charge reflected groups to her resolve

Akroan Hoplite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

called stratians, number among the fiercest soldiers on Theros. They train relentlessly and possess unflinching resolve. In the annals of Akros, tales abound of squads of stratians that defended a

glorification of the warrior's spirit, the basis of an ethos that forges an unbreakable bond between members of a military unit. In combat, hoplites typically work in groups and use coordinated tactics to

Giant Foundling

Backgrounds Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

embody the might of giants. You are used to moving through a world much bigger than you, and that is reflected in your skills, attitude, and perspective on life. Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation

. 4 Your farm was crushed and your family killed in a battle between warring groups of giants. Racked with guilt over the destruction, a sympathetic giant soldier promised to care for you

Red Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

abishais when it comes to leadership ability and raw power. Red abishais lead other devils into battle or take charge of troublesome cults to ensure that they continue to carry out Tiamat’s commands

. Some have simple tasks, such as delivering a message to cultists. Others have greater responsibilities, such as leading large groups, assassinating targets, and serving in armies. In all cases

Social Interaction

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

roleplaying exercise, where dice rarely come into play. Other DMs prefer to resolve the outcome of an interaction by having characters make Charisma checks. Either approach works, and most games fall

somewhere in between, balancing player skill (roleplaying and persuading) with character skill (reflected by ability checks).

Splitting Up

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

Splitting Up Creatures being chased can split up into smaller groups. This tactic forces pursuers to either divide their forces or allow some of the quarry to escape. If a pursuit splits into several

smaller chases, resolve each chase separately. You can keep all the creatures in Initiative order, but track the distances separately for each group.

Battle Begins

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

among several mounted soldiers. The mock Istarian troops assault the hill. Around you, the Vogler militia charges to meet them. As the two groups charge, have each character make a Wisdom

this, it’s too late to stop the attack. The mounted mercenaries lead their forces in a charge up the hill. When they clash with the militia members, an actual battle begins.

Large Groups

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

Large Groups The biggest considerations with large groups are maintaining order at the table and keeping combat from becoming too slow. Structured Turns If you find yourself in a situation where

Information. If you tell the players what the Armor Class of their opponents is, you reduce the steps of interaction needed to resolve an attack. Instead of telling you a number and asking if it hits

Traveler

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

travelers have shared experiences. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among sympathetic trading caravans, itinerant families, or displaced groups, so long as you don’t present yourself

as a danger. Such groups will hide you from the law or anyone searching for you, though they won’t risk their lives for you. Additionally, you can tell whether an object you can see and touch is from

Preparing for Battle

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

and other participants charge down. The two groups will clash midway in a mock fight, with the mercenaries’ Istarian forces eventually retreating. Participants are encouraged to use their own armor but

and calling for aid if someone gets hurt. To prepare for the battle, Mayor Raven calls out to those assembled, explaining the mercenaries will charge up the west side of the hill while the militia

The Dungeon Master

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

game sessions to resolve. When strung together, these adventures form an ongoing campaign. A D&D campaign can include dozens of adventures and last for months or years. A Dungeon Master gets to wear

mastery and world-building. The D&D rules help you and the other players have a good time, but the rules aren’t in charge. You’re the DM, and you are in charge of the game. That said, your goal isn’t

Against the Giants

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a6

Against the Giants Giants have been raiding settled lands in bands, with giants of different sorts in these marauding groups. Death and destruction have been laid heavily upon every place these

lean times for the rulers as well as the ruled. Therefore, a party of the bravest and most powerful adventurers has been assembled and given the charge to punish the miscreant giants. Characters whose

NPC Information

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

Ryeback (RIE-bak) is a muscular giff in charge of the food served at the Academy (and on the rare occasion, he crews a ship). Like anyone else who runs a respectable galley, he’s a staunch believer in the

four basic food groups: beans, bacon, whiskey, and lard. He’s raucous and brash and gives bear hugs so good you think he might break a rib (but in a good way). His gray skin is usually coated with

Splitting Loyalties

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

agent of the Sunweaver—deemed service in the Brightguard a holy calling, the group’s ranks swelled. Most members have unshakable resolve, but recent revolutionary acts have the order on edge. The

they defend the order and its members like lions protect their prides. They resent other revolutionary groups whose violent ways cause the people to distrust the Silent Roar by extension. Many Silent

Meeting at the Tomb

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

, saying, “No closer, friends! This is a private matter, and we don’t wish to be disturbed.” Unferth presents himself with a false joviality, making light of the fact that two groups of upstanding

citizens should find themselves engaged in an ugly bit of skulduggery involving opening a tomb. Underneath the self-deprecating manner is a stern resolve. The Kraken Society paid good money for the orb

Handling Mobs

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

hit the fighter. According to the table, for every three orcs that attack the fighter, one of them hits. There are enough orcs for two groups of three. The remaining two orcs fail to hit the fighter

attack bonus, assume that it hits once with each of those attacks. If a creature’s attacks have different attack bonuses, resolve each attack separately. This attack resolution system ignores critical

Getting Around

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

, but there are some places they simply won’t go—like Undersigil or unsafe parts of the Hive Ward. Heavier chairs that ferry larger customers or groups exist, carried by brawny creatures such as ogres or

of guidance. More reliable touts vetted by influential clients charge premium prices, starting at 2 gp per hour. Touts who speak more esoteric languages, who have connections with one or more factions, or who can provide magical assistance can command upward of 20 gp per hour.

