decide interest are burden

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. 3 I’m eager to explain every detail of my most intricate experiments and theories to anyone who shows the least bit of interest. 4 I assume that everyone needs even the most basic

very different. 7 I borrowed a lot of money from an Orzhov syndic to help finance my research. 8 A Rakdos ringmaster has taken an interest in my research which, come to think of it, might

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. 4 Roll an additional Golgari contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 5 I joined the Gruul in a battle against the Boros once, and the chief of that small clan thanks

stole something valuable. 8 I found a baby beast and sold it to a Rakdos wrangler who remains grateful to me. 9 A Selesnya druid and I share an interest in the same garden, and we have

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Orzhov oligarch has taken an interest in my career, like a patron of the arts. 8 Roll an additional Rakdos contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 9 A Selesnya healer

Orzhov Representative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. Orzhov Contacts d8 Contact 1 The spirit of an ancestor has taken an interest in me. 2 An older cousin has the ear of a powerful oligarch. 3 I know a knight who is

Orzhov contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 8 My childhood friend is now a Rakdos torturer. We still meet for drinks occasionally. 9 I have the key to a vault where

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

my former guild and joined the Selesnya along with a close friend. 4 The dryad at the head of my enclave has taken an interest in my activities. 5 A sibling is an instructor at the guild

Selesnya contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 10 I have a sibling in the Simic Combine, and we argue every time we see each other.

Redbrand Ruffians

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

with a number of NPCs in town, the characters decide to confront the Redbrands at the Sleeping Giant tap house. The characters decide to investigate Tresendar Manor. Skip the encounter and go straight to

“Redbrand Hideout.” If the characters show no interest in the Redbrands, a gang of the ruffians seeks them out and picks a fight in the street. Run this encounter as the characters are leaving one of the locations in the town.

Brevity

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

Brevity Keep your descriptions short and evocative. Focus on the more important information to keep players’ interest and to highlight important clues and details. Players need to know about

significant features their characters can perceive—especially things like monsters in a room—before they decide what to do. Allow your players to ask follow-up questions, and provide additional description as needed.

Missing Players

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

should strive to keep the character alive and use resources wisely. Run the character yourself. It’s an extra burden for you, but it can work. Decide the character isn’t there. Invent a good reason for

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

another society and wish to be part of it. 3 I respect my superiors and obey them without question. My fate is theirs to decide. 4 I have an interest in an unsuitable mate, which I can&rsquo

interest of maintaining the strength of their personal bloodline. The yuan-ti have abandoned their humanity and consider non-serpentine humanoids to be lesser creatures, barely more civilized than

Set Expectations

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

genres of horror from chapter 2 interest you. Being transparent with your players allows them to decide if this is a game they want to play, which is best to know before play begins.

High Elves: The Aereni

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

council of undead high elves. The greatest heroes of the Aereni join the Undying Court after death, joining their heroic ancestors in immortality. The Aereni are isolationists who have little interest

in the world beyond their island. The Five Nations are a place of chaos and war, so why would any sensible elf venture into that madness? As you make an Aereni elf character, decide what has caused

Types of Reporting

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

Types of Reporting Decide as a group, in consultation with your DM, what kind of reporting you do for the newspaper. It’s possible that different members of your group have different specialties, or

anyone can understand. 8 Personal Interest. You seek out stories of personal triumph over adversity, such as how people are rebuilding and working together in the wake of the Last War. 9 Travel. You

Aftermath of the Last War

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

the untapped resources of the Plains. The halflings have no interest in change, but it might be inevitable. Lathon Halpum believes that if the tribes can work together, they could become a nation of

outsiders from the Plains and to maintain the ancient traditions. The halflings must decide whether the tribes will choose the path of peace or return to war.

A Minor Issue

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

pass by. When you approach, the boy cries, “The gemstone mine is closed because of monsters! Speaker Masthew is offering fifty gold to anyone who clears it out!” If the characters express interest

, or they can go to the tavern to see the speaker. If the characters decide to ignore the quest, the mine remains closed for several weeks before the kobolds mysteriously vanish, enabling the miners

Social Structures

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

. They also keep appropriately sized animals as pets and beasts of burden, and they often share their living space with smaller people. As you create an encounter, adventure, or campaign involving

giants, you can use these models to help you decide how many giants are present in an area and what other creatures might live alongside them. You can use the various tables in “Giantkind Encounters” (in

Guests of the Stone Guard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Guests of the Stone Guard Whenever circumstances see the Stone Guards develop an interest in the party (including being arrested or witnessing the giant’s rampage without taking part), the characters

about their preference, or decide on your own what happens next: Gartokkar Xundorn intervenes on behalf of the Keepers of the Flame, which can lead to a meeting with Themberchaud (see “Themberchaud’s

Choosing a College

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

, such as a background choice. From the start, your character is making decisions that will lead to their eventual college choice. Chapter 1 describes each of the colleges. How do you decide which of

students, perhaps living in the same residence hall or taking the same classes, or united by a common extracurricular interest. It’s also possible that your characters are just meeting for the first

Mission Gone Wrong?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

characters’ mission and an explanation of how their actions were misinterpreted when they returned. They also express interest in joining the alliance. The merfolk, after recovering from their

consternation, decide to consider the characters’ actions an honest — if uncivilized — mistake. They agree to accept the town’s help in the looming conflict. Then they call upon the council to again enlist

Finding Iymrith

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

Finding Iymrith The storm giants bear the burden of finding the dragon so that the characters can focus on preparing themselves for the final showdown. Hekaton and Serissa know that blue dragons

roll initiative for each storm giant. The former approach expedites combat; the latter leads to a battle with more verisimilitude. HARSHNAG RETURNS! If the characters decide to confront Iymrith

Investigating the Monastery

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

does producing something that would pique the Black Earth cultists’ interest. If admitted, the characters are escorted to Qarbo so that he can decide what to do with them (see “Audience with Qarbo” in

decide if and when such foes join an ongoing battle. This might lead to deadly combat encounters for the characters, since new opponents can rush in to join a fight that is still in progress, or arrive while the characters try to rest after a tough battle.

