backs before decisions concept recently

4. Describe Your Character

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

personality traits. Choose your character’s alignment (the moral compass that guides his or her decisions) and ideals. Chapter 4 also helps you identify the things your character holds most dear, called

. Your DM might offer additional backgrounds beyond the ones included in chapter 4, and might be willing to work with you to craft a background that’s a more precise fit for your character concept. A

The Shattered Spire

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

actually raw stones used in the crafting of spell gems. Werz met Kazook in Mantol-Derith (see chapter 9), and the two have been trading recently behind their superiors’ backs. He declines to mention this

Re-created by the Doctor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

terrifying new forms. Such a plot comes with both opportunities and pitfalls. On the one hand, waking up in Mordenheim’s laboratory, either recently changed into reborn (see chapter 1) or about to

to Dr. Mordenheim’s plots. Before running an adventure where players lose control of their characters or decisions about those characters are made for them, ask the players if they’re comfortable with

Circles

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

average of twenty myconids — the Circle of Hunters, the Circle of Explorers, the Circle of Sowers, the Circle of Builders, the Circle of Growers, plus the recently formed Inner Circle and Circle of

with this new and unusual concept, swayed by Phylo’s claims that a higher level of communal harmony will be achieved. Basidia believes that Phylo’s separation of the circles is contrary to the unity and

Prismari Faculty

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

professor of expression) is the current Dean of Expression. Nazzari always want to see art that is bigger, more radical in concept, and more emotionally powerful. For their final project as a mage

professor of expression) is a newly hired instructor teaching a few courses in choreography and dance ensembles. He recently graduated from Strixhaven himself, and he bubbles with excitement at the

4. Describe Your Character

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

personality traits. Choose your character’s alignment (the moral compass that guides his or her decisions) and ideals. The Personality and Background section also helps you identify the things your character

that’s a more precise fit for your character concept. A background gives your character a background feature (a general benefit) and proficiency in two skills, and it might also give you additional

Hill Giant

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

attempt to enter. In conversation, hill giants are blunt and direct, and they have little concept of deception. A hill giant might be fooled into running from another giant if a number of

territory where other humanoids live, it rules strictly by terror and tyranny. Its decisions shift with its mood, and if it forgets the title it bestowed upon itself, it might eat its subjects on a whim.

Knights: A Breed Apart

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

Tu’narath for the first time. Knights are always involved in important decisions, and it is forbidden to keep secrets from them. They act as commissars and enforcers of Vlaakith’s will. They are the rough

along with them. Knights often emerge from planar travel astride the backs of red dragons, which have been serving the githyanki as allies ever since their time of enslavement under the mind flayers

Elements of a Great Adventure

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

describing the present situation, what the bad guys are up to, and how the adventurers become involved in the story. Heroes Who Matter An adventure should allow the adventurers’ actions and decisions to

including goblin sappers with kegs of oil strapped to their backs. An attack on a villain’s estate might be complicated by the unexpected arrival of a special guest. When preparing for possible combat

Modes of Travel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

islands so distant, characters won’t be able to reach the Morkoth on the backs of griffons, hippogriffs, or similar creatures, since the mounts have nowhere to land and rest when they tire. Dragons don’t

Enclave. Klarz’s ship waits for the characters in a cove several miles north of Waterdeep. The Lords’ Alliance recently captured a pirate ship called the Ravenous, along with its nefarious captain

3. Central Basin

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

3. Central Basin This depression in the cavern floor is the main part of the myconid colony. The central circle mound was only recently created, and is now a kind of “town square” where all the

questions they have. The sovereign describes this entity in favorable terms, using “she” and “her” as it does so. Because myconids have no concept of gender, this unusual speech is further indication of

Staff

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

concept behind the hirelings and selecting one proficiency for each. The DM can then customize the hirelings as desired, perhaps by adding additional proficiencies or adjusting their combat statistics

franchisees. Choices might be offered by the DM, as between a team of ex-militia who lost their last battle and a crew of recently released criminals who swear they were wrongly imprisoned. Names

6. Goblin Den

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

: The three Rockseeker brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro) recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver’s Pact. (Share the information in the

party, if only for a short time. Here are some tips to help you run an NPC party member: Let the characters make the important decisions. They are the protagonists of the adventure. If the

Uthgardt Lands

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

, these folk are similar to nomadic Tel’Quessir, in that they make their decisions by consensus among the heads of the families, and disagreements are handled efficiently: those who don’t like the

the Uthgardt tribes today. Blue Bear. The easternmost of the Uthgardt are the Blue Bear — thought destroyed more than a century ago — who have recently emerged from inside the High Forest and

The Lords' Alliance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

decisive, Dagult acts always for the good of his subjects and realm—and in doing so, has consistently built up his own power and wealth. Unfortunately for him, the Masked Lords of Waterdeep have recently

lost many people in recent years, and the dwarves that remain are struggling to retain ancient lands only recently reclaimed. He knows the adventurers only by reputation, and desires tangible proof

The Lords' Alliance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

decisive, Dagult acts always for the good of his subjects and realm—and in doing so, has consistently built up his own power and wealth. Unfortunately for him, the Masked Lords of Waterdeep have recently

lost many people in recent years, and the dwarves that remain are struggling to retain ancient lands only recently reclaimed. He knows the adventurers only by reputation, and desires tangible proof

The Lords' Alliance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

decisive, Dagult acts always for the good of his subjects and realm—and in doing so, has consistently built up his own power and wealth. Unfortunately for him, the Masked Lords of Waterdeep have recently

lost many people in recent years, and the dwarves that remain are struggling to retain ancient lands only recently reclaimed. He knows the adventurers only by reputation, and desires tangible proof

