certain resolve going to have reflect

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

You belong to an order of knights who have sworn oaths to achieve a certain goal. The nature of this goal depends on the order you serve, but in your eyes it is without question a vital and honorable

reflect the agenda, sentiment, or philosophy of one’s order. KNIGHTLY ORDERS OF FAERÛN Many who rightfully call themselves “knight” earn that title as part of an order in

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is. Suggested Characteristics Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to

tomes related to a specific field of lore. 5 I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. 6 I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it

Inheritor

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

ability and increases in potency with the passage of time. Or, the true nature of your inheritance might not be apparent at first and is revealed only when certain conditions are met. When you begin

. 7 I misuse long words in an attempt to sound smarter. 8 I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? d6 Ideal 1 Respect. People deserve to be treated

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

spellcasting, forming spirals that reflect the mathematical perfection of nature. Suggested Characteristics The bizarre science of the Simic Combine attracts a certain type of personality and encompasses

concepts explained to them. 5 I describe everything that happens as if it were going into my research notes (and it often is). 6 I am insatiably curious about the seemingly infinite forms and

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, pausing to reflect after (or sometimes in the middle of) each utterance. 2 I am more interested in the shiny baubles people carry than in anything they have to say. 3 I think of ships as

in a game of dragonchess that has been going on for centuries. 2 An ancient dragon turtle serves as counsel to an empyrean court, tempering the Celestials’ passions with the dragon turtle

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) d6 Bond 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds

Flaw 1 I’ll do anything to win fame and renown. 2 I’m a sucker for a pretty face. 3 A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Suggested Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe

resist taking a risk if there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

bred by empathy that helps them eventually sort out those who are sincere from those who are not. Verdan Names The oldest verdan names spring from goblinoid traditions, but more recent names reflect

When a verdan character gains an ability score improvement at certain levels, that increase can be tied to a physical mutation at the player’s determination. A boost to Strength might be

Rowboat Legacy

Equipment

If you have proficiency with a certain kind of vehicle (land or water), you can add your proficiency bonus to any check you make to control that kind of vehicle in difficult circumstances. Rowboat

;Rowboats are used on lakes and rivers. If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. These vehicles can’t be rowed against any

Keelboat Legacy

Equipment

If you have proficiency with a certain kind of vehicle (land or water), you can add your proficiency bonus to any check you make to control that kind of vehicle in difficult circumstances. One of

they're easier and less expensive to operate than larger vessels. Keelboats and rowboats are used on lakes and rivers. If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

insults with vengeance. Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They

might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral) 6 Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any

face. 3 A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around. 4 I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

Characteristics Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right

life for the answer to a certain question. 6 I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. d6 Flaw 1 I am easily distracted by the promise of

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) D6 BOND 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone

1 I’ll do anything to win fame and renown. 2 I’m a sucker for a pretty face. 3 A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to follow me around

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the

there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Kobold

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

a scale color more akin to that of a chromatic or a metallic dragon. A kobold’s cry can express a range of emotion: anger, resolve, elation, fear, and more. Regardless of the emotion expressed

of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell doesn’t work on a Construct or an Undead. Life Span The typical life span of a player character in the D&D multiverse

A Tragedy in the Making

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

the best way to keep Endelyn and her minions preoccupied. While the play is going on, one or more characters might try to sneak off and explore other areas of Motherhorn on their own, splitting the

party. If that occurs, resolve what happens to these wandering characters after the play has run its course.

Going to Blingdenstone

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Going to Blingdenstone Blingdenstone is an obvious destination for characters seeking refuge from their drow pursuers and a way out of the Underdark. The deep gnomes continue to have regular

sure how to reach the gnome settlement, but is in favor of going there if it offers a route to the surface or to Gauntlgrym. If the characters allow Glabbagool (the sentient gelatinous cube from “The

Time in the Campaign

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

Time in the Campaign Most conflicts in a D&D campaign take weeks or months of in-world time to resolve. A typical campaign concludes within a year of in-world time unless you allow the characters to

certain times of year make for great adventure opportunities. Perhaps a ghostly castle appears on a certain hill on the winter solstice every year, or every thirteenth full moon is blood red and fills

Creating a Background

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

. Backgrounds that have ties to particular cultures, organizations, and historical events from your campaign are particularly strong. Perhaps the priests of a certain religion live as beggars supported by a

pious populace, singing the tales of their deity’s exploits to entertain and enlighten the faithful. You could create a mendicant priest background (or modify the acolyte background) to reflect these

Favored Enemy

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

Favored Enemy Beginning at 1st level, you have significant experience studying, tracking, hunting, and even talking to a certain type of enemy. Choose a type of favored enemy: aberrations, beasts

language of your choice that is spoken by your favored enemies, if they speak one at all. You choose one additional favored enemy, as well as an associated language, at 6th and 14th level. As you gain levels, your choices should reflect the types of monsters you have encountered on your adventures.

