back bonding detail could reside

Changeling

Species Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

With ever-changing appearances, changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face may reveal an aspect of

in the fey realm. In their true form, changelings appear faded, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see one in that form, for a typical changeling alters their shape the way others

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

Changeling

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

With ever-changing appearances, changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face is only a disguise. For

, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape the way others might change clothes. A casual shape—one created

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

raid just as another group returns, laden with severed heads, sacks of loot, and armfuls of food. Warriors also serve as scouts, bringing back detailed reports about the surrounding area so that the

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

lack of emotional bonding means they have no concept of marriage or permanent family relationships. Their eggs are placed in a common tribal hatchery with no effort to keep track of who each one

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

Features of Zorzula's Rest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

to poison damage automatically succeed on this saving throw. A creature who succeeds on this saving throw is immune to the effects of the area’s toxic fumes for 24 hours. All creatures that reside in

descriptions detail the main areas of the mining tunnels. However, several smaller, splinter tunnels branch off these areas. These tunnels were once used in the ancient duergar’s mining operations, but

Changeling

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

Changeling With ever-changing appearances, changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face is only a

faded, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape the way others might change clothes. A casual shape—one created

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.

Holed Up

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

. Slaying the mammoth is a tall order, so characters would be wise to flee from Norsu or try to reason with it. Norsu and the winter wolves reside in an ice lodge built by Garagai. The wolves try to entice

. Characters lured to the ice lodge by the wolves or hired by Speaker Durmoot to find the missing teenagers can try to rescue Silja and Finn from the frost giant’s lodge and see them safely back to town.

Changeling

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Changeling With ever-changing appearances, changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face may reveal an

foot in the fey realm. In their true form, changelings appear faded, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see one in that form, for a typical changeling alters their shape the way

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

Background

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

Background The Iceshield orcs reside in a handful of lodges spaced about a day apart along the western edge of the High Forest. They have long been a thorn in the side of the denizens of that wood

wagons they find, loading them with loot. They take the families as slaves and force them to tow the conveyances back to the Iceshield lodges. Some independent-minded squads of orcs decided that the

About the Students

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

About the Students “Sythian has four students currently. They all reside at the conservatory, but their families have grand estates in the nearby city. “Wylie plays strings and has a beautiful

singing voice. She is attending her father’s birthday party and won’t be back for a couple of days. That leaves Embry, a talented composer and horn player; Mazia, who plays the flute; and Mytchyl, who

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

17. Stone Temple Pileup

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

of the floor on its back, its shriveled tongue hanging out and all six feet sticking up in the air. Clutched in one of its clawed feet is a transparent orb. The basilisk was killed by previous

adventurers and left here. Anyone who inspects the corpse discovers that the basilisk died from wounds consistent with weapon attacks and destructive spells. Two centipedes reside in the corpse. If the

The Truth behind the Legend

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a7

entrance to his halls, and went to reside in his final haunt, while his soul roamed strange planes unknown to even the wisest of sages. If the characters gain access to the innermost part of the tomb

where the lich’s crypt lies, their actions along the way will have caused his soul to be called back to the Material Plane and alerted Acererak, now a demilich, that interlopers have invaded his resting

Disposing of Evidence

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

are twenty feet away from the tree trunk and pushing a wheelbarrow filled with bodies toward it. Two black puddings reside within the hollow, petrified tree. Bak Mei uses these oozes to dispose of

. The monks don’t stick around to watch the puddings’ feast; they guide the wheelbarrow back to the temple, about 500 yards east of the dump site. If the characters make their presence known, the monks

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

Staff

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

. — Omin Dran Majordomo A majordomo administers a franchise headquarters. They typically reside within the headquarters and seldom leave it, sending out communications through a dedicated messenger (at no

creating nonplayer characters in chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to detail the majordomo, giving this individual a vibrant personality and backstory. The majordomo’s goals should be aligned

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

Dwarfholds of the North

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Dwarfholds of the North Who am I? Son, I’ve got hairs on my back longer than that little beard o’ yours. I fought with Emerus to retake Felbarr, and marched with every dwarf king of the North to win

back Gauntlgrym. Lost half my foot to an orc’s blade, and slew every damned one that got in my way marching home. If I want to sit and enjoy my old age now that we finally drove the orcs back, I’ll do

Orc Lairs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

sequestered in a cavern off the main chamber, where they protect the young and supervise food stores. These orcs take control of prisoners brought back from raids, using them as slave labor to dig out new

living space and do other menial tasks. Most of Luthic’s faithful reside in this area, close to the whelping pens where young orcs are kept until they grow old enough to contribute to the tribe. When

Lost Treasures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

a great many sacrifices to function. Tabaxi thieves might try to steal the jewel and bear it safely back to Maztica, perhaps trading it for the release of enslaved loved ones. Conversely, a villain

gods reside — turn to dust and are destroyed as soon as they exit the tomb. These items include Obo’laka’s ring of protection (area 10), Moa’s staff of the python (area 14), Wongo’s mace of terror (area

Efreeti

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

. Efreet view all other creatures as enemies or potential serfs. They raid the Material Plane and the elemental planes, bringing captives back to their homes on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Efreet are

oppressive tyrants toward those they force to labor for them. Planar Raiders. Most efreet reside on the Elemental Plane of Fire, either in great domed fortresses of black glass and basalt surrounded by

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

Search Results