2. Unhappy Cultists

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

do more exciting work elsewhere. They might offer to kill the current leader and put the workers in charge, or they might come up with a totally different plan. Whatever the party’s tactics allow the

roleplaying to carry the encounter until it’s time to resolve the situation. If the adventurers make a compelling offer to the cultists, they might do what the party wants with no check. If the outcome

Clifftop Adventurers' Guild

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

the guild’s allies are based on business and built on upstanding reputations. Ultimately, though, the guild is a loose affiliation of groups, and organizations that have a good relationship with one

of those groups might not transfer their good will to another. The following groups do brisk business with members of the Clifftop Adventurers’ Guild: Voice of BRELAND Watch Commander or Crime Lord

19. Obo'laka's Shrine

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

the perimeter of the shrine. They investigate the sound of the squealing doors but won’t attack large groups, preferring to pick off loners and stragglers. 19B. Gallery of Carvings The walls of this

from this side, though three knock spells will do the trick. 19C. Sun Pool A glorious sun is carved on the ceiling, directly above a pool of still water. The ceiling reflected in the pool doesn’t show a

Giant Foundling

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

kind. With the aid of this magic, you have learned how to embody the might of giants. You are used to moving through a world much bigger than you, and that is reflected in your skills, attitude, and

, you survived. 4 Your farm was crushed and your family killed in a battle between warring groups of giants. Racked with guilt over the destruction, a sympathetic giant soldier promised to care for you

Workers' Camp

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

, with the two groups blaming each other for every worksite mishap and grievance. They flee into the tomb if threatened, but fight with picks and shovels if cornered. Each worker uses the cultist stat

wages for construction workers, signed by Moghadam. Manipulating Time Having a mechanical guide spend 1 charge in this area causes a number of the dwarves to erupt into squabbling, allowing the

Hook Horror

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

to flee. Dedicated Clans. Hook horrors live in extended family groups or clans. Each clan is ruled by the eldest female, who typically places her mate in charge of the clan’s hunters. Hook horrors lay eggs, which are clustered in a central, well-defended area of a clan’s home caverns.

Wereboar

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

curse, the more savage and bestial they become. Wereboars live in small family groups in remote forest areas, building ramshackle huts or dwelling in caves. They are suspicious of strangers but

form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Charge (Boar or Hybrid Form Only). If the wereboar moves at least 15 feet straight toward a

Sanctuary

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

, with other worship areas arranged around it. Foes The force outside the temple is split into three groups. One (A) is battering at the front doors, another (B) is circling the temple in a screeching

mob, and the third (C) is heaping burning straw against a rear door. All these groups together would overwhelm 1st-level characters, but characters can devise a plan that gets them inside the temple by

Relics of Besilmer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

it makes. This uses 1 charge from the crown. It has 3 charges, and it regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn. Orcsplitter Weapon (greataxe), legendary (requires attunement by a good-aligned dwarf

and serve a courageous, just wielder. It disdains cowards and any form of duplicity, deception, or disloyalty. The weapon’s purpose is to defend dwarves and to serve as a symbol of dwarven resolve

Running Allies

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

allies and even friends. And though our lives may eventually diverge from theirs, that doesn’t make the friendships any less meaningful. Let Players Take Charge Consider letting your players control

, gather valuable loot or information, or resolve old problems the characters have forgotten about or left behind.

Sanctuary

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

, with other worship areas arranged around it. Foes The force outside the temple is split into three groups. One (A) is battering at the front doors, another (B) is circling the temple in a screeching

mob, and the third (C) is heaping burning straw against a rear door. All these groups together would overwhelm 1st-level characters, but characters can devise a plan that gets them inside the temple by

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether

capabilities. This increase in power is reflected by an adventurer’s level. There’s no winning and losing in the Dungeons & Dragons game—at least, not the way those terms are usually understood

Introduction

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

to collapse under our weight? Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve

new capabilities. This increase in power is reflected by an adventurer’s level. There’s no winning and losing in the Dungeons & Dragons game—at least, not the way those terms are usually understood

Carrion Crawler

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

, plains, and sites of primeval power. With upper bodies like humans’ and the lower bodies of horses, centaurs charge into battle against those who would harm their allies. Centaur Warden Centaur wardens

often lead groups of centaur troopers and act as intermediaries between Fey creatures and trespassers into their territories. Eric Belisle Centaur Warden Large Fey, Neutral Good AC 16

Fellowship

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

groups to create a competitive training exercise on the academy’s Simulations Deck. The Simulations Deck is a magical marvel equipped with three simulation chambers that magically create the

the characters’ involvement but don’t know the details. Petty Officer Winston Ryeback Giff Galley Cook Petty Officer Ryeback (RIE-bak) is a muscular giff in charge of the food served at the

Creating a Rival

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

marshal. Does the character have enough money to pay bribes or to hire a small gang of mercenaries? Does the rival hold sway over any guilds, temples, or other groups? Make a list of the rival’s assets

you resolve one or more workweeks of downtime, pick one of the ways a rival’s plans might be advanced and introduce it into play. Think about how a rival might operate in order to bring specific

Battle Master

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

beyond battle such as weaponsmithing and calligraphy. Not every fighter absorbs the lessons of history, theory, and artistry that are reflected in the Battle Master archetype, but those who do are

resolve of one of your companions. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains temporary hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Charisma

Hoplites

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

members of a military unit. In combat, hoplites typically work in groups and use coordinated tactics to win victories. The three Hoplite Unit Names tables present the sorts of titles used by hoplite

relentlessly and possess unflinching resolve. In the annals of Akros, tales abound of squads of stratians that defended a key location against a much larger force or crept behind enemy lines and wreaked havoc

Acererak

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

powerful adventurers. Their deaths and souls are my nourishment.” Flaw. “I underestimate the resolve of my enemies.” Acererak Medium undead, neutral evil Armor Class 21 (natural armor) Hit Points

) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage when used with two hands. Invoke Curse. While holding the Staff of the Forgotten One, Acererak expends 1 charge from it and targets one creature he

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