defends instance are battle - Search

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

its officers. For instance, the captains of the highest-ranking banners can expect their orders to be followed by the captains of any banners of lower rank. Rank and responsibility aren’t

greatest respect is reserved for those who earn their glory in battle. In theory, the fortunes of war can elevate the lowest-ranking banner in a legion to the highest status. In practice, warlords are

Banrion the Unicorn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

Banrion the Unicorn As the guardian of the fey woods, the unicorn Banrion has grown weary in her losing battle against the hags, and remains effectively confined to the rocky plateau that is her lair

. She defends her home forcefully, and assumes that any characters approaching her position are the hags’ hired sellswords.

The Lords of Dust and the War

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

good, or a battle averted that spared hundreds from death was ultimately the first step in an overlord’s release. (For instance, a soldier who was otherwise fated to die in the battle that was avoided

Final Confrontations

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

party chooses to attack the Uthgardt before they arrive at the ranch, the adventurers must also battle the revenant. At the ranch, Javor focuses on finding and killing Wiggan and Bertram, giving the

only temporary. Wiggan’s Gambit. If the party defends the Nettlebees and Wiggan survives, the characters are still in danger. Wounded foes make tempting targets, especially if the party knows of

6. Caretaker's Quarters

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

a caretaker of their eggs. He regularly checks the eggs, brushes fungus off them, and defends them against predators. Stronk is sleeping on a pile of skins and loudly snoring when the adventurers

protect the eggs. If Stronk is reduced to half his hit points or fewer, he charges into the adjoining echo chamber (area 5) and bellows to summon a purple worm before rejoining the battle. Treasure

Multiclassing

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

if you multiclass. For instance, if you’re a 4th-level multiclass character, you haven’t yet received the Ability Score Improvement feature because you haven’t attained 4th level in one of your classes

instance, if you gain a level in cleric and choose the War Domain, you do benefit from the Bonus Proficiencies feature, even if cleric isn’t your first class. Can a barbarian/cleric use spiritual

Journey Back to Leilon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

the coming battle. There is one invisible stalker per two members of the party, including sidekicks. The encounter begins when the characters hear the captain yell from his cabin as he is attacked

. The stalkers fight to the death. Storm Galas Windrage creates a storm to distract the characters and their allies before the coming battle. When the storm begins, read the following boxed text aloud

Hook Horror

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Hook Horror A fierce predator of the Underdark, the hook horror aggressively defends its hunting grounds. The subterranean caverns where these creatures dwell echo with the constant clacking and

climbing skills to ambush prey from above. They hunt in packs, working together against the largest and most dangerous opponents. If a battle goes poorly, a hook horror quickly climbs a cavern wall

Initiative Variants

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

completed their turns. If more than two sides take part in a battle, each side rolls for initiative. Sides act from the highest roll to lowest. Combat continues in the initiative order until the battle

initiative that introduces more uncertainty into combat, at the cost of speed of play. Under this variant, the participants in a battle roll initiative each round. Before rolling, each character or

15. Lair of the Spirit Nagas

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

battle here attracts the thralls from areas 11b and 15f, assuming they’re still around. While Agorra is under the effect of the rod of rulership, she believes the nagas to be her allies and defends them

Life in the Tribe

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

aren’t interested in treaties, trade negotiations or diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order

past the age of 25 due to battle or illness, but an orc can live to about 40, remaining healthy almost up until the end. Luthic’s divine blessing can further extend an orc’s life, though Gruumsh is

Orc Culture and Beliefs

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

stones, mushrooms, or any other kind of circle. Seeing a shooting star before a battle is bad luck. To ward it off, you must swallow a stone. A tribute of elf ears brings favor from Gruumsh. If you bury

these colors on itself and its personal items. For instance, the chief of one tribe might be the only one that has the right to stain its tusks with red ochre, while the warriors of another tribe rub streaks of ash into their garments to signify their safe return from a raid.

Glorium

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

Glorium Gate Destination: Heroic Domains of Ysgard Primary Citizens: Giants and Humanoids Ruler: Tyrza Bonebreaker Blaring horns rally Glorium’s residents to battle. Warriors are forged in the gate

it to commune with members of the circle on other worlds. A treant born from its roots, Yggatha, defends the gate chamber at all hours. The Worldroot Circle is further detailed in Bigby Presents

The Survivors

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

in area 2 of the ruins. At night they stay in their rooms. The major personalities among the survivors are detailed below. Ozymandias Ozymandias (NE male human priest) barely survived the battle

inspire loyalty or trust in those under him. Underlings obey him because of the hierarchical structure of the abbey’s chain of command, not because he shows any strong leadership. If attacked, he defends

The Quest Board

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

section of this adventure that describes that location in detail. For instance, if the players choose to undertake the Dumathoin’s Gulch Quest, go to the “Dumathoin’s Gulch” section. Each location

board. Follow-Up Quest After the characters complete the “Battle for Leilon,” the following two quests from Lord Neverember are added to the job board. Completing both these quests quashes the threat

The Order of Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

and turns. A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of combat when everyone

battle takes a turn in Initiative order. When everyone involved in the combat has had a turn, the round ends. Repeat this step until the fighting stops. Initiative Initiative determines the order of

The Order of Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

and turns. A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of combat when everyone

battle takes a turn in Initiative order. When everyone involved in the combat has had a turn, the round ends. Repeat this step until the fighting stops. Initiative Initiative determines the order of

Climbing the Spire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

) whenever they rest or cast a spell within the next 7 days. The croaking vanishes after this time, the giant having forgotten the characters. Slaying the Giant. The giant defends himself if attacked, and

turns hostile if the characters antagonize him. During battle, any creature affected by the giant’s Curse of the Evil Eye action gains amphibian-like features. If the giant is slain, his body rapidly

