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Deathless Rider

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

Queen, who rules from a castle called Dynnistan. It isn’t known whether these legends are based on any true experience or are simply the result of imagination trying to account for a terrifying and

called lich-knights or fell horsemen. In stark contrast to the knights of Eldraine, the deathless riders are without virtue of any kind. They are few in number—unless many more lurk in the dark

Vertebrae Sword

Equipment

The jagged vertebrae sword of a fishfolk warrior can barely be called a sword. Locals would say it’s better described as a makeshift weapon crafted from a fish skeleton and sea trash. Its poor

vertebrae sword, you can use a bonus action to rake and twist the weapon, breaking off some of the sword’s boney barbs and dealing an extra 1d8 piercing damage. The vertebrae sword can only be used in this way 5 times before it becomes unusable as a weapon.

Skabatha Nightshade

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

. Personality Trait. “When dealing with outsiders, I present myself as a kindly old grandmother.” Ideal. “Children are better off working for me than picking up lots of bad habits

Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Eldritch Staff","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage when used with two hands, and Skylla can expend up to 3 of the staff’s charges, dealing an

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

Vecna the Archlich

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

response to being hit by an attack, Vecna utters a fell word, dealing 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Fell Rebuke", "rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage to

scribe. He spent the better part of his childhood secretly educating himself in his masters’ arts. Once Vecna learned all he could, he massacred the wizards. He then recorded his every foul thought

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

his or her appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually

over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

contrast, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers. Half-Elf Names Half-elves use either human or elven

High Fae Noble

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

until the end of the high fae’s next turn. Ridicule. When a creature misses the high fae with an attack roll, the high fae magically mocks the creature, dealing 5 (2d4);{"diceNotation":"2d4

untamed wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

you. Suggested Characteristics A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their

. d6 Flaw 1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one

it to the surface world. Lost and confused, the wyrmling has been captured by a group of cruel adventurers. 3 A deep dragon wyrmling whimsically rules over a worshipful group of kobolds, sending

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

chapter 7, "Treasure” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules

tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.” 61–80 “I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.” 81–00 “I am awash in

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

implement better tactics. Any enemy who chases a group of fleeing yuan-ti might be on the victorious side of a rout or could be heading into a trap; if the enemy has been encountered before, it is likely

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better. If these

forest’s children by their deeds, habits, and other actions. By the same token, their tribe names merely refer to their homes. When dealing with other races, firbolgs refer to their lands by

Lizardfolk Legacy

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

learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades. 6 You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

; Suggested Characteristics A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities

1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. 3

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

);{"diceNotation":"1d8+4","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Unarmed Strike","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, Keresta can grapple the target (escape DC 18). Bite

stranger to hardship. Hoping to make a better life for herself, she became an adventurer and sought fame and fortune in Undermountain. Keresta met her end in the lair of a vampire and became a vampire spawn

Inheritor

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

with me to pursue my destiny. d6 Flaw 1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and

city, especially hard drink. 5 Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. 6 I have trouble trusting in my allies.

Using These Rules

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

Using These Rules Each of the book’s adventures includes Exams. Though each character might be a member of a different college at Strixhaven, the adventures assume that the characters take at least

one general education or interdisciplinary course together each year. It is this course that the Exam rules represent. Each Exam encounter has a Studying phase followed by a Testing phase. In general

Mounted Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

Mounted Combat A willing creature that is at least one size larger than a rider and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount, using the following rules. Mounting and Dismounting During

. A controlled mount can move and act even on the turn that you mount it. In contrast, an independent mount—one that lets you ride but ignores your control—retains its place in the Initiative order

Overkill Attacks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

creatures succeeding on their saving throw. By contrast, under this book’s minion rules, spellcasters still have a good reason to use high-level spells against minions.

damage immediately knocks them out. But wait, it gets better—if the initial attack’s overkill damage exceeds the second minion’s hit point maximum, the leftover overkill damage can roll over to a

Being the Dungeon Master

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

, making sure the rules serve the group’s fun. Tutorials in each adventure teach you some of those rules, but you’ll want to reference the D&D Beyond Basic Rules to better understand them. Keep It Secret

explore. Then you use a combination of imagination and the game’s rules to determine the results of the adventurers’ decisions. Adjudicate the Rules. You oversee how the group uses the game’s rules

