block before defeat completed resolve

Bavlorna Blightstraw

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

","rollType":"recharge","rollAction":"Create Lornlings"}. Bavlorna creates one or two 1-foot-tall duplicates of herself, called lornlings (use the Quickling stat block in appendix C). Each lornling appears

these visitors enter into an agreement with Bavlorna, she’ll use her powers to resolve their pressing problem in exchange for something of use to her. Alignment. Neutral evil. Personality

2. Vast Cavern

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

2. Vast Cavern This 120-foot-high cavern is abuzz with activity. 2a. Simulacrux Simulacrux. A 20-foot-deep trench surrounds a 100-foot-tall, half-completed metal archway that rises from a bed of

, and immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren’t made of adamantine. Destroying the arch all but dooms the project, since Zox lacks the resolve to start

Locking the Cage

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

allowing creatures to enter or leave the city. She even bars gods from stepping foot in the city—a ban she can extend to anyone at any time. The Lady knows when any creature uses a portal and can block

Lady can cause all the city’s portals to cease functioning. This grinds the city to a halt; food and drink can’t enter the city, sewage and refuse pool in the streets, and corpses stack in the Mortuary with no hope of being interred. This compels the factions to quickly resolve their conflicts.

Interfering with the Lady

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

learned its lesson, the Lady sends it to the Mazes in the next blink. Similar to other godlike beings, the Lady of Pain has no stat block. She is beyond the ability of characters to defeat by conventional means.

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

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

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

cruel in victory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat, just as in their own society lower castes must scrape before those of greater status and as goblin tribes bow before other goblinoids

goblin is a sorcerer with the wild magic origin whose every casting, including cantrips, is accompanied by a wild magic surge. Use the mage stat block in the Monster Manual to represent this goblin, adding

Putting Events in Motion

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

reflects the structure of dramatic stories. At the beginning of a story, something happens to shake the protagonists’ world and spur them into action. The characters take action to resolve their

adventure hooks and affect the characters’ lives directly. In the middle, they make great turning points as the characters’ fortunes reverse — rising after a defeat or falling after a victory. Near the end

Facing Darklords

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

Facing Darklords Each Darklord in this chapter has a stat block from the Monster Manual or chapter 5 that you can use or customize to suit your adventures. Though you might be tempted to make a

nature as a Darklord makes permanently defeating them challenging. To defeat a Darklord, the characters should focus on undermining the Darklord’s plots and striking at the core of the Darklord’s torments

Manipulation in Motion

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

the Characters. If the characters confront Kas before chapter 9, allow the battle to play out using the stat block for Kas in appendix B. If Kas defeats the characters, he kills them and absconds to

weaves his ritual and encourages the characters to follow the vampire to Pandemonium when they can. In this case, Kas lacks the completed Rod of Seven Parts. Adjust chapter 10 to reflect that Miska never

That Trunk Has Teeth!

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

That Trunk Has Teeth! Once the characters have completed as much of the scavenger hunt as they wish, they hear a commotion coming from the west shelves of the main stacks in area B10. Read or

following changes to its stat block: It has 30 hit points. It has disadvantage on attack rolls. Once it’s defeated, the mimic turns back into an ordinary trunk. Ending the Threat If all the characters

Attack of the Nematode

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

Nematode writhing 500 feet above the town like a malevolent cloud. The creature is far too large to defeat by conventional attacks or spells, so the characters must once again explore the Nematode from

the inside, just as they did in the Endless Void. This time, the Nematode’s interior is populated with eel-like young spawned in its digestive juices (use the behir stat block, but they exhale acid

Lord Soth

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

them to defeat. Rather than presenting him as a foe to be challenged in combat, portray Soth as a terrifying example of the villains in the Dragon Queen’s service—a lurking threat to be avoided. By the

adventure’s end, the characters will have opportunities to undermine Soth’s plans and remove him from the Dragon Army’s service—at least for a time. Lord Soth’s stat block appears in appendix B, and his history is summarized in chapter 4.

Confronting the Demon Lords

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

perform the ritual, placing him far from the battle and leaving him with three levels of exhaustion (see appendix A of the Player’s Handbook) once the ritual is completed. He is thus unwilling to aid the

never have to think about sacrificing their characters, but you should be prepared for the possibility of one or more of the heroes giving up their lives in order to defeat the evil that has arisen in

Challenge

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

the numbers of adventurers of a certain level that should be able to defeat a monster of a particular challenge rating without suffering any deaths. An appropriately equipped and well-rested party of

four adventurers should be able to defeat a monster that has a challenge rating equal to its level without suffering any deaths. For example, a party of four 3rd-level characters should find a

Goblin Ambush

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

attacks while two goblins stand 30 feet away from the party and make ranged attacks. The goblins’ stat block contains the information you need to resolve these attacks. For more information on what the

encounters in the adventure. Here are the steps you should follow to run it effectively: Review the goblin stat block in appendix B. Since the goblins are hiding, you’ll need to know their Stealth skill

Optional Encounter

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

Optional Encounter If the characters are struggling or you worry about their ability to defeat the dracolich at the end of the adventure, this encounter adds a “here comes the cavalry” possibility to

, sensing your presence. The tiny creatures are desert-dwelling chwingas (see their stat block at the end of the adventure) that live in tiny caves built up on the shell of a giant dragon tortoise. If

Individual Quests

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

, Runara invites the character to consider how their reaction to the zombies on the beach might reflect their destiny—or not. If the character talks to Runara after having completed one or more of the

