before before deciding commanded risk

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

warriors are commanded to scour the surrounding landscape for any opportunity to spill blood and bring glory to their gods. Often, bands of warriors work on a rotation, with one group heading out on a

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

Facing Manshoon

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

Facing Manshoon A head-on battle with Manshoon isn’t likely to go well for the characters. That said, the wizard’s greatest weakness is that he has powerful enemies in Waterdeep. The risk of exposure

keeps him hidden, and the characters can thwart him by furnishing his enemies with proof that he’s alive (after a fashion) and operating in Waterdeep. When it comes to Manshoon clones, deciding to

Setup

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

wagons to hunt down attackers, and they assist the characters in battle only if doing so offers minimal risk to what the thugs consider to be their primary duties. If characters decry this behavior

, the thugs curtly remind them that they all have their orders. Commanded by Haeler Thommadur (male Tethyrian human veteran), the caravan sets out in good weather. It takes a minimum of three days for a

Camp Alertness

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

likely to attract suspicion than simply walking in as if they belong in the camp. The chief risk is that someone might recognize the characters from the fighting at Greenest. Have each character make

effect is the same as if they’d been recognized. If characters lie to Mondath — claiming they are new recruits and this is all a mistake, for example, or that they are studying the cult before deciding

Initiative Variants

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

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

example, a fighter wants to turn a winch to raise a portcullis. This is a complex, difficult action. You could rule that it incurs a -5 initiative penalty. Rolling Initiative. After deciding on an action

Camp Alertness

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

suspicion than simply walking in as if they belong in the camp. Langdedrosa Cyanwrath The chief risk is that someone might recognize the characters from the fighting at Greenest. Have each character make a

as if they’d been recognized. If characters lie to Mondath—claiming they are new recruits and this is all a mistake, for example, or that they are studying the cult before deciding whether to join

Inspiration

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

Inspiration Awarding inspiration is an effective way to encourage roleplaying and risk-taking. As explained in the Player’s Handbook, having inspiration gives a character an obvious benefit: being

those conventions. Players and Inspiration. Remember that a player with inspiration can award it to another player. Some groups even like to treat inspiration as a group resource, deciding collectively

Life in the Tribe

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

, orc warriors are commanded to scour the surrounding landscape for any opportunity to spill blood and bring glory to their gods. Often, bands of warriors work on a rotation, with one group heading out

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe

Icewind Dale Quests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Ten-Towns as a skilled wilderness guide. She recently encountered an avatar of the Frostmaiden—a female figure made of snow—that commanded her to find the characters and lead them to their doom. To that

, but she can’t risk an all-out war within her tribe, hence her decision to let Ten-Towns and the characters deal with the problem. The Wolf Tribe cannibals have eaten all their sled dogs and their

The Foundry

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2

in risk being swept away by the current. A creature that falls in the river and is within 5 feet of the water’s edge must succeed on a DC 10 Strength saving throw to catch itself on the rocky bank

(in areas 41, area 47, and area 48). These animated objects never attack dwarves or duergar. In addition, a dwarf (including a duergar) can order an object to cease its attack. If so commanded, the

N3. Burgomaster's Mansion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

, to no avail. The Baroness. At the risk of sacrificing her sanity, the baron’s wife, Lydia Petrovna (LG female human commoner), has embraced her husband’s philosophy of happiness. She laughs at the

that tries to prevent him from completing his assignment. Once he completes his task, the assassin disappears. If commanded to attack a creature that is either dead or undead, or if he isn’t given an

Upper City Gazetteer

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

already prepared. This results in a certain degree of corruption, naturally, which is compounded by the proxy judge’s near-absolute discretion in deciding whether to accept a conviction or exonerate a

place of business for unsavory characters who would never risk being caught in the Upper City otherwise. Their “indulgence rooms” offer gambling, prostitution, exotic intoxicants, and pit fights between

Tower of the Heavens Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

of wiggling eyestalks. The creature is a spectator in Piyarz’s service. Commanded to guard the chamber, the spectator telepathically warns unauthorized entrants to “scram or get zapped” and attacks

. Characters who force their way into Shalfey’s sanctum risk him destroying the Books of Prophecy. Each door to the greater library has Armor Class 15, 50 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

already prepared. This results in a certain degree of corruption, naturally, which is compounded by the proxy judge’s near-absolute discretion in deciding whether to accept a conviction or exonerate a

Undercellar a popular place of business for unsavory characters who would never risk being caught in the Upper City otherwise. Their “indulgence rooms” offer gambling, intoxicants, and pit fights between

Headquarters Features

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

players and the DM. Group Design When selecting a feature, the characters must make decisions together — meaning the players must do the same. Deciding on the features of a headquarters should be a team

channeling elemental power. A galleon suspended below the balloon features a helm that controls the ship. The vessel can fly virtually anywhere, ignoring difficult terrain, but it is at risk from storms

Guildhouse Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

risk.” A bandit stands guard outside the door to Guildmaster Dusk’s quarters (area G26). The bandit’s job is to shout at the first sign of trouble, thus alerting the guildmaster. Desk. If the

alcove is Constantori’s Portrait (described at the end of the adventure). Guildmaster Dusk is attuned to the painting and has commanded it to defend itself against all creatures except her. As an action

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