build bond diffusing contingency ruling

Blue Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

newly hatched guard drake imprints upon the first creature that feeds it (usually the one planning to train it), establishing an aggressive but trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully

it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes.Lightning

Green Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully grown within two to three weeks and can be trained in the same length of time. It is the equivalent of a guard dog in terms of what it can be

trained to do. A guard drake resembles the type of dragon it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes.Poison

Black Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully grown within two to three weeks and can be trained in the same length of time. It is the equivalent of a guard dog in terms of what it can be

trained to do. A guard drake resembles the type of dragon it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes.Acid

Red Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

newly hatched guard drake imprints upon the first creature that feeds it (usually the one planning to train it), establishing an aggressive but trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully

it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes.Fire

White Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

newly hatched guard drake imprints upon the first creature that feeds it (usually the one planning to train it), establishing an aggressive but trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully

it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes.Cold

Guard Drake

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

newly hatched guard drake imprints upon the first creature that feeds it (usually the one planning to train it), establishing an aggressive but trusting bond with that individual. A guard drake is fully

it was created from, but with a wingless, squat, muscular build. A drake can’t reproduce, nor can its scales be used to make other guard drakes. Variant: Chromatic Drakes Each type of

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

Ideal. “I wish I could make people happy.” Bond. “I would like to find someone—anyone—who isn't afraid of me and who enjoys my company.” Flaw. “When I'm upset, I do bad things.”Poison

Githyanki

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

cultivated over eons in the Astral Plane. Now all githyanki can use their psychic bond with that plane to access splinters of knowledge left behind by beings who travel, live, and die among the silver

;Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores

Hobgoblin

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

creates a mystical bond between the giver and the receiver of a gift. On some worlds, such bonds lead hobgoblins to form communities with deep ties to one another. In Eberron and the Forgotten Realms, vast

;Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules

contingency. If the rules tried to do so, the game would become unplayable. An alternative would be for the rules to severely limit what characters can do, which would be counter to the open-endedness of

Parcels of Land

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

the local ruler or ruling body, but is leased to a character with the understanding that it can be taken away, especially if his or her loyalty is ever called into question. A parcel of land, if

. A character who receives a parcel of land is free to build on it and is expected to safeguard it. He or she may yield the land as part of an inheritance, but can’t sell or trade it without permission

Parcels of Land

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

local ruler or ruling body but is lent to a character with the understanding that it can be taken away, especially if the character’s loyalty is ever called into question. Characters who receive a

parcel of land are free to build on it and are expected to safeguard it. They may yield the land as part of an inheritance, but they can’t sell or trade it without permission from the local ruler or

Loxodon

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

ingrained that they are often at a loss when they try to impart that knowledge to others. Among the Selesnya, it primarily falls to loxodons to build the guild’s magnificent, cathedral-like arboretum

in any capacity, loxodons devote themselves to maintaining that bond. They coordinate their efforts and are often willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the group. They expect reciprocal

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

The Role of Rules Why even have Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules are meant to

players to bring them to life and a DM to guide their use. The DM is key. Many unexpected things can happen in a D&D campaign, and no set of rules could reasonably account for every contingency. If

Shipwright

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

You have sailed into war on the decks of great ships, patching their hulls with soup bowls and prayers. You once helped build a fishing vessel that single-handedly saved a town from starvation. You

Reflection. Muddied water always clears in time. (Any) 6 Hope. The horizon at sea holds the greatest promise. (Any) D6 BOND 1 I must visit all the oceans

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. But anyone who can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize information on

sun and have no desire to get wet, beyond enjoying a bit of sea spray in the air. But they love being able to see the water, so they build their lairs on the heights of seaside cliffs or near perfect

Uthgardt Tribe Member

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

and ruin. But for the last few generations, some bands among the tribes were tempted to settle, make peace, trade, and even to build towns. Perhaps this is why Uthgar chose to raise up the totems

totem spirits were defeated by Uthgar and where the heroes of the tribes are interred—are sacred to you. Your bond is undoubtedly associated with your tribe or some aspect of Uthgardt philosophy or

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ serpent gods into their religions. These victories sent a constant influx of food, ore, and slaves back to the home cities. The wealth of the empire allowed the ruling elite plenty of time to

. (Evil) Yuan-ti Bonds d6 Bond 1 I will see our empire rise again and, in so doing, win the favor of the serpent gods. 2 I am enamored with the culture and trappings of

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

, druids take on a more active role in combating the threat, as adventurers. Creating a Druid When making a druid, consider why your character has such a close bond with nature. Perhaps your

? Perhaps your homeland was befouled by evil, and you took up an adventuring life in hopes of finding a new home or purpose. QUICK BUILD You can make a druid quickly by following these suggestions

