before bad dread call rules

Paladin

Classes Player’s Handbook

;s armies, but even fewer people can claim the calling of a Paladin. When they do receive the call, these blessed folk turn from their former occupations and take up arms and magic. Becoming a

level 1 features, which are listed in the Paladin Features table. See the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots. Paladin Features —Spell Slots per

Wizard

Classes Player’s Handbook

mightiest spells change one substance into another, call meteors from the sky, or open portals to other worlds. Most Wizards share a scholarly approach to magic. They examine the theoretical

Features table. See the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots. Wizard Features ——Spell Slots per Spell Level—— Level Proficiency Bonus

Druid

Classes Player’s Handbook

orders that call on the forces of nature. Harnessing the magic of animals, plants, and the four elements, Druids heal, transform into animals, and wield elemental destruction. Revering nature above all

Traits table: Hit Point Die and training with Light armor and Shields. Gain the Druid’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Druid Features table. See the multiclassing rules in chapter 2

Cadaver Collector

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

of a conquering army on the Material Plane. These fearsome Constructs obey their summoners until they are dismissed back to Acheron, but if a summoner comes to a bad end, a cadaver collector might

can summon the spirits of these cadavers to battle against its enemies. Although these specters are individually weak, a cadaver collector can call up an almost endless supply of them, if given enough

Cadaver Collector Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

back to Acheron, but if a summoner comes to a bad end, a cadaver collector might wander the Material Plane for centuries, collecting corpses while searching for a way to return home. Sweeping the Dead

creatures for eventual impalement. Although these specters are individually weak, a cadaver collector can call up an almost endless supply of them, if given time. Constructed Nature. A cadaver collector

Tempest Domain (PHB)

Classes Player’s Handbook (2014)

thunder, gods of earthquakes, some fire gods, and certain gods of violence, physical strength, and courage. In some pantheons, a god of this domain rules over other deities and is known for swift justice

fog cloud, gust of wind, shatter, thunderwave 5th call lightning, sleet storm 7th control water, ice storm 9th destructive wave, insect plague

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

also form strong bonds with the elemental powers of Eldraine, allowing the mages to call on forces like the eastern wind or the fiery hearth. “The high fae are capable of magic that would make

, 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

Sailor Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent

more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and you’ve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town. Variant Feature: Bad

Bael

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Dread. Any creature, other than a devil, that starts its turn within 10 feet of Bael must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of him until the start of its next turn. A creature

. His critics call him naive, though never to his face. His primary interest has always been leading soldiers in battle, so he finds it frustrating to have his ambitions of ascending to a higher rank

Tempest Domain Legacy

Classes Player’s Handbook (2014)

thunder, gods of earthquakes, some fire gods, and certain gods of violence, physical strength, and courage. In some pantheons, a god of this domain rules over other deities and is known for swift

1st fog cloud, thunderwave 3rd gust of wind, shatter 5th call lightning, sleet storm 7th control water, ice storm 9th destructive wave, insect plague

Pirate Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and lawlessness. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one

you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the Player’s Handbook), a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Feature: Bad Reputation No matter where

Hexblood

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

changed you and forced you from your home. 6 A slighted druid transformed you and bound you to live only so long as a sacred tree bears fruit. Hexbloods in the Domains of Dread When

creating a hexblood, consult with your DM to see if it’s appropriate to tie your origins to one of the following Domains of Dread (detailed in chapter 3): Hazlan. The bizarre magic of this crumbling

Failed Merchant

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

Maybe you come from a long line of merchants. Perhaps you were an entrepreneur. Regardless, your ventures ended poorly. Whether it was because of outside influences, bad luck, or simply because your

clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp Feature: Supply Chain From your time as a merchant, you retain connections with wholesalers, suppliers, and other merchants and entrepreneurs. You can call upon these connections when looking for items or information.

Shadar-kai

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Shadar-kai are the elves of the Shadowfell, originally drawn to that dread realm by the Raven Queen. Over the centuries, some of them have continued to serve her, while others have ventured into the

race, follow these 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

Avarice

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

challenge, even when the odds are clearly stacked against her. Seeing other wizards as a threat, paranoia rules her life. Avarice has been a member of the Arcane Brotherhood for almost two years. She

the Knights of the Black Sword, if she needs to call on their talents. Familiar. Avarice’s familiar throughout the adventure is a squawking raven named Skelm. It uses the raven stat block in

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

important mission beyond the cloister? Perhaps you were cast out because of some violation of the community’s rules. Did you dread leaving, or were you happy to go? Is there something you hope to

defensive ability and speed, this energy infuses all that a monk does. The Magic of Ki Monks make careful study of a magical energy that most monastic traditions call ki. This energy is an element of

Shifter

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features by entering a state they call shifting. Shifters are similar to humans in height and build but are typically more lithe and flexible. Their

race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining your character’s ability

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.

