before bards decide canaries resolve - Search

Attack Rolls

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

Attack Rolls In combat, an attack roll is used to determine whether an attack hits. You can also use attack rolls to resolve noncombat activities that are similar to attacks in combat, such as an

archery contest or a game of darts. Assign an Armor Class to the target, decide whether the character is proficient with the weapon used, then have the player make an attack roll. (See also “Degrees of Success” in this chapter.)

Halflings of the Five Nations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

Halflings of the Five Nations Halflings can be found in every city in Khorvaire. Quick and charming, halflings are often found as merchants, politicians, barristers, and bards. Of course, these same

influence can be felt across the nation and even in the distant city of Stormreach. If you decide to play a halfling rogue—or any character with a criminal or charlatan background—you should decide if you

Top Card: The Challenge

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

road, or a situation the characters are asked to resolve. You decide the scope of the decision the characters must make. You can ask them to make a simple choice (“Do you want to take the path along

ability checks (though another character can help, at your discretion). Whatever choice or challenge you decide the top card represents, the characters’ success or failure while dealing with that situation determines how you read the bottom card.

Interacting with Objects

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

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

moving a lever, and the DM describes what, if anything, happens. For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to flood with water, or

Interacting with Objects

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

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

moving a lever, and the DM describes what, if anything, happens. For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to flood with water, or

Encounters

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

characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s actions. In combat, everyone takes

the DM, you decide how much to tell the players and when. All the information the players need to make choices comes from you. Within the rules of the game and the limits of the characters’ knowledge

Encounters

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

bookshelf. Outside combat, the characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s

sections offer more detailed information on how an encounter typically unfolds, in three steps. Step 1: Describe the Situation As the DM, you decide how much to tell the players and when. All the

Halflings of the Five Nations

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

Halflings of the Five Nations Quick and charming, many halflings put their natural talents to use as bards, barristers, merchants, and politicians throughout Khorvaire. Of course, these same talents

Boromars are based in Sharn, but their influence reaches across the nation and even to the distant city of Stormreach. If you decide to play a halfling rogue, or a character with a criminal or charlatan

Schools of Magic

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

, a few class options suggest the existence of magic-using organizations in the world — bardic colleges and druid circles — which are up to you to flesh out. You could decide that no formal structures

like these exist in your world. Wizards (and bards and druids) might be so rare that a player character learns from a single mentor and never meets another character of the same class, in which case

Actions in Exploration

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

in action.) In such situations, have the characters take turns, though it’s usually not necessary to roll Initiative as you would in a combat encounter. Resolve one character’s actions before moving

something during exploration, you decide whether that action requires an ability check to determine success (as described in the earlier “Resolving Outcomes” section). Certain situations might call

Modifying a Class

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

firmly in the world by associating the class with a particular race or culture. For example, you might decide that bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards represent the magical traditions of four

world. For example, you could decide that the clerics of a particular deity belong to an order that forbids the accumulation of material goods, other than magic items useful for their divine mission

Large Groups

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

Information. If you tell the players what the Armor Class of their opponents is, you reduce the steps of interaction needed to resolve an attack. Instead of telling you a number and asking if it hits

know each character’s AC, you don’t need to ask whether a monster’s attack hits. Help Players Keep Up. If a player isn’t sure what to do on their turn in combat, help the player decide by offering a

Drowned Sailors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

’ initiative count, they move toward the characters. If they get close enough, they make melee attacks. The zombies’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. If all the

Rest). Runara explains that she heard the sounds of combat and arrived just in time to prevent the zombies from dragging the characters into the sea. Avoiding the Zombies. If the characters decide not

Drowned Sailors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Intro to Stormwreck Isle

count, they move toward the characters. If they get close enough, they make melee attacks. The zombies’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. On each character’s

dragging the characters into the sea. Avoiding the Zombies. If the characters are faring poorly against the zombies or decide not to fight them, the characters can easily escape from the slow

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

. Baldur’s Gate joined the Lords’ Alliance, a coalition of independent cities that includes Neverwinter and Waterdeep, largely because of disputes with Amn. Should Amn decide to attack Baldur’s Gate

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

Redcloak Battalion

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

Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split

missions across Khorvaire to provide you with combat experience as well as to further Redcloak goals. Alternatively, your DM might decide to start the campaign with your characters at a higher level and

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

. Baldur’s Gate joined the Lords’ Alliance, a coalition of independent cities that includes Neverwinter and Waterdeep, largely because of disputes with Amn. Should Amn decide to attack Baldur’s Gate

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve

storyteller and referee. The DM creates adventures for the characters, who navigate its hazards and decide which paths to explore. The DM might describe the entrance to Castle Ravenloft, and the players decide

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether

and referee. The DM creates adventures for the characters, who navigate its hazards and decide which paths to explore. The DM might describe the entrance to Castle Ravenloft, and the players decide what

