before blade depending caution rivals

Boarding Axe

Equipment

This one-handed axe has a pick on the opposite end of the blade. You can choose to deal either slashing damage or piercing damage, depending on which end you use to attack. If you are proficient with

Ruinblade

Magic Items Infernal Machine Rebuild

version of the green devil face of the Tomb of Horrors is fashioned into the hilt of the weapon, with the blade extending from its open mouth. The blade always appears ruined and rusting, and causes its

surroundings to appear reflected in the blade as if in a state of decay. You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. When you hit an undead creature with it, the attack

Adventures with Gith

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

featuring these age-old rivals. Gith Conflicts 1d8 The Characters Are... 1 Called on to deliver a message or mysterious parcel to or from Vlaakith the Lich Queen. 2 Encouraged by a disguised intellect

Gith or Zerthimon. 8 Tasked with returning the blade of a fallen githyanki knight to the knight’s people.

The Grand Master

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

The Grand Master As the leader of the monastery, the Grand Master is meant to present a difficult but not impossible challenge. You might wish to modify his capabilities depending on the relative

deal an extra 6d8 slashing damage instead. You might also have the shards be from a polymorph blade, a blade of the medusa, or some other type of weapon. Another option is to allow decapitated

Guests of the Stone Guard

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

are ordered to follow a squad of duergar to Overlake Hold for further questioning. From this point, the adventure can take different paths depending on how you want to proceed. Talk to the players

property of her mistress, Ilvara (see “Signs of Pursuit” in the “Blade Bazaar” section). The Stone Guards arrest the characters and take them to Overlake Hold, pending negotiations with the drow. At

Newspaper Contacts

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

printed page. Depending on the editor, you might not even recognize the stories when they’re printed, and your editor’s personality and goals can have a tremendous impact on your work for the paper

with each other, setting your group up against a team of rivals 7 An editor who suffered horrors during the Last War and is desperate for signs of hope 8 A cynical editor who seeks the corruption and down side in every story

Arms, Armor, and Combat

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

, is legal only if it occurs in a location registered with the city for that purpose. Additionally, any blade more than one foot in length is subject to an extra tax whenever it is sold, which helps to

the city with such protection. As such, the sight of armed and armored individuals walking the streets who aren’t in the livery of the city or one of its noble houses inspires caution in most

Ruinblade

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

use the weapon as his own phylactery.) A small jade version of the green devil face of the Tomb of Horrors is fashioned into the hilt of the weapon, with the blade extending from its open mouth. The

blade always appears ruined and rusting, and causes its surroundings to appear reflected in the blade as if in a state of decay. You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic

Saga of the Whirlwyrm

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

ferries them free of charge. Tyrza bids them a glorious adventure. The Competition The characters aren’t the only heroes headed to Grakenok. These two rivals also step up and seek to find out what’s

happened at Grakenok: Sytri. A silent, masked woman wearing Doomguard armor, Sytri is a chaotic good Doomguard rot blade (see Morte’s Planar Parade). She unfurls a carpet of flying measuring 3 feet by

Adventure Structure

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

occur change depending on the villain you’ve chosen. The chapter concludes with the discovery of Lord Neverember’s treasure vault and a showdown with its gold dragon guardian. The characters’ ultimate

lair are difficult for characters of lower than 5th level to overcome. You can gently steer characters in a different direction, drop hints that urge them to use extreme caution, or make deadly

Matriculating from the Schools of Magic

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

present in the franchise or not. When it comes down to it, having friends is an equally valuable asset in adventuring and business, and being able to turn enemies, rivals, and angry mobs into friends

, rivals, and customers uncertain as to what’s real and what isn’t. Once you convince those around you that they can’t trust what they see or hear, that’s a perfect opportunity to give them your preferred

Inquisitive Agencies of Sharn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

constant watch over criminal activity in the city, no matter where it occurs Agency Location Depending on what levels of the City of Towers an inquisitive agency focuses on, its members might get

of House Tharashk. Finders Guild agencies often end up as rivals to the Sharn Watch and can rarely count on the Watch for support. Inquisitives of House Medani’s Warning Guild detect and disrupt the

