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Returning 35 results for 'defeated instance are better'.
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Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs
slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater form does the star spawn die.
After finishing a long rest, a greater star spawn emissary regains
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her.
Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale
, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her.
Auril’s worshipers know better than to
current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
that can harm her.
Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale from the rest of the world, and a shroud of mist
after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however, Auril is reborn at full strength during the next winter
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
for one last chance to win back the goodwill you’ve drunk away.
5
You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deer’s head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, you
;
Suggested Characteristics
A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities
Lizardfolk
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades.
6
You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop
notable deeds or actions. For example, Garurt translates as “axe,” a name given to a lizardfolk warrior who defeated an orc and claimed his foe’s weapon. A lizardfolk who likes to
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
determines the properties of your inheritance and how they figure into the item’s history and importance. For instance, the object might be a minor magic item, or one that begins with a modest
city, especially hard drink.
5
Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land.
6
I have trouble trusting in my allies.
Orc
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
their savagery. Green dragons, for instance, sometimes use orcs as sentinels or shock troops. Orcs are sometimes attracted to the service of frost giants or fire giants, who then “reward&rdquo
; their loyalty by turning them into slaves.
If a tribe is defeated and driven from its lair, the survivors might come under the sway of a strong but dimwitted creature, such as a hill giant or an ogre
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
First Blood After the last veteran is defeated or once the veterans stand down, read the following: A tall elf woman wearing a sumptuous gown appears at the mouth of the alley, shaking her head
their overzealousness. Seeing how you handle yourselves, though, I might be able to better apologize with an offer of employment.”
The woman introduces herself as Madame Samira Arah, the newest member of Zinda’s ruling council, the Kings of Coin (see the “Zinda Gazetteer” section).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
in a given area, and also of the costs of goods and services there.
For instance, a restaurant that is said to serve food of comfortable quality is one where a patron who lives a comfortable lifestyle (or better) can afford anything on the menu.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
What Happens Next? Once the characters have defeated Murgaxor’s guardians, they might be tempted to run into the fortress’s basement immediately. Taking a short rest beforehand might be the wiser
course of action, but doing so kills the narrative momentum and might not feel right to your players. To give the characters a better chance of success, provide them with the benefits of a short rest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
attention of adventurers. These merchants can’t provide the services normally found in a city. For instance, when the characters are in need of a library or a dedicated sage, a trainer who can handle
the griffon eggs they’ve found, or an architect to design their castle, they’re better off going to a large city than looking in a village.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
monsters on this level. Award XP for these creatures as if the characters had defeated them in combat. The level is named after a miniature, one-twelfth-scale fortress in one of its caverns. This
adventurers first arrive, but he might show up later (see “Aftermath”). Most creatures are reduced to one-twelfth their normal size as they approach Maddgoth’s castle, enabling them to better fit inside
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
expressed a desire to seek shelter there. As I tell them at such times, it is better to seek shelter inside an opened tomb in these lands, and crawl in to huddle among the warrior dead within, than to seek
Waterdeep and Baldur’s Gate once more attacked. This time, they defeated the devils, leaving the castle ruined and still cloaked in mists. At least one other time since then, the devils have punched back
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
a moment, perhaps I can make you a better offer?”
If the characters refuse to hear her deal, Vidorant attacks them. If they agree to listen to her deal, she continues speaking: “I could try to
dispatch you—and I might succeed—but more thieves will keep trying to interfere with my business. Instead, what if you went back and told everyone my vault was impenetrable and I thoroughly defeated you
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
She shall return!” As with the first assault on the adventurers, try to ensure that if the attackers are defeated, at least one escapes to report the outcome of the battle. Most easily, the dragon can
it’s already used that power, it simply flees, intending to regroup with other survivors later. Because the yugoloths are mercenaries, the characters can attempt to buy them off with a better offer
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Zar’ryth Githyanki Personality Traits d4 Trait 1 When I’m bored I make my own excitement, and I’m always bored. 2 I treat others as if they were animals that simply don’t know any better. 3 Violence is
they keep. 2 Power. The weak rule the strong. 3 Duty. It is by Vlaakith’s will alone that I act. 4 Freedom. No strong soul should be enslaved. Better to die first than live as another’s puppet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
such possibilities. It’s better to tip your hand about the plot than to lose a player’s investment in the game. When delivering characters into the Darklord’s clutches, employ scenarios where the
. Worse Than Death? The characters are legitimately defeated during another adventure. Rather than the campaign ending, they awake in Dr. Mordenheim’s clutches, delivered there by the Mists.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
against the player’s better judgment, because “that’s what the character would do.” Since combat isn’t the focus, game rules take a back seat to character development. Ability check modifiers and skill
part of the game. For instance, you might gloss over an unimportant journey by telling the players that they spend three uneventful days on the road before moving along to the next point of interest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
