before battle defusing chance run

Eye and Hand of Vecna

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

a lich. A treacherous lieutenant named Kas the Betrayer;Kas brought Vecna’s rule to an end in a terrible battle. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly Artifacts that

from the eye (save DC 18). The table indicates how many charges you must expend to cast the spell. Each time you cast a spell from the eye, there is a 5 percent chance that Vecna tears your soul from

Deep Crow

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

, echoing from the darkness like a death knell. For by the time those glowing red eyes fix on you, it's far too late to run … Some adventurers and sages whisper that deep crows were first spawned as

almost any creature. Their preferred attack is a snatch-and-grab that sees a deep crow flying off with a living victim before its companions have any chance of counterattack. Provided the doomed prey

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

or roll on the table below. d6 Scam 1 I cheat at games of chance. 2 I shave coins or forge documents. 3 I insinuate myself into people’s lives to prey on their

weakness and secure their fortunes. 4 I put on new identities like clothes. 5 I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. 6 I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard

Vargouille

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

or a dretch, fears vargouilles only if they appear in great numbers. In the Lower Planes, vargouilles rarely get the chance to eat live prey other than vermin. More often, they lap up the ichor left

’s curse. If the curse is allowed to run its course, an abyssal spirit invades the person’s body, causing a gruesome transformation. Over a period of hours, the victim’s head takes on

Harshnag the Grim

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

talking. When he does speak outside of combat, he comes across as surprisingly calm and soft-spoken. While swinging his axe in battle, however, he bellows and laughs like a berserker. Harshnag knows the

North well and has no chance of becoming lost in its wilderness. He’s sensitive to the fact that many small folk have a freshly rekindled fear of giants striding into their settlements.Cold

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

As a sell-sword who fought battles for coin, you’re well acquainted with risking life and limb for a chance at a share of treasure. Now, you look forward to fighting foes and reaping even

behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way. MERCENARIES OF THE NORTH Countless mercenary companies

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

gnomes and other humanoids, the kobolds instinctively attack the gnomes. Kobolds in battle with gnomes are much less likely to run away because their hatred overrules their sense of self-preservation

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Kelubar Demodand

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

40 percent;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Summon Demodand"} chance of summoning its choice of 1d2 farastu demodand;farastu demodands or 1 kelubar demodand. A summoned demodand

;shators. They are squat, and their skin drips with a foul-smelling, acidic slime. Kelubars revel in the subservience of others, and they prefer to do battle with words—or at least to send in their

Asteria

Monsters The Book of Many Things

everyone deserves a chance to write their own story on their own terms, and her deeds have inspired countless heroic tales. Even after so many years, Asteria maintains a joyous wanderlust and passion for

discovery. She’s as likely to be found climbing trees or poring over arcane texts as she is brandishing her sword in battle. Anyone who engages Asteria in conversation about her interests finds

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments. Fair Play For goliaths, competition exists only

little chance of survival, especially an older or weaker one. Goliaths have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves, though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result of

Mister Light

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Gloomwrought and asked Naeryx to help him run it. For Urmius, the carnival was a chance to emerge from under his family’s shadow and become the master of his own fate, but it also meant forsaking his

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is. Suggested Characteristics Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to

back. d6 Flaw 1 I am easily distracted by the promise of information. 2 Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy. 3

Iggwilv the Witch Queen

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

much damage on a successful one. In addition, there is a 50 percent chance that 3 hezrou;hezrous then appear in unoccupied spaces in the sphere. They act as Iggwilv’s allies, take their turns

emotions to run rampant and is more likely to find herself in the grip of happiness, anger, or melancholy. This is the price she pays to exert control over the Feywild and impose her will on the domain

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Lord Soth

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Solamnic Knight of the Order of the Rose, Soth was a paragon of virtue and justice who allowed his pride to lead him down an evil path. The gods gave Soth a chance at redemption, charging him with

. In battle, Soth is a terror, wielding the last remnant of the Cataclysm’s fires to devastating effect. He usually uses his spellcasting ability only as part of his legendary actions.Necrotic, Poison

Living Loot Satchel

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

, organic, locally sourced woven fibers Fighter A thick, battle-scarred iron lockbox Paladin A metal case with fine engraving and scrollwork Ranger A fur-lined bindle Rogue A

you really don’t want to know about, there is no chance for the spell to end. That Thing You Need At rank 3, you can use a bonus action to reach into your living loot satchel and make a DC 15

Giff Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

refuse to fight other giff, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its

much damage and isn’t knocked prone. Every other keg of gunpowder within 20 feet of an exploding keg has a 50 percent chance of also exploding. Check each keg only once per turn, no matter how many other kegs explode around it.

