before blocks decide canaries resolve - Search

Create Undead

Spells Player’s Handbook

command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to them). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to

over five Ghoul;Ghouls or two Ghast;Ghasts or Wight;Wights. If you use a level 9 spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over six Ghoul;Ghouls, three Ghast;Ghasts or Wight;Wights, or two Mummy;Mummies. See the Monster Manual for these stat blocks.

Attack Rolls

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

Attack Rolls In combat, an attack roll is used to determine whether an attack hits. You can also use attack rolls to resolve noncombat activities that are similar to attacks in combat, such as an

archery contest or a game of darts. Assign an Armor Class to the target, decide whether the character is proficient with the weapon used, then have the player make an attack roll. (See also “Degrees of Success” in this chapter.)

Top Card: The Challenge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

road, or a situation the characters are asked to resolve. You decide the scope of the decision the characters must make. You can ask them to make a simple choice (“Do you want to take the path along

ability checks (though another character can help, at your discretion). Whatever choice or challenge you decide the top card represents, the characters’ success or failure while dealing with that situation determines how you read the bottom card.

About This Book

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

. Whether student adventurers get caught up in a duel with their rivals or face a dreaded mage hunter, the stat blocks in this chapter give you the information you need to resolve the situation.

for aspects of campus life: exams, relationships, extracurriculars, and jobs. Chapter 7 is a collection of stat blocks for students, faculty, and various creatures on and around the Strixhaven campus

Interacting with Objects

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

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

moving a lever, and the DM describes what, if anything, happens. For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to flood with water, or

Interacting with Objects

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

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

moving a lever, and the DM describes what, if anything, happens. For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to flood with water, or

Encounters

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

characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s actions. In combat, everyone takes

the DM, you decide how much to tell the players and when. All the information the players need to make choices comes from you. Within the rules of the game and the limits of the characters’ knowledge

Encounters

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

bookshelf. Outside combat, the characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s

sections offer more detailed information on how an encounter typically unfolds, in three steps. Step 1: Describe the Situation As the DM, you decide how much to tell the players and when. All the

Threshold of the Heavens

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

decide to explore the tower because of their conversation with Demelin or their discoveries at the occupied mansion. Before they infiltrate the tower, make sure the characters are 9th level and have done

everything else they want to in the city. Events in the tower will prevent further exploration. If you need to deter the characters, a group of sivak draconians or Dragon Army dragonnels (see appendix B for both stat blocks) is conducting drills here when they arrive.

Create Undead

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

can cast this spell only at night. Choose up to three corpses of Medium or Small Humanoids within range. Each one becomes a Ghoul under your control (see “Creature Stat Blocks” for its stat block

any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to them). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to

Phantom Steed

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

unoccupied space of your choice within range. You decide the creature’s appearance, and it is equipped with a saddle, bit, and bridle. Any of the equipment created by the spell vanishes in a puff of

smoke if it is carried more than 10 feet away from the steed. For the duration, you or a creature you choose can ride the steed. The steed uses the Riding Horse stat block (see “Creature Stat Blocks

Animate Dead

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

Stat Blocks” for the stat blocks). On each of your turns, you can take a Bonus Action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control

multiple creatures, you can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you

Actions in Exploration

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

in action.) In such situations, have the characters take turns, though it’s usually not necessary to roll Initiative as you would in a combat encounter. Resolve one character’s actions before moving

something during exploration, you decide whether that action requires an ability check to determine success (as described in the earlier “Resolving Outcomes” section). Certain situations might call

Chase Complications

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

. Urban Chase Complications d20 Complication 1 A large obstacle such as a horse or cart blocks your way. Make a DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to get past the obstacle. On a failed check, the

obstacle counts as 10 feet of difficult terrain. 2 A crowd blocks your way. Make a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (your choice) to make your way through the crowd unimpeded. On

Create Undead

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

of them at the same time, issuing the same command to them). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to

two Ghasts or Wights. If you use a level 9 spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over six Ghouls, three Ghasts or Wights, or two Mummies. See the Monster Manual for these stat blocks.

Large Groups

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

Information. If you tell the players what the Armor Class of their opponents is, you reduce the steps of interaction needed to resolve an attack. Instead of telling you a number and asking if it hits

know each character’s AC, you don’t need to ask whether a monster’s attack hits. Help Players Keep Up. If a player isn’t sure what to do on their turn in combat, help the player decide by offering a

Animate Dead

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

for the stat blocks). On each of your turns, you can take a Bonus Action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple

creatures, you can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a

Finding Iymrith

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

your control. You can have your players run the other storm giants if you prefer (and if they would enjoy doing so). Photocopy the storm giant stat blocks at the end of this chapter and distribute them

among the players in your group. If your group includes more than four players, not every player will receive a storm giant NPC to play, and that’s okay. Accompanying the giants’ stat blocks are

Social Structures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

giants, you can use these models to help you decide how many giants are present in an area and what other creatures might live alongside them. You can use the various tables in “Giantkind Encounters” (in

several adjustments. You can craft the stat block as you see fit to match the challenge rating you’re aiming for. For a giant child of any age, you can further modify one of these stat blocks by adding the parents’ damage immunities and resistances (if any) and any inherent traits.

