before burden diffusing combat reality - Search

Deck of Many Things

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

effect. Comet. The next time you enter combat against one or more Hostile creatures, you can select one of them as your foe when you roll Initiative. If you reduce your foe to 0 Hit Points during that

combat, you have Advantage on Death Saving Throws for 1 year. If someone else reduces your chosen foe to 0 Hit Points or you don’t choose a foe, this card has no effect. Donjon. You disappear

Ruinstone

Magic Items Divine Contention

combat it’s simplest to allow them the opportunity to “rewind” one action and take it again, or to reroll a failed saving throw (if it can still take actions). Each use of the

artifact has a terrible side effect: someone known to the wielder is also erased from reality. After the villain uses the ruinstone, roll a d20: on a 5-20, one of their allies disintegrates, on an 1-4

Alkilith

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the alkilith move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern

demonic nature of the alkilith, making what should be a dire warning appear strange but otherwise innocuous. Wherever alkiliths take root, they weaken the fabric of reality, creating a portal through

Tiefling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his

tieflings, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect their personality. They are gifted with magic from the infernal realms but chart their own course in life.

Feral Tiefling

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his

watch might follow a tiefling around for a while, and demagogues blame tieflings for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

hiding themselves in brush and rubble. Rangers focus their combat training on techniques that are particularly useful against their specific favored foes. Thanks to their familiarity with the wilds

, rangers acquire the ability to cast spells that harness nature’s power, much as a druid does. Their spells, like their combat abilities, emphasize speed, stealth, and the hunt. A ranger’s

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

. The reality of the dangers they faced eventually sank in, as did Lurue’s tenets. Over time the small group grew and spread, gaining a following in places as far as Cormyr. The Knights of the

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

Ghost Stories

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

their suffering with the living. Ghost stories touch on fundamental issues of human existence: the nature of the soul, the weighty fact of mortality, and the burden of ancestry and history. Spirits

events. Look for ways to test heroes’ psychology with your hauntings. Heroes need agency—a way to put spirits to rest. Once the story is revealed, ensure the way to combat the haunting is clear. Spirits are often evil, but they need not be. A spirit might appear to warn heroes of impending doom.

Keeping Combat Moving

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

Keeping Combat Moving Sometimes even the best-planned combat encounter can turn into a slog, where no one’s moving and neither side is hitting or dealing much damage to the other. When that happens

chase the character. Move the monsters somewhere else. Hasten a Monster’s Demise If a combat has gone on long enough and the characters’ victory is almost certain, you can simply have the monster drop

Classes Summary

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

, sickles, slings, spears Fighter A master of martial combat, skilled with a variety of weapons and armor d10 Strength or Dexterity Strength & Constitution All armor, shields, simple and martial

nature magic to combat threats on the edges of civilization d10 Dexterity & Wisdom Strength & Dexterity Light and medium armor, shields, simple and martial weapons Rogue A scoundrel who

Using These Rules

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

character attempts, and describes the three broad categories of activity in the game: exploration, interaction, and combat. Part 3 is all about magic. It covers the nature of magic in the worlds of D

that characters can become associated with. Appendix D explores the multitude of worlds and alternate dimensions of reality, called the planes of existence. Finally, players can use the character

Danger in the Hills

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

above the subterranean lair of a copper dragon. Their two Giant Axe Beaks serve as beasts of burden and hunting companions, and they fight at the giants’ command. As an Influence action, a character can

13 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a success, the attitude of the giant shifts to Indifferent. The other giants demand similar payment; if the character refuses, the Hostile giants begin combat. On a

Cattle

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

large, fierce bovine with jutting horns. In many lands, herds of aurochs roam free, while elsewhere orcs and humans train them from an early age to carry riders into combat. Aurochs Large Beast (Cattle

) INT 2 (–4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 4 (–3) Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages — Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2 Beast of Burden. The rothé

Finding Iymrith

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

Finding Iymrith The storm giants bear the burden of finding the dragon so that the characters can focus on preparing themselves for the final showdown. Hekaton and Serissa know that blue dragons

roll initiative for each storm giant. The former approach expedites combat; the latter leads to a battle with more verisimilitude. HARSHNAG RETURNS! If the characters decide to confront Iymrith

Stage 2: Little Inn of Horrors

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

Stage 2: Little Inn of Horrors The Test Market warps reality the moment any character opens a door within the Dran & Courtier. The first time this happens, all the characters find themselves back in

. Inside the room are two chuuls. One has grappled Chance (from area 3), and both are feasting on the unconscious half-elf spy. The chuul drops Chance as combat begins, leaving the spy unconscious with

Narration in Combat

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

Narration in Combat Although it’s important that the players understand what’s going on in terms of the rules, the game can get dull if everyone uses only “gamespeak”: “That’s an 18 to hit,” “You hit

probably wouldn’t harmed by Fire Bolt; feel free to confirm their guesses. Actions in Combat When a monster takes an action in combat, the players need to have some idea what’s going on both in the

Boros Angels

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

angels are paragons of goodness, wisdom, and mercy. The reality is that angels aren’t immune to the temptations of corruption, and the necessities of political machination can compromise the best of them

Monster Manual), but their appearance is similar to other Boros angels. Battleforce Angel Battleforce angels are the radiant hosts that soar into combat, bathed in the light of Boros zeal. They lead

Kruphix's Champions

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

important to me than what he stands for. (Any) 2 Balance. Too much power in any one place is a threat to us all. (Lawful) 3 Selflessness. I accept the burden of knowledge so that others don’t

have to. (Good) 4 Knowledge. I seek out dangerous secrets so that I can know the nature of reality. (Neutral) 5 Power. The best thing about knowing a secret is getting to use it against

