before blades defusing continues rolling

Headless Iron Golem

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

beneath its feet. Iron golems wield enormous blades to extend their reach, and all can belch clouds of deadly poison. An iron golem's body is smelted with rare tinctures and admixtures. Though other

. If the golem is left without instructions or is incapacitated, it continues to follow its last orders to the best of its ability. When it can't fulfill its orders, a golem might react violently — or

Indestructible

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

Indestructible The Infinite Staircase is immune to all damage and can’t have its form changed by spells like Passwall or similar magic. No one knows who or what built the staircase—or continues to

add to it. Its masons are never seen but often heard, their hammers ringing in the distance like rolling thunder.

Mournland Villains

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

Blades (described in more detail earlier in this chapter and in chapter 6) is a major force in the Mournland. The Mournland Villains table suggests other possible evil schemes and influences that might

arise in connection with the Mournland. Mournland Villains d6 Villain 1 The Lord of Blades maintains a detention center where experiments are performed on adventurers and scavengers that his forces

35. Scythe-Seeing

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

female dwarf has fallen prey to a scythe trap, her dead body pinned between the trap’s blades and the western wall. Halaster has placed a teleport trap (see “Teleport Traps”) just south of the scythe

trap. Scythe Trap If the dead dwarf is disturbed, the scythe blades shatter due to the built-up pressure from the gears hidden in the walls. Any creature within 5 feet of the broken trap must succeed

Landro

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

, fueled by a piece of the Rod of Seven Parts—continues to function, creating a magical force field around the colossus and altering the gravity within it. In addition to the aberrant monsters and restless

Undead that haunt Landro’s remains, another faction is determined to plumb the ruins’ depths: violent, zealous warriors loyal to the Lord of Blades.

Chapter 4: Gracklstugh

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

and weapons among the Underdark races. Those who do business here refer to Gracklstugh as “the City of Blades.” As merciless as it can be, Gracklstugh is a major bastion of civilization in the

adventurers will quickly realize that the power of the demon lords is a threat even here, getting an even closer glimpse of the Underdark’s decay as the madness of the Abyss continues to spread. Built

Dead Spiders

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble

Dead Spiders When the characters enter the cave, they see a passage leading deeper underground. From the cave entrance, a passage continues deeper beneath the hills and slopes downward. You travel

for several minutes before the passage turns north and leads up a set of natural stone steps. A group of caverns continues out ahead of you. The ceiling of these caverns is choked with webs, and the

Wailing Battlefield

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

continues to turn unless its blades are wholly destroyed. Each blade has AC 13, 30 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. As long as at least two blades are turning, they keep the smoke 30

massive nodule. Smoke drifts across the battlefield, and a broken pyramid rises above the smoke. A blackened windmill with slowly turning blades keeps the smoke away. A pervasive wailing emanates from the

Area Information

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rrakkma

for weapons are arrayed throughout the room. The few weapons that remain resemble the glaive, though the blades are pitted, scored, and brittle. The wood that makes up their hafts is all but rotted

bearing a longsword, to the entrance to beckon the adventurers forward into the chamber. As the adventurers approach the chamber, the human woman backs away from them as it continues to beckon them

The Sewers at Plaza West

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

no light source in the shaft, which continues down 50 feet until it ends in a folding ladder with a dangling cord. When unfolded, the ladder reaches another 20 feet to the sewer tunnel floor. When the

20-foot-high tunnel. The sewer tunnel is 30 feet wide and continues in both directions. The tunnel has a raised walkway 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall along both sides. The main passage is flowing with 1

6. Hallway

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

.) Bone Boulder Trap At 15 feet beyond the shaft entrance, a mechanical plate installed in the floor triggers a rolling boulder trap. A successful DC 22 Wisdom (Perception) check by one of the characters in

as much damage with a successful DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. Any creature that fails this save is grabbed by skeletal hands and pulled into the sphere, which continues to roll over any other

6. Hallway

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

Boulder Trap At 15 feet beyond the shaft entrance, a mechanical plate installed in the floor triggers a rolling boulder trap. A successful DC 22 Wisdom (Perception) check by one of the characters in the

much damage with a successful DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. Any creature that fails this first save is grabbed by skeletal hands and pulled into the sphere, which continues to roll over any other

