been before decisions changing rather - Search

Rolling with It

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

might work. A drawback of this approach is that roleplaying can diminish if players feel that their die rolls, rather than their decisions and characterizations, always determine success.

characters succeeding or failing on any one check to move the action in a specific direction. You must be ready to improvise and react to a changing situation. Relying on dice also gives the players the sense

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics. EVERYONE’S SECOND-BEST FRIENDS

, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups. Human Names and Ethnicities Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents

Life in Umizu

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

consult ancestral spirits before making life-changing decisions, but the perspectives of the dead can be just as flawed as those of the living. Disagreements in large family clans sometimes result in

gender. Titles such as “daimyo” are gender-neutral, as are most names. Clothing varies by class status rather than gender—instead, people express their gender through perfumes. Bright citrus scents

Plan Adventures

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

grow organically, rather than having all their elements set in stone from the get-go. From time to time, the characters’ decisions will require you to improvise and create new campaign elements on the

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

of the world beyond their home. Barterers of Lore Tabaxi treasure knowledge rather than material things. A chest filled with gold coins might be useful to buy food or a coil of rope, but it’s

result every few days that pass in the campaign to reflect your ever-changing curiosity. Tabaxi Obsessions d8 My curiosity is currently fixed on … 1 A god or planar entity

Flumph

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

to strangers. These tentacled, telepathic creatures jet through the air in short bursts, venting gases with a sound that gives them their name. Rather than speaking, flumphs communicate

telepathically and by changing color to reflect their moods. Flumphs dwell in psychically charged regions or near creatures with psionic magic. They harmlessly feed off psychic energies, but in doing so, they

Re-created by the Doctor

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

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

. Worse Than Death? The characters are legitimately defeated during another adventure. Rather than the campaign ending, they awake in Dr. Mordenheim’s clutches, delivered there by the Mists.

Past and Present

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

there. One of the pirate captains, Cozar, sensed that times were changing on the Rock—that the days of lawlessness were coming to an end. Through a series of strategic alliances and shrewd business

, attracting profit-seekers, adventurers, and other more respectable types. Upon Cozar’s death, the rule of Bral passed to Frun, his son and heir. Frun was far from an able politician. Rather, he was a hedonist

Slaadi

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

of Limbo Unpredictable slaadi devour and multiply across the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo. These toad-like, extraplanar beings embody the endless potentiality of their home plane of existence

other creatures. Slaadi have no formal society. Rather, strong slaadi dominate weaker ones. Blue and red slaadi rampage across Limbo and spill into other worlds at the direction of green slaadi. More

Chapter 10: Descent into the Depths

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

Chapter 10: Descent into the Depths Having survived Mantol-Derith and obtained Ghazrim DuLoc’s ring, the adventurers and their allies continue on into the Underdark. This time, rather than escaped

, dictated largely by the characters’ decisions and tactics. The adventurers’ immediate destination is the legendary library of Gravenhollow (see chapter 11), where they gain information that likely takes them

Licensed Region

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

Acquisitions Incorporated franchise is a group effort. Many decisions must be made in the course of running a franchise and playing in an Acq Inc campaign, and it is assumed that all players will be

involved in making those decisions. Whenever this book talks about a franchise collectively — and in particular, when it talks about decisions being made by a franchise — the understanding is that all

Skeleton

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

poorly to changing circumstances. They can’t read, speak, emote, or communicate in any way except to nod, shake their heads, or point. Still, skeletons are able to accomplish a variety of relatively

careful instructions explaining how such tasks are accomplished. Although they lack the intellect they possessed in life, skeletons aren’t mindless. Rather than break its limbs attempting to batter its

Modifying a Class

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

modify existing classes to better serve your game’s needs. Changing Proficiencies Changing a class’s proficiencies is a safe and simple way to modify a class to better reflect your world. Swapping

presented as a divine blessing. Changing Spell Lists Modifying a class’s spell list usually has little effect on a character’s power but can change the flavor of a class significantly. In your world

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to

typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game running. There are times

Life in the Poleis

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

needs, and to organize into political structures that can withstand the changing fortunes of the passing centuries. Each polis is centered in a city but includes a wide region of surrounding

extensively. Its Abora Market, just inside the city gates, is open to outsiders only on certain days, and Setessan merchants prefer to barter goods rather than accept currency. Despite these restrictions

Creating a Race or Subrace

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

with the story behind the race or subrace you wish to create. Having a firm idea of a race’s story in your campaign will help you make decisions during the creation process. Ask yourself several

without changing their racial traits at all. Creating a New Subrace Creating a new subrace is more involved than making some minor tweaks to existing racial features, but it does have the advantage of

Nyx

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

lose the faith of their followers, the source of their magic and a power they will not relinquish. Nyx can be perceived in the night sky, with its ever-changing brilliance marked by constellations and

territory. He doesn’t maintain a central residence. Rather, his influence binds the conflict, encompassing all perspectives and preventing the battle from spilling forth into the rest of Nyx.

