defeat instant are breaks

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant

-encompassing power of entropy — the force that unknowingly and uncaringly changes order into chaos, and that breaks matter and time down into its component parts so that all can be rebuilt. Some

Duels in the Repository

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

Duels in the Repository Strixhaven students have the following rules for duels at the Furygale Repository: Only two students duel at a time. Duelists must use magic to defeat their opponents. Weapons

breaks these rules loses the duel. If a duelist kills an opponent, the killer, if discovered, is expelled from the university and forced to pay for raise dead to be cast on the dead duelist. As

Putting Events in Motion

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

end of the story, they succeed or fail, and the world is shaken again by the way the characters changed it for good or ill. At the beginning of a D&D campaign, world-shaking events create instant

adventure hooks and affect the characters’ lives directly. In the middle, they make great turning points as the characters’ fortunes reverse — rising after a defeat or falling after a victory. Near the end

The Solitaire Cracks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

The Solitaire Cracks At some point before the end of the adventure, the Far Realm entity finally breaks free of the shard solitaire, causing it to crack like a walnut. Here are some suggestions for

holding or wearing it. In that instant, the shard solitaire becomes a flawed, nonmagical diamond worth 500 gp, and all the creatures and extradimensional energy contained within it are released at

Wandering Monsters

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

dripping with blood (see “Regional Effects”). These duergar have orders to deliver adventurers to Valtagar Steelshadow unharmed. If a fight breaks out, they use Enlarge and defend themselves. If the

50 percent chance that a passing duergar patrol (see above) hears the ruckus and arrives on the scene at the end of the third round of combat. If the remorhaz is still around, the duergar help defeat

Ending This Chapter

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

Ending This Chapter If the characters defeat the harpy, one problem is solved: no more ships will be lured to the rocks, and shipwrecks will once again be a rarity. If the characters find Aleitha’s

the words of the captain’s journal and destroy the talisman while aboard the ship. This also breaks the curse—the characters still feel something like a sigh in the air, fog rises up to engulf the wreck

Tyrant's Escape

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

described in area 5a. If the party doesn’t release him, he breaks free himself after an hour. Dranzorg torments the party and rampages through the house, calling for Mara to face him. Once freed, he

can help them defeat Dranzorg. Eternal Rivals. Dranzorg focuses his attacks on the character wearing Mara’s armor. If a character wearing Mara’s armor is reduced to fewer than half their hit points

Oozing Royalty

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

Oozing Royalty When the characters defeat the last group of oozes, but before they reach area 30, the Pudding King appears. The insane, slime-covered deep gnome points at you and cackles. “Devour

telepathic bond, telekinesis, wall of stone 6th level: chain lightning, disintegrate, Drawmij’s instant summons, eyebite, flesh to stone, Otto’s irresistible dance, true seeing 7th level: forcecage

Story Overview

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

, Castle Laventz, as his own. Months later, the relentless knight Mara Silvra received word of her father’s defeat. Calling in debts and intimidating mercenaries, Mara forged a small army during her grueling

leave Castle Laventz again. Without hesitation, Mara accepted the arrangement. In the same instant, Dranzorg’s troops swept in and took Mara and her knights captive. Within the castle, Dranzorg showed

Parade Ambush

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

throwing something toward the cart. An instant later, a cloud of pink ashes bursts from a sachet, striking the two guards. Kala’s Attack The parade route appears on map 5.1. The characters are either at

bloodshed. Spirit of Vengeance If Kala is reduced to 0 hit points or apprehended, she calls out to the biza she made a pact with. If the characters convince Kala to call off her attack, this breaks her

During the Siege

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

horde soon begins overwhelming defenses nearby. Once the characters defeat a few zombies, roll 1d6 and consult the Zombie Siege Encounters table. The event rolled unfolds within sight of one of the

siege weapon to fire into the city or start a conflagration. 9 Fighting breaks out at a building Talon priests use to treat the wounded. 10 Zombies break through a gate and begin scaling

