before barely defusing contract role

Mahadi the Rakshasa

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

rest. The curse lasts until it is lifted by a remove curse spell or similar magic. Summon Erinyes (1/Day). Mahadi summons Ilzabet, an erinyes bound to him by an infernal contract. The erinyes appears

of his patron. In his role as the master of the Wandering Emporium, Mahadi has received special dispensation from Asmodeus to travel freely between the Material Plane and the Nine Hells to operate

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Warforged Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

. Warforged Personality The warforged were built to serve and to fight. For most of their existence, warforged had a clearly defined function and were encouraged to focus purely on that role. The Treaty

warforged embrace a concrete purpose — such as protecting allies, completing a contract, or exploring a land — and embrace this task as they once did war. However, there are warforged who

Warforged Personality

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

Warforged Personality The warforged were built to serve and to fight. For most of their existence, warforged had a clearly defined function and were encouraged to focus purely on that role. The

. Many warforged embrace a concrete purpose—protecting allies, completing a contract, or other pursuits—and devote themselves to this task as they once did to war. However, there are warforged who

Finding the Book

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Finding the Book Characters receive a contract from a mining and exploration group to find out what happened to Vermeillon. Through divination magic, the speculators learned that a book in Candlekeep

holds clues to the mystery. They give the characters another book to use as a means of entrance, which gets them in … barely. The Avowed at the front gates are initially doubtful about the quality or

Warforged Personality

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

Warforged Personality Warforged The warforged were built to serve and to fight. For most of their existence, warforged had a clearly defined function and were encouraged to focus purely on that role

emotion. Many warforged embrace a concrete purpose — such as protecting allies, completing a contract, or exploring a land — and embrace this task as they once did war. However, there are warforged who

Conclusion

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

franchise. He has each of the characters sign a contract crammed full of legalese and double-talk. Any character who reads the document and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check can

running a franchise (and no fault in that franchise’s destruction), she makes an excellent choice for majordomo, and suggests that role for herself if the characters don’t ask her. The remaining

Session Zero

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

zero.” Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything outlines how to run session zero discussions, but in general, use this session to discuss the game’s content, social contract, and house rules, and to create

characters. Reinforce Expectations Make it clear that D&D is a group storytelling game. As the DM, you have a role in crafting adventures and arbitrating rules, but you aren’t solely responsible for how

Mahadi, Emporium Master

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

patron. In his role as the master of the Wandering Emporium, Mahadi has received special dispensation from Asmodeus to travel freely between the Material Plane and the Nine Hells to operate his

rendered, guests need not fear being trapped within, since Mahadi is very serious about maintaining the contract between host and guest. Each guest must agree to this formal arrangement prior to

Economy and Trade

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

Economy and Trade With trade ways running north and south along the Sword Coast, a port on the Sea of Swords, and the Chionthar River leading inland, Baldur’s Gate is perfectly situated for its role

information on political rivals, or custom-brewed poisons. Though the city has laws regarding the sale of stolen property, smuggling, and contract killing, such crimes are rarely reported and even more rarely

Economy and Trade

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

Economy and Trade With trade ways running north and south along the Sword Coast, a port on the Sea of Swords, and the Chionthar River leading inland, Baldur’s Gate is perfectly situated for its role

information on political rivals, or custom-brewed poisons. Though the city has laws regarding the sale of stolen property, smuggling, and contract killing, such crimes are rarely reported and even more rarely

Heralds of Dust Roles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

deceased archmages, dignitaries, and other important figures who die in Sigil and the planes beyond. Morticians. The bulk of Dusters fall into this role. Morticians prepare the way for the dead. They bury

contract the rights to recently deceased corpses—or soon-to-be-dead folk—through death contracts and raise them as skeletons, zombies, and other Undead. Remnants. Remnants are Dusters who exist in a

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

interest of maintaining the strength of their personal bloodline. The yuan-ti have abandoned their humanity and consider non-serpentine humanoids to be lesser creatures, barely more civilized than

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

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

D&D. The direction we chose for the current edition was to lay a foundation of rules that a DM could build on, and we embraced the DM’s role as the bridge between the things the rules address and the

The Demonic Point of View

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

have intelligence enough to appreciate their role in it, the Blood War offers an endless source of diversion underscored by resentment of a cosmic order that refuses to admit their superiority. As the

devils both know that a yugoloth’s loyalty is constantly for sale — even during a conflict on the battlefield — and a yugoloth never agrees to a contract that prohibits it from seeking a better offer

Worshiping Klothys

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

need worship to sustain or empower her, and she doesn’t seek out reverence or demand it. By and large, mortals are irrelevant to her, except insofar as they have played a role in tangling the strands

of destiny by defying nature’s order. (MAGALI VILLENEUVE) MYTHS OF KLOTHYS Klothys is barely remembered in the mortal world, having sequestered herself in the Underworld while human civilization

Humans Transformed

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

interest of maintaining the strength of their personal bloodline. The yuan-ti have abandoned their humanity and consider non-serpentine humanoids to be lesser creatures, barely more civilized than

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

Order in a Sea of Chaos

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

tremendous feats of magic and psionics but barely able to move a finger or lift his own eyelids. A host of servants constantly attend to Menyar-Ag and see to his every need. Although Menyar-Ag is no

