battle building diffusing contract regard

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

building a bomb big enough to level a fortification. They gladly accept payment in kegs of gunpowder in preference to gold, gems, or other currency. No Honor in Magic. Some giff become wizards

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

shared elements among these folk. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

regard these settlements as places worth defending with their lives, and they will abandon a settlement when it no longer serves their needs. Most tortles like to see how other creatures live and

watch a frog croaking on a lily pad, or to stand in a crowded human marketplace. Tortles like to learn new skills. They craft their own tools and weapons, and they are good at building structures and

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

among the fae, magically negotiating themselves advantages in battle. Like many high fae, these mages draw power from the latent energy found throughout the wilds of Eldraine. However, high fae mages

, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must

Swarmkeeper

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

force in battle, as well as helpful company for the ranger. Some Swarmkeepers are outcasts or hermits, keeping to themselves and their attendant swarms rather than dealing with the discomfort of others

. Other Swarmkeepers enjoy building vibrant communities that work for the mutual benefit of all those they consider part of their swarm. A Swarmkeeper’s swarm and spells are reflections of the

Swarmkeeper (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

force in battle, as well as helpful company for the ranger. Some Swarmkeepers are outcasts or hermits, keeping to themselves and their attendant swarms rather than dealing with the discomfort of others

. Other Swarmkeepers enjoy building vibrant communities that work for the mutual benefit of all those they consider part of their swarm. A Swarmkeeper’s swarm and spells are reflections of the

Eladrin Legacy

Species Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

inspiration for characteristics of your own. Autumn d4 Autumn Personality Trait 1 If someone is in need, you never withhold aid. 2 You share what you have, with little regard for

Everything dies eventually. Why bother building anything that is supposedly meant to last? 2 Nothing matters to you, and you allow others to guide your actions. 3 Your needs come first. In

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving each goliath with

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

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

Arms and eyes upraised toward the sun and a prayer on his lips, an elf begins to glow with an inner light that spills out to heal his battle-worn companions. Chanting a song of glory, a dwarf swings

that god. Did you enter this service willingly? Or did the god choose you, impelling you into service with no regard for your wishes? How do the temple priests of your faith regard you: as a champion or

Soldier - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

regard you with suspicion, and you generally get a chilly reception while in uniform. BALDUR’S GATE FEATURE: LOYALTY TEST You’ve had enough dealings with crooked soldiers that you can spot

. 5 Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. 6 I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. d6 Flaw 1 The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

the moss-covered building where I took part in my first reclamation mission. 5 I found something in the sewer that must never come to light. 6 I am forever grateful to the reclaimer who

joined the Gruul in a battle against the Boros once, and the sergeant of that Boros squad would love to prove that it was me. 3 I had a romance with a Dimir agent whom I still feed secrets to

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

important than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the

again in ruins, Dove Falconhand decided to reform the group with the primary goal of building alliances and friendship between the civilized races of the world and goodly people in order to combat evil

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

goblin tribe has to nobility is the caste of lashers — families of goblins trained in the ways of battle, and also possessed of key skills such as strategy, trap-building, beast taming, mining

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

Breaking the Contract

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

Breaking the Contract Voiding the infernal contract between Zariel and Thavius Kreeg causes the hellish chains binding Elturel to crumble to ash. This can be accomplished by either killing Zariel or

by destroying the original contract. Zariel can use an action to summon the contract, which appears in her one hand. The contract is otherwise hidden in a secret place known only to her. Getting

Session Zero

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

run a special session—colloquially called session zero—to establish expectations, outline the terms of a social contract, and share house rules. Making and sticking to these rules can help ensure

that the game is a fun experience for everyone involved. Often a session zero includes building characters together. As the DM, you can help players during the character creation process by advising them to select options that will serve the adventure or campaign that awaits.

Deck of Several Things

Magic Items Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

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

addition, the Monastery of the Distressed Body’s brains in jars regard you thereafter as the monastery’s rightful master. You must defeat or otherwise clear out the Grand Master and its

More Encounters in Elturel

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

. Encounters in Elturel d10 Encounter 1 Collapsed building 2 Cry for help 3 Ghastly meal 4 Ghoul pack 5 Hateful patrol 6 Imp sales pitch 7 Narzugon cavalier

8 Spouts of hellfire 9 Vrock philosophy 10 Zombie horde Collapsed Building A quake rocks the city, and a building collapses in the distance. The characters hear cries for help

Scarred and Strong

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

these folk. Half-orcs stand between 5 and 7 feet tall and usually weigh between 180 and 250 pounds. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars

Scarred and Strong

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

these folk. Half-orcs stand between 5 and 7 feet tall and usually weigh between 180 and 250 pounds. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars

Making a Deal with Zariel

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

both clear and present dangers to Avernus. Although Zariel would relish slaying either of them personally, she gladly draws up a contract agreeing to trade Elturel and the souls within the city for

that both demon lords have recently converged around Elturel. You can add either demon lord to the battle in “Endgame in Elturel” later in this chapter. If the characters freed the demon lord

The Job at Hand

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

The Job at Hand The posted contract explains that any interested parties are to meet with Guildmaster Tabeth at the local guild house. When the characters follow up, Tabeth provides them with the

following summary of what he knows: Pirates recently ransacked Abbey Isle, an island just off the coast populated by evil clerics and their followers. Much to the guild’s delight, the battle between the

Travel to the Tomb

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Travel to the Tomb Once the party agrees to the contract, sages from Candlekeep send a messenger (via teleportation) with written directions to Ebondeath’s Mausoleum. The mausoleum lies under the

(and likely destruction) of a great deal of undead from this region, the characters are likely to simply have a miserable day trudging through the muck. However, if you so wish, feel free to through in an encounter or two with undead that are fleeing the site of the battle at Leilon.

