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Returning 35 results for 'before battle diffusing choices reading'.
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Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
Card Reading When you perform a card reading before running the adventure, write down the results for reference later. If the characters have their fortunes read in the adventures, do the card
reading again, out loud for the players’ benefit. Substitute the new results for the old ones. When you’re ready to begin the card reading, remove the fourteen cards with the crown icon (the high deck) and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Final Confrontations The characters have many choices. They can do nothing, which allows the barbarians to loot and destroy the ranch and kill every Nettlebee. (The Uthgardt show no mercy.) If the
party chooses to attack the Uthgardt before they arrive at the ranch, the adventurers must also battle the revenant. At the ranch, Javor focuses on finding and killing Wiggan and Bertram, giving the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
the Help action to aid each other, they can grapple or shove their enemies, and so on. Some monsters use these options to maximize their advantages in battle; others use them to sow fear among their
enemies, even if they’re not strategically optimal choices. For example, creatures known as “goblyns” in Kartakass and other domains are ordinary hobgoblins in terms of their game statistics, but they’re
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
way of example. Be prepared for the fact that the adventure is exceedingly open-ended—one of the hallmarks of the original Ravenloft. The card reading in chapter 1 and the adventurers’ choices can lead
, but beware of undermining the sense that the characters’ choices matter. Sometimes the adventurers will simply need to flee or hide when they are out of their depth. If an area of the adventure ends up
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
End Simulation After two full rounds of combat have been resolved, end the combat by reading or paraphrasing the following: A thunderous explosion shakes the ship, filling the air with splinters of
uniform bristling with medals. The air around her smells like cigar smoke. “As you can see,” Boatswain Tarto growls, “the battle of H’Catha didn’t go so well for Captain Sardax and her crew. But her
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
skeletons behave. Skeleton Pantomimes 1d6 Left to Its Own Devices, the Skeleton... 1 Delivers meal salvers or ages-old correspondence to the crypt of its dead master. 2 Endlessly trains in battle
with other skeletons, despite being hacked to animate splinters. 3 Mimics ways it entertained itself in life, such as acting, dancing, or reading. 4 Performs a familiar task, such as cleaning, cooking, mining, or praying. 5 Repeats its final moments of life. 6 Stands guard at the post it protected in life.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
, though, they’re fighting a losing battle against foes whose numbers only grow. And every time a Talon falls, Lekar’s final defeat grows closer. Talon soldiers use the guard stat block, while commanders
about to kill everyone. This sets the stage for countless bad decisions, from leaders making terrible sacrifices or permitting amoral acts to individuals making fatalistic choices. Everyone in Falkovnia
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
Xen’drik In Xen’drik, you could... Seek to destroy ancient mystical weapons before they fall into the hands of villains. Battle savage giants in the ruins of their ancient cities. Match wits with
dragons of Argonnessen, and the epic magics unleashed in that battle warped the land. Space and time are unreliable in Xen’drik. But it is a land that holds untold treasures, and the richest source of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
Battle Smith Command a Construct Guardian Michael Broussard Battle Smith Subclass
A Battle Smith is a combination of protector and medic, an expert at defending others and repairing both
materiel and personnel. To aid in their work, Battle Smiths are accompanied by a Steel Defender, a protective companion of their own creation.
Level 3: Tools of the Trade You gain the following
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
ground and were never seen again.
“The wizard and the vampire cast spells at each other. Their battle flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls. I saw the battle
in chapter 1. (If the characters don’t want a reading of their fates, continue play using the card reading you performed before starting the adventure.) Madam Eva might seem mad, but she is, in fact
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
concerns are beneath a god’s notice. This outlook might put his champions in a difficult ideological situation, stuck between the demands of a wrathful deity and uncomfortable moral choices. The Keranos’s
Find a long-lost artifact that bestows oracular visions upon the user.
