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Returning 35 results for 'both before design court rather'.
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Magic Items
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
This mirror of elven design allows those who stare into it to reflect on positive memories. The 3-foot-tall mirror weighs 25 pounds, and it has AC 11, 10 hit points, and vulnerability to bludgeoning
memories aren’t real, but rather idealized versions of those occurrences. Nearby observers can glimpse flashes of these memories if looking indirectly at the mirror.
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather than the
circumstances of your birth, could have secured you this position.
You might have been one of the many functionaries, attendants, and other hangers-on in the Court of Silverymoon, or perhaps you
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
court of vampires and ghosts in her palace of ice. Other tales claim that when anyone dies in Lhazaar, Illmarrow chooses whether to take their soul before it passes on to the Keeper and Dolurrh.
But
Emerald Claw, but her motives for founding the order are buried in her past. Lady Illmarrow has no interest in ruling the living. Rather, she seeks to become Queen of the Dead.
The Mark of Death
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
through her veins.
Mother Night. Over four hundred years ago, Katarina came to Barovia and insinuated herself into Strahd’s court, working as a maid in Castle Ravenloft. She came to know the
the master of Ravenloft, but she has all the power she desires and doesn’t seek to supplant him. She would rather help Strahd find someone else to succeed him, although she has grave doubts about
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Trait. “I detest chores and would rather have other creatures do them for me.”
Ideal. “I don’t care about the past or the future. I live in the present. What I do now, this very
. When their sister returned, the hags used this power to trap Iggwilv and her court in temporal stasis. The hags then carved up Iggwilv’s domain, splitting it between them. The sisters couldn&rsquo
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
in a game of dragonchess that has been going on for centuries.
2
An ancient dragon turtle serves as counsel to an empyrean court, tempering the Celestials’ passions with the dragon turtle
, including deep-sea trenches or underwater volcanoes.
Dragon turtles are largely unconcerned with the design of their lairs and seldom work to improve them. A dragon turtle’s primary concern when
Bard
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
necessary, using their magic to bolster their swords and armor. Their spells lean toward charms and illusions rather than blatantly destructive spells. They have a wide-ranging knowledge of many
from Experience True bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires hard study
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Courtier In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather
than the circumstances of your birth, could have secured you this position. You might have been one of the many functionaries, attendants, and other hangers-on in the Court of Silverymoon, or perhaps
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
characters make a greater impact on the world, they face greater danger whether they want to or not. Powerful factions see them as a threat and plot against them, while friendly ones court their favor in
increasingly powerful. This approach also allows you to break your design work down into smaller pieces. Create material such as adventures, NPCs, maps, and so on for one tier at a time. You only need to worry
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
assertiveness to outright panic spreads through the Avowed and visitors alike as folk gather in the Court of Air. No one can recall the last time an earthquake shook the library. Characters who talk to
Kenku
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
the area patrolled by the guard did she explain that the noises indicated that the wingless folk had claimed that area, and that to trespass would be to court death.
— Gimble, Notes from a
kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what they mean. Be clear
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Deciphering the Mask Characters curious about the nature of Phenax’s Silence find no grand prize in the Court of Orestes. Rather than great wealth, the seer Orestes vaguely predicted the events that
of this secret is up to you to decide, and learning more about it might color future adventures of your own design. Secrets of Phenax d6 Result
1 As a mortal, Phenax was destined to free the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
poisons detailed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide as a baseline for the effects Ivana creates and combine them with the effects of enchantment and illusion spells to design custom, nonmagical toxins for her
. This poison is nonmagical, and Ivana doesn’t directly communicate with those affected during the dream. Rather, she creates the illusion of speaking with her intended target by alchemically crafting
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Character Advancement If you want to use story-based level advancement, the characters receive experience points for achieving milestones rather than defeating monsters. When the characters leave the
Romeo and Juliet. It was a departure from the more expected adventure design of the time in that violent solutions to problems aren’t an automatic path to victory—inquisitive minds and compassionate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
I dreamed, they would be bigger dreams than yours, though, because my head is bigger.
Circle of Dreams Features Druid Level Feature 2nd Balm of the Summer Court 6th Hearth of Moonlight and
Shadow 10th Hidden Paths 14th Walker in Dreams Balm of the Summer Court At 2nd level, you become imbued with the blessings of the Summer Court. You are a font of energy that offers respite from
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Character Advancement If you want to use story-based level advancement, the characters receive experience points for achieving the following milestones rather than defeating monsters: Escape the Maze
reprinted Pharaoh in 1982 but also hired Tracy Hickman. TSR later published two more adventures in the Desert of Desolation trilogy.