Adventurers at Heart

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

safety of greater numbers. Tortles don’t regard these settlements as places worth defending with their lives, and they will abandon a settlement when it no longer serves their needs. Most tortles like to

building structures and fortifications. They marvel at the works of other civilized creatures, humans in particular, and can lose themselves for years in a city, studying its architectural wonders and

Going in Style

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

play with one of Acquisitions Incorporated’s most sought-after assets — a battle balloon. The characters can report back the outcome of their Horn Enclave mission to Flabbergast or Omin Dran, or Head

Office makes contact with them if they report back to Gilda Duhn first. Knowing the importance of tracking Lottie down, Omin authorizes the loan of the battle balloon at once, with the vehicle arriving

Special Terms of the Pact

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

Special Terms of the Pact A pact can range from a loose agreement to a formal contract with lengthy, detailed clauses and lists of requirements. The terms of a pact — what a warlock must do to

willpower; you are required to abstain from alcohol and other intoxicants. 3 At least once a day, you must inscribe or carve your patron’s name or symbol on the wall of a building. 4 You must

Asmodeus

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

Primus, leader of the modrons. As a creature of absolute law, Primus could be trusted to issue a fair and impartial verdict. Asmodeus drafted a contract to seal the deal, and the angels — after carefully

mortals to evil, but he and his minions never breached a contract and explained the terms clearly. Had they not obeyed the rule of law in doing so? Was it not mortal ambition, rather than infernal deception

Council of Dragons

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

Sword Coast, for they know of their reputations and actions already. The dragons’ attitudes are effectively fixed in that regard. However, they know also that among all the humanoid races, leaders often

the factions’ battle against Tiamat. As such, if the dragons side with the humanoids, it will be as a statement of personal faith in the party — and in the party’s ability to bring all the factions into the fight.

Zariel's Wrath

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

described in the item’s description (see Appendix C). If released, Gargauth thanks the characters through tears of mirth. The pit fiend’s first act is to produce a contract out of thin air, claiming

that it will aid the characters in their quest to destroy Zariel if they sign it. The contract is full of convoluted text, and is summarized in its final clause: “I, the undersigned, agree to form a

23. Desecrated Sanctuary

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

23. Desecrated Sanctuary This windowless stone building was set aside for cult initiates. The building has lighting and plumbing (see the “Lighting and Plumbing” sidebar). 23a. Hall of Prayer Boars

tapestry depicts a wilderness battle between primitive human hunters and one or more monsters, including a unicorn, a displacer beast, an owlbear, a pack of worgs, and a griffon. Casting a mending cantrip

Council of Dragons

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

Sword Coast, for they know of their reputations and actions already. The dragons’ attitudes are effectively fixed in that regard. However, they know also that among all the humanoid races, leaders often

the factions’ battle against Tiamat. As such, if the dragons side with the humanoids, it will be as a statement of personal faith in the party—and in the party’s ability to bring all the factions into the fight.

Joint DMs

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

enjoy or the DMs trading focus from session to session. One DM might run combat description and keep a battle moving while the other focuses on miniatures and music. The two DMs can play two different

NPCs in a social interaction encounter. Between sessions, they can collaborate or divide up world-building, encounter creation, and other tasks. CoupleofKooks

Magical Effects

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

Magical Effects The following magical effects are present throughout the necropolis: Continual flame spells illuminate street lamps as well as building interiors and exteriors. A powerful enchantment

remain in the necropolis for too long are likely to contract an arcane blight (see below). Arcane Blight Any humanoid that spends 12 hours in the necropolis must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving

Something Fishy in Town

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

. At the center of the ruins, a tall tower, mostly collapsed, rests atop a bluff. The only intact stone building sits at the bottom of the bluff, its white façade bearing the mark of Lathander

. There is an intact wooden building closer to the water marsh at the southwest side of town, smoke rising from two chimneys. In front of this building stands a tiefling dressed in blue robes. She raises

During the Siege

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

During the Siege Run the siege as a series of encounters rather than one extended battle. As terrible events unfold around the characters, it’s up to them to determine who and how they’ll help. Begin

deliver orders from General Drakov (likely related to the siege’s climax). As the battle reaches what you determine to be the halfway point, start rolling 2d6 on the Zombie Siege Encounters table and

Chromatic Dragons

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

are evil and merciless, and every battle against these creatures should be a life-or-death struggle. No dragon should ever fall without the heroes suffering during the battle. Chromatic dragons use

every possible advantage with no regard for fairness, and their chief advantage is flight. A dragon never fights on foot where enemies might hack at it when it can soar majestically out of reach and

D&D Beyond

Search Results