Chapter 1: Playing the Game

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

Intelligence check. Phillip: Does my Investigation skill apply? Jared: Sure! Phillip (rolling a d20): Ugh. Seven. Jared: They look like decorations to you. And Maeve, Mirabella is examining the

drawbridge? The adventure continues from there, relying on the DM’s descriptions to set the scenes. Later in the chapter, other examples of play focus on certain aspects of D&D play: social

Initiative Variants

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

completed their turns. If more than two sides take part in a battle, each side rolls for initiative. Sides act from the highest roll to lowest. Combat continues in the initiative order until the battle

initiative that introduces more uncertainty into combat, at the cost of speed of play. Under this variant, the participants in a battle roll initiative each round. Before rolling, each character or

Pixie Kingdom

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

who has the lowest check result, at which point all the remaining characters move to new hiding places and make another check. The game continues until only one character remains hidden; this

character is declared the winner and is awarded a packet of pixie dust (see appendix A), with two leaves as the propeller blades. No character can win this prize more than once. The characters can hide

Bazaar Chase

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

flying from Emad’s shop measures 4 feet by 6 feet, has a capacity of 400 pounds, and has a flying speed of 60 feet. It can accommodate two Medium or Small creatures. After rolling initiative, each

can avoid rolling on the table again if you don’t move this turn. 7–10 No complication Ending the Chase The chase ends when either side gives up the chase, when the Ashen Heirs escape, or when the

Traps in Play

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

description is clear enough that you can adjudicate whether a character’s actions locate or foil the trap. As with many situations, you shouldn’t allow die rolling to override clever play and good planning

from inconvenient to deadly, making use of elements such as arrows, spikes, blades, poison, toxic gas, blasts of fire, and deep pits. The deadliest traps combine multiple elements to kill, injure

Traps in Play

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

description is clear enough that you can adjudicate whether a character's actions locate or foil the trap. As with many situations, you shouldn't allow die rolling to override clever play and good planning

inconvenient to deadly, making use of elements such as arrows, spikes, blades, poison, toxic gas, blasts of fire, and deep pits. The deadliest traps combine multiple elements to kill, injure, contain

Other Nonplayer Characters

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

distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing arguments

before everyone in the caravan knows to steer clear of Tyjit Skesh. She is quick to anger and quicker to resort to her blades when something sets her off. She is honest to a fault and never fails to let

Other Nonplayer Characters

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

long distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing

long before everyone in the caravan knows to steer clear of Tyjit Skesh. She is quick to anger and quicker to resort to her blades when something sets her off. She is honest to a fault and never fails to

Introduction

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

not decorations? DM: Make an Intelligence check. Phillip: Does my Investigation skill apply? DM: Sure! Phillip (rolling a d20): Ugh. Seven. DM: They look like decorations to you. And Amy, Riva

adventurers grow in might as the campaign continues. Each monster defeated, each adventure completed, and each treasure recovered not only adds to the continuing story, but also earns the adventurers

Introduction

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

decorations? DM: Make an Intelligence check. Phillip: Does my Investigation skill apply? DM: Sure! Phillip (rolling a d20): Ugh. Seven. DM: They look like decorations to you. And Amy, Riva is

adventurers grow in might as the campaign continues. Each monster defeated, each adventure completed, and each treasure recovered not only adds to the continuing story, but also earns the adventurers new

Snail Racing

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

affected by rolling a d8. Snail Race Surprises d8 Surprise 1–3 No surprise. 4 One random snail gets a stitch, reducing its speed by 40 feet this round. 5 A spectator throws a head of lettuce at one

random snail comes loose and falls off. The snail’s jockey must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw to remain atop the snail. On a failed save, the jockey falls off, and the snail continues the

Parade Chase

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

give chase. After rolling initiative, each participant in the chase can take one action and move on its turn. Itzmin begins 120 feet ahead of the pursuers. Track the distance between Itzmin and the

escapes. If not, the chase continues for another round. If the characters catch Itzmin, he tells them where Serapio is in exchange for his release. Should Itzmin escape, the character who has the highest

