boss before down compare rather

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. Goliaths love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

protocols will lead us toward progress more surely than any belief system. (Lawful) 5 Fun. I love my job! Despite the dangerous working conditions, there’s nothing I’d rather do

same laboratory ran off to join the Selesnya, and we get into a big argument every time we run into each other. 10 I compare notes and techniques with a Simic scientist over lunch sometimes.

Earthquake!

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

Earthquake! Rather than halt or slow Stonky’s progress, the theft of Kandlekeep Dekonstruktion has inspired the gnome to accelerate his plan to launch the Barn Door into space. Soon after the book

witnesses and compare their own recollections of the quake can try to ascertain its nature. With a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana or Nature) check, a character is confident that the earthquake wasn’t magically created. As such, it must have been caused by a natural phenomenon.

Action-Oriented Creatures

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

Action-Oriented Creatures The solo and leader creatures presented in this book are designed to be bosses: enemies who can take on an entire party by themselves or with a handful of underlings. Rather

dominate the battlefield. These actions make the boss creatures dynamic and formidable. Whether fought as an exciting solo challenge or alongside a few easy-to-run underlings, action-oriented creatures challenge the characters with dramatic and powerful actions in combat.

14. Werebat Boss

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

14. Werebat Boss Precious little light reaches this large cave, which is set aside for the werebat boss, a particularly sinister goblin named Mobar. He prefers to remain in hybrid form — his most

with iron-fisted resolve. As a rule, he does not treat with adventurers; he’d rather rob them and feed on their blood. If combat breaks out here, the werebats throughout area 16 investigate, converging

Being Your Own Patron

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

work. The information in this section applies whether you join an organization or found your own. When you’re the boss, some of the benefits of belonging to an organization become expenses you have

to worry about; when you run your own mercenary company, for example, you need to stock your own armory rather than drawing on an existing organization’s stockpile. The organization brings in income

Day of Wonders Parade

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

feather of diatryma summoning (see appendix A). For Jarlaxle, the parade is a chance to show off and be cheered; he has no ulterior motive for participating in the event. While the Boss Is Away As the

Jarlaxle hasn’t already met them). Although killing the characters would be easy at that point, Jarlaxle would rather put them to work for him. He has them watched but doesn’t provoke hostilities until such time as the reward clearly outweighs the risks.

Wreck of the Narwhal

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

covertly, out of curiosity rather than bloodlust. He’d like to meet them and find out what they’re after. He’ll even bring them back to the ship and trade gems for wine, if they have any. Unless the

-beautiful garden palace said to contain treasure beyond compare. (Bwayes can lead the characters to Nangalore but won’t explore it out of respect.) Treasure The weretiger’s cabin contains enough scavenged

Creating a Race or Subrace

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

signature traits? In the case of a new subrace, what sets it apart from the other subraces of the parent race? Compare the race you have in mind with the other race options available to players, to

increasing the diversity of options for a particular race, rather than replacing some options with other ones. The following example walks through the creation of an elf subrace: the eladrin. This

The Xanathar Guild

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

series of such creatures. Like its predecessors, the beholder uses “the Xanathar” as a title rather than its personal name (which is Zushaxx). The guild has been in operation for nearly two hundred years

a human megalomaniac rises to power in an evil organization, that individual is always at risk of being killed or replaced by a power-hungry rival. When such a group is led by a beholder rather than

Reaching the Bottom

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

your clothes. But none among us can compare To one wily, swift, and stand-up hare— Scarf that’s glorious, thief notorious, His deeds are truly meritorious! With a wink and a grin, he’ll show

(Intimidation) group check. If the group check succeeds, the brigands are cowed by the characters’ resolve and retreat into the swamp rather than risk getting whomped by the party. On a failed check, the

Dragon Relationships

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

lieutenants—which might include younger dragons or half-dragons related to the boss—might hold responsibility over particular segments of the criminal enterprise. Emperor Rather than existing on the

these companions, who can become disillusioned when the dragon’s true nature is revealed. Crime Boss A dragon takes charge of a criminal enterprise, accumulating wealth through illegal activities that

Traps in Play

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

actively looking for a trap can attempt a Wisdom (Perception) check against the trap's DC. You can also compare the DC to detect the trap with each character's passive Wisdom (Perception) score to

sides, a mechanism inside fires a hail of poison needles toward anyone in front of it. After inspecting the chest and making a few checks, the characters are still unsure if it's trapped. Rather than

Traps in Play

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

actively looking for a trap can attempt a Wisdom (Perception) check against the trap’s DC. You can also compare the DC to detect the trap with each character’s passive Wisdom (Perception) score to

sides, a mechanism inside fires a hail of poison needles toward anyone in front of it. After inspecting the chest and making a few checks, the characters are still unsure if it’s trapped. Rather than

D10. Trinket, Bauble, and Charm's

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

large pane of gray glass is drawn closed across an opening above the counter. A sign mounted above the window reads, “Wondrous Wares & Fair Fares!” The balloon is not made of fabric, but rather appears

merchant’s stall, which is open for business. Their boss, Charm, is a darkling elder (see appendix C) who is presently visiting Bavlorna Blightstraw in her cottage. Charm travels around Prismeer in her

