build before detail calling return

Fog Giant

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

down the gate of a backwater duke’s castle, slaying a dozen or more guards, then calling for parley is a typical fog giant strategy—followed by an offer to leave the duke alive in return

reward once they return to their proper station, a fog giant lures desperate criminals, cunning bandits, and other raiders into their service in the dismal wilds they inhabit. These giants prefer to

Troglodyte Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

in a frenzy. Troglodytes make little and build less, scavenging their possessions from their prey. They understand the value of metal weapons and armor, and fight among one another for the right to

in the Abyss. Laogzed offers the troglodytes nothing in return except aspiration, for it is the dream of his troglodyte worshipers to become as well-fed and wearily content as he seems to be.

Sailor Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because you’re calling in a favor, you can’t be certain of a schedule or route that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon

Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew during the voyage. Variant Sailor: Pirate

Moloch

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

time in preparing for his return. He amassed an army of devils and monsters and left them to make final preparations for invading the Nine Hells, while he ventured to the Material Plane in search of an

him win back his title. Rumors suggest that he can often be found in Sigil, where he bargains with yugoloths to build yet another army with which he might invade Malbolge and wrest the throne from

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

training. Many entered the monastery as children, sent to live there when their parents died, when food couldn’t be found to support them, or in return for some kindness that the monks had performed

accomplish outside the monastery? Are you eager to return to your home? As a result of the structured life of a monastic community and the discipline required to harness ki, monks are almost always

Pidlwick II

Monsters Curse of Strahd

return the courtesy, the duchess commissioned the legendary toymaker Fritz von Weerg to build a clockwork effigy of Pidlwick as a gift for Strahd's family. Although the duchess's heart was in the right

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

his axe in wide swaths to cut through the ranks of orcs arrayed against him, shouting praise to the gods with every foe’s fall. Calling down a curse upon the forces of undeath, a human lifts

to those chosen to fulfill a high calling. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on study or training. A cleric might learn formulaic prayers and ancient rites, but the ability to cast cleric

Rak Tulkhesh

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

their lives to build a prison of celestial light: a silver flame that bound the overlords in Khyber once more. These bonds have held for countless generations, but the overlords still yearn to break free

cities, the hatred against warforged and Cyran refugees, the calls for a return to war — all these things bear the mark of Rak Tulkhesh's malign influence. Minions of Rak Tulkhesh. Any organization that

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

you served on, or another ship you have good relations with (perhaps one captained by a former crewmate). Because you’re calling in a favor, you can’t be certain of a schedule or route

that will meet your every need. Your Dungeon Master will determine how long it takes to get where you need to go. In return for your free passage, you and your companions are expected to assist the crew

Changeling

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, their features almost devoid of detail. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, for a typical changeling changes their shape the way others might change clothes. A casual shape—one created

of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

whistles to the hawk that circles high above him, calling the bird back to his side. Whispering instructions in Elvish, he points to the owlbear he’s been tracking and sends the hawk to distract

ranger’s true calling is to defend the outskirts of civilization from the ravages of monsters that press in from the wild. In some places, rangers gather in secretive orders or join forces with

Adult Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

1 A towering palace of ice and quartz that was once the abode of an ancient crystal dragon is found deserted, with no clue as to whether its master will return or whether some other creature has

can be convinced to return. 6 A royal heir goes missing while secretly visiting a crystal dragon. The heir’s family, the heir’s friends, and the dragon all want to find the heir, but

Ancient Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

"} Adventure Hook 1 A towering palace of ice and quartz that was once the abode of an ancient crystal dragon is found deserted, with no clue as to whether its master will return or whether some other

unless the dragon can be convinced to return. 6 A royal heir goes missing while secretly visiting a crystal dragon. The heir’s family, the heir’s friends, and the dragon all want to

Recurring NPCs

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

Recurring NPCs NPCs who keep showing up over the course of a campaign build the sense that the world of the game is a living, breathing place. Whether these NPCs are allies, patrons, friends, or

the course of a campaign. For example, characters on their very first adventure might face a villain who uses the stat block of a Mage Apprentice, only to have that villain escape and return many

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Whether calling on the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, druids are an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning, and fury. They claim no mastery over

becoming a druid was part of your character’s destiny. Have you always been an adventurer as part of your druidic calling, or did you first spend time as a caretaker of a sacred grove or spring

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

of the world, but even fewer people can claim the true calling of a paladin. When they do receive the call, these warriors turn from their former occupations and take up arms to fight evil. Sometimes

earliest memories that the paladin’s life was your calling, almost as if you had been sent into the world with that purpose stamped on your soul. As guardians against the forces of wickedness

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

beyond the horizon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling. Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discover lost works of magic

, making a bargain for a musical gift in addition to your life and freedom, but at what cost? QUICK BUILD You can make a bard quickly by following these suggestions. First, Charisma should be your

Creating a Campaign

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

characters as the only common element, and also weave themes throughout those adventures to build a greater saga of the characters’ achievements in the world. Planning an entire campaign might seem like

a daunting task, but you don’t have to plot out every detail right from the start. You can start with the basics, running a few adventures, and think about larger plotlines you want to explore as the

