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Returning 35 results for 'backstory more various settlements'.
races
Player’s Handbook
Dwarves were raised from the earth in the elder days by a deity of the forge. Called by various names on different worlds—Moradin, Reorx, and others—that god gave dwarves an affinity for
subterranean horrors. Inspired by those tales, dwarves of any culture often sing of valorous deeds—especially of the little overcoming the mighty.
On some worlds in the multiverse, the first settlements
races
the drive to find what was lost propels them. Newly born shades are difficult to distinguish from ghosts, but most settlements in the Shadow Realm are familiar enough with the phenomenon to recognize
a new shade when they stumble into town with no recollection of where they came from.
The city of Soriglass has become a haven for various undead, and shades congregate there in large numbers. It is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Homeland All rangers, regardless of how they came to take up the profession, have a strong connection to the natural world and its various terrains. For some rangers, the wilderness is where they
backstory and decide what terrain feels most like home, whether or not you were born there. What does that terrain say about your personality? Does it influence which spells you choose to learn? Have
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
connected to one another by long, mostly unprotected rivers and roads. Human settlements rely on various industries for survival. For example, most of the humans of Ten-Towns and Port Llast are
Settlements Humans are the most widespread folk of the North, but no unified human nation exists in the North — only individual cities, towns, villages, fiefdoms, farmsteads, fortresses, and outposts
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
Dwarf MIKE PAPE Dwarves were raised from the earth in the elder days by a deity of the forge. Called by various names on different worlds—Moradin, Reorx, and others—that god gave dwarves an affinity
subterranean horrors. Inspired by those tales, dwarves of any culture often sing of valorous deeds—especially of the little overcoming the mighty. On some worlds in the multiverse, the first settlements of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
Settlement Larger settlements of giants are rare. Where they do exist, they are typically clusters of family groups and steadings in close proximity, united under the leadership of an exceptional
ruler. A mountain might have several steadings and households at various points along its slopes, for example. Or a vast Underdark chasm might have many caves in its walls, each of which holds a giant
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Dwarf Dwarves were raised from the earth in the elder days by a deity of the forge. Called by various names on different worlds—Moradin, Reorx, and others—that god gave dwarves an affinity for stone
horrors. Inspired by those tales, dwarves of any culture often sing of valorous deeds—especially of the little overcoming the mighty. On some worlds in the multiverse, the first settlements of dwarves
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
elves among other races, and since then they have traditionally gotten along well with their non-elf neighbors. They mingle with other people while their kin remain in hidden settlements and secluded
flourish during and after tragic times in elven history. While communities of moon elves can be found in mainland Faerûn, many moon elves live in the settlements of other races, staying for a few
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
-suited to other domains find natural homes among this realm’s scattered settlements and ancient magical ruins. The Darkon Adventures table provides suggestions for various adventures in the domain. Darkon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
The Lords’ Alliance The Lords’ Alliance is a confederation among the rulers of various northern settlements. The number of members on the Council of Lords, the group’s governing body, shifts
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
monarch, but various factions oppose the union. Trouble is brewing. Bugbear scouts are making incursions into civilized lands and spying on settlements, as a prelude to a hobgoblin warlord’s invasion. A
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
defends itself with all the resources at its disposal. Many settlements, however, simply vanish if they are discovered, retreating to some uncharted corner of the forest to begin anew. The rare forest
likely to take up roles as druids, who serve various forest spirits and deities. Forest gnomes in Faerûn have the racial traits of forest gnomes in the Player’s Handbook.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Dwarfholds of the North The various dwarven communities of the North are the heirs and survivors of Delzoun, the great Northkingdom of long ago. Despite continually warring over the centuries with
recently taken back from the drow, stands as a beacon of resurgent dwarven strength in the North. Stoneshaft Hold and Ironmaster are lonely settlements continually girding themselves for threats real and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
eyes crown its form. From each of these eleven eyes, a beholder can unleash a different magic power. The central eye can deactivate magic, while the smaller eyes emit rays that inflict various dooms
manipulate groups, settlements, and whole nations in the Underdark and sometimes the surface world. Few creatures loathe beholders more than other beholders. Every beholder views itself as the physical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
learning its ways. You are familiar with the various races, civilizations, and settlements of the Underdark, as well as its major routes for travel. If you fail an Intelligence check to recall some piece
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
1. Create a Home Base See the “Settlements” section earlier in this chapter for guidance on building this settlement. A small town or village at the edge of the wilderness serves as a fine home base
adventure locales. An area that size is likely to have one to three additional settlements as well as the home base, so give thought to them as well.