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that

yourself before gods and mortals. Your oath and alignment might be in harmony, or your oath might represent standards of behavior that you have not yet attained. QUICK BUILD You can make a paladin

Vistani

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

Vistani The Vistani (singular: Vistana) are wanderers, traveling about in horse-drawn, barrel-topped wagons, which they build themselves. Compared to Barovians, they are flamboyant, dressing in

gerontocracy, with the oldest member ruling the roost. This elder carries the bulk of the responsibility for enforcing traditions, settling disputes, setting the course for the group’s travels, and

Roleplaying Vladeska

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

proves my excellence and sets me apart.” Ideal. “Once I’ve crushed my opposition, I will claim my realm, ruling not as a conqueror but as royalty.” Bond. “All who live in my domain are my troops, and they

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization? The Beast Within Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their

different in personality. With any shifter, identifying the beast within is a crucial part of understanding the character. Similar and Diverse Shifters are similar to humans in height and build but are

Build Your Group

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

Build Your Group Dragonmarked houses employ adventurers who suit their needs. The roles characters play in a group with a dragonmarked house patron often have more to do with their relationship to

connection to its ruling family or its businesses. The Adventurer, though, is hired by the house for more traditional adventuring skills—usually capabilities that the house’s other agents lack. The Adventurer

Djeneba

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

pleasures is the path to serenity and freedom.” Bond. “The best way to honor our ancestors is to build a new future.” Flaw. “I know my thoughts are hard to follow, but even unfocused minds hold value.”

Character and Party Creation

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

character’s bond is, “I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor.” If that’s the character’s bond, you should work with the player to decide who that generous benefactor is and build

relevant story lines into the larger campaign. Party Formation During session zero, your role is to let the players build the characters they want and to help them come up with explanations for how their

Pegasus

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

intelligent as humanoids, and so can’t be traditionally broken and tamed. A pegasus must be persuaded to serve a good-aligned creature as a mount, but when it does so, it forges a life-long bond with its new

of elven gods. These gods have been known to send pegasi to the Material Plane to aid those in need. Pegasi Nests. Pegasi mate for life, build their nests in hard-to-reach locations, and give birth to

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. (Chaotic) 6 Power. Someday I’ll find or create the magic that will make me the most powerful being in Ravnica. (Evil) Bonds d6 Bond 1 I have dedicated my life

it was sabotage that destroyed my first laboratory and killed many of my friends, and I seek revenge against whoever did it. 4 I have the schematics for an invention that I hope to build one day

Secret of Chief Yarb-Gnock

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

Secret of Chief Yarb-Gnock Ruling a goblin horde is a thankless job. That’s a hard lesson for a rock gnome sorcerer to learn. Five years ago, before Icewind Dale became the perpetually frozen

became the new chief after the previous one choked to death on a mountain goat tongue. By then, Yarb-Gnock had already drawn up plans to build a fortress in the mountains. Karkolohk, the Gnomish word

Hollow

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

impressive carriage, Itzmin emerges. Itzmin A spiteful tiefling in his late forties, Itzmin del Prado is a chaotic evil cult fanatic. He’s also a politician and part of San Citlán’s ruling council, the

.” Ideal. “I’ll do whatever it takes to gain the upper hand in any situation.” Bond. “I must restore my family to its former glory.” Flaw. “I value prestige over security.” Itzmin’s Goals Itzmin wants to

Creating a Druid

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

Creating a Druid When making a druid, consider why your character has such a close bond with nature. Perhaps your character lives in a society where the Old Faith still thrives, or was raised by a

hopes of finding a new home or purpose. Quick Build You can make a druid quickly by following these suggestions. First, Wisdom should be your highest ability score, followed by Constitution. Second

Build Your Group

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

Claddik, is the most public face of its leadership, and her connection to Korranberg’s ruling Council of Nine is well known. But she is not the ultimate authority determining what gets printed and what

A World of Giants

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

for countless generations. As you build such a world, consider these four key questions: How do different kinds of giants live together? The world might have a single empire of giants where giants

giants ruling the world as Annam intended, perhaps the All-Father hasn’t turned his back on his children. He might be a much more active deity here, and giants might be more engaged in his worship

Ancient Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

irritated when disturbed. But anyone who can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize

, beyond enjoying a bit of sea spray in the air. But they love being able to see the water, so they build their lairs on the heights of seaside cliffs or near perfect sunbathing beaches where they can

Fierna and Belial

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

whatever emotion she chooses to evoke. Belial, meanwhile, doesn’t attempt to sway others with his interpersonal skills and focuses on the duties of ruling a layer of the Nine Hells. The two seem to hate and

Belial, but his contingency plans rescue him from possible disaster. Other devils might gain a brief advantage over the two lords because of their infighting, but whenever any true threat to their rule

D&D Beyond

Search Results