before being drive combat resort

Sacred Statue

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

False Appearance. If the statue is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the statue move or act, that creature must

soul; it then animates this effigy and uses the statue to drive out the intruders.Cold, Necrotic, PoisonAcid, Fire, Lightning; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Stone Cursed

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Cunning Opportunist. The stone cursed has advantage on the attack rolls of opportunity attack;opportunity attacks. False Appearance. If the stone cursed is motionless at the start of combat, it has

, animating the statue and turning it into a useful guardian. Stone cursed possess a malevolent drive to slay the living, yet they are utterly loyal to whoever performed the ritual to animate them, and

Crab Folk

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

spell gave the crab folk an insatiable love for silver. When they see it, all crab folk feel an irresistible urge to seize it and carry it back to their lairs. If necessary, they resort to violence to

villages and towns near her domain. If those settlements grew too strong, she sent her familiar, a cruel seagull, to harangue the crab folk with its cries and drive them to war. Today, by a stroke of

Vinyl Record

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 15 15 15 These black disks are covered in a continuous spiral that moves to the center of the disk—believed to be an ancient and lost way of

objects are found in caches where they are often stacked like plates in a restaurant. But discoveries are few and far between, and merchants are sure to drive a hard bargain.

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

of his drow foe, then turns to drive his armored elbow into the gut of another. These barbarians, different as they might be, are defined by their rage: unbridled, unquenchable, and unthinking fury

by walls and crowds. They thrive in the wilds of their homelands: the tundra, jungle, or grasslands where their tribes live and hunt. Barbarians come alive in the chaos of combat. They can enter a

Marine

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

who rarely lose composure on the battlefield. Marines who leave the service tend to work as mercenaries, but their combat experience also makes them excellent adventurers. Though they are self-reliant

difficult and struggle to say the right thing in social situations. 3 My intensity can drive others away. 4 I hold grudges and have difficulty forgiving others. 5 I become irrational when

Warlock Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

(such as the ability to see in darkness or to read any language) to access to powerful spells. Unlike bookish wizards, warlocks supplement their magic with some facility at hand-to-hand combat. They

gained. Rather, the vast majority of warlocks spend their days in active pursuit of their goals, which typically means some kind of adventuring. Furthermore, the demands of their patrons drive

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

her holy symbol as light pours from it to drive back the zombies crowding in on her companions. Clerics are intermediaries between the mortal world and the distant planes of the gods. As varied as the

their combat training to let them wade into melee with the power of the gods on their side. Divine Agents Not every acolyte or officiant at a temple or shrine is a cleric. Some priests are called to

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

yuan-ti know they can’t resort to direct attacks in order to reclaim their rightful place in the world. Operating out of the subterranean ruins of their buildings in foreign lands, yuan-ti

others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats. As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

skills of combat, mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Even so, their martial skills are secondary to the magical power they wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite the wicked and the

while you were at prayer? Did another paladin sense the potential within you and decide to train you as a squire? Or did some terrible event—the destruction of your home, perhaps—drive you to

Special Delivery

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

leave them alone. If the elevator is nonfunctional and they can’t get it working, the drow resort to descending through the mines (see area 10). Exactly when they arrive is up to you, but here are

arrive after the party leaves and give Zalto the iron flask. On their first turns in combat, both Draac and Taal attempt to summon a shadow demon. If defeat seems likely, Draac orders the remainder of his force to cover his escape while he flees with the iron flask.

