both both distant current reason

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

emotion and empathy. The same label serves as an apt depiction of lizardfolk. Lacking any internal emotional reactions, lizardfolk behave in a distant manner. They don’t mourn fallen comrades or

rage against their enemies. They simply observe and react as a situation warrants. Lizardfolk lack meaningful emotional ties to the past. They assess situations based on their current and future

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

few miles from where they were born. You aren’t one of those folk. You are from a distant place, one so remote that few of the common folk in the North realize that it exists, and chances are

provided. The following section, discussing possible homelands, includes some suggested reasons that are appropriate for each location. d6 Reason d6 Reason 1 Emissary 4 Pilgrim

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is

own flaws. It’s appropriate for Auril to act as though she’s invincible while underestimating her mortal enemies, even in her current weakened state. Auril’s Three Forms In her

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is incapable of showing mercy or compassion. Play her as a supremely cold and

invincible while underestimating her mortal enemies, even in her current weakened state. Auril’s Three Forms In her current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

might prove helpful: So long as she has mortal worshipers, Auril can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals

her current weakened state. Auril’s Three Forms In her current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one

Nafas

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

this role, Nafas sends adventurers to distant worlds to fulfill the wishes of creatures beyond his reach. Adventurers who return to Nafas successful receive gifts as rewards. As a noble genie, Nafas

: Downdraft. Nafas targets one creature he can see within 120 feet of himself. A downward current of air surrounds the target, reducing its flying speed (if any) to 0 feet until the end of its next turn

Setting the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

Coast region could host Yeonido. The distant relationship between the people of Krynn and their gods could be another reason why some of the city’s dead have difficulty finding peace. Forgotten Realms

Astral Plane

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

sky, anchored in ends so distant she couldn’t perceive them, their middle parts revolving angrily like pieces of string rolled between a child’s fingertips. She glanced down, wondering what supported

great silvery sea, the same above and below, with swirling wisps of white and gray streaking among motes of light like distant stars. Most of the Astral Sea is a vast, empty expanse. Visitors occasionally

A Typical Evening

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

A Typical Evening On quiet nights, guests in the Yawning Portal gather around a large fireplace in the taproom and swap tales of distant places, strange monsters, and valuable treasures. On busier

ambitious souls might launch impromptu expeditions into the dungeon. Few such ill-prepared parties ever return. Groups seeking to enter Undermountain for a specific reason generally come to the tavern

Cold and Calculating

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

, lizardfolk behave in a distant manner. They don’t mourn fallen comrades or rage against their enemies. They simply observe and react as a situation warrants. Lizardfolk lack meaningful emotional ties

to the past. They assess situations based on their current and future utility and importance. Nowhere does this come through as strongly as when lizardfolk deal with the dead. To a lizardfolk, a

Waterdeep

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

identities are largely unknown. The public face of this ruling body is the Open Lord of Waterdeep. The current Open Lord, Laeral Silverhand, has held the position for only a few months, and many of the city’s

chaos is “business as usual” for most city residents. Reason to Visit. Characters who need rare items, sage advice, or other services found only in large cities might say “we’re going to Waterdeep.”

Yartar

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

prosperous and increasingly crowded, so buildings have been torn down and taller ones built — four stories high in some instances. A Waterbaron who rules for life leads Yartar. The current Waterbaron is

). Reason to Visit. The “Dark Dealings in Yartar” side trek (chapter 6) brings the characters here. More broadly, characters affiliated with the Lords’ Alliance can readily receive support in Yartar, and Harpers and Zhentarim can get aid, too, if they’re discreet and know how to contact an agent in town.

Chapter 2: The Dessarin Valley

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

off from these parts. If the Dessarin Valley isn’t quite as wild and lawless as it once was, it’s still lightly settled territory that serves as a route to distant lands. Residents in places such as

, apples, and hops, then ship them downriver (or drive them down the Long Road) to the coast. Few people become rich from farming, but farmers in the region do well for themselves provided the weather cooperates. (That’s one reason why the unusual weather lately has been a concern.)

