before badly diffusing combat reward - Search

Living Doll

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

False Appearance. If the doll is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the doll move or act, that creature must

living doll is a mean spirit that encourages those around it to behave badly toward others. The doll takes pleasure in tormenting the guilt-ridden and despondent, hastening their descent into depression

Dragon Chosen

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

skilled in close combat, using two weapons to tear at their foes. Dragon Followers Dragons boast many minions, students, employees, acolytes, and thralls. Dragon followers are those servitors whose

foolhardy adventure. Other followers seek to uncover the mysteries of draconic nature and live a life worthy of their dragon’s reward, and they dream of a world where dragons can live among them as their rulers.

Sword of Kas Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

. His successes earned him Vecna’s admiration and a reward: a sword with as dark a pedigree as the man who would wield it. For a long time, Kas faithfully served the lich, but as Kas’s

your person, you add a d10 to your initiative at the start of every combat. In addition, when you use an action to attack with the sword, you can transfer some or all of its attack bonus to your Armor

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow. Suggested Characteristics Urchins are

life — and maybe get some payback on all the rich people who treated them badly. d8 Personality Trait 1 I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. 2 I ask a lot

Alustriel Silverhand

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

are to spread kindness, reward virtue, and promote a culture of compassion throughout the multiverse. She is good at building alliances and quick to intervene when she senses a threat to the forces of

Weave favors those who act with mercy and compassion, seeks to deliver lives of security for all, and bolsters people’s efforts when they seek to right wrongs and combat evil. Nowhere are

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack. Creating a Deep Dragon Use the Deep Dragon Personality

adventurers to investigate. 7 Two Underdark settlements are about to go to war, having been carefully manipulated by a deep dragon. A desperate ruler offers a reward to anyone who can uncover the true

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your

; and maybe get some payback on all the rich people who treated them badly. d8 Personality Trait 1 I hide scraps of food and trinkets away in my pockets. 2 I ask a lot of questions

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack

adventurers to investigate. 7 Two Underdark settlements are about to go to war, having been carefully manipulated by a deep dragon. A desperate ruler offers a reward to anyone who can uncover the

Fisher

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Wrestling. You fought in hand-to-hand combat with an immense lobster. 2 It Dragged the Boat. You nearly caught a fish of monstrous size that pulled your boat for miles. 3 Fins of Pure Gold

scavengers. (Evil) 5 Balance. Do not fish the same spot twice in a row; suppress your greed, and nature will reward you. (Neutral) 6 Hard Work. No wave can move a soul hard at

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

while learning to fight, to survive in the wild, and to fear the gods. The children that can’t endure the rigors of a life of combat are culled from the main body of the tribe, taken into the

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

tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. 5 I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. 6 I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. 7 I have

Quick NPCs

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

Quick NPCs An NPC doesn’t need combat statistics unless it poses a threat. Moreover, most NPCs need only one or two qualities to make them memorable. For example, your players will have no trouble

remembering the no-nonsense blacksmith with the tattoo of the black rose on his right shoulder or the badly dressed bard with the broken nose.

Character Advancement

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

Character Advancement Experience Points (XP) fuel level advancement for player characters and are most often the reward for completing combat encounters.

Noncombat Challenges

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

agreement with a clan of surly dwarves, or successfully navigate the Chasm of Doom, you might decide that they deserve an XP reward. As a starting point, use the rules for building combat encounters in

Noncombat Challenges You decide whether to award experience to characters for overcoming challenges outside combat. If the adventurers complete a tense negotiation with a baron, forge a trade

Experience Points

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

Experience Points Experience points (XP) fuel level advancement for player characters and are most often the reward for completing combat encounters. Each monster has an XP value based on its

received substantial assistance from one or more NPCs, count those NPCs as party members when dividing up the XP. (Because the NPCs made the fight easier, individual characters receive fewer XP.) Chapter 3, "Creating Adventures" provides guidelines for designing combat encounters using experience points.

Why Use Riddles?

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

an opportunity for the characters to engage with a creature that’s too strong to defeat in combat Reward clever characters who overcome a challenge with brains instead of brawn Make a villain, an

can challenge all manner of adventurers—novice or veteran, weak or strong—and can make the reward at the end of the adventure feel well earned. Riddles can be used to do any of the following: Provide

Combat Encounters

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

Combat Encounters The following features can make a combat encounter more interesting or challenging: Changes in Elevation. Terrain features that provide a change of elevation (such as stacks of

empty crates, ledges, and balconies) reward clever positioning and encourage characters to jump, climb, fly, or teleport. Defensive Positions. Enemies in hard-to-reach locations or defensive positions

Flight to Steel Springs

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

Flight to Steel Springs Assuming the characters head to Steel Springs, they arrive as Kalaman’s forces engage the Dragon Army. However, Kalaman received faulty intelligence, and its troops are badly

outnumbered. Rather than joining the Kalaman forces in their advance, the characters find themselves defending a retreat. The adventure unfolds in one of two ways: With Mass Combat. If you’re using

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

Underdark settlements are about to go to war, having been carefully manipulated by a deep dragon. A desperate ruler offers a reward to anyone who can uncover the true cause of the hostility. 8 A

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

. 7 Two Underdark settlements are about to go to war, having been carefully manipulated by a deep dragon. A desperate ruler offers a reward to anyone who can uncover the true cause of the hostility

Narration in Combat

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

Narration in Combat Although it’s important that the players understand what’s going on in terms of the rules, the game can get dull if everyone uses only “gamespeak”: “That’s an 18 to hit,” “You hit

badly!” As the characters fight monsters, you can reveal information to help the players make good choices, as described in the sections that follow. Awarding Heroic Inspiration As discussed in the

Controlling a Mount

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

independent mount retains its place in the initiative order. Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It might flee from combat, rush to

attack and devour a badly injured foe, or otherwise act against your wishes. In either case, if the mount provokes an opportunity attack while you’re on it, the attacker can target you or the mount.