3. Craft a Starting Adventure A single dungeon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
will be wielded by Waterdeep with a vengeance. Unlike in less civilized settlements, punishment for crimes in Waterdeep isn’t typically used as public entertainment. Scheduled executions occur behind
gates and in the harbor. Be aware that the Code Legal provides only an outline of typical sentences for various offenses, and magisters have broad discretion when meting out justice as they see fit. Any Masked Lord can overturn a magister’s ruling, but there’s rarely a Masked Lord around when you need one.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Benevolent locals There is no clear match for this world-spanning organization in Krynn. Instead of an established faction, treat the various Harper contacts in the adventure as friendly NPCs who are willing
leaders in Abanasinia What would be the Lords’ Alliance instead represents the local rulers of the scattered towns of Abanasinia that are not controlled by the Seekers. These settlements mostly lie
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
chapter 6 of this book is a good parallel to the classic adventure, The Village of Hommlet, and the various sites in and around Red Larch can easily be relocated to the surrounding Kron Hills to
introduce the player characters to the region and its people. Combine the settlements of Womford and nearby Bargewright Inn into the corrupt town of Nulb. The small river known as Imeryds Run serves as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
provides various locales to tie to your character’s backstory. Ancient Giant Ruins You grew up amid the ruins of one of the giants’ civilizations. Perhaps the history of your home settlement is well-known
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Size Most settlements in a D&D world are villages clustered around a larger town or city. Farming villages supply the town or city population with food in exchange for goods the farmers can’t produce
. Most settlements are agricultural villages, supporting themselves and nearby towns or cities with crops and meat. Villagers produce food in one way or another — if not by tending the crops, then
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
some of the most powerful individuals in this system. It has regular and prosperous ties with the various nations and factions of Wildspace. Toril’s single large moon, Selune, has a breathable
the Tears of Selune, has numerous settlements. The Rock of Bral (described in the Astral Adventurer’s Guide) could be one of the many asteroids that form the cluster. Karpri This water world has
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
temple of an agricultural deity in the evening. Cities and large towns can host numerous temples dedicated to individual gods important to the community, while smaller settlements might have a single
shrine devoted to any gods the locals revere. Temples and shrines outside settlements often mark places where a god (or the manifestation of a god) appeared or caused a miracle. These sites can become
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Settlements are few and far between in the Demon Wastes. The Carrion Tribes are semi-nomadic, assembling camps in the crumbling ruins of long-forgotten cities built by demons in the first days of the world
dragonshard deposits buried in the Wastes. To date, it has survived the Carrion Tribes and the malefic horrors of the Wastes, but few believe it will last. Desolate Known at various times as Greenholt
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
flocks, rampaging through croplands, and attacking homesteads and travelers. In settlements, discord and suspicion grow. Sinister strangers lurk in the shadows, whispering about how everything is soon
the countryside. They’ve been testing these magic weapons, bolstering the cults’ ranks, and infiltrating various communities, all directed by visions the prophets receive from the Elder Elemental Eye
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
Xaryndar is a lush, green planet that teems with life. The flora of the world grow to extraordinary size thanks to the light of Xaryxis, and many of the planet’s most formidable creatures are various
kinds of intelligent plants. Most of Xaryndar’s elf population left long ago to be closer to their gods on the Astral Plane, but the planet still has a few settlements that cultivate and harvest the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
ominous shadows on the settlements of the North. Caravans and farmsteads have come under attack. Frost giant longships have begun terrorizing the Sword Coast. Various organizations throughout the North
situation to change. Harpers are eager to recruit adventurers to help them combat the giant threat. The Lords’ Alliance Various settlements of the North have banded together to form the Lords
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
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
backstory that complements a franchise’s evolution over time. A sage might research how the franchise gains new capabilities. Or perhaps the majordomo was the pilot of a vessel capable of planar travel
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
rule, surrounding themselves with sycophants. Lamias rely on jackalweres to perform various tasks, sending them across the wastes to capture thralls or steal treasures from caravans, encampments, or
view its domain. A lamia uses this power to watch over trade routes and nearby settlements, or to seek out objects and creatures it fancies.
Lamias are particularly fond of seeking out adventurers
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
between and through its fields and orchards. Roads also run along the inside of the wall, connecting the various watch posts. During the harvest season, wagons make their way between the fields
, gathering food and grain and transporting it to cellars beneath the watch posts, where the food is kept under lock and key until caravans from Waterdeep and other settlements arrive to pick it up. In
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
his mind and his will. Shedrak is completely mad, considers Karazikar a god, and brooks no defiance or disrespect toward his “divine master.” Slaves One hundred slaves of various humanoid races serve
the beholder. Some were captured while wandering too far from their Underdark settlements, while others were purchased in the slave bazaars of Menzoberranzan. The youngest slaves were born in the Vast
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Loose Pantheons Most D&D worlds have a loose pantheon of gods. A multitude of deities rule the various aspects of existence, variously cooperating with and competing against one another to administer
nobly and in the cause of justice. People in most D&D worlds are polytheistic, honoring deities of their own and acknowledging pantheons of other cultures. Individuals pay homage to various gods
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
up to ten carts without obvious strain, and most trains are configured accordingly. The other carts that make up the train have various purposes. A typical train has a crew cart at each end, with two
the train. When conductor stone lines split, as they do at various hubs along the way, the pilot selects the intended route and directs the elemental down the correct line. The crew of a train includes
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
to higher-ups; however, any reply is slow in coming. As the characters further explore the Dessarin Valley, they meet other NPCs affiliated with various factions. The factions also become more helpful
city’s Waterbaron. The Harpers work to maintain the balance of power between the various groups competing to influence the city. In the Sumber Hills, the Harpers warn travelers and adventurers to stay
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Government In the feudal society common in most D&D worlds, power and authority are concentrated in towns and cities. Nobles hold authority over the settlements where they live and the surrounding
settlements might also lie under its control. Forms of Government d100 Government 01–08 Autocracy 09–13 Bureaucracy 14–19 Confederacy 20–22 Democracy 23–27 Dictatorship 28–42 Feudalism 43–44 Gerontocracy