Resolving Interactions

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

be required to convince a friendly creature to take that risk. An indifferent creature might help or hinder the party, depending on what the creature sees as most beneficial. A creature’s indifference

condescending noble might wish to see a group of upstart adventurers fail so as to keep them from becoming rivals for the king’s attention, thwarting them with slander and scheming rather than direct threats

Dragon Relationships

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

sent off to find other jobs or becoming the dragon’s next meal. Depending on the size of the commercial enterprise, the dragon might have subordinates who are responsible for certain aspects of the

might range from theft and racketeering to smuggling and illegal gambling. Like any other gang leader, the dragon has little tolerance for rivals and none at all for disloyalty among minions. Various

Sovereign

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

increases or decreases depending on the sovereign’s nature, the type of work you perform, and the length of your employment. Sovereign Contact You might benefit from direct contact with your group patron

. This includes audiences or secret meetings with the sovereign, depending on the nature of your work. Alternatively, the sovereign might purposefully want to keep their distance from you, either due to

Guild Membership

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

for you.) Contacts, in comparison, are simply people you know. They might be friends, rivals, or even family members, but their relationship with you is rarely as strong as with a bond. Although the

, from baking to cartography. University professors, guides, traders, and bartenders might be guildless. Criminal gangs set themselves up as rivals to the Orzhov, and even military forces operate

Licensed Region

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

— solely to oversee the distribution of those goods, and certainly not to compete with rivals. Don’t cause too much trouble and Head Office will stay happy. Rank 4: Limited Extraplanar Your franchise

in the Astral Plane. Your license to operate in these regions is not exclusive. Your region on the Material Plane might or might not expand, depending on both your performance and the goals of the

Franchise Downtime

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

Graywind at the Lionshield Coster, or with Sharna Quirstiron of the Phandalin Miner’s Exchange — whether they know Sharna’s true allegiances or not. Depending on how well the characters are getting along

with Harbin Wester, the shady business practice activity might let them get more dirt on the banker, or gain his favor by going after some of his rivals. Shady business practices might be an even

16. Talis's Hall

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

Wants. Talis wants to move up in the ranks by causing her rivals to fail spectacularly. What Talis Offers. She urges the characters to thwart the transport of a large treasure hoard. Cultists under

to remain behind so that she can use her magic to check on them from time to time. If the characters insist that she join them, she acquiesces but might turn against them depending on how events play

16. Talis's Hall

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

Talis Wants. Talis wants to move up in the ranks by causing her rivals to fail spectacularly. What Talis Offers. She urges the characters to thwart the transport of a large treasure hoard. Cultists

prefers to remain behind so that she can use her magic to check on them from time to time. If the characters insist that she join them, she acquiesces but might turn against them depending on how events

Commoners and Crews

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

folk who band together for mutual protection. Depending on the crew, this protection can range from taking someone’s side in a tavern brawl or guarding each other’s shops to price fixing or inter-crew

their hands dirty, while the Apothecary Alliance and Brethren of Barbers don’t need to throw a punch to strike fear into rivals. From carpenters to grocers, the Forgeworkers’ Lodge to the Wisewoman

Commoners and Crews

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

folk who band together for mutual protection. Depending on the crew, this protection can range from taking someone’s side in a tavern brawl or guarding each other’s shops to price fixing or inter-crew

their hands dirty, while the Apothecary Alliance and Brethren of Barbers don’t need to throw a punch to strike fear into rivals. From carpenters to grocers, the Forgeworkers’ Lodge to the Wisewoman

Complex Traps

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

damage the longer it is active, or a swinging blade might change which area of a chamber it attacks. The trap’s constant elements allow it to have effects when it isn’t the trap’s turn. At the end of each

creature’s turn, look at the trap’s constant elements to see if any of their effects are triggered. Experience for Complex Traps Overcoming a complex trap merits an experience point award, depending

