back before detail compelled responses

Orcus Figurine

Magic Items Candlekeep Mysteries

Carved from an ogre’s petrified heart, the gray figurine depicts the Demon Prince of Undeath in ghastly detail, clutching his skull-topped wand in one hand and three severed heads by the hair

properties: Undead within 30 feet of the figurine can’t be turned. Dead creatures within 30 feet of the figurine can’t be brought back to life. A creature that holds the figurine while

Prisoner 13

Monsters Keys from the Golden Vault

tattoo across her back, filling a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on her. Each other creature in that area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 13 (3d8

steal away most of the clan’s gold, leaving only a pittance. Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she can, and shares as

Gruul Anarch

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Spell Level Spells Cantrip fire bolt, produce flame 1st compelled duel, speak with animals, thunderwave 2nd beast sense, shatter 3rd conjure animals

Personality Trait 1 Unlike people, the beasts of the wild are friends who won’t stab me in the back. 2 Go ahead and insult me — I dare you. 3 I scorn those who can

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

We had a tabaxi come through once, a few winters back. She kept the taproom packed each night with her stories and spent most days napping in a chair in front of the fireplace. We thought she was

figure responsible for the creation of the tabaxi, gifts each of his children with one specific feline trait. Those tabaxi gifted with curiosity are compelled to wander far and wide. They seek out

Creating a Campaign

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

a daunting task, but you don’t have to plot out every detail right from the start. You can start with the basics, running a few adventures, and think about larger plotlines you want to explore as the

campaign progresses. You’re free to add as much or as little detail as you wish. The start of a campaign resembles the start of an adventure. You want to jump quickly into the action, show the players

Running This Chapter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

chapter describes the fortress of Sunblight in detail, in the event the adventurers decide to attack it. But the characters are in for a surprise: by the time they arrive, Xardorok has already finished his

succeed if they take frequent rests or have an edge, such as plenty of healing magic or allies to back them up.

Background

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

(money, ale, or both), confesses to having wandered in the back door of the house a couple of years before, hoping to acquire some food. Encouraged by the prospect of free wine in the cellar, he

started to descend the stairs, heard ghastly shrieks and piercing wails, and ran, frightened out of his wits. He knows where the back door is and also noticed a nearby well. He can vaguely describe the

T4. Antechamber

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

pinned, face down, by rocks placed atop his arms, legs, and back. He is barefoot and wears ragged clothes. Depending on what has happened in area T3, Grund (male half-orc thug) might be standing by

as responses to the characters’ questions. The Believers put him here as punishment for being disobedient. He failed to deliver a message from his father, Rotharr Hatherhand, to Ilmeth Waelvur. It

Appendix 3. Dungeon Master Tips

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rrakkma

detail regarding potentially hostile creatures. You can always go back after the fight is over, or after it has been established that a fight won’t be happening and elaborate on your description of the

adventurers are likely to see them initially. If creatures are clearly visible, consider providing a minimum of detail (size, shape, and lighting only) for the area description, in favor of providing greater

17. Vertrand's Room

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

17. Vertrand’s Room Vertrand. A bald, elderly man (Vertrand Shadowdusk) sits at a writing desk to the north, his back to the doorway. Bed. A simple bed stands against the south wall. Tapestry. A

Intelligence (Investigation) check to decipher. The notes detail Vertrand’s research into magical vortices, and how to widen and destabilize planar portals. Treasure. Vertrand’s spellbook is in the

Jander Sunstar

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

soul by swearing to hunt down his own kind. Later, he volunteered to join Zariel on her crusade into the Nine Hells. Stirges now swarm back and forth from Jander’s body, preserving his existence by

: Jander and Haruman were both part of a host of warriors who joined the angel Zariel in her assault on the Nine Hells. After charging through the portal into Avernus, Jander panicked and fled back to

Quest Goals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

at the Wayside Inn previously, the ritual being performed by the cultists could incorporate movement that harkens back to that dance. Although it’s a small detail that a typical player might overlook, if even just one of your players gets chills or a laugh because of the echo, it’s worth the effort.

Returning to Vizeran

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

theories, and I know how to banish the demon lords back to the Abyss. We can do this only if we work together, if you are willing and daring enough to directly challenge the demon lords. Or perhaps

and stronghold, where they can discuss the matter further. There, he can demonstrate what he intends to do and why he needs the heroes’ help. He refuses to discuss plans in detail in Gravenhollow

Loremonger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

is only as good as their word, and you feel compelled to keep others honest. 8 You can’t read or write, so this whole recording-and-playing-back-what-you-say-in-a-jar thing is a huge benefit.

Loremonger I never forget a detail … though many wish I would. — Loremonger mantra Information has value, and the loremonger is that information’s keeper. A franchise’s loremonger studies and

Mysterious Manifestations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

the Fey type, has Intelligence 7, and can speak and understand simple phrases and concepts in Common. Nene has a boisterous personality but is easily distracted. He can mime straightforward responses to

questions, tap objects to get his point across, scratch simple images in the dirt, and so forth. The macaw is confused by the process of passing through the rift but is eager to get back to the

Chapter 4: Adventures in Sharn

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

Chapter 4: Adventures in Sharn Chapter 3 describes the city of Sharn in detail; the following sections focus on the adventures that can happen there. These adventures can unfold among the tallest

, and monstrous mercenaries do battle with heroes from all walks of life, while unscrupulous collectors and smugglers carry on a brisk trade in artifacts brought back from the cyclopean ruins of

Golems

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

the Dungeon Master’s Guide). The comprehensive illustrations and instructions in a manual detail the process for creating a golem of a particular type. “Beyond the unopenable doors lay a grand hall

ending before a towering stone throne, upon which sat an iron statue taller and wider than two men. In one hand it clutched an iron sword, in the other, a feather whip. We should have turned back then

Xanthoria's Defeat

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

Xanthoria’s Defeat Once Xanthoria is defeated, the characters find the last few pages of her notes among her possessions. They detail her growing obsession with undead and her success at turning

brought back to life by any means. If the adventurers fail to convince Thunderwing to give up her life, she turns invisible and leaves the cave complex, taking refuge in the surrounding forest. Xanthoria re

L3. Parlor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

mimics in disguise. They are magically compelled to remain in this room and adhere to creatures only when Granny Nightshade orders them to do so. The mimics are trained in nonlethal combat

grimy, old-fashioned shawl, and her skin looks like gnarled bark. A large iron key extends from her back, ticking rhythmically as it rotates. “Sit down, children,” she says in a voice reminiscent of

Nightspider Dead Ahead

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

the characters), Daar’vik is suspicious and insists on escorting the ship back to the Rock of Bral, where he has it impounded until the question of its ownership can be resolved. Whether or not the

characters allow him to do this is up to them. If Captain Sartell is compelled to refuse Daar’vik’s offer of escort (perhaps because someone is holding her ship hostage or using magic to control her

Getting Players Invested

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

back favorites from earlier in the campaign for the occasional cameo. Player Favorites It’s often easier to describe people and places that are hostile or frightening than it is to detail a feature

a character’s player directly, but instead consider handing over your narrative reins and letting a player describe the perfect detail. For example, say you have a peaceful village you plan to feature

D&D Beyond

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