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Returning 35 results for 'both before directly clearly rival'.
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both before directly clear rival
both before directly clearly ritual
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
made him the envy of many rival spellcasters.
Ringlerun has a good heart, but he’s easily distracted by intellectual pursuits. He would rather spend time in quiet contemplation or reading than in
when people who are clearly less intelligent want to tell me what to do.”
Combat Notes
Ringlerun can fend off melee attackers with wild swings of his staff, but he prefers to fly out of reach and
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
draw the blood of your enemies, or even directly touch their souls.
Suggested Characteristics
Members of the Orzhov Syndicate range from the decadent nobility at the top of the oligarchy to the debt
activities in crime, banking, or debt collection could tie you to members of other guilds.
Roll twice on the Orzhov Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Orzhov Contacts table
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
crystal dragons have scales of perfect clarity that bend and refract light, sometimes making them difficult to see clearly.
The radiant energy of the Positive Plane shimmers in crystal dragons&rsquo
dragon until initiative count 20 on the next round. A creature charmed in this way obeys to the best of its ability any command the dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Ice
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
. The oldest crystal dragons have scales of perfect clarity that bend and refract light, sometimes making them difficult to see clearly.
The radiant energy of the Positive Plane shimmers in crystal
dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Ice Passage. The dragon can open a passage through a wall of ice or snow that is up to 5 feet thick, creating an opening up to 30 feet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
characters stand in the way, and how the conflict could be resolved. Ideally, a rival’s goal directly involves the characters or something they care about. Assets. Think about the resources the rival can
Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
research grant or an academic award. Or they might be conspicuously spending ill-gotten wealth, boasting of their accomplishments, or directly taunting the characters. (A rival group at these levels might
Rival Explorers Morgrave University teems with unscrupulous adventurers and researchers driven by avarice. Additionally, the university itself has academic rivals—the University of Wynarn in Aundair
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
nothing. Then, as clearly as if it were happening right next to you, the house’s front door creaks open and slowly closes, latching with a crisp click. Then, once again, nothing.
The characters must now contend with Strahd’s nightmare magic in Death House until they find and face the Darklord directly.
Kobold
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
have clearly been lost or thrown away, which is easy to do without attracting attention. At the same time, they don’t automatically shy away from trying to grab items that are the property of
retaliation usually prevents them from trying to directly harm the gnomes, but they might spit in the milk, balance dishes on tables so they’re easily knocked over and broken, or scatter sewing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
being targeted by a Tasha’s hideous laughter spell. 3 A Friend of the character is clearly experiencing an altered state, perhaps due to magic, an intense calming method, or a more mundane reason. The
student needs someone to watch out for them lest they embarrass themself. 4 A Rival of the character challenges them to an aerial dance-off. Whoever has the highest Charisma (Performance) check total
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
clothes accented with tasteful but clearly valuable silver jewelry. She’s brusque, authoritative, and direct, though she listens with remarkable patience and intensity whenever anyone addresses her
directly. While no one in the Silver Fingers Society would dare help Vidorant right now, she still has a few informants and cronies from outside the organization. If the characters watch her long enough
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
curse, the narrative impact fades. There should always be a way to avoid a curse, and a curse’s effects should clearly arise from wrongdoing. Here are some examples of actions that warrant a curse
lay the curse directly, the curse should be obvious in some way, such as a warning of dire consequences carved into the wall of an ancient crypt or relayed by a spell such as magic mouth.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild
enhanced medusa for Lynx, or the brains in iron for Sir Ursas (see below for more information on both). Each expedition also has its own mechanical guide. You might use the members of the rival expedition
missing components, whether they steal them out from under the characters or take them directly in combat. Any stolen components will be delivered to their respective agents before the characters return from the past.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
achieve such a summoning, though I am sure he didn’t intend this result. Imbecile!
“I can save you months of research — time we clearly don’t have. The information I found here has confirmed my
theories, and I know how to banish the demon lords back to the Abyss. We can do this only if we work together, if you are willing and daring enough to directly challenge the demon lords. Or perhaps
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
eternal honor directly caused the destruction of Manivarsha. Having lived a cursed life as a pride-obsessed fiend in the depths of the swamps for centuries, Jijibisha has recently heard of a rival that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Rival Princes When the characters arrive at the square, read or paraphrase the following: Locals crowd a shaded square, listening to a fervent argument between two well-dressed human men wearing dark
come directly from King Diara. Personality Trait. “I’m happiest when I’m working with my hands.” Ideal. “Though I might have more responsibility, I’m no better than anyone else who works in the
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
convinced to defend the school in a contest against a rival college.
7
An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond
issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one creature it can see within its lair. That creature must succeed on a DC
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
the school in a contest against a rival college.
7
An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond.
8
An
this way obeys to the best of its ability any command the dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
possess, while providing as little information as possible. If Yahru obtains information that would clearly benefit Ras Nsi or Fenthaza, he chooses which superior to bequeath it to. Yahru enjoys
temple, Yahru knows the following: Ras Nsi commands the yuan-ti of Omu, but his command is tenuous. The high priest, Fenthaza, is Ras Nsi’s chief rival. Ras Nsi is slowly being eaten away by a magical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
important common values and work toward the same end: the destruction of slavery. They fulfill something like the role of the Order of the Gauntlet in Athas. The Free are not directly concerned with
Alluvial Sand Wastes is Tyr, struggling to find its way after the death of King Kalak. The templars of Tyr can’t allow a new threat to grow on their doorstep — or allow the templars of a rival city such
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
level directly above you. The ship looks like a giant metal insect, its hull gleaming in the sunlight.