Leonin

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

the leonin who call that land home. Leonin and the Gods d6 Attitude 1 I’m amused by the antics of the gods and their earnest, but ultimately deluded, mortal champions, and I

adversaries—incredibly clever and well-prepared to play a long game but ultimately doomed to lose their games. 4 I’m certain every bad thing that happens can ultimately be blamed on the

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

, emulating their dread master. Orcus is a bestial creature of corruption with a diseased, decaying look. He has the lower torso of a goat, and a humanoid upper body with a corpulent belly swollen with rot

chapter 7, "Treasure” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the dead, emulating their dread master. Orcus is a bestial creature of corruption with a diseased, decaying look. He has the lower body of a goat and a humanlike upper body with a belly swollen with

Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules. Surrounded by a moat fed by the

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one deserving soul to a briny grave

. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and you’ve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town. Variant Feature: Bad Reputation If your character has a sailor

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

provoke awe and dread, lay curses of plague or poison, and even call down flames from heaven to consume their enemies. For those evildoers who will benefit most from a mace to the head, clerics depend on

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.

Fear and Horror

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

Fear and Horror The rules for fear and horror can help you sustain an atmosphere of dread in a dark fantasy campaign. Fear When adventurers confront threats they have no hope of overcoming, you can

call for them to make a Wisdom saving throw. Set the DC according to the circumstances. A character who fails the save becomes frightened for 1 minute. The character can repeat the saving throw at the

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

hatred of the civilized races of the world and their need to satisfy the demands of their deities, the orcs know that if they fight well and bring glory to their tribe, Gruumsh will call them home to

. It is also not unheard of for an exceptionally strong and charismatic evil human to lead stray orcs that no longer have a tribe to call their own. When Tribes Team Up An orc tribe typically has no

Valor's Call

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

Valor’s Call The noble adventuring party known as Valor’s Call was founded by Strongheart, a resolute human Paladin committed to destroying evil wherever it rears its head. Strongheart alone

determines who can become a member of this prestigious group, and he is always looking for courageous heroes willing to devote themselves to a good cause. Only good-aligned characters can join Valor’s Call

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.

Prepare to Be Scared

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

rules every time something frightening occurs, but your group might use them as a way to highlight individual fears and build an adventure’s overarching sense of dread. FROM THE MISTS OR BEYOND

atmosphere of the adventure. Don’t consider fear a tactical disadvantage or something to be avoided. As part of playing a frightening game, you’re a participant in building and reinforcing a sense of dread

Horror Adventures

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

adventures benefit from an atmosphere of dread, conceived through a combination of terrifying narratives, dramatic presentation, and game elements encouraging fear. Drawing out the anxiety and anticipation

toolbox of horror-focused rules also provides options for what sort of grim adventures you might create. At the end of this chapter, a horror adventure puts these methods to use and leads characters on

Quinn Hightopple

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

. Personality. “Nice set of teeth you got there. Be a shame if something bad happened to ’em.” Ideal. “No challenge is too big to overcome. As Papa Bartho always says, the bigger they are, the harder

they fall.” Bond. “Nothing’s more important than friendship. That’s why I’ll never leave a friend behind.” Flaw. “I can’t resist punching tall folk in the groin. I call it the Halfling Hello.”

Quinn Hightopple

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

. Personality. “Nice set of teeth you got there. Be a shame if something bad happened to ’em.” Ideal. “No challenge is too big to overcome. As Papa Bartho always says, the bigger they are, the harder

they fall.” Bond. “Nothing’s more important than friendship. That’s why I’ll never leave a friend behind.” Flaw. “I can’t resist punching tall folk in the groin. I call it the Halfling Hello.”

Quinn Hightopple

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

. Personality. “Nice set of teeth you got there. Be a shame if something bad happened to ’em.” Ideal. “No challenge is too big to overcome. As Papa Bartho always says, the bigger they are, the harder

they fall.” Bond. “Nothing’s more important than friendship. That’s why I’ll never leave a friend behind.” Flaw. “I can’t resist punching tall folk in the groin. I call it the Halfling Hello.”

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

Quinn Hightopple

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

. Personality. “Nice set of teeth you got there. Be a shame if something bad happened to ’em.” Ideal. “No challenge is too big to overcome. As Papa Bartho always says, the bigger they are, the harder

they fall.” Bond. “Nothing’s more important than friendship. That’s why I’ll never leave a friend behind.” Flaw. “I can’t resist punching tall folk in the groin. I call it the Halfling Hello.”

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