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Returning 35 results for 'bottom being diffusing combat runes'.
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
. Within their communities, they act as leaders and oracles.
Rockspeakers incorporate crystals and stones into their clothing and embed them in their skin. By invoking the power of their stone runes
, these giants can turn these crystals into scintillating works of art. In combat, rockspeakers can use this same magic to cause their crystals to emit brilliantly colored, intense beams of light than can sear flesh and inhibit enemies.
Monsters
Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
casting elder runes on them. Halaster’s gates connect the different levels of Undermountain, thus enabling him to bring new monsters into the dungeon to replenish those that die or escape. Even as
, however, Halaster is alert and attentive to the activities and preparations of all beings near him. He never willingly enters combat without first casting mage armor and mind blank on himself.As the
Magic Items
Storm King's Thunder
the ground and is a massive thing made of polished obsidian with oversized feet — the impaled skulls of four ancient blue dragons. Runes glisten in the carved obsidian, winking to life with blue
with one of the Ruling Scepters of Shanatar, which she had found in a wreck at the bottom of the Trackless Sea. Only a creature attuned to a Ruling Scepter and in possession of it can harness the powers
Backgrounds
Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Wrestling. You fought in hand-to-hand combat with an immense lobster.
2
It Dragged the Boat. You nearly caught a fish of monstrous size that pulled your boat for miles.
3
Fins of Pure Gold
compensated.
3
I will fish the many famous waters of this land.
4
The gods saved me during a terrible storm, and I will honor their gift.
5
My destiny awaits me at the bottom of a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
: Creatures. Not every adversary wants to engage in mortal combat. Certain creatures might delight in a battle of wits. The reward for answering a creature’s riddle might be a small treasure, a bit of
helpful magic, or permission to pass through the monster’s lair unscathed. If combat is inevitable, the answer to a monster’s riddle might reveal useful information like the monster’s secret weapon or
Adult Deep Dragon
Legacy
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat
delicacies.
Guest Suite. A large chamber with connected smaller chambers, such as that seen toward the bottom of the map, forms a suite used as guest lodgings for visiting dragons. Though any
Ancient Deep Dragon
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat
. A large chamber with connected smaller chambers, such as that seen toward the bottom of the map, forms a suite used as guest lodgings for visiting dragons. Though any treasures with significant
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
about his past adventuring missions, downplaying Simbon’s own combat experience. Kirina’s Secret During the expedition, Prince Kirina seeks opportunities to look heroic and undermine his rival, Prince
Simbon. There’s currently little evidence of Kirina and Kedjou’s involvement in the Goldwarren’s collapse, but Kirina carries with him a copy of the runes the high priest uses in experimental summoning
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
the edge of the cliff or climb down the ravine to walk along the bottom?”), to make a single ability check (use the Typical DCs table in the Dungeon Master’s Guide), or to navigate their way through a
small dungeon or an encounter (which might involve multiple ability checks or even combat). Let the character of the player who flipped the card be the focus of the day’s events and make any required
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3
14. Flooded Hall Half of the L-shaped corridor is flooded. The water is 3 feet deep and cold, and the bottom is very slippery; moving across this difficult terrain costs 3 feet of speed for every 1
foot traveled. Any sudden actions, including those necessary for combat, might result in the character taking a spill. A character who takes the Dash action or tries to fight within the room must first
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
Wisdom (Perception) check. 1. Cellar The stairway leading down into the cellar shows signs of recent foot traffic. Characters can find these tracks easily. When the characters open the door at the bottom
of the stairs, read: The door at the bottom of the stairs opens atop a set of double stairs that descend, north and south, about ten feet into a cellar. At the west end of that room, a cistern full of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
. At the bottom of the pit are three intelligent black puddings (see “Intelligent Black Puddings”) that used to be drow worshipers of Ghaunadaur. When they detect prey nearby, the puddings climb the
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 8b on level 12, in the closest unoccupied space next to the identical gate located there.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
to the chalet, which is depicted in the bottom left corner of the map, but the other landmarks are still present: rock formations called the Hand and the Horn, a tall outcropping of rock with three
pine trees growing atop it, a river, a bridge, and a hill scorched by dragon fire. Flesh out the journey to the chalet as you see fit, adding one or more combat encounters appropriate for the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
studies regarding the nature of the Far Realm. The other notes are nonsensical ravings that hint at a fractured mind slowly coming undone. The bottom drawer is sealed with an arcane lock spell cast
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
there. Covered Pit This 40-foot-deep hidden pit (see “Covered Pits”) is located between the two northernmost statues. Halaster has cast a glyph of warding spell at the bottom of the pit, set to trigger a
trap, an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”) appears in the air between the two southern statues a split second after the creature disappears, and at the same moment a booming voice shouts, “Teleported
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
apprentices. They attack intruders on sight, bombarding them with fireball spells in the first round of combat. The flameskulls pursue intruders that flee, using their mage hand spells to open doors
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
contains a mystery. Getting to the bottom of this mystery requires embarking on an adventure. The characters come to Candlekeep on a quest for information, perhaps to solve a crisis elsewhere in the world
said, each adventure contains opportunities for exploration, roleplaying, and combat, to appeal to players of all persuasions.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
trying to explain that Zemk’s approach won’t work, and is telling him to plug the gap at the bottom of the door with blankets. Neither of them notices intruders right away unless the interlopers make a