. They believe that Zerthimon, in his new godly form, will return someday and usher them into new age of freedom. Until that happens, the githzerai known as zerths fill the symbolic role of Zerthimon in

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

The Second Wind

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

comparison. The ship’s sails are patchworks of mended canvas, while its hull seems barely held together by thick vines that bind it like rope. Its strangest feature is the full-grown tree that sprouts

tiefling has turned to smuggling to make enough coin to buy her way out of an infernal contract she entered into many years ago. Fel Ardra Although Krux doesn’t approve of Fel’s line of business, the giff

More Encounters in Elturel

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

streets to search for provisions. The imp, Perchillux, is offering Pilster a month’s worth of food for the low price of his soul. Pilster is preparing to sign the contract as the characters come upon the

pair. The contract is written on parchment made of halfling skin. If any character interrupts the signing and asks to read the contract, the imp tells them this is none of their business. Pilster

The Mortal Realm

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

The Mortal Realm Compared to most worlds of the Material Plane, the mortal realm of Theros is small. The known world is barely two hundred miles across, with unexplored wilderness beyond. And some

destination. If you are running a campaign in Theros, you can adjust distances between locations to suit the needs of your adventures. The distance might not be the same for two successive journeys; any trek across Theros can expand or contract to accommodate adventures and encounters as you wish.

Yellowcrest Businesses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

who stake out any of those locations can see Faerl as he arrives just after noon in a private coach, which barely fits along the narrow Trades Ward streets where the Yellowcrest businesses are located

others surrender. All are Waterdeep mercenaries on long-term contract to guard Faerl when he visits the city. They don’t know Lord Viallis personally and know nothing of the cult, but they can provide

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

want a model for efficiency and motivation in an organization, look no further than the infernal expanse of Nessus. You want to talk about a perfect sales pitch and a diabolically intricate contract

The Rank and File

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

recognize a devil’s deeds. Souls. Each time a devil signs a contract that pledges a mortal’s soul to the Nine Hells, that devil receives credit for the achievement. A stronger soul, such as a mighty

death can immediately step into the vacant role, as long as the devil is aware of the rules of succession and positions itself as next in line. Devils look at mortals as sheep, just as demons do

Other Nonplayer Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

long distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing

silent as the grave, staring sullenly at the road ahead, barely moving on the seat of his wagon, seeming hardly to breathe. No one knows what he transports in his wagon, but it is guarded by a brooding

Other Nonplayer Characters

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

distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing arguments

as the grave, staring sullenly at the road ahead, barely moving on the seat of his wagon, seeming hardly to breathe. No one knows what he transports in his wagon, but it is guarded by a brooding

Life in the Domains of Dread

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

players who want to create characters devoted to Ezra to define the god’s role in their domain of origin. Time and Dates The Domains of Dread don’t share a unified calendar. However, in most

maintained by the Keepers. Individuals and businesses friendly with the Keepers—such as a village notary or inn—might surreptitiously contract their services, allowing customers to send a letter for 1

Criminal Syndicate

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

that you receive your fee for contract work from outside clients. The contact is your first point of communication if you need to reach out to highly ranked members of the syndicate’s hierarchy. Roll or

ventures. The Criminal Syndicate Member Roles suggests positions you might fill in the organization and the backgrounds frequently associated with each role. Criminal Syndicate Member Roles Role

Social Interaction Example

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

grown shoddy with the passage of years. A blazing fire in the hearth barely gives any warmth to the room. You see a man behind the counter, methodically cleaning glasses. Three older women huddle

’ voices, like an actor taking on a role. The players might even echo their characters’ body language. They still need to describe things that can’t reasonably be acted out. Descriptive Roleplaying

City Inhabitants

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

three tabaxi hunters. Each of these groups can play as much of a role in the story as you desire. They could serve as enemies or as allies brought together by mutual interests. Yuan-ti Yuan-ti offer

barely aware of the kobolds’ existence. Red Wizards of Thay A group of Red Wizards entered the city a couple of days prior to the characters’ arrival. They camped in the ruined compound at area 2, but

Warehouse Environs

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

pack and squints at its barely legible writing. “So which one of you is Ozgood the Ugly? I need you to sign before you go in. Nothing but paperwork and signatures since the newest Masked Lords got

them, or what might be lurking within. The contract the characters sign is fulfilled only if they investigate and clear every tunnel the fissure exposed. After they finish, a city surveyor will be

N9. Vistani Camp

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

howls of a young man. Three sputtering campfires fill the tent with smoke, and through the haze you see six Vistani passed out in various places on the dead grass. A barely conscious and shirtless

, and he forgets about Alexei long enough to play the role of host—until such time as the characters become tiresome or threatening. Alexei blames himself for not watching the little brat more closely and

Adventure Models

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

Adventure Models Giants serve as adversaries in many D&D adventures, but that’s not the only possible role for them in your game. This section outlines five broad categories of adventures, including

the light that is barely visible far below. 2 Characters find a coded journal in a dragon’s treasure hoard, indicating a path to a hidden paradise. 3 Adventurers find a giant-sized ring inscribed with

Island Approach and First Floor

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

contact with the pile of waste (searching through it, falling into it, and so forth) must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or contract sewer plague. See “Diseases” in chapter 8 of the

larder turns up a single piece of damp, crumpled parchment showing barely legible lines and writing. This is a map dropped here by one of the drowned ones that ransacked this area, formerly a navigator on

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