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Returning 35 results for 'before based during concept reason'.
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Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
rage against their enemies. They simply observe and react as a situation warrants.
Lizardfolk lack meaningful emotional ties to the past. They assess situations based on their current and future
quirk for a lizardfolk character or to inspire a unique mannerism.
Lizardfolk Quirks
d8
Quirk
1
You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and
Warforged
Legacy
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Species
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
and crystal eyes embedded beneath a reinforced brow ridge. Beyond these common elements of warforged design, the precise materials and build of a warforged vary based on the purpose for which it was
deeper meaning.
The typical warforged has a sexless body shape. Some warforged ignore the concept of gender entirely, while others adopt a gender identity.
The more a warforged develops its
Firbolg
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
Reason for Adventuring
1
Outcast for murder
2
Outcast for severely damaging home territory
3
Clan slain by invading humanoids
4
Clan slain by a dragon or demon
5
adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes them as strange. They know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the
Kobold
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and
, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to live off the scraps of others, and they are often dominated by larger
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
new monsters and customizing existing ones, if for no other reason than to surprise and delight your players with something they’ve never faced before. The first step in the process is coming up with
the concept for your monster. What makes it unique? Where does it live? What role do you want it to serve in your adventure, your campaign, or your world? What does it look like? Does it have any
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Weston, Campbell White, Richard Whitters, Daneen Wilkerson, Zuzanna Wuzyk, Lixin Yin
Concept Art Director: Josh Herman
Concept Artists: Even Amundsen, Carlo Arellano, Michael Broussard, John Grello
Everything (2017) and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything (2020)
Based on the Player’s Handbook (2014) designed by Jeremy Crawford (lead), Bruce R. Cordell, Tom LaPille, Peter Lee, Mike Mearls, Robert J
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
) have come to Westwood. They forcibly evicted bandits from the innermost woodcutters’ camps, then camped there themselves to explore and hunt in Westwood. Reason to Visit. The Elk tribe and the
Hills well and can provide simple, landmark-based directions to two cult strongholds: Rivergard Keep and Scarlet Moon Hall (though they don’t know the names of these locations).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Whitters, Kieran Yanner, Zuzanna Wuzyk
Cartographers: Francesca Baerald, Dyson Logos, Mike Schley
Concept Art Director: Josh Herman
Concept Artists: Even Amundsen, Carlo Arellano, Michael Broussard
Engineers: Basil Hale, Scott West
Imaging Technicians: Daniel Corona, Meagan Kenreck, Kevin Yee
Prepress Specialist: Jefferson Dunlap
Based on the Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014) by Jeremy
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
absolute evil, demons have no concept of empathy. Each demon believes that only its needs and desires matter. This self-centeredness applies even with regard to other demons. These fiends have no
particular affinity for their own kind, which is the biggest reason why they seldom cooperate with one another unless they are forced to submit to a demon lord or other leader. Going even farther, every
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
taking part in a play session. A character reaches 1 checkpoint for each hour an adventure is designed to last. Note that the award is based on the adventure’s projected playing time, rather than the
designed to take 2 hours, the character reaches 3 checkpoints. Playing time might seem like an odd way to measure experience awards, but the concept is in keeping with how a shared campaign is meant to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
. There’s no rhyme or reason to what the Gray Merchants seek, and the merchants themselves never speak. They conduct business through gestures, making their unusual trades and plodding off into the shadows
, pseudammas turn tragedy into horror by snatching mortal children and attempting to raise them. However, the Returned have forgotten the needs of the living and they have no concept of how to care for a child.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
in Faerûnian civilization — or, perhaps more accurately, civilization has never made room for them. Most of the common folk have an aversion to half-orcs based largely on their appearance: anyone who
looks that much like an orc, they reason, must be like an orc and should be kept at a distance. Because half-orcs are typically stronger and hardier than their human peers, they can find employment
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
this equipment for your private purposes, within reason. Press Access. Each member of your group is issued identification papers from the nation where the newspaper is based. These papers establish
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel
refines based on intelligence from the Court of Whispers. The city’s primary protection is a powerful ward that can be activated by the Speakers for the Ancestors. When all fifteen are assembled in the
deflects all attacks. Nothing can pass or teleport through it. If the diamond sphere cannot be erected for any reason, the Radiant Citadel is not helpless. Due to its many mysteries and its magical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
terrifying presence on the battlefield. They form no attachments, even to their parents and siblings, and have no concept of love or dedication. They worship the orc pantheon of gods — Gruumsh and Luthic
foremost — because they believe that the gods have strength beyond reason, and physical might is all they respect. Servants of Darkness. Mistrusted by orcs, some orogs form independent mercenary war
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
refines based on intelligence from the Court of Whispers. The city’s primary protection is a powerful ward that can be activated by the Speakers for the Ancestors. When all fifteen are assembled in the
deflects all attacks. Nothing can pass or teleport through it. If the diamond sphere cannot be erected for any reason, the Radiant Citadel is not helpless. Due to its many mysteries and its magical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Resolving Outcomes You decide when a player makes a D20 Test based on what the character is trying to do. Players shouldn’t just roll ability checks without context; they should tell you what their
the DC? Based on how hard you think the task should be, set the DC as follows: 10 for an easy task, 15 for a moderately difficult task, or 20 for a hard task. The sections that follow offer advice on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
Intelligence Intelligence measures mental acuity, accuracy of recall, and the ability to reason. Intelligence Checks An Intelligence check comes into play when you need to draw on logic, education
make deductions based on those clues, you make an Intelligence (Investigation) check. You might deduce the location of a hidden object, discern from the appearance of a wound what kind of weapon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Intelligence Intelligence measures mental acuity, accuracy of recall, and the ability to reason. Intelligence Checks An Intelligence check comes into play when you need to draw on logic, education
make deductions based on those clues, you make an Intelligence (Investigation) check. You might deduce the location of a hidden object, discern from the appearance of a wound what kind of weapon dealt
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
.