Running the Encounter

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

nearest creatures. Roll a d20 for the shadows’ initiative, again with no modifier. Alternative Scenarios Some characters might want to resort to options other than direct ship-to-ship combat when the

fish ship that lie strewn amid the asteroids—are attracted to the battle as it unfolds. At the start of the fourth round of combat, they appear at the stern of the characters’ ship and attack the

Unwelcome Party

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

family or attracting other fiends, but does so as a last resort. Members of the Hunt family reduced to 0 hit points by the devils are knocked unconscious rather than killed, as the devils are hoping to

was planning to take her boys to find safety. High Overseer Thavius Kreeg is the leader of the city, and Harkina hopes that he is working on a plan to rescue survivors and drive away the devils. If

Divine Ordeals

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

described in chapter 1. Will the character’s drive prove strong enough to overcome everything else? An ordeal is a single encounter, which might involve combat, interaction, a series of ability checks

dreamscape constructed by the god. Work to craft an ordeal that provides a significant challenge for the character to overcome. Fundamentally, an ordeal is a test of the character’s heroic drive, as

Character Objectives

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

combat encounter, characters might have to fight their way through evil minions before attempting to disrupt the ritual’s magic. This could also drive an exploration encounter, where the challenge is

its own ends. An encounter aimed at making peace might involve only social interaction, perhaps with the threat of combat if negotiations go poorly. It could also begin as a combat encounter, with the

Goristro Raid

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

“treasure” that the erinyes are after: a unicorn named Sterling in an iron cage. Nykaia explains that Kypris will drive the war machine close to the goristro. The three erinyes will then fly to the

the demons in the palanquin. True Treasure Revealed. Once combat finishes, the three erinyes carry down their claimed treasure: A large cage lands with a thud before the vehicle. Through the iron

The Winged God

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

Warriors (Neutral) who demand that the merchant surrender his goods. In combat, the kobolds shout things like “For the Winged God!” and “Fight to reclaim our home!” If four of them fall in battle, the

if the adventurers drive off the dragon. Kobold Camp. If the adventurers follow fleeing kobolds, they can find the kobolds’ camp on a nearby outcropping. The kobolds there don’t fight, though, instead

Hag Lairs

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

occasional visitors, but not so close that a community would see the hag’s presence as a threat and try to defeat her or drive her off. Treasure, Treasure Everywhere A hag’s home is cluttered with mundane

.” If a hag is forced to resort to such measures, she immediately begins to plot her retaliation against those that caused her to flee. Like a vampire or a demon, a hag has a long life over which to

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

beauty of the ocean. (Good) 6 Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful) Topaz

drive the giant away. 2 An adult topaz dragon and an adult bronze dragon are finding their centuries-old enmity turning into a more romantic passion. 3 A djinni hopes to convince a topaz

Oath of Redemption

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Oath of Redemption The Oath of Redemption sets a paladin on a difficult path, one that requires a holy warrior to use violence only as a last resort. Paladins who dedicate themselves to this oath

justice. Peace. Violence is a weapon of last resort. Diplomacy and understanding are the paths to long-lasting peace. Innocence. All people begin life in an innocent state, and it is their environment or

Flavors of Fantasy

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

to drive the action of a campaign: Evil Cult. Wicked cultists infiltrate a peaceful realm to free an ancient evil entity trapped in a dungeon. Releasing the entity would surely spell the realm’s doom

symbolize the decadence and corruption of civilization, and mages are the classic villains of these settings. Magic items are therefore rare and often dangerous. Consider conflicts like these to drive the

Stone Cursed

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

the burned feathers of a cockatrice, awakens a dim echo of the petrified victim’s spirit, animating the statue and turning it into a useful guardian. Stone cursed possess a malevolent drive to slay

the living, yet they are utterly loyal to whoever performed the ritual to animate them, and they obey that being’s orders to the best of their ability. In combat, stony claws that drip with thick, gray

Sparkrender's Ritual

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

characters leave and take a long rest before confronting Sparkrender, or if they flee from combat with Sparkrender and return after they’ve rested. Another possibility is that the characters drive

dragon wyrmling), if they can free Aidron from his chains (see “Freeing Aidron” below). Any surviving kobolds and winged kobolds lurk here, but they stay out of combat if possible. See “Waking the

Cities and Sites

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

allows the house a free rein in governing the isle. It is the finest resort and vacation spot in Khorvaire. Spies, charlatans, sailors, and house agents all have a place in Stormhome. Even though the

defeat Aundairian champions. Only time will tell if the Nine can bring us together as it once did, or if it will drive us further apart. The Eldeen Reaches seceded from Aundair halfway through the