Locations A - D

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

. Ardeep Forest This forest east of Waterdeep and the Dessarin River was once part of the long-lost elven kingdom of Illefarn. Now it’s home to a small clan of wood elves recently arrived from Evermeet

-eyed “Senior Sword” and master of the militia. The largest inn, the Old Bargewright, was recently rebuilt as a substantial stone structure with thick walls and private chambers hidden behind secret

Upper City Gazetteer

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

laws and ordinances, summaries of judicial decisions and trial outcomes, deed records, guild charters, census tallies, and family genealogies for all the noble houses and sufficiently important

Shield, a secret society tied to the Shield of the Hidden Lord. This shield recently disappeared from the crypts under the Hhune estate, and Kaddrus is assisting efforts to get the shield back and punish

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

laws and ordinances, summaries of judicial decisions and trial outcomes, deed records, guild charters, census tallies, and family genealogies for all the noble houses and sufficiently important

connection to the Knights of the Shield, a secret society tied to the Shield of the Hidden Lord. This shield recently disappeared from the crypts under the Hhune estate, and Kaddrus is assisting efforts to get

N3. Burgomaster's Mansion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

their backs to you in the northeast corner of the room. If the characters trigger the glyph of warding or otherwise announce their arrival, Victor casts a greater invisibility spell on himself and

cradles an open leather-bound book in his arms. Victor found a spellbook in his father’s library and is using it to teach himself the art of spellcasting. Only recently has he been able to decipher

Arcane Brotherhood

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

companions Dzaan, a human illusionist and Red Wizard of Thay who perished recently, but whose simulacrum lives on Nass Lantomir, a human diviner who died and now exists as a spellcasting ghost Vellynne

likes using her magic to destroy things, and her hunger for magic items knows no bounds. Her supreme confidence means that she never backs down from a challenge, even when the odds are clearly stacked

Headquarters Features

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

players and the DM. Group Design When selecting a feature, the characters must make decisions together — meaning the players must do the same. Deciding on the features of a headquarters should be a team

malfunctioning magic, and so forth. The DM approves the headquarters concept and decides how large or small the initial structure can be, as well as any useful features. DMs and players can work together

Illithinoch Locations

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

want mind flayers locked in their own cells. Prisoner Evidence. The mind flayer fanatics kept the kidnapped townspeople here but recently took them into the Far Realm. The pens contain only scraps of

have learned by now. Prisoners’ Location. The prison cells to the south recently contained almost a dozen surface dwellers. The fanatics took them into the Far Realm for some greater plan Ahooshathan

Lambent Zenith Locations

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

been plagued recently by aberrant monsters such as cloakers, though the survivors don’t know why. Ralph Horsley Ilren If asked for specifics, Lysan and Zastra share a look before directing the

of 15 or higher hear muffled shouting from below. Secret Entrance. Loose floorboards on the room’s port side can be pried up, allowing access to the brig (area Z9). Ilren recently used this passage

Appendix: Roleplaying Cards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

my destiny to be king.” Argantle the Korred Queen CHAPTER 4: YON Queen Argantle sports a generous beard and whiskers. Her hair is shorn on one side, from where Endelyn Moongrave recently

pocket watch. Alignment. Chaotic good. Personality Trait. “I carefully consider my words before speaking them aloud.” Ideal. “Caution. Thoughtless decisions lead to reckless acts.” Bond. “This

Appendix D: Roleplaying Cards

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

my destiny to be king.” Argantle the Korred Queen CHAPTER 4: YON Queen Argantle sports a generous beard and whiskers. Her hair is shorn on one side, from where Endelyn Moongrave recently

pocket watch. Alignment. Chaotic good. Personality Trait. “I carefully consider my words before speaking them aloud.” Ideal. “Caution. Thoughtless decisions lead to reckless acts.” Bond. “This

Locations E - H

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

steeply pitched rooftops and tall spires that sport colorful banners. Two bridges span the river, which has parks and trees along its shores. Until recently, Everlund was a member of the Lords’ Alliance

city and a bastion of the empire of Delzoun, this dwarven stronghold stood abandoned for centuries beneath the mountains. Recently, an army of shield dwarves led by Bruenor Battlehammer reclaimed it

Fortress Level 2

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

a seaweed bed. It recently lost a large sum of gold to the sahuagin wave shaper in area 28. Treasure. The coffers, which are unlocked, contain a total of 12 gp. 31. Priestess’s Quarters The floor and

at the foot of the dais, three adult sahuagin float with their backs to you. Two float with bodies held rigid, while the third pleads before the throne. The sahuagin speaking to the baron is

Locations R - U

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

harm. They recently found an artifact — half of a giant-sized vase — in the High Moor, and they’re widening their search for other evidence of a cloud giant castle that crashed in this area thousands

carved from opalescent marble. Three stone giants recently desecrated the mound, knocking over all the menhirs and cairns. They also dug up and pulverized the central altar. The Uthgardt who claim this

Fortress Level 3

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

. To your left, you see several instruments of torture — a wheel, a metal boot with catches and screws, a press, and a rack. Three sahuagin with their backs to you attend to their task, stretching a

sahuagin, this area has recently been reserved for the sahuagin wave shapers. Currently, two sahuagin wave shapers (see appendix C), six sahuagin, and two shell sharks (see appendix C) occupy this area

Roleplaying a Giant

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

blasphemous to aspire to anything higher or lower. 4 Though I can never rise above my clan’s position in the ordning, I can be a leader among my clan. 5 My own kind have turned their backs on me, so I

recently killed elk is as flame to them. As a sailor fears the howl of the wind heralding a storm, the denizens of ice-capped mountains and northern steppes shudder at the war horns that presage the

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