both better down contrast realms

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs

emissaries are the fingers of alien realms, digits that tip the scales of reality toward terror. Heralded by ominous astrological events, these ravenous invaders make worlds ready for unimaginable masters or

Plaintiff

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

and realms of magic and mystery just a dungeon away, you left your old life behind. Now a world of adventure is yours. Just initial here and sign here and here. Absolve Acq Inc of all former claims, and

’re talking about. With common folks who don’t know any better, you might be able to intimidate or deceive to get favors or special treatment.

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Those who think of other planes at all consider them remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth

genasi in the Realms are descendants of the djinn and efreet who once ruled Calimshan. When those rulers were overthrown, their planetouched children were scattered. Over thousands of years, the

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

hold and controls their actions. In contrast, lizardfolk see emotions as traits assigned to other creatures, objects, and situations. A lizardfolk doesn’t think, “I’m scared.&rdquo

learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades. 6 You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient druidic traditions are sometimes called the Old Faith, in contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines. Druid spells are oriented toward nature and

of Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms, druidic circles are not usually connected to the faith of a single nature deity. Any given circle in the Forgotten Realms, for example, might include druids who

Running the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

set a short distance from the city of Neverwinter in the Sword Coast region of the Forgotten Realms setting. The Sword Coast is part of the North — a vast realm of free settlements surrounded by

wilderness and adventure. You don’t need to be a Forgotten Realms expert to run the adventure; everything you need to know about the setting is contained in this content. If this is your first time

Other Elements

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

Other Elements Replace any mention of deities specific to the Forgotten Realms setting with appropriate Greyhawk deities. For example, the knights based in Summit Hall should be followers of

Heironeous instead of Helm or Tyr. (They could be followers of Saint Cuthbert, but that would mean that one of the player character factions has an important stronghold in the region; better if they are

How Patrons Work

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

as a launchpad tailored for organizations of your design. For example, the guild group patron could represent the Harpers or the Zhentarim of the Forgotten Realms, the Clifftop Adventurers’ Guild in

Eberron, or a homebrew league of caravan guards. Or perhaps a criminal syndicate, military force, or other category of patron better fits the party’s goals. Choose and customize the group patron that works best for your party and the types of adventures you want to explore.

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

grieve, but they won’t take any action against the characters. In contrast, the kobolds are furious with grief, throwing themselves at the characters in frenzied, suicidal attacks. The ice trolls

they can, while the ice toads demonstrate the same impassive stoicism they show if the dragon is killed. The ice trolls shy away from Arauthator’s treasure as long as he is alive, knowing better than

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

grieve, but they won’t take any action against the characters. In contrast, the kobolds are furious with grief, throwing themselves at the characters in frenzied, suicidal attacks. The ice trolls

they can, while the ice toads demonstrate the same impassive stoicism they show if the dragon is killed. The ice trolls shy away from Arauthator’s treasure as long as he is alive, knowing better than

Para-elemental Planes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

few dozen feet, and the battering winds make travel difficult. Here and there, ash clusters into floating realms where outlaws and fugitives take shelter. Plane of Ice The Plane of Ice, also called

fundamentally similar to places found on the Material Plane—the place where all four elements mingle freely. At a symbolic level, the Para-elemental Planes represent the interaction and sometimes the contrast

Path of the Battlerager

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

the Battlerager. The battlerager fills a particular niche in dwarven society and culture. Your DM can lift this restriction to better suit the campaign. The restriction exists for the Forgotten Realms

. It might not apply to your DM’s setting or your DM’s version of the Realms. Battlerager Armor When you choose this path at 3rd level, you gain the ability to use spiked armor (see the “Spiked Armor

Genasi Lands

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

. Facing a hard life, these genasi seek isolation in the wilds, making their homes in mountains or forests, near lakes, or underground. Most air and fire genasi in the Realms are descendants of the djinn

to the east. Some remain in their ancient homeland. In contrast, water and earth genasi have no common history. Individuals have difficulty tracing their own lineage, and bloodlines occasionally skip a

City of Skophos

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

starting point, they pursue their vision of a better way of life, aspiring to nobler principles than senseless slaughter and better governance than iron-fisted tyranny. Under the leadership of the temple’s

Skophos that can coexist in some measure of peace with the wider world. Mogis’s Chalice Many grand temples to Mogis stand in Skophos, presenting a stark contrast to the crude shrines that usually serve as

Half-Elf

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Half-Elf Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Roleplaying Strahd

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

believed, that he is the master of his own fate. When he was alive, Strahd could admit to letting his emotions get the better of him from time to time. Now, as a vampire, he is more monster than man

. In his mind, her death couldn’t have been prevented, and what is done cannot be undone. In life, Strahd lived to conquer. In undeath, he conquers still—not realms, but people, driving good souls to

The Adventuring Biz

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

, faced down mechanical beholders, and robbed a bank operated by devils. The team has also rubbed shoulders with some of the most notorious figures in the Forgotten Realms, including bumping into Drizzt

clone to a devil. It seemed prudent at the time. However, nothing in Acquisitions Incorporated’s storied history encapsulates the company’s efficacy better than the recovery of Omin’s sister, Auspicia

The Lords' Alliance

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

larger powers, has kept the ambitions of Luskan in check, and has taught the rulers of many cities that it is better to cooperate, even for a time, then to merely shut one’s doors and allow the storms

. Better instead to look to the future, repair the walls, and wait for word from the watching sentries. — Andwe Cururen, agent of the Lords’ Alliance The Lords’ Alliance isn’t a nation unto itself, but

Candlekeep

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

gain entry discover a cloistered community of scholars milling around inside Candlekeep’s walls, a place of enlightened conversation and friendly debate. No better place in the Realms exists for those

Half-Elf

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

Half-Elf Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Rogues

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

cities, but can be placed to good use in dealing with dangerous monsters and lost treasure. Most large cities in the Realms have a number of thieves’ dens that compete with one another. A few places, such

better-known thieves and assassins. Such rogues blend more easily into civilized society, more often acting as grease in the wheels than a wrench in the works.