Crab Folk

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

seize it and carry it back to their lairs. If necessary, they resort to violence to claim the metal. Brutal Raiders. Each year, when the warm summer gives way to the chill of autumn, the crab folk look

, to harangue the crab folk with its cries and drive them to war. Today, by a stroke of bad luck a gull might happen to land near a crab folk lair and utter the right combination of cries to summon up

Lizardfolk

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

territorial, they use camouflaged scouts to guard the perimeter of their domain. When unwelcome visitors are detected, a tribe sends a hunting band to harass or drive the trespassers off, or tricks them into

taste for humanoid flesh. Prisoners are often taken back to their camps to become the centerpieces of great feasts and rites involving dancing, storytelling, and ritual combat. Victims are either

Styes Encounters

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

Styes Encounters The adventure presents only those encounters and events that drive the plot, but any character who spends time in the Styes is bound to have additional unpleasant interactions. As

attack, the militia retreat if any of them are killed or at the end of the second round of combat. If any militia members are killed, the characters are immediately attacked by any other militia

Stone Cursed

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

malevolent drive to slay the living, yet they are utterly loyal to whoever performed the ritual to animate them, and they obey that being’s orders to the best of their ability. In combat, stony claws

Dragon Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

encounter with a dragon needs to involve combat, let alone an all-out fight to the death. Maybe the characters are trying to help a kobold Keeper of Dragons retrieve a wyrmling kidnapped by a gang of

can divert the characters’ attention away from the dragon and make a combat encounter more interesting—as well as more dangerous. See “Followers” earlier in this chapter for ideas about how the

Plot Points

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

you like, especially if you want the players to drive more of the story. Once every player at the table has spent a plot point, they each gain 1 plot point. Option 1: What a Twist! A player who spends a

can spend a plot point to become the DM. That player’s character becomes an NPC, and play continues. It’s probably not a good idea to swap roles in the middle of combat, but it can happen if your group

Battle Master

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

Battle Master Those who emulate the archetypal Battle Master employ martial techniques passed down through generations. To a Battle Master, combat is an academic field, sometimes including subjects

well-rounded fighters of great skill and knowledge. Combat Superiority When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called superiority dice. Maneuvers

The Rank and File

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

The Rank and File While the Lords of the Nine set the overall direction of the Hells, it is the rank and file — uncounted numbers of lesser devils — that drive their schemes forward. Denizens of the

(rank 8), erinyes (rank 9), ice devils and narzugons (rank 10), and amnizus and pit fiends (rank 11). Lesser devils deal with these leaders on a daily basis. Ice devils are combat commanders

Blade Bazaar

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

characters must resort to less convenient means of finding the Whorlstone Tunnels. If the characters do manage to catch Droki in the West Cleft, he drops limp and babbles, but is suspiciously amenable and

decreases the pursuit level by 2. However, if combat ever breaks out between the characters and the drow, a squad of five duergar stone guards (see appendix C) and five duergar warriors arrive within 1d4 rounds and arrest the lot of them (see “Getting Captured”).

The Black Lake

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

serpentine form moving in the darkness. The dragon takes full advantage of her aquatic environment and never offers an easy target to enemies. She begins combat at a range of 20 to 30 feet, raising only

her head and part of her neck above the water (granting her three-quarters cover) and breathing acid. Then she submerges and waits for her breath weapon to recharge. Nightscale doesn’t resort to

Casino Pit Masters

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

, Khai challenges them to combat; if the characters reduce Khai to 50 hit points or fewer without killing him, the abishai rewards them with access to Dragon’s Pride. See the “Scarlet Coliseum” section

hesitate to resort to underhanded methods to achieve victory, citing her opponent’s inability to notice her cheating as a failure of intellect. Gaining Nyssa’s Favor. Nyssa admires those who are

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