contrast rulers get to have reflections

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

self-assurance in one genasi and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Too much failure can

genasi in the Realms are descendants of the djinn and efreet who once ruled Calimshan. When those rulers were overthrown, their planetouched children were scattered. Over thousands of years, the

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

his or her appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually

beauties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they can’t get in enough of the things they want to do and see. Gnomes speak as if they can’t

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

contrast, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers. Half-Elf Names Half-elves use either human or elven

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

can transform an individual into a more powerful type. The cost and time required to perform the ritual is prohibitive, and as a result most yuan-ti never get the opportunity to undergo such a

— yuan-ti make perfect courtiers. And, worse for the rest of us, rulers. — Elminster The physical and magical prowess of the yuan-ti empire allowed the former humans to retain their

Diplomats or Wanderers

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

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast

get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and human energy without human boorishness. They often make excellent

Genasi Lands

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

and efreet who once ruled Calimshan. When those rulers were overthrown, their planetouched children were scattered. Over thousands of years, the bloodlines of those genasi have spread into other lands

to the east. Some remain in their ancient homeland. In contrast, water and earth genasi have no common history. Individuals have difficulty tracing their own lineage, and bloodlines occasionally skip a

Multiclassing

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

. When multiclassing, do you get the cantrips from all your classes? If any of your classes grants you cantrips, you get all of them. Do you gain proficiency in more saving throws when multiclassing? A

class offers various starting proficiencies that you get if it is your first class. If the class isn’t your first, you get only the starting proficiencies listed for that class in the Multiclassing

Diplomats or Wanderers

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

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast

get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and human energy without human boorishness. They often make excellent

Sentinel

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

feat doesn’t specify the bonus attack’s timing, and when a reaction has no timing specified, the reaction occurs after its trigger finishes (DMG, "Adjudicating Reaction Timing"). In contrast, an

or the Mobile feat? Does the character with the Sentinel feat still get the opportunity attack? The second benefit of the Sentinel feat is intended to counteract the Disengage action only. An enemy

Mapping a Wilderness

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

Mapping a Wilderness In contrast to a dungeon, an outdoor setting presents seemingly limitless options. The adventurers can move in any direction over a trackless desert or an open grassland, so how

different scales to help you design your world and the starting area of your campaign. Especially when you get down to province scale (1 hex = 1 mile), think about paths of travel — roads, passes, ridges and valleys, and so on — that can guide character movement across your map.

Factions of Krynn

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

leaders in Abanasinia What would be the Lords’ Alliance instead represents the local rulers of the scattered towns of Abanasinia that are not controlled by the Seekers. These settlements mostly lie

truly do search for evidence of the gods, many are more concerned with establishing and controlling local rule, and do not shy away from using coercion and threats to get their way.

Draw In the Players

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

Draw In the Players If an adventure situation directly affects the characters or the people and places they care about, that is often enough motivation for the characters to get involved. (However

gods, rulers, or other patrons who might send them on quests, either directly or through intermediaries. Subvert Clichés As you populate your world with interesting supporting characters, consider

The Wilds

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume Four

The Wilds Past the courts, across the stream, into the woods—there lie the wilds, the most magical, strange, and dangerous lands in all Eldraine. In contrast to the order and structure of the realm

Garenbrig and Embereth, fire giants and stone giants served as mighty knights and strong laborers. In the wilds, hill giants have always been hostile to the rulers of the realm, even when elves governed

City of Skophos

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

city, with individuals serving as tyrants over city districts. The city’s rulers rarely meet in council, and when they do, the quarrelsome tyrants rarely find common cause or any basis for agreement

Skophos that can coexist in some measure of peace with the wider world. Mogis’s Chalice Many grand temples to Mogis stand in Skophos, presenting a stark contrast to the crude shrines that usually serve as

Cities and Sites

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

of the Howling River at a point where the river widens, the ancestral seat of the rulers of Breland seduces visitors with its tree-lined avenues, elegant drawbridges, cleanliness, and laid-back

atmosphere. Perched on a rocky island in the middle of the river, surrounded by military docks and barracks, is Brokenblade Castle, the king’s stern fortress. In contrast to its welcoming countenance, Wroat

A Race Divided

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

the divine powers, but Corellon blithely took no heed of him. Perhaps it was this seeming hauteur that enabled Gruumsh to get close enough to wound Corellon, igniting the legendary conflict that cost

creatures, they traveled in Corellon’s shadow, sparkling like the reflections from a finely cut gem. When Corellon came to notice these glorious echoes, the god tarried with them in the place that became

Rogue

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

doesn’t limit the number of times you can use it in a round. You sometimes get a chance to use Sneak Attack on someone else’s turn. The most common way for this to happen is when a foe provokes an

the fighter’s turn, and if the attack qualifies, it can use Sneak Attack. Both of those options rely on the use of your reaction, so you could do only one of them in a round. Because you get only one

Fighters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Fighters “Slow to learn, aren’t they?” a white-haired old knight who’d lost his helm in the last fray drawled. “This is getting to be like a proper romp in the Dragonjaws, it is! I’ll have to get my

lands have militia for protection against their enemies, and many great rulers in the Realms’ past were fighters of some sort. There are always opportunities for those who know how to handle themselves

Other Crime Syndicates

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

ultimately under the command of Sora Katra, one of the rulers of Droaam. Physical violence is its specialty, but Daask also dabbles in illegal drugs. House Tarkanan. House Tarkanan is known as a small

modest lifestyle, plus an additional 1d6 gp in profit per week. You can access contraband and fences as described earlier in this section, but you don’t get a discount at syndicate-owned businesses