The Dark Powers

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

villains to add to their terrifying menagerie. To what end, no one knows. The Dark Powers don’t move in the shadows of Ravenloft; they are the shadows. They’re the Mists and the darkness. They’re the reason

Ravenloft, but they are unknown to mortals and desire no worship. Despite the control the Dark Powers exert, these beings remain distant from the domains they manipulate. Although some of their names

The Long Road

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

destabilize Yartar so they can replace the current waterbaron with their own stooge. Then the new waterbaron can swiftly fix the troubles and thereby win local support. The Black Network is an incidental

a rich target to anyone in this part of the North. For the same reason, the Zhents dare not hire the retired bodyguards, adventurers, and mercenaries who live in and around Beliard, for fear rumors might spread all over the Dessarin Valley about a pay caravan.

Setting

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

easily be set along Verbobonc’s river wharves. You can add Summit Hall and the Haunted Keeps as they stand to the area around Hommlet; there is no reason places such as these couldn’t be located in this

. Instead, the huge underground stronghold the player characters explore in chapter 4 is the subterranean fortress constructed by an older incarnation of the Cult of Elemental Evil, which has now been reoccupied by the current group of elemental prophets and their followers.

Meeting Atiba-Pa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

former Lightsea Lancer and Djaynai’s current regent. He is known not only for his falcon-eyed shrewdness but also for his compassion and kindness. Those close to him know he suffers bleak moods, during

honor to serve my homeland. I will not pass beyond our borders for any reason.” Flaw. “I can’t let them see me when I’m like this. The melancholy in my bones is mine alone to bear.”

Aftermath of the Last War

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

or friends in refugee camps, or are you a lone survivor? Other Cyrans sought opportunities on the frontiers, settling in the jungles of Q’barra or seeking a new life in the distant land of Xen’drik

moot. Even with a criminal background, you might have been a viscount in Cyre; your background reflects your current standing and the resources you can call upon in the present.

Triboar

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

communities compete for the trade of the Dessarin Valley. The current lord protector is a good-natured Harper and ex-adventurer named Darathra Shendrel (female Tethyrian human knight), known for the

cultists on the Long Road. They are currently held in area W6 of the Weeping Colossus.) Reason to Visit. Any Harper can readily find refuge and aid in the Home of the Boars, a lodge on the outskirts

What Coalition?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

What Coalition? Once he is safely off Aruun, Warwyck explains the current situation in Doomspace: “My efforts to create a coalition have been unsuccessful. The factions of Doomspace have little

interest in battling the Xaryxian Empire, which seems only a distant threat to them. They would rather fight among themselves. You saw for yourselves how prickly the aartuks were. My peaceful entreaty

New Characters

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

of your players want to create characters from more distant lands, use the suggestions provided in the previous section for why the characters are now in Neverwinter. If they don’t already have one

, the characters need a reason for Lord Neverember to request their help in chapter 1, even if it’s simply because their heroics are widely known. Regardless, 10th-level characters have already had long

Where Are You From?

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

Where Are You From? The most important decision in creating a far traveler background is determining your homeland. The places discussed here are all sufficiently distant from the North and the Sword

distant parts of Faerûn. Those who leave behind Mulhorand’s sweltering deserts and ancient pyramids for a glimpse at a different life do so for many reasons. You might be in the North simply to see

Metamagic

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

automatically succeeds on its saving throw against the spell. Distant Spell When you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or greater, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double the range of the spell. When

eligible, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell’s current level. For example, magic missile and scorching ray aren’t eligible, but ray of frost and chromatic orb are.