Dragon’s Rest seeking rest and new resolve. Runara welcomes the character and encourages them to talk to Tarak and Varnoth, who both know about escaping lives of corruption and violence. She also

Challenge

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

Challenge A monster's challenge rating tells you how great a threat the monster is. An appropriately equipped and well-rested party of four adventurers should be able to defeat a monster that has a

you otherwise, a monster summoned by a spell or other magical ability is worth the XP noted in its stat block. Experience Points by Challenge Rating Challenge XP 0 0 or 10 1/8 25 1/4 50 1/2 100 1

V1. Mastaba

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

either end of the mastaba, a storm giant skeleton (see the accompanying stat block) lying dormant on top of the mausoleum awakens and attacks. The storm giant, Helmdar, was sent to destroy two frost giant

criminals who stole a horn of blasting from a storm giant king. Helmdar completed his mission but was killed by Zikzokrishka and turned into an undead thrall to guard her lair. Treasure The horn of

Raid Against the Machine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

dozen servants (use the cultist stat block). During the raid, both agents attempt to attune to the Infernal Machine. You can decide which one is successful or allow chance to decide (see “Complications

Ursas causes him to shout out in rage, swearing vengeance “in the name of my unholy patron, Bel!” If either agent gains control of the Infernal Machine, they immediately use it to attempt to defeat

Vladeska's Powers and Dominion

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

, though, they’re fighting a losing battle against foes whose numbers only grow. And every time a Talon falls, Lekar’s final defeat grows closer. Talon soldiers use the guard stat block, while commanders

Running Allies

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

the players to have the ally’s character sheet or stat block, you can ask them what they’d like the ally to do and fulfill their requests. The ally might be eager for instruction, dutifully carrying

character, keep the ally 1 or 2 levels below the characters. If you’re using a monster stat block instead, make sure its hit points and damage output aren’t outpacing the characters’, and be wary of

Making an Attack

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

target. In addition, spells, special abilities, and other effects can apply penalties or bonuses to your attack roll. Resolve the attack. You make the attack roll. On a hit, you roll damage

determined at character creation, whereas the AC of a monster is in its stat block. Modifiers to the Roll When a character makes an attack roll, the two most common modifiers to the roll are an

14. Chapel of Evil

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

watch, one of them collapses — and is suddenly and horrifyingly petrified into another chunk of black stone. At the far end of the chapel, a handsome priest stands behind an altar block that glows an

… Creatures The roughly thirty humanoids here (use the cultist stat block) include loyal cultists pressed into service, workers being punished, and captured prisoners. None of the worshipers (except Pentival

Purple Worm Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

, the angel Artavazda (a lawful good pari; detailed at the end of this adventure) appears at the southeastern corner of the square with ten members of the Brightguard (use the guard stat block). If the

purple worm is still alive, Artavazda rapidly moves to slay it. If the characters defeat the purple worm before this, Artavazda arrives just as they do so.

Hold the Fort

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

block) and a walking, undead tree (use the treant stat block, except the tree is undead and has resistance to necrotic damage). If the characters defeat the undead, Red Ruth fulfills her end of the

Additional Stages

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

establishment is not who they appear to be. Finding the impersonator reveals a powerful monster of your determination, whose defeat ends the stage. Inanimate Trauma No people are found in the Dran

of the Six! For even more chaos, each of the characters temporarily transforms into a franchise staff member using an NPC stat block, so that the players must use those NPCs to repel the attackers

Bavlorna Blightstraw

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

tragic tale of woe and misery puts her in a bargaining mood. If these visitors enter into an agreement with Bavlorna, she’ll use her powers to resolve their pressing problem in exchange for something of

her attendants. When she travels away from her lair, she does so on her bobbing lily pad (see appendix A), accompanied by lornlings, which use the quickling stat block in appendix C. Bavlorna’s Weakness

M6. Immortality Ritual

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

uses the Oriq blood mage stat block in chapter 7 and has access to lair actions (see “Murgaxor’s Lair Actions” below), which he can use anywhere in the Ruins of Caerdoon. Whirling around him are five

. Reducing Murgaxor to 0 hit points or destroying all five ritual stones ends the ritual before it can be completed (see “Stopping the Ritual” below). Murgaxor’s Lair Actions. On initiative count 20

Wilderness Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

Wilderness Encounters table to determine what the party meets. When an encounter occurs, the adventurers gain XP if they defeat the monsters. Each creature’s stat block has the XP value for one

The Abbot

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

recently completed work on a flesh golem bride made from the body parts of dead women. While the Belviews languish in the abbey’s madhouse, the Abbot is giving his creation lessons in etiquette and

to commit further acts of depravity. Statistics. Use the deva stat block in the Monster Manual, but change the Abbot’s alignment to lawful evil. The Abbot’s Traits Ideal. “I want to rid Barovia of its

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether

adventurers grow in might as the campaign continues. Each monster defeated, each adventure completed, and each treasure recovered not only adds to the continuing story, but also earns the adventurers new

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve

adventurers grow in might as the campaign continues. Each monster defeated, each adventure completed, and each treasure recovered not only adds to the continuing story, but also earns the adventurers

Vault Guards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Vault Guards Vidorant employs a dozen guards (use the veteran stat block) to protect her treasures—three guards outside and nine inside the vault. Guards remain alert for noises elsewhere in the

, characters can resolve encounters without resorting to combat. Some examples are listed below, though the characters may come up with creative alternatives: Bluffing. A character can lie their way

D&D Beyond

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