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Returning 35 results for 'branch before defenses course rules'.
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branches before defense courage rules
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Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
branch to seal the promise.
“The Kindly Lord does not issue invitations to their court lightly. I suggest you accept.”
—Gwyddion, messenger of Talion
High Fae
Ageless and
operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be spoken (though misdirection and riddles are always welcome). To
Backgrounds
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
gravity isn’t present, the following rules apply:
Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesn’t have a flying or swimming speed (either naturally or
, flying, or swimming speed in a straight line. The creature continues along this course, moving in a straight line at its speed on each of its turns until something stops it or changes its trajectory.
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
behold, radiating heat from the shell to boil the surrounding water—and any creatures in it. And even if an enemy wears down the dragon turtle’s defenses, magical storms manifest to
characters, and use the Dragon Turtle Spellcasting table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
dragon turtle’s defenses, magical storms manifest to shield the dragon turtle and strike at foes.
Creating a Dragon Turtle
Use the Dragon Turtle Personality Traits and Dragon Turtle Ideals tables
explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply those rules to these aquatic dragons.)
Dragon Turtle Personality Traits
d8
Species
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
Hadozees’ progenitors were mammals no bigger than house cats. Hunted by larger natural predators, they took to the trees and evolved wing-like flaps that enabled them to glide from branch to
branch.
Today, hadozees are sapient, bipedal beings eager to leave behind the fearsome predators of their home world and explore other worlds.
In addition to being natural climbers, hadozees have feet
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
birdfolk. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that
At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Lair
This villain resides in a place of power and safety, whether that’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and
damage while within 3 miles of the lair, they ignore the target’s resistance to poison damage.
If the villain dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the
resistance to poison damage.
If the villain dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
;s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the
to poison damage.
If the villain dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.
Zariel
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Monsters
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
of all kinds crawl over the structure, ensuring that no intruders breach their defenses.
Lair Actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zariel can take a lair action to cause one of
;t be cleared away.
If Zariel dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days.Necrotic, PoisonCold, Fire, Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the villain is in this lair:
Veiled Presence. Challenge 22 (41,000 XP
members of the villain’s organization deal poison damage while within 3 miles of the lair, they ignore the target’s resistance to poison damage.
If the villain dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.Necrotic, Radiant
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
.
3
I secretly look forward to adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses?
4
Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day.
5
No
creature can outsmart my defenses—if they do, they obviously cheated.
6
Any creature that can hold their own against me must teach me how—whether they want to or not.
7
I
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
the surrounding water—and any creatures in it. And even if an enemy wears down the dragon turtle’s defenses, magical storms manifest to shield the dragon turtle and strike at foes
table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply
Species
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
, and topaz—gleam in these dragonborn’s scaled skin and course through their veins. Theirs are the wonders of the mind, the force of will, the brilliant light of insight, and the resounding
the game’s fantastical races. If you select one of the dragonborn races in this chapter, follow these additional rules during character creation.
Ability Score Increases
When determining your
Species
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
might come to accept over the course of centuries. Once a hexblood undergoes this irreversible ritual, they emerge as a hag NPC no longer under the control of the hexblood’s player, unless the DM rules otherwise.
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
crawl over the structure, ensuring that no intruders breach their defenses.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zariel can take one of the following lair actions; she can
cleared away.
If Zariel dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.
Cultists of Zariel
Zariel grants special abilities to
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
have lived on the worlds of the Material Plane since the worlds’ creation. Gifted by the gods with remarkable physical defenses and a mystical connection to the natural world, lizardfolk can
level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation.
Ability Score
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses?
4
Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day.
5
No creature can outsmart my defenses—if
who will undoubtedly terrorize the area if they win.
8
A sapphire dragon’s lair is so well protected that its inner defenses have never been tested. The dragon spreads rumors of the
Baphomet
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Monsters
Out of the Abyss
, the Horned King and the Prince of Beasts. He rules over minotaur;minotaurs and others with savage hearts. He is worshiped by those who want to break the confines of civility and unleash their bestial
be affected by this regional effect again for 24 hours.
If Baphomet dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days.
Madness of Baphomet
If a
Orcus
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Monsters
Out of the Abyss
chapter 7, "Treasure” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair
Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules
again for 24 hours.
If Orcus dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days.
Madness of Orcus
If a creature goes mad in Orcus’s lair or
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Dungeon Master’s Guide.Orcus’s Lair
Orcus makes his lair in the fortress city of Naratyr, which is on Thanatos, the layer of the Abyss that he rules. Surrounded by a moat fed by the
Undead mockeries of their former selves. Skeletal and zombie versions of local wildlife are commonly seen in the area.
