before building detail certain relatively

Fighter Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

skill. Likewise, a fighter is adept with shields and every form of armor. Beyond that basic degree of familiarity, each fighter specializes in a certain style of combat. Some concentrate on archery

combatants on battlefields and in dungeons alike. Trained for Danger Not every member of the city watch, the village militia, or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops are relatively

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

spellcasting, forming spirals that reflect the mathematical perfection of nature. Suggested Characteristics The bizarre science of the Simic Combine attracts a certain type of personality and encompasses

. 3 I’m eager to explain every detail of my most intricate experiments and theories to anyone who shows the least bit of interest. 4 I assume that everyone needs even the most basic

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

You belong to an order of knights who have sworn oaths to achieve a certain goal. The nature of this goal depends on the order you serve, but in your eyes it is without question a vital and honorable

again in ruins, Dove Falconhand decided to reform the group with the primary goal of building alliances and friendship between the civilized races of the world and goodly people in order to combat evil

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

-minted 1-zino coins) Feature: Legal Authority You have the authority to enforce the laws of Ravnica, and that status inspires a certain amount of respect and even fear in the populace. People mind

way of ensuring that the laws are obeyed. (Lawful) 5 Legislation. The law embodies excellence in its precision and detail. (Lawful) 6 Punishment. A public display of consequences

Changeling

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape the way others might change clothes. A casual shape—one created

, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don’t have rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

knowledge of anatomy to use by narrating the injuries my enemies suffer in grisly detail. 8 Like a wild animal, I lash out viciously when I’m provoked — and I’m easily provoked

the moss-covered building where I took part in my first reclamation mission. 5 I found something in the sewer that must never come to light. 6 I am forever grateful to the reclaimer who

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in knowledge of

, they use local settlements—and any competent visitors—as pawns in their struggle. 4 An ancient deep dragon has put the folk of a city to work building the dragon a metropolis to rule

Travel between Systems

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

multiverse to another. Wildspace systems aren’t fixed in certain locations in the multiverse. Because they’re constantly in motion, like corks bobbing in water, no reliable devices exist to help plot

a course from one Wildspace system to another. Fortunately for travelers, the nature of the Astral Sea makes such journeys relatively easy, as discussed in the next section.

Starting Location

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

Free City of Greyhawk, described later in this chapter, is an ideal starting location and illustrates the kinds of things to consider as you detail a starting location. If you’re building your own

Starting Location Begin your campaign in a location you can detail, such as a village, a neighborhood in a larger city, an outpost, or a roadside tavern. Be prepared to give players enough

The Sea of Moving Ice

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

The Sea of Moving Ice The journey up the Sword Coast isn’t the focus of this chapter, so you don’t need to dwell on it in detail. With favorable winds, Frostskimmr reaches the Sea of Moving Ice in a

at night or spend the night on the water. An ice floe is more comfortable and offers safety from certain aquatic creatures. On the open water, the ship is safer from creatures that hunt only on the

The Sea of Moving Ice

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

The Sea of Moving Ice The journey up the Sword Coast isn’t the focus of this chapter, so you don’t need to dwell on it in detail. With favorable winds, Frostskimmr reaches the Sea of Moving Ice in a

at night or spend the night on the water. An ice floe is more comfortable and offers safety from certain aquatic creatures. On the open water, the ship is safer from creatures that hunt only on the

The War of the Lance

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

Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn game, you can play out certain dramatic battles using that game (though it isn’t required). If you use that game, this book’s adventure will point you to sidebars like

this one that detail when to use the board game and which mass-combat scenarios affect the adventure. Not every one of that game’s scenarios appear in this book. Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn also

Random Buildings

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

, roll on the Building Type table. Then roll on the table corresponding to that building to add further detail. If a roll makes no sense considering where the characters are (such as a lavish mansion

Random Buildings Pulse-pounding chases and harrowing escapes within the confines of a town or city can sometimes force characters to dash into buildings. When you need to flesh out a building quickly

Death House Features

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

ceilings, the third floor has 8-foot-high ceilings, and the attic has 13-foot-high ceilings. Haunted Doors When Strahd enters the house later in this chapter, certain doors marked on the map become

the characters arrive. The cultists take oil lamps into the ritual chamber (area D38) when they gather there. The Mists When the characters enter Death House, the Mists surround the building and prevent

Purpose

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

Purpose A settlement exists primarily to facilitate the story and fun of your campaign. Other than that point, the settlement’s purpose determines the amount of detail you put into it. Create only

of the inn where the characters spend the night, the mannerisms of the shopkeeper they buy supplies from — you can add this level of detail, but you don’t have to. If the characters return to the same

Members Only

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

Members Only Difficulty: Medium A secret club, cultist meeting, or thieves’ guild requires a password to enter. In this puzzle, those who guard a certain door are so secretive that they change the

, “Six.” The figure replies, “Three.” The guard then opens the door, allowing the figure to enter. This building seems to have only one entrance: the oak door with a small slide window. A guard opens the window and speaks a seemingly random number to anyone who knocks on the door.

