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Returning 35 results for 'build before detail cases reason'.
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Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
roof of a merchant’s home, seizing what they seek, and stalking away before the town watch can rally.
Intricate Networks. Clever, ambitious, and greedy, many fog giants build up whole networks of
bandits, raiders, spies, and criminals. In some cases, such a network might grow large enough that minions in the lower ranks are ignorant of their leader’s true nature. Fog giants who amass
Kobold
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
sewer tunnels, paying them with food and tools the kobolds wouldn’t have access to on their own. If they are treated well and left alone to do the job, the kobolds work industriously and build a
, they might build a warren and make a permanent home there, while continuing to expand the town’s sewers as the community grows. These so-called “city kobolds” live underground but
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
hands, hats and helmets on the head, and rings on the finger. Magic armor must be donned, a shield strapped to the arm, a cloak fastened about the shoulders. A weapon must be held. In most cases, a
magic item that's meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer. Rare
Tortle
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
The Tortle Package
dozen) in a fortified compound enclosed by stone walls that are easily defensible. If no such compound exists, they build one. The parents spend the remainder of their lives guarding the compound
prefer simple, non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables. If a tortle doesn’t like its name for whatever reason, it can change it. A tortle might change its name a dozen
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
outside Yeonido. If you wish to further detail the city and its surroundings, use the “Yeonido Gazetteer” section at the end of this adventure. Dragonlance. Either the island of Enstar or the New
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
cases, a magic item that’s meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer. Rare
exceptions exist. If the story suggests a good reason for an item to fit only creatures of a certain size or shape, you can rule that it doesn’t adjust. For example, armor made by the drow might fit
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
, hats and helmets on a head, and rings on a finger. Magic armor must be donned, a Shield strapped to the arm, a cloak fastened about the shoulders. A weapon must be held. In most cases, a magic item
that’s meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer. Multiple Items of the Same
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Mournland Villains Few people have reason to spend time anywhere near the Mournland. Among the exceptions are those who seek to plunder the riches of lost Cyre, such as Ikar’s Salvage (described
Blades (described in more detail earlier in this chapter and in chapter 6) is a major force in the Mournland. The Mournland Villains table suggests other possible evil schemes and influences that might
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
advice in this section is meant to help you create an interesting character quickly while providing just enough detail.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
, hats and helmets on a head, and rings on a finger. Magic armor must be donned, a Shield strapped to the arm, a cloak fastened about the shoulders. A weapon must be held. In most cases, a magic item
that’s meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer. Multiple Items of the Same
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Build Your Group Naturally, a large portion of the Boromar Clan’s members come from a criminal background. There’s no reason characters with other backgrounds can’t be part of the syndicate, though
secret doors. Many Safecrackers also boast a high Strength for those cases where lockpicks fail. Safecrackers often come from criminal backgrounds, but characters with experience using other tools and
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
used for. The Ability Checks table summarizes that material for easy reference. Multiple Ability Checks Sometimes a character fails an ability check and wants to try again. In some cases, a character is
successful one. In other cases, failing an ability check makes it impossible to make the same check to do the same thing again. For example, a rogue might try to trick a town guard into thinking the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
The Darklake To move their expeditionary force across the Darklake, the characters must build rafts or coracles from Underdark materials, or seek out duergar or kuo-toa ferries for hire. Each ferry
chapter 1) was not killed in a previous chapter of the adventure, the characters find him among Sloobludop’s survivors. He is the sole point of calm and reason in the ruined settlement, and the various
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
. These diminished vestiges manipulate their realm to create negative forces that sustain their essence and build toward renewed apotheosis. Rudolph,
I write you in the throes of a most perplexing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
leaders listen to cases brought before them and decide on the few matters of importance to the city. Trespassers caught within the city are often brought before the Aphonai for judgment. The elder
studying arcane mysteries that could never be unraveled in a single life. Like all Returned, though, they have difficulty remembering what they learn. For this reason, the rooms of their order’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
something, correct yourself and move on. No one expects you to memorize every rule or detail. Even if you don’t realize your mistake until after a game session is over, it’s OK to acknowledge the mistake
.
Expanded and Revised Magic Items. Chapter 7 is packed with new magic items and old ones that have been revised.