Using the Adventures

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

. Execute the Heist. The characters enact their plans. Unforeseen complications often arise during this stage. Conclude the Heist. The characters’ success determines their reward and how the story might

progress beyond the main adventure. These short adventures work best with players who enjoy the heist genre. In addition to thrills, drama, strategizing, and twists, each adventure includes opportunities for exploration, roleplaying, and combat.

Controlling a Mount

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

independent mount retains its place in the initiative order. Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It might flee from combat, rush to

attack and devour a badly injured foe, or otherwise act against your wishes. In either case, if the mount provokes an opportunity attack while you’re on it, the attacker can target you or the mount.

Where to Use Riddles

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

: Creatures. Not every adversary wants to engage in mortal combat. Certain creatures might delight in a battle of wits. The reward for answering a creature’s riddle might be a small treasure, a bit of

helpful magic, or permission to pass through the monster’s lair unscathed. If combat is inevitable, the answer to a monster’s riddle might reveal useful information like the monster’s secret weapon or

Aftermath of the Siege

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

Combat. If you are using the Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn game along with this adventure, consult the “Warriors of Krynn: Scenario 12” sidebar. Without Mass Combat. If you aren’t using the Dragonlance

the shape of their god’s holy symbol. If there’s not, it’s an ancient +3 shield bearing Solamnic knotwork designs and the symbol of Paladine. Characters gain no reward for a loss. At the end of the scenario, proceed with “Kalaman Victorious.”

Creating a Heist Crew

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

tight-knit from the start. Similarly, ask your players to consider creating characters suited to undertaking heists. Combat prowess is less important when sneaking through a guarded complex, for

adventures. Equipment such as thieves’ tools, rope, and a grappling hook might mean the difference between taking a shortcut to the objective and getting caught. Characters can accomplish these adventures’ missions in multiple ways. As the Dungeon Master, reward creative thinking!

Awarding XP

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

NPCs made the challenge easier. (See also “Nonplayer Characters” in chapter 3.) Noncombat Challenges You decide whether to award XP to characters for overcoming challenges outside combat. If the

point, use the rules for building combat encounters in chapter 4 to gauge the difficulty of the challenge. Then award the characters XP as if it had been a combat encounter of the same difficulty

Combat Encounters

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

Combat Encounters Chris Seaman Otto's conversation with a magic mirror is an exciting social interaction encounter The following features can make a combat encounter more interesting or

challenging: Changes in Elevation. Terrain features that provide a change of elevation (such as stacks of empty crates, ledges, and balconies) reward clever positioning and encourage characters to jump, climb

Approach by Sea

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

achieve the mission goals without combat, they’re playing smart and well. The intent is to get the players to think tactically and avoid unnecessary fights against a superior foe. Reward the characters

party’s mission. At a predetermined signal or after some period of time, the keelboat will return to see if the characters are ready to be collected. COMBAT NOT REQUIRED The characters are considered

Quest: Dangerous Stowaway

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

ooze seeps from the supplies with a hideous squelching noise and fights the characters. Roll Initiative! Preparing for Combat. Use the “Combat” section of the D&D Beyond Basic Rules, along with the

Trail Map and the Gray Ooze Glob stat block, to run this encounter. Reward After defeating the ooze, carting the goods is straightforward work. When the characters return to Oleira, she’s shocked to

Conclusion

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

report. Omin Dran is there to meet with them when they do. If the characters were successful and dealt with Captain Truff in good faith, Omin gives them the promised reward of 400 gp for the group (500 gp

. If you find the franchise in poor standing or otherwise in distress, I want a full report. And depending on how badly the last group botched things, I might look to you to take over. A failed

Bottom Card: Reward or Ruin

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

Bottom Card: Reward or Ruin Once the situation presented by the top card has been resolved, the player can flip over the bottom card. Then it’s up to you to interpret that card as either a reward or

: Encounter. The characters’ failure leads to a difficult combat encounter. Use the card to help you decide what kind of creature is encountered. Exhaustion. The stress of overcoming the challenge

Running the Encounter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

fish ship that lie strewn amid the asteroids—are attracted to the battle as it unfolds. At the start of the fourth round of combat, they appear at the stern of the characters’ ship and attack the

nearest creatures. Roll a d20 for the shadows’ initiative, again with no modifier. Alternative Scenarios Some characters might want to resort to options other than direct ship-to-ship combat when the

Divine Ordeals

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

ordeal, as the name indicates, is no easy task. To receive one, a candidate must accomplish at least one near-impossible feat to even make the request: finding a pathway into Nyx. But the reward for

described in chapter 1. Will the character’s drive prove strong enough to overcome everything else? An ordeal is a single encounter, which might involve combat, interaction, a series of ability checks

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