confusing run group to have refer

Iarno “Glasstaff” Albrek

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

a group of outlaws and local ruffians to secure his own position in town. Glasstaff puts on airs of gentility and courteous manners, addressing his bandits and ruffians as “my good fellows

,” and referring to sordid acts such as kidnapping or arson as “that unpleasant little business” or “those unfortunate events.” He may refer to the characters as his &ldquo

Bavlorna Blightstraw

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

within 10 feet of Bavlorna uses at least 10 feet of movement to run in place counterclockwise, Bavlorna is overcome by a fit of sneezing and can’t cast spells until the end of her next turn. In

moment, is all that matters.” Bond. “I’m safe in my cottage. Why should I leave it when I can make others come to me?" Flaw. “Watching someone run widdershins makes me sneeze

Mage of High Sorcery

Backgrounds Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

;ve trained among the Mages, but whether you’ll face the dangerous test required to become a full member of the group remains to be determined. Your passion for studying magic has likely already

the world of Krynn, many refer to the Mages of High Sorcery as the Wizards of High Sorcery. The organization accepts more than wizards, though, with sorcerers, warlocks, and other spellcasters

Tromokratis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

buried it under a stone near the palace of Erebos. Tromokratis as a Mythic Encounter Tromokratis numbers among the most powerful creatures a group of adventurers might face. If you wish to make an

: The titanic monster’s carapace cracks, revealing a pulsing, red-purple heart buried amid heaps of blubber and muscle. Fissures run across the beast’s ancient shell, revealing three

Urban Bounty Hunter

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

it more difficult to pursue a personal agenda that doesn’t fit with the group’s objectives — but on the other hand, you can take down much more formidable targets with the help of

If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it. 4 I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. 5 I turn tail and run when

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Everybody’s always trying to get a leg up on somebody in Baldur’s Gate. One group’s con artist might be another’s revolutionary. Or maybe you’re just in it for yourself

. 5 I run sleight-of-hand cons on street corners. 6 I convince people that worthless junk is worth their hard-earned money. FEATURE: FALSE IDENTITY You have created a second

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

to the folk of the Sword Coast. If you come from Kara-Tur, the people of Faerûn likely refer to you as Shou, even if that isn’t your true ethnicity, because that’s the blanket term

reacting to ignorant invasion of my own. 2 I have my own ideas about what is and is not food, and I find the eating habits of those around me fascinating, confusing, or revolting. 3 I have a

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

single mistake can bring doom to an entire tribe, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival. Goliaths thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and

, committed by the goliath. Goliaths assign and use nicknames with their friends of other races, and change them to refer to an individual’s notable deeds. Goliaths present all three names when

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

: In recent years, the Zhentarim have become more visible in the world at large, as the group works to improve its reputation among the common people. The faction draws employees and associates

Personality Trait 1 I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example. 2 I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies

Acolyte - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny. Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A holy symbol (a gift

be some hidden hypocrisy or heretical idea, or an ideal or bond taken to an extreme. d8 Personality Trait 1 I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

clade — a diverse group of individuals combining disparate talents in pursuit of a common goal — or a researcher on a specialized, short-term project focused on addressing an immediate

fungus field. 5 I can’t fathom what could have made my childhood friend run off and join the Gruul. 6 I love comparing notes with my friend in the Izzet, though our fields of research are

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

undetected and don’t 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 are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Acolyte Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny

particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person’s deeds and example. 2 I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the group’s needs, but the effect each action will have on the forest and the rest of the natural world. Firbolg tribes would rather go hungry than strain the land during a famine. Hidden

forest’s children by their deeds, habits, and other actions. By the same token, their tribe names merely refer to their homes. When dealing with other races, firbolgs refer to their lands by

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what they mean. Be clear

clang of a mace against armor or the sound made by a breaking bone. Non-kenku refer to the kenku by describing this noise. Examples of this type of name include Smasher, Clanger, Slicer, and Basher

Running Preludes

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

you’re using: Focus on Specific Characters. Run the prelude with a spotlight on the focus characters. Consider running it with a single player or a small group of players before the adventure begins. The

“Broken Silence” and “Eye in the Sky” preludes lend themselves to this. Focus on the Group. Run the prelude for a group of characters. These characters meet during their travels and participate in

Session Zero

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

zero.” Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything outlines how to run session zero discussions, but in general, use this session to discuss the game’s content, social contract, and house rules, and to create

characters. Reinforce Expectations Make it clear that D&D is a group storytelling game. As the DM, you have a role in crafting adventures and arbitrating rules, but you aren’t solely responsible for how

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

traps, snares, and nets to catch the unwary, and when their hunting patrols encounter other beings, they always look for ways to capture their foes instead of killing them. Goblins that run up against

two hunters viciously attack. A captured group of invaders might hang in a net while dozens of goblins pass by and pay them no heed until a group of gatherers shows up. Lashers. The closest thing a

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

implement better tactics. Any enemy who chases a group of fleeing yuan-ti might be on the victorious side of a rout or could be heading into a trap; if the enemy has been encountered before, it is likely

can more easily pronounce the name in this altered form. An adopted name of this sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to

After the Horror

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

After the Horror It’s always a good idea to check in with players at the end of a session, but this rings especially true for adventures where tensions run high and the stories can elicit strong

following questions: What unsolved mysteries do you want answers to? Did you find anything confusing or off-putting? What are you looking forward to in the next session? These answers can help you