The Knight as Narrative Device

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

ally might be a bit of a surprise for the characters—someone they dismiss as unrelated to the Deck of Many Things until the scholar draws a weapon and ably defends themself in battle. The studious ally

Roleplaying

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

effect, be ready to shout out a battle cry or speak in a conspiratorial whisper. Also, characters and monsters with distinctive voices are memorable. If you’re not a natural mimic or actor, borrowing

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

Battle Tactics

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

Battle Tactics A beholder analyzes its opponents, makes note of armor, weapons, and tactics, and adjusts its strategy to eliminate the most dangerous threats as quickly as possible. Although a

change in circumstances, or to press an assault that it began on its turn. For instance, it might use its sleep ray as a legendary action against an enemy that has just been awakened. If no such

Chaos Incarnate

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

shapes and abilities. The common forms that are familiar to demonologists represent broad trends, but individual demons defy those tendencies. For instance, a vrock might crawl out of an oil slick in the

seemingly obliterated in a battle (perhaps to be reborn in another location). For this reason, imposing a sense of order on the relationship between the Abyss’s layers is a fool’s errand. All that can be

Step 5: Add Flavor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

simply jot down a few notes based on a creature’s Monster Manual description. During the battle, you can use these ideas to inform how you portray the monsters and their actions. To keep things simple

other features might draw the characters’ attention, either before or during the fight? Why are monsters lurking in this area to begin with — does it offer good hiding places, for instance? To add

Hobgoblins

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

legion that is reflected in the power of its officers. For instance, the captains of the highest-ranking banners can expect their orders to be followed by the captains of any banners of lower rank. Rank

means. But the greatest respect is reserved for those who earn their glory in battle. In theory, the fortunes of war can elevate the lowest-ranking banner in a legion to the highest status. In practice

Dragon's Flight Path

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

themselves to ogre size, and join the battle. Dragon Damage. The dragon takes no damage. Target 5: Caer-Konig The dragon destroys every structure in town in 1½ hours. Speaker Trovus, the town’s

, the dragon takes no damage. Target 6: Termalaine Termalaine’s residents take refuge in the nearby mines while the militia defends the town. The dragon takes 6 hours to destroy the town, leaving no

Xvarts

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

come out of hiding most of the time. Occasionally, he does appear before a tribe of worshipers as a 9-foot-tall xvart carrying an empty sack. In every such instance, Raxivort takes all of the treasure

xvarts, and xvarts domesticate such beasts for food and battle. Xvarts also form alliances with wererats, although the lycanthropes are dominant in any such arrangement. This relationship traces back

Other Religious Systems

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

. Sometimes a mystery cult is a type of worship within a pantheon. It acknowledges the myths and rituals of the pantheon, but presents its own myths and rites as primary. For instance, a secretive order of

. Monsters and fiends serve it, as do certain secretive cults. The myths of a dualistic religion usually predict that the good deity will triumph in an apocalyptic battle, but the forces of evil believe

Forge Level (X16-X26)

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

alerts the guards atop the watchtowers in the forge (areas X24–X26). Enlarged to ogre size, Xardorok Sunblight defends his forge X24–X26. Forge Smoke fills this warm cavern, which has a ceiling that

in battle with Xardorok and appear to be winning, these duergar help by attacking the other duergar on their respective platforms; if Xardorok appears to be winning, these duergar stay out of the

Encounter Locations

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

ghost can tell that it’s weeping silently as it “writes.” This giant is doomed to spend eternity penning a farewell letter to its long-dead lover. The ghost defends itself if attacked but otherwise

restore the cloud giants’ keep to its original glory, turning it into a flying fortress that he can ride into battle. If a character is carrying Zikran’s Zephyrean Tome openly, Zikran offers the

Keep Locations

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

, they climb the stairs to area K3 and then move out onto the parapet to join the battle. Development If the characters kill some or all the gatehouse guards (areas K2 and K3) and then leave Rivergard

commands. If a fight breaks out here, Drosnin defends the chapel to the death. Once she falls, any surviving reavers retreat to area K14 or K16 to raise the alarm. K16. Great Hall The great hall becomes a

Dungeon Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

secures the dungeon. No spell or trait allows anyone to evade the dungeon’s security. For instance, a wizard might use a dimension door spell to teleport from one part of a zone to another, but no spell

through the gatehouse or join patrols that attempt to hunt down the characters. Prisoners. Most humanoid prisoners are terrified and have only enough strength to avoid battle. Prisoners do hard labor or

Areas of the Water Temple

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

look like they expect a fight. If the characters are in a boat, the troll begins the battle by trying to capsize the vessel, which requires an action and a successful DC 20 Strength check. C16

east, and another door leads east from the bedchamber area. A one-eyed shiver named Morbeoth makes his home in these rooms. He commands the western portion of the temple and defends it against incursions

Command Level

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

easier for her guards to hit. The chardalyn pseudodragon defends Grandolpha to the death. Slaad Host. If a character has the Slaad Host secret (see appendix B) and has a slaad tadpole gestating

speaks Undercommon. It attacks anyone else who disturbs it. If he is present when the mimic attacks, Durth rolls initiative and joins the battle on the second round of combat. X11. Nildar’s Quarters This

Tour of the Planes

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

can shape them if it chooses. Likewise, an angel of war isn’t constantly embroiled in battle as the celestials of Shavarath are; instead, it seeks perfection in the art and theories of war. Angels of

shape the nature of reality. Its many dominions are governed by the archfey, and the denizens of each realm reflect the nature and the story of their lord. For instance, the realm of the Prince of Frost

Search Results