both being descent come runes

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

flowing through their veins manifests differently in each genasi, often as magical power. Seen in silhouette, a genasi can usually pass for human. Those of earth or water descent tend to be heavier

tracing their own lineage, and bloodlines occasionally skip a generation or two. Many earth genasi originated in the North and spread out from there. Water genasi come from coastal areas, the largest

21. Clean Air Station

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

21. Clean Air Station The duergar come here to shake off the effects of the poison gas. Runes are chiseled into the smooth gray walls. A character who studies the runes and succeeds on a DC 15

Nine Hells or Bust

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

rule of that level, or Bel is able to reclaim the level using the machine’s power. What happens as a result is entirely up to you, and might come into play if you are running Baldur’s Gate: Descent into

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

magical power than a potion, but they all believe that the tribal sorcerer can figure out how to use any such item they come across. When kobolds sense an opportunity to separate a magic item from its

they were demigods — mighty beings of divine descent. This isn’t a casual sort of worship or lip service; kobolds are awed in the presence of a dragon, as if an actual avatar of a deity

11. Melissara's Study

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

Traveler, and Touched by the Far Realm: A Wizard’s Lamentable Descent into Lunacy. Tucked among these mundane tomes is Melissara’s spellbook, which bears the (right side up) Shadowdusk family crest on the

by Melissara. Inside is a small black journal. The first page of the book is trapped with a glyph of warding spell, whose explosive runes deal fire damage (save DC 15). The glyph is keyed to go off if

D6. Hall of Vows

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

even passion. Two sets of stairs, side by side but spiraling away from each other, rise at the north end. If the characters have come this far without alerting the creatures in area D7, they can

Dethek runes on it, reading, “A beacon in the dark depths.” The axe’s wielder always knows the way to the nearest passage leading from underground toward the surface, as well as the approximate depth the axe is underground.

10. Arcane Display

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

this hall are as follows: Chandeliers. Radiant crystal chandeliers levitate near the ceiling. Paintings. Paintings line the walls. They come in many sizes and have gilded frames. The hall contains

if needed. Hanging on a stone peg that juts from the wall, the gold-plated shield is etched with arcane runes. A detect magic spell reveals an aura of necromancy magic radiating from the shield. A

The Ring of Winter

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

The Ring of Winter After reclaiming Svardborg, Jarl Storvald used rune magic to divine how best to find the Ring of Winter — what the frost giants call the Ice That Never Melts. The runes told

Storvald that help would come to him after he staged a series of raids on coastal communities. He sent ships to attack sites along the Sword Coast, and during a raid on Port Llast, the giants captured a

L1. Stele Forest

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

approach, read: “Very few people would dare to come here,” says a voice from above. Perched twenty feet above you is a man balanced with his legs braced between two of the larger stone columns. He has

the attack is reduced by 1d10 + 10. If the damage is reduced to 0, Steel Crane catches the missile if it’s small enough to hold in one hand and Steel Crane has a hand free. Slow Descent (3/Day). When Steel Crane falls, he can slow his descent, taking no damage from the fall.

Deathly Interludes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

. Hero’s Epilogue Most adventurers hope their lives come to an end with some worthy conclusion. Sometimes in the heat of battle, though, that end can be abrupt and without real resolution. An epilogue

moments from the character’s story and how they can be reflected in the events of their final descent. Maybe they see the souls of friends, allies, or loved ones who perished, whether their fates are

Adventure Hooks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

into a ticking time bomb. The following are examples of ways the hunt might come for characters: Countdown. Laurel, a young woman who recently inherited her father’s merchant wagon, finds a Deck of

champion. Unwitting Pawns. The characters are recruited to search for a Deck of Many Things by a wealthy patron, Lord Verin Oakley, who claims descent from a famous knight who once owned this deck

9. Foggy Caves

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

”). Each apparition takes a harmless swing at any creatures that pass through the area before sinking back into the fog. 9c. Unpleasant Descent This 10-foot-high passage slopes down gently as it runs

higher to pass through this gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate appears in area 34a on level 6, in the closest unoccupied space next to the identical gate located there.

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

about their fate in hopes of receiving an answer from the sages. Unknown to outsiders, the sages’ talents come from their best-guarded secret: a series of ancient, magical tomes called the Books of

the star’s course, recover it, and trade it to the svirfneblin for the second set of tomes. In anticipation of the star’s descent, Shalfey sent his most trusted tower hands—martial artists sworn to

Neverwinter

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

as the Open Lord of Waterdeep, he has thrown his full attention and effort into the rebuilding of the city from which he claims descent. Whatever people’s opinions are of his claim to Neverwinter’s

Road, and is seeking other ways to repair and improve the city. Even if he can never prove his descent from Lord Nasher Alagondar, the people of Neverwinter have accepted his leadership. (My rumored

19. Silver Coffer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

coffer is unlocked, but it is latched, so the lid will not come open unless the characters touch the box. Inside the coffer is a strange copper figurine, narrow, with fins, looking somewhat fish-like

. Written on the side of this figurine are strange runes. On the slimmer end is a small arched square panel. The runes are in a script similar to Elvish and spell out the name Ilnedraw. Deft fingers

47. Halls of the Faithful

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

level or higher to pass through this gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate

opens for 1 minute. Characters must be 15th level or higher to pass through this gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes

The Remains of Tammeraut

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

broke in half during its descent, its bow section gone missing but its stern plunged backward into the seafloor like a spike. The sandy bed around the wreckage is scattered with partially buried

to be inscribed with ancient runes. A character who succeeds on a DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check deduces that the slab is the product of magic. A subsequent successful DC 16 Intelligence

17. Battlefield Cavern

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

to 0 hit points during this fight immediately come to their senses and take 22 (4d10) psychic damage from the shock of their illusory demise. Unlike any damage sustained in the battle, this psychic

Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate appears in area 25b on level 10, in the closest unoccupied space next to the identical gate located there.