Moving Around Other Creatures

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

Moving Around Other Creatures You can move through a nonhostile creature’s space. In contrast, you can move through a hostile creature’s space only if the creature is at least two sizes larger or

5 feet wide, for example, but it does control a space that wide. If a Medium hobgoblin stands in a 5-foot-wide doorway, other creatures can’t get through unless the hobgoblin lets them. A creature’s

Creature Size

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

wide. If a Medium hobgoblin stands in a 5‐foot-wide doorway, other creatures can't get through unless the hobgoblin lets them. A creature's space also reflects the area it needs to fight effectively. For

. Because larger creatures take up more space, fewer of them can surround a creature. If four Large creatures crowd around a Medium or smaller one, there's little room for anyone else. In contrast, as many as

Setessa's Surroundings

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

Setessa’s Surroundings Beyond the city’s encircling trees, the territory of Setessa extends to cover about a third of the Nessian Wood and a wide swath of the open chaparral. In contrast to Meletis

lions to get them ready to accompany Setessans in battle. Here men live and work alongside women, collectively training and caring for the animals that live here. Nessian Wood The vast wilderness of the

Ability Checks

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

different way to get past the guard or try the check again against another guard at a different gate. But you might decide that the initial failure makes those checks more difficult to pull off

. In contrast, a character with high Intelligence and low Wisdom is probably oblivious but clever. The character might not spot the clean section of wall but, if asked about it, could immediately

Warlock

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

comes back as a longsword when you summon it. You don’t get to turn it into a club. Similarly, if you bond with a dagger of venom, you can’t summon it as a maul; it’s always a dagger. The feature allows

, but the feature doesn’t give that creature the ability to telepathically reply. In contrast, the telepathy ability that some monsters have (MM , "Telepathy") does make two-way communication possible

Fierna and Belial

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

contrast to the stiff regimentation of the rest of the Nine Hells, the laws that govern Abriymoch allow the place to operate as a carnival in which any wanton desire can be fulfilled. Justice in All Its

. The flames either bring searing agony that reduces a devil to a weaker form, or ecstatic joy that transforms it into a mightier being. Soul Searching Like the rulers of the other layers, Belial and

Regional Effects

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

disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Leaves change color to contrast with those trying to hide among them, branches move to reveal creatures, fog clears, and so on. Smooth Roads. Difficult terrain

bronze dragon’s lair, or the crystalline growths common near any gem dragon’s lair. Other examples include the following effects: Deceptive Reflections. At first glance, still water within 6 miles of

Plaintiff

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

know any better, you might be able to intimidate or deceive to get favors or special treatment. Suggested Characteristics Plaintiffs come in many varieties. Some are innocent bystanders who want only

pursue their dreams. (Chaotic) 3 Greed. Everyone I see is getting theirs, so I’m surely going to get mine. (Evil) 4 Chaos. You’re out of order! And you’re out of order! This whole realm is out

Warehouse Environs

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

forward, tells them that the area is off-limits, and orders them to move along. When the characters get across the purpose of their presence (most easily by stating that Omin Dran sent them), Truff is

clearly relieved, though still not entirely friendly. The captain sighs. “Took you long enough,” she says. “So let’s get this done so we can get on with our lives.” She pulls a scroll from a leather

Children of the All-Father

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Children of the All-Father In an age before human and elf, when all dragons were young, Annam the All-Father put the first giants upon the world. These giants were reflections of his divine offspring

rulers of the world. Giants, therefore, don’t pray to Annam, who refuses to hear them. Instead, they revere his divine children, as well as a host of other hero-deities and godly villains that are minor

Silverymoon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

could ever be. While it is easy and pleasing enough to get lost among the trees of the city, anyone who comes close enough to the River Raurin is awed by the vision of the Moonbridge: the great arch of

the mythal. Should a foe try to traverse the Moonbridge, the span can be willed (by the city’s rulers, and certain others specially attuned to the mythal) out of existence, dropping attackers into the

Council Massacre

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

Undead troops, gaining them access to Kalaman’s rulers under the guise of being helpful Knights of Solamnia. During their audience with the city’s rulers, Lord Soth, Caradoc, and their Undead knights

aren’t actually coming, but saying so did allow him to get his lord’s retinue through the city gates. No, he won’t say who his lord is. No, he doesn’t serve the Red Dragon Army—not quite. He serves

Adventures and Encounters

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

Adventures and Encounters In contrast to the salvagers and treasure hunters who undertake most of the expeditions to the Mournland, some individuals enter the churning mist with good intentions in

learned too much about the house’s secret research. The characters can appease her by promising to help her get revenge. 3 A tiny kitten mews from inside a hollow log. Within a few hours after being freed

The Ordning

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

protective of that high status and angling to get even higher 2 High Hoping to improve but not doing much to pursue an increase in status 3 High Unconcerned with maintaining that status 4 Medium On the

looking for the sword. 4 When the characters’ enemies take refuge in a giant-built ruin, an ambitious fire giant offers to help the characters get inside in return for a share of the treasure. 5 A fire

Upper Northedge

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

district of Holdfast. In contrast to the residents of Highhold in Upper Dura, the dwarves of Holdfast have deep roots in Sharn and feel no strong connection to the Mror Holds or its traditions. High

you’re looking to forget your troubles, by all means, go see Facade or The Late Count. But if you want to take in a performance that might make you a better person, do whatever it takes to get tickets to Five Lives.

Structured Society

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

-ti as the rulers of a region. Yuan-ti Abominations Mostly ophidian, but with humanlike arms that can wield weapons and use tools, abominations closely resemble the perfect form that the serpent gods

. Because they get to wield power and influence while playing such roles, some purebloods surround themselves with luxury in their human guises and then become resentful when they have to return home

D&D Beyond

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