lot of noise. Once combat starts, Zemk fights to the death. How Krentz reacts to the adventurers depends on how they treated him earlier. If they helped him, he gives them a chance to leave in peace
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
into the bottom of the mirror’s stone frame are the letters T-U-O-Y-A-W (a reflection of W-A-Y-O-U-T). The mirror is one of Halaster’s magic gates (see “Gates”). Its rules are as follows: If a creature
creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate appears in area 14d on level 10, in the closest unoccupied space next to the identical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
that bears the following message in Common, “Do not teleport or place in extradimensional spaces. Keep out of reach of children and orcs.” Stream The fast-moving stream at the bottom of the gulch is five
threat has passed. MOON WRITING
The moon writing is magical Dwarven rune script left by ancient worshippers of Dumathoin. The runes writhe and wriggle until a living creature gets within 5 feet of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3
. The northern side of the slab now seals off the passage to the north, while the southern side slopes down toward the alcove. Those who were on the slab when it pivoted fall prone and roll to the bottom
. 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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
and collect magic items and occult lore. Have you gazed on the Runes of Chaos, held the Death Moon Orb in your trembling hands, entered the Devouring Portal and walked the Paths of the Doomed, or sat
AC), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
2/Day Each: Fly, Lightning Bolt (level 7 version)
1/Day Each: Cone of Cold (level 9 version), Mind Blank (cast before combat), Scrying, Teleport
Bonus Actions
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Bottom Card: Reward or Ruin Once the situation presented by the top card has been resolved, the player can flip over the bottom card. Then it’s up to you to interpret that card as either a reward or
: Encounter. The characters’ failure leads to a difficult combat encounter. Use the card to help you decide what kind of creature is encountered. Exhaustion. The stress of overcoming the challenge
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
carved with vines that twist through eleven actual humanoid skulls mounted to the frame. Carved into the bottom of the frame are the following words in Celestial: “The dead know the secret.” The
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Tracking Initiative You can use several different methods for keeping track of who goes when in combat. Hidden List Many DMs keep track of initiative on a list the players can’t see: usually a piece
of the character whose turn it is, also mention who’s next, prompting that player to start thinking ahead. After each character or group of monsters acts, the top card is moved to the bottom of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
General Features The features of Pandesmos Outlook are described in the following sections. Demons The chaos and violence brewing in the area attracts demons. Within 10 feet of the bottom of the
. A demon that sees a fight break out rushes to join in the combat, hoping to make an easy kill. Demons reduced to 20 hit points or fewer might divulge key information in exchange for mercy. See the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
skull screams, the golem uses its first turn in combat to block the south exit, pushing the door closed and shoving smaller creatures out of the way automatically. By occupying the space north of the
opens the book triggers an elder rune that targets that individual (see “Elder Runes”). Draw a card from the Elder Runes Deck (see appendix B) to determine which rune appears. Treasure. Most of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble
the characters dive into a fight.
Combat. If the characters want to fight the bandits, combat begins! Here’s how that plays out:
Describe the Scene. Determine where everyone is standing at the
start of the combat. Describe any other important details within the scene.
Roll Initiative. The players each roll a d20 and add their Initiative modifier. The character with the highest result
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3
very slippery—moving across this difficult terrain costs 3 feet of speed for every 1 foot traveled). Any sudden actions, including those necessary for combat, might result in the character taking a
) is highly intelligent and quite the boaster. In ancient lore it was considered to be related to the moon, a fact of which it is quite proud. During combat the slug will detail, in Olman, what it has
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
sharply from north to south. The entrance to the tomb is a door on the eastern wall at the bottom of the slope, at the south end of the hall. Trigger. This trap activates as soon as the door leading to
the jester’s coffin is opened. A magic portal opens at the northern end of the hallway and disgorges an enormous steel sphere, which hurtles down the slope. When it reaches the bottom of the slope, a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
creature knocked off a ledge goes tumbling down the inward-sloping rock walls to the bottom of the cavern (area 16b), which is strewn with rocks, bones, and the bodies of two dead umber hulks. At the
Strength checks and Strength saving throws. Every time Qurrok loses his memory, he forgets about his previous excursions to the bottom of this cavern. He lowers himself to the floor, discovers the mithral
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
the village square by sounds of combat there, two goblins named Pojo and Tot are in the yard, chasing after a pair of chickens that escaped from one of the coops. The goblins attack characters on
Agganor, the village’s tiefling midwife, and her adult son, Grin. The cottage has locked shutters over its windows. The door, which is also locked, has row upon row of ornate runes burned into it. Most
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
obtained in the Caves of Chaos (see “Caves of Chaos”). If a character approaches in this disguise, the cultists solemnly motion for the character to join the ritual, but they begin combat if the character
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
spikes at the bottom. A creature that steps on the breakaway floor falls into the pit, taking 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage from the fall and 10 (3d6) piercing damage from the spikes. The pit remains
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.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
sea chest with a glyph of warding spell cast on it. Grinda carries the key, and the glyph triggers an explosive runes effect (see the spell description in the Player’s Handbook) if anyone other than
successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. Borrowing the Apparatus. Grinda allows the characters to borrow her apparatus of Kwalish on the condition that they first use the device to search the bottom of