Ecstasy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

Ecstasy Gate Destination: Blessed Fields of Elysium Primary Citizens: Guardinals and Humanoids Rulers: The Lightcaller and the Nightwhisperer The rolling hills of Ecstasy, the City of Plinths, rise

dulls the blades of anger and hostility in its vicinity. At all hours, a pacifying aura radiates from the Bone Plinth in a 300-foot radius. Any creature that starts its turn in this area is targeted

Wyrmheart Mine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

grease to get it rolling again. The old brake looks solid, but each time it’s used, it has a 10 percent chance to fail utterly. This risk is recognized by someone who inspects the brake and makes a

, which serves as the kobolds’ egg nursery. These kobolds protect their eggs with flinty resolve. The mossy niches in the walls contain a total of thirty eggs. 6C. Rolling Stone Trap A tripwire

Rose Stage Festival

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

(lawful neutral human first-year student; see the “Fellow Students” section). The festival’s improvised play continues until all volunteer performers have exhausted their prompts. More frequently

nautical scene, rolling fake monsters near the actors when danger threatens and impersonating the monsters’ snarls, handing dueling actors improbable “weapons,” or the like. Responding to the cues in a way

Alley: Autumn

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

direction, rolling downhill. Riding on the cart is a tiefling boy with an eye patch, screaming at the top of his lungs. “Look out!” he shouts. A character in the path of the apple cart must succeed on a

successful DC 15 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the character is struck by the cart and falls prone as it continues to roll. After plowing through the party, the cart flips on its side, sending

Gods of the Orcs

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

is Gruumsh One-Eye, who created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the

chosen by Ilneval and are groomed to serve as blades of Ilneval. These individuals are battle captains that follow the orders of the tribe’s chief, leading a portion of the tribe’s warriors into the thick

Grimskalle Locations (G8-G14)

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

adventurers. You can make Auril even tougher by having her use a lair action to teleport to the rooftop (area G9), where her roc can fight alongside her. A fight against Auril continues until the characters

walrus as big as an elephant is having a grand old time rolling and sliding on the ice, paying you little heed. The giant walrus (see appendix C), named Ukuma, is supposed to be guarding this room

Paliset Hall Locations

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

the foyer by rolling once on the Gala Guests table. Ice Mephits. Six ice mephits are disguised as ice decorations along the perimeter of the room. The mephits attack anyone who starts a fight in this

jewels. A 20-foot-high balcony (area P9) overlooks the ballroom floor. Guests. At any given time during the gala, 2d6 × 2 nobles dance here. You can add a named guest to the ballroom by rolling once on

Hive Ward

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

within 30 feet of each other to communicate telepathically for 1 hour. Make It Snappy. This rolling seafood cart sports a bottomless tank linked to an aquatic demiplane. Buyers who fish their own catch

Hive like a corpse from the grave. The Mortuary’s towers bear low, gloomy domes with buttresses bristling with blades and windowless vaults clustered around the structure’s base. Its dark, mournful

Court of Orestes Locations

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

player will accept it), or rolling a d10 and having it turn black on a 1. The ramifications of this revelation are up to you. Development. If the characters open Orestes’s sarcophagus, they find

. Callisos spends much time here, etching grimly poetic prayers to Athreos on the walls with ink and bone chisels. If called to battle by Antiophes, or if audible conflict continues in area 7 for more

Death House Locations

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

. Hanging above the mantelpiece is a wood-framed portrait of a family: a man and a woman with two smiling children—the same children you saw outside. The marble staircase continues upward. The red

marble staircase that started on the first floor continues its upward spiral to area D11. A cold draft flows down the steps. D7a–D7b: Servants’ Room and Closet An undecorated bedroom contains a pair of

Locations I - L

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

are rolling grass-covered hills recently claimed by the orcs of the Iceshield clan. They dwell in lodges made from timber cut from the forest. Elves and centaurs regularly emerge from the High Forest

hunting for food. They have no treasure to speak of, though each carries a sack containing 1d4 mundane items, determined by rolling on the Items in a Giant’s Bag table in the introduction. Reghed Nomads

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