bad blessings diffusing crooked rules

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society

. 4 I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. 5 I turn tail and run when things look bad. 6 An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that.

Orc Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

order from the encroachments of Fiends and other extraplanar threats. Gruumsh’s blessings have made orcs tireless guardians and mighty allies wherever they are found, even when they turn their

additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society. Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth Tool Proficiencies: One

tail and run when things look bad. 6 An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that.

The Middle Path

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

between relying on their bonuses and abilities and paying attention to the game and immersing themselves in its world. Remember that dice don’t run your game — you do. Dice are like rules. They’re

bad die roll foiling the character’s plans. By the same token, a bad plan or unfortunate circumstances can transform the easiest task into an impossibility, or at least impose disadvantage.

Link to Vecna

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

Link to Vecna The characters each gain a metaphysical link to Vecna, which follows the rules for blessings presented in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Vecna’s Link is the result of feedback from the

again until you finish a long rest. When the characters acquire this link, remind them about the Power of Secrets rules. Allow them to spend any secrets they’ve gained so far as usual.

Table Rules

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

Table Rules Ideally, players come to the gaming table with the same goal: to have a fun time together. This section gives recommendations for table rules you can establish to help meet that goal

. Here are some fundamentals: Foster respect. Don’t bring personal conflicts to the table or let disagreements escalate into bad feelings. Don’t touch others’ dice if they’re sensitive about it. Avoid

Game Customization

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Rules House rules include optional rules, such as those presented in chapter 9 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and rules you create. If you plan to use any house rules, session zero is a good time to

discuss those rules with the players and solicit their input. House rules are best presented as experiments, and time will tell if they’re good for your game. If you introduce a house rule in session

Introducing the Game

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble

Introducing the Game Once the players have familiarized themselves with their characters, you’re ready to introduce the game. Now that you’re familiar with your characters and the basics of the rules

, we’re going to play a short adventure to introduce you to Dungeons & Dragons. As the Dungeon Master, I tell you what’s going on in the world around you, and I use the rules and dice rolls to

Rules of Conduct

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

Rules of Conduct Although Zybilna is indisposed, three of the rules she put into place when she created her Feywild domain continue to hold weight: the rule of hospitality, the rule of ownership, and

the rule of reciprocity. These three rules are common knowledge in Prismeer, and both natives and visitors would do well to abide by them: Rule of Hospitality. When a friend, an enemy, or a stranger

Foreword

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

. We’ve visited Waterdeep before, but not like this. Clever heroes will respect the city’s rules. Those who get on the city’s bad side are in for a rough time, as the City of Splendors is home to some of

Horror in Your Game

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

threat. Use this book to help you and your players communicate about a game’s rules, plots, and other content, assuring it includes only the elements you all enjoy. Focus on Fun. Suspenseful stories don’t

attention for both of us. We’ve found no trace of Vhorishkova since arriving, but I feel her watching. It’s like she’s everywhere. It’s bad here, Uncle. Not snake-headed hogs bad. Like, full Delmunster

Quest Goals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

, full of dust and bad memories. It’s quiet most of the time, except when the sorrowful wails of the banshee fill the place. The following features are common throughout. Arrow Slits. When using an arrow

slit for protection, a creature gains three-quarters cover (see the Basic Rules) against outside threats. A Medium character can’t squeeze through an arrow slit, but a Small character can with a

Ephara's Villains

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

who profess to be in Ephara’s service. Those who become excessively focused on rules and justice could overstep their bounds, using the law to oppress countercultural or nonconforming populations. The

few foes likely to serve the god’s will. Ephara’s urn is a fountain of blessings (NOAH BRADLEY) Ephara’s Monsters Challenge Creature Source 1/8 Guard MM 1/2 Anvilwrought raptor MOoT

Peace Domain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Peace Domain Have these peaceful clerics even considered that they’re subverting a most holy system, one where bad decisions coincide with the teaching power of pain? Tasha The balm of peace

over the signing of treaties, and they are often asked to arbitrate in disputes. These clerics’ blessings draw people together and help them shoulder one another’s burdens, and the clerics’ magic aids

Erebos's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

together to oppose an overreach by a champion of Heliod. Or maybe they’re united by some common plight such as plague or war, as Erebos grants his blessings to those who determinedly face fate. From

Erebos’s most sacred rules—by allowing a lost soul to escape, for example—Erebos could transform into a campaign villain. The characters might then try to atone for their behavior or seek the protection of another god.

Blackmailed Lords

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

refuses to speak with the party. If the characters become an annoyance, he has eight crooked members of the City Watch (human veterans) crack down on them, then uses his position as Masked Lord to clear

to get out of debt. Several bad investments ruined her money-lending business, and most of her reliable customers have turned to other providers such as the Cassalanters. Jelenn could have borrowed

The Abyss

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

covered in dense jungle, surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of ocean and brine flats. The Prince of Demons rules his layer from two serpentine towers, which emerge from a turbid sea. Each tower

to journey here. Orcus rules Thanatos from a vast palace known as Everlost, crafted of obsidian and bone. Set within a howling wasteland called Oblivion’s End, the palace is surrounded by tombs and

Narration in Combat

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

Narration in Combat Although it’s important that the players understand what’s going on in terms of the rules, the game can get dull if everyone uses only “gamespeak”: “That’s an 18 to hit,” “You hit

; now roll damage,” “11 points,” and “OK, now we’re to Initiative count 13.” Instead, use the rules and your knowledge of the scene to help your narration. If 18 is barely a hit, but the 11 points of

Air Envelopes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

is humid and smells bad. Any creature that breathes foul air becomes poisoned until it breathes fresh air again. The air aboard a ship with a normal crew complement degrades from fresh to foul on day

