borders build diffusing conceal relative

Troglodyte Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

in the shallow depths of the Underdark in a constant state of war against their neighbors and one another. They mark the borders of their territories with cracked bones and skulls, or with

in a frenzy. Troglodytes make little and build less, scavenging their possessions from their prey. They understand the value of metal weapons and armor, and fight among one another for the right to

Changeling Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

with people around them. Does the character conceal their true changeling nature? Do they embrace it? Do they have connections to other changelings or are they alone and in search of companions

specific purpose and then might never be used again. However, many changelings develop identities that have more depth. They build an identity over time, crafting a persona with a history and beliefs. This

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

it was sabotage that destroyed my first laboratory and killed many of my friends, and I seek revenge against whoever did it. 4 I have the schematics for an invention that I hope to build one day

. Izzet Contacts d8 Contact 1 An older relative is a member of the guild’s board of directors. 2 I know a sprite who carries important messages among the guild’s

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

to keep the knowledge fresh for new generations. When hobgoblins aren’t waging war, they farm, they build, and they practice both martial and arcane arts. These trappings of civil society do

little to conceal an underlying brutality that hobgoblins practice on each other and perfect upon other races. Punishment for infractions of hobgoblin law are swift and merciless. Beauty is something

Attitudes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

adventurers to secure the metallic dragons’ allegiance. HAVE WE MET BEFORE? The dragons on the council have lived for centuries. Given how quickly humanoids build up progeny, it is possible that one of the

dragons encountered a particular character’s ancestors and recognizes the character by smell. Perhaps the dwarf who killed Otaaryliakkarnos’s relative was the long-lost grand-uncle of the party’s dwarf

Welcome to Lorwyn-Shadowmoor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light

Lorwyn-Shadowmoor. This realm consists of opposing lands that twist together, their borders constantly in flux. The land of Lorwyn teems with colorful creeks, bright meadows, verdant forests, and

gentle hills. In its midst, denizens build cozy villages on endless summer days. Conversely, the land of Shadowmoor is steeped in foggy moors, jagged cliffs, treacherous bogs, and skeletal forests. Here

The Deck as Narrative

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

the warrior’s loyalty. A character who draws the Gem card might find a rich store of jewels in their next treasure hoard, or they might inherit great wealth when a relative dies. Many of the chapters

ways to interpret the effects and keep the players in suspense. For example, a beloved ally might come to hate a character who draws the Rogue card, and that ally might conceal their hatred for several

Quentin Togglepocket

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

years ago when, in a major tournament, he lost the final gambit (and the entire prize) to a relative newcomer: a young tiefling named Verity Kye. Quentin never forgave Verity for what he felt was a

subordinates put Quentin in touch with wizards who could help him build and decorate the casino. Roleplaying Quentin Quentin sees himself as Verity’s victim and portrays himself as a martyr for losing to her

Intrigue

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

Intrigue Stories in the noir tradition tend to start slowly and build gradually as the mystery gets deeper and more convoluted, until the situation erupts in a climactic confrontation. In contrast to

members, or with the villain. 6 Someone is a relative of one of the party members. 7 A friend or former ally is working with the villain. 8 The initial plot is a distraction from the actual plot.

Expert Tunnelers

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

heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might erect a railing or a wall that prevents them from

have access to on their own. If they are treated well and left alone to do the job, the kobolds work industriously and build a network of passages beneath the streets, connecting them to a nearby

It's Your World

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

, but they’re not the only set of assumptions that can do so. You can build an interesting campaign concept by altering one or more of those core assumptions, just as well-established D&D worlds have done

the “Here there be dragons” notations? What if great empires cover huge stretches of countryside, with clearly defined borders between them? The Five Nations of the Eberron setting were once part of

Centaur

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

the wild, centaurs avoid conflict but fight fiercely when pressed. They roam the vast wilderness, keeping far from borders, laws, and the company of other creatures. Wilderness Nomads. Centaur tribes

range across lands with mild to hot climates, where a centaur requires only light furs or oiled skins to deal with inclement weather. They are hunter-gatherers and rarely build shelters or even use