Roleplaying a Yuan-ti

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

to decide. 4 I have an interest in an unsuitable mate, which I can’t suppress. 5 I respect and emulate a great hero or ancestor. 6 An enemy destroyed something of value to me, and I will find where it

The Northlook

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

the cycles of an adventurer’s life. He often cuts a break for customers who are between jobs, allowing them to stay here on credit and then presenting them with a bill inflated by interest charges to be

fish unless he’s well compensated, and unless the deed can be done without ruining his trophy. (The ring, if you decide it’s here, is stuck in the fish’s throat and can be retrieved without surgery.)

Tips for New Dungeon Masters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

attacks hit. After a certain number of hits and misses, players can usually pinpoint a creature’s AC on their own. However, in the interest of speeding up combat, you can divulge a creature’s AC once

, followed by a die expression in parentheses, like this: 10 (3d6). You decide whether to use the average or roll the dice. Using average damage speeds up play, but it might feel less exciting, and players

11. Frulam Mondath's Chamber

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

Naerytar. Rezmir allowed us to keep some pearls, a ring, and a handful of small stones.” Other papers are of less interest; most of them have bad poetry about dragons. The smaller chamber off the main one

might decide to confront them here. If the attackers plow through her forward guards, Mondath might retreat down the chute to area 9 and join forces with Cyanwrath or even flee from the cave. She has

Arrival in Phandalin

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

replaced by a council of three prominent citizens, elected every two years. However, the recent abdication of one councilor and the town’s growing size have prompted the townsfolk to decide that it’s

and potential conflicts of interest. The characters can become involved in the mayoral debate if the players wish. If they don’t, wrap it up and let the characters interact with the townsfolk as they

11. Frulam Mondath's Chamber

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

. Rezmir allowed us to keep some pearls, a ring, and a handful of small stones.” Other papers are of less interest; most of them have bad poetry about dragons. The smaller chamber off the main one contains

to defend Mondath, her response is up to you. If the fight in the barracks takes a heavy toll on the characters, she might decide to confront them here. If the attackers plow through her forward guards

Danger in the Hills

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

sounds of loud belching and guttural laughter. The copper mine contains nothing of interest. A character can take the Study action and make a DC 12 Intelligence (Nature) check to identify the dead

subterranean lair of a copper dragon. Their two Giant Axe Beaks serve as beasts of burden and hunting companions, and they fight at the giants’ command. As an Influence action, a character can attempt

Arrival

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

heads to the villa of the merchant prince Wakanga O’tamu. There she intends to stay for the remainder of the adventure. If the characters express interest in accompanying her, she’s more than happy to

Port Nyanzaru. Some of its notable features are described hereafter: Medium and Large dinosaurs are used as beasts of burden to haul two-wheeled carts, to hoist heavy loads on cranes, and to tow

Kruphix's Champions

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

then, they’ve only gotten stranger. 5 You wanted to learn truths that only Kruphix knows. Now you’re starting to wonder if you know too much. 6 You have no idea why Kruphix showed interest in

important to me than what he stands for. (Any) 2 Balance. Too much power in any one place is a threat to us all. (Lawful) 3 Selflessness. I accept the burden of knowledge so that others don’t

Finding the Nimblewright

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

erase all knowledge of itself from that character’s mind (see the item’s description in appendix A). Any player whose character is forced to forget about the stone carries the burden of roleplaying

that memory loss. You can award inspiration to that character as a way to acknowledge the player’s good roleplaying. As chapter 4 unfolds, you decide when it’s time for the characters to have a chance

Places of Interest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Places of Interest Most of Vermeillon’s buildings contain nothing but decaying furniture and whatever belongings were left behind when the inhabitants fled, but a few locations hold treasure or hints

source of the disappearances, stop them, and rescue anyone she could. As it happened, she was the last villager taken by the meenlocks. If the characters decide to explore the house, see “Mayor

Sylvira Savikas

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

they present the box to her, she snatches it out of their hands and studies it closely. She takes similar interest in the Shield of the Hidden Lord (which she calls “the Shield of Gargauth”), but avoids

escape the shield there. Sylvira leaves it to the characters to decide what to do with the shield. A small part of her is relieved if the characters decide to take it with them, as she knows the evil

Life in the Domains of Dread

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

, but their words are understandable. DM Option: Domain Languages. If you want to highlight the differences between domains, you can do away with Common and decide that the inhabitants of each domain

mysterious Raven Queen, or something else entirely is for you to decide. Whatever the case, Ezra’s followers, traditions, alignment, and the domains she grants her clerics vary widely. Collaborate with

More Downtime Activities

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

× 5 gp. 21–30 You make an enemy. This person, business, or organization is now hostile to you. The DM determines the offended party. You decide how you offended them. 31–40 You are caught up in a

whirlwind romance. Roll a d20. On a 1–5, the romance ends badly. On a 6–10, the romance ends amicably. On an 11–20, the romance is ongoing. You determine the identity of the love interest, subject to your

Elf Queen's Palace

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Scions of Elemental Evil

eyes regard you with intense interest. “Step forward, heroes,” the queen says. “Word of your exploits has brought solace to my ears in these troubled times, and I am honored that you’ve answered my

(see appendix A). The queen explains their function. Before proceeding, the characters must decide who wears the boots.

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