121, and the foul air turns deadly 120 days later. Deadly air is unbreathable. Any creature that tries to breathe deadly air begins to suffocate (see the rules on suffocation in the Player’s Handbook

Droaam

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

whole creature and still be hungry. If you’re bad, she’ll come in the night and carry you away. She’ll make a lantern of your skull and torment you until the end of time. And she’s the least

frightening member of the Daughters of Sora Kell! When I could set aside my sheer terror, I was learning a great deal about this strange nation. The Daughters invested power in warlords, each of whom rules a

Nib's Cave

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

these riches by exploiting my tenants’ misery, buying up condemned property and renting it out for an exorbitant fee. Granny Nightshade is helping me to make amends. I told her I wanted to put my bad

hospitality (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2), Nib offers to craft a gift for each character. Taking up a pair of knitting needles, he swiftly knits his gold yarn into an object that retains a golden

Difficulty Class

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

Nearly impossible 30 The numbers associated with these categories of difficulty are meant to be easy to keep in your head, so that you don’t have to refer to these rules every time you decide on a

say a door requires a successful DC 15 Strength check to be battered down. A fighter with a Strength of 20 might helplessly flail against the door because of bad die rolls. Meanwhile, the rogue with a

D6. His Royal Majesty Gullop XIX

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

treats visitors as honored guests in accordance with the rule of hospitality (see “Rules of Conduct” earlier in the chapter), but he expects a measure of kindness in return. If a fight breaks out

lap—Bavlorna’s Big Book of Bad Blood—in which the hag’s displeasure with her enemies is spelled out in detail. He procured the book from a darkling merchant (see area B10), who stole it from Bavlorna

What You Need

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

, either in physical form or on DnDBeyond.com: Player’s Handbook. This book is your essential reference for the game’s rules, and it guides you through making an adventurer of your own. Dungeon Master’s

useful: DM Screen. Many DMs like to use a screen to shield their notes and dice rolls from players. It’s bad manners to peek over the screen! Miniatures and Battle Grid. Some DMs use a battle grid and

Consequences

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

rules cover what happens on a natural 20 (it’s a Critical Hit) or a natural 1 (it always misses). Resist the temptation to add additional negative consequences to a natural 1 on an attack roll: the

automatic failure is bad enough. And characters typically make so many attack rolls that they’re bound to roll dozens of natural 1s over time. What might seem like an interesting consequence, like breaking the weapon used for the attack, will quickly get tiresome.

NPCs as Party Members

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

to complain humorously about the characters’ terrible choices and bad planning. You can occasionally use this NPC to suggest legitimate courses of action or share insights. Dutiful Assistant. A dutiful

life debt to the characters or shares their goals might fight to the death for them. You can simply decide on an NPC’s loyalty, or you can track a Loyalty Score using the following rules. Loyalty

Abyss

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

days at least. Layers 45–47: Azzagrat The demon lord Graz’zt embodies manipulation and cruelty, tempting mortals with the promise of appalling delights and decadent luxuries. He rules over the realm of

, surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of ocean and brine flats. The Prince of Demons rules his layer from two serpentine towers, which emerge from a turbid sea. Each tower is topped with an enormous

Goblin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

around 3 feet tall and covered in warty green or red skin, goblins have huge noses and ears. Their wiry bodies are surprisingly strong, and their mouths are full of sharp, crooked teeth. Most goblins

. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin. In Ravnica, Goblin is a simplistic language with a limited vocabulary and fluid rules of grammar, unsuited for any sophisticated conversation.

Crypt Features

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

the rules for blessings presented in the Dungeon Master’s Guide: Blessing of Dumathoin. Your eyes become keen enough to pick out hidden secrets. You gain darkvision. If you already had darkvision, you

Gate of Illumination Locations

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

the ages receiving blessings from the gods. A stone double door stands at the far end of the room, while stairs rise to the west and another hall opens to the east. People who bring their offerings to

unconscious, and will die if they don’t receive healing within the next hour. I3: Blessings Memorial Murals of people making offerings to the gods cover this room’s walls. At the chamber’s center stand

Battle Balloon

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

power and detonate with formidable explosive force wherever they hit. VEHICLE RULES Battle balloons and mechanical beholders are vehicles, and as such, they have special rules associated with them

franchises. The versatility of an airship allows for the rapid shipping of goods, mercenaries, and loot. Such a vessel also allows a quick escape from sticky developments and deals gone bad. Battle

Reality Dawns

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

. Alustriel correctly supposes that Kas plans to find Vecna and co-opt the lich-god’s ritual to become the most powerful being in existence. This outcome is as bad as Vecna ruling the multiverse, as far as

late. Regardless of the characters’ reaction to this revelation, learning it counts as a secret for the purposes of the rules in the “Power of Secrets” section in this book’s introduction.

Criminal

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

closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society

money. 3 If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. 4 I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. 5 I turn tail and run when things look bad. 6 An innocent person is in

Plague-Mort

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

town of cobblestone streets and simple buildings clustered around a colorless hill. Cursed farmlands lie beyond the town. Blightsteel Keep The archlector rules from an unyielding steel fortress on a

macabre farmers fertilize their crops with the dead. Bountiful harvests sprout from crooked stalks in forlorn farmlands, their red fruits plump, juicy, and delicious. However, some crops are marked by

Complications and Rivals

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

a piece of the franchise’s action. Rival NPCs can be worked up using the rules in chapter 4, “Creating Nonplayer Characters” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, incorporating schemes, methods, and

campaign story unfolds. Perhaps the characters were forced to slay an evil guard in a raid gone bad. Later, their majordomo engages in a little gambling as part of a franchise task … and finds the

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