Outer Planes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Outer Planes If the Inner Planes are the raw matter and energy that make up the multiverse, the Outer Planes provide the direction, thought, and purpose for its construction. These are realms of

and their realms, the language used must be highly metaphorical. Their actual homes aren’t literally places at all but exemplify the idea that the Outer Planes are realms of thought and spirit. The

Netherese Necropolis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

of the Realms, including a Netherese demilich. It also contains a mythallar (described in appendix D), a magic item that can raise an entire city into the air and alter the weather in a fifty-mile

Kessel found an artifact suffused with demonic magic called Crenshinibon (better known as the Crystal Shard) and used it to erect a great black tower in Icewind Dale. When this tower was destroyed

Layout of the District

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

tossed out with the trash. High Quarter The seat of local government in better days, this quarter is the southeast section of the Styes. Most of the buildings here were once municipal offices, but only

and boardwalks are in stark contrast to the crowds that frequent the other three quarters. Militia patrols are common here, but guards in the High Quarter are universally corrupt, accepting bribes from

City Watch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

members of the Watch know the streets they patrol and that area’s residents better than you do, even if you stay in Waterdeep for ten seasons. The City Watch has watch posts throughout the city

Castle Ward; in contrast, squads of eight walk the Dock Ward, increasing to as many as a dozen at night. If Watch members spot trouble they can’t handle, they blow shrill tin whistles to summon more

Creating Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

organization as you’ve defined it. Consider the motto of the Harpers: “Down with tyranny. Fairness and equality for all.” The Harpers have a straightforward message of freedom and prosperity. Contrast

resilience are largely due to its decentralized, grassroots, secretive nature, and the autonomy of its various members. The Harpers have small cells and lone operatives throughout the Forgotten Realms

Where to Go?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

NPC companions have destinations of their own in mind, and are the ones best able to navigate the subterranean realms. As such, the adventurers will be dependent on their guidance. The NPCs can offer

characters to go to Gracklstugh to acquire better equipment, and out of a desire to return to his people. He also intends to murder the characters one by one along the way, believing them to be divine

Vizeran's Plan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

break down magical resistance and overcome magical forces. Six feathers from six different angels — the authority of the celestial realms and a force to enrage fiendish creatures. The heart of a

in. A few drops of blood or ichor from a demon lord, to connect with the demons the ritual will call. Gromph Baenre’s grimoires and notes on his ritual, to assist in better understanding the power

Adventures in I'Cath

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

. Working with or undermining them provides paths to disrupting the Dream of I’Cath and ultimately escaping. But Tsien Chiang holds great power over both her realms, and if she is convinced that either her

wakes from the dream and attempts to set I’Cath on fire, believing it’s better for everything to burn than to live a lie. The characters must choose how to contend with the murderous arsonist. 10

The Demonic Point of View

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

against the Abyss and end its threat forever. Instead, as long as the demons focus most of their efforts on the doorstep of the Nine Hells, realms such as the Seven Heavens and Bytopia are loath to commit

devils both know that a yugoloth’s loyalty is constantly for sale — even during a conflict on the battlefield — and a yugoloth never agrees to a contract that prohibits it from seeking a better offer

Klothys's Influence

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

respects the other gods whose interests balance creation and destruction, such as Thassa, Purphoros, and Nylea, considering them better attuned to Theros’s needs and destiny’s myriad outcomes. Nylea shares

borders between the realms, as she draws horrors into the mortal realm with her and thereby raises Athreos’s ire. Of course, Klothys trusts no other god as much as she does Kruphix, who also recalls Theros’s earliest hours. The two have a deep respect for one another.

Outer Planes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

exemplify the idea that the Outer Planes are realms of thought and spirit. As with the Elemental Planes, one can imagine the perceptible part of the Outer Planes as a border region, while extensive

Material Plane. But the landscape can change at a whim of the powerful forces that dwell on these planes, which can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence to better fulfill

Outer Planes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

must be highly metaphorical. Their actual homes are not literally “places” at all, but exemplify the idea that the Outer Planes are realms of thought and spirit. As with the Elemental Planes, one can

Outer Planes. The desires of the mighty forces that dwell on these planes can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence itself to better fulfill their own needs. Distance is

Magic and Metaphysics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

fundamental ways, controlling magic, the nature of life and death, and the means of escaping from their nightmare realms. Mysterious Magic In some domains, magic is an everyday part of life, while in

Land of the Mists who have souls tend to be vibrant, imaginative, and ambitious. But they find these virtues stifled by the dour, soulless individuals who outnumber them, leading many to seek better

D&D Beyond

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