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Orcus Figurine

Magic Items Candlekeep Mysteries

Carved from an ogre’s petrified heart, the gray figurine depicts the Demon Prince of Undeath in ghastly detail, clutching his skull-topped wand in one hand and three severed heads by the hair

properties: Undead within 30 feet of the figurine can’t be turned. Dead creatures within 30 feet of the figurine can’t be brought back to life. A creature that holds the figurine while

Prisoner 13

Monsters Keys from the Golden Vault

tattoo across her back, filling a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on her. Each other creature in that area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 13 (3d8

steal away most of the clan’s gold, leaving only a pittance. Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she can, and shares as

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

a bridge on a major trade road, terrifying travelers. 3 After an unwise attack from a whaling ship, a dragon turtle pursued the ship back to harbor and now attacks any ship that tries to leave

, including deep-sea trenches or underwater volcanoes. Dragon turtles are largely unconcerned with the design of their lairs and seldom work to improve them. A dragon turtle’s primary concern when

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

raid just as another group returns, laden with severed heads, sacks of loot, and armfuls of food. Warriors also serve as scouts, bringing back detailed reports about the surrounding area so that the

haul as much food and booty as possible back to the tribe’s den, every tribe has a sturdy war wagon. Since orcs are poor crafters, most of their wagons are stolen from human or dwarven

Advancement

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

discrete parts or might be divided up to improve the adventure’s pacing, these advancements are organized in the following, optional order: Chapter 11: Death to the Wyrmspeakers (Varram) Chapter 10

: The Sea of Moving Ice Chapter 13: The Cult Strikes Back (First Attack) Chapter 12: Death to the Wyrmspeakers (Neronvain) Chapter 13: The Cult Strikes Back (Second Attack) Chapter 15: Xonthal’s Tower

Creating a Campaign

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

a daunting task, but you don’t have to plot out every detail right from the start. You can start with the basics, running a few adventures, and think about larger plotlines you want to explore as the

campaign progresses. You’re free to add as much or as little detail as you wish. The start of a campaign resembles the start of an adventure. You want to jump quickly into the action, show the players

Running This Chapter

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

chapter describes the fortress of Sunblight in detail, in the event the adventurers decide to attack it. But the characters are in for a surprise: by the time they arrive, Xardorok has already finished his

succeed if they take frequent rests or have an edge, such as plenty of healing magic or allies to back them up.

Background

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

(money, ale, or both), confesses to having wandered in the back door of the house a couple of years before, hoping to acquire some food. Encouraged by the prospect of free wine in the cellar, he

started to descend the stairs, heard ghastly shrieks and piercing wails, and ran, frightened out of his wits. He knows where the back door is and also noticed a nearby well. He can vaguely describe the

Jander Sunstar

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

soul by swearing to hunt down his own kind. Later, he volunteered to join Zariel on her crusade into the Nine Hells. Stirges now swarm back and forth from Jander’s body, preserving his existence by

: Jander and Haruman were both part of a host of warriors who joined the angel Zariel in her assault on the Nine Hells. After charging through the portal into Avernus, Jander panicked and fled back to

Quest Goals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

at the Wayside Inn previously, the ritual being performed by the cultists could incorporate movement that harkens back to that dance. Although it’s a small detail that a typical player might overlook, if even just one of your players gets chills or a laugh because of the echo, it’s worth the effort.

Appendix 3. Dungeon Master Tips

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rrakkma

detail regarding potentially hostile creatures. You can always go back after the fight is over, or after it has been established that a fight won’t be happening and elaborate on your description of the

adventurers are likely to see them initially. If creatures are clearly visible, consider providing a minimum of detail (size, shape, and lighting only) for the area description, in favor of providing greater

17. Vertrand's Room

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

17. Vertrand’s Room Vertrand. A bald, elderly man (Vertrand Shadowdusk) sits at a writing desk to the north, his back to the doorway. Bed. A simple bed stands against the south wall. Tapestry. A

Intelligence (Investigation) check to decipher. The notes detail Vertrand’s research into magical vortices, and how to widen and destabilize planar portals. Treasure. Vertrand’s spellbook is in the

Conclusion

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

Conclusion Once the characters finish exploring, where they go next is up to them. Xoese-Addae is eager to take them back to Janya or can be convinced to escort them to the surface where they left

the Beden-Moon. The journey back to Djaynai is uneventful. How the adventure concludes depends on who the characters return the tomes to. If the characters bring the tomes to Atiba-Pa, he is overjoyed

20. Neheedra's Lair

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

the 1,000 gp diamond he promised them. XP Awards The characters gain 50 XP each if they successfully report back to Sark, whether they defeat the medusa or not. Upon earning this award, the

characters can make a group Charisma (Persuasion) check to improve the gnomes’ attitude (see “Changing Svirfneblin Attitudes”).

