better before defusing count resolve

Quandrix Professor of Theory

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

probability to impede attacks and strike at the minds of their foes with lancing equations that disrupt the opponent’s resolve. Professors of theory hold that altering the way a person

interacts with the world can change the world. They impress upon their students to use magic as a tool to shape the overall experience of reality, and in turn make the world a better place. Quandrix

Warduke

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

better comes along.” Flaw. “I don’t have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Warduke likes to hit things with his sword; it’s as simple as that. League of

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

feel beholden to stay on good terms with her vile spawn, the hags of the Hourglass Coven.” Flaw. “I don't have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Skylla is not an

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

away. Auril instantly reappears in her Auril (Second Form);second form, in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of where her first form disappeared. Her initiative count doesn’t change. Innate

weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

woven hair. The city contains wandering undead, many of which are engaged in continuous battles with one another. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Orcus can take a lair

square that he can see. They last until the next initiative count 20. Each creature in that area when the arms appear must succeed on a DC 23 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the arms

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

disappeared. The greater emissary uses the lesser emissary’s initiative count. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual

and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

ice, whereupon Auril instantly reappears in her Auril (Third Form);third form, in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of where her second form was destroyed. Her initiative count doesn’t change

that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale from the rest of the world, and a shroud of mist

Claugiyliamatar

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

home and hunting ground of the ancient female green dragon Claugiyliamatar, better known to many as Old Gnawbone. She earned her nickname from her habit of gnawing on old kills, and is often seen

their lairs with vegetation. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the dragon can’t use the same

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale

the regional effects that encompass the island. While she’s on the island, the Frostmaiden can take one of the following lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties): Auril

Claugiyliamatar (possessed)

Monsters Divine Contention

underground city known as Southkrypt. For centuries, Kryptgarden Forest has been the home and hunting ground of the ancient female green dragon Claugiyliamatar, better known to many as Old Gnawbone. She

concealed behind waterfalls, or partly submerged caverns that can be accessed through lakes or streams. Others conceal the entrances to their lairs with vegetation. Lair Actions On initiative count 20

Morkoth Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

core of the warren, where the pearly matter of the island is also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most

to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the morkoth takes a lair action to cause one of the effects described below: The morkoth uses its Hypnosis action, originating

Falthrax's Resolve

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

focusing on the positive aspects of his life and his service to knowledge. Though his struggles aren’t over, a new inner resolve promises to leave him in a better position to face those struggles.

Falthrax’s Resolve With the curse lifted, Falthrax Loderr is ready to return to Candlekeep. The experience of having sought and then rejected a magical return to youth has taught him much about

Adult Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

illusions, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to

their way to avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your

avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk of the world

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another, and

mushrooms and plants in neatly organized displays. The challenge rating of a legendary deep dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

fragments that make up the island’s core are also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most of the lair

is underwater. A morkoth encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 12 (8,400 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the morkoth can take one of the following

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another

initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can take one of the following lair actions; the dragon can’t take the same lair action two rounds in a row: Deep Torpor. The dragon casts the

Resolving Activities

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

Resolving Activities The description of each activity tells you how to resolve it. Many activities require an ability check, so be sure to note the character’s relevant ability modifiers. Follow the

spend at least 8 hours of each day engaged in the downtime activity for that day to count toward the activity’s completion. The days of an activity don’t need to be consecutive; you can spread them

Domain Overview

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

, something creepy with something cute, dead with alive, threatening with welcoming. Mix details together in unexpected ways, the more unnatural or off-putting the better. Rationalize and Normalize

devilish lights in the swamp are nothing but swamp gas, and the current reclusive count is the descendant of the region’s original reclusive count. Many of the domain’s inhabitants are likely

Shaking Loose

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

, the vibration of its clacking gears sends showers of loose stones down the crevasse walls. Once the engine has been activated, it “acts” on initiative count 15. Mephit Madness On the round after the

Maze Engine activates, two magma mephits fly out of the magma on initiative count 10. Two more magma mephits emerge from the magma each round thereafter on the same initiative count, until a dozen

Running This Chapter

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

Running This Chapter In this chapter, the characters explore the halls of Lavoglia, better known as the Palace of Heart’s Desire. Most likely, they’ve learned of Zybilna’s betrayal at the hands of

can free Zybilna and count on her help in return—perhaps even gaining a wish spell for their trouble. Before your first game session in this chapter, follow these steps to help make the players

Tiers of Play

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

hopes of striking a useful alliance. The tiers of play represent the ideal milestones for introducing new world-shaking events to the campaign. As the characters resolve one event, a new danger arises

about the details of the next tier as the characters approach it. Even better, as the campaign takes unexpected turns in response to the players’ choices, you don’t have to worry about redoing much work.

