Search Results
All Results
Characters
Compendium
Spells
Items
Monsters
Vehicles
Forums
Returning 35 results for 'both barely defeated could rules'.
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
for one last chance to win back the goodwill you’ve drunk away.
5
You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deer’s head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, you
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
Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
pity. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long. The typical human would barely make it through a day in the swamps.
Still
notable deeds or actions. For example, Garurt translates as “axe,” a name given to a lizardfolk warrior who defeated an orc and claimed his foe’s weapon. A lizardfolk who likes to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
(or its death throes) triggers a cave-in, allowing defeated characters to barely escape. Juiblex then turns its attention to feeding on Araumycos and is one of the demon lords drawn into battle by Vizeran’s ritual in chapter 17.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
your players agree to avoid character death in your game, you might consider an alternative: a character who would otherwise die is instead “defeated.” The following rules apply to a defeated character
. Conversely, using only low-difficulty encounters is less likely to lead to character death, especially if characters have ample opportunity to rest during the adventure. Defeated, Not Dead If you and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
things they don’t. In a typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game
The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
typical D&D session, a DM makes numerous rules decisions—some barely noticeable and others quite obvious. Players also interpret the rules, and the whole group keeps the game running. There are times
The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
special flourishes that happen when the monster uses an item, and the stat block might ignore the rules in “Equipment” for that item. When used by someone else, a retrievable item uses its “Equipment
” rules, ignoring any special flourishes in the stat block. The Gear entry doesn’t necessarily list all of a monster’s equipment. For example, a monster that wears clothes is assumed to be dressed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak
H20. Roof If the characters haven’t defeated Cryovain yet, the final encounter with the young white dragon occurs here as it stubbornly defends its new home. The rooftop is enclosed by a 3-foot-high
connect to the fireplaces in areas H12, H13, H14, and H17. Slippery Ice. Slippery ice covers the rooftop. The ice is difficult terrain (see the Basic Rules). When a creature other than Cryovain moves
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
their late teens and live less than a century. Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium
HUMAN TRAITS
If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 6, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
special flourishes that happen when the monster uses an item, and the stat block might ignore Player’s Handbook rules for that item. When used by someone else, a retrievable item uses its Player’s
Handbook rules, ignoring any special flourishes in the stat block. The Gear entry doesn’t necessarily list all of a monster’s equipment. For example, a monster that wears clothes is assumed to be dressed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
resistance. 6 Every problem can be solved with the use of force. Devil Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Loyalty. I keep my vows to my superior and respect those who do the same. 2 Law. I might not like the rules
, but I obey them. 3 Ambition. The need to improve my station drives my every action. 4 Conquest. I am equal to the sum of the foes I have defeated in combat. 5 Cunning. Those who can see an advantage
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Approaching the Fortress To get to Xardorok’s fortress, the characters need to negotiate the Spine of the World. Use the rules in the “Mountain Travel” section to simulate the perils of getting
hewn from the rock leads up along one side of the wall.
The steps leading up to it are barely 5 feet wide and climb 150 feet to a frost-covered shelf that adjoins the main entrance (area X1). Difficult
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
; now roll damage,” “11 points,” and “OK, now we’re to Initiative count 13.” Instead, use the rules and your knowledge of the scene to help your narration. If 18 is barely a hit, but the 11 points of
Narration in Combat Although it’s important that the players understand what’s going on in terms of the rules, the game can get dull if everyone uses only “gamespeak”: “That’s an 18 to hit,” “You hit
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
goblins can do on their turn, see chapter 9, “Combat,” in the Basic Rules. When three goblins are defeated, the last goblin attempts to flee, heading for the goblin trail. Developments In the unlikely
than the goblins’ check total is surprised and therefore can’t do anything on his or her first turn in the combat (see “Surprise” in the Basic Rules). Use the initiative rules in the Basic Rules to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
humanoid bones barely covered by the water. Outcropping Caves Three natural caves open near the top of the 30-foot-high rock formation at the far end of the pool. These crevices might be noticed by
grow frustrated. Treasure Over their years of minding the pool, the harpies have accumulated treasures in their caves. After the harpies are defeated, any character who climbs up to the caves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
details. Last Glimpse of Vogler Evacuees flee the Dragon Army’s invasion of Vogler The characters escape Vogler on the last boat, a small fishing vessel barely large enough for the characters, Darrett
knows. In any case, Vogler’s defenders were defeated and an enemy force marches on the town. The characters’ allies might have suffered any of the following fates: Assassination. Jeyev is actually a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
conduct. Because people who don’t normally play together might end up at the same table in a shared campaign, it can be helpful to establish some ground rules for behavior. On the broadest level, everyone
getting together to play is defeated. The basic code of conduct for a shared campaign might be modeled on a similar document that another organization or location uses. Beyond that, some special
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
: 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
characters are more than 20 feet away, the zombies use the Dash action so they can move farther. For more information on what the zombies can do on their turn, see “Combat” in the Basic Rules. The zombies
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Haayon the Punisher This encounter occurs only after the prophets of the Cult of the Howling Hatred and the Cult of the Crushing Wave have been defeated. Bands of raiders roaming the area, minor
defeated temples; one such leader is Haayon the Punisher. Haayon is a cloud giant who hopes to become the next leader of the air cult. Late to answer the call of Elemental Evil, he recently arrived in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
area 2 take notice if the characters make a lot of noise here. They creep into the room, gaining surprise if the characters don’t hear them (see “Surprise” in the Basic Rules). If the ruffians fight in
this area and two are defeated, the last ruffian might reveal the secret door by fleeing in that direction. Treasure The satchel hidden in the cistern is waterproof and contains a potion of healing, a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
through the gates or skirts around them when they are closed (see “Mists of Ravenloft” earlier in this chapter). If Strahd is defeated, the gates of Barovia swing open, and the road east becomes clear
of fog. THE LANDS OF BAROVIA: COMMON FEATURES
Unless the text says otherwise, the following rules apply to doors, secret doors, locks, and webs in these lands.