characters a better chance against the raiders. For their part, the Uthgardt, despite portentous visions, are unwilling to perish to serve Javor. If they suffer significant losses, including either
Wiggan’s guilt. Wiggan is even braver if Bertram is there to help him. Watson might try to stop an open battle, but he is unwilling to fight his relatives. If defeated but left alive, Wiggan can be coerced into telling the truth. The party has to promise to let him live to get him to talk.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
She shall return!” As with the first assault on the adventurers, try to ensure that if the attackers are defeated, at least one escapes to report the outcome of the battle. Most easily, the dragon can
it’s already used that power, it simply flees, intending to regroup with other survivors later. Because the yugoloths are mercenaries, the characters can attempt to buy them off with a better offer
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
be useful to a minion, such as magic gloves, boots, armor, or an item it can’t attune itself to. Usually a beholder gives gifts to make a minion more powerful and better at its job, which typically
involves guarding the beholder’s lair. Sometimes it uses gifts as rewards and incentives for exceptional minions; although it prefers to rule by coercion and fear, it understands that better results can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
. The two carnivals crossed paths many years ago, and after much wine was consumed, the owners could not agree on which carnival was the better of the two, so they decided it would be great fun to swap
Witch and Light would like nothing more than to see the hags defeated and Zybilna returned to power. But they dare not play a part in making that dream a reality. If the coven caught a whiff of dissent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Haayon the Punisher This encounter occurs only after the prophets of the Cult of the Howling Hatred and the Cult of the Crushing Wave have been defeated. Bands of raiders roaming the area, minor
defeated temples; one such leader is Haayon the Punisher. Haayon is a cloud giant who hopes to become the next leader of the air cult. Late to answer the call of Elemental Evil, he recently arrived in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble
a game of fantasy where heroes use wits, skill, and determination to overcome obstacles. Sometimes those obstacles are defeated with weapons and spells, but characters can succeed in other ways
to speak to you, publicly or privately, if something in the game upsets them. Then respond appropriately. For instance, you can move past upsetting topics by quickly narrating a resolution to a scene
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
rolls Initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side is defeated. Combat Step by Step Combat unfolds in these steps: Establish Positions. The Dungeon
to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM might require you to take the Utilize action to open a stuck door
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
them claim it from a defeated monster or Thayan. For instance, if you’d like to give a character a magic weapon, you can change a weapon-using monster to account for the treasure. Thayans’ Potions
within which they’ve previously defeated most of the monsters. The party moves between zones while the Doomvault has an alert level of 6 or higher. The alert level rises. These encounters are more for
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
rolls Initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next round if neither side is defeated. Combat Step by Step Combat unfolds in these steps: Establish Positions. The Dungeon
to use an action for any of these activities when it needs special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM might require you to take the Utilize action to open a stuck door
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
life. Experiment with different speech patterns. For instance, a barmaid and a city magistrate probably use their words differently. Similarly, peasants could speak in earthy dialects, while rich folk
?” Or just ask the player what his or her character is doing while the conversation is going on. The first approach is better for players who are already comfortable speaking in their characters’ voices
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
defeated in a variety of ways by using ability checks or magic. This entry in a trap’s description gives the means for counteracting the trap. It also specifies what happens, if anything, on a failed attempt
to use a large number of traps. Doing so ensures that the characters will have to deal with at least one or two of them, but it’s better to fight that urge.
If your encounters or adventures are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
tail that complete the costume.
If the bugbear’s detached shadow in area M12 has not been defeated, add: This bugbear looks all the more unusual because he casts no shadow.
Performers prepare
win over audiences is due in part to his missing shadow, as explained in the “Shadowless” sidebar earlier in the chapter. If Hurly regains his shadow, his performances will garner a better reception
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
. He helps the characters defeat Caradoc if the spirit is present, but he ultimately wishes to return to his home in Maelgoth. Treasure. Once Caradoc is defeated, a character can get a better look at
bother with these days.” He gestures at the corpses about the room, “Do try to contain yourselves better than this lot did.”
Caradoc delights in mocking the characters and disrespecting the dead. As
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
of brutal military campaigning, he defeated his rivals and forged a nation. Retiring from war, Strahd settled in the beautiful valley where he’d won his greatest victory. There, in the way of his
her, Strahd sought to woo Tatyana but was soundly rebuffed. Unwilling to accept her wishes or Sergei as his better, Strahd delved into the sinister secrets of his land and came to learn of the Amber
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
another sort of forest — and better yet, one whose uppermost “branches” can easily support the creatures. In such a setting, the girallons take full advantage of their skill in climbing. The creatures
with the monsters. For instance, yuan-ti enslave girallons, turning them into border sentinels for their serpent kingdoms. Because girallons are known to be peaceful among their own kind, some
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
inspiration, or you can develop a unique location. Work with the players to develop the connections that each character has to the site. If the location is a tavern, for instance, a bard character
modest food and lodging to adventurers who are trying to make the city a better place. 5 The Red Hammer (Blackbones, the Cogs) caters to warforged. It is run by two warforged, the envoy Blue and a