Ropes drop from the vessel and land on the main deck of the Flighty Foundling, near the
giff concludes, the characters hear an explosion coming from the other side of the academy, in the direction of the cadet quarters. They now have a choice: head toward what is clearly another attack (continue with “Freeing Miken” below) or remain aboard the Flighty Foundling (skip ahead to “Staying Put”).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
of Spiders and her brood rarely take part directly in the Blood War; rather, her agents in the Abyss contrive to lure her enemies into throwing themselves into the struggle. Her servitors spy on both
sides, playing demon and devil against each other.
Lolth’s plan, as far as those who study the Abyss understand it, is to tempt her rival demon lords into venturing onto other planes or to send them
Orc
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can
rival orcs first and foremost as competitors for food and victims.
On some occasions, though, tribes that have a common concern band together. The result is an orc horde — a sea of slavering
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
clearly been lost or thrown away, which is easy to do without attracting attention. At the same time, they don’t automatically shy away from trying to grab items that are the property of other
hatred of gnomes, city kobolds often go out of their way to target gnomes’ houses and shops. Even in such cases, the kobolds’ fear of retaliation usually prevents them from trying to directly harm
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
of power. This staff greatly increased Ringlerun’s capabilities and made him the envy of many rival spellcasters. Ringlerun has a good heart, but he’s easily distracted by intellectual pursuits. He
prickly when people who are clearly less intelligent want to tell me what to do.” Combat Notes Ringlerun can fend off melee attackers with wild swings of his staff, but he prefers to fly out of reach and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
magical weapon.
4 Defeat a rival.
5 Open a planar portal.
6 Summon fiends or undead.
7 Overthrow a peer or superior.
8 Cause a riot in the Cogs.
9 Start a war
.
3 A third party shows up with their own agenda.
4 There’s a hostage, or an ally of the PCs is directly at risk.
5 A manifest zone or planar conjunction has an unexpected effect
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
(Medium Noble Prodigy) descends directly from Lareth ir’Morgrave, founder of the university, and serves as its current master. Though his job involves more administration than scholarship, he
nevertheless finds time to publish more papers on giant-made pottery than any other scholar, past or present. If you use rival explorers in your campaign who are connected to Morgrave University, they work
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
particularly sapphires. Green Dragons. Dwarves and green dragons don’t often interact, and when they do, the dragon doesn’t usually threaten them directly. A typical green dragon has no burning desire
by creatures it can catch in the open, including the travelers that enter and exit the place. On occasion, this state of (relatively) peaceful coexistence is shattered when a devious rival dragon with
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
their knowledge, they seem genuinely eager to shepherd your work. 3 Hidden Benefactor. Whoever your contact is, they don’t communicate directly. They send messages via couriers or letters. No one in
a professional who works directly toward the guild’s specialty or whose fortunes align with the guild’s interests. Alternatively, you could provide the guild with services to which their members
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
resources, goals, and leaders—directly sponsors and guides your adventures. Types of Religious Orders Not every religious order represents an alliance of worshipers devoted to godly ideals. Perhaps your
your group as the adventuring arm of the organization, or perhaps a legion of paladins who call on your group’s finesse where swords and shields fail. You might receive orders directly from the immortal
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
sovereign. Roll or pick from the Sovereign Contact table to determine who manages the relationship between you and the throne, if not the sovereign directly. Sovereign Contact d6 Contact 1 Intimate
embroil you directly in political intrigues, court maneuverings, or threats from national foes. It’s up to you and the sovereign to determine whether your work is publicly acknowledged or top secret
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
directly for the them or pay tribute in exchange for independence. The Boromars control a vast network of extortion, blackmail, and graft that extends throughout the city, and their influence reaches
Council. Of the seventeen members of Sharn’s city council, four have close ties to the Boromar Clan—including one, Ilyra Boromar, who reports directly to the head of the syndicate. These four vote as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
directly sharing what they want to see in a campaign. You can learn about your players’ preferences in two ways: Direct Input. Ask your players what they want to do in a campaign. Regularly inquire about how
rival midcampaign should be handled carefully to avoid straining credulity. Make sure a player is comfortable with new developments about their character before introducing them. Character-Focused
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
see its opponents before 60-foot darkvision sees it. A beholder always has several backup plans ready. When dealing with one, I have three plans of my own: run, hide, and distract. Rival adventurers
are always a good distraction. Rival beholders are the best one.
— Volo
Best of all, if ye can learn what schemes a beholder holds dearest, threaten those schemes. Its lured attention will at
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
to its patron might be a clearly defined exchange, or it could be uncertain or forceful. Whatever the nature of the being, as long as your group fulfills its role, the being offers rewards. Roll or
. A dragon values socially adept agents and those who influence society’s decision-makers. Consider how your capabilities and interests align directly with those of the ancient being, or how you
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
, she would much rather send them against her rival than fight them. At the same time, she knows she cannot be seen as disloyal to the cult’s interests. Negotiating with Talis Talis is wary of the
characters but offers them hospitality to see whether they might be useful tools. An observer will note that she is polite but not warm, she is clearly looking for something.
Talis the White
What Talis