Life Events

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Events column that corresponds to how old you are. Otherwise, you can roll dice to determine your current age and number of life events randomly. After you know the number of life events your character

character’s life events, you can arrange them in any chronological order you see fit. Life Events by Age d100 Current Age Life Events 01–20 20 years or younger 1 21–59 21–30 years 1d4 60–69 31–40 years

Horizon Walker

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

feature, without expending a spell slot, but the spell ends at the end of the current turn. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. Distant Strike At

? Horizon Walker Features Ranger Level Feature 3rd Horizon Walker Magic, Detect Portal, Planar Warrior (1d8) 7th Ethereal Step 11th Distant Strike, Planar Warrior (2d8) 15th Spectral Defense

Metamagic

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

automatically succeeds on its saving throw against the spell. Distant Spell When you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or greater, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double the range of the spell. When

eligible, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell’s current level. For example, magic missile and scorching ray aren’t eligible, but ray of frost and chromatic orb are.

Introduction

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

Introduction Welcome to Tales from the Yawning Portal. Within this book you will find seven of the deadliest dungeons from the history of D&D, updated for the current edition of the game. Some are

Portal dims to a deep crimson, adventurers from across the Sword Coast—and even some visiting from other D&D worlds—spin tales and rumors of lost treasures. A wanderer from the distant Shou Empire

Darklords

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

a seemingly innocuous character. Regardless of the Darklord’s current role, their wickedness led to the creation of their domain and their imprisonment in Ravenloft. Though these individuals vary

adventures rather than saving them for distant climactic plots. Darklords Don’t Realize They’re Darklords. With a few exceptions, Darklords don’t realize they occupy a special place in the world. Their

Boareskyr Bridge

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

keeping watch with other travelers. Then in the midst of a crisis of leadership in distant Elturel, one of the heirs apparent for the post of High Observer, a paladin named Tamal Thent, went missing with

camp at Fort Tamal never seemed to need such a robust guard before. Even the relative nearness of Najara seems to provide little reason for so many of Elturgard’s mightiest defenders to be squandered

Background

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

Background According to local legend, the sages of the Tower of the Heavens can glimpse the future. Suppliants journey from distant regions to the tower, each bringing gold and a single question

A few days ago, Shalfey turned a page of his current Book of Prophecy and found it blank. Worse still, he found he now could turn the rest of the pages, which were also blank, save for the last

9. Study and Library

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

into thin air for no reason, then return in a fury if the characters try to call her back. If the party manages to converse with Ilda, they might learn that yuan-ti dwell in the innermost parts of the

exceedingly dangerous. Using the divination pool required a personal sacrifice, but over time, the pool’s demands grew steeper. If others have been using the pool since Diderius died, as Ilda suspects the yuan-ti do, its current price must be vile indeed.

33. Mad Mage Showdown

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

and congratulates them. His next actions depend on his current goal (see “Halaster’s Goals”): If the characters took any actions to further Halaster’s current goal, he greets them warmly, thanks them

current goal, the Mad Mage expresses his displeasure and attacks them. Five minutes after Halaster dies, the demiplane containing his tower collapses, scattering its contents across the Astral Plane

The Long View

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

ago that are distant or even ancient history to humans might have been experienced firsthand by many elves who are still alive. And an elf’s memory of such events is likely more accurate than a well

humans to comprehend. An elf seldom becomes sentimentally attached to physical objects such as manufactured structures and furnishings, except those of personal significance, for the simple reason that

Vaeve's Offer

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

the battlefield for some reason. Vaeve asks the characters to escort Naxa from the citadel back to Carapace Ridge. There’s significant treasure in the citadel, Vaeve says, and Vaeve would be grateful

Camlash’s forces, and the lower entrance is guarded by spyder-fiends. Vaeve points out both entrances to the cliffside redoubt, two miles distant and barely visible through the blowing fog. If the

Nobility

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

influence in nations as distant as Calimshan and Cormyr. Be assured that any slighting of a noble will not be forgotten or easily forgiven. If you’re not certain whether someone is a noble, address the

charitable actions such as burial of the unknown dead. Their motives are manifold, but their actions — no matter the reason — earn them loyalty and high regard from those who benefit from their largesse

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