Customizing the Puzzle

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

, it’s a simple matter to create your own grid of hidden words. Raising the Difficulty You can increase this puzzle’s difficulty by changing the word search’s letters to use another alphabet, such as

can undertake the puzzle and cross the room safely. You can also increase the difficulty by introducing trap variants, as described below. Trap Variants Rather than have the same poison gas trap on

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules

things they don’t. In a typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game

Character Objectives

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

character might try to bribe enemies rather than fight them, or chase after a fleeing enemy to see where it goes. Players who ignore objectives will have to deal with the consequences, which is another

protection might be cursed, diseased, prone to panic attacks, too young or too old to fight, or apt to risk the lives of the adventurers through dubious decisions. The object the adventurers have

Respect for the Players

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

talking, and make sure you check in about what every character is doing, especially during periods of exploration and social interaction, rather than focusing just on one player’s character. Sometimes

should have the opportunity to avoid or mitigate losses in heroic ways, with tragedy being a consequence of the characters’ actions and decisions, not a foregone conclusion. Moments of helplessness

Roleplaying

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

that best describe the creature. Knowing the creature’s alignment can also help with your portrayal. The classic advice for writers holds true: show, don’t tell. For example, rather than describe an

your head and chin high conveys confidence. Use Voices. Changing the volume of your voice and borrowing speech patterns from real life, movies, or television can make NPCs distinctive. Engaging the

Respect for the Players

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

talking, and make sure you check in about what every character is doing, especially during periods of exploration and social interaction, rather than focusing just on one player’s character. Sometimes

should have the opportunity to avoid or mitigate losses in heroic ways, with tragedy being a consequence of the characters’ actions and decisions, not a foregone conclusion. Moments of helplessness

Mirabar

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

with his fellow lords. Thus far, Selin Raurym has proved far more capable than his predecessors at making beneficial decisions for the city, and the council has given him great leeway to speak for

collections of unusual and rare gems, to use seals made of gems carved into signet rings, and to be investors in ventures (rather than property) up and down the Sword Coast. They are sophisticated and

Speakers for the Ancestors

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

founding civilizations or otherwise. However, the Citadel seeks to rescue refugees and send humanitarian aid to the limits of its resources. While decisions by the Speakers are made by simple majority

complex relationship with her homeland. While she loves Akharin Sangar, she refuses to bend to the will of its angelic ruler, Atash. Rather than oppose him directly, she plays a delicate political game

Speakers for the Ancestors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel

founding civilizations or otherwise. However, the Citadel seeks to rescue refugees and send humanitarian aid to the limits of its resources. While decisions by the Speakers are made by simple majority

complex relationship with her homeland. While she loves Akharin Sangar, she refuses to bend to the will of its angelic ruler, Atash. Rather than oppose him directly, she plays a delicate political game

Centaur

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

basic physiology, the centaur bands are commonly associated with their own distinct traits. Lagonna band centaurs tend to be sleek and muscular, with powerful legs built for endurance rather than

guros typically leads their family. In times of discord, the heads of the guri gather to make decisions together. Other members of the guros work as traders, gatherers, packers, and scouts. A guros

Moloch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 21): At will: alter self (can become Medium when changing his appearance

Actions). Moloch uses Spellcasting. Moloch obsesses over the power he lost, rather than thinking of the power he could gain elsewhere in the planes. What a pity he so wastes his potential. —Mordenkainen

Circle of Spores

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

. But these druids believe that the natural cycle is healthiest when each segment of it is vibrant and changing. Undead that seek to replace all life with undeath, or that try to avoid passing to a final

those spores, rather than transforming into a beast form, and you gain 4 temporary hit points for each level you have in this class. While this feature is active, you gain the following benefits

Using Survivors

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

Domains of Dread. They don’t always claim their victims bodily, though. Rather, the Mists might steal characters’ minds, placing them into survivors involved in specific terrifying scenarios. Perhaps

survivors are designed to engage with terrifying circumstances, but their triumph over such threats is not assured. Players’ decisions will certainly impact the survivors’ fates, but if it seems like doom

Vault Guards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

rotation in the “Preparation” section know two guards are posted in the lobby, seven guards patrol the first floor of the vault, and no guards patrol upstairs. Rather than requiring you to track each

on checks made to nonviolently deal with guards increases by 2 (see “Evading Guards”), and the price to bribe a guard increases to 100 gp. Changing of the Guard If the characters neutralize all nine

Chaos Incarnate

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

no such principles exist, how that power might be seized. Most mortals would rather be annihilated than have their souls travel to the Abyss, but some see its chaos as something that can be harnessed

— and the madly ambitious might even seek out the means of becoming a demon lord. Ever-Changing Layers The physical nature of the Abyss is something that few mortal minds can understand. Those who

Demilich Lairs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

its next turn. Necrosis. The demilich makes one Necrotic Burst attack. Sean Murray Deva World-Changing Angelic Messenger Habitat: Planar (Upper Planes); Treasure: Relics Devas are

emissaries of divine will. These immortal messengers adopt the shapes of mystical beasts or idealized, winged mortals. As with all angels, their true forms are known only to the gods they serve. Rather

Moloch

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

adventurers into places where his foul influence remains. Moloch obsesses over power he lost rather than thinking of the power he could gain elsewhere in the planes. What a pity he so wastes his

spells, requiring no material components: At will: alter self (can become Medium when changing his appearance), animate dead, burning hands (as a 7th-level spell), confusion, detect magic, fly, geas

Resolving Interactions

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

condescending noble might wish to see a group of upstart adventurers fail so as to keep them from becoming rivals for the king’s attention, thwarting them with slander and scheming rather than direct threats

adventurers make their points, trying to frame their statements in terms that are meaningful to the creature they are interacting with. Changing Attitude. The attitude of a creature might change over

Search Results