Decisionist

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

franchise party. Noteworthy Decisionists: Donaar Blit’zen (“C” Team), Kelshi Annab Essential Functions: Receive one extra vote on franchise matters; resolve interparty conflicts Position Proficiencies: In

in this capacity for years. When she leverages her coin of decisionry, glinting with its final, unswerving resolve, it is because she has heard all. The Decisonist Franchise Rank Features

The Mourning

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

way to lay these spirits to rest? Do they have unfinished business they want you to resolve? As a sorcerer, your magical powers could be the result of your exposure to the Mourning. Were you physically

Mourning? A DM running an Eberron campaign can decide the cause of the Mourning or leave it as a mystery that will never be solved. People in Eberron have many theories about the cause of the Mourning

Resolving Interactions

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

material by providing a structured way to resolve a social interaction. Much of this structure will be invisible to your players in play and isn’t meant to be a substitute for roleplaying. 1. Starting

hostile. Whether the adventurers can shift a creature’s attitude is up to you. You decide whether the adventurers have successfully couched their statements in terms that matter to the creature

Dragon Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

to the highest standards of behavior, and wields cold magic. The Brass Order could be a loose affiliation of good-hearted scoundrels, including rogues and bards, who favor fire magic and trickery. An

need to decide how they fit into this system of fealty. Some characters might swear allegiance to a dragon overlord and end up as important agents enforcing that dragon’s will in the world—perhaps even

Spindle Cavern

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

spectators can’t decide which of them should guard the meteorite, and they are anxious for someone to help resolve their dispute. The gazers were drawn to the cavern by the spectators’ argument but lack the

Goblin Ambush

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

attacks while two goblins stand 30 feet away from the party and make ranged attacks. The goblins’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. For more information on what the

the “Goblin Trail” section). The characters might not find the goblin trail, or they could decide to continue to Phandalin. In that case, skip ahead to part 2, “Phandalin.” Elmar Barthen (the owner of

Awarding Magic Items

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

Magic Item Rarity When you decide that a treasure contains magic items, there are two ways to determine the rarity of those items. You can choose an appropriate rarity based on the items you’ve given

the Armaments tables for Barbarians, Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers. Use the Implements tables for Bards, Monks, and Rogues. Use the Relics tables for Clerics and Druids. Feel free to vary the tables

48. Shagambi's Tomb

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

this area: Nervous Unkh suggests that her host leave the tomb at once using one of the teleportation runes, though she can’t decide which rune is best. Impulsive Wongo thinks it’s a good idea to shatter

heaped around Shagambi’s bones: 200 gp, five moonstones (50 gp each), the fine music box activated by the trap (250 gp), and an instrument of the bards (Canaith mandolin). The instrument turns to dust and

Mutual Respect

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

behavior is interfering with everyone else’s enjoyment, everyone has a stake in helping to resolve the issue. Setting Expectations Before you assemble a group around a game table, pitch the

inspired by, and which flavors of fantasy interest you. Being transparent with your players allows them to decide if this is a game they want to play, which is best to know before play begins. Being

Mutual Respect

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

behavior is interfering with everyone else’s enjoyment, everyone has a stake in helping to resolve the issue. Setting Expectations Before you assemble a group around a game table, pitch the

inspired by, and which flavors of fantasy (outlined in chapter 5) interest you. Being transparent with your players allows them to decide if this is a game they want to play, which is best to know

Chase Complications

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

pursuers to either divide their forces or allow some of the quarry to escape. If a pursuit splits into several smaller chases, resolve each chase separately. Run a round of one chase, then a round of

pursuing them. Roll initiative for the new arrivals, and run both chases simultaneously. In another scenario, the fleeing thief might run into the waiting arms of his accomplices. The outnumbered characters might decide to flee with the thieves in pursuit.

Travel

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

occupy several game sessions. You decide how to break up the journey, though your decision can be shaped by the characters’ plan for navigating the journey. When the characters know the route they must

takes to complete. Step 2: Narrate the Travel. Describe what happens as the characters complete this stage of their journey. Introduce and resolve any challenges (see “Journey Stage Challenges”). Step 3

Temple of Tharizdun

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

meet once a week or more. This section assumes that no cultists are on site when the characters arrive, giving the party a chance to explore in relative peace. But if you decide so, the cultists could be

a tightly sewn oilcloth — an instrument of the bards (Cli lyre) found by a cultist years before. The lyre is the cult’s greatest treasure, and has been kept as a gift for the leader that the cultists

The Seldarine

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

be with. Stories of Hanali’s romantic adventures among elves and other mortals are perennial favorites when sung by elf bards and poets. In Arvandor, Hanali maintains a hidden pool called Evergold

least a century. More than a few elves claim to have experienced this benefit, and the truth of it is attested by many bards — sometimes in all earnestness, sometimes with a knowing wink. Priests of

Metallic Dragons

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

form, he is usually accompanied by seven golden canaries — actually seven ancient gold dragons in polymorphed form. Bahamut seldom interferes in the affairs of mortal creatures, though he makes

tricks with good humor. Copper dragons are particularly fond of bards. A dragon might carve out part of its lair as a temporary abode for a bard willing to regale it with stories, riddles, and music. To

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