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Returning 35 results for 'before barely defusing contrast rather'.
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Half-Elf
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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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
contrast, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers.
Half-Elf Names
Half-elves use either human or elven
Halfling
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Basic Rules (2014)
, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as
treasures locked in a cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.
Kind and
Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
hold and controls their actions. In contrast, lizardfolk see emotions as traits assigned to other creatures, objects, and situations. A lizardfolk doesn’t think, “I’m scared.&rdquo
pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome.
Cold and Calculating
Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast
get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and human energy without human boorishness. They often make excellent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast
get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and human energy without human boorishness. They often make excellent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
of transcendent union with nature rather than devotion to a divine entity, while others serve gods of wild nature, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient druidic traditions are sometimes called the
Old Faith, in contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines. Druid spells are oriented toward nature and animals — the power of tooth and claw, of sun and moon, of fire and storm. Druids also
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
of transcendent union with nature rather than devotion to a divine entity, while others serve gods of wild nature, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient druidic traditions are sometimes called the
Old Faith, in contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines. Druid spells are oriented toward nature and animals — the power of tooth and claw, of sun and moon, of fire and storm. Druids also
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Mount Celestia The single sacred mountain of Mount Celestia rises from a shining Silver Sea to heights barely visible and utterly incomprehensible, with seven plateaus marking its seven heavenly
the purest souls can. Gazing toward that peak fills even the most jaded of travelers with awe. Optional Rule: Blessed Beneficence In contrast to the dissonance experienced by evil creatures here, good
Yuan-ti Pureblood
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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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
of evil that calls for them to butcher or eradicate all who oppose them. In keeping with their goal of domination, the yuan-ti would rather capture potentially useful opponents than kill them. They use
Druid
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
of nature itself or from a nature deity. Many druids pursue a mystic spirituality of transcendent union with nature rather than devotion to a divine entity, while others serve gods of wild nature
, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient druidic traditions are sometimes called the Old Faith, in contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines.
Druid spells are oriented toward nature and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
their actions. In contrast, lizardfolk see emotions as traits assigned to other creatures, objects, and situations. A lizardfolk doesn’t think, “I’m scared.” Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures
for lizardfolk. Pleasurable things should be preserved and protected, sometimes at the cost of the lizardfolk’s own safety. The most pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
, as shown in the Secret Doors table. You can instead call for an Intelligence (Investigation) check if the challenge involves deducing that a door is present from noticeable clues, rather than
spotting those clues in the first place. See “Perception” in chapter 2 for more advice. Secret Doors Secret Door DC to Detect Barely hidden secret door 10 Standard secret door 15 Well-hidden secret
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
Multiclassing Are ability score improvements class-level dependent, rather than total level? Ability score improvements are based on your level in a particular class, not your total character level
strikes? The Sneak Attack feature works with a weapon that has the finesse or ranged property. An unarmed strike isn’t a weapon, so it doesn’t qualify. In contrast, a rogue/ monk can use Sneak Attack with a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
and serve as a final, vexing puzzle for anyone who tries to make use of an item without her consent. A hag’s treasure — like a gift from a fey being — should be doubted and even feared rather than
simply being scooped up and carted away. Treasure-seekers are likely to fare better if they consider a hag’s booty to be trapped, exercising caution rather than giving in to greed or curiosity
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
Moving Around Other Creatures You can move through a nonhostile creature’s space. In contrast, you can move through a hostile creature’s space only if the creature is at least two sizes larger or
, there’s little room for anyone else. In contrast, as many as twenty Medium creatures can surround a Gargantuan one. Squeezing into a Smaller Space A creature can squeeze through a space that is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
creature’s efforts. In a contest, the ability checks are compared to each other, rather than to a target number. When you call for a contest, you pick the ability that each side must use, deciding
.
In contrast, a character with high Intelligence and low Wisdom is probably oblivious but clever. The character might not spot the clean section of wall but, if asked about it, could immediately
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
. Because larger creatures take up more space, fewer of them can surround a creature. If four Large creatures crowd around a Medium or smaller one, there's little room for anyone else. In contrast, as many as
miniatures or other tokens, follow these rules.
Squares. Each square on the grid represents 5 feet.
