battle both down counting reason

Howler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

around the battlefield in a search for safety. Fiends especially prize howlers for this reason, because for a few crucial moments in a battle, their howls can neutralize an enemy.Cold, Fire, Lightning; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

possibilities.) Now you’re looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you’re leaving

behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way. MERCENARIES OF THE NORTH Countless mercenary companies

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. Goliaths love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their

seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments. Fair Play For goliaths, competition exists only

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

quirk for a lizardfolk character or to inspire a unique mannerism. Lizardfolk Quirks d8 Quirk 1 You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and

Giff Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

refuse to fight other giff, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its

brighter the flash, and the thicker the smoke it produces, the more giff love a weapon. Their skill with gunpowder is another reason for their popularity as mercenaries. Giff revel in the challenge of

Eye and Hand of Vecna Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

’s lieutenant Kas coveted the Spider Throne for himself, or that the sword his lord made for him seduced him into rebellion. Whatever the reason, Kas brought the Undying King’s rule to an

end in a terrible battle that left Vecna’s tower a heap of ash. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly artifacts that still seek to work the Whispered One’s will in

Deck of Many Things Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

, discard this card, and draw from the deck again, counting both draws as one of your declared draws. If losing that much XP would cause you to lose a level, you instead lose an amount that leaves you

you, warning all others that you must win the battle alone. The avatar fights until you die or it drops to 0 hit points, whereupon it disappears. If anyone tries to help you, the helper summons its

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and

, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to live off the scraps of others, and they are often dominated by larger

Deck of Several Things

Magic Items Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

, counting both draws as one of your declared draws. Gem. The 1,000 gp hoard of the leprechaun from the Wilderness Encounters table (see appendix A) appears at your feet. If that treasure has

tattered black robe. It appears in a space of the DM’s choice within 10 feet of you and attacks you, warning all others that you must win the battle alone. The avatar fights until you die or it

Driven Competitors

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

individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival. Goliaths thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and

competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments.

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying

. Great Purpose Aarakocra enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an

Battle for Blingdenstone

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

Battle for Blingdenstone Once the characters see how overwhelming the opposition is inside the Pudding Court, they have little choice but to retreat and report their findings to the Diggermattocks

defeat this threat if the settlement stands divided. That means counting the Goldwhisker wererats as allies and recognizing their right to rejoin the community. Give the characters a chance to ask

Creature Size

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

that reason, there's a limit to the number of creatures that can surround another creature in combat. Assuming Medium combatants, eight creatures can fit in a 5-foot radius around another one

between two things—whether creatures or objects—start counting squares from a square adjacent to one of them and stop counting in the space of the other one. Count by the shortest route.

Miniatures

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

having visual aids or physical props, the most common of which are miniatures and a battle grid. Miniatures are typically used in conjunction with model terrain, modular dungeon tiles, or maps drawn

while keeping the easy counting of a grid. Dungeon corridors with straight walls and right angles don’t map easily onto hexes, though. Creature Size and Space A creature’s size determines how much space

Morale

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

circumstances: The creature is surprised. The creature is reduced to half its hit points or fewer for the first time in the battle. The creature has no way to harm the opposing side on its turn. A

removed from battle. The group is reduced to half its original size with no losses on the opposing side. To determine whether a creature or group of creatures flees, make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw for

Dwarves and Dragonmarks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

Dwarves and Dragonmarks House Kundarak carries the Mark of Warding. In addition to providing all manner of security, House Kundarak dominates the banking industry. Mror Past 1d6 Reason for Leaving

vendetta with a personal rival. Are you seeking to defeat them in battle or in business? 5 You’re searching for a legendary dwarven artifact, removed from the Mror Holds centuries ago by a

Adventure Hooks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

hooks: Iggwilv’s Rival. An archmage who was once embroiled in a heated rivalry with Iggwilv has reason to believe she isn’t dead. The archmage recruits the characters to search the Lost Caverns for

successful expeditions in recent years. Most of the agents the margrave sent came back battle worn and empty-handed, if they returned at all. The margrave hires the characters to recover Iggwilv’s hoard before it falls into the hands of his rivals.

Preparing for Battle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

, if for no other reason than to honor Ispin Greenshield’s last wishes. If a character refuses, Mayor Raven offers to pay them 5 gp to be a judge during the battle, making sure no one uses real weapons

Preparing for Battle When the characters and people of Vogler arrive at High Hill, read the following description: Passing through woods and fields, Vogler’s parade of militia members and reenactment

Summit Hall

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

nearby lands. They are always ready for battle, and fully armed and armored if encountered outside their walls. Reason to Visit. Characters who track the Mirabar delegation from Beliard find that the

Amphail

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

precariously to the high, tilted saddle, waving their arms and commanding imaginary armies into battle. Within spitting distance of the statue is the Stag-Horned Flagon, a cozy tavern. Reason to Visit

Barbarian

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

Barbarian I have witnessed the indomitable performance of barbarians on the field of battle, and it makes me wonder what force lies at the heart of their rage. — Seret, archwizard The anger felt

all others; see the following sections for some ideas. Rawr! I’m really angry! Funny, I don’t feel any stronger. Maybe because I’m always angry, I’m always in top condition. Stands to reason.