Viktra Mordenheim

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

more than create life—she could defeat death! She wished to breathe sentience into dead flesh and produce sturdier shells than the bodies of fragile, temporary mortals. She added corpse theft to her

as Mordenheim sought to glimpse the secrets hidden in the instant of death. One moonless night, Elise fell into a sleep from which she wouldn’t wake. Bringing Elise to her lab, Dr. Mordenheim worked

T13: Great Statue of Orcus

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

defeat them on his own. If combat breaks out in T12 and Nezzarum is aware of it (either because Xia comes and implores the statue of Orcus for aid or because he notices the battle unfolding from his

is stolen (see “Stolen Goods” below). Roleplaying Nezzarum. Nezzarum has been waiting here in the hope that adventurers would come and defeat Xia and her cult, knowing that he isn’t strong enough to

Squaring Off Against the Cult of the Dragon

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

cult overrun Castle Naerytar; a defeat would cost Borngray his hard-earned rank in the cult, and Spattergoo would lose the base from which he hopes to rule the mere after the cult is finished with the

together than apart. As soon as fighting breaks out, they join forces and cooperate. The best place for Borngray and Pharblex to make their stand depends on how the attack develops; you’ll need to play

Squaring Off Against the Cult of the Dragon

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

cult overrun Castle Naerytar; a defeat would cost Borngray his hard-earned rank in the cult, and Spattergoo would lose the base from which he hopes to rule the mere after the cult is finished with the

together than apart. As soon as fighting breaks out, they join forces and cooperate. The best place for Borngray and Pharblex to make their stand depends on how the attack develops; you’ll need to play

Whale Hunt

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

breaks the morale of the other hunters, who head back to Bremen in defeat. Angajuk takes adventurers on an undersea tour

Seagrow Caves Locations

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

middle. 2nd-Level Characters. If the characters are 2nd level, two stirges clinging to the tunnel ceiling are disturbed if fighting breaks out in this area and join the battle. The stirges ignore the spore

fungi. If the adults become aware of danger through the noise of combat (or the sprouts’ Distress Spores), they move as quickly as they can to protect the sprouts. If the characters defeat the violet

17. Lich's Study

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

assistance in battle. If a fight breaks out, Ipses settles atop the lintel of the nearest door and tries to stay out of harm’s way. It has little cause to fear for the destruction of its master as long as

writes of wanting to use wish — a spell he does not yet know — to forge an alliance with Jhesiyra, defeat Halaster, and end the Mad Mage’s reign in Undermountain forever. (The lich doesn’t realize

Tamarack Stand Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

Lightly Obscured. The first time a creature enters the webs on a turn or starts its turn there, it must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or have the Restrained condition until it breaks

tones as they march through the forest. They haven’t noticed you yet. Three Hobgoblin Warriors were recently separated from their squadron after a bitter defeat. The Hostile hobgoblins are ornery

77. Death God's Nursery

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

, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks; and immunity to fire, poison, and psychic damage. When a strut drops to 0 hit points, it breaks and causes the other two struts to snap as the

DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall off it, plunging into the lava unless the creature is somehow secured. Unless likewise secured, any creature standing on an adamantine strut when the strut breaks

Adventure Situations by Level

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

looking for a place to live in peace. 11 An enormous monster on display in a menagerie breaks free and goes on a rampage. 12 A coven of hags steals cherished memories from travelers. 13 A villain seeks

beholders, and hungry purple worms. They might encounter and even defeat a powerful adult dragon. At this tier, they broker peace between nations or lead them into war, and their formidable reputations

Pulp Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

background. If you take the soldier background, you can be more than just a grunt. What did you do during the Last War? What was your greatest triumph or most tragic defeat? If you’re a spy, are you a prized

investment in the world. Optional Rule: Environmental Elements A fight breaks out in The Cat & Biscuit. The gnome rogue leaps from the landing and swings across the room, passing over the heads of

Path Locations

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

using the scrying spell to monitor the characters and has judged they might be useful in ridding the ruins of the Dragon Army invaders. The gem Demelin breaks is an elemental gem. An instant later, an

Upper Level (M10-M16)

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

. If the characters defeat the animated chained library, one of its books breaks free with a length of chain still attached and functions as a +1 flail. The book is entitled Martial Attack Techniques

