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Rogue

Classes Player’s Handbook

Core Rogue Traits Primary Ability Dexterity Hit Point Die D8 per Rogue level Saving Throw Proficiencies Dexterity and Intelligence Skill Proficiencies Choose 4: Acrobatics

skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks. In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make

Caradoc

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

at his core, the seneschal didn’t return as a skeletal knight but rather as an intangible spirit. Caradoc’s Undead form suits him well, allowing him to possess the living and use unwilling

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

sold the secrets you uncovered to the highest bidder. Suggested Characteristics Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an

new place is note the locations of everything valuable—or where such things could be hidden. 4 I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. 5 I am incredibly slow to trust. Those

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life? Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of

;d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair. 5 It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else. 6 People who can’t take care of themselves get what they deserve.

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

rather than perform the work or confront the foe. Even when subsumed into a goblinoid host and drawn into war, bugbears must often be roused from naps and bribed to get them to do their duties. This

indolence offers no clue to how vicious the creatures are. Bugbears are capable of bouts of incredible ferocity, using their muscular bodies to exact swift and ruthless violence. At their core

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

island. A morkoth may allow a visitor to bargain for something or someone it has claimed if that visitor offers the morkoth something it desires more. It shows no mercy, however, to those who break a

fragments that make up the island’s core are also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most of the lair

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate

from a fight. 2 Gold seems like a lot of money to me, and I’ll do just about anything for more of it. 3 I will never fully trust anyone other than myself. 4 I’d rather

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Others strike out on their own in search of the secrets of flight, to master magic, or to uncover the secret of their curse and find a method to break it. Kenku adventurers, despite their relative

kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what they mean. Be clear

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome. Cold and Calculating Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in

plans, or cultivating other methods to progress beyond their simple existence as hunters and gatherers. Hapless Soft Ones At their core, lizardfolk view other humanoids with an indifference verging on

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

use by the faction’s operatives), haven keepers, and message drop minders, to name a few. At the core of every faction are those who don’t merely fulfill a small function for that

knowledge, rather than brute force. Harper agents are often proficient in Investigation, enabling them to be adept at snooping and spying. They often seek aid from other Harpers, sympathetic bards and

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

ice with which to combat foes. These weapons are supernaturally resilient until Auril discards them, whereupon they break and melt like normal ice. Auril the Frostmaiden Auril the Frostmaiden is a

forms. These descriptions do not reflect Auril at full power, but rather Auril as she is encountered in this adventure.Lair Actions Auril dwells on Solstice, a frozen island hidden among the titanic

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Characteristics Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor

could be hidden. 4 I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy. 5 I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. 6 I don’t pay

Rogue

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

Rogue Core Rogue Traits Primary Ability Dexterity Hit Point Die D8 per Rogue level Saving Throw Proficiencies Dexterity and Intelligence Skill Proficiencies Choose 4: Acrobatics, Athletics

and disarming traps, and opening locks. In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make one precise strike than wear an opponent down with a barrage of blows

Rogue

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Rogue AURORE FOLNY A Dexterous Expert in Stealth and Subterfuge Core Rogue Traits Primary Ability Dexterity Hit Point Die D8 per Rogue level Saving Throw Proficiencies Dexterity and

them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks. In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make one precise

Albino Dwarves

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

spots the dwarves, but all others are surprised. The dwarves knock characters out rather than killing them, stealing food, water, and gear from those rendered unconscious. They break off their attack if any character speaks Dwarvish to them or demonstrates peaceful intentions.

The Shape of the District

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

The Shape of the District The heart of Callestan is the plaza called the Bridge. This central square serves as an open market and speaker’s corner. It’s not on a bridge; rather, the center of the

here. Callestan is an inner district, which means that it’s largely enclosed in one of the massive core towers of Dura Quarter. However, it’s large enough that it extends out to the walls of the tower. Many people live in or on the walls, in tenements or shops carved into the thick stone.

Shard of the Accursed

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

must break its curse by returning the shard to the ancient tomb it came from. But a dangerous crime syndicate controls the tomb and its riches, and the criminals won’t take kindly to the characters

’ intrusion. This adventure isn’t a typical heist; rather, it’s a reverse heist. Instead of retrieving a valuable item, the characters are tasked with returning one to its proper place. An unearthed tomb holds the key to saving a nearby town, as adventurers are about to discover

Kenku Adventurers

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

daring than their fellows. Others strike out on their own in search of the secrets of flight, to master magic, or to uncover the secret of their curse and find a method to break it. Kenku adventurers

you’re playing a kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what

25. Main Vault

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

25. Main Vault The icy “core” of the castle is hollowed out with tunnels that break the surface at multiple points. The white dragon, Glazhael the Cloudchaser, enters and leaves via a wide funnel

and crunches underfoot. When the characters reach the main vault, read: All tunnels seem to lead to a central core — a glittering cavern of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites

Area Information

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rrakkma

strike them repeatedly and unavoidably in the head. At first, this may seem innocent, but left for days, or even just hours for some, this form of torture could break even the most steadfast soul or

drive them completely insane. A successful DC 25 Intelligence (Investigation) check turns up a rather sizeable black pearl (pearl of power) that seems to have found its way to the bottom of one of the depressions. Treasure & Rewards The characters may find the following treasure. A pearl of power

