Search Results
All Results
Characters
Compendium
Spells
Items
Monsters
Vehicles
Forums
Returning 35 results for 'before battle diffusing contrast rule'.
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
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
rule Faerûn. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition.
Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
as leader of these disparate zealots, whom he named the Cult of the Dragon. He perverted their fascination with his necromantic lore, revealing that dracoliches were destined to rule Faerûn
. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition.
Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies for his demise
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
in battle. The strain of his long years of rule is etched on his weather-worn face.
Jarund's late son, Jarund Twice-Born, was killed almost a decade ago while trying to bring down a cave bear, leaving
Planar Ally
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Spells
Basic Rules (2014)
service in exchange for payment, but it isn't obliged to do so. The requested task could range from simple (fly us across the chasm, or help us fight a battle) to complex (spy on our enemies, or
rule of thumb, a task that can be measured in minutes requires a payment worth 100 gp per minute. A task measured in hours requires 1,000 gp per hour. And a task measured in days (up to 10 days) requires
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
The Oath of Conquest calls to paladins who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these paladins to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos
to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights &mdash
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
The Oath of Conquest calls to paladins who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these paladins to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos
to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights &mdash
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
wrap around the corpse to animate it, causing it to rise and lurch about like a zombie.
Invasive Species. When a great battle is fought in a fey woodland, the plants of the wood sometimes take on the
implacable foe. Driven only by a desire to conquer and rule, it wages endless war with its army of mobile dead against all creatures it views as a threat to its domination. It might even forge treaties with
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
spiderlike creatures originally created to serve Lolth. They rule colonies of chitine;chitines and lead them into battle in Lolth’s war against her enemies.
When devotees of Lolth created the first
Eye and Hand of Vecna
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
’s lieutenant Kas coveted the Spider Throne for himself, or that the sword his lord made for him seduced him into rebellion. Whatever the reason, Kas brought the Undying King’s rule to an
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
Bugbear
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
.
Shiftless, Savage Layabouts
When they’re not in battle, bugbears spend much of their time resting or dozing. They don’t engage in crafting or agriculture to any great extent, or
deities who are brothers, Hruggek and Grankhul. Hruggek is the fearsome elder sibling, possessed of legendary might and prowess in battle. Bugbears believe their strength and bravery come from him
Backgrounds
Ghosts of Saltmarsh
You were trained for battle on sandy beaches and rocky shores. You have launched midnight raids from swift ships whose names evoke terror in the hearts of your adversaries. The water is your second
home, the rain your shelter, and the crashing waves your battle cry.
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (water, land)
Equipment: A dagger that
Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
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
in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle.
Utility and Survival
The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The
Orc
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
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
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
carve their horns to sharpen their edges, etch symbols of power into them, or sheathe them in bronze to prevent them from shattering during battle.
Thick hair extends down minotaurs’ necks and
When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method
Goblin
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
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
goblin tribe has to nobility is the caste of lashers — families of goblins trained in the ways of battle, and also possessed of key skills such as strategy, trap-building, beast taming, mining
Monk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
, knocking their blows aside and sending them reeling, until at last she stands alone. Taking a deep breath, a human covered in tattoos settles into a battle stance. As the first charging orcs reach him, he
seriously, approaching their adventures as personal tests of their physical and spiritual growth. As a rule, monks care little for material wealth and are driven by a desire to accomplish a greater
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
weapon, and if you hit, you add the same ability modifier to the damage roll, which is normal for weapon damage rolls. A specific rule, such as the rule for two-weapon fighting, might break the general
rule by telling you not to add your ability modifier to the damage. Polearm Master doesn’t have such a rule. Does Polearm Master let me make an opportunity attack against a target that is being forced
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
important than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the
and responsibility to rule, and the demigod is incarnated as a different noble mortal in each generation. By the decree of the Siamorphe at that time, the Knights of the Silver Chalice took it upon
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
. (Good)
3
Honor. If I dishonor myself, I dishonor my whole clan. (Lawful)
4
Might. The strongest are meant to rule. (Evil)
5
Nature. The natural world is more important than all the
constructs of civilization. (Neutral)
6
Glory. I must earn glory in battle, for myself and my clan. (Any)
d6
Bond
1
My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
concentration. Can a barbarian/fighter (Battle Master) use maneuvers while raging? Nothing in the barbarian’s Rage feature precludes the use of maneuvers. Can a rogue/monk use Sneak Attack with unarmed
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->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
the funeral of Emperor Xavan. When Xedalli challenges her brother’s claim to the throne and names the characters as her champions, the heroes must do battle with a zodar (see Boo’s Astral Menagerie) to decide who will rule as the next emperor.
ships and the host of solar dragons guarding the magnificent citadel of the Xaryxian Empire. Though the battle was lost, hope remains!
