before bonding define common readily

Ancient Red Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

horns and spinal frill define its silhouette. Its beaked snout vents smoke at all times, and its eyes dance with flame when it is angry.A Red Dragon’s Lair Red dragons lair in high mountains or

earthquakes are common within 6 miles of the dragon’s lair. Water sources within 1 mile of the lair are supernaturally warm and tainted by sulfur. Rocky fissures within 1 mile of the dragon

Adult Red Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

spinal frill define its silhouette. Its beaked snout vents smoke at all times, and its eyes dance with flame when it is angry.A Red Dragon’s Lair Red dragons lair in high mountains or hills

earthquakes are common within 6 miles of the dragon’s lair. Water sources within 1 mile of the lair are supernaturally warm and tainted by sulfur. Rocky fissures within 1 mile of the dragon’s

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

readily sacrifice themselves for the common good. They will fight and die for humans, merfolk, and other creatures without question. Their self-absorbed nature makes them overlook the history of other

. The tritons’ limited view of the world leaves them ignorant of the kingdoms, wars, and other struggles of the surface world. Tritons readily see such concerns as minor events, a sideshow to

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their

and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds

Klauth

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

damage and be knocked prone. Klauth can then fly up to half his flying speed.The odor of sulfur and pumice surrounds a red dragon, whose swept-back horns and spinal frill define its silhouette. Its

legendary red dragon’s lair is warped by the dragon’s magic, which creates one or more of the following effects: Small earthquakes are common within 6 miles of the dragon’s lair. Water

Magic Items

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

Magic Items The world of Eberron thrums with the power of magic. Artificers, magewrights, wizards, and other spellcasters produce an abundance of magic items, particularly those with the common

objects created by the daelkyr. While not fully sentient, these symbiotic items are partially organic. Attuning to such an item reflects physically bonding with it. While these objects aren’t evil, some people might be disturbed upon seeing your living armor or tentacle whip!

Everyday Magic Items

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

Everyday Magic Items Thanks to dragonshards, common magic items — including the ones in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything — are readily available in Khorvaire.

Valenar Animals

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

understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can’t speak Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Bonding. The steed can magically bond with one creature it can see, immediately after spending at least 1 hour observing that

) CON 10 (+0) INT 9 (–1) WIS 16 (+3) CHA 11 (+0) Skills Perception +5 Senses passive Perception 15 Languages understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can’t

Session Zero

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

a troupe of adventuring Entertainers. The origins the players choose define who their characters were before becoming adventurers. Think about how the characters’ backgrounds might inform adventures

characters met, you can suggest the following options. Bonding Event. Some bonding event (such as a wedding, a festival, or a funeral) brings the characters together, whereupon they quickly discover a

Levels 1-4: Local Heroes

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

Levels 1-4: Local Heroes Characters in this tier are still learning the range of class features that define them, including their choice of specialization. But even 1st-level characters are heroes

, set apart from the common people by natural characteristics, learned skills, and the hint of a greater destiny that lies before them. At the start of their careers, characters use 1st- and 2nd-level

Lizardfolk Names

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

Common words. Lizardfolk use active verbs to describe the world. A lizardfolk in cold weather might say, “This wind brings cold” rather than “I feel cold.” Lizardfolk tend to define things in terms of actions, rather than effects.

), Vyth (steel) LIZARDFOLK SPEECH Lizardfolk can master Common, but their mindset results in a speech pattern distinct from other humanoids. Lizardfolk rarely use metaphors. Their speech is almost

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

to be invincible. They see the principles that define them and their deities at work every day in the world around them — nature rewards the strong and mercilessly eliminates the weak and the

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

Khurgorbaeyag seems to dislike sharing his divine power with his followers. And although many goblins would readily offer anything to have the abilities of a warlock, the patrons that grant such power

Adventurer’s Guide.) Use one of the warlock stat blocks in appendix B to represent this goblin, adding darkvision and the Nimble Escape traits common to all goblins. Booyahg Booyahg Booyahg. This

History

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

History Because elements of a ghost’s mortal life define and foreshadow the course of their death and undeath, a common aspect of a ghost-story adventure involves piecing together the history of the

Staunch Champions

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

pirate fleets prowl the waves or a kraken awakens from its slumber, they are among the first to take up arms to protect others. Tritons readily sacrifice themselves for the common good. They will fight

Using the Maps

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

rendered. You can omit details that are not readily visible (such as secret doors and other hidden features) until the characters are able to detect and interact with them. Slopes and Staircases. On all

Icewind Dale, including Ten-Towns and other sites and features in the region that are common knowledge. The reverse side has player-friendly maps of the ten settlements that comprise Ten-Towns, with prominent locations called out in each town for the players’ benefit.

Roleplaying

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

facial expressions help convey a creature’s emotions. Smile, scowl, snarl, yawn, or pout, as appropriate. Use Motions and Posture. Movement and posture can help define an NPC’s personality. You might

readily get involved in social interactions, you can create situations tailored for their characters. Perhaps the NPC in question is a family member or a contact of a particular adventurer and

Corrupt Beyond Redemption

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

Darklord, consider the depth of their greatest evil and what made it more significant, abominable, or poetic than more common forms of villainy. The following elements all might be aspects of this

other details. Those Harmed. The people the Darklord harmed need to feel real. Give them names. Imbue them with agency, and don’t define them as victims or props. The people who survived the Darklord’s

Cults of the Dragon Below

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

image of the holy symbol is one common example—a piece of volcanic glass—not something shared by all cults. There are warlocks who draw power from demon overlords and daelkyr cultists who serve mind

part of a cult, work with the DM to define your personal beliefs, along with the size and scope of your cult. Does your faith have wide support across the Shadow Marches? Or are you and your family the only people who share your particular beliefs?

