being barely diffusing cutting rather

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as

treasures locked in a cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have little patience for dithering. Kind and

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome. Cold and Calculating Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in

pity. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long. The typical human would barely make it through a day in the swamps. Still

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

interest of maintaining the strength of their personal bloodline. The yuan-ti have abandoned their humanity and consider non-serpentine humanoids to be lesser creatures, barely more civilized than

of evil that calls for them to butcher or eradicate all who oppose them. In keeping with their goal of domination, the yuan-ti would rather capture potentially useful opponents than kill them. They use

Secret Doors

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

, as shown in the Secret Doors table. You can instead call for an Intelligence (Investigation) check if the challenge involves deducing that a door is present from noticeable clues, rather than

spotting those clues in the first place. See “Perception” in chapter 2 for more advice. Secret Doors Secret Door DC to Detect Barely hidden secret door 10 Standard secret door 15 Well-hidden secret

College of Lore

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

monarch or following the tenets of a deity. A noble who keeps such a bard as a herald or advisor knows that the bard would rather be honest than politic. The college’s members gather in libraries and

, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important figures of authority. Bonus Proficiencies When you join the College of Lore at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with three skills of your choice. Cutting Words

College of Lore

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

monarch or following the tenets of a deity. A noble who keeps such a bard as a herald or advisor knows that the bard would rather be honest than politic. The college’s members gather in libraries and

, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important figures of authority. Bonus Proficiencies When you join the College of Lore at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with three skills of your choice. Cutting Words

Treasure

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

and serve as a final, vexing puzzle for anyone who tries to make use of an item without her consent. A hag’s treasure — like a gift from a fey being — should be doubted and even feared rather than

simply being scooped up and carted away. Treasure-seekers are likely to fare better if they consider a hag’s booty to be trapped, exercising caution rather than giving in to greed or curiosity

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to

typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game running. There are times

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules

things they don’t. In a typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game

Starting the Adventure

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

mask. The rider barely manages to stay in the saddle, his body bristling with cruel black arrows. Blind with panic, the horse plows on, threatening to trample travelers in its path. Before it can

black blood. His mask is clearly a funerary mask, though it’s cast of gold rather than clay. Characters who succeed on a DC 10 Intelligence check recognize the strange individual as one of the

Pursuit Level

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

have the characters cornered, giving them a chance to run. Likewise, a minor earthquake (caused by instability from the demonic incursion or a wild magic surge) might cause a cave-in, cutting off a

tunnel between the party and their pursuers, and dropping the pursuit level by 1 or 2. Don’t do this so often that the players feel they haven’t earned it, but use it as an option to keep the pursuit going rather than coming to an anticlimactic conclusion.

Gnoll Tactics

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

a past victim. Gnolls use ranged attacks mainly to prevent their prey from fleeing, rather than softening up their targets with an initial barrage of arrows before an assault. A target wounded by a

bow shot becomes easy prey for any gnolls near it. Some particularly clever gnolls have been known to use burning arrows to spark fires, cutting off their prey’s escape routes and driving victims into

Life in the Domains of Dread

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

might exhibit traditions and technologies unheard of in other domains. The specifics of each domain’s technological advancements are left to you. If you wish domains to feature cutting-edge weird

domains, locals measure time by “moons” rather than months. As a measurement of time, each moon begins on the first night of a full moon and lasts a full lunar cycle. A year consists of twelve moons, or

Settlers, Squatters, and Invaders

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

oversees all of Blingdenstone’s mines, as well as the mining, cutting, and enchanting of spell gems (see appendix B), both for the settlement’s defense and for trade export. Stoneheart Enclave This group

. In the last year, a handful of svirfneblin youths have been training in secret under the rather terrifying care of the veteran Burrow Warden Jadger, who lingers on as a ghost. In life, Jadger was an

Dolindar Tomb Locations

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

. She’s not interested in fighting, since fights make messes. Nikki Dawes Newmy Talking with Newmy. Newmy would rather talk than fight. She shares the following points: Crypt Cleaner. The Dolindars

is illegible due to advanced age, but the carved phrase “Home Again, To Rest Forever” is barely legible above the tomb’s doorway.