Tips for New Dungeon Masters

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

until circumstances warrant otherwise, as discussed below. Armor Class. When characters make attacks against a creature, you compare those attacks to the creature’s Armor Class to determine whether the

to use one of this adventure’s random encounters, you can have a player roll to determine what the characters encounter, rather than making the roll yourself. Story Information Important information

Specific Spells

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

various game features distinguish between the armor you don and a Shield you wield. Take a look at the Monk’s Unarmored Defense feature and compare it to the Barbarian’s version. In the Monk’s version

or class feature explains what it does. Can an object created with Minor Illusion move? For example, a wall sliding down a corridor? An illusory object created by Minor Illusion doesn’t move. Compare

Modifying a Class

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

opportunity to develop the character’s story and that of your world, rather than shutting down possibilities. Substituting Class Features If one or more features of a given class don’t exactly fit the theme

an existing feature that can be used as a model? How does the new class feature compare to other features of the same level? Variant: Spell Points One way to modify how a class feels is to change how

Island Theme

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

Island Inhabitants d6 Inhabitants 1 3d10 winged kobolds and 10d10 kobolds 2 1 goblin boss and 8d10 goblins 3 1d6 berserkers and 5d10 tribal warriors 4 1 orc war chief, 2d10 orogs, and 5d10 orcs 5 4d10

Nature reigns on wild islands. The creatures on the island respond to the ebb and flow of the natural world rather than trying to tame the environment. Wild Island Features d6 Feature 1 A waterfall

Uthgardt Lands

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

call themselves “children of Uthgar.” Though the Uthgardt each belong to a given tribe, these are markers of identity, rather than coherent populations. In my experience, it is rare outside of

size that near the ancient ancestral mound of the Red Tiger tribe. The settlement was founded some time ago by members of the Black Lion tribe, who put down roots here rather than continuing to live

Barn Door Locations

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

titles that tickled the gnome’s fancy. The books are arranged by color rather than some more useful system, but characters who make a quick survey of the shelves discover three tomes that warrant further

contraptions. Characters who compare those drawings with Stonky’s skitterwidgets can tell where the gnome got the inspiration for his mechanical creations. Navigation Notes. A slip of paper tucked into

Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

, lying deep in the swamp. But if that unlikely event ever happened, he knows that the swaggering bullywugs would desert rather than fight an organized enemy. The lizardfolk, on the other hand, can be

special treatment. In exchange for their work, Borngray “pays” the tribe in metal weapons that are brought to the castle along with the loot. Meanwhile, the bullywugs boss and bully the lizardfolk

Goldenfields Quests

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

. Shalvus Martholio’s Quest Shalvus asks the party to escort him overland to Bargewright Inn so that he can report everything that has happened to his boss, Nalaskur Thaelond. After making his report, Shalvus

that the Lords’ Alliance will support this plan, given the gravity of the situation. She couldn’t be more wrong. Naxene is unaware that the Lords’ Alliance leaders would rather hurl themselves into the

Factions

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

castle; it’s too inaccessible, lying deep in the swamp. But if that unlikely event ever happened, he knows that the swaggering bullywugs would desert rather than fight an organized enemy. The lizardfolk

the castle and rewards with special treatment. In exchange for their work, Borngray pays the tribe in metal weapons that are brought to the castle along with the loot. Meanwhile, the bullywugs boss and

Specific Spells

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

compare it to the barbarian’s version. In the monk’s version, you must both forgo wearing armor and forgo wielding a shield if you want to benefit from the feature, whereas a barbarian must only forgo

. Compare to spells like major image and mislead, which talk about moving. Could minor illusion create a fog cloud? If so, would shooting an arrow through it cancel the illusion? An illusory object made by

Outer City Gazetteer

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

and compare the sizes of an unusually small donkey and an exceptionally large peacock. They ask for a passing party member’s opinion. Table H: Outer City Denizens d10 Interaction 1

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

Outer City Gazetteer

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

family of refugees he’s helping. 12 A merchant and gate guard argue over how to accurately measure and compare the sizes of an unusually small donkey and an exceptionally large peacock. They ask for a

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

Cragmaw Castle Areas

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

room. It quietly observes intruders that enter the area before dropping down to strike. Compare the grick’s Dexterity (Stealth) check to the characters’ Wisdom (Perception) checks (or their passive

concealed canvas door. If cornered, the doppelganger fights to the death rather than allow itself to be captured. If Gundren is revived, he thanks the party for coming to his rescue but won’t leave Cragmaw

Hive Ward

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

webbing. The building belongs to the Spite Spinners, a gang of arachnid bandits and their boss, a darkweaver (see Morte’s Planar Parade). Hive Ward Factions The following factions are headquartered

and shakers of Sigil or burn away detritus within the ward—engulf the innocent. Rather than maintain a single base of operations, the Hands of Havoc operate out of warehouses strewn throughout the

Redbrand Hideout Locations

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

here while they develop a ransom plan. The Dendrars are grateful to the characters for rescuing them, but they can’t provide much information about the hideout. All they know is that the boss is a

. Zeond is invisible when the party enters and doesn’t attack immediately. Rather, it watches the party closely and waits until the characters are embroiled in a battle before attacking. After it

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

tridents and a greataxe, but these weapons are no longer present. B20: The Scar The wall in this alcove is knotted like scar tissue. The mezzoloths who fled from their boss, the arcanaloth Ashripask (see

D&D Beyond

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