Frequency of Bastion Turns

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

in your Bastions. Go ahead and resolve six Bastion turns.” The characters return to their Bastions in the midst of an adventure. You might say, “You have just enough time to take a Bastion turn

take one now.” You can slow the frequency of Bastion turns to better serve the needs of your players and your campaign. For example, if the characters have months between adventures, you can call for

Demons and Souls

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

Demons and Souls Demons feast not on food or water, but on souls. These fuel their bloodthirsty powers, and while starved for souls, a demon can scarcely think. Soul Count A demon’s stat block states

average number. Soul Devourer Demons can gain more souls by slaying other creatures, as described in their Soul Devourer trait. Unlike hit points, there is no maximum limit to a demon’s soul count. Soul

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

against the schemes and ambitions of the other guilds, so much the better. Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Medicine Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A Simic insignia, a set of

My research builds on my parents’ work and takes it in interesting new directions. 2 If a serious problem confounds me, I can count on my mentor to provide clarity of thought. 3 A

Moral Quandaries

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

Moral Quandaries If you want to give the characters a crisis that no amount of spellcasting or swordplay can resolve, add a moral quandary to the adventure. A moral quandary is a problem of

Respect quandary Ally Quandary. The adventurers have a better chance of achieving their goal with the help of two individuals whose expertise is all but essential. However, these two NPCs hate each

2. Unhappy Cultists

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

Stormlord to be forced into playing the part of glorified longshoremen. The cultists here (spies) number two per character, including sidekicks. A Better Offer? The party could avoid a fight here

if they understand the frustration of the cultists and go in immediately with a better offer. To get the dialogue started on a good note, one of the characters must approach the group and talk to them

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

: Review the zombie stat block below. Use the initiative rules to determine who acts first, second, third, and so on. Keep track of everyone’s initiative count on your notepad. On the zombies’ initiative

Breaking the Archetypes

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

clear why you make a great addition to any franchise. Cavalier An Acquisitions Incorporated franchise is a heady mix of adventuring and business, and both those pursuits require travel. Who better to

, providing a boon to your franchise’s standing in the community. Any franchise could do worse than having you as its public face — especially when your sense of quiet resolve is needed to quietly resolve some unexpected business disaster.

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, or secret backstabbing and outright fights over the title. Most often, the victor in such a struggle comes from another family of the lasher caste, and any allies of the previous boss count themselves

new leader can act as the real boss. If the creature brushes aside such manipulation, the tribe falls into line behind the new tyrant—better to abide the new rule than conspire against it and be

Strahd von Zarovich

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

Strahd von Zarovich In the halls of Castle Ravenloft, Count Strahd von Zarovich clings to ancient obsessions In life, Count Strahd von Zarovich was a ruthlessly effective conqueror. Over decades

her, Strahd sought to woo Tatyana but was soundly rebuffed. Unwilling to accept her wishes or Sergei as his better, Strahd delved into the sinister secrets of his land and came to learn of the Amber

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

: Review the zombie stat block in appendix B. Use the initiative rules to determine who acts first, second, third, and so on. Keep track of everyone’s initiative count on your notepad. On the zombies

Immersive Storytelling

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

Immersive Storytelling Waterdeep is threatened by political turmoil. The adventurers must convince the Masked Lords, the city’s secret rulers, to resolve their differences, but can do so only after

against the player’s better judgment, because “that’s what the character would do.” Since combat isn’t the focus, game rules take a back seat to character development. Ability check modifiers and skill

Tactics

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

a sick or weak kobold who is otherwise unable to contribute to the tribe’s needs. Using hit-and-run maneuvers, fleeing between attacks to better or more secure vantage points. Often their goal is to

attacks over the round instead of having them all act on the same initiative count. Doing this gives the kobolds more opportunities to react to what their enemies do, and makes it harder for players to coordinate their characters’ attacks because not all the kobolds take their actions at the same time.

D&D Beyond

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