The Quest Board

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

town council. The council members are unable to provide context beyond what is written on the board. When the characters return to the fishery after completing a quest, the council pays the reward

of this adventure that describes that location in detail. For instance, if the players choose to undertake the Iniarv’s Tower Quest, go to the “Iniarv’s Tower” section. Each location includes an

Metallic Dragons

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

return of Tiamat. However, it remains to be seen whether they do so in concert with the humanoid factions of the Sword Coast, or whether they strike on their own with no thought or concern for the fate

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

Metallic Dragons

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

return of Tiamat. However, it remains to be seen whether they do so in concert with the humanoid factions of the Sword Coast, or whether they strike on their own with no thought or concern for the fate

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

Metallic Dragons

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

return of Tiamat. However, it remains to be seen whether they do so in concert with the humanoid factions of the Sword Coast, or whether they strike on their own with no thought or concern for the fate

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

The Dreaming Dark in the War

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

opportunity to call attention to a detail the characters overlooked. Clearly, this character’s subconscious registered the detail as important! Involve a current villain. This can help build the

Choosing a Guild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

Choosing a Guild Chapter 2 describes the ten guilds of Ravnica in detail. How do you decide what guild you want your character to belong to? You can choose one of these approaches: Look at the

one catch your eye. If you have access to Magic: the Gathering cards from a Ravnica set, find a card that appeals to you and build that character. If you’re a Magic player and you already have a

Conclusion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Giants of the Star Forge

doesn’t return home safely, Evin and other members of the city’s royalty build a funerary pyre to honor the smith and mourn his loss. Evin thanks the characters for their efforts but cannot give them

Conclusion Once the characters free Theldin and return the smith to his home, they’ve completed their quest and earned their reward. If the characters didn’t already coax such a promise from Evin at

Purpose

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

of the inn where the characters spend the night, the mannerisms of the shopkeeper they buy supplies from — you can add this level of detail, but you don’t have to. If the characters return to the same

Purpose A settlement exists primarily to facilitate the story and fun of your campaign. Other than that point, the settlement’s purpose determines the amount of detail you put into it. Create only

Reporting Back

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

their assistance as well. She also asks the characters to stop calling her mayor—so long as Vogler is in Dragon Army hands, she’s just Raven. Lord Bakaris and his son don’t return to the camp, instead

Reporting Back When the characters return to where Vogler’s survivors are camped, Mayor Raven meets them. If the characters gained the city’s support, she thanks them profusely. If they didn’t, she’s

V4. Hall of Records

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

turn to depicting the entombment of the prince, the spell cast by the wizards of Netheril, the sealing of the prince in the sarcophagus with the Nether Scroll, the return of Zikzokrishka, and the

. It shows them in exactly the positions they’re all holding, rendered in perfect detail. Hamukai in His Sarcophagus

Quest Goals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

case, the characters return to the location of the first encounter in this adventure: the Wayside Inn. Some of the descriptions, details, and actions in this encounter are meant to echo that first

at the Wayside Inn previously, the ritual being performed by the cultists could incorporate movement that harkens back to that dance. Although it’s a small detail that a typical player might overlook, if even just one of your players gets chills or a laugh because of the echo, it’s worth the effort.

Phandalin Quests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

he rarely goes outside except to get food and post new notices calling for adventurers. Characters who knock on Harbin’s door hear his voice on the other side say, “If you’re a dragon, know that I’m

complaints receive similar treatment. If the characters ask him about a quest, Harbin sets them on the right track, offering payment upon their return. When the time comes to pay up, he slips the

Unity of Self

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

Returned Memories When the characters’ memories return, they’re once again aware of the exploits of their 17th-level selves and how they ran afoul of Shemeshka’s plots. Players can detail these memories

multiple sessions. Use the following questions to help players detail their characters’ pasts: Did others consider you a hero or a villain? For what accomplishment were you best known? Did you know any of

Omu

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

Nsi handily, Fenthaza honors her end of the deal. If they emerge from the fane weakened, she tries to destroy them. Princess Mwaxanaré wants to restore Omu to its former glory and build a new kingdom

there. With the Skull Chalice of Ch’gakare in her possession, she can win the support of Chultans eager to return to the old ways. However, the merchant princes of Port Nyanzaru aren’t willing to back

Firbolg Traits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

. Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Speech of Beast and Leaf. You have the ability to communicate in a limited

manner with Beasts, Plants, and vegetation. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.

Chapter 8: Bastions

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

, and it provides opportunities for a character to craft magic items, conduct research, harvest poisons, build ships, and carry out a range of other activities. As DM, you decide whether Bastions are

available in a campaign. Bastions are best suited to campaigns that allow characters to return to their Bastions during intervals when they’re not actively adventuring. Not every character needs to

House of the Morninglord

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

in the wilderness (see “Black Cabin”). He says that if the characters find themselves nearby, he would appreciate it if they looked in on Macreadus, who’s trying to build a device that could end the Frostmaiden’s eternal winter and return summer to Icewind Dale.

D&D Beyond

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