Mercenary Veteran

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

possibilities.) Now you’re looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you’re leaving behind the life

of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way. Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Persuasion Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set

20. Pillared Hall

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

new arrivals. Characters must present a plausible reason for their presence and succeed on a DC 20 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check to convince the will-o’-wisps not to attack them. If they

don’t like what they hear, three of the wisps attack. The other two break away to warn Vertrand (area 17) and Berlain (area 18b), who, along with Berlain’s grell valets, converge on this area. If a battle

News from the Front

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

News from the Front When you’re ready to begin this section, give the characters a reason to be near the River Gate, such as fetching Becklin’s box from Thornwall Keep or looking for a lost villager

and rider tumbling. The rider is a scout sent by Becklin to alert Vogler to evacuate immediately. When the characters arrive, the rider’s horse is dead and she is locked in battle with her attacker, a

Battle Prawn Challenge

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

Battle Prawn Challenge Jagged Koi Prawns are just one unexpected danger of the games at the Dyn Singh Night market Sid Squid’s Trusty Leek sponsors Battle Prawns: The Shrimpening. Sid’s shrimp cakes

invite visitors to participate in Battle Prawns. If characters ask, Sid explains the challenge is simple: assist in making a gigantic shrimp cake in record time. Participants must rapidly prepare prawn

Giants and Other Ancients

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

thousand years for good reason: neither giants nor dragons were ever particularly numerous, and actual skirmishes between giants and dragons were rare. For this reason, you could run a campaign where battles

between the warring parties are isolated events along the lines of the world-shaking events described in “Campaign Events.” You might begin the campaign with one such battle, have the adventurers

Moving Around Other Creatures

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

space also reflects the area it needs to fight effectively. For that reason, there’s a limit to the number of creatures that can surround another creature in combat. Assuming Medium combatants, eight

that fills its space. Ranges. To determine the range on a grid between two things—whether creatures or objects—start counting squares from a square adjacent to one of them and stop counting in the space of the other one. Count by the shortest route.

Vaeve's Offer

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

reveals herself as the battle winds down, perhaps joining the fight against the kakkuus once the characters defeat the dangerous quavilithku. Talking with Vaeve Vaeve hopes the characters might help her

Gariba Vaeve An Explanation. The battle rages between forces loyal to Lolth, who is working with Vecna, and forces loyal to Miska, who is in the process of breaking free from his prison and is allied

Life Events

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

your DM to come up with the reason for the battle and the factions involved. It might have been a small conflict between your community and a band of orcs, or it could have been a major battle in a

encountered. 81–85 You had a supernatural experience. Roll on the Supernatural Events table to find out what it was. 86–90 You fought in a battle. Roll on the War table to learn what happened to you. Work with

Heroes of Destiny

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

choose the entries that speak to you or randomly pull cards from The Deck of Many Things card set. One of the most important steps of a warrior’s journey is discovering the reason why you fight. Glory

path of the warrior. Fates A fortune teller foresaw that you would find your calling in a life of battle. Flames When the heat of battle takes over, you barely recognize yourself. This scares you. Fool

14. Wizards' Quarters

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

immediately visible but rises up out of the floor when a living creature enters the room. Mormesk was a powerful mage until he met his end in the spell battle at the climax of the orc attack. Centuries

wraith first rises up from the floor, it says, “Your presence is offensive to me, your life forfeit. My treasures are mine alone, not yours to plunder!” If the characters make no attempt to reason with

12. Drow Battle

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

12. Drow Battle Characters who approach this 50-foot-high cavern for the first time hear the sounds of battle ahead. Demons. In the narrower section between the north and south halves of the cavern

cavern is the site of a heated battle between House Freth (to the north) and House Auvryndar (to the south). House Freth’s forces are nine male drow led by a male drow mage named Spirreth Dalambra. The

The Stone Bridge

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

. “Not a bad place to die,” the mage says with mild amusement. The doppelganger posing as Gargosh doesn’t take part in the fight, remaining on the fringes of the battle and rooting for the characters to

to make haste and catch up with him!” Characters who have reason to suspect Gargosh might be lying or holding back information can make a DC 16 Wisdom (Insight) check. A character who succeeds on

Dwarves of the Mror Holds

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

character is why you have left the Holds. The Leaving the Mror Holds table offers some suggestions that might spark further ideas. Leaving the Mror Holds d8 Reason for Leaving 1 A feud with a rival clan

vendetta with a personal rival, seeking to defeat them either in battle or in business. 5 You’re searching for a legendary dwarven artifact, stolen centuries ago by a Karrnish noble. 6 You want to

Boareskyr Bridge

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

camp at Fort Tamal never seemed to need such a robust guard before. Even the relative nearness of Najara seems to provide little reason for so many of Elturgard’s mightiest defenders to be squandered

power of the gods for a reason, and surely that reason can’t be to stand guard while merchants sleep. Then again, the High Observer is, by all reports, a wise and effective ruler. Perhaps he perceives

D&D Beyond

Search Results