Eye and Hand of Vecna Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

end in a terrible battle that left Vecna’s tower a heap of ash. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly artifacts that still seek to work the Whispered One’s will in

), dominate monster (5 charges), or eyebite (4 charges). The eye regains 1d4 + 4 expended charges daily at dawn. Each time you cast a spell from the eye, there is a 5 percent chance that Vecna tears your soul

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

chance. 2 I shave coins or forge documents. 3 I insinuate myself into people’s lives to prey on their weakness and secure their fortunes. 4 I put on new identities like clothes

. 5 I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. 6 I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard-earned money. FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY You have created a second

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

traps, snares, and nets to catch the unwary, and when their hunting patrols encounter other beings, they always look for ways to capture their foes instead of killing them. Goblins that run up against

Emerald Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

is a magic in the retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any) 4 Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on. (Any

witness to a murder but doesn’t want to be found or identified. 2 An emerald dragon seeks heroes to participate in a dramatic reenactment of a legendary battle involving dragon riders

Young Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. There is a magic in the retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any) 4 Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on

the only witness to a murder but doesn’t want to be found or identified. 2 An emerald dragon seeks heroes to participate in a dramatic reenactment of a legendary battle involving dragon

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying

lies on the slopes of the Star Mounts’ southernmost mountains. At the headwaters of the Unicorn Run, the Last Aerie is home to several dozen aarakocra. Recently, aarakocra elders detected

The Final Battle

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

more information. Before or during the final battle, the adventurers have a chance to reconnoiter the Well of Dragons and undertake a stealthy infiltration of the cult’s redoubt and the Temple of Tiamat.

The Final Battle The battle between the factions of the Sword Coast and the Cult of the Dragon plays out as a huge clash between armies and monstrous forces. The manner in which that battle plays out

The Final Battle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

more information. Before or during the final battle, the adventurers have a chance to reconnoiter the Well of Dragons and undertake a stealthy infiltration of the cult’s redoubt and the Temple of Tiamat.

The Final Battle The battle between the factions of the Sword Coast and the Cult of the Dragon plays out as a huge clash between armies and monstrous forces. The manner in which that battle plays out

Introduction

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->One-Shot Wonders: Holiday Adventure Pack

One-Shot Wonders The one-shots and battle maps in this collection are based on the adventure design of One-Shot Wonders and The Map Library, the multi-award-winning book and map compendium by Roll

& Play Press. One-Shot Wonders is full of ready-to-run adventures designed for easy prep and maximum impact. Each session plan breaks down the key characters, locations and plot points you need to run a

Developments

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

Developments This battle will likely be a challenge to run. It is designed to create an emotional low spot in the adventure, during which overall defeat for the forces of good looks like a real

possibility. Character death—even if temporary—can crush some players’ spirits. For those players, don’t make this battle just a relentless slog toward death. Give the adventurers opportunities to save

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

Developments This battle will likely be a challenge to run. It is designed to create an emotional low spot in the adventure, during which overall defeat for the forces of good looks like a real

possibility. Character death — even if temporary — can crush some players’ spirits. For those players, don’t make this battle just a relentless slog toward death. Give the adventurers opportunities to save

The Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

run this encounter. As the characters load the wagons, storm clouds descend and block the sun. Argus Skeel (male vampire spawn) and two ghouls, plus one ghoul per character, including sidekicks

appropriate. (See “Running a Three-sided Battle” sidebar for advice.) RUNNING A THREE-SIDED BATTLE Combat is a highlight of the game for a large number of players: they love the challenge, the

Morale

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

Morale Some combatants might run away when a fight turns against them. You can use this optional rule to help determine when monsters and NPCs flee. A creature might flee under any of the following

circumstances: The creature is surprised. The creature is reduced to half its hit points or fewer for the first time in the battle. The creature has no way to harm the opposing side on its turn. A

Joint DMs

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

enjoy or the DMs trading focus from session to session. One DM might run combat description and keep a battle moving while the other focuses on miniatures and music. The two DMs can play two different

characters step out of the action when their players take their turns as DM. Joint DMs can also team up to run each session of a campaign, with each DM focusing on the aspects of the game they most

Forming a Team

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

and map of the Biblioplex (map 3.1), see chapter 3. If characters don’t immediately leap at the chance to form a Mage Tower team for the Battle of Strixhaven, emphasize that every peer they speak with

Forming a Team Once the characters decide to form one of the two Mage Tower teams for the Battle of Strixhaven, they must register the team with Professor Mavinda Sharpbeak (campus counselor and

Random Obstacles

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

barrier to many characters but easily navigated by water-breathing creatures. Obstacles can affect more than one room. A chasm might run through several passages and chambers, or send cracks through

nearby upward-sloping passages, raised floors, or rising stairs to contain the water 15 Lava flows through the area (50 percent chance of a stone bridge crossing it) 16 Overgrown mushrooms block

Portents of War

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

. They have no concern for the implications of their actions, which could be a precursor to war. The smugglers currently run weapons for a clan of lizardfolk living near Saltmarsh whose queen, Othokent

, is preparing her clan for battle against a terrible enemy: the sahuagin. The peaceful town of Saltmarsh knows nothing of the coming war, or the fact that a sahuagin invasion threatens them as much as the lizardfolk do.

Running the Siege

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Running the Siege You have a few options on how to run the battle. Consider the following: You can treat each defender and orc as an individual, and run the combat as a long, complex encounter. If

you do so, the players should control some of the NPCs. You can streamline parts of the fight. The map of the ranch has been divided into specific zones, and you can run regular battles only in the zone

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