5 Defeat the champion of another god in a battle of wits (perhaps Phenax, Mogis, or Klothys).
6 Find and restore a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
undertake a variety of activities to better themselves or their franchise. By later episodes, choices of downtime activities might alter the flow and challenge of the story. After all, there’s no rest
adventure as a player, stop reading now! Unless you want to keep going, that is. Because seriously, it’s not like anyone’s going to stop you. After all, information is power — in an Acquisitions Incorporated
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
Diancastra’s Saga Battle-worn and weary, bruised from her journey,
Diancastra entered the All-Father’s hall.
With calm confidence she claimed her due
Under the birthright of her blood:
Her
lobster-god
To steal her precious pearls—
And I found your secret sanctum.”
“Pranks and rebellion! Prove your worth
Not with the willful choices of a child.
I will test your temper; try this
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
a faint image in the cloud of an adult bronze dragon surrounded by figures in black robes wearing the holy symbol of Shar and reading from scrolls. As the great creature writhes in pain, its bronze
damage from it. Surprise! Each time a cult fanatic dies, a shadow assassin (see appendix A) rises from the fanatic’s corpse and joins the battle, acting on the same initiative count as the fanatic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Samurai The Samurai is a fighter who draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome enemies. A Samurai’s resolve is nearly unbreakable, and the enemies in a Samurai’s path have two choices: yield
: History, Insight, Performance, or Persuasion. Alternatively, you learn one language of your choice. Fighting Spirit Starting at 3rd level, your intensity in battle can shield you and help you strike true
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
. Hero’s Epilogue Most adventurers hope their lives come to an end with some worthy conclusion. Sometimes in the heat of battle, though, that end can be abrupt and without real resolution. An epilogue
afterlife awaiting them can be powerful. From a personal standpoint, this sort of interlude can serve to reinforce a character’s choices and actions or offer a warning of what’s to come if their priorities
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
rating (CR) to use for a legendary creature opposing a party of four to six characters, creating a satisfying but difficult battle. For example, for a party of five 9th-level characters, a CR 12
legendary creature makes an optimal encounter. For a more perilous battle, match up the characters with a legendary creature whose challenge rating is 1 or 2 higher than optimal. For an easy fight, use a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
heroism (see “Supernatural Gifts” in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Fortunes of Ravenloft If your card reading reveals that the Mad Mage is the party’s ally in the battle against Strahd
Strahd’s tyranny, but he underestimated Strahd’s hold over the land and the creatures in it. After a battle between the two in Castle Ravenloft, Strahd drove the Mad Mage to the mountains and sent the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
harming one another. Those who serve the Emerald Enclave are masters of survival and living off the land, of navigating through the wilderness, and of reading the signs that indicate approaching weather
support of the party. To earn his respect, the characters must recognize that their battle is not just to save civilization but to preserve the natural order. He thus objects to many actions that good
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
harming one another. Those who serve the Emerald Enclave are masters of survival and living off the land, of navigating through the wilderness, and of reading the signs that indicate approaching weather
support of the party. To earn his respect, the characters must recognize that their battle is not just to save civilization but to preserve the natural order. He thus objects to many actions that good
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
system. The mechanism can be broken down in two hours, freeing up vessels for one hundred people. Battle Plans Early in the afternoon, Cudgel returns to Vogler. She shares the following information
knighthood. Mayor Raven and Becklin support Cudgel’s choices, and the knight agrees with her friend’s plan. Defenders of Vogler. This plan leaves the village and its escape operation undefended except for
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
harming one another. Those who serve the Emerald Enclave are masters of survival and living off the land, of navigating through the wilderness, and of reading the signs that indicate approaching weather
support of the party. To earn his respect, the characters must recognize that their battle is not just to save civilization but to preserve the natural order. He thus objects to many actions that good
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
(Mis)Fortune Once the battle is over, the characters continue the voyage to the Greypeak Mountains, following up on the information gained in the Horn Enclave vault. The mysterious wizard, Lottie, is
be seen in typical numbers. A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Nature) check turns up no signs of physical damage consistent with a battle that could have leveled the town. Questionable River. The water
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
to complain humorously about the characters’ terrible choices and bad planning. You can occasionally use this NPC to suggest legitimate courses of action or share insights. Dutiful Assistant. A dutiful
, but they can’t be relied on to make wise decisions or hold up their end in battle. Wallflower Warrior. A wallflower warrior NPC is good at fading into the background, doesn’t usually chat or engage
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
mastery properties of three kinds of Simple or Martial weapons of your choice. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can practice weapon drills and change one of those weapon choices. When you reach
into a success. If the check still fails, this use of Second Wind isn’t expended. Level 3: Fighter Subclass You gain a Fighter subclass of your choice. The Battle Master, Champion, Eldritch Knight
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
reinforcements from areas 11b and 11c. If the battle is not going their way, a second whistle brings the quaggoths from area 12b. Treasure. Balryn wears an obsidian scarab bearing the insignia of House
Lolth while her consort, the drow mage Thirza, sits at a zurkhwood desk reading her spellbook.
