conversely rulers get to have replaced

Titivilus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

to get what he wanted. Charming and pleasant, he is a master at negotiation, able to twist words so as to leave his victims confused and believing he’s on their side. Through these skills

that either Titivilus is Dispater in disguise or Titivilus has removed the archduke and replaced him altogether. Titivilus recognizes the precariousness of his position. After all, Dispater’s

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

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

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

replaced with a new obsession. Objects remain intriguing only as long as they still hold secrets. A tabaxi rogue could happily spend months plotting to steal a strange gem from a noble, only to trade it

wanderers keep to civilized realms, preferring to bargain instead of pursuing more dangerous methods of sating their curiosity. However, they aren’t above a little discreet theft to get their claws

Factions of Krynn

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

Factions of Krynn Close equivalents to the factions of the Forgotten Realms don’t exist in the Dragonlance setting, and so must be replaced with more suitable groups from Krynn. The Harpers

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

Unsafe Waters

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

(see “Frigid Water”). Even after the character gets out of the frigid water, the effects persist until the wet clothing is dried out or replaced with warm, dry clothing. Water Depth Once the characters

are away from the shore, you can randomly determine the lake’s depth in any given location by rolling a d20 and multiplying the die roll by 10 feet. Conversely, you can just assume the lake is 100 feet deep where the characters are.

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; animosity, gnomes tend to avoid or abandon settlements that have a severe infestation of kobolds, and conversely kobolds are usually driven out of communities that have a large gnome population

. A kobold’s cautious nature doesn’t mean it can’t get angry. The blood of dragons flows in its veins, and like a raging drake, a kobold that is pushed too far or has its back

Feywild Guides

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

. Conversely, a bad guide can easily get an adventuring party into trouble. Use the Feywild Guide Names, Feywild Guide Identities, and Feywild Guide Quirks tables to create Fey guides on the fly

frustration, possibly even their freedom and their lives—by helping them avoid or get around the illogical logic. While visitors are easily vexed by roads that lead nowhere and forest trails that double back

Adjusting for Party Level

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

. Conversely, increase the challenge for groups with more than four characters, with characters higher than 8th level, or that revisit the keep over multiple sessions. Decreasing the Challenge If

and phase spiders in the keep, using the rules for encounter building in the Dungeon Master’s Guide to create an appropriate challenge. Weaker Construct. The stone golem in area 4 can be replaced with

Bowl Bandits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble

. The passageway continues, stone steps leading upward. Beyond the steps, the sound of hushed, whispered voices echoes off the stone, incomprehensible but audible. You can try to get closer if you want

to hear clearly and make out the words. But if you get too close without being quiet, they may also hear you. What do you do? Matias Tapia The two Bandits, Vonnet and Dilly (an orc woman and a

Inside the House

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

and pursuits contradict each other, frustrating any attempt to get to the truth of things. The public face of Dimir remains inscrutable, which some interpret as the best evidence that the guild’s true

, and to exploit those weaknesses for its own gain. Conversely, the house holds its own secrets tightly, because it doesn’t want its enemies to turn the tables. The Dimir lurk in the shadows

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

What Renaer Knows

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

What Renaer Knows At some point during their investigation, the characters might want to speak to Renaer Neverember about the fireball, given his own recent brush with the Zhentarim. Conversely, he

constables spoke to Lord Gralhund. He assured them that no one had broken into the estate and that everything was fine. The constables had no grounds to get a search warrant, so they didn’t pursue the matter.

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

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

Adventure Structure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

encounters easier. It also bears remembering that the villains are meant to be thwarted, not killed, and they are rarely spoiling for a fight. Adventurers who get in over their heads can be knocked

unconscious rather than killed. Such characters might awaken in an alley, a sewer tunnel, or a prison cell, with or without their gear. Conversely, they might awaken safe and sound with all their gear in a private residence, being cared for by friendly NPCs who took them in.