Bastions. Chapter 8 has rules that allow player characters to build, maintain, and enjoy
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
sacrifice when it presents itself. This practice contributes to the reason why most common folk (and adventurers) think kobolds are stupid as well as weak; they’ve seen or heard of a lone kobold trying to
usually the oldest and smartest kobold; the other kobolds respect the old one’s ability to survive so long, and they assume the leader will use that knowledge to help the tribe survive. In some cases, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and other useful items, but if they
hatred of gnomes, city kobolds often go out of their way to target gnomes’ houses and shops. Even in such cases, the kobolds’ fear of retaliation usually prevents them from trying to directly harm
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
at the touch of a child when they are unlocked. While some other races erect statues or build special structures to honor their heroes or commemorate momentous events, the dwarves live and work within
of art makes any stronghold a prime target for thieves and raiders. For that reason, the entrance to a stronghold doesn’t broadcast its presence by being a stellar example of dwarven stonework. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of
worried that recent misdeeds will be revealed To add the right amount of detail to a rival you want to create, give some thought to what that NPC is trying to accomplish and what resources and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
journal’s author didn’t build the bridge or the tower. The bridge bears a magical ward, but the writer is far too clever to be taken in by a mere magical trap and hasn’t studied it in detail. Godlet’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Tenets The teachings of the Heralds of the Comet are revealed only in part to aspirants and in more detail to initiates. Only the group’s leaders know the full doctrine. Fundamental Tenets The cult’s
initiation, which includes a solemn oath of secrecy, learn deeper truths that build upon the basic tenets of the group: Preexistent Souls. The souls of mortal beings have always existed and aren’t part of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
add more detail to this friendly character and establish how your friendship began. 51–70 You spent time working in a job related to your background. Start the game with an extra 2d6 gp. 71–75 You met
your DM to come up with the reason for the battle and the factions involved. It might have been a small conflict between your community and a band of orcs, or it could have been a major battle in a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
published two volumes to date: The Life of Alanik Ray and The Casebook of Alanik Ray. Alanik Ray’s Traits Ideal. “Logic is a guide but also an illusion. Order and reason don’t supersede what is right
be.” Flaw. “I focus so much on others that I often don’t see what’s afflicting me.” Adventures with Alanik and Arthur Alanik Ray is an exceptional investigator with an uncanny ability to notice detail
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
the guild’s laboratories. Some vedalken are so obsessive about their work that they like to see to every detail themselves, rather than delegating any task to underlings or assistants. This attitude
analysis to intuitive leap seemingly for no reason, always thinking outside the proverbial box. As the Izzet see it, unpredictable action, far from being antithetical to methodical research, has
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
beholder can kill them whenever it wants and it is in their best interest to stop resisting and just obey the beholder’s orders. Minions build walls in the beholder’s lair, distribute food to other
last line of defense against foes that threaten the inner sanctum. Pets A beholder often has one or more pets in its lair, mainly because (for whatever reason) it enjoys the company of such creatures
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
fear that any other guild might gain enough power to overwhelm all the others and impose its own values on everyone. For this reason, they focus their efforts on subverting other guilds’ schemes, by
undermining popular and powerful leaders and interfering — often violently — with any effort to build a centralized concentration of authority. The Azorius Senate currently stands as the greatest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
, you might undertake a deep study of conflicts and rival organizations, working carefully to stay three steps ahead of the opposition. In all cases, though, you help advance your franchise by
. Obviators are cautious because they know precisely how dangerous any moment can be — and they are dangerous for the same reason. An obviator is like a lethal walking library. And if you were to face
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Build Your Group Newspapers employ a wide range of adventurers to bring news back to the home office. Consider some or all of these roles for the characters in your party: Voice of
BRELAND
’ wealth and influence. Whose interest, then, does the Chronicle serve?
All the more reason, loyal readers, to rely on the Voice of Breland for unbiased news you can use.
Civilian. Some groups include
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
. You could build an entire campaign in the shadow of such a conflict, which is basically taking the ideas described under “Clash of Titans” earlier in this chapter and extending them through many
thousand years for good reason: neither giants nor dragons were ever particularly numerous, and actual skirmishes between giants and dragons were rare. For this reason, you could run a campaign where battles
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
one of the dragon’s echoes on another world, increasing that echo’s power.
Regional Reversal As described in the Monster Manual and discussed in more detail in chapter 4, a dragon’s presence
generation. In other cases, a dragon at the brink of death invests power into another creature—usually a dragon, but sometimes a sovereign, a sage, or an adventurer. Moreover, those who slay a dragon could






