before better defusing concept really

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

naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, half-elves raised among humans are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take human names

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) 4 Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) 5 Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of

there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and title from those who

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

. d6 Ideal 1 Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) 2 Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us

smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral) 6 Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

perfection. 8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. D6 IDEAL 1 Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) 2

. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) D6 BOND 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

law-abiding citizens of Ravnica. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I revel in mayhem, the more destructive the better. 2 When violence breaks out, I lose myself in

guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Hedonism. Death comes for everyone, so take as much pleasure as you can from every moment of life. (Neutral) 3 Creativity. I strive to

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

adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes them as strange. They know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the

Cleric

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

Faith in Diversification Despite their supposed wisdom, many common clerics fail to grasp the simple concept of using the best tool for the job. To the devoted priest of Tempus, every problem is just

occasion. Divine Deals From the most notable nobles to the most humble members of the working class, everyone needs faith and spiritual guidance. And what better way to teach the value of faith to

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

less than perfection. 8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. d6 Ideal 1 Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good

Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) d6 Bond 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds

Customizing a Background

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

Customizing a Background You might want to tweak some of the features of a background so it better fits your character or the campaign setting. To customize a background, you can replace one feature

earliest years as street urchins. Tika’s later career as a barmaid didn’t really change her, so she might choose the urchin background, gaining proficiency in the Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills, and

Religious Order Contacts

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

liaison within the religious order. Order Contact d8 Contact 1 A cloistered priest with little worldly experience who doesn’t really understand what you do but seems to approve of it anyway 2 A

cynical priest who thinks nothing you do makes any difference in the grand scheme of things 3 A zealous priest who is constantly urging you to do more and do it better 4 An ambitious priest who views you

Fighter

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

the heart of every fighter’s motivation lies the same basic truth: it is better to wound than to be wounded. Although some adventuring fighters risk their lives fighting for glory or treasure, others

may break my bones, but swords will never hurt me — as long as I stay really high and shoot down at an angle.

Customizing a Background

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

Customizing a Background You might want to tweak some of the features of a background so it better fits your character or the campaign setting. To customize a background, you can replace one feature

as street urchins. Tika’s later career as a barmaid didn’t really change her, so she might choose the urchin background, gaining proficiency in the Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills, and learning the

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. 8 I never change my mind once it’s made up. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Order. The law is meant to ensure

best at everything in my legal training, and now I work with the person who was always just a little bit better. 6 A good friend was promoted into work they can’t tell me about. 7 I

Creating a Bronze Dragon

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

this matter, simpler is better! -Fizban Use the Bronze Dragon Personality Traits and Bronze Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive bronze dragon characters, and use the Bronze

preserve their dignity. It’s really for your benefit. 3 I have no time for chitchat or insinuation. I get to the point and expect others to do the same. 4 I respect law and order, but it’s no

Gith Tables

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

Zar’ryth Githyanki Personality Traits d4 Trait 1 When I’m bored I make my own excitement, and I’m always bored. 2 I treat others as if they were animals that simply don’t know any better. 3 Violence is

a spice that makes life worth living. 4 Old age is a concept that I find fascinating. Maybe someday I too will be aged. Githyanki Ideals d4 Trait 1 Fidelity. Warriors are only as good as the vows

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat. In a couple of situations, kobolds might

lack of emotional bonding means they have no concept of marriage or permanent family relationships. Their eggs are placed in a common tribal hatchery with no effort to keep track of who each one

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Stoicism. All of us are part of the cyclical march of nature, which will continue with

bother to couch my opinions in flattering words. 5 I can’t help but pocket any trinket or coin I come across, no matter how worthless. 6 I’m convinced that I’m better and

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. (Lawful) 3 Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) 4 Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) 5 Friendship. Material goods

. 3 Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and

Credits

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

, Magali Villeneuve, Lauren Walsh, Shawn Wood, Zuzanna Wužyk, Kieran Yanner Concept Art Directors: Richard Whitters, Shawn Wood Concept Artists: Alix Branwyn, Tyler Jacobson, Chris Rahn, Magali

, Margaret Weis, Michael Williams, Janet Vialls, Peter Vialls, and many more! Additional thanks to the hundreds of playtesters whose efforts made this a better book! On the Cover Dragons

Developments

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

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

to come between a dragon and its hoard. They don’t really care if someone else plunders items from the dragon’s hoard, and they’re too stupid to think they might be blamed for any such thefts.

Developments

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

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

to come between a dragon and its hoard. They don’t really care if someone else plunders items from the dragon’s hoard, and they’re too stupid to think they might be blamed for any such thefts.

