before battle dire continues refuges

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

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

for his demise. He drew on the warped resurrection of dracoliches to become a lich himself. He continues to lead the Cult of the Dragon from the shadows, developing new ways to control and corrupt

Sammaster (Lich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in 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

. He drew on the warped resurrection of dracoliches to become a lich himself. He continues to lead the Cult of the Dragon from the shadows, developing new ways to control and corrupt dragonkind

Asteria

Monsters The Book of Many Things

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

the first Deck of Many Things. She doesn’t know why this is but surmises her life is tied to that deck; so long as it continues to exist, so will she. She has no way to prove this hypothesis

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation or patience for art. They leave little space for joy or leisure in their lives, and thus have no reserves of faith to call upon when in dire straits. Implacable Gods Hobgoblins revere two

greatest respect is reserved for those who earn their glory in battle. In theory, the fortunes of war can elevate the lowest-ranking banner in a legion to the highest status. In practice, warlords are

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

created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all

Monk Legacy

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

landscapes of the worlds of D&D, tiny refuges from the flow of ordinary life, where time seems to stand still. The monks who live there seek personal perfection through contemplation and rigorous

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

crawl to make progress. In places where a tunnel opens into a chasm and continues on the other side, the kobolds might connect the two passages with a rope bridge or some other rickety structure

populated areas, practice cannibalism, believing it is foolish to waste good meat. In any case, kobolds that eat humanoids don’t simply start consuming corpses or prisoners right after a battle

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

exceptional circumstance for an aarakocra to leave his or her tribe and undertake the adventurer’s life. Neither treasure nor glory is enough to lure them from their tribes; a dire threat to their people

Running This Chapter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

on the Isle of Serpents on Oerth, a world known for its legendary dungeons and magical treasures. The characters arrive on the island in time to witness a battle between a kraken and a crew of

archaeologists. The archaeologists are in dire straits, and it’s up to the characters to decide whether to help. Eventually, the characters realize that the sixth piece of the Rod of Seven Parts is located

Gruul Clans

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

gradual expansion of the city, however, has driven the Gruul into smaller and smaller refuges. ITCHING FOR A FIGHT Gruul goblins live in colonies scattered at the edges of Gruul territory and civilized

neighborhoods. They fight fiercely when threatened, punctuating their attacks with hisses and growls. When battle fury takes hold of a Gruul raiding group, it typically starts with the goblins, and after the battle, the surviving goblins are still frothing at the mouth and looking for someone to hit.

Cult Retaliation

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

Cult Retaliation The eradication of one or more of the surface outposts of the elemental cults marks the characters as dangerous enemies. As the party continues the assault on cult strongholds in

temple complexes. A temple is overcome when its prophet is defeated or the monsters in its shrine are eliminated. After the characters defeat the first prophet, run “Dire Tidings” when they return to

Kollema's Wisdom

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

unexpectedly continues. “There is a harsh lesson you have yet to learn. When the mistakes of the past are forgotten, that dire past will return to haunt the present. Beware, mages, of the shadow that reaches

The Order of Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

cycle of rounds and turns. A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of a combat

encounter, when everyone rolls initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side has defeated the other. COMBAT STEP-BY-STEP Determine surprise. The

Let Them Speak Now …

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

into the Abyss. Characters reduced to 0 hit points in the battle on the Astral Plane are catapulted back to their bodies on the Material Plane. Their rapport with Araumycos is broken, and they are

adventurers entered into rapport with Araumycos, so that characters shunted out of that rapport can defend their compatriots’ helpless bodies while the fight continues. If all the characters are defeated on

The Order of Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

cycle of rounds and turns. A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of a combat

encounter, when everyone rolls initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side has defeated the other. COMBAT STEP-BY-STEP 1. Determine surprise. The

Knight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

demolished by stone giants. Lady Hawkwinter asks the characters to take the orphans to the nearest settlement while she continues to follow the giants’ path and search for other survivors. Sir

battle against two frost giants. Jordeth managed to kill one giant, but the other got away. He wants justice and asks the characters to join him on his quest to slay the wounded giant.

Wandering Monsters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Wandering Monsters Halaster continues to use the Terminus Level as a dumping ground for stray monsters. Duergar also patrol the mines. Beholder Zombies Four beholder zombies, set loose by Halaster

battle goes poorly for them, the duergar turn invisible, retreat, and report to Valtagar in area 15. Remorhaz Released here by Halaster, this remorhaz creeps up on the characters and attacks. There is a

Selesnya Creatures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

filled with acid. Others are covered with sticky glue that immobilizes and slowly digests the hapless victim. Pegasi Most often found carrying equenauts in battle, pegasi are ready allies who share the

Source 0 Small nature elemental (awakened shrub) MM 1/8 Twig blight MM 1/4 Axe beak MM 1/4 Needle blight MM 1/2 Scout MM 1/2 Soldier GGR 1/2 Vine blight MM 1 Dire wolf MM 1 Dryad MM 1 Horncaller GGR 2

