before bad diffusing contain risk

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

proven to be a danger to them. The members of the enclave will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives in this effort. In addition, as a guild

conclave has a deeper connection to the Worldsoul than I do. 6 I’m trying to atone for the life of crime I led before I joined the Selesnya, but I find it hard to give up my bad habits

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

everywhere in the world around them, and the priests of a tribe are entrusted with the responsibility of identifying these signs and omens — both good and bad — and deciding how the tribe should

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

a frivolous lark. You’ve maintained a solitary vigil outside the cavern entrance ever since. 2 You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think you’re dead. Less

a patriar’s scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. 6 You aren’t originally from Baldur

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

century old. Suggested Characteristics Few archaeologists can resist the lure of an unexplored ruin or dungeon, particularly if such a site is the source of legends or is rumored to contain

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

earth are strong or weak, are bearing a load or are safe to excavate, or are likely to contain minerals or offer access to water. This ability enables them to fashion secure homes in places where other

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I will not risk injury at the hands of weaker creatures—especially while I can turn

treasures with significant financial or sentimental value to the host dragon are stored away in the protected hoard, these tastefully appointed visitors’ chambers contain lesser treasures from

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

you’re roleplaying a yuan-ti, the following tables contain possible inspiration. They suggest characteristics that a yuan-ti might possess. Yuan-ti Personality Traits d8 Personality

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I will not risk injury at the hands of weaker creatures—especially while I can turn

financial or sentimental value to the host dragon are stored away in the protected hoard, these tastefully appointed visitors’ chambers contain lesser treasures from inaccessible or storied locales

Hermit

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

where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here

. 2 You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think you’re dead. Less fortunately, maintaining that deception might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. 3

Hermit

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no questions asked. Living here

crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think you’re dead. Less fortunately, maintaining that deception might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. 3 You study the

Treasure

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

trophies of victory that orcs brandish and boast about when they return to the den. A loot sack might contain something of demonstrable worth or usefulness, something that’s edible (or used to be), or

something that was acquired at great risk. In any case, once the bragging is over, the loot is eaten, put to use, or otherwise disposed of. The Orc Trophies table provides a selection of items that might

Chamber Campaign Themes

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

different ways that the demons and the dragons could be interpreting those words. Ultimately, the adventurers might be in the position of having to choose between an outcome that is bad for them but good

for the world in the long term, or a short-term triumph that carries tremendous risk for the world in the distant (or not too distant) future. Another possibility is that the adventurers are openly

Tymora

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

might say words to Tymora before any endeavor in which a little good luck would help, but not when an incidence of bad luck might occur. (On such occasions folk pray to Beshaba to spare them from bad

left with the stranger as payment for Tymora’s favor. If it’s not, the stranger can choose to keep it (and the bad luck) or return it. Those who favor Tymora — as distinct from folk who invoke her name

Protanther

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

. Though he sees both good and bad in the lesser races, he believes that their capacity for attaining great power despite their physical limitations makes them dangerous. For all their capability, humanoids

strength. If this puts the humanoids at risk, so be it. Attitude. Neutral. If there are humans or tieflings in the party, Protanther is instead cautious. If there are elves in the party, he is unfriendly

Protanther

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

. Though he sees both good and bad in the lesser races, he believes that their capacity for attaining great power despite their physical limitations makes them dangerous. For all their capability

full strength. If this puts the humanoids at risk, so be it. Attitude. Neutral. If there are humans or tieflings in the party, Protanther is instead cautious. If there are elves in the party, he is

Crime

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

Crime Sometimes it pays to be bad. This activity gives a character the chance to make some extra cash, at the risk of arrest. Resources. A character must spend one week and at least 25 gp gathering

Bad Data

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

Bad Data The modron leader X01 isn’t just damaged—its mind has been overwhelmed. This is a result of flawed orders X01 received when it left Mechanus during the last Great Modron March, but more so

risk! Advisement: full planar realignment! Highest alert!” The modron continues issuing such dire reports. As it does, wisps of green vapor leak from its mouth, eyes, and seams. Gradually this vapor

Winter Encounter Chain

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

, they’re willing to thumb their noses at local authorities and risk death in pursuit of the Stone of Golorr. Summary The stone is delivered to Thrakkus, a dragonborn butcher in the Field Ward (encounter

during the battle. If you find an encounter too deadly, reduce the antagonists’ hit points, have NPCs arrive to help the characters, or have the bad guys cut their losses and flee.

Research

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

that guards the place. Complications. The greatest risk in research is uncovering false information. Not all lore is accurate or truthful, and a rival with a scholarly bent might try to lead the

character astray, especially if the object of the research is known to the rival. The rival might plant false information, bribe sages to give bad advice, or steal key tomes needed to find the truth. In

Difficulty Class

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

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

ability score against any given check. If you want some risk of failure, you need to set higher DCs. Doing this, though, can aggravate the problem you’re trying to solve: higher DCs require higher die rolls, and thus rely even more on luck.