Alley: Autumn

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

the stone. After searching Fenerus’s home and finding nothing, they were waiting for Fenerus to return when the drow showed up. The drow barely got away with their lives. THE THREE URCHINS Three

is why he would rather send a small group of adventurers than call upon a Bregan D’aerthe attack force.) Characters who are suspicious of Laeral’s intentions can ascertain that she’s hiding something

Demons

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

Demons Spawned in the Infinite Layers of the Abyss, demons are the embodiment of chaos and evil — engines of destruction barely contained in monstrous form. Possessing no compassion, empathy, or

promotions never stem from a demon’s deeds or accomplishments. Rather, a demon lord might warp a manes into a quasit when it needs an invisible spy, or turn an army of dretches into hezrous when

Beholder Lairs

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

chambers are connected by vertical or steeply sloped tunnels that the beholder carves out of the surrounding stone, each passage barely large enough to admit the beholder’s body. Enemies that are too big

the beholder’s favorite pieces of sculpture. Vestibule Beyond the lair entrance lies the vestibule. Rather than being sculpted with tools or eye rays, the entrance and the vestibule are left in their

Warehouse Environs

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

is Captain Mergen Truff (NG female elf veteran), a laconic figure who would rather be doing “real work” than standing here warning off vagrants too foolish to avoid falling into a massive hole in the

pack and squints at its barely legible writing. “So which one of you is Ozgood the Ugly? I need you to sign before you go in. Nothing but paperwork and signatures since the newest Masked Lords got

Island Approach and First Floor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

cutting block bearing half a loaf of bread stands in the center of the room, next to an empty table. Shelves for holding dishes and utensils line the east wall. The kettle contains cold vegetable soup

larder turns up a single piece of damp, crumpled parchment showing barely legible lines and writing. This is a map dropped here by one of the drowned ones that ransacked this area, formerly a navigator on

Rogue Subclasses

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

plus your Dexterity modifier and Proficiency Bonus), or the attack’s damage is doubled against the target. Soulknife Strike Foes with Psionic Blades A Soulknife strikes with the mind, cutting through

can determine your jump distance using your Dexterity rather than your Strength. Level 9: Supreme Sneak You gain the following Cunning Strike option. Stealth Attack (Cost: 1d6). If you have the Hide

Hrakhamar

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

. The box is made of iron and resembles a book, and it opens from both sides, rather like the front and back covers of a book. One side bears the dwarven rune for “beginnings,” the other bears the rune

second fragment of gold, so thoroughly hammered that it’s barely recognizable. These keys once unlocked the door to the treasury (area 6) and are beyond repair; so little of them remains that not

Tier 1 Locations

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

are barely visible. The room holds a scene of chaos: a river cascades through a bottomless abyss, suddenly transforming into a ribbon of iron. A nearby boulder blooms into fire as lightning scatters

monsters fight characters wearing circlets. Their damaging actions deal Psychic damage rather than the type the creatures depicted would normally deal, but they are otherwise fully real as far as the

Climbing Kelvin's Cairn

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

reach a steep, snow-covered incline dotted with jagged rocks. Lying facedown in the snow, barely conscious, is a humanoid in bloodstained cold weather clothing. The figure in the snow is Garret Velryn

escaped immediate death at the hands of the yeti but, in her panic, fled up the mountain rather than down it. Unwilling to approach the yeti cave again too soon, Astrix took refuge here. The sight of the

Appendix: Roleplaying Cards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

precarious situations when he has an audience, confident that his speed and cunning will see him through danger. He leads by example rather than by dictate. Alignment. Chaotic evil. Personality Trait

afterward, rather than continue the search on his own. When he’s not straining at some feat of athleticism, he’s reading books of poetry. Alignment. Neutral good. Personality Trait. “I treat my