Mounted Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

a mount, using the following rules. Mounting and Dismounting During your move, you can mount a creature that is within 5 feet of you or dismount. Doing so costs an amount of movement equal to half

only three action options during that turn: Dash, Disengage, and Dodge. A controlled mount can move and act even on the turn that you mount it. In contrast, an independent mount—one that lets you ride

Raiders of Clan Ironeye

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

contrast to the usual duergar focus on utility. The duergar she leads are content to follow her for the sake of what their raids will earn them, and they care nothing for the historical value of the relics

stole from Azrok, the hobgoblin warlord who rules Stromkuhldur on level 3 of Undermountain (see “Legion of Azrok”). Returning this dagger to Azrok completes a side quest.

Game Customization

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Rules House rules include optional rules, such as those presented in chapter 9 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and rules you create. If you plan to use any house rules, session zero is a good time to

discuss those rules with the players and solicit their input. House rules are best presented as experiments, and time will tell if they’re good for your game. If you introduce a house rule in session

City Watch

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

members of the Watch know the streets they patrol and that area’s residents better than you do, even if you stay in Waterdeep for ten seasons. The City Watch has watch posts throughout the city

Castle Ward; in contrast, squads of eight walk the Dock Ward, increasing to as many as a dozen at night. If Watch members spot trouble they can’t handle, they blow shrill tin whistles to summon more

1. Village of Parnast

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

(see chapter 7). The village has a few dozen houses and a small square, with buildings that include a tavern, a stable, and a shrine. In contrast to this rustic burg stands a mighty ice castle half

has no time or patience for dealing with outlaws. THE HELPFUL WHEELWRIGHT While the village is full of cultists and those who cooperate with them, not everyone is willing to tolerate the cult’s

Preparing for Battle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

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

are given wooden spears with padded tips to prevent them from dealing damage. The mayor reminds everyone not to use real weapons during the reenactment so nobody gets hurt. Mercenaries of the Ironclad

Monsters with Classes

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

Monsters with Classes You can use the rules in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook to give class levels to a monster. For example, you can turn an ordinary werewolf into a werewolf with four levels of

little or increase dramatically. For example, a werewolf that gains four barbarian levels is a much greater threat than it was before. In contrast, the hit points, spells, and other class features that an ancient red dragon gains from five levels of wizard don’t increase its challenge rating.

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

grieve, but they won’t take any action against the characters. In contrast, the kobolds are furious with grief, throwing themselves at the characters in frenzied, suicidal attacks. The ice trolls

they can, while the ice toads demonstrate the same impassive stoicism they show if the dragon is killed. The ice trolls shy away from Arauthator’s treasure as long as he is alive, knowing better than

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to

help organize, and even inspire, the action of a D&D campaign. The rules are a tool, and we want our tools to be as effective as possible. No matter how good those tools might be, they need a group of

Proficiency

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Proficiency Characters and monsters are good at various things. Some are skilled with many weapons, while others can use only a few. Some are better at understanding people’s motives, and others are

better at unlocking the secrets of the multiverse. All creatures have a Proficiency Bonus, which reflects the impact that training has on the creature’s capabilities. A character’s Proficiency Bonus

Special Weapons

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

Special Weapons Weapons with special rules are described here. Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to attack a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance requires two hands to wield

creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) also frees the creature without

Developments

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

grieve, but they won’t take any action against the characters. In contrast, the kobolds are furious with grief, throwing themselves at the characters in frenzied, suicidal attacks. The ice trolls

they can, while the ice toads demonstrate the same impassive stoicism they show if the dragon is killed. The ice trolls shy away from Arauthator’s treasure as long as he is alive, knowing better than

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules

are meant to help organize, and even inspire, the action of a D&D campaign. The rules are a tool, and we want our tools to be as effective as possible. No matter how good those tools might be, they

Urchin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

. The rest of your crew was wiped out in a brutal gang war, and now you’re looking for a new team. 3 You grew up crawling the walls, and you know the city better than anyone. The world’s a ugly

you. Sharn itself is an adventure, and you’re dealing with the horrors of your past by exploring your new home.

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