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Returning 35 results for 'both before directly concern rival'.
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both before direct concerns rivals
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
Orc
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
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
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
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->Rise of Tiamat
An Unexpected Message Iskander’s message to the party can arrive in any manner you see fit, including through contacts in the Zhentarim. Whether it comes directly to the characters or to an NPC on
motivated by concern for his own survival than by concern for the world. If divination spells are used to assess the situation, give the characters a strong sense that Iskander is on the level, and that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
An Unexpected Message Iskander’s message to the party can arrive in any manner you see fit, including through contacts in the Zhentarim. Whether it comes directly to the characters or to an NPC on
motivated by concern for his own survival, or that he’s luring them into a trap. If divination spells are used to assess the situation, give the characters a strong sense that Iskander is on the level
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->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
Rival Houses Conflicts, rivalries, and feuds among the thirteen dragonmarked houses drive a dragonmarked intrigue campaign. As tremendously powerful magical and mercantile forces, the houses seek
economic dominance, which often comes at the expense of other houses and sometimes with little concern for ethics. Ambitious forces within the houses—if not the houses as a whole—can lead them to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Boromar Clan has several enemies as well. At least three councilors oppose the Boromars because of genuine concern for their constituents; two more oppose the syndicate because they’re part of rival
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
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
the blasted landscape and flows directly beneath the city. Floating on the river are demonic barges being assailed by squadrons of winged devils under the command of a terrifying pit fiend wearing an
eyeless helm and clutching a battle standard.
The demons and the devils are too focused on one another to concern themselves with adventurers who keep their distance. The devils are commanded by
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->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->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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
concern directly competes with that of an established deity. The methods of resolving such conflicts range from friendly dueling festivals or rites meant to emphasize the glory of one god over another
up from time to time. The burgeoning worship of a new deity is rarely a concern to the other gods of the Faerûnian pantheon, and the people who revere those deities, except when the newcomer’s area of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
large building. Assuming the characters are cooperative, the grippli guards take the visitors directly to her. If the party seems trustworthy, she speaks to them. She prefers Primordial (it’s easier on
the village. In any event, saving the eggs, or as many of them as possible, is the grippli’s main concern. If the characters demand payment, Pond Mother can offer the modest contents of the trading
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->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
A New Plan After the characters absorb their situation, Alustriel expresses concern that the wizards can’t stop Vecna. Mordenkainen says, “I have an alternative plan.” Mordenkainen strides over to a
as Vecna. Alustriel, please forgive me, but I did plan a contingency.
“Vecna is too powerful to stop directly at this point. However, no power is absolute. I suspect Vecna will be vulnerable while he
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
knows that demons at large in the world are bad for business. The organization thus views the possible presence of the demon lords in the Underdark with the same concern as any other external threat
is key to the plan, and though she ultimately won’t withhold that access from the adventurers, she intends to make sure it’s not given away for free. Davra deals with the adventurers directly — and
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->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->Tyranny of Dragons
below. The cavern extends into darkness beyond the range of their light. They need to go down the stairs and explore the area directly to discover its full extent. Characters standing along the ledge
only real concern is food. If told about the supply of meat in area 6 and brought some as proof, it leaves the characters alone while it creeps away to investigate the larder. A total of three dragon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
below. The cavern extends into darkness beyond the range of their light. They need to go down the stairs and explore the area directly to discover its full extent. Characters standing along the ledge
concern is food. If told about the supply of meat in area 6 and brought some as proof, It leaves the characters along while it creeps away to investigate the larder. A total of three dragon eggs are spread
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
and Darkness is an invisible presence around it, her voice thundering from the Night Diamond or whispering secrets directly in the ears of her courtiers, and sometimes both at once. The Prince of Frost
struck directly with the power in question, however. Often a weaker fiend serves as an intermediary, and the warlock might not know whom he or she serves. Notable fiendish patrons peculiar to the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
the Underdark. The only path back to the surface goes directly through a shadow dragon’s lair.
3 A young woman seeks heroes to retrieve a family heirloom stolen from her. The woman is actually a
fomorian army for some mysterious purpose.
6 A recently transformed adult shadow dragon uses the new power of shadow to terrorize the adult silver dragon who has been a rival for centuries.
7 An
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->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
amount of resources to remain strong. As a rule, a tribe is violently hostile toward any other tribe it meets, seeing the rival orcs first and foremost as competitors for food and victims. On some
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
. 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
compromised. Perhaps they are defecting to a rival, attempting to seize the ancient being’s power. Whatever the case, you must catch them to end their threat. 6 Astral Heist. A powerful rival of your patron
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
reputation in proper society. As a result of being a member of the Lords’ Alliance, Amphail is the equal of such great cities as Neverwinter and Baldur’s Gate in matters that concern the other powers of
Waterdeep. Anything that threatens farming in Amphail threatens the City of Splendors directly, and such situations are dealt with swiftly and surely by the city’s Guard. As a result, even the most