Appendix D: Roleplaying Cards

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

precarious situations when he has an audience, confident that his speed and cunning will see him through danger. He leads by example rather than by dictate. Alignment. Chaotic evil. Personality Trait

afterward, rather than continue the search on his own. When he’s not straining at some feat of athleticism, he’s reading books of poetry. Alignment. Neutral good. Personality Trait. “I treat my

Red Larch Locations

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

wagon). Inside, feathers drift in the air. Cages and casks sit at the street end of the building, followed by two brick cooking-hearths, long and bloodstained cutting tables, and a plucking area in

) answer. He isn’t a very good businessman and barely breaks even, but he doesn’t seem to care. 14. Mhandyvver’s Poultry This wooden building grew haphazardly for many years, shooting out single-story

Locations in Triboar

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

room, barely noticed by the Troll’s other patrons. A lifelong resident of Neverwinter, he was “banished” by his superiors to the Allfaiths Shrine in Red Larch. He has yet to arrive there, choosing

Triboar forbids cutting any wood from these trees or hunting any creature in the woods. Many of the trees in Gwaeron’s Slumber are trapped in a perpetual autumnal state, with leaves in dazzling shades

Outer City Gazetteer

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

visitors might bring with them. Few seek the church’s services on their own. Rather, most who come to dwell at the church either have a room rented for them by concerned family or receive a somewhat

have ferried them around the outside of the walls. The stables are also unusual in their willingness to rent mounts to city residents in need of transportation, cutting down on the need of city dwellers

Outer City Gazetteer

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

extol the virtues of meditation and whatever calm faiths visitors might bring with them. Few seek the church’s services on their own. Rather, most who come to dwell at the church either have a room

of transportation, cutting down on the need of city dwellers to own their own horses. Yet the true gem setting Garynmor Stables apart is its menagerie. A former world traveler, Ubis Garynmor (chaotic

Tour of the Planes

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

the landscape, capable of cutting the unprepared to ribbons. For all its danger, Shavarath holds weapons of legend and a wealth of knowledge on the art of war. Shavarath Manifest Zone Features d4

— rather, it’s a domain frozen by its prince’s broken heart. If the prince’s story were changed, the realm would change with it. Time and space are both malleable in the Faerie Court, and a mortal who

Harrowhall Locations

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

the characters what brings them to the keep. Patrin explains that he and his colleagues sought a book called Exploring Arcanum, known to be in the possession of a necromancer named Gremorly. Rather

who tried to rob Gremorly’s keep. The necromancer killed them, and they’ve been arguing over who is to blame ever since. They’re not sure how long it has been, as they can barely remember anything

Briny Maze Locations

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

Varakkta lives here with two githyanki warriors named Kianka and Vazzi. Varakkta is using a spare greatsword rather than her silver greatsword, so her attacks don’t count as magical. She speaks Common

Jomlus on subtle shifts in pronunciation for many weeks, believing his understanding to be just barely out of reach. Klaudel eventually died and was absorbed into the walls of the Briny Maze. Jomlus

Ziggurat Locations, Tiers 1–3

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

creature that ends its turn in the room takes 1 poison damage. Creatures reduced to 0 hit points by the gas have the unconscious condition but are stable rather than dying. If all characters succumb

. Six crates are stacked on a frayed rug in the center of the room. Atop the crates, two tiny creatures chat merrily, each barely a foot tall with delicate wings and sparkling hair. A third creature dives

Locations I - L

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

to be the easternmost extent of the Spine of the World, rather than being mountain ranges in their own right. The difference is academic, since all three areas have soaring peaks, permanent snowpack

to attack and set fire to these lodges, but the orcs keep cutting down trees and rebuilding them. Icewind Dale Icewind Dale has snow, ice, and freezing temperatures in abundance. The sun never rises

D&D Beyond

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