direct involved are better

Vecna the Archlich

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

scribe. He spent the better part of his childhood secretly educating himself in his masters’ arts. Once Vecna learned all he could, he massacred the wizards. He then recorded his every foul thought

this adventure, Vecna has risen to godhood on Oerth, but he seeks to become the most powerful god in existence and bend the multiverse to his will. By the time the characters are involved, Vecna’s

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

are tied to a particular place or group of locales, and still others move erratically through the cosmos. Occasionally, a morkoth learns to direct its island’s movement.A Morkoth’s Lair

fragments that make up the island’s core are also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most of the lair

Zlan

monsters

Crenshinibon, better known as the Crystal Shard. Zlan Clervish was one of those seven liches, and that lich’s will predominates in the fused entity. All seven bodies are frozen together with ice and

direct action when an oblique or hidden action will suffice. Its plans always contain fallbacks and contingencies. One of these contingencies—one the other liches who constitute its new form failed

Eladrin Legacy

Species Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

You spend excessively on creature comforts. Winter d4 Winter Personality Trait 1 The worst case is the most likely to occur. 2 You preserve what you have. Better to

fancy passes with equal speed. 4 Anything worth doing is worth doing again and again. Summer d4 Summer Personality Trait 1 You believe that direct confrontation is

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and title from those who

there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants

"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one

Morkoth Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

core of the warren, where the pearly matter of the island is also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most

each of its turns to enter the lair and to move toward the morkoth's location (the target doesn't realize it's heading toward a creature). The target moves toward the morkoth by the most direct route

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

labyrinth of my thoughts. 3 I might disagree with other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world

":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better. If these

tactics fail, the firbolgs take more direct action. Their observations of a settlement determine what happens next. If the outsiders seem peaceful, the firbolgs approach and gently ask them to leave, even

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

yuan-ti know they can’t resort to direct attacks in order to reclaim their rightful place in the world. Operating out of the subterranean ruins of their buildings in foreign lands, yuan-ti

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

modeled my career after a highly respected lawmage or arrester, but I fear that my role model might be involved in something illegal. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I’m

best at everything in my legal training, and now I work with the person who was always just a little bit better. 6 A good friend was promoted into work they can’t tell me about. 7 I

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants. 5

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. 3 Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and

resist taking a risk if there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Involving the Characters

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

Involving the Characters Once you’ve identified what your campaign is about, let the players help tell the story by deciding how their characters are involved. This is their opportunity to tie their

a recent arrival? Where did you come from? Why did you come to this area? Are you tied to any of the organizations or people involved in the events that kick off the campaign? Are they friends or

Thornwell's Offer

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

Thornwell’s Offer If the characters are less likely to get involved in the adventure out of altruism, they can be approached by a mysterious, handsome, well-groomed human female dressed in black-and

the councillors of the Styes, named Thornwell (LE female human mage). She has discovered hints of Mr. Dory’s association with the cult of Tharizdun, which she suspects is also involved in the murders

Religious Order Contacts

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

some authority in the hierarchy of the organization. This person might direct you and your adventures according to their interpretation of divine will, or they might trust the gods to lead you to do

cynical priest who thinks nothing you do makes any difference in the grand scheme of things 3 A zealous priest who is constantly urging you to do more and do it better 4 An ambitious priest who views you

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants. 5

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another, and

Signature Case

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

secrets that might have better remained hidden, causing untold harm in the process. Whether true or false, stories like these tend to cling to inquisitive agencies and color their reputations. What

case that cemented your reputation. Signature Case d6 Case 1 Case of the Century. You uncovered key evidence in a sensational case. You made headlines, but some parties involved carry grudges

Reporting Repercussions

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

Reporting Repercussions Your reporting changes lives—you like to think for the better. Sometimes, though, your work has drawn some fairly pointed criticism and earned you an enemy. Reference the

conspiracy. Most involved were arrested, but a few crooks remain free. 4 Politician. You ended a politician’s career, and they’ve sworn to return the favor. 5 Rival Newspaper. You got the scoop of a

Running the Adventure

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

saying, “Hey, DM, you better get this creature’s stat block ready. You’re going to need it.” If the stat block appears in appendix C of this adventure, the text tells you so; otherwise, you can find

the stat block in the Monster Manual. Spells and equipment mentioned in the adventure are described in the Player’s Handbook. Magic items are described in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, unless the adventure’s text direct you to an item’s description in appendix D.

