back before detail contested 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

Ancient Gold Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is

action to make a Charisma check contested by the dragon’s. If the creature wins, it escapes the dream plane. Otherwise, the effect ends on initiative count 20 on the next round. When the effect

Adult Gold Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed

make a Charisma check contested by the dragon’s. If the creature wins, it escapes the dream plane. Otherwise, the effect ends on initiative count 20 on the next round. When the effect ends, the

Inquisitive

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Inquisitive As an archetypal Inquisitive, you excel at rooting out secrets and unraveling mysteries. You rely on your sharp eye for detail, but also on your finely honed ability to read the words and

equipped to expose and end hidden evils. Inquisitive Features Rogue Level Feature 3rd Ear for Deceit, Eye for Detail, Insightful Fighting 9th Steady Eye 13th Unerring Eye 17th Eye for Weakness

Action Options

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

supernatural might. As an alternative, a suitably large opponent can be treated as terrain for the purpose of jumping onto its back or clinging to a limb. After making any ability checks necessary to

get into position and onto the larger creature, the smaller creature uses its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the target’s Dexterity (Acrobatics

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

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

some other convenient way (or, in a cannibalistic tribe, eaten). Kobolds believe that if they die in service to their tribe, Kurtulmak immediately sends each of them back to life as the next egg laid in

. A kobold’s cautious nature doesn’t mean it can’t get angry. The blood of dragons flows in its veins, and like a raging drake, a kobold that is pushed too far or has its back

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.

A Corporate Prospectus

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

stage to the well-being of his employees. It’s definitely not third. But it’s up there somewhere. Jim Darkmagic III comes from a long line of renowned wizards, but he turned his back on his family

hotly contested position with the company. (Any deaths incurred in this process were incidental, and not the result of the actions or negligence of Acq Inc.)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

6. Shrine to Lolth

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

, resting 3–4 Asha and 1d4 drow are engaged in worship 5–6 The shrine is empty The back half of the chamber, behind the altar, is piled with a semicircle of pillows and cushions. Resting among these

(Perception) check contested by the spider’s Dexterity (Stealth) check to spot it before it moves. Treasure The altar is flanked by a pair of heavy silver candlesticks worth 25 gp each. They hold thick

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

Dealing with Amrik

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

paying it back. Characters who plan to rip off Amrik must succeed on a Charisma (Deception) check contested by Amrik’s Wisdom (Insight) check, as described under “Contests” in chapter 7 of the

Tavern Brawl

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

successful Strength check contested by Yagra’s Strength check. Yagra thanks the characters if they help her, but is disappointed that they interfered in the fight. Remember how the characters deal with Krentz

in this scene. If he survives, the characters might meet him again in one of the Xanathar Guild’s sewer hideouts (see area Q5). Hanging Back If the characters don’t interfere in the brawl, Yagra

Silversong Lake

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

Number of Feathers Characters who try to identify the hecklers can spot Kettlesteam in her current guise with a successful Wisdom (Perception) check contested by the kenku’s Charisma (Deception) check. See

Illusions. To coax her back to the lake, the characters must perform an act of gallantry, such as helping Candlefoot find his lost voice. If the characters persuade Palasha to return to the lake and

Roleplaying Sergeant Vilroy

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

case. The sooner the characters solve her problem, the sooner she can get back to collecting extra money from the Boromar Clan for doing nothing other than ignoring their crimes. Germaine gives the

for Coal as her reason for hiring the characters, but a character who succeeds on a Wisdom (Insight) check contested by the Germaine’s Charisma (Deception) check can sense that she’s holding

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

Arveiaturace Arrives

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

Arveiaturace Arrives Arveiaturace, an ancient white dragon whose vision is hampered by cataracts, carries the body of her former master, the wizard Meltharond, in a saddle on her back (see

, use the following boxed text instead: A great white dragon descends from the sky, beating its wings furiously to slow its descent. A dark, humanoid figure is mounted on the dragon’s back. If 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

Dragonfly Rides

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

more than 120 feet from the tree, or until the treant takes a bonus action to turn it back into an inanimate tree. The tree then takes root if possible. Dragonfly Riding Riding a dragonfly costs 1

nearby lily pad. A giant dragonfly has just taken off prematurely with a patron on its back: a middle-aged dwarf with a bright blue beard sits unfastened in his harness. Kettlesteam, a kenku warlock

Campaign Events

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

. Established territories are suddenly contested or might be undefended against other perils. The dragon’s hoard represents tremendous wealth flowing through a single region. Entire populations of

mythical creatures emerge from hiding or a long hibernation. What drove them away, and what is bringing them back? Another possibility is that dragons are responsible for the near-extinction of some other

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

Climbing the Spire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

turns his head and addresses them: “Are you here to worship me?” If one or more characters say yes, the giant invites them to sit with him. If no characters say yes, he goes back to staring. Characters

who speak with the giant get lethargic responses but can eventually learn that he believes he’s a god whose followers forgot him, and now even he has forgotten who he is. The giant has no hope of

D&D Beyond

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