2. Roc's Nest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

2. Roc’s Nest The stone giants refer to the roc of Deadstone Cleft as the Jotunglang (meaning “the giant above”). To sneak past the gargantuan bird, the party must succeed on a DC 14 group Dexterity

(Stealth) check. If the group check fails, the roc detects one or more trespassers and screeches. The inhabitants of areas 3 and 6 investigate the disturbance, emerging from their caves 2 rounds later

Inquisitive Agency

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

Inquisitive Agency Your party works for an agency offering investigative services, or you might run your own firm as a group. Inquisitives put their keen minds and dogged determination to use

unraveling mysteries. Inquisitive agencies run the gamut from private investigators to networks of detectives supported by dragonmarked houses.

Tournament Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

characters against one another, adventuring parties are scored as a group. These rules are optional. You don’t need to score your players to run this adventure. The scoring system included in this supplement is meant to spark joy, not contention.

Tournament Rules If you wish to emulate the competitive adventures of old, you can run this adventure as a tournament-style scenario by following the guidance in this section. Rather than pitting

Morale

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

Morale Some combatants might run away when a fight turns against them. You can use this optional rule to help determine when monsters and NPCs flee. A creature might flee under any of the following

group of creatures might flee under any of the following circumstances: All the creatures in the group are surprised. The group’s leader is reduced to 0 hit points, incapacitated, taken prisoner, or

Level 4: Twisted Caverns

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Level 4: Twisted Caverns Designed for four 8th-level characters, this level of Undermountain contains enough XP to advance such a group halfway to 9th level. The Twisted Caverns feature an aboleth

, which is a legendary monster. Review the “Aboleth” entry in the Monster Manual before running this level of the dungeon to help you run the monster effectively.

Encounters in Phandalin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

homes and businesses. Where do you want to go?” When the players pick a spot, refer to the description in the following section, introduce the NPCs there, and let the interaction begin. The Stonehill

adventurers run into the thugs who run Phandalin. All you need to do is choose when the ruffians appear. After the characters have had a chance to visit several locations in town and talk to the

Tracking the Raiders

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

, but let players reach that conclusion on their own. It’s not possible to tell from the confusing jumble of prints whether any specific footprints are those of prisoners. The trail leads south about

of the plateaus are dotted with caves and tumbled boulder fields. Characters can have two encounters during this trip. The first is with a group of raiders who have straggled behind the main body

Tracking the Raiders

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

, but let players reach that conclusion on their own. It’s not possible to tell from the confusing jumble of prints whether any specific footprints are those of prisoners. The trail leads south about

of the plateaus are dotted with caves and tumbled boulder fields. Characters can have two encounters during this trip. The first is with a group of raiders who have straggled behind the main body

Preparing for Horror

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

Preparing for Horror Before you run a horror game, consider the following steps to ensure the willingness and full engagement of your players. If a group gathers to play a fun, low-stakes adventure

Shared World

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

Shared World Some groups take a large, established campaign setting and divide it up geographically so different DMs can run separate campaigns in the same setting. In theory, characters can travel

the other DMs in your group could divide it thematically. Using the setting in chapter 5 of this book as an example, each DM could focus their campaign on one of the three overarching conflicts of that

Glossary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

to the adventurers run by the players. They are the protagonists in any D&D adventure. A group of characters or adventurers is called a party. Nonplayer Characters (NPCs). This term refers to

characters run by the DM. How an NPC behaves is dictated by the adventure and by the DM. Boxed Text. At various places, the adventure presents descriptive text that’s meant to be read or paraphrased aloud to

The Blue Fire Wardens

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

group. She expands on what Riffel told the party earlier about the Three Moons Vault, conveying the following points: Caroline Gariba Argentira Skywright Blue Fire Attack. Shortly after Teremini

Nightsedge’s soldiers seized the rod fragment from the peylon tree, the Blue Fire Wardens assaulted the Three Moons Vault. They refer to their attack as the Night of Blue Fire. Teremini, a renegade from

Absent Players

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

reporting back to the party’s patron. Substitute Player. With the absent player’s consent, have another player run the missing player’s character, or run the character yourself if you feel you can do so

same XP that the other characters earned each session, keeping the group at the same level. Some groups like to work out a policy regarding how many missing players is too many to proceed. For example

Chapter 16: Mission to Thay

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

Chapter 16: Mission to Thay Early during his rise to power, Severin enlisted the aid of a group of Thayan exiles in his scheme to return Tiamat to the world. He needs the Red Wizards’ expertise in

can wield great magical power in her name. All Modar plans to ask in return is the Dragon Queen’s aid in overthrowing the hated Szass Tam and restoring Thay to its former glory. Rath Modar and his splinter sect refer to their movement as the Thayan Resurrection.

Chapter 16: Mission to Thay

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

Chapter 16: Mission to Thay Early during his rise to power, Severin enlisted the aid of a group of Thayan exiles in his scheme to return Tiamat to the world. He needs the Red Wizards’ expertise in

can wield great magical power in her name. All Modar plans to ask in return is the Dragon Queen’s aid in overthrowing the hated Szass Tam and restoring Thay to its former glory. Rath Modar and his splinter sect refer to their movement as the Thayan Resurrection.

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