before blocking defenses continues rolling

Zariel

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

crawl over the structure, ensuring that no intruders breach their defenses. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zariel can take one of the following lair actions; she can

this creature hits with an attack roll that isn’t a critical hit, it can turn the hit into a critical hit. Infernal Tactics. Immediately after rolling initiative, this creature can choose

Lizardfolk

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

have lived on the worlds of the Material Plane since the worlds’ creation. Gifted by the gods with remarkable physical defenses and a mystical connection to the natural world, lizardfolk can

the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can

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.

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

crawl to make progress. In places where a tunnel opens into a chasm and continues on the other side, the kobolds might connect the two passages with a rope bridge or some other rickety structure

, the kobolds are usually put to work enlarging their masters’ living area and protecting vital areas of the lair with traps and other defenses. Some human communities hire kobolds to dig their

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

Lay of the Land

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Lay of the Land Rolling thunderclouds cast a gray pall over the land of Barovia. A deathly stillness hangs over the dark woods, which are patrolled constantly by Strahd’s wolves and other servitors

his army. East of the mountains lies the village of Barovia, shrouded in mist and bereft of walls and defenses. The dark silhouette of Castle Ravenloft looks down on this village from its perch atop a 1,000-foot-high column of rock known as the Pillarstone of Ravenloft.

Resolution and Consequences

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

character manages to get her sword past a hobgoblin’s defenses and turn a near miss into a hit, but the hobgoblin twists its shield and disarms her. A character narrowly escapes the full brunt of a

, whereas a failure of 5 or more means she throws you in the dungeon for your impudence. Critical Success or Failure Rolling a 20 or a 1 on an ability check or a saving throw doesn’t normally have any

Consequences

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

, you can offer to let the character succeed at the cost of a complication or hindrance. Such complications can run along any of the following lines: A character gets her sword past an enemy’s defenses

hits the fourth, and a 19 or higher strikes the bull’s-eye. Critical Success or Failure Rolling a 20 or a 1 on an ability check or a saving throw doesn’t normally have any special effect. However, you

Wandering Monsters

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

continues to make bite attacks against that character on subsequent rounds as it feeds. The carrion crawlers are too stupid and hungry to flee in the face of certain death. Goblin Skull-Hunters Pibble

flee when confronted by adventurers. If one or both goblins are captured, they can lead adventurers to the nearest Xanathar Guild watch post as well as describe its defenses, since they have observed

During the Siege

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

horde soon begins overwhelming defenses nearby. Once the characters defeat a few zombies, roll 1d6 and consult the Zombie Siege Encounters table. The event rolled unfolds within sight of one of the

deliver orders from General Drakov (likely related to the siege’s climax). As the battle reaches what you determine to be the halfway point, start rolling 2d6 on the Zombie Siege Encounters table and

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

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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 battlefield. The followers of all

serve as a battering ram if a settlement dares to close its gates, blocking the way to the treasures and tasty food that lie within. A heavily laden wagon that requires the strongest orcs to return it to

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

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

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

Expert Tunnelers

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

opens into a chasm and continues on the other side, the kobolds might connect the two passages with a rope bridge or some other rickety structure, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature

’ living area and protecting vital areas of the lair with traps and other defenses. Some human communities hire kobolds to dig their sewer tunnels, paying them with food and tools the kobolds wouldn’t

Mind Flayers

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

feed on, while Undermountain’s existing defenses offered an unprecedented level of security. Enemies at the Gates Through methods unknown to the illithids, the githyanki vanguard force tracked the

captive audience reacts. Meanwhile, it continues to use its telepathy to reach out to the Waterdavians in the city above, gathering more information to better realize its version of the city.

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

When Clans Collapse

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

their defenses and the security of their homes, no clan is immortal and no stronghold unassailable. Threats to a clan can come from the outside or the inside, and it’s often the latter variety that

the clan, and stone carvers start using short cuts that compromise their constructions. If such a decline continues for too long and becomes too severe, the result could be a schism within the clan

Mission to Red Larch

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

defenses the Six have set up around the ritual. They might choose a stealthy incursion in the dead of night, to roar straight in aboard a mobile franchise headquarters at midday, or any approach in between

the absence of any breeze. Purple light continues to seep out through roof tiles, shuttered windows, and the closed front door. Even in daylight, the building is shrouded by shadows, as if every part

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

Baalzebul

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

neutralized by these limitations, Baalzebul continues to ensure that the devils’ bureaucracy runs smoothly. He focuses most of his attention on gathering souls from the Material Plane, a task to which his

. Even if would-be thieves could get around the defenses, they would have figure out how to navigate the complex classification system that marks the precise location of each bit of paperwork stored

Outside the City Proper

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

the wise: being friendly with a burly fellow who is good with a knife is one of your best defenses in the Field Ward. The other place you might solicit aid is Endshift Tavern, a popular stop for off

or gain by doing so will also readily set you on the right course if you’re simply polite. Undercliff This area of rolling grassland and small wooded areas east of the city is a rural community

Bronze Dragon Lairs

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

commander’s eye for defense. They appreciate the solidity of cliff-side caves or stone fortresses, often reinforcing existing defenses with clever traps and bulwarks. At the same time, bronze dragons

the dragon’s grim fate. After the wars, Fireflash faded from public view, but rumor holds that he continues his lifelong fight against evil, using his legendary skill in aerial combat to assist the Knights of Solamnia.

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

Lulu's Dream Quest

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

the psychic damage again. This process continues until at least one character succeeds or everyone falls unconscious. Dream 2: Betrayal! Characters who are conscious when the first dream ends proceed

dream. Otherwise, the devils fade away into nothingness and don’t reappear later on. Once the characters make their choice, this dream ends and fades to black as the dream sequence continues with the

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

Zariel

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

structure, ensuring that no intruders breach their defenses. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zariel can take one of the following lair actions; she can’t take the same

with an attack roll that isn’t a critical hit, it can turn the hit into a critical hit. Infernal Tactics. Immediately after rolling initiative, this creature can choose itself and up to three allies it

Attack on Goldenfields

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

their outer defenses and militia. Lob and Ogg spent the next month lost in the hills, trying to find their way back to Grudd Haug. When they got there, they told Guh about the “big farm.” Guh

Goldenfields’ defenses and can run to get help, if that’s what the players want them to do. For more information on how to use and run these NPCs, see the “Special NPCs” section at the start of this chapter

Derro Lair Locations

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

of bones, and other macabre paraphernalia lie scattered around the room. An eerie, persistent scratching sound comes from behind the fallen masonry blocking the far end of the room. This was the

magic to help the raiders learn Therno Lake’s defenses. Secretly, many derro feared the lamia, and they were relieved when the cave-in trapped her here. The lamia hasn’t eaten in days. If the

Attack on Triboar

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

their homes and businesses. If either fire giant is reduced to 81 hit points or fewer, the giants realize that they have underestimated Triboar’s defenses. They quickly leave the way they came while

sack holding 1d6 mundane items, determined by rolling on the Items in a Giant’s Bag table in the introduction, and a ruby pendant (worth 750 gp). The magmins and the orcs have no treasure. Each orog

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

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

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