answer some and combat - Search

Deck of Many Things

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

effect. Comet. The next time you enter combat against one or more Hostile creatures, you can select one of them as your foe when you roll Initiative. If you reduce your foe to 0 Hit Points during that

combat, you have Advantage on Death Saving Throws for 1 year. If someone else reduces your chosen foe to 0 Hit Points or you don’t choose a foe, this card has no effect. Donjon. You disappear

Necromite of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten lore. They seek out arcane secrets in ancient ruins, and attempt to steal

are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat abilities. The

Skull Lasher of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

master the necromantic arts. Delvers into Lore. Cultists of Myrkul study rituals that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten

lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat abilities. The master of souls;Masters of Souls delve deep into Myrkul’s secrets, allowing them to animate the dead and perform other grave magic.

Master of Souls

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Myrkul study rituals that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten lore. They seek out arcane secrets in ancient ruins, and

Myrkul;Necromites are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat

Changeling Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Long ago there was a woman named Jes, and she had one hundred children. Her rivals conspired against her and swore to kill her children. Jes begged the Sovereigns for help, but their only answer

focused identity helps a changeling pinpoint a particular skill or emotion. A changeling adventurer might have personas for many situations, including negotiation, investigation, and combat. Personas

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack. Creating a Deep Dragon Use the Deep Dragon Personality

another, and we would all do well to prioritize that kinship. (Any) 3 Mystery. I appreciate a question I cannot answer, so I strive to be an enigma for other creatures. (Any) 4 Adaptability

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack

. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another, and we would all do well to prioritize that kinship. (Any) 3 Mystery. I appreciate a question I cannot answer, so I strive to be an

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

, and we would all do well to prioritize that kinship. (Any) 3 Mystery. I appreciate a question I cannot answer, so I strive to be an enigma for other creatures. (Any) 4 Adaptability. Whether

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

we would all do well to prioritize that kinship. (Any) 3 Mystery. I appreciate a question I cannot answer, so I strive to be an enigma for other creatures. (Any) 4 Adaptability. Whether

C2. Enhanced Sphinx

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

solve, the enhanced sphinx demands that they ask a question that it cannot answer. This could be a riddle, a secret, a logical contradiction, or any other question — but the sphinx warns the characters

that with all the knowledge it has collected throughout the years, it knows the answer to every question. If it fails to answer, the characters are allowed to cross to the island without paying the toll

Haunted Hallway

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

won’t engage the party in combat. If threatened, she vanishes and reappears at the opposite end of the hall, sobbing anew. If approached with compassion, Dolora bemoans the fact that she can’t pick up her

doll until she speaks its name, which she has forgotten. She refuses to leave this place without the doll. Dolora, who only recalls fragmented memories of her life, can’t answer many questions. This

Where to Use Riddles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

helpful magic, or permission to pass through the monster’s lair unscathed. If combat is inevitable, the answer to a monster’s riddle might reveal useful information like the monster’s secret weapon or

: Creatures. Not every adversary wants to engage in mortal combat. Certain creatures might delight in a battle of wits. The reward for answering a creature’s riddle might be a small treasure, a bit of

13. Vestibule

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

has betrayed his kin by choosing to serve Xarann A’Daragon, a House Freth spy who has infiltrated Muiral’s Gauntlet. When combat erupts, Sornnozz switches sides and helps the characters kill the

phase spiders and the other guards. He then offers to lead the characters to Xarann in area 17d. If pressed for details, Sornnozz claims that Xarann is looking for ways to weaken House Auvryndar’s hold over Muiral’s Gauntlet, and he thinks a band of adventurers might be the answer to Xarann’s prayers.

Desert Encounters

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

Desert Encounters If the players are restless or spoiling for a fight, use the following encounters. Pesh and Shamir avoid combat and try their best to stay out of harm’s way. Wandering Monsters The

riddle’s answer is lightning. The first character who answers the riddle correctly while touching the sphinx gains resistance to lightning damage for 10 days. If an incorrect answer is given, the statue

Ignoring the Dice

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

Ignoring the Dice One approach is to use dice as rarely as possible. Some DMs use them only during combat, and determine success or failure as they like in other situations. With this approach, the

make an ability check to do so. This approach rewards creativity by encouraging players to look to the situation you’ve described for an answer, rather than looking to their character sheet or their

Respect for the DM

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

reroll it? When it lands cocked against a book, do you pull the book away and see where it lands or reroll the die? Work with your players to answer these questions, and record the answers as house rules

out of the game for as long as it takes. Monsters don’t attack the character, and the character takes the Dodge action in combat until the player rejoins the group. This solution allows the other

Respect for the DM

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

reroll it? When it lands cocked against a book, do you pull the book away and see where it lands or reroll the die? Work with your players to answer these questions, and record the answers as house rules

character, and the character takes the Dodge action in combat until the player rejoins the group. This solution allows the other players to keep playing instead of letting one player stop the game

Character Creation

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

been able to easily master all manner of weapons, although for challenge I prefer to use my own fists in combat. But I boast too much. In truth, I am one of many who are blessed with the might of

hero’s life from miraculous birth to glorious end? If you’re reading this, the answer is that you make a hero, of course. In Theros, player characters and heroes are synonymous, being rare

Facing Strahd

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

.” He glances at the characters, then asks Sarusanda, “Do you know them?” Sarusanda’s Answer. If Sarusanda is indifferent to the characters, she denies any affiliation with them and takes her leave

allows the party to leave Death House with Sarusanda. On a failure, Strahd sees through the ruse and dismisses Sarusanda before challenging the characters to combat.