If Orcus dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
to decide on a course of action for when the drowned ones breach the defenses. The survivors do not participate in combat against the drowned ones. Even if they aid in the defensive preparations, come nightfall they retreat to area 25.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Embedded in the wall at the end of the westward hallway is an arch gate (see “Gates”). Close inspection reveals the image of a dead tree carved into its keystone. The rules of this gate are as follows
: Touching the arch with a dead twig or branch causes the gate to open for 1 minute. Characters must be 8th level or higher to pass through this gate (see “Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
one general education or interdisciplinary course together each year. It is this course that the Exam rules represent. Each Exam encounter has a Studying phase followed by a Testing phase. In general
Using These Rules Each of the book’s adventures includes Exams. Though each character might be a member of a different college at Strixhaven, the adventures assume that the characters take at least
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
everything. When you encounter something that the rules don’t cover or if you’re unsure how to interpret a rule, the DM decides how to proceed, aiming for a course that brings the most enjoyment to your whole
Ten Rules to Remember 1. The DM Adjudicates the Rules The rules of D&D cover many of the twists and turns that come up in play, but the possibilities are so vast that the rules can’t cover
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
without the boredom. (Chaotic)
6
Control. Everyone is welcome, as long as they follow my rules. (Lawful)
Crystal Dragon Adventures
The Crystal Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers
the lair returns to normal levels over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days. The increased Hit Die recovery ends immediately. The existing abundance of
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
is learning, but without the boredom. (Chaotic)
6
Control. Everyone is welcome, as long as they follow my rules. (Lawful)
Crystal Dragon Adventures
The Crystal Dragon Adventure Hooks
made with advantage.
If the dragon dies, the animal population near the lair returns to normal levels over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
against itself (real or imaginary), planning attacks against known rivals, and preparing its defenses against all possible threats. It considers itself the center of the world, in a narcissistic way
; of course the clan of duergar moving into its territory is because a rival is trying to oust it, of course the gang of adventurers in its lair were sent to kill it by a cowardly rival, and so on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
chapter, such as breaking down doors, intimidating enemies, sensing weaknesses in magical defenses, or calling for a parley with a foe. The only limits to the actions you can attempt are your imagination
and your character’s ability scores. See the descriptions of the ability scores in chapter 7 for inspiration as you improvise.
When you describe an action not detailed elsewhere in the rules, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
agency you control or a branch office for a larger agency (such as Information Acquisition or Karr’Aashta’s Investigations, both of which are discussed in chapter 4). Its one hireling is a secretary who
gather information from contacts and agents regarding a specific individual you designate, assembling a comprehensive picture of that person’s activities during the previous 7 days and over the course
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Magical Physiologies Exam: Slaadi The characters are enrolled together in the course Magical Physiologies, which is held in a lecture hall in the Biblioplex (one of the areas marked B7 on map 3.1
). The course covers the anatomy, abilities, and dispositions of monsters commonly encountered while adventuring. Students read popular accounts related to Aberrations, Monstrosities, and Oozes, as well
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare. If Strahd has invited the characters to Castle Ravenloft or otherwise wants to steer them in his direction, add: Parked at the fork in the
, the horses draw it down the road to area J. The horses can’t be discouraged from their course, not even by a skilled teamster. Characters who don’t want to travel east in the carriage can follow the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
travel day, the DM makes a Wisdom (Survival) check on behalf of the navigator. The result of the check determines whether or not the party becomes lost over the course of the day. The DC of the check is
the day, or a –5 penalty if the group is moving at a fast pace. It’s possible to get lost on a river by following a tributary instead of the main branch. If the check succeeds, the navigator knows
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Githzerai Zerths Four githzerai zerths have taken refuge in the Obstacle Course. They use their psychic abilities and natural stealth to hide from Halaster’s magical gaze and the death tyrant’s
githyanki, but also to the younger githzerai zerths who follow him. Yrlakka is concerned because his most headstrong pupil, a githzerai named Ezria, has disappeared. He fears (correctly) that Ezria was captured by the githyanki on level 16 while trying to find weak spots in their defenses.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide
Weightlessness In any location where gravity isn’t present, the following rules apply: Impeded Melee. When making a melee attack with a weapon, a creature that doesn’t have a flying or swimming speed
and move up to its walking, flying, or swimming speed in a straight line. The creature continues along this course, moving in a straight line at its speed on each of its turns until something stops it or changes its trajectory.






