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Returning 35 results for 'curving combat words'.
Other Suggestions:
cunning combat words
coursing combat words
cutting combat words
churning combat words
caring combat words
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
my sword. They beat words to hell.”
Ideal. “I expect to be paid well for my handiwork.”
Bond. “The League of Malevolence is a convenient arrangement—until something
better comes along.”
Flaw. “I don’t have a single friend I can count on.”
Combat Notes
Warduke likes to hit things with his sword; it’s as simple as that.
League of
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
came between him and the riches he covets.
Alignment. Chaotic evil.
Personality Trait. “I mince people, not words.”
Ideal. “Coin is what I crave.”
Bond. “Once I
agree to kill something, I pursue my quarry until the job is done.”
Flaw. “A friend is just an enemy I haven’t made yet.”
Combat Notes
When faced with multiple foes, Zarak
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
but also to combat individuals who disrupt the city’s operations or violate the Lady’s edicts, hurling bricks at troublemakers and subduing them by causing the streets to sprout grasping
cobblestone hands.
When dabus communicate, rather than speaking or signing words, they create esoteric illusory images and symbols in front of themselves. Scholars have yet to determine the origin of
Monsters
Storm King's Thunder
that he’s clad in plate armor and wears the skull of a white dragon as a helm. His jagged axe also looks quite formidable. He’s a giant of few words who prefers to let his actions do his
talking. When he does speak outside of combat, he comes across as surprisingly calm and soft-spoken. While swinging his axe in battle, however, he bellows and laughs like a berserker.
Harshnag knows the
Monsters
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
attack that would hit it. To do so, the thri-kreen must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.Thri-kreen gladiators relish opportunities to test their mettle in combat and often paint their
eschew armor. Although thri-kreen don’t need to sleep, they do require periods of inactivity to revitalize themselves.
The Thri-kreen language doesn’t employ words in the usual sense. To
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Ear of the Chosen. Whenever a creature on the same plane of existence as Alustriel speaks Alustriel’s name, Alustriel hears her name and the next nine words the speaker utters.
Legendary
Weave favors those who act with mercy and compassion, seeks to deliver lives of security for all, and bolsters people’s efforts when they seek to right wrongs and combat evil.
Nowhere are
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
ice with which to combat foes. These weapons are supernaturally resilient until Auril discards them, whereupon they break and melt like normal ice.
Auril the Frostmaiden
Auril the Frostmaiden is a
. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words, define her.
Lesser gods in the D&D multiverse are
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
coins
Feature: Undercity Paths
You know hidden, underground pathways that you can use to bypass crowds, obstacles, and observation as you move through the city. When you aren’t in combat, you
bother to couch my opinions in flattering words.
5
I can’t help but pocket any trinket or coin I come across, no matter how worthless.
6
I’m convinced that I’m better and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble
the characters dive into a fight.
Combat. If the characters want to fight the bandits, combat begins! Here’s how that plays out:
Describe the Scene. Determine where everyone is standing at the
start of the combat. Describe any other important details within the scene.
Roll Initiative. The players each roll a d20 and add their Initiative modifier. The character with the highest result
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
Music and Magic In the worlds of D&D, words and music are not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their own. The bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic they contain
. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Music and Magic In the worlds of D&D, words and music are not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their own. The bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic they contain
. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of
Goblin
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
and know the most about the territory farthest from the tribe’s lair. These individuals hunt game in peaceful times, and in combat they serve as scouts, foot soldiers, and cavalry.
Gatherers
.
— Elminster
Booyahg Caster. This goblin served under a hobgoblin wizard, stole a look at its master’s spellbook, and learned a little wizardry by aping the gestures and words it remembered
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
rolled on an attack roll or ability check before using Cutting Words, or should they always guess? If used on a damage roll, does Cutting Words apply to any kind of damage roll including an auto-hit
spell like magic missile? You can wait to use Cutting Words after the roll, but you must commit to doing so before you know for sure whether the total of the roll or check is a success or a failure
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
End Simulation After two full rounds of combat have been resolved, end the combat by reading or paraphrasing the following: A thunderous explosion shakes the ship, filling the air with splinters of
has no better person to spearhead the training of raw recruits—and Tarto knows it. Never one to mince words (even when those words are directed toward those who outrank her), this old, grizzled
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
on a damage roll, does a College of Lore Bard’s Cutting Words apply to any kind of damage roll including an auto-hit spell like Magic Missile? You can use Cutting Words to reduce the damage from any
, does using Combat Inspiration’s Offense feature mean that the Bardic Inspiration die counts as a damage die for purposes of Critical Hits? Yes.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
-relief sculpture of a humanoid skull with a black sapphire embedded in each eye socket.
Words of Unwelcome. Carved into the frame above the door are the words “GO AWAY!” written in Common.
