Magic Items for Starting Characters If you’re starting a campaign for characters above level 1, the Player’s Handbook offers suggestions for how many magic items such characters should start with and the rarity of those items. Consider these approaches to determining the items each character receives: DM Choice: Choose items for each character using your own judgment. Player Choice: Let the…

↑ Use Maximum Hit Points and Damage Rolls for this creature.

↓ Use Minimum Hit Points and Damage Rolls for this character.

Each card’s effect is described below.

Weapon (any simple or martial), rare (requires attunement) This magic weapon grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. While holding it, you can take a Bonus Action to cause it to shed Bright Light in a 30-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet. You can extinguish the light as a Bonus Action. The weapon has 4 charges. You can take a Reaction immediately after being…

Armor (ring mail), rare You have a +1 bonus to AC while wearing this armor. This armor is leather armor with heavy rings sewn into it. The rings help reinforce the armor against blows from swords and axes. Ring mail is inferior to chain mail, and it's usually worn only by those who can't afford better armor.

The preceding example of play shows how one Dungeon Master might run an encounter, but no two DMs run the game in exactly the same way—and that’s how it should be! You’ll be most successful as a DM if you choose a play style that works best for you and your players. The Rule of Fun D&D; is a game, and everyone should have fun playing it. Everyone shares equal responsibility in moving the game…

↓ Use Minimum Hit Points and Damage Rolls for this creature.

Spells Prepared. You determine what spells you can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class. If you are a level 4 Ranger / level 3 Sorcerer, for example, you can prepare five level 1 Ranger spells, and you can prepare six Sorcerer spells of level 1 or 2 (as well as four Sorcerer cantrips). Each spell you prepare is associated with one of your…

Most Darklords have lost track of how long they’ve been prisoners of their domains. Countless times they’ve failed to achieve their goals, and countless times the Dark Powers have tempted them with hope and opportunity again. Darklords seek new factors that might finally allow them to achieve their desires. And few factors hold more potential to further Darklords’ plots—or simply distract them…

Lorwyn and Shadowmoor are perfect places to set games that highlight whimsy or delve into shadowy themes. The adventures in this chapter, which highlight sabotaged inventions and chaotic disruptions, are just two such options. This chapter presents details about the Aeghith, a community gathering place in the village of Burrenton (in Lorwyn), as well as example adventure outlines set there.

Characters earn an advancement toward their next level. If they decline the advancement, they do not earn any treasure but remain eligible to earn marks of prestige or other non-treasure rewards.

Some DMs use music to create an appropriate atmosphere for their game sessions. They might use soundtracks from adventure movies or video games, although classical, ambient, or other music styles can also work well. Some DMs adjust lighting or use sound effects. Miniatures and dioramas can contribute to the game’s atmosphere and help players visualize events. Check with your players, though: some…

If there are parts of the game you prefer not to handle yourself, assign them to players who enjoy them. If you don’t want to break your narrative stride by looking up a rule, designate another player to be the rulebook reference expert. If you don’t like tracking Initiative, ask another player to do so.

One of the best ways to learn how to run a D&D; game is to observe other DMs in action. Another DM can give you a solid foundation for understanding the role—as well as inspire you with cool things you can do in your games. You can use these questions to help you reflect on a game you observe: Beginning the Session. How did the DM start the session? Was there a recap? Body Language. What gestures…

Armor (ring mail), very rare You have a +2 bonus to AC while wearing this armor. This armor is leather armor with heavy rings sewn into it. The rings help reinforce the armor against blows from swords and axes. Ring mail is inferior to chain mail, and it's usually worn only by those who can't afford better armor.

Some nefarious magic-users carry out forbidden necromantic rituals that sever their souls from their bodies to turn themselves into liches, masters of magic and undeath. With their souls preserved in hidden relics, liches puppet their own corpses as they pursue ambitions free from mortal bonds. Liches possess exceptional cunning and magical prowess, and they use their unnatural immortality to…

List of Stat Block from the Dr Dhrolin’s Dictionary of Dinosaurs.

Large Beast (Thyreophoran), Unaligned AC 20 (Extensive Osteoderms) Initiative -3 (7) HP 72 (10d10 + 22) Speed 20 ft.

A storm cloud appears at a point within range that you can see above yourself. It takes the shape of a Cylinder that is 10 feet tall with a 60-foot radius. When you cast the spell, choose a point you can see under the cloud. A lightning bolt shoots from the cloud to that point. Each creature within 5 feet of that point makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d10 Lightning damage on a failed save…

Boggarts in Lorwyn are born into communal warrens where laws and hierarchies are considered suggestions. The oldest and most powerful boggarts, known as “aunties,” serve as respected leaders who keep the peace. Lorwyn boggarts value sharing knowledge and past experiences with their communities. Many are willing to brave great dangers in pursuit of new experiences, and adventurers are common.…