Pharaoh was praised for blending masterful dungeon design with a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
Aasimar In Eberron, aasimar aren’t a race as such. Rather, each aasimar is a unique individual touched by a celestial power. An aasimar bound to the Silver Flame has a couatl as an angelic guide
. An aasimar could even be an elf channeling the power of the Undying Court, though they’d possess the standard aasimar traits in place of any elf traits. The appearance of an aasimar will depend on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
tavern, dance hall, and inn. But the festhall takes its name from a peculiar dancer within it rather than those in the court outside. The “Jade Dancer” is an eight-foot-tall jade statue of a woman that
known as the Dancing Court. Any creatures that enter the sphere find that they can fly about inside it just by willing themselves to do so. For centuries, Waterdavians have used these supernatural events
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
fine, billowing robes—this is Zisatta. Zisatta Zisatta The aloof Zisatta is a member of the High Court and commands Janya’s security forces, called the Billowing Patrol for their sable robes that
interrupts and orders all the characters to introduce themselves rather than first sharing her own name. If the characters speak about the ghost ship, Zisatta tensely reports that sightings of a ghostly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
all of reality’s lies and understand the truth that lies beyond them. Yet the truth that he sees remains known only to him. He utters cryptic remarks about a grand design that guides the cosmos toward
-called “cultists,” rather than being true volunteers, are unfortunates duped into honoring him because they listened to his lies. Fraz-Urb’luu might appear to a desperate paladin and claim to be a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Chateau Delanuit and enforce her quarantines across Richemulot. Rather than the soldiers they appear to be, these troops are animated armor filled with rats that mindlessly and mercilessly enact Jacqueline
Renier’s will. If a guard is defeated, the armor collapses, releasing a swarm of rats. Plague Seasons. The Inverted Court beneath Chateau Delanuit holds hidden sewer laboratories where wererat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
holy symbol that represents that divinity.
Some clerics, especially in a world like Eberron, serve a whole pantheon, rather than a single deity. In certain campaigns, a cleric might instead serve a
up serving, choose a Divine Domain that is appropriate for it, and if it doesn’t have a holy symbol, work with your DM to design one.
The cleric’s class features often refer to your deity. If you
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
rise to deadly rivalries. Resistance to lawful authority can become tyranny of another sort. And when passions become inflamed, giving in to them can lead to tragedy rather than triumph. Purphoros’s
conflict he’s certain Purphoros will win.
4 A gladiator of Purphoros partakes of the fumes at Mount Velus then goes on what seems to be a rampage that contributes to a mysterious design.
5
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal. Integrated
this way. While you live, your armor can’t be removed from your body against your will. Specialized Design. You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice. Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
mortals to evil, but he and his minions never breached a contract and explained the terms clearly. Had they not obeyed the rule of law in doing so? Was it not mortal ambition, rather than infernal deception
sins entered the court record. Even Primus’s patience has its limits, and in time, the remaining angels who were eager to testify were told that only a few more would be allowed to speak. A brawl
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
tell you how to design new class features. The best place to start is by looking at other class features, or at spells, feats, or any other rules for inspiration. You’re almost certainly going to have
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
the ruins rather than allowing the sage his study, but their idiocy awoke an ancient spirit that caused most of the group to drop off into a deathly sleep while it consumed their souls. Since I am
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Netheril’s Fall: Tales of Terror, Treasure, and Time Travel
and its extensive underground service tunnels make it a perfect place to slip unnoticed into the Hidden Quarter district or older tunnels that lead to the Underpeak. Court of Fountains Situated in an
enchanted grove, this marble-and-quartz palace of elven design rises gracefully toward the sky, encircled by music and glimmering light.
One of the city’s rare places meant solely for rest and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild
6. Captive Balor At the end of this hall, some sort of horrible binding process is underway. A balor is held against the wall, pressed in against the stonework design of a great green devil’s face. A
and is unmoored. It travels throughout the tomb at random, though is confined by the tomb’s magic to stay within its rooms and corridors rather than boring through the walls. This sphere can be
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Tairnadal most often encountered in Khorvaire. Despite sharing a homeland with the Aereni, the Tairnadal have distinct religious traditions, revering their patron ancestors rather than the Undying Court. In
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
merchants’ guilds, crime syndicates, and temple hierarchies. Rather than dark events and villainous plots, an intrigue adventure typically revolves around the exchange of favors, the rise and fall of
goals, motivations, and methods. The adventurers might be drawn into the struggle of a court full of nobles vying for the throne in the wake of the king’s sudden death, or could find themselves
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
. In the last year, a handful of svirfneblin youths have been training in secret under the rather terrifying care of the veteran Burrow Warden Jadger, who lingers on as a ghost. In life, Jadger was an
other svirfneblin to recognize Clan Goldwhisker’s right to remain in Blingdenstone. The Pudding King’s “Court” The so-called Pudding King holds court in the deepest sections of Blingdenstone. He was
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
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
running. There are times, though, when the design intent of a rule isn’t clear or when one rule seems to contradict another. Dealing with those situations is where Sage Advice comes in. This column
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
character might try to bribe enemies rather than fight them, or chase after a fleeing enemy to see where it goes. Players who ignore objectives will have to deal with the consequences, which is another
important facet of encounter design. Sample Objectives The following objectives can be used as foundations for encounters. Although these objectives focus on a single encounter during an adventure, using
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
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
, though, when the design intent of a rule isn’t clear or when one rule seems to contradict another. Dealing with those situations is where Sage Advice comes in. It doesn’t replace a DM’s adjudication