16. Heart of the Mountain

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

came here to learn secrets and receive divine guidance. While attuned to the room and inside it, a dwarf can cast the divination spell at will. Answers provided by the spell come from an unknown source

gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate appears in area 4b on level 10, in the closest unoccupied space next to the identical gate located there.

13. Recreation Room

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

13. Recreation Room Students come here to relax and recuperate between lessons. 13a. Taproom This room resembles a comfortable taproom in Waterdeep. The bar is stocked with bottles of fine liquor and

9th level or higher to pass through this gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the

Sphinx's Riddle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

Sphinx’s Riddle Oliekintara confirms her identity to anyone who asks, but before she’ll say more, she insists visitors answer this riddle: You’ve come to meet me at my temple, And I’ll give you all

twelve runes engraved around the sphinx statue. Each is an ancient symbol for a different hour. If the characters fail to answer the riddle correctly, Oliekintara seems pleased with her own cleverness

Franchise Downtime

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

development. A few possible downtime activities are suggested below, but the party’s downtime escapades can include anything that you and the players come up with. The Orrery Learning more about the

Waterdeep can undertake research to study its mysterious runes, which can lead to information regarding That-Which-Endures (see the sidebar in the “New Race: Verdan” section in chapter 3.) Gorkoh the

The Shadowdusks

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

mad, and it didn’t take long for the madness to spread to other members of the Shadowdusk family and come into public view. As the family’s behavior grew more bizarre, local broadsheets circulated

darkness.” The family’s crest is a lit torch with three embers rising from the flame, set against a purple background. In the wake of the family’s descent into Undermountain and madness, this crest has

10. Noble Quarters

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

rest of her family, but she can sense that her mind is slowly being eroded by contact with the Far Realm. Fearing that her descent into madness is inevitable, she lives in a state of self-imposed

whenever she leaves their suite, fearing that she will come to harm without his protection. He lives in constant fear that adventurers might invade Shadowdusk Hold and lay waste to it. Prolonged exposure

Woods Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

demon worshiper.” (Partially true; Xanthe is referring to Ivlis, the former priest) Occult Ritual Eventually, you come across an eerie statue in a forest clearing. Strange runes are etched into

come to harass her. A character who tries to convince Xanthe that they bear no ill will can make a DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check. A successful check improves Xanthe’s attitude to Indifferent, and the

Origin of the Raven Queen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

to implore Corellon and Lolth to come to their senses. But the information in these fragments was woefully incomplete, and the queen’s true motives were never fully understood. I have heard tales of

drow who have forsaken the evil ways of their kind. I give these stories no credit, though Elminster himself swears they have validity. Never trust a drow, or the word of an archmage. Descent into

Droaam

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

Droaam The Korranberg ChrONiCle Descent into Droaam: my trail to terror We’re all going to die. That thought echoed through my mind as the wagon carried us toward the Great Crag. The diplomats

whole creature and still be hungry. If you’re bad, she’ll come in the night and carry you away. She’ll make a lantern of your skull and torment you until the end of time. And she’s the least

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

. Elturel Prior to the events described in Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus, the holy city of Elturel — the capital of Elturgard — sat upriver on the Chionthar. Whereas Baldur’s Gate is a cutthroat

Reflections of Lolth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

conflagration. The so-called descent of the drow isn’t one moment in history, but the result of conflict between godly powers in an era that has become myth to mortals. My investigations indicate it

occurred in different worlds of the Material Plane at different times. I have even discovered one world, Krynn, where it has yet to come to pass.

Wood Elves

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

the Sundering, the Crown Wars, the descent of the drow, and other calamities as the result of acts of arrogance on the part of their ancestors. Living around and amid the reminders of this arrogance

elves don’t come across members of other races. Adventurers, diplomats, couriers, and those who pursue similar professions are the exceptions, traveling far outside their sylvan domains and meeting a wide

Tresendar Manor Dungeon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

desiccated and skeletal humanoid corpses litter the floor of this small chamber. The stone of the north wall has been etched with intricate runes, but the pattern ends abruptly. Bodies and Runes. A closer

examination of the still-intact bodies reveals that each bears tattoos matching the runes carved on the walls. The corpses wear a wide range of clothing and armor, but have been stripped of all

Lambent Zenith Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

, Ilren claims to come from a similar background: the giff is an adventurer with heroic dreams who became stranded on this wreck when his skiff crashed into Havock. Ilren claims that nothing of his skiff

front of the ship. During the Lambent Zenith’s crash, arcane wards should have sealed the safe room’s doors. The safe room is inaccessible while the wards are active. Ward Runes. Two runes hidden on the

D&D Beyond

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