25. Main Vault

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

25. Main Vault The icy “core” of the castle is hollowed out with tunnels that break the surface at multiple points. The white dragon, Glazhael the Cloudchaser, enters and leaves via a wide funnel

and crunches underfoot. When the characters reach the main vault, read: All tunnels seem to lead to a central core—a glittering cavern of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites

Wererat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

, wererats prefer light weapons and use ambush tactics rather than fighting as a pack. Although a wererat can deliver a nasty bite in its rat form, it favors that form for stealthy infiltration and escape

rather than combat. A wererat clan operates much like a thieves’ guild, with wererats transmitting their curse only to creatures they want to induct into the clan. Wererats that are accidentally cursed

General Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

feet high. Doors All exterior doors are made of solid iron and are barred on the inside. As an action, a character can try to break down a barred door, doing so with a successful DC 25 Strength

time on a turn or starts its turn there takes 55 (10d10) fire damage. Outer Walls The hold’s 20-foot-thick curtain walls are faced with blocks of carved basalt and filled with a rubble core. The walls

Creating a Bronze Dragon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

lie outright, though I choose my words carefully. I will fight to the death rather than break my word or abandon a comrade. (Lawful) 4 Discipline. Disorganization breeds defeat. I demand self

strategy. A quick death in combat is its own kind of courtesy. 6 I trust my gut. I’d rather act on incomplete information than be hamstrung by indecision. 7 I’m fascinated by other species

Studies and Philosophy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

of framing the core division in the college’s philosophy: is growth or decay the driving force in nature? The philosophy of the root (growth) focuses on life and its irrepressible drive to thrive. This

philosophy of Witherbloom. The decay philosophy sees life energy as a resource to be consumed, rather than a good to be nourished for its own sake. Mages who adopt this view wield negative energy and

Monastery Features

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

resemble tiles. Because the monks encourage inhabitants to focus on inner peace rather than outer beauty, the monastery’s construction is simple and its interior decoration sparse. Other features are

inside. These windows can’t be opened from the outside but break easily (AC 11, HP 2, Vulnerability to Bludgeoning damage, Immunity to Poison and Psychic damage). A character can easily climb through an open window.

Prisoner 237: Vaelish Gant

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

thwarted his criminal ventures by capturing him. Rather than put Gant to death for his crimes in Icewind Dale, the Council of Speakers in Ten-Towns made a deal with representatives of the Lords’ Alliance

Brotherhood but rather hatched by Gant himself, who intended to impress his superiors by pulling it off. For a long time, Gant held out hope that the Arcane Brotherhood would apply pressure to secure

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they are more interested in grabbing plunder and food rather than in wanton slaughter. The elderly, children, and any who seem weak or meek enough might escape death. If they leave the population more

or less intact, the orcs leave themselves the option of returning to raid the community over and over. When orcs fight elves, all of that changes. The enmity between the two races cuts to the core

Travel-Montage Approach

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

encounter nothing of interest” is okay, but far less evocative and memorable than, “A light rain dampens the rolling plains as you travel north. Around midday, you break for lunch under a lonely tree

. There, the rogue finds a small rock that looks like a grinning face, but otherwise you encounter nothing out of the ordinary.” The trick is to focus on a few details that reinforce the desired mood rather

Beholders

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

xenophobic tendencies into a terrible despotism. Rather than live in isolation, the aptly named eye tyrants enslave those other creatures, founding and controlling vast empires. An eye tyrant

of each other. Such an environment allows a beholder to move freely, even as it prevents intruders from easily creeping about. When intruders do break in, the height of its open ceilings allows a

Creating a Gold Dragon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

simple pleasures of companionship without constantly being petitioned. I’m proud of my acting ability and never break character. 5 The future is writ large in the patterns of history. I enjoy

right every wrong. I encourage others to solve their own problems, and I save my strength for tribulations only I can address. (Any) 3 Stewardship. I do not serve individuals, but rather

Breaking the Contract

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Kreeg”). If Thavius dies in the Nine Hells as a devil, he is permanently dead — but this does not break the full terms of Zariel’s contract. Even with the primary signatory dead, the people of Elturel

possesses, the devil Thavius is a coward who would rather grovel than fight. Killing him marks a wretched end to a wretched life. If the characters left Thavius alive in chapter 1, they must find a way

Suggested Characteristics

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

life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die. 4 I live for the thrill of the hunt. 5 I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse. 6 I expect

never be set free. 6 I have a child to protect. I must make the world a safer place for him (or her). Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I have certain rituals that I must follow every day. I can never break them. 2

Demon Showdown

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

break cover to aid their allies against the demons. If they do, another demon sortie attacks them 1d4 rounds later. OPTION: PLAYING OUT THE BATTLE OPTION Rather than focusing on the adventurers

characters spot bystanders under attack by lesser demons that prefer to take on easy prey rather than fighting against their own kind. A dozen dretches or manes (50 percent chance of either) attack, killing and consuming their mortal victims unless the adventurers intervene.

Getting Players Invested

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

? How might an NPC comment on a character’s abilities or recognize that they’re special? Break Episodes It’s easy to get caught up in a story with dramatic stakes, pitting characters against mounting

threats. But every so often, at least once every three to five levels, give the characters a break—a low-stakes session or adventure that has nothing to do with the overarching plot or broader perils

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