The End of the World

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

clockwork components spinning rapidly, glowing with power. Behind Splugoth is a rift in reality — a purple wound in the world, beyond which you can see goblins with purple eyes, extra limbs, and other

subconscious, the ritual manifests the most terrifying figures the characters can think of — their bosses. At the start of combat, wraithlike Far Realm versions of Omin Dran, Jim Darkmagic, Môrgæn, and Viari

Lady of Masks

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

Lady of Masks Countess Sansuri is a greedy and vainglorious giant who lives in the clouds, untethered from reality, convinced that she is the victim of a great injustice and surrounded by jealous

in combat, Sansuri has them stripped of their armor, weapons, and other equipment. Such items are stored in area 2 until Sansuri has the time and wherewithal to inspect them more thoroughly with the

Suggested Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Baldur’s Gate. On a lark, they took the unicorn goddess Lurue as their mascot and went on various adventures for fun. The reality of the dangers they faced eventually sank in, as did Lurue’s tenets

building alliances and friendship between the civilized races of the world and goodly people in order to combat evil. The Knights of Myth Drannor once again ride the roads of the Dalelands, and they’ve

3. Roost of the Conch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

necessary for combat, may result in the character taking a spill. A character who uses the Dash action or tries to fight within the room must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. The

companion. Creature. The boulder is in reality a huge shell inhabited by Kalka-Kylla (see appendix B), a giant hermit crab. The bamboo staff is one of its legs; a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Nature

Alkilith

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

alkilith, making what should be a dire warning appear strange but otherwise innocuous. Wherever alkiliths take root, they weaken the fabric of reality, creating a portal through which even nastier demons can

start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the alkilith move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to

The Infernal Machine of Lum the Mad

Magic Items Infernal Machine Rebuild

, conjure fey Wish. The Infernal Machine has the ability to bend the nature of reality, with the proper combination of controls recreating the effect of a wish spell (including all side effects). Due to

. The first time during a combat that a creature attacks you with a metal weapon, that creature has disadvantage on the attack roll. Metal rusts in response to your touch—including metal armor you

Giants and Other Ancients

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

decide to create a campaign where the conflicts among the ancients, like the Thousand-Year War between giants and dragons in the Forgotten Realms, are not a matter of ancient history but a present reality

combat krakens and other nightmares of the deep while coastal cities and merchant ships struggle to endure devastating storms and tidal waves. The Thousand-Year War in the Forgotten Realms lasted a

Classes

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

, sickles, slings, spears Fighter A master of martial combat, skilled with a variety of weapons and armor d10 Strength or Dexterity Strength & Constitution All armor, shields

A warrior who uses martial prowess and nature magic to combat threats on the edges of civilization d10 Dexterity & Wisdom Strength & Dexterity Light and medium armor, shields, simple

Thalivar's Beacon Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

stuffed oddities acquired from other worlds. If combat occurs here, any creature that misses with a melee weapon attack must roll a d20 on the Alchemical Mishaps table. Alchemical Mishaps d20 Mishap

, altering reality so that any consequences of that action are erased. For example, a creature could undo the killing blow that they dealt to an enemy, causing that enemy to return to life in the position

Seagrow Caves Locations

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

suddenly stirs to life. It extends long purple tendrils toward you and moves slowly across the cave floor on root-like tendrils. Running the Combat. Because the violet fungi move so slowly, it’s

fungi. If the adults become aware of danger through the noise of combat (or the sprouts’ Distress Spores), they move as quickly as they can to protect the sprouts. If the characters defeat the violet

Mausoleum Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

surprise the cultists if they sneak up on them after silently opening the door from area E1. If combat ensues here, any monsters present in areas E3 and E4 are alerted to the battle and arrive after

here are broad, but in combat it’s simplest to allow them the opportunity to “rewind” one action and take it again, or to reroll a failed saving throw (if it can still take actions). . Each use of

Horror Pacing

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

, combat, and other types of encounters to create interesting and engaging pacing. Ensure that scenes are always somehow relevant to your story and move characters toward their goals. Logistics You often

. Undermine Reality Dread and uncertainty are keys to engaging horror adventures. Horrific experiences or supernatural settings undermine assumptions about what can or can’t happen. Have a character

The Grand Design

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

end, each colony conducts research into the nature of the world and the creatures that inhabit it. The mind flayers examine all facets of reality, seeking any knowledge that could give them the edge

brain’s power to enable it to exert influence over a greater distance. Destruction. Because mind flayers are physically weak, they can’t rely on simple combat to stand up against their enemies. If a colony

Kobold Lairs

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

’ territory. Adventurers trying to eradicate a kobold infestation often find themselves stuck in low passages too narrow to turn around in, forcing them to move in single file and putting the burden of combat

Deck of Many Things

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

effect. Comet The next time you enter combat against one or more Hostile creatures, you can select one of them as your foe when you roll Initiative. If you reduce your foe to 0 Hit Points during that

combat, you have Advantage on Death Saving Throws for 1 year. If someone else reduces your chosen foe to 0 Hit Points or you don’t choose a foe, this card has no effect. Donjon You disappear and become

Deck of Many Things

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

effect. Comet The next time you enter combat against one or more Hostile creatures, you can select one of them as your foe when you roll Initiative. If you reduce your foe to 0 Hit Points during that

combat, you have Advantage on Death Saving Throws for 1 year. If someone else reduces your chosen foe to 0 Hit Points or you don’t choose a foe, this card has no effect. Donjon You disappear and become

Sleeping Giant

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

piece of the petrified giant that gave the tavern its name. In reality, this is an obelisk shard. During the night, a band of goblins broke into the Sleeping Giant, smashed the bar to extract the obelisk

commander, and the other two goblins are goblin psi brawlers (see appendix A for both stat blocks). All three goblins attack once spotted. During the ensuing combat, the goblins do their best to stay on the

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