19. Spiderwatch Keep

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

with the conjure animals spell use their blindsight to target enemies that are engulfed in magical darkness. If her defeat is inevitable and escape proves impossible, Erelal makes whatever

minotaurs, which would enable House Freth to defeat the forces of House Auvryndar and secure its power in Undermountain. But, having realized that he can’t summon a goristro demon alone, the archmage

The Infernal Machine of Lum the Mad

Magic Items Infernal Machine Rebuild

Machine of Lum the Mad. Yet with Lum’s eventual defeat, his great machine was destroyed. The Infernal Machine is a delicate, intricate, bulky, and heavy device, weighing some 5,500 pounds. It can

. The tentacles cannot attack or grapple. You are constantly followed by 1d4 octopus;octopuses that can breathe air and water, and which have a walking speed of 30 feet. Each time combat breaks out, you

The Grand Dame

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

characters threaten the ship or its passengers, she conjures one or more giant snakes with the aid of her robe of serpents and uses her spells to try to defeat them while being careful not to harm crew or

receives a telepathic message from the kraken — a wave of mind-shattering dread that deals 20 psychic damage to the nobleman. An instant later, Lord Drylund keels over dead, blood running from his

Character Advancement

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

, prompting more bandits to spring from the bushes with weapons drawn. In an instant, you’re surrounded—roll Initiative! Pral and his bandits are brigands, not murderers. A character reduced to 0

by Pral’s band. If the characters defeat Pral and his band, they find a sack that contains 20 GP and one magic item; roll once on the Magic Items table in appendix A (rerolling duplicates) to determine

Mortuary Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

are magically protected from decay. Undead workers sometimes take breaks in this area. At any given time, 1d4 + 1 zombies relax among Sigil’s dead. Sorting Chutes. Animated coffins, gurneys, and other

much damage on a successful one. Skall’s Reward. If the characters help Skall and defeat the spirit, they earn the respect of the dead. Skall bestows a Charm of the Dead Truce (see the “Heralds of Dust Charms” section) on each character.

Areas of the Sanctum

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

instead of the fly spell, and she carries a yellow elemental gem. In battle, Kaevja breaks the elemental gem, summoning an earth elemental and commanding it to attack her enemies. E4. Pantry This

is confronted, Urstul feigns anger toward the wizard and offers to help the characters defeat him, but this ruse can be seen through by someone who makes a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check

Areas of the Fire Temple

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

containing 20 gp and a pair of polished bloodstones worth 50 gp each. Development If the characters defeat these hobgoblins and then leave this part of the dungeon, the guards are replaced by the

. If they do, one of the razerblasts escorts the party. If a fight breaks out, one of the razerblasts shouts, “Imix defend us!” When this happens, read the following text aloud: The obsidian columns

Tomb Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Onyx Scar’s resident spellcaster and has cast greater invisibility on himself. If the characters defeat the golem, Edino hides until he can sneak to area X19 and alert Aminta. Edino’s Experiments. Edino

Aminta’s key safely disarms the capsule, as does a character who picks the lock and succeeds on their check by 5 or more. Otherwise, the capsule breaks when the door is opened, releasing a cloud of

The Mountain Door

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2

Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to move along the bridge had failed by 5 or more. If an intruder gets at least two-thirds of the way across the bridge, one orc breaks cover to move through the double doors into

area 2 without alerting the archers. If the characters defeat these orcs but withdraw from the dungeon before overcoming the rest of them, the archers are replaced by orcs from area 14 and reinforced

Tower of the Heavens Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

can easily convince Mainwaring to give them the benefit of the doubt, and she agrees to overlook the characters’ activities as they seek answers in the tower. If combat breaks out in this room, the

breaks in. Both doors are under the effects of Arcane Lock spells that allow only Shalfey to open the doors normally. Shalfey has also reinforced each door with a barricade. A character outside the

Black Earth Cultists

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

. That devotion has granted them an uncanny ability to hold their ground against the buffeting assaults. It has also earned them the right to wear special plate armor of elemental stone, which breaks down

, Terran Challenge 8 (3,900 XP), or 12 (8,400 XP) with lair actions Earthen Defeat. When Marlos drops to 0 hit points, his body transforms into mud and collapses into a pool. Anything he is wearing

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