Fall of Elturel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Gate continues to function under the three remaining dukes — Belynne Stelmane, Dillard Portyr, and Thalamra Vanthampur. Duke Portyr has gone so far as to recall his niece, Liara Portyr, from her post

Elturgard continue to arrive with dire claims that nothing remains of Elturel except a crater in the ground. Among those fleeing Elturgard are several Hellriders — paladins who have sworn oaths to defend

Arkhan the Cruel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

with his queen and report on his ongoing battle of wills to master the Hand of Vecna, which came into his possession during a brief excursion to the world of Exandria. If the characters approach

is an ideal candidate, as is the unicorn Mooncolor (see “Demon Zapper”). Sacrificing such a creature to Arkhan is an evil act. In battle, Arkhan uses branding smite to channel the radiant power of

Chapter 2: Elturel Has Fallen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

River Styx, to be met by the ordered forces of Avernus attempting to drive them back. This battle continues for the entirety of the characters’ stay in Elturel.

Playing During the Last War

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

in a memorable battle? Do they take actions they’ll later regret? Do they make a bitter enemy who comes back to haunt them years later, when the campaign continues in the present day? A magical

Keranos's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

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

him, or as divine agents sent to aid his faithful. As the campaign begins, the characters might be summoned by an oracle and told of a dire prophecy threatening the polis. Next, they manage to avert

Additional Stages

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

from a lock, an arrow, a mirror, and a piton. When the password is spoken, the stage ends. Battle at the Headquarters The tavern becomes the franchise’s headquarters, which is under attack by agents

. When the battle is over — one way or the other — the stage ends. Too Many Prophas The tavern appears normal, but it holds three people who look exactly like Propha Dran and none of them are behind the

Introduction

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

being a starting point for incredible adventures. Historically, Saltmarsh and the dangers facing its people provided a widening sphere of adventure, with increasingly dire threats drawing heroes to

explore more of the coast of the Azure Sea. Ghosts of Saltmarsh continues that tradition, presenting a portion of the coastal lands of Keoland, a kingdom in the Greyhawk setting. Each adventure notes where

Bad Data

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

risk! Advisement: full planar realignment! Highest alert!” The modron continues issuing such dire reports. As it does, wisps of green vapor leak from its mouth, eyes, and seams. Gradually this vapor

Mausoleum: Spring

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

battle unfold through the eyes of a gazer (see appendix B), which stays out of the fight and tries to remain unseen. If this encounter occurs at night, there’s a 50 percent chance that Ambrose Everdawn

hears the disturbance and investigates, arriving after two duergar fall in battle. The characters can convince him that they’re not grave robbers with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If

15. The Great Hall

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

15. The Great Hall This hallway is twenty feet wide and has piles of rubble and debris scattered along its length. The walls are covered with frescoes. The south wall displays scenes of a battle

. Double bronze doors stand in the eastern end of the south wall. Down the hall to the west is an archway carved in the form of twining serpents. Beyond it, the corridor continues on into shadow

Initiative Variants

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

completed their turns. If more than two sides take part in a battle, each side rolls for initiative. Sides act from the highest roll to lowest. Combat continues in the initiative order until the battle

initiative that introduces more uncertainty into combat, at the cost of speed of play. Under this variant, the participants in a battle roll initiative each round. Before rolling, each character or

Components of a Curse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

of a deadly battle, assuring dire consequences for the victorious A poem, rhyme, or song foretelling doom A carved epitaph on a gravestone discouraging robbers The last words of a dying person—either

examples of curse resolutions: Protecting a loved one dear to the person who laid the curse from some dire threat Returning every piece of a stolen treasure hoard, down to the last copper coin, to the

Freeing Miken

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

of them grapples Miken while the other one attacks. If one githyanki falls in battle, the other githyanki uses its next action to try to slay Miken and take his head. One hit is enough to drop Miken

noncombatant but has found his courage and wants to help in this dire situation. The characters might have him go to get additional help or cause a distraction. If he goes to find help, a few rounds later he returns with two guards (use the veteran stat block) to aid in the fight.

Chapter 2: Raiders' Camp

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we

found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore.” The monk’s name is Nesim Waladra. After introductions are made, he continues. “Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months. I

Ramya Vasavadan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

to yield. Moving swiftly, she organized her allies, met her brother in battle, and captured him. She intended to execute Arijani, but her sister Reeva counseled her to be merciful. Ultimately, Ramya

features by their souls’ ravenous desires. And so the conflict gripping Kalakeri continues, trapping the nation in an endless war and forcing its people to swear loyalty to monsters.

Features of Meletis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

demolished by a kraken that attacked the city, but it has been repaired and continues to grow, reflecting the continued learning of the polis’s citizens. The Dekatia Meletis boasts many centers of

their battle against the tyrant, supplementing their martial skill with a new weapon: magic. With their new power, Kynaios and Tiro inspired the people to rise up against Agnomakhos, ultimately

Chapter 2: Raiders' Camp

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

, after we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we

found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore.” The monk’s name is Nesim Waladra. After introductions are made, he continues: “Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months

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