Secrets and Discovery

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

. This approach is best if there’s a whole scene that plays out with just one character involved. Try to keep these scenes brief so other players don’t get bored or feel left out. Secret Message. If you

just have a simple piece of information to convey, you can whisper to the player, pass a note to them, or send them a text or a direct message. KENT DAVIS A dungeon room offers plenty of details for adventurers to explore

Re-created by the Doctor

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

party is actively involved, not merely abducted in their sleep. Consider using any of the following events that might lead to plots involving Dr. Mordenheim. Overwhelmed. Constructs created by Dr

The Adventuring Biz

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

Do’Urden while journeying through the Underdark. When Jim Darkmagic became afflicted with the Death Curse, there was no definitive proof that this was a direct result of his employment with

clone to a devil. It seemed prudent at the time. However, nothing in Acquisitions Incorporated’s storied history encapsulates the company’s efficacy better than the recovery of Omin’s sister, Auspicia

Roleplaying

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

readily get involved in social interactions, you can create situations tailored for their characters. Perhaps the NPC in question is a family member or a contact of a particular adventurer and

is less comfortable with roleplaying, you can get them involved by asking them to describe their character’s actions during the conversation. Use Other Ability Scores. Consider the following

The Fiend's Trail

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

back his fiendish urges long enough to resume his human form. He confessed to his mother, then fled his home as he felt himself transforming again. For the better part of the day since, he has flown

vecindad, folk on the street can direct the party toward the old manor house if the characters show them Serapio’s sketches. If the characters found the half-locket in area H4 of Hollow Mine, they can use

Hidden Shepherds

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

firbolgs’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better. If these

tactics fail, the firbolgs take more direct action. Their observations of a settlement determine what happens next. If the outsiders seem peaceful, the firbolgs approach and gently ask them to leave, even

Individual Quests

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

killed by another assassin. Tarak escaped, but no treasure was involved. If the rogue asks him about it, he explains he has left the life of crime—and suggests perhaps it’s time for the rogue to do the

knowledge contained in that place. I can direct you there, but first you need to show me you are worthy.” She promises to direct the wizard to the observatory after the characters help deal with the other problems on the island.

Proficiency

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

to think about this question is to consider whether a character could become better at a particular task through training and practice. If the answer is no, it’s fine to say that no proficiency

involved. The character is proficient in the Athletics skill, which covers swimming, so you allow the character’s proficiency bonus to apply to this ability check. In effect, you’re asking for a

Gambling

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

Gambling Games of chance are a way to make a fortune — and perhaps a better way to lose one. Resources. This activity requires one workweek of effort plus a stake of at least 10 gp, to a maximum of

potential complications involved come from run-ins with the law and associations with various criminals tied to the activity. Every workweek spent gambling brings a 10 percent chance of a complication

Creating a Deep Dragon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict. 4 I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants. 5 While the petty

people—as long as they remain unaware of my true nature. Deep Dragon Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better

Lost Mine of Phandelver

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

, upgrade their gear, sell their loot, and find new adventures. If those aren’t reasons enough, here are a few hooks tied to NPCs in Phandalin that you can use to direct the characters toward Triboar

the characters to deliver a letter to Darathra Shendrel, the lord protector of Triboar. In the letter, Harbin demands that the lord protector do a better job of patrolling the territory between their

The Three Packs

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

can direct the characters to the nearby wildernesses where these groups dwell. Heart Delta Heart Delta lies a few miles away from Camp Greenbriar. When the characters visit there, read or paraphrase

to hear of it. He doubts any creature in his territory was involved. Ebonclaw loathes the Vile Hunt. Although he doesn’t know who killed Oka, he suggests asking Parvaz at Eagles’ Aerie—the albatross

Resolving Interactions

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

. For tasks or actions that require no particular risk, effort, or cost, friendly creatures usually help without question. If an element of personal risk is involved, a successful Charisma check might

condescending noble might wish to see a group of upstart adventurers fail so as to keep them from becoming rivals for the king’s attention, thwarting them with slander and scheming rather than direct threats

Life Events

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

has experienced, roll once on the Life Events table for each of them. Many of the results on that table direct you to one of the secondary tables that follow. Once you have determined all of your

your DM to come up with the reason for the battle and the factions involved. It might have been a small conflict between your community and a band of orcs, or it could have been a major battle in a

Durnan

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

chop tables in half with it if he so desires. He also can pull out a double crossbow (a heavy crossbow with reduced range that fires two bolts at the same target). Still, if he gets involved in a brawl

might gently discourage likable “nobodies” from venturing into Undermountain, if he thinks they wouldn’t survive. He can also direct adventurers toward tavern regulars who might be able to help them or

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