Doors. A wooden door can be forced
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
profane magic. It typically takes shadow demons centuries to recover their demonic power, if they ever do. Particularly powerful demons might return as multiple shadow demons after being defeated. These
demons. There are three rules to endings. First, good always wins. Second, evil always returns. Third, the first rule isn’t always true.
—Tarsheva Longreach,
planar traveler
Shadow Demon Medium
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide
-foot cube Gargantuan 20-foot cube A creature that needs to breathe will exhaust the air in its personal envelope in 1 minute. Since this is barely enough time to get anywhere, most creatures travel
121, and the foul air turns deadly 120 days later. Deadly air is unbreathable. Any creature that tries to breathe deadly air begins to suffocate (see the rules on suffocation in the Player’s Handbook
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble
Tips for Dungeon Masters Rule 0. Rule 0 of D&D is simple: Have fun. It’s fine if everyone agrees to change the rules as long as doing so means the game is more fun for everyone. Be Supportive. The
a game of fantasy where heroes use wits, skill, and determination to overcome obstacles. Sometimes those obstacles are defeated with weapons and spells, but characters can succeed in other ways
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Intro to Stormwreck Isle
: 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
initiative count, the character can choose from the actions on their character sheet. The zombies fight until they’re all defeated. Tip: Undead Fortitude. The zombies’ Undead Fortitude trait reflects how
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
anchored to the sands. Each arm has AC 13 and 10 hit points. They try to drag a captured character underground (use the quicksand rules in the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Not until all the arms holding
Zikzokrishka. When they did, they discovered to their horror that Zikzokrishka had transformed into a dracolich, becoming even more powerful. They were defeated, transformed into flameskulls by the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
rolls Initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side is defeated. Combat Step by Step Combat unfolds in these steps: Establish Positions. The Dungeon
can take are listed in “Actions” earlier in this chapter. A character’s features and a monster’s stat block also provide action options. “Movement and Position” later in this chapter gives the rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
rolls Initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side is defeated. Combat Step by Step Combat unfolds in these steps: Establish Positions. The Dungeon
can take are listed in “Actions” earlier in this chapter. A character’s features and a monster’s stat block also provide action options. “Movement and Position” later in this chapter gives the rules
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
. Otherwise, the thrones are empty, and the characters have nothing else to interact with. The apparitions refuse to speak in the characters’ presence, and they can’t be harmed or turned. Barely lifting
one finger, the apparition of Reggaryarva summons a frost giant skeleton (see appendix C) to challenge the party. If the skeleton is defeated, it disappears, and Reggaryarva summons two invisible
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
grown shoddy with the passage of years. A blazing fire in the hearth barely gives any warmth to the room. You see a man behind the counter, methodically cleaning glasses. Three older women huddle
action in the rules glossary.
Russell: “Yeah, whose seal is it?”
Jared: “The Devil Strahd.”
Amy: “Sounds like a pleasant fellow.”
Jared: “No! He is the vampire lord of Castle Ravenloft and a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
the region. Use these to enhance your descriptions or handle situations where rules like lighting or terrain are relevant.
The rules glossary in the D&D Beyond Basic Rules defines any capitalized
rules such as Bright Light.
Getting Started
To begin, read the following boxed text aloud:
You travel along a well-kept trail east of the Keep on the Borderlands. Gnarled tree roots and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
dead. The return of Bhaal and his apparent reclamation of the domain of murder from Cyric led some scholars and sages to believe that the rules by which all deities must abide were in flux. In 1484
to be mystified as to why they would be singled out. In 1485, in Icewind Dale, the Chosen of Auril foments war with Ten-Towns and was defeated. In Anauroch, seeing that Netherese forces were spread
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
compassionate leader, but shows clear signs of stress as the characters talk to her. Kara’s Fears. If asked about Viallis, Kara says that the noble keeps to himself and that she barely knows him. Her manner is
and the characters face off. Unlike the mercenaries in Waterdeep, these villains know a great deal of information that they share if they are defeated and threatened: Lord Viallis is the leader of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
belongings are left behind, and all remaining devils in the room disappear in clouds of smoke. Ch’gakare When the last devil is defeated or when the party strikes a deal with the erinyes, the mastodon
, barely recognizable as the man riding the mastodon in the wall murals. He has the statistics of a revenant, but he can’t be destroyed. If reduced to 0 hit points, Ch’gakare turns to smoke, vanishes
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
such weapons fall into the hands of the characters, then whenever an elder monk is defeated, its force pike automatically overheats and explodes. TELEPORTATION-FIELD DEVICES
One of the more
. Prisoners of the Monastery Some thirty humanoid prisoners (commoners) are held in the monastery. All have had their faces flayed to make them barely distinguishable from the monks. Most work in the