Encounters

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

might give you a group answer: “We go through the door.” Other times, individual players might want to do specific things—one might search a chest while another examines a bookshelf. Outside combat, the

and places and for characters to make choices. Encounters can involve exploration (interacting with the environment, including puzzles), social interaction with creatures, or combat. The Player’s

Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

and places and for characters to make choices. Encounters can involve exploration (interacting with the environment, including puzzles), social interaction with creatures, or combat. The following

need it. Sometimes the players might give you a group answer: “We go through the door.” Other times, individual players might want to do specific things—one might search a chest while another examines a

The Infernal Machine of Lum the Mad

Magic Items Infernal Machine Rebuild

. The first time during a combat that a creature attacks you with a metal weapon, that creature has disadvantage on the attack roll. Metal rusts in response to your touch—including metal armor you

determination, giving you hints of potential future events. For example, your sword might become suddenly bloodstained to warn of an upcoming combat encounter, your clothes might become damp to warn of

Idyllglen Events

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Ella doesn’t participate in the combat. Gnolls. The gnolls fight to the death, cackling maniacally all the while. Cart and Dretches. The cart is a Large object with AC 15, 27 hit points, and immunity to

distract enemies in combat. A character who makes a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check can convince the mastiff to stay out of the fight and find shelter. Hezrou. On its turn, the demon

Sword in the Shadows

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Legends of Greyhawk: Secrets of the Free City

combat with 50 Hit Points. The Shield. The cultists and Fragarach appear to be within a magical dome, as the arcane powers of the ritual swirl about them, preventing characters or spells from entering

. This protective spell fails the moment the party extinguishes their first candle. When the dome is dispelled, the cultists engage in combat; however, until he has no choice but to defend himself, Yxirath

Individual Quests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

the character has no answer, she suggests, “Perhaps your adventures here have shown you a way to combat evil on your own terms. Perhaps other such adventures await you.” The Rogue The rogue comes to

30. Natural Cavern

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

zurkhwood). The stinky troglodytes answer to Gorzil in area 30b. They wear breastplates and wield longswords (see “Gorzil’s Gang”). 30b. High Ledge This ledge is 40 feet higher than the floor of area 30a

also helps defend the main cavern if it comes under attack. If that happens, she sends the troglodytes into melee combat while she and the drow attack at range.

Build Your Group

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

even hermit) who decided to put medical expertise to military use. Scout. Trained in navigating the wilderness and laying ambushes for enemy soldiers, the Scout melds the combat skill of a fighter

warforged characters have spent the years since the end of the Last War trying to find a new way of life. For some warforged, the answer is to continue fighting the war one way or another, often as part

Styes Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

they’re given food or a few coins, any of the beggars can answer basic questions about the Styes and specific locations in the district. 3 A group of 2d6 pickpockets (spies) gathers around the characters

attack, the militia retreat if any of them are killed or at the end of the second round of combat. If any militia members are killed, the characters are immediately attacked by any other militia

7. Gray Ghost Garden

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

characters make a lot of noise in area 6 or force their way through the doors to the west, the duergar turn invisible and attack as soon as the characters arrive. At the start of combat, two duergar

use their Enlarge action while the third opens the valve on the copper tank and aims its nozzle at the characters. During the second round of combat on the same initiative count as the duergar, the

16. Fire and Iron

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

visitors, preferring to let Rojkarn answer any questions they might have. If a fight breaks out, the duergar in areas 16b and 16d quickly join the battle. (The duergar in area 16c is deaf.) The forge puts

feet without it. Despite his age, he is fully armed and armored. He would rather die in combat than succumb to the ravages of age, but he fights only in self-defense. If the characters try to talk to

Vlaakith's Dilemma

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

weapon and combat drills, which serve as a brief respite from their boredom. Vlaakith, of course, stands atop the githyanki military hierarchy. Under her serve the supreme commanders, each of whom

oversees a regiment of one thousand githyanki warriors. Ten kith’rak, each responsible for a company of one hundred, answer to a commander. Each kith’rak in turn commands ten sarths, each of whom leads a

Introducing Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Dagger Danger!

adventure where we have to take turns—particularly during combat—I’ll tell you to “roll Initiative.” When this happens, roll a d20 and add your character’s Initiative modifier. After we get everyone’s

Initiative order remains the same from round to round for the whole combat. If there’s a tie, I’ll decide which character or creature goes before the other. The Characters The following text contains a

Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

Combat Does surprise happen outside the initiative order as a special surprise round? No, here’s how surprise works. The first step of any combat is this: the DM determines whether anyone in the

combat is surprised (reread “Combat Step by Step” in the Player’s Handbook). This determination happens only once during a fight and only at the beginning. In other words, once a fight starts, you can’t

Exploration Example

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

around the dungeon the way they do in combat. But the DM frequently checks in to make sure it’s clear where everyone is and what they’re doing. Teamwork Matters. The player characters are working

Spells. Many characters have the ability to cast spells, which have a huge variety of effects. Some spells are mostly useful in combat, by dealing damage or imposing conditions. Other spells have

Getting Players Invested

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

player’s answer—cinnamon rolls from a nearby baker, firework charges being prepared for a celebration, or anything else—becomes part of the village, and the player has added an important detail to the

be cemented early and develop throughout a campaign. During every session, look for opportunities to make the characters feel like the stars of the story, and try to answer one or more of the

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