Speed. Rather than moving foot by foot, move square by square on the grid. This means you use your speed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Purphoros’s Influence The raw creative force that Purphoros embodies is chaotic, but Purphoros isn’t a god of unbridled chaos. Rather, he shows mortals how to harness that primal energy, shaping it
Purphoros, deeply involved in the project of civilization. Purphoros’s desire to overturn the established order with violence stands in stark contrast to their measured ways. As a result, Purphoros stands aloof from them.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
, but it is no help against a spell or other effect, such as fireball, that delivers its damage after a saving throw rather than after an attack roll. Can a rogue use Evasion if they are surprised? The
, but using a magic item doesn’t fall under Use an Object, as explained in the Dungeon Master’s Guide (see "Activating an Item"). In contrast, using a nonmagical item, such as a healer’s kit, is in
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Khorvaire. In contrast to the Sovereign Host, the church maintains a defined structure and creed. Archbishops monitor regions; cardinals lead the church; and the ultimate authority is the Keeper of the
to form in the foundation. In Breland, some priests fell prey to greed or forged ties to criminal organizations. In Aundair, a zealous faction known as the Pure Flame advocates using violence rather
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
things they don’t. In a 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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
to possess the material goods in a stronghold’s hoard, and would much rather snatch up living treasure. Using its powers of deception, a green dragon might try to entice dwarves it encounters to ally
reminisce over the defeat of a dragon, or weep as they recall the death of a beloved elder.
In contrast to clan gatherings, dwarves who drink alone invariably become morose and sullen — when
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
mask. The rider barely manages to stay in the saddle, his body bristling with cruel black arrows.
Blind with panic, the horse plows on, threatening to trample travelers in its path. Before it can
black blood. His mask is clearly a funerary mask, though it’s cast of gold rather than clay. Characters who succeed on a DC 10 Intelligence check recognize the strange individual as one of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
to use humanoids as thralls, since they have a good balance of physical attributes and proper anatomy. Animals, in contrast, require a lot of direct oversight and lack the ability to use tools to help
them, rather than attempting to keep them penned up or docile. Quaggoths Mind flayers find that the quaggoths’ innate, though rarely manifested, talent for psionics makes them excellent thralls. When
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
is Captain Mergen Truff (NG female elf veteran), a laconic figure who would rather be doing “real work” than standing here warning off vagrants too foolish to avoid falling into a massive hole in the
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
basic physiology, the centaur bands are commonly associated with their own distinct traits. Lagonna band centaurs tend to be sleek and muscular, with powerful legs built for endurance rather than
herds. These herds are voluntary associations, in contrast to the family groups of the Lagonna. When necessary, several small bands join together in a larger herd to target particularly dangerous but
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
to amass as much wealth and power as possible. The Gem Circle, by contrast, might be dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, while the Metallic Circle is more altruistic, working to further the
necessarily create conflict within a party, though. Rather, those affiliations create a potentially interesting tension between individual goals and the goals of the party as a whole. Dragon Overlords
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
Demons Spawned in the Infinite Layers of the Abyss, demons are the embodiment of chaos and evil — engines of destruction barely contained in monstrous form. Possessing no compassion, empathy, or
promotions never stem from a demon’s deeds or accomplishments. Rather, a demon lord might warp a manes into a quasit when it needs an invisible spy, or turn an army of dretches into hezrous when
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
. She’s not interested in fighting, since fights make messes. Nikki Dawes Newmy Talking with Newmy. Newmy would rather talk than fight. She shares the following points: Crypt Cleaner. The Dolindars
is illegible due to advanced age, but the carved phrase “Home Again, To Rest Forever” is barely legible above the tomb’s doorway.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
the stone. After searching Fenerus’s home and finding nothing, they were waiting for Fenerus to return when the drow showed up. The drow barely got away with their lives. THE THREE URCHINS
Three
is why he would rather send a small group of adventurers than call upon a Bregan D’aerthe attack force.) Characters who are suspicious of Laeral’s intentions can ascertain that she’s hiding something
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
), or even forces and philosophies that don’t center on deities. Tight Pantheons In contrast to a loose pantheon, a tight pantheon focuses on a single religion whose teachings and edicts embrace a small
rather than from a specific nature deity, some clerics devote themselves to ideals rather than to a god. Paladins might serve a philosophy of justice and chivalry rather than a specific deity. Forces and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
great white moon, also called the Mistress) and Celene (a smaller blue moon, also called the Handmaiden). Greyspace’s sun orbits Oerth, rather than the other way around. The sun takes 360 days to
except the strange powers of the old hermit living in the nearby woods, which they regard with suspicion and mention only in whispers. By contrast, magic is common enough in the Free City of Greyhawk