Acquisition as a Holy Chore

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

campaign, but a few select gods, goddesses, and otherworldly powers might play a larger role. Abbathor This dwarven deity of greed gets a bad rap. Because seriously, greed is just another form of the

cognizant of not wanting to throw away potential customers that way, how much risk of going down that path could there be? Jergal Death is a serious business. Literally. Jergal is a lesser deity who

Simple Traps

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

sown with too many traps, and if the characters are victimized over and over again as a result, they are likely to take steps to prevent further bad things from happening. Because of their recent

experience, the characters can become overly cautious, and you run the risk of the action grinding to a halt as the players search every square inch of the dungeon for trip wires and pressure plates

Carousing

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

character, but not at the risk of their lives. Lower-class contacts include criminals, laborers, mercenaries, the town guard, and any other folk who normally frequent the cheapest taverns in town. Middle

contacts don’t count toward this limit — only ones that can be used at any time to declare an NPC as a contact. Complications. Characters who carouse risk bar brawls, accumulating a cloud of nasty

Idyllglen Events

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

enters your mind. “Nice work. Take a break. You’ve got an hour before the really bad stuff happens.” The characters can spend the next hour interacting with Lulu’s memory of Idyllglen. They can

demonic terrors of the Abyss. Were you in my place, would you risk it all to save others?” Zariel lets each character answer her question in turn. She thanks them for their responses, then utters a

Horror Characteristics

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

, mantra, or relaxation method I use to deal with stress. 10 Nothing is more important than life, and I never leave anyone in danger. 11 I’m quick to jump to extreme solutions. Why risk a

face a tragic end. 2 I’m convinced something is after me, appearing in mirrors, dreams, and places where no one could. 3 I’m especially superstitious and live life seeking to avoid bad luck

NPCs as Party Members

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

NPCs as Party Members NPCs might join the adventuring party because they want a share of the loot and are willing to accept an equal share of the risk, or they might follow the adventurers because of

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

Dungeon Locations

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

in the crate’s sides. These devils burst forth and attack intruders on sight. The other crates in the middle of the cellar contain dried meat, loaves of bread, wheels of cheese, and other assorted

foodstuffs — enough to sustain the Vanthampurs and the cultists in the dungeon for a month. The crates by the south wall contain candles, oil flasks, incense, and rat traps. Six of the barrels contain

Franchise Downtime

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

, skimming from the coffers of either temple, running illegal gambling at the Sleeping Giant — any of these activities could net a nice profit with relatively limited risk. Staying on the Good Side If

-work miners. Doing so makes acquiring ongoing concessions or information from townsfolk much easier, but puts the characters in the bad graces of Sharna Quirstiron at the Miner’s Exchange. Leads to the

The Tortured Tortle Mutiny

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

is the first mate, and voices her appreciation for the characters’ rescue. If they seem like honorable sorts, Belle takes a risk and further asks them for assistance. She admits that she and her crew

can challenge Captain Athgar. The (mostly) good members of the crew can handle the bad apples backing Athgar. Certainly, with such aid, the adventurers can handle the captain and his priest! Belle

Mirabar

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

, since no one in Mirabar wishes to see the surface city wiped out. It would simply be bad for business. Mirabar spares no expense in defending its wealth, and hires as many mages and adventurers as

armory of the North is at risk. ‘The miners, smelters, and smiths of Mirabar work ever harder to increase their output and improve their craft, while the jewelers and enamelers study ways to

Curst

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

gate-towns come knocking on their doors, residents feign ignorance or offer up false clues to throw off the nose of justice. Residents remain smugly aloof, fending off bounty hunters like bad suitors

. However, those who commit crimes within Curst risk a fate called Second Exile, in which the offender is bound and thrown into the gate, never to return. Second Exile is typically reserved for gruesome

Master Manipulators

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

; despite knowing that she is evil and dangerous, they are desperate enough to risk making a bargain with her, or foolish enough to think they can persuade her to be helpful without getting something in

and therefore more dangerous when disappointed or angered by a deal gone bad. Fey are also long-lived and thus have more time to retaliate against the hag, whereas most humanoids die within a few

Battle Balloon

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

vessel’s exploits, rumors abound regarding the wondrous vehicle. Is it powered by a bound efreeti, as some have said? Does the hold contain clones of every high-ranking member of Acquisitions

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

Greyhawk Conflicts

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

attention. Levels 11–16. Finally, the characters discover an ancient Temple of the Elder Elemental Eye deep beneath the cults’ separate temples, and they strive to contain the damage wrought by the cults

. The characters confront Iuz at the shores of the lake, perhaps facing a terrible choice: Will they wield the power of Vecna to stop Iuz, or will they risk Iuz wielding that awful might against them?

Demons

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

, even nations embroiled in bitter conflict will set their differences aside to help contain an outbreak of demons, or to seal off abyssal breaches before these fiends can break free. Signs of

. Though demons yearn to sow chaos on the Material Plane, they show no gratitude when brought there, raging against their prisons and demanding release. Those who would risk summoning a demon might do

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