The Peg and Hook

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

, peg arm accessories) that provide surprising functionality — and even replaced one of her own hands and a leg to prove her point. Talk First, Fight Later? When the characters approach the Peg and Hook

be accomplished with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. Getting a limb replaced costs 25 gp, and Arla offers no-interest payment plans. The Hidden Headquarters Arla shares that Dran

Worshiping Ephara

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

to get involved. (ERIC DESCHAMPS) MYTHS OF EPHARA Ephara’s deeds demonstrate her commitment to the poleis and those who seek their improvement. Founding of Meletis. The city-state of Meletis was

god’s largest and grandest place of worship on Theros. It is kept in perfect repair, and worn or damaged pieces of the structure are quickly replaced. During an enormous earthquake, many of the structures

7. Drake Nursery

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

drakes attack. If the drakes are spotted and attacked by characters on the ledge, they set up a howl that draws six kobolds and three winged kobolds from area 8. At least one of these try to get past the

replaced with a sheet of parchment cleverly painted to resemble the surrounding stone. It can be spotted with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, or automatically by someone who is

7. Drake Nursery

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

try to get past the characters and unlock the gate at the bottom of the steps, letting the guard drakes join the battle as they’ve been trained to do. Spike Trap A portion of the floor between areas 4

and 7 has been replaced with a sheet of parchment cleverly painted to resemble the surrounding stone. It can be spotted with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, or automatically by someone

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

Clever Beast

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

lungs and it’s close by. Conversely, a message cantrip or similar magic can be used to get the plesiosaurus’s attention. The creature is curious to hear what the characters have to say: A reptilian

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

Other Things Characters Can Do

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

noise of crashing walls and shattered timbers fades, replaced by the screams of people trapped in the wreckage. There are 1d4 + 1 people trapped in the collapsed building. All of them are commoners

restore their hit points and remove their injuries. Enlarged Duergar Panicked Ten-Towners rush past you—not to escape the dragon but to get away from a heavily armored, gray-skinned dwarf as big as

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

Role of the Dungeon Master

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

help you arbitrate issues as they arise. When in doubt, make it up. It’s better to keep the game moving than to get bogged down in the rules. Embrace the shared story. D&D is about telling a story as a

for an ability check. Just tell the player what happens. Conversely, if there’s no way anyone could accomplish the task, just tell the player it doesn’t work. If and when you decide that an ability

Lords' Alliance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

fled his homeland a few years back and is too smart to get caught doing anything illegal. He and his gang of bullies prowl the Dock Ward. Scuttle the deal, and do it fast!” The characters can create a

rift between the Zhentarim and Esloon’s gang by sowing rumors of betrayal. They must spend 25 gp in bribes and succeed on a DC 16 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check. Conversely, they can

The Xanathar Guild

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

objectives is to get an agent into the place that can start sending copies of that information back to the Xanathar for review. The Xanathar’s ultimate goal is to control the entire region under

). When one needs to be replaced, the best candidates are those who appreciate the benefits of strict organization (and thus are lawful evil or at worst neutral evil) and who have a high tolerance for

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

Lulu's Dream Quest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

!” Have the characters roll initiative for their dream-selves. Each character is restrained by the black sludge. On its turn, a character must use its action to try to get free of the sludge, doing so with

made it to the end of the dreamscape, Mad Maggie is eager to repeat the ritual. Conversely, Lulu might regain enough of her memory to lead characters on the next leg of the journey without having to

City Overview

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

. City Government The Free City of Greyhawk is ruled by a council called the Directing Oligarchy, made up of sixteen coequal rulers. This council elects its chief officer, the lord mayor—a position

through open gates aren’t asked to explain their business, nor are they detained or turned back unless they are recognized as known fugitives. Wagons and carts might get searched if they trigger the guards

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

Neverwinter

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

replaced by respectable, local guards who have a personal interest in the defense of Neverwinter. This public sentiment has led to some neighborhoods organizing their own makeshift militias, and the Lord

get work dredging or mapping the city’s sewers for the Lord Protector, a task made necessary by the cataclysm that created the Chasm. Like any city, Neverwinter isn’t without its drawbacks. Though

Sparkrender's Ritual

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

area D2, they have been replaced by even cruder versions created in a hurry.) Read the following text: Streams of colored light swirl through the air around the golden statue in the ruined rotunda. Each

an effigy or throw it over the crumbling wall and into the ocean below. This ensures the corresponding effect does not occur again. (Reroll if you get that result on the Dragon Spirits table

Aboard the Moondancer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

the ship on the starboard side. “Welcome to Wildspace,” says Captain Sartell, sweeping her arms wide. “That was a close thing, down there. Blast if I know what those vines are or how to get rid of

ballistae but has no crew to operate them. Its mangonel was destroyed in a recent engagement, and Captain Sartell hasn’t replaced it yet. Getting a new mangonel was the main reason Sartell was on the

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