Build Your Group

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

Build Your Group A head of state like Prince Oargev requires a variety of adventurers to do the range of tasks they require. Depending on the kinds of work you do, your party might include some or

Intelligence scores or proficiency in Investigation. Warden. The Warden’s focus isn’t so much on the people of the nation, but on the land encompassed within its borders, both cultivated and wild. Sometimes

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might

sewer tunnels, paying them with food and tools the kobolds wouldn’t have access to on their own. If they are treated well and left alone to do the job, the kobolds work industriously and build a

Ironmaster

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

turned back, but no one should rely on the mercy of a dwarf of Ironmaster. If you were to pass beyond the borders and into Ironmaster itself, you would behold one of the wonders of the world. The

Shaengarne River. There the dwarf leader died, and his heir demanded that the folk that followed him build a settlement in tribute to Clanmaster Sstar’s grand vision of a dwarven empire. The dwarves found

Klothys's Influence

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

Klothys’s delight in the world’s natural cycles. Purphoros’s willingness to build and demolish appeases Klothys—as well as the fact that he despises Heliod as much as she does. Klothys’s

borders between the realms, as she draws horrors into the mortal realm with her and thereby raises Athreos’s ire. Of course, Klothys trusts no other god as much as she does Kruphix, who also recalls Theros’s earliest hours. The two have a deep respect for one another.

Troglodyte

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

Troglodyte Violent and ever-hungry, troglodytes squat in the shallow depths of the Underdark in a constant state of war against their neighbors and one another. They mark the borders of their

or hesitation, other troglodytes attack and eat it in a frenzy. Troglodytes make little and build less, scavenging their possessions from their prey. They understand the value of metal weapons and

Copper Dragon Lairs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Copper Dragon Lairs Copper dragons prefer dry uplands, hilltops, or mountainous foothills, where they build their lairs in caves, crags, or tunnels. Although sometimes natural, the passages and

walls in the lair can conceal cunning hidden passages or might be stone or clay thin enough for the dragon to burst through them. The narrowest tunnels in a copper dragon’s lair are just barely wide

The Big Picture

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

beginning of Aerdy’s decline marked the high-water mark of Keoland’s expansionist policies, as it held sway from the Pomarj to the borders of Ket. Aided by Celene, rebels in the Ulek region strove to curb

became semi-independent while remaining loyal to the crown, and the diverse peoples of this region coexist in relative peace once again. With this big picture in mind, you can think of the Flanaess

Background

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

. 3 I fell in with a gang of reprobates and ne’er-do-wells, and I learned my specialty from them. 4 A parent or relative taught me my criminal specialty to prepare me for the family business. 5 I left

wizard who told me I was squandering my talents and should seek out an education to take advantage of my gifts. 6 One of my parents or a relative gave me a basic education that whetted my appetite

Thornhold

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

decades, the expansion of the Mere in the calamities of the Spellplague cut off most travel along the High Road. During that time, the Stoneshafts lived in relative isolation, stockpiling their ore

and other bludgeoning weapons, plain armor with full-face helms that conceal a wearer’s identity and that have plates to protect the vital areas of a knocked-down dwarf, and spicy foods.

Stage 3: Feeling Small

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

bargaining session of your lives.” The goblin walks haughtily toward the stairs. “I am Splugoth the Returned. Surely you know who I am?” Splugoth can’t conceal being pleased if the characters know that he

normal speed for movement, but you multiply the dimensions of the common room and any furniture or objects in it by a factor of 10. For example, relative to the characters the length of the bar is

The Guild

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

, calling them in when it suits them — often with interest. Rivalries exist between kingpins, and their territorial borders shift constantly. As long as these internal feuds don’t disrupt Guild

illusion magic. She appears to the world as she is: an unassuming woman of middling age and build. Her forgettable looks have proven her greatest asset as a thief, as her victims have trouble recognizing

The Guild

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

, calling them in when it suits them — often with interest. Rivalries exist between kingpins, and their territorial borders shift constantly. As long as these internal feuds don’t disrupt Guild

illusion magic. She appears to the world as she is: an unassuming woman of middling age and build. Her forgettable looks have proven her greatest asset as a thief, as her victims have trouble recognizing

