detail interests are back

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

Ulder Ravengard

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Following the deaths of two council members amid a cloud of corruption and scandal, he persuaded the Parliament of Peers to back his election to grand duke. Upon ascending to the highest position in the

interests before their own. Ravengard rose to grand duke on a platform largely backed by idealistic commoners and enemies of the other established dukes. While he won election handily, Ravengard has

Drow Matron Mother

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’s will while also advancing the interests of the family. Matron mothers embody the scheming and treachery associated with the Queen of Spiders. Each stands at the center of a vast conspiratorial web

favor, and the goddess sometimes capriciously takes back what she has given. This represents a matron mother at the height of her power. A matron mother is almost never encountered alone. She is

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

visibly in the gem-like spines that run in a ridge from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. These spines hover above a living topaz dragon’s back, dancing and shifting with the dragon

can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize information on destruction and

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

spines that run in a ridge from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. These spines hover above a living topaz dragon’s back, dancing and shifting with the dragon’s mood. Embodiment of

demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize information on destruction and creation, whether abstract or

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

power manifests visibly in the gem-like spines that run in a ridge from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. These spines hover above a living topaz dragon’s back, dancing and shifting with

. But anyone who can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize information on

Ancient Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragon’s psionic power manifests visibly in the gem-like spines that run in a ridge from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. These spines hover above a living topaz dragon’s back

irritated when disturbed. But anyone who can endure their abrasive demeanor, caustic observations, and morbid interests can form a lasting bond with a powerful ally. Entropic Hoards Topaz dragons prize

Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

connections might require the donation of money or magic items to the guild’s coffers. You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain

family) with interests across the region. Perhaps you transported goods from one place to another, by ship, wagon, or caravan, or bought them from traveling traders and sold them in your own little shop

Guild Artisan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

money or magic items to the guild’s coffers. You must pay dues of 5 gp per month to the guild. If you miss payments, you must make up back dues to remain in the guild’s good graces. Baldur

but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or the raw materials artisans need to practice their craft). Your guild might be a large merchant consortium (or family) with interests

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

my research and any other tasks I have to complete. Contacts The fluid nature of clades, whose rosters span different laboratories and change as researchers discover new interests, creates

Dragonmarked House

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

related to one of the houses by blood, you act on behalf of a house to advance its interests. You might function openly as representatives of the house, wearing its badge and exerting its authority, or you

could be covert or unacknowledged agents. The thirteen dragonmarked houses are described in detail earlier in this chapter.

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

Reeva

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

interests in intrigue and magic intensified when she discovered a hidden library beneath the Cerulean Citadel—a repository of insidious magic hearkening back to the rule of certain tyrannical Vasavadan

again. Many of Arijani’s allies don’t trust Reeva. Behind her back, they mockingly call her charismatic Arijani’s opposite, or “Inajira.” Arijani and Reeva Vasavadan conspire in a courtyard of the Cerulean Citadel

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

Sharn Watch Divisions

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

a captain of the Watch; typically, they won’t be asked to respond to a situation if it’s not in the interests of the Boromar Clan. The Redcloak Battalion is described in more detail in chapter 3.

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

Erebos's Champions

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

Erebos’s Champions Erebos spends most of his time and attention on the Underworld, leaving his champions to safeguard his interests in the realm of the living. He might call upon his followers to

involve themselves in. Erebos’s Quests d6 Adventure Goal 1 Capture a hero who came back to Theros as a Returned and send them back to the Underworld. 2 Find out why those who die in 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

Soldier

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

takes to protect your nation. If you’re not from Breland, that means serving the interests of your nation in Sharn—whatever those may be. 2 You’re an old soldier: you served with distinction and

if you pick up a sword, it will all come back to you soon enough. 3 You’re an officer of the Cyran army. You once held a fairly high rank, but your nation is destroyed and your soldiers

Loyalists of Kalakeri

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

Loyalists of Kalakeri The Kalakeri military and traditionalists throughout the domain back Maharani Ramya’s claim to the Sapphire Throne. Ramya tries to eliminate her siblings and the rebels

Convincing the faction to heed advice seemingly counter to its interests –5 25 Convincing Ramya to leave Jadurai –5

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

Other Immortal Beings

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

. A gynosphinx with oracular powers came back to Morgrave University with a Xen’drik expedition two years ago, and took up residence there. In addition to her first-hand knowledge of Xen’drik, she is

have ancient interests in the mortal world—as well as extensive rivalries among themselves. Undying Court. The honored, undead ancestors of Aerenal rule the elven nation and shape their people’s

Symbiotic Being

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

body. Additionally, you gain the traits that follow. Symbiotic Nature d6 Symbiote 1 Tiny humanoid facial features protruding from your torso, palm, or the back of your head 2 An alien

symbiote’s goal, working with your DM to detail the specifics or create another agenda. Symbiotic Agenda d6 Agenda 1 The symbiote seeks to destroy a specific type of being, such as fiends

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

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

question, selling them at a high markup. Travelers seeking a specific book also hire mercenaries or adventurers to venture into dungeons or ruins and bring back the prize. If information can’t be

united in their dislike for the nation of Amn. Outside of Port Nyanzaru, Baldur’s Gate maintains its own holdings in Chult. Fort Beluarian serves as a beachhead for the interests of the city, the

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

question, selling them at a high markup. Travelers seeking a specific book also hire mercenaries or adventurers to venture into dungeons or ruins and bring back the prize. If information can’t be

, and both cities are united in their dislike for the nation of Amn. Outside of Port Nyanzaru, Baldur’s Gate maintains its own holdings in Chult. Fort Beluarian serves as a beachhead for the interests

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

Ancient Being

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

. Tasha Your group is bound to the designs of an ancient being of tremendous power and influence. You might serve as the creature’s eyes and ears in the world, carrying information back to it. Or

wealth for its hoard, its ambitions expanding in its advancing years. 2 Lich. An undead spellcaster of immense power employs your group. Its interests are strangely diverse and seemingly benign

D&D Beyond

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