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Returning 35 results for 'better before down contested rules'.
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Folk Hero
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
you.
Suggested Characteristics
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their
.
d6
Flaw
1
The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed.
2
I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of
Deep Dragon Wyrmling
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
"}
Ideal
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
it to the surface world. Lost and confused, the wyrmling has been captured by a group of cruel adventurers.
3
A deep dragon wyrmling whimsically rules over a worshipful group of kobolds, sending
Orcus
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Monsters
Out of the Abyss
chapter 7, "Treasure” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair
Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules
tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.”
61–80
“I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.”
81–00
“I am awash in
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
;
Suggested Characteristics
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities
1
The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed.
2
I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure.
3
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
with me to pursue my destiny.
d6
Flaw
1
The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed.
2
I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and
city, especially hard drink.
5
Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land.
6
I have trouble trusting in my allies.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
(area 8), who ring the gong to sound the alarm. Characters stand a better chance of infiltrating the den if they approach cautiously, taking advantage of the terrain and using darkness, fog, camouflage
, or magic to conceal their movement. Regardless of how the characters approach the den, have them make a group Dexterity (Stealth) check contested by the hobgoblins’ Wisdom (Perception) check. (Roll
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
contested by the goblins’ passive Wisdom (Perception) score to avoid being surprised. See the Basic Rules for more information on ability check contests. Thickets. The thickets around the clearing are
difficult terrain, but they aren’t dangerous—just annoying. They provide half cover to creatures behind them. (See “Difficult Terrain” and “Cover” in the Basic Rules for more information.)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
, making sure the rules serve the group’s fun. Tutorials in each adventure teach you some of those rules, but you’ll want to reference the D&D Beyond Basic Rules to better understand them. Keep It Secret
explore. Then you use a combination of imagination and the game’s rules to determine the results of the adventurers’ decisions. Adjudicate the Rules. You oversee how the group uses the game’s rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Rules House rules include optional rules, such as those presented in chapter 9 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and rules you create. If you plan to use any house rules, session zero is a good time to
discuss those rules with the players and solicit their input. House rules are best presented as experiments, and time will tell if they’re good for your game. If you introduce a house rule in session
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
, twenty feet above the floor.
Any character who can see the bridge in area 5 might also notice the goblin guarding the bridge. Doing so requires a Wisdom (Perception) check contested by the goblin’s
the Basic Rules). The ledge between the two escarpments is fragile. Any weight in excess of 100 pounds loosens the whole mass and sends it tumbling down to the east. Any creature on the ledge when it
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
Proficiency Characters and monsters are good at various things. Some are skilled with many weapons, while others can use only a few. Some are better at understanding people’s motives, and others are
better at unlocking the secrets of the multiverse. All creatures have a Proficiency Bonus, which reflects the impact that training has on the creature’s capabilities. A character’s Proficiency Bonus
Kobold
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat.
In a couple of situations, kobolds might
moves its tribe to another area, ceding the contested territory to its more successful neighbors.
As demonstrated by their hatred of gnomes, kobolds have a persecution complex and easily take offense
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Proficiency Characters and monsters are good at various things. Some are skilled with many weapons, while others can use only a few. Some are better at understanding people’s motives, and others are
better at unlocking the secrets of the multiverse. All creatures have a Proficiency Bonus, which reflects the impact that training has on the creature’s capabilities. A character’s Proficiency Bonus
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
’ experience as entertaining as possible: Read the description of Iggwilv’s Cauldron in appendix A. Read this chapter in its entirety, and reacquaint yourself with the “Rules of Conduct” and “Death in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
issues as they come up.
When in doubt, make it up! It’s better to keep the game moving than to get bogged down in the rules.