Furnishings. The cave contains two sleeping pallets and a zurkhwood chest. A skewered darkmantle cooks
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
cooked up with cheese are delicious.
— Jim Darkmagic
The Hard Way The characters are free to engage Raah in battle. It has a lot of pent-up rage these days, and is happy to have someone to direct
the battle unfolds, however, the characters should have the chance to realize that there are other options. During the fight, Raah shrieks angry epithets in the Deep Crow tongue, such as: “I’ll kill
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
, Valtagar Steelshadow (see below) is reading his spellbook — a bound stack of mithral plates. The book rests atop a stout, stone lectern in the middle of the room.
Golem. Standing in the south corner is an
exile, only to fall in battle. Valtagar displays them not for sentimental reasons, but to reinforce his determination to return home. Treasure The mithral spellbook on the lectern weighs 30 pounds. It
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
Battlefield Events The following events correspond to boxes marked on the Battle Flowchart. Event 1. Dawn of the Dead The battle begins when Ularan Mortus orders his ghoulish army to attack the south
gate. When the party arrives on the scene, the battle is already underway. Read the following boxed text aloud: The din of battle echoes from the palisade as you approach. Through the rain, you see
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
franchisees. Choices might be offered by the DM, as between a team of ex-militia who lost their last battle and a crew of recently released criminals who swear they were wrongly imprisoned. Names
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
efforts to undercut Acquisitions Incorporated’s reputation and success. Dagdra has made a lot of bad choices in her life, from leaving her church to joining Dran Enterprises and getting stuck with
their story. Fortunately, Dagdra is open to reconsidering her life choices and allegiances — and is having a really bad day. If the characters agree to help her complete her tasks, she reveals the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2
after she becomes visible. She has a potion of healing, which she uses if her current hit points drop to half her hit point maximum or lower. If two duergar fall in battle, the survivor tries to retreat
duergar guard, the sounds of battle alert the leader, Nimira. She is a duergar with the following changes, which increase her challenge rating to 3 (700 XP): Her AC is 17 (splint armor). She has 52
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
has the word “CANDESCA” inscribed above it (see area H4). Treasure. The tea service is fragile but can be sold for 150 gp if it is safely transported out of the ruins. H4. Reading Room Decaying desks
the haven’s guardians without knowing what’s going on, but the ghost of Zyrian the scrivener can fill them in during the battle.) The spectral elf initially ignores the characters and wanders around
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
marble table in a reading nook. A stone staircase spirals up to area K6. Gargoyles. The two real gargoyles are indistinguishable from the inanimate gargoyle statues in the high alcoves. When intruders
wands (worth 10 gp each). K7. Reading Room This room contains the following features: A burly half-orc clad in black leather armor sits in an overstuffed chair in the northernmost corner of the room
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
the demons fight, the battle can be heard in every chamber in this zone (see “Pit Battle” in area 2 to aid in narrating the noise). 1. Chandelier Chamber Scorched and shattered plaster shows faint
can’t leave the pit until all the demons within it are destroyed. The pit is otherwise easy to climb. Shalendra Floshin Pit Battle. In the pit, a reduced-threat vrock (see “Reduced-Threat Monsters