Dragonmarked Characters

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

associate with different houses but have a common purpose. (See the “Building a Party” section below for suggestions on bringing together a party from different houses.) If the characters work for a single

Agent and various house heir backgrounds in chapter 2 suit characters in this campaign, giving them benefits and capabilities related to their house affiliation. Certain other backgrounds can reflect

Benefits and Favors

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

, to more extraordinary boons, like audiences with powerful figures or exceptions from certain laws. Specific benefits are presented in more detail in the benefits section of each group patron. Beyond

Play Style

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

Play Style By building a new world (or adopting an existing one) and creating the key events that launch your campaign, you determined what your campaign is about. Next, you have to decide how you

kick in the dungeon door, fight the monsters, and grab the treasure. This style of play is straightforward, fun, exciting, and action-oriented. The players spend relatively little time developing

1. Create a Home Base

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

1. Create a Home Base See the “Settlements” section earlier in this chapter for guidance on building this settlement. A small town or village at the edge of the wilderness serves as a fine home base

reasons (legitimate or otherwise), throwing them into the midst of the adventure. For each of these steps, give the locations only as much detail as they need. You don’t need to identify every

Monastery Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Monastery Features Most of the Sacred Stone Monastery appears to be in good shape except for the eastern end of the building (areas M16 and area M17), with its crumbling walls and heaps of rubble

of crumbling masonry or poorly fitted fieldstone, so they’re relatively easy to climb. The wall surrounding the garden (area M14) is 10 feet high. Windows. The monastery windows are narrow and tall

Making a Plan

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

the ground. (This tower is detailed in the “Threshold of the Heavens” section.) Occupied Mansion. Small patrols come and go from a ruined mansion a third of the way across the city. (This building is

Spire at the city’s center and find the Dragon Army’s leaders (see “Threshold of the Heavens”). Use the following sections to further detail the ruins as much as you please. This chapter concludes at

Event-Based Adventures

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

common example of this type of villain, your villain could be a serial arsonist favoring a certain type of building, a magical sickness that affects spellcasters who cast a specific spell, a thief that

importance. Building an event-based adventure is more work than building a location-based one, but the process can be simplified by following a number of straightforward steps. Several steps include tables

1. Choose a Race

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

with certain weapons or tools, proficiency in one or more skills, or the ability to use minor spells. These traits sometimes dovetail with the capabilities of certain classes (see step 2). For example

them later. Record the traits granted by your race on your character sheet. Be sure to note your starting languages and your base speed as well. BUILDING BRUENOR, STEP 1 Bob is sitting down to

Idyllglen Features

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

businesses that the gnolls have set ablaze. The buildings’ supplies were taken by fleeing townsfolk or ransacked by Yeenoghu’s horde. Each building is one or two stories tall (DM’s choice) and 10 feet

high per story. The interior rooms of the buildings have 9-foot-high ceilings with 8-foot-high doorways connecting them. A character can climb the walls of a building without equipment by succeeding on

1. Choose a Race

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

character’s race grants particular racial traits, such as special senses, proficiency with certain weapons or tools, proficiency in one or more skills, or the ability to use minor spells. These traits

sometimes dovetail with the capabilities of certain classes (see step 2). For example, the racial traits of lightfoot halflings make them exceptional rogues, and high elves tend to be powerful

Chapter 2: Dungeon Master's Tools

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

. The chapter opens with optional rules meant to help you run certain parts of the game more smoothly. The chapter then goes into greater depth on several topics — encounter building, random encounters

Noncombat Challenges

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

agreement with a clan of surly dwarves, or successfully navigate the Chasm of Doom, you might decide that they deserve an XP reward. As a starting point, use the rules for building combat encounters in

failure. Milestones You can also award XP when characters complete significant milestones. When preparing your adventure, designate certain events or challenges as milestones, as with the following

Golems

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

the Dungeon Master’s Guide). The comprehensive illustrations and instructions in a manual detail the process for creating a golem of a particular type. “Beyond the unopenable doors lay a grand hall

.” — Mordenkainen the Archmage, chronicling his party’s harrowing exploits in the dungeons below Maure Castle Elemental Spirit in Material Form. The construction of a golem begins with the building

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

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

recognize from the events of the Tyranny of Dragons adventures, while others were meant to provide inspiration for events parallel stories could detail. Beyond these, this gallery also includes a

ideas never fully expressed in Tyranny of Dragons, while others reveal deeper depths to adventure elements hiding whole conceptual icebergs. Certain components central to the adventure also see extensive

Caer Flur

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light

largest village is Caer Flur, a relatively young settlement that’s home to five hundred residents. Elves are most of the population, alongside a small number of kithkin. Structures are interspersed

voice of calm amid the stress of building a new settlement. An elf, Taylin organizes the farmers and gardeners to provide the village with food. Taylin also settles disputes among the disparate clans

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

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

recognize from the events of the Tyranny of Dragons adventures, while others were meant to provide inspiration for events parallel stories could detail. Beyond these, this gallery also includes a

ideas never fully expressed in Tyranny of Dragons, while others reveal deeper depths to adventure elements hiding whole conceptual icebergs. Certain components central to the adventure also see extensive

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

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

recognize from the events of the Tyranny of Dragons adventures, while others were meant to provide inspiration for events parallel stories could detail. Beyond these, this gallery also includes a

ideas never fully expressed in Tyranny of Dragons, while others reveal deeper depths to adventure elements hiding whole conceptual icebergs. Certain components central to the adventure also see extensive

DM Tips

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

something, correct yourself and move on. No one expects you to memorize every rule or detail. Even if you don’t realize your mistake until after a game session is over, it’s OK to acknowledge the mistake

game and keep track of your campaign. These sheets are also available for download in appendix C. Encounter-Building Assistance. The rules for estimating the difficulty of combat encounters have

Awarding XP

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

point, use the rules for building combat encounters in chapter 4 to gauge the difficulty of the challenge. Then award the characters XP as if it had been a combat encounter of the same difficulty

. Milestones You can also award XP when characters complete significant milestones. When preparing your adventure, designate certain events or challenges as milestones, as with the following examples

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