Alarm
gemstone out. Each vampire initially appears as a cloud of mist, then spends its first turn in combat reverting to its true form. The vampires’ names are Sabatene Xilzzrin and Tebran Madannith. Their houses
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Alignment A monster's alignment provides a clue to its disposition and how it behaves in a roleplaying or combat situation. For example, a chaotic evil monster might be difficult to reason with and
monster's alignment to suit the needs of your campaign. If you want a good-aligned green dragon or an evil storm giant, there's nothing stopping you. Some creatures can have any alignment. In other words
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
Alignment A monster’s alignment provides a clue to its disposition and how it behaves in a roleplaying or combat situation. For example, a chaotic evil monster might be difficult to reason with and
nothing stopping you. Some creatures can have any alignment. In other words, you choose the monster’s alignment. Some monster’s alignment entry indicates a tendency or aversion toward law, chaos, good
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Death Scenes When a character is reduced to 0 Hit Points, the player sometimes has to sit out one or more rounds of combat with nothing to do but roll Death Saving Throws. One way to keep a player
an effect that kills the character outright, consider giving the player some ownership over the character’s final moments by asking what the character’s last words are or how the character greets death.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
, roleplay them as you see fit. The mirror has two command words. Speaking the word “Khomara” while standing within 5 feet of the mirror deactivates or reactivates it. (The mirror can’t trap creatures
while deactivated.) Speaking the word “Blackfire” along with a cell number frees the creature trapped in that cell. Casting an identify spell on the mirror reveals its command words and magical
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
game fun to watch? Three Pillars. How much of the session was taken up by combat, exploration, or social interaction? Tone and Mood. How would you describe the tone and mood of the game? Did it
change over the course of the session? Turns of Phrase. Were there any words or bits of narration you really liked? (If so, jot them down.) World-building. What elements of the DM’s world or the adventure grabbed your attention?
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
game fun to watch? Three Pillars. How much of the session was taken up by combat, exploration, or social interaction? Tone and Mood. How would you describe the tone and mood of the game? Did it
change over the course of the session? Turns of Phrase. Were there any words or bits of narration you really liked? (If so, jot them down.) World-building. What elements of the DM’s world or the adventure grabbed your attention?
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Worshiping Mogis Mogis exhorts his followers to channel their hatred and rage into ever greater acts of cruelty and violence. He demands actions over words, making his followers an active and
a single being, the act of war personified. But the inherent tension between honor and brutality in combat led to a dichotomy of purpose too great for a single god to reconcile. Ripping himself apart
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
mince people, not words.” Ideal. “Coin is what I crave.” Bond. “Once I agree to kill something, I pursue my quarry until the job is done.” Flaw. “A friend is just an enemy I haven’t made yet.” Combat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
strategy. A quick death in combat is its own kind of courtesy.
6 I trust my gut. I’d rather act on incomplete information than be hamstrung by indecision.
7 I’m fascinated by other species
lie outright, though I choose my words carefully. I will fight to the death rather than break my word or abandon a comrade. (Lawful)
4 Discipline. Disorganization breeds defeat. I demand self
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
a story as a group, so let the other players contribute through the words and deeds of their characters. Encourage players to engage by asking them what their characters are doing. It’s Not a
game and keep track of your campaign. These sheets are also available for download in appendix C.
Encounter-Building Assistance. The rules for estimating the difficulty of combat encounters have
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild
one of Moghadam’s magical passes. In combat, it uses the implements it holds as weapons. Use the statistics for the girallon’s claw attack, but a hammer attack deals bludgeoning damage and a chisel
with magical symbols that place the creature under the effect of a permanent dominate monster spell. Phenex (area 14) knows the command words that compel the girallon into service. Manipulating Time
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
extend or retract the chains that raise and lower the drawbridge. If both winches are operated simultaneously, it takes 1 round to raise or lower the drawbridge by 30 degrees. In other words, the
worth 25 gp. Taela is in the Dripping Caves (see area 4, map 1.2). 2e. Southeast Tower The door to this tower is ajar. Unless they are drawn to area 4g by sounds of combat, two goblins named Larv and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
beneath it is that of a grim, hideously scarred gladiator. Alignment. Chaotic evil. Personality Trait. “I speak with the flames and razor-sharp edges of my sword. They beat words to hell.” Ideal. “I expect
to be paid well for my handiwork.” Bond. “The League of Malevolence is a convenient arrangement—until something better comes along.” Flaw. “I would rather die than surrender.” Combat Notes Warduke
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
dramatic locations. Action doesn’t have to mean combat, but ensuring that the world is in constant motion around the player characters is a good way to keep their interest high. Kicking Off the Action When
, blood is drawn, and bystanders are getting hurt. 5 Chanting words of the Draconic Prophecy, a dragon appears and starts causing mayhem. 6 A tavern patron suddenly leaps up and attacks one of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade
, and utilities. They use their innate ability to manipulate Sigil’s infrastructure not only to effect repairs but also to combat individuals who disrupt the city’s operations or violate the Lady’s
edicts, hurling bricks at troublemakers and subduing them by causing the streets to sprout grasping cobblestone hands. When dabus communicate, rather than speaking or signing words, they create esoteric
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes’ Feast: Saving the Children’s Menu
her, she becomes angry and orders them out of the house with forceful gestures. However, she won’t initiate combat unless the characters threaten her or her children. If Ignis becomes hostile, a
interactions with the characters. Use the commoner stat block for them, if necessary. Change their creature type to Giant and increase their Strength to 14 (+2). They’re too young to speak fluently, but they know a few words of Giant (see the “Fire Giant Baby Talk” sidebar later in the adventure).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Mastermind Your focus is on people and on the influence and secrets they have. Many spies, courtiers, and schemers follow this archetype, leading lives of intrigue. Words are your weapons as often as
or hear you. Insightful Manipulator Starting at 9th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
blocks. If the characters don’t speak up, Xedalli tries to mount her own defense, accusing her brother of trying to get rid of her and then fabricating the story of her sedition. It is obvious her words
desperation, demands a chance to prove her innocence in a trial by combat—a request that Xeleth mocks: “Only someone who bears one of the starlight rings can challenge for the right to rule,” says the prince
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Mastermind Your focus is on people and on the influence and secrets they have. Many spies, courtiers, and schemers follow this archetype, leading lives of intrigue. Words are your weapons as often as
another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities compared to your own. The DM tells you if the creature is your equal, superior, or inferior in regard to two