It’s not a competition. The DM isn’t competing against the player
The Dungeon Master The Dungeon Master (DM) has a special role in the Dungeons & Dragons game. The DM is a referee. When it’s not clear what ought to happen next, the DM decides how to apply the rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
“Cover” in the Basic Rules). DISGUISED CHARACTERS
Rather than storm Cragmaw Castle with weapons in hand, clever characters might try to talk their way inside. For example, they might don the scarlet
) check contested by the monsters’ Wisdom (Insight) checks, and give the characters advantage on their checks if the deception is particularly well planned or roleplayed. If at least one character wins
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Chapter 1: This Is Your Life The character creation rules in the Player’s Handbook provide all the information you need to define your character in preparation for a life of adventuring. What they
were the greatest influences on you during your formative years, for better or worse? To answer these questions and more, you can use the tables and the advice in this section to compose a well-developed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
, the pech. Appendix C features a score sheet for use in competitive play. See the “Tournament Rules” section for how to run the adventure as a tournament-style scenario. Appendix D provides six premade
tantalizing details about Iggwilv the Witch Queen—perhaps better known as the archmage Tasha, famous for her Hideous Laughter spell. This adaptation pays homage to the original by including a score sheet for competitive play.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
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
proficiencies take precedence over combat bonuses. Feel free to change or ignore rules to fit the players’ roleplaying needs, using the advice presented in part 3 of this book. A WORLD TO EXPLORE
Much
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
creature can’t make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn. SWASHBUCKLERS AND TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING
The Swashbuckler relies on a good understanding of the D&D rules to realize its
attack roll. All the other rules for Sneak Attack still apply to you. Panache At 9th level, your charm becomes extraordinarily beguiling. As an action, you can make a Charisma (Persuasion) check
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak
help you arbitrate issues as they arise. When in doubt, make it up. It’s better to keep the game moving than to get bogged down in the rules. Embrace the shared story. D&D is about telling a story as a
apply the rules and keep the story going. The DM is a storyteller. The DM sets the pace of the story and presents the various challenges and encounters that the players must overcome. The DM is the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Devil Traits Common traits among devils include the following: Charm. Devils are consummate charmers. Like humans, some are better at it than others. The good ones savor the exchange of pleasantries
by the same rules and obey the same social conventions as mortals. Devils have no problem appearing and acting in whatever manner they need to achieve their end goal — usually a contract for services
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
smaller chamber with an arch gate set into the back wall (see “Gates”). The arch is engraved with images of dancing dwarves. The rules of this gate are as follows: Standing within 5 feet of the arch and
contested by the character’s Charisma (Deception) check to see through the deception. A character who is caught lying to the dragon can never win back its trust. If the dragon is incapacitated, a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Noble The folk of Saltmarsh care little for nobles and their titles. Although the king technically rules the land, the south has long been left to its own devices. Are you a local noble turning to a
sent here by King Skotti himself. You are expected to keep your ties to the crown secret, the better to gain a clear insight into the region. If folk know that you represent the king, they’ll put their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Wilderness Survival The following rules come into play as the characters explore Ten-Towns and embark on adventures to the icy, windy, hellishly cold reaches of Icewind Dale. Avalanches The following
rules can be used for rockslides as well as avalanches. An avalanche is a mass of snow and debris falling rapidly down a mountainside. A typical avalanche is 300 feet wide, 150 feet long, and 30 feet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
) check contested by the goblin’s Dexterity (Stealth) check. This guard is lazy and inattentive. If no characters are using light sources, each character can attempt a Dexterity (Stealth) check
points, it collapses. Creatures on the collapsing bridge must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall, taking 2d6 bludgeoning damage and landing prone (see “Being Prone” in the Basic Rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
of the spectrum, even a hag without lofty status is likely to have strange, single-use items that don’t emulate common spells or even follow the normal rules of magic. For inspiration in devising the
, a hag should be able to use weird magic only once or twice per encounter in her lair, or only once per encounter if she is elsewhere. A hag who is expecting a fight might be better prepared and able
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
idea, I get wildly excited about it until I come up with another, better idea. 7 I live by my own set of weird and wonderful rules. 8 I can’t bring myself to trust most adults. Ideals d8 Ideal 1
good, which is why I live by an ever-changing set of rules. (Chaotic) 5 Honor. A deal is a deal, and I would never break one. (Lawful) 6 Rule of Three. Everything in the multiverse happens in threes. I
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Charisma (Deception) check contested by the golems’ Wisdom (Insight) check, with advantage on the check if the portrayal is particularly convincing. On a successful check, the golem won’t attack that
is one of Halaster’s gates (see “Gates”). It is composed of one hundred stone jigsaw pieces, each weighing 10 pounds. The rules of this gate are as follows: Only one piece of the arch can be removed at
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
(commoner) believes she can care for the city’s children better than their parents and works to have the other adults arrested.
2 A priest begins imposing restrictive lifestyle rules on a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
to use your Sneak Attack against a creature if you are within 5 feet of it, no other creatures are within 5 feet of you, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll. All the other rules for
Sneak Attack still apply to you. Panache At 9th level, your charm becomes extraordinarily beguiling. As an action, you can make a Charisma (Persuasion) check contested by a creature’s Wisdom (Insight
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
that they better reflect such a setting. For example, when the characters use spells or special abilities that teleport them short distances, they actually make high-flying acrobatic leaps. Ability
actions in the game don’t change the nuts and bolts of the rules, but they make all the difference in the feel of a campaign. Similarly, a class doesn’t need new rules to reflect a cultural influence; a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide
Ship-to-Ship Combat The following rules are designed to make ship-to-ship combat simple yet exciting. Starting Distance At the start of an engagement, the DM decides how far a ship is from its
mangonels being the most common. Such weapons are slow to load and fire. Player characters are almost always better off using their own weapons and spells in ship-to-ship combat, reserving shipboard
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Seelie and Unseelie courts. (Volumes 3 and 8 are missing from Skabatha’s collection and can be found in chapter 4.) Three Rules to Rule By is a thin, dog-eared book that describes the rules of hospitality
, ownership, and reciprocity in detail (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2). Twilight Tides is a fat, wrinkled book about navigating the oceans of the Feywild. After two books were stolen from her
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
character who can tolerate undead allies better than he can. When the two parties come to an agreement, Gargenhale bows deeply and invites the characters aboard his ship to celebrate their alliance with a
to abide by the following rules:
Article 1: Don’t Eat Each Other. No crew member shall partake of another crew member’s flesh or drink their blood.
Article 2: No Hymns. Many crew members’ ears are






