers to the character’s Initiative roll (including their Dexterity
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Creating a Bard Bards thrive on stories, whether those stories are true or not. Your character’s background and motivations are not as important as the stories that he or she tells about them
a story. Some bards acquire their magical music through extraordinary means, including the inspiration of fey or other supernatural creatures. Did you serve an apprenticeship, studying under a master
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
Elf Traits Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement. Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2. Age. Although
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
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
. Investigator. Investigators piece evidence into a coherent whole that explains a mystery. This character combines a high Intelligence score with proficiency in skills such as Investigation, Perception, and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
score increases by 2, to a maximum of 22. Consequence. The character is cursed with werewolf lycanthropy (see the Monster Manual) until the blessing ends on them. On nights when the moon is full, the
cursed character flies into a rage that lasts until dawn; while in this state, the character becomes an NPC under the DM’s control. Blessing of Lonely Genius Supernatural Gift (Blessing) Your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Elf Traits Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of elven refinement. Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2. Age. Although
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
the occupants of the lair, including its two most important individuals. To earn the trust of an NPC (Sauriv or Othokent) or a group (commoners, shamans, other lizardfolk, locathah, or merfolk), one
trust of Othokent 15 +15 If the characters can raise their score to 50 points with a sufficient number of successful checks, relations with the lizardfolk become amicable and an alliance can be
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
Common, and has an Intelligence score of 10; he otherwise uses the zombie stat block. Bard’s Quest Frody didn’t intend to frighten away the cabin’s proper owners, but his appearance can’t be helped
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
treasure has already been claimed, you gain an equivalent hoard. Idiot. Reduce your Intelligence by 1d4 + 1 (to a minimum score of 1) for the duration of the adventure. You can draw one additional
duration of this adventure. Knight. You gain the service of any of the NPCs in the “Hirelings” section not currently with the party, who appears in a space you choose within 30 feet of you. The NPC
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
without arousing suspicion. NPC Harpers are the kinds of characters who consistently pop up when they’re least expected and most useful. If the characters need a safe house in a strange city, are
unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, mages, and rogues
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
without arousing suspicion. NPC Harpers are the kinds of characters who consistently pop up when they’re least expected and most useful. If the characters need a safe house in a strange city, are
unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, mages, and rogues
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
without arousing suspicion. NPC Harpers are the kinds of characters who consistently pop up when they’re least expected and most useful. If the characters need a safe house in a strange city, are
unable to locate an elusive foe, or have been captured by the cult and need inside help to escape, a Harper can offer up a secure hideout, a whispered clue, or a smuggled knife. Bards, rogues, and wizards
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
College of Creation One bard’s song of creation is the score to another person’s nightmares.
Tasha
Bards believe the cosmos is a work of art—the creation of the first dragons and gods. That
creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as the Song of Creation. The bards of the College of Creation draw on that primeval song through dance
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
. For example, if a conversation with an NPC is cut short because the Sorcerer is convinced that NPC is a Doppelganger and targets it with a Chromatic Orb spell, everyone rolls Initiative, and the
Scores for Characters. A character’s Initiative score is typically 10 plus all modifiers to the character’s Initiative roll (including their Dexterity modifier and any special modifiers). If you want
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak
recruits. A player character cursed with wererat lycanthropy becomes an NPC under the DM’s control on nights of the full moon. Wererat Lycanthropy Any humanoid creature cursed with wererat lycanthropy
speak while in rat form. The creature gains a Dexterity of 15 if its score isn’t already higher. The creature is proficient with the wererat’s bite attack. Attack and damage rolls for its bite are based
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
) score of 15 or higher recognize that the head is actually a person buried up to the neck, and he is unconscious but still alive. That fact is obvious to anyone who approaches within 10 yards, as is the
probably deserves it and should be left there. If characters are working as guards for NPC merchants, at least one of their employers is among this group. It’s obvious from wheel tracks on the turned
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
) score of 15 or higher recognize that the head is actually a person buried up to the neck, and he is unconscious but still alive. That fact is obvious to anyone who approaches within 10 yards, as is the
probably deserves it and should be left there. If characters are working as guards for NPC merchants, at least one of their employers is among this group. It’s obvious from wheel tracks on the turned
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
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
war machine. The Confiscator has the key skills for such jobs. A good Dexterity score proves helpful in undertaking such tasks, especially if it’s enhanced with proficiency with thieves’ tools and the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
skills. Bards and rogues make natural academic Financiers, as do those with the charlatan and noble backgrounds. Research Assistant. Whether their seeking to graduate, get published, or make their
certainly legitimate Research Assistants who honestly pursue their studies, this role might suit characters without academic interests. Scholar. Likely possessing a high Intelligence score and a focus
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
+ 1 (to a minimum score of 1). You can draw one additional card beyond your declared draws. Rogue An NPC of the DM’s choice becomes Hostile toward you. You don’t know the identity of this NPC until they
another one of your ability scores by 2. You can’t decrease an ability that has a score of 5 or lower. Alternatively, you can choose not to adjust your ability scores, in which case this card has no
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
another one of your ability scores by 2. You can’t decrease an ability that has a score of 5 or lower. Alternatively, you can choose not to adjust your ability scores, in which case this card has no
the two of you have been drawn together by fate. Work with your DM to create a name and backstory for this NPC. The DM can use a different stat block to represent the knight, as desired. Moon You
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
be a challenging role for a player character to fill, but an NPC could provide services to the party, making them worth keeping around. Face. Typically gifted with a high Charisma score and skilled in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
this character’s divine connection. The Prophet is often a cleric or druid, but could also be an NPC with no real adventuring skills, who needs the group’s protection. Scholar. The Scholar brings
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher spot six drow watching them in the Blade Bazaar. One of them is Xalith Masq’il’yr, a female drow allied with House Mizzrym. Any of the party’s NPC
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Vecna tears your soul from your body, devours it, and then takes control of the body like a puppet. If that happens, you become an NPC under the DM’s control. Eye and Hand of Vecna Properties of the Hand
. Your alignment changes to neutral evil, and you gain the following benefits: Your Strength score becomes 20, unless it is already 20 or higher. Any melee spell attack you make with the hand, and any
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
any NPC in Phandalin can provide directions to the ruins. Recently, prospectors in the area have noted that someone has set up a campsite at Old Owl Well, and that undead guardians have been posted to
Wisdom (Perception) score of 10 or higher smells a deathly odor wafting from the tower’s direction. When characters approach the tower or the tent, the zombies shamble out of the tower. If a battle
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
lowest ability scores and define one trait related to each. Either one could be positive or negative: you might work hard to overcome a low score, for example, or be cocky about your high score.
Ideals
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
a minimum score of 1). You can draw one additional card beyond your declared draws. Jester. You gain 10,000 XP, or you can draw two additional cards beyond your declared draws. Key. A rare or rarer
wish spell 1d3 times. Rogue. A nonplayer character of the DM’s choice becomes hostile toward you. The identity of your new enemy isn’t known until the NPC or someone else reveals it. Nothing less than