The characters’ arrival at the imperial citadel coincides with
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Preparing for Battle When the characters and people of Vogler arrive at High Hill, read the following description: Passing through woods and fields, Vogler’s parade of militia members and reenactment
spectators finally reaches High Hill. The grassy slope is spotted with trees and crumbled stone fencing. Near the base, several dozen soldiers in matching armor stand in even formation. The contrast
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Halflings Folk think of elves as aloof and graceful, dwarves as fierce and hardy, and of gnomes — if they think of them at all — as clever and shy. Halflings, in contrast, have the reputation of
travelers as a rule, with tongues and hearts as nimble as their feet. Whereas if strongheart halflings are on the move, it always seems driven by a desire to return to home or find and settle in a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
dragonriders in opposing armies—battle in the temple of the Dragon Queen Krynn. The home of the Dragonlance setting is the battleground for an unending conflict between Bahamut and Tiamat. Tiamat commands
armies of draconians (described in chapter 6) formed from the corrupted eggs of metallic dragons, while heroes and villains alike ride mighty dragons into battle. Council of Wyrms. The Io’s Blood isles
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
not only against the plane itself, but also against giants, dragons, and other terrible creatures that thunder across Ysgard’s vast terrain. Optional Rule: Immortal Wrath Ysgard is the home of slain
heroes who wage eternal battle on fields of glory. Any creature, other than a construct or undead, that is killed by an attack or a spell while on Ysgard is restored to life at dawn the next day. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
The Game of Mage Tower Mage Tower is one of Strixhaven’s most common student games. The Battle of Strixhaven is an intramural championship held every three years in Strixhaven Stadium for bragging
rights among the student body. For more about this event, see the “Battle of Strixhaven” section. Mage Tower’s Rules Here are the rules of Mage Tower: Each of the two teams has an equal number of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
sounds of armies colliding. That’s the nature of Acheron: strife and war, as the spirits of fallen soldiers join in endless battle against orcs devoted to Gruumsh, goblinoids loyal to Maglubiyet, and
legions assembled by other warmongering gods. Optional Rule: Bloodlust Acheron rewards a creature for harming other creatures by imbuing that creature with the strength to keep fighting. While on Acheron
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Initiative Variants This section offers different ways to handle initiative. Initiative Score With this optional rule, creature don’t roll initiative at the start of combat. Instead, each creature
remembering where you are in the list can bog the game down. If you want quicker combats, at the risk of those combats becoming unbalanced, try using the side initiative rule. Under this variant, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
fortress-palaces of tyrants, the lairs of monstrous oracles, and cavernous indoor markets also stand as destinations at the end of confounding avenues. Priests and warlord champions of Mogis rule the
Skophos that can coexist in some measure of peace with the wider world. Mogis’s Chalice Many grand temples to Mogis stand in Skophos, presenting a stark contrast to the crude shrines that usually serve as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Ice, home to yetis, remorhazes, white dragons, and other creatures of cold. The inhabitants of the plane engage in a never-ending battle to prove their strength and ensure their survival. The
fundamentally similar to places found on the Material Plane—the place where all four elements mingle freely. At a symbolic level, the Para-elemental Planes represent the interaction and sometimes the contrast
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
, knowing that their own power will be curtailed in a world in which humanoids no longer rule. Agents of the Nine Hells are ferocious fighters, but their presence in the battle makes many other
moment or prevent a crucial order from reaching its destination. Harper Agents. Intercepting intelligence during battle is a Harper specialty, and Harper agents can provide key information about cult
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
sides. What happens with surprise when a third group of combatants sneaks up, hidden from the melee, and ambushes? The surprise rule is relevant only when a combat is starting. Any ambushes during the
by rolling initiative and then undermine turn order with a delay option. Moreover, we felt that toying with initiative wasn’t where the focus should be in battle. Instead, the dramatic actions of the