Modifying a Class

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

as a proficiency. You could even mandate that skill as one of the choices for rogues who belong to this guild. You can also change armor and weapon proficiencies to reflect certain aspects of your

modify existing classes to better serve your game’s needs. Changing Proficiencies Changing a class’s proficiencies is a safe and simple way to modify a class to better reflect your world. Swapping

Draconic Races

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Draconic Races It’s all too easy to prefer a certain color of dragonborn, but what’s inside is what really matters—which is to say, the sort of damage their breath can do to you. -Fizban The

dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook is the most direct way to reflect a character with dragons somewhere far back in their ancestry. But for players who want to try a more nuanced approach, this

Favored Enemy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Favored Enemy Beginning at 1st level, you have significant experience studying, tracking, hunting, and even talking to a certain type of enemy. Choose a type of favored enemy: aberrations, beasts

language of your choice that is spoken by your favored enemies, if they speak one at all. You choose one additional favored enemy, as well as an associated language, at 6th and 14th level. As you gain levels, your choices should reflect the types of monsters you have encountered on your adventures.

Going Mad

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

Going Mad Various magical effects can inflict madness on an otherwise stable mind. Certain spells, such as contact other plane and symbol, can cause insanity, and you can use the madness rules here

Interacting with Objects

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

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

certain objects have resistance or immunity to certain kinds of attacks. (It's hard to cut a rope with a club, for example.) Objects always fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and they are

Interacting with Objects

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Interacting with Objects A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the DM that his or her character is doing something, such as

certain objects have resistance or immunity to certain kinds of attacks. (It's hard to cut a rope with a club, for example.) Objects always fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and they are

Shades of Gray

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

hobgoblin general, whose descendants want it back. The ways to resolve these problems aren’t always simple. Certain situations demand straightforward decisions. If Emerald Claw cultists are about to

Verdan Names

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

Verdan Names The oldest verdan names spring from goblinoid traditions, but more recent names reflect the character of the different cultures these folk have encountered since coming out into the

, Syrkart, Takat, Toit, Tubyna, Varr, Veriga, Wraq, Wural, Wurxee UNDERLYING IMPROVEMENTS When a verdan character gains an ability score improvement at certain levels, that increase can be tied to a

Languages and Dialects

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

Languages and Dialects When fleshing out your world, you can create new languages and dialects to reflect its unique geography and history. You can replace the default languages presented in the

languages can add an element of mystery to inscriptions and tomes that characters encounter. You might invent additional secret languages, besides Druidic and thieves’ cant, that allow members of certain

Running Allies

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

. Healing, tracking, and proficiency with thieves’ tools (to disarm traps and unlock doors) are common examples of such skills. A group without magical healing isn’t going to complain when an NPC cleric

tag along for only a session or two, or limit the encounters they appear in. Maybe the ally helps the characters in only a certain region or part of town and then leaves to attend to other duties

Being Your Own Patron

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

Being Your Own Patron For certain kinds of organizations, you can either join an existing group or found your own. For some players, the idea of running a crime syndicate, inquisitive agency

Guide) to reflect your organization’s ongoing activities. More than one character can take part in this activity at a time. When rolling to determine the business’s performance, add the total days spent

Dragonmarks and Backgrounds

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

Dragonmarks and Backgrounds Dragonmarks are bound to certain bloodlines, and by choosing a mark, you are establishing your character’s blood connection to one of the families in the dragonmarked

background to reflect a blood tie to the leaders of the house. Independent Scion. You were raised or trained by the house, but you’ve kept your independence. This means you don’t have many special privileges

Intelligence

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

, memory, or deductive reasoning. The Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Intelligence checks. Arcana. Your Intelligence (Arcana) check

Chapter 2: Dungeon Master's Tools

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Chapter 2: Dungeon Master's Tools As the Dungeon Master, you oversee the game and weave together the story experienced by your players. You’re the one who keeps it all going, and this chapter is for

. The chapter opens with optional rules meant to help you run certain parts of the game more smoothly. The chapter then goes into greater depth on several topics — encounter building, random encounters

D&D Beyond

Search Results