6 You don’t understand the concept of “truth.” To you, everything is a story and it’s all about how you tell it.
7 You are annoyed by buildings and tools designed without consideration for
fighting styles based on different dinosaurs. Likewise, in playing a Beast Totem barbarian or Circle of the Shepherd druid, consider replacing the traditional totems with the following. Bear: Hammertail
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
, paladins might not swear their oaths to ideals, but instead swear fealty to powerful sorcerers. To capture this story concept, you could build a new paladin spell list with spells meant to protect
to help a player express a particular character concept, and any class feature you replace is also removing an aspect of that character. Substituting a class feature should be done only to fit a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
; in a smaller town, they’ll be more limited still. Uncommon magic items typically cost between 100–500 gp, though costs can be higher based on scarcity. Rare magic. Spells of 4th through 5th level are
beyond the reach of most people. People are familiar with the concept of spells like teleportation or raise dead, but few people have ever seen either of these things actually performed. Only the most
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Manual guide you. Once you have a monster concept in mind, follow the steps below. Step 1. Name A monster’s name should be given as much consideration as any other aspect of the monster, if not more. Your
monster might be based on a real-world creature or a monster from myth, in which case its name might be obvious. If you need to invent a name, keep in mind that the best names either reflect the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Raise or lower the monster’s Armor Class, hit points, attack bonus, damage output per round, and save DC as you see fit, based on whatever concept you have in mind for the monster. For example, if you
by Challenge Rating table to determine the monster’s Armor Class, hit points, attack bonus, and damage output per round based on the challenge rating you chose in step 1. Step 3. Adjust Statistics
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
learned to the constables there. Shortly thereafter, the characters receive a visit from Barnibus Blastwind and Saeth Cromley (see appendix B), who have no reason to suspect the characters are lying
family took it in, not realizing it was a Zhentarim spy. Lady Gralhund reported that it stole her necklace of fireballs. Cromley’s summary of events is based on information given to the City Watch by
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
patron for generations, or embodies values you hold close. Based on this, consider that chapter’s possibilities for how you might have earned that immortal’s favor (if indeed you have) and alternate
likely a reason why you’ve avoided them.
In addition to the gods, the supernatural gifts presented earlier in this chapter might influence your background. Consider what story emerges from your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Approaching the Outpost The duergar outpost, a recent addition to the foothills north of Kelvin’s Cairn, was carved out of a hillside. Although the duergar are based mainly in Xardorok’s mountain
much larger fortress in the mountains. Xardorok is obsessed with chardalyn and is forging a dragon out of it.
The outpost was built close to Kelvin’s Cairn for a reason. Once Ten-Towns is destroyed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
it outside the range of some creatures’ darkvision. The stone giants have never noticed it for this reason. The castle looks small enough to fit in a 20-foot-cube, and it floats at the center of an
be other creatures and objects that are unaffected as well, based solely on the Mad Mage’s whims. 16a. Ledges These ledges are 90 feet above the cavern floor and safe to traverse. 16b. Cavern Floor
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
against your best interests. More significant than negative personality traits, a flaw might answer any of these questions: What enrages you? What’s the one person, concept, or event that you are terrified
very personal reason to hate them with a fiery passion. Her bond might be phrased as “I will do whatever it takes to punish the dragonarmies for the destruction of the Inn of the Last Home.”
Artemis
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
receive relatively cordial treatment from those other hags instead. Every hag has a particular status relative to others of her kind and to hags of all sorts, based on age, abilities, influence
, planar travelers came to recognize that many of the realms and layers of the multiverse are configured in multiples of three. It is possible that plane-traveling hags learned of this planar-based
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
use of a living loot satchel, which is an uncommon magic item. It functions as a bag of holding and is available in a variety of colors and styles.
Class-Based Living Loot Satchel Class Satchel
with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. Living the Good Life Also at rank 2, Head Office trusts that as long as your needs are met, you have no reason to skim any profits. You
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
nostrils. The difference between the index finger and the middle finger. The elasticity of the ear lobe.
6 You take a long, careful look, and then decide based on which fellow franchisee has been nice
ways to reverse or mitigate events resulting from that death. As an action, make a DC 15 Intelligence (Religion) check. On a success, you learn the relevant information based on the nature of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
impression that the ki-rin is ablaze with a holy, golden fire. Beyond their coloration, ki-rins vary in appearance, based on the deity each one reveres and the function it typically performs in service to that
Ilmater. Objects of Adoration. Because a ki-rin is renowned for its wisdom, other creatures would naturally seek it out with questions and requests if they could. For that reason among others, the creature
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
harm the characters. He knows that Strahd has brought them to Barovia for a reason and doesn’t want to thwart Strahd’s plans for them. His calm, pleasant demeanor changes if they become hostile or if
can’t be convinced otherwise. The Abbot shares his beliefs openly, claiming that his decisions are based on the Morninglord’s guidance. He will give visitors a tour of the abbey if they seem friendly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
increases to Honor—or impose reductions—based on a character’s actions. At the end of an adventure, if you think a character’s actions in the adventure reflected well or poorly on his or her
is level-headed even in the face of bizarre circumstances, while a character with low Sanity is unsteady, breaking easily when confronted by eldritch horrors that are beyond normal reason. Sanity