Drow Renegades

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

Drow Renegades Drow society is, paradoxically, extremely open-ended and extremely oppressive. All drow have a chance, at least theoretically, to improve their station in life, and movement does occur

them. Survival for a solitary drow underground is nearly impossible. The main routes through the Underdark are dotted with drow guard posts, and the back ways are prowled by ropers, mind flayers

Champions of Rock Throwing

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

, and sport — is a tradition that goes back to the ancient times of the giants. Other races developed the sling, the spear-thrower, or the bow to artificially improve the strength and accuracy of their

far as it can. The giant who was challenged then goes to where the stone landed and hurls it back at the challenger. A challenger who is stronger wins, because the return throw will fall short, but a

Returning to Vizeran

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

theories, and I know how to banish the demon lords back to the Abyss. We can do this only if we work together, if you are willing and daring enough to directly challenge the demon lords. Or perhaps

and stronghold, where they can discuss the matter further. There, he can demonstrate what he intends to do and why he needs the heroes’ help. He refuses to discuss plans in detail in Gravenhollow

Activity While Traveling

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

traveling by ship. Draw a Map A ship’s captain often undertakes this activity, producing a map of the ship’s progress and helps the crew get back on course if they get lost. No ability check is required

crew’s time to grant extended breaks, provide instruction, and generally improve the quality of life on the ship. Once every 24 hours, if the crew’s quality score is 3 or lower, the first mate can

Meeting the Queen

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

characters give it back. If the mission isn’t ruined by how they conduct themselves prior to this first audience, the queen allows the characters to circulate through the lair for a brief time to give

all the occupants a chance to pass their own judgment. Beyond this point, the only ways the characters can improve their score hereafter are by succeeding on Charisma checks (see “Goodwill Tour” below

16. The Foaming Mug

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

haunting the catacombs. There was a crazy svirfneblin back in the first days of reclamation who disappeared. Some of the scouts claim to have seen him, skulking around the unrecovered areas of the

Foaming Mug. If they do, they gain advantage on their next group Charisma check made to improve the deep gnomes’ attitude.

Golems

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

the Dungeon Master’s Guide). The comprehensive illustrations and instructions in a manual detail the process for creating a golem of a particular type. “Beyond the unopenable doors lay a grand hall

ending before a towering stone throne, upon which sat an iron statue taller and wider than two men. In one hand it clutched an iron sword, in the other, a feather whip. We should have turned back then

Xanthoria's Defeat

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

Xanthoria’s Defeat Once Xanthoria is defeated, the characters find the last few pages of her notes among her possessions. They detail her growing obsession with undead and her success at turning

brought back to life by any means. If the adventurers fail to convince Thunderwing to give up her life, she turns invisible and leaves the cave complex, taking refuge in the surrounding forest. Xanthoria re

Chapter 4: Adventures in Sharn

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

Chapter 4: Adventures in Sharn Chapter 3 describes the city of Sharn in detail; the following sections focus on the adventures that can happen there. These adventures can unfold among the tallest

, and monstrous mercenaries do battle with heroes from all walks of life, while unscrupulous collectors and smugglers carry on a brisk trade in artifacts brought back from the cyclopean ruins of

Getting Players Invested

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

back favorites from earlier in the campaign for the occasional cameo. Player Favorites It’s often easier to describe people and places that are hostile or frightening than it is to detail a feature

a character’s player directly, but instead consider handing over your narrative reins and letting a player describe the perfect detail. For example, say you have a peaceful village you plan to feature

Running the Siege

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

easily defeat twice their number of commoners, but with the defenses available to the ranchers, the odds improve considerably. The ranchers don’t have to defeat the orcs outright. They just have to

repeat this pattern several times, perhaps breaching a spot here or there before the defenders push them back. Then they start trying different tactics. Smoke Screen Late in the day, the orcs start a

7. Traders' Grotto

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

around you all draw weapons and retreat as you see a guard stumble back, then rise up in the air. A strange shimmer around him reveals the surface of the gelatinous cube that has engulfed him. Two

managed to rescue Mev, or made a sincere effort to do so, award each of them 50 XP, and allow the characters to make a group Charisma check to improve the deep gnomes’ attitude (see “Changing Svirfneblin Attitudes”).

Adventures in Lamordia

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

help finding a new home. One, however, is eager to improve upon its form and the forms of its fellows. 2 Medical student Emil Bollenbach strives to craft revolutionary flesh golems, such as ones

well-preserved bog mummies dating back to Lamordia’s ancient druidic peoples. They seek help when the mummies vanish and undead animals begin terrorizing their camp. 8 Baron von Aubrecker writes to

Demon Ichor

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

demon ichor in rituals and to improve the performance of infernal war machines (as described in appendix B). When a creature comes in direct contact with demon ichor in Avernus, it must make a DC 10

feet. 21–25 The target’s eyes become beacons, filling a 15-foot cone with dim light when they are open. 26–30 A pair of wings, either feathered or leathery, sprout from the target’s back

Secret of Chief Yarb-Gnock

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

dragged them back to their caves in the mountains to be eaten. Spellix, whom the goblins overlooked, followed them and devised a cunning plan to free his companions. Using materials scavenged from the

adopted the name given to him by the goblins and spent the next several months engineering ways to improve their standard of living. Long after the other members of the caravan had been eaten, Yarb-Gnock

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