People of Akros

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

are divided into three types of duty and armed appropriately for the task before them: Alamon. Rugged forces of wanderers patrol Akros’s borders, defending against invasion or attack by monsters that

small number of serfs are skilled artisans who manage to build a more prosperous life for themselves with their crafts. But even these wealthier serfs can’t own the land they live on, and they enjoy few

Hobgoblins

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

history of shared traditions, recorded and retold to keep the knowledge fresh for new generations. When hobgoblins aren’t waging war, they farm, they build, and they practice both martial and arcane arts

. These trappings of civil society do little to conceal an underlying brutality that hobgoblins practice on each other and perfect upon other races. Punishment for infractions of hobgoblin law are

Villains

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

pawn in a position of power 3 Magic (d6) 1 Obtain an ancient artifact 2 Build a construct or magical device 3 Carry out a deity’s wishes 4 Offer sacrifices to a deity 5 Contact a lost deity or power

Terrorism Villain’s Secret Weakness Finding and exploiting a villain’s weakness can be very gratifying for players, although a smart villain tries to conceal its weakness. A lich, for example, has a

Najara

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

was once easy to doubt their veracity, for what nation didn’t patrol its borders or establish communication (amicable or otherwise) with other nations? The stories of naga and yuan-ti were easy enough

Serpent Hills, where we were taken prisoner by yuan-ti patrolling the borders of their domain. The half-elf was hauled away in slaver’s chains, but for some reason I was taken to the court of Jarant

Monster Behavior

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

course of combat. Brian Valeza Kobolds build a barricade to keep adventurers at bay Initial Attitudes A published adventure typically notes or implies whether a creature’s initial attitude toward the

of where they’re located relative to each other. When the adventurers engage in combat or any other noisy activity, assume that nearby creatures hear the noise and are alerted to the adventurers

Putting the Planes Together

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

the three planes and the relative importance they give to law and good. Sages have constructed a few such theoretical models to make sense of the jumble of planes, particularly the Outer Planes. The

, like a hole torn in the fabric of the cosmos. Other Visions As you build your own cosmology, consider the following alternatives. The Omniverse. This simple cosmology covers the bare minimum: a Material

Points of Interest

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

overlooks the forest it borders. A few farms cluster around it, the locals relying on the royal garrison to keep them safe from marauders. Burle’s most distinctive feature is the small copse of trees

amounts of stone became available for building. The laborers also took the time to build a tavern, the Miner’s Respite, and spend their off hours there drinking, swapping tales, and gambling. The game

Lockbury Henge

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

has instructed her fellow korreds to ensconce themselves in stone, thus remaining in relative safety for the foreseeable future. Bitter End used iron shears to cut off locks of Argantle’s hair. The

. The korreds, who are feuding with the brigganocks of Yon, share the following information with characters who look like they might be capable of assisting: The brigganocks are helping Bitter End build

Faerûn

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

of Five are fairly unified and tight-fisted in their control of Amn, but their ability to affect events outside their own borders is limited because they can’t agree enough on major matters of foreign

cloaking Samarach’s mountain passes conceal the activities in that nation. Dambrath. Situated on a warm plain on the shore of the Great Sea, Dambrath is ruled by nomadic clans of human horse riders who

Feywild Features

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

declare all-out war against each other, and it would take something extreme to have them abandon their relative peace and hurl their courts into violence and chaos. The Summer Court and the Gloaming Court

weather spirits. Domain Borders As an archfey’s power waxes or wanes, their Domain of Delight can grow or shrink. If their domain grows big enough to abut or overlap another archfey’s domain, a

Dwarves of the Multiverse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

relaxed and open attitude toward the outside world. Because they dwell in regions that lack the towering peaks that their mountain kin favor, they build stone fortresses that start above ground and end in

deity’s influence weakened Bhaerynden and left it vulnerable to the dark elves that threatened its borders. That claim might well be true, but shield dwarf scholars point out that those who abandoned

D&D Beyond

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