Psychological Horror

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

between what characters think and how they behave. When creating adventures rooted in psychological horror, consider common fears and anxieties. These readily become metaphors for villains and monsters

Veldyskar the Basilisk

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

. Approaching the sound reveals a basilisk named Veldyskar resting in an intersection. No ordinary basilisk, Veldyskar has an Intelligence of 10 (+0) and speaks Common, Dwarvish, Giant, and Undercommon. A small

understand Common. A many-legged reptile stretches out as if it has been sitting for a long while, avoiding your eyes as it looks to the rocky floor at your feet. “About time you lot arrived! Come! The

Felidar

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

(+3) CHA 14(+2) Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +6, Cha +5 Skills Insight +6, Perception +6 Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 16 Languages understands Celestial and Common but

can’t speak Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Bonding. The felidar can magically bond with one creature it can see, right after spending at least 1 hour observing that creature while within 30 feet of it. The

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

resources or territory. Such conflicts aren’t common, because two tribes will always prefer to expand in different directions if they come into contact, but they do happen. For example, two

Rain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Misplaced Monsters: Volume One

Rain Created by Kenzie C. Rain – Illustration by: Kenzie C. Rain lives in happy meadows atop clouds, away from all the evil of the world. She loves cupcakes and readily accepts them as gifts. She

14 Languages Celestial, Common Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3 Fiery Wings. Rain’s wings are made of flame, and they shed bright light out to 15 feet and dim light for an additional

Noteworthy Sites

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

Noteworthy Sites Dayawlongon is a tropical archipelago whose waters hold massive whirlpools that make boat travel between the islands challenging. Winding rivers, deep jungles, and mountains define

connect many of the region’s islands. Travelers are common, and the most traveled skybridges hold small communities where they can rest and resupply. Legend holds that the bones of enormous bakunawa

Character and Party Creation

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

include multiple backgrounds, as sometimes it’s fun to play an all-soldier party or a troupe of adventuring entertainers. The backgrounds they choose define who their characters were before becoming

helping the players flesh out the details. For example, if the characters came together to overcome a common foe, the identity of this enemy needs to be determined. If a funeral gathered the group, the

Life in the Domains of Dread

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

origins: Common, which functions as a shared tongue throughout the Land of the Mists. Beyond this, all the other languages noted in the Player’s Handbook and Monster Manual are spoken among the Domains of

, but their words are understandable. DM Option: Domain Languages. If you want to highlight the differences between domains, you can do away with Common and decide that the inhabitants of each domain

Why a Monstrous Character?

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

three questions. Rare or Mundane? Consider how common orc, goblin, and similar adventurers are in your setting. Are they regarded as no stranger than elves or dwarves? Are they met with suspicion? The

architects of grand, heavily fortified edifices, which other folk dwell in for a price. The cultural notes in chapter 1 are the standard D&D depiction of these creatures, but by no means do they define them

Life in Godsbreath

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

’ example. The Covenant is a pantheon of deities with a particular interest in Godsbreath. They have varied alignments and interests. This local pantheon is for you to define and might include gods

examples of common given names in Godsbreath: Feminine. Aba, Bilah, Diya, Emilene, Essie, Sukie Masculine. Cato, Ellis, Kumber, Mobe, Saffran, Sogo Gender-Neutral. Deland, Holston, June, Madel, Winter Surnames. Godskith, Grayshore, Hilltop, Longkin, Riveridge

Wuxia

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

Asian martial-arts movies is a perfect match for D&D. Players can define the appearance of their characters and gear however they like for the campaign, and spells need only minor flavor changes so

of a wuxia campaign. The Wuxia Weapon Names table lists alternative names for common weapons from the Player’s Handbook and identifies their real-world cultural origins. An alternative name changes

Erebos's Influence

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

, certain that his lesser brother can’t possibly prevail within Erebos’s own territory. Erebos holds a special grudge against Phenax. Phenax readily teaches others how to escape the Underworld as the

intertwined. Pharika’s tinctures can either extend a life or snuff it out, and Karametra’s planters know that reaping follows sowing in turn. Although he appreciates what these gods have in common with

Androsphinx

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

exterior, however, an androsphinx has a noble heart. It has no wish to lie or deceive, but it doesn’t give away information readily, choosing its words as wisely as it guards its secrets. An

Languages Common, Sphinx Challenge 17 (18,000 XP) Inscrutable. The sphinx is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts, as well as any divination spell that it

Alignment

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

, evil, or neutral), and the other describes attitudes toward society and order (lawful, chaotic, or neutral). Thus, nine distinct alignments define the possible combinations. These brief summaries of the

from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language

Life and Outlook

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

blows over their differences. Kobolds choose mates primarily for convenience. Their 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’s mother is. This practice and the communal raising of the hatchlings mean that the tribe operates like a group of cousins

Miniatures

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

online. The most common unit for tactical maps is the 5-foot square, and maps with grids are readily available and easy to create. However, you don’t have to use a grid at all. You can track distances

having visual aids or physical props, the most common of which are miniatures and a battle grid. Miniatures are typically used in conjunction with model terrain, modular dungeon tiles, or maps drawn

D&D Beyond

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