8. Gray Alchemist

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

, one potion of greater healing, one potion of fire breath, and one potion of psychic resistance. Depending on whether or not Droki delivered his parcel and took his payment, the desk contains either a

need your poison anymore. I’ll deal with Werz Saltbaron myself. Bring me an elf blade, one with the swirlies carved on the steel, and I’ll forget you failed me. And I don’t want to see any of your goons

The Peg and Hook

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

slight. Dran Strike Team A Dran Enterprises strike team has been sent to deal with either the characters or Arla, depending on how the characters got here. The team is led by a fixer named Hoffman

combat, Arla’s shortsword attacks take the form of either her sharpened leg hook or a retractable blade attached to her arm peg. Hoffman is backed up by three operatives named Pieter, Marks, and

Welcome to the City of Blades

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

interrogation by speaking for the party and making a DC 15 Charisma check (Deception and Persuasion apply; Intimidation or Performance are met with scorn). Depending on how believable the party’s story is

foreign mercenaries). Possible offers of employment in the Blade Bazaar can also be turned into timely rescues for the adventurers. Otherwise, they end up in Overlake Hold, interrogated by Errde Blackskull.

Building Combat Encounters

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

). Challenge Rating When putting together an encounter or adventure, especially at lower levels, exercise caution when using monsters whose challenge rating is higher than the party’s average level. Such a

their enemies to move around, such as chandeliers, kegs of gunpowder or oil, and whirling blade traps Enemies in hard-to-reach locations or defensive positions, so that characters who normally attack at range are forced to move around the battlefield Different types of monsters working together

Possible Visions

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

demonic face looking back at her. Thoughts of murder and carnage fill her thoughts as she hides the gemstone on her person, draws her shortsword, and coats the blade with poison. Cyrog Lives! Hail

out by the powerful wards of Gravenhollow echoes in your mind as the vision is suddenly torn away to darkness. This vision offers a glimpse of Lolth’s plan to drive her rivals out of the Abyss and

The Lords' Alliance

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

is a stern warrior dedicated to discipline and results. Having risen through the ranks of the Flaming Fist by the might of his blade and the sharpness of his wits, he sometimes lacks sophistication and

consistently argues for caution and more information, and nothing the adventurers say seems to make any difference. That changes when it is revealed that his lost son Neronvain has become the cult’s

The Lords' Alliance

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

is a stern warrior dedicated to discipline and results. Having risen through the ranks of the Flaming Fist by the might of his blade and the sharpness of his wits, he sometimes lacks sophistication and

consistently argues for caution and more information, and nothing the adventurers say seems to make any difference. That changes when it is revealed that his lost son Neronvain has become the cult’s

The Lords' Alliance

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

a stern warrior dedicated to discipline and results. Having risen through the ranks of the Flaming Fist by the might of his blade and the sharpness of his wits, he sometimes lacks sophistication and

consistently argues for caution and more information, and nothing the adventurers say seems to make any difference. That changes when it is revealed that his lost son Neronvain has become the cult’s

Designing Simple Traps

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

scything blade can be broken, a sliding block can be held in place, or a net can be torn apart. A magic trap can be disabled by someone who can undermine the magic used to power it. Typically, a

. Depending on the kind of check involved and the nature of the trap, you might determine that any failed check has negative consequences — usually involving the triggering of the trap. At other times, you

Lair Locations

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

blade trap. Noticing the trap requires a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check is required to disarm the trap. Opening the chest without disarming the

trap, or failing to disarm it, triggers the trap. When the trap is triggered, a scything blade swings up, striking at any creature within 5 feet of the front of the chest. Affected creatures must make a

Grimskalle Locations (G15-G23)

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

camp. His evil shaman has convinced him to take this drastic course of action. Once the characters’ presence becomes known, they are brought before King Gunvald. He treats them with respect and caution

other plans. If one of the characters has the Reghed Heir secret (see appendix B), now is a good time to deal with that. It could certainly complicate matters, depending on how the character chooses

Ship Locations

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

extended. This last document is a request from the lizardfolk for more weapons. You should exercise caution here in not making the document too explicit — the lizardfolk would not want the document to

Dexterity check using thieves’ tools. The chest is trapped with a swinging blade trap. Noticing the trap requires a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check

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