Street Chase: Summer

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

on the Urban Chase Complications table on its turn. Crowded Street If Willifort flees in a hire-coach, his getaway is thwarted on the third round of the chase when a large crowd blocks the road

into the tunnel can hear the sounds of splashing water and children’s voices in the distance and might decide to follow them. (The children are holding hands in the dark and being guided by Squiddly

3. False Entrance

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

3. False Entrance After 20 feet, a puzzle door sealing off a small chamber beyond blocks this false entrance into the tomb. A short tunnel ends at a slab of worked stone, whose edges are marked by

over the tunnel entrance. Any character in the tunnel must decide whether to stay or to flee, which requires a successful DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check. Characters who stay or who fail the check

Drowned Sailors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

’ initiative count, they move toward the characters. If they get close enough, they make melee attacks. The zombies’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. If all the

Rest). Runara explains that she heard the sounds of combat and arrived just in time to prevent the zombies from dragging the characters into the sea. Avoiding the Zombies. If the characters decide not

Drowned Sailors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Intro to Stormwreck Isle

count, they move toward the characters. If they get close enough, they make melee attacks. The zombies’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. On each character’s

dragging the characters into the sea. Avoiding the Zombies. If the characters are faring poorly against the zombies or decide not to fight them, the characters can easily escape from the slow

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

. Baldur’s Gate joined the Lords’ Alliance, a coalition of independent cities that includes Neverwinter and Waterdeep, largely because of disputes with Amn. Should Amn decide to attack Baldur’s Gate

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

. Baldur’s Gate joined the Lords’ Alliance, a coalition of independent cities that includes Neverwinter and Waterdeep, largely because of disputes with Amn. Should Amn decide to attack Baldur’s Gate

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve

storyteller and referee. The DM creates adventures for the characters, who navigate its hazards and decide which paths to explore. The DM might describe the entrance to Castle Ravenloft, and the players decide

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether

and referee. The DM creates adventures for the characters, who navigate its hazards and decide which paths to explore. The DM might describe the entrance to Castle Ravenloft, and the players decide what

Decisionist

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

franchise party. Noteworthy Decisionists: Donaar Blit’zen (“C” Team), Kelshi Annab Essential Functions: Receive one extra vote on franchise matters; resolve interparty conflicts Position Proficiencies: In

in this capacity for years. When she leverages her coin of decisionry, glinting with its final, unswerving resolve, it is because she has heard all. The Decisonist Franchise Rank Features

NPC Stat Blocks

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

NPC Stat Blocks The Monster Manual contains stat blocks for common NPC archetypes such as bandits and guards, as well as tips for customizing them. Those tips include adding racial traits from the

can build the NPC as you would a player character, as discussed in the Player’s Handbook. If you decide to build an NPC the same way you build a player character, you can skip choosing a background and

The Mourning

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

way to lay these spirits to rest? Do they have unfinished business they want you to resolve? As a sorcerer, your magical powers could be the result of your exposure to the Mourning. Were you physically

Mourning? A DM running an Eberron campaign can decide the cause of the Mourning or leave it as a mystery that will never be solved. People in Eberron have many theories about the cause of the Mourning

Resolving Interactions

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

material by providing a structured way to resolve a social interaction. Much of this structure will be invisible to your players in play and isn’t meant to be a substitute for roleplaying. 1. Starting

hostile. Whether the adventurers can shift a creature’s attitude is up to you. You decide whether the adventurers have successfully couched their statements in terms that matter to the creature

Spindle Cavern

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

spectators can’t decide which of them should guard the meteorite, and they are anxious for someone to help resolve their dispute. The gazers were drawn to the cavern by the spectators’ argument but lack the

Goblin Ambush

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

attacks while two goblins stand 30 feet away from the party and make ranged attacks. The goblins’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. For more information on what the

the “Goblin Trail” section). The characters might not find the goblin trail, or they could decide to continue to Phandalin. In that case, skip ahead to part 2, “Phandalin.” Elmar Barthen (the owner of

Temple of Light

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

blocks. If the characters don’t speak up, Xedalli tries to mount her own defense, accusing her brother of trying to get rid of her and then fabricating the story of her sedition. It is obvious her words

their grievances against the Xaryxian Empire, while Xeleth attempts to twist every point against them. Resolve this debate by having one of the characters—whichever one is leading the argument in favor

Tips for New Dungeon Masters

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

figure out what it does (see “Identifying a Magic Item” in the Dungeon Master’s Guide), give that item’s description to the players. Statistics Creature stat blocks should be kept hidden from the players

, followed by a die expression in parentheses, like this: 10 (3d6). You decide whether to use the average or roll the dice. Using average damage speeds up play, but it might feel less exciting, and players

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