Robust Patronage

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

mysterious sylvan creatures that occasionally get up to harmless pranks. As a warlock of the Archfey, you know better — and are perfectly suited to lay the truth down whenever you can. You and your magic

franchise needs to get down and dirty to succeed. The Great Old One Everybody’s met that one mind-addled poet at the end of the bar spouting all kinds of nonsense. But only you can really appreciate the

It's Just Business

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

. What better way to think of the big bad monster at the center of a web of even bigger and badder plans than as the CEO of a megacorporation, using every resource to dominate the market? What is an

-reaching power of global corporations allied with political power doesn’t just inform our own real world — it molds it. Bringing that concept of powerful corporations working with or against nobility to

Razorvine Blight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade

vines to feed its bloodlust. While razorvine blights are usually dangerous, in Sigil they sometimes mimic the behaviors of the city’s other inhabitants—for better or worse. At least one blight, known as

Patch, spreads copies of itself across the city, creating a spy network of copies with mysterious goals. CoupleofKooks “Folks hate razorvine, but it’s really only a problem if you’ve got skin

Introduction

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

you receive a cancer diagnosis or a similar health news, you probably appreciate that concept a little more than other people. Watching someone you love waste away is a terrible thing. You want a

magic button to bring things back to the way they should be, this person you love so much restored to who they really are rather than what cancer is grinding them down into. It’s easy to give in to

Modifying a Class

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

modify existing classes to better serve your game’s needs. Changing Proficiencies Changing a class’s proficiencies is a safe and simple way to modify a class to better reflect your world. Swapping

, paladins might not swear their oaths to ideals, but instead swear fealty to powerful sorcerers. To capture this story concept, you could build a new paladin spell list with spells meant to protect

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

against the schemes and ambitions of the other guilds, so much the better. Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Medicine Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A Simic insignia, a set of

in my communication. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Change. All life is meant to progress toward perfection, and

Outer Planes

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

Material Plane. But the landscape can change at a whim of the powerful forces that dwell on these planes, which can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence to better fulfill

their divine needs. Distance is a virtually meaningless concept on the Outer Planes. The perceptible regions of the planes can seem quite small, but they can also stretch on to what seems like infinity

Credits

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

Valenzuela, Brian Valeza, Nino Vecia, Tyler Walpole, Jabari Weathers Concept Artists: Kent Davis, Richard Luong Project Engineer: Cynda Callaway Imaging Technicians: Daniel Corona, Kevin Yee

Lindsay, Hilary Ross, Chris Tulach Special thanks to T. Alexander Stangroom and to the hundreds of playtesters whose efforts made this a better book. The following product provided information and

Outer Planes

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

Outer Planes. The desires of the mighty forces that dwell on these planes can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence itself to better fulfill their own needs. Distance is

a virtually meaningless concept on the Outer Planes. The perceptible regions of the planes often seem quite small, but they can also stretch on to what seems like infinity. It might be possible to

Chapter 4: The Orrery of the Wanderer

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

undertake a variety of activities to better themselves or their franchise. By later episodes, choices of downtime activities might alter the flow and challenge of the story. After all, there’s no rest

campaign, and in life. Maybe you having a bit of an inside track is just what this adventure needs to make it really pop, and to keep the DM from getting all, “Ooh, look at me! I’m the one with the secrets!” I mean, can you believe how smug they are? It’s like they’re just begging you to turn the page …

Prismari Faculty

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

insightful feedback, which she tailors to each individual. After a review, she often offers a small piece of advice that alters the student’s point of view and work forever—for the better. Uvilda

professor of expression) is the current Dean of Expression. Nazzari always want to see art that is bigger, more radical in concept, and more emotionally powerful. For their final project as a mage

Breaking the Archetypes

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

Those elves really know how to bring the hurt from a distance, don’t they? Fortunately for the arrow-slinging world, they were willing to share their arcane archery knowledge with friends, and now every

clear why you make a great addition to any franchise. Cavalier An Acquisitions Incorporated franchise is a heady mix of adventuring and business, and both those pursuits require travel. Who better to

Lorehold Student

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

. The more obscure the historical references I can include in everyday conversation, the better. 2 By searching for these lost artifacts, I hope to find who I really am along the way. 3 I can barely go

Respect for the Players

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

threatened. Do You Really Do That? Can players retract what they just said their characters did? Some DMs take a hard-line position: “If you said it, your character did it.” Such a strict position tends

in the face of devastating tragedy are better suited for character backstories. DM Die Rolling Should you hide your die rolls behind a DM screen, or should you roll your dice in the open for all the

D&D Beyond

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