down impact are best

Flavors of Fantasy

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

Robert E. Howard and Fritz Leiber? Your choice can have a impact on the flavor of your campaign. Heroic Fantasy Heroic fantasy is the baseline assumed by the D&D rules. The Player’s Handbook describes

an effort to destroy monsters or villains. This genre is also common in fantasy fiction. Most novels set in the Forgotten Realms are best described as heroic fantasy, following in the footsteps of many of the authors listed in the Appendices of the Player’s Handbook.

When Not to Shake It Up

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

repetition and dearth of meaningful stakes. Some D&D campaigns fall into the same trap, stringing world-spanning disasters together one after another with little impact on the characters or the world. Thus

, it’s probably not in the DM’s best interest to reorder the world every single time there’s a lull in the action, lest world-shaking events become ordinary. As a general rule, a campaign can sustain up

Newspaper Contacts

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

printed page. Depending on the editor, you might not even recognize the stories when they’re printed, and your editor’s personality and goals can have a tremendous impact on your work for the paper

journalism.” 5 An editor who is more interested in keeping powerful friends happy than in reporting the truth 6 An editor who thinks the way to make reporters do their best work is by making them compete

Strixhaven's World

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

wherever it best fits the needs of your campaign. It could be in a world of your own creation, in a published D&D setting (such as the Forgotten Realms or Eberron), in the planar cosmopolis of Sigil, or in

an interplanar nexus that allows it to draw students from across the Material Plane or the entire multiverse. Whatever world you decide to place Strixhaven in, three elements of the wider world of Arcavios might have some impact on adventures in the school.

Heliod as Campaign Villain

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

a wide-ranging impact on the pantheon and the mortal world. The Heliod’s Divine Schemes table offers examples of how the god might have a mythic impact on the mortal world, embroiling the characters

hubris of nobles who boast of having the best hounds, Heliod turns all dogs into wolves and monsters that kill and run wild. 4 Heliod arms a champion with his weapon, Khrusor, but the hero goes

Heavy Armor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

lb. Plate 1,500 gp 18 Str 15 Disadvantage 65 lb. Of all the armor categories, heavy armor offers the best protection. These suits of armor cover the entire body and are designed to stop a wide

chafing and to cushion the impact of blows. The suit includes gauntlets. Splint. This armor is made of narrow vertical strips of metal riveted to a backing of leather that is worn over cloth padding

Draw In the Players

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

, see “Respect for the Players” in chapter 1 for advice about harming the people and places characters love.) If the adventure situation doesn’t have an obvious impact on the characters or the people or

things they care about, you can use other techniques to draw in the players. These are best tailored to the motivations of your players and their characters. For example, some adventuring groups are

Dragon as Schemer

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

provides inspiration to help you turn dragon-related adventure hooks into adventures that impact the characters in your game. Cross-Purposes d6 The Dragon’s Schemes… 1 …directly target one or more

…create an opportunity for a character to pursue a personal goal. 6 …cause an accident or catastrophe that threatens the characters. An adventure featuring a dragon’s schemes often works best as

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

about their fate in hopes of receiving an answer from the sages. Unknown to outsiders, the sages’ talents come from their best-guarded secret: a series of ancient, magical tomes called the Books of

defend the sages and obey their every order—to meet with Derwyth, a fellow star-watcher near the star’s estimated point of impact. In the tower hands’ absence, Shalfey’s power-hungry successor, the sage

Kruphix as Campaign Villain

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

Silence. Just as Kruphix reins in the worst excesses of the other gods, the best chance of foiling Kruphix as a villain lies in the nature of Kruphix himself. A campaign in which Kruphix is a villain

judgments might have a mythic impact on the mortal world and make divine conflicts more severe rather than less. Kruphix’s Divine Schemes d4 Scheme 1 Shadowy forces steal a holy artifact

Kobold Inventor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Kobold Inventor Inventors. A kobold inventor captures bugs, scoops up exotic dungeon slimes, and uses the best stolen ingredients to make unlikely weapons that it can use in combat. Kobold Inventor

. Green Slime Pot. The kobold throws a clay pot full of green slime at the target, and it breaks open on impact. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 5/20 ft., one target. Hit: The target is covered

Assigning Assets

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

standing against the best warriors in Faerûn. Temple of Tiamat. The temple is necessary as the site of the ritual. Damaging it can help weaken Tiamat if the ritual is successful. Red Wizards. Red

can have an enormous impact on the battle. Metallic Dragons. The metallic dragons will be outnumbered by their chromatic cousins. However, they cooperate with allies better than the evil dragons do

Sanctuary

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

’ best shot at rescuing the townsfolk is to overpower Group C and take control of the back door. In the temple, they can arrange a distraction to keep Groups A and B occupied at the front while the

next impact. How frequently you roll the die is up to you! One roll every 15–20 seconds is a good target for an average group. Be flexible, judge the players’ level of tension, and don’t let anyone relax

Sanctuary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

’ best shot at rescuing the townsfolk is to overpower Group C and take control of the back door. In the temple, they can arrange a distraction to keep Groups A and B occupied at the front while the

next impact. How frequently you roll the die is up to you! One roll every 15–20 seconds is a good target for an average group. Be flexible, judge the players’ level of tension, and don’t let anyone

Shipwright

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

fully repaired. Life at Sea Your life at sea and in port has shaped you; you can roll on the following table to determine its impact or choose an element that best fits your character. d6 Sea’s

Horror Pacing

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

of calm. The best horror adventures are like roller coasters, ratcheting up suspense and releasing it before building toward the next harrowing moment. Also, mix up social interaction, exploration

bursts. Focus less on senses and more on descriptions of impact—a splash of crimson, who knows where it came from? Split the characters’ attention. Roleplay other creatures begging, panicking, and trying

Using Survivors

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

survivors are designed to engage with terrifying circumstances, but their triumph over such threats is not assured. Players’ decisions will certainly impact the survivors’ fates, but if it seems like doom

general role like noble, villager, or sailor with a touch of talent. Make use of these ready-made characters in whatever ways suit your adventure best.

Armor and Shields

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Of all the armor categories, heavy armor offers the best protection. These suits of armor cover the entire body and are designed to stop a wide range of attacks. Only proficient warriors can manage

better armor. Chain Mail. Made of interlocking metal rings, chain mail includes a layer of quilted fabric worn underneath the mail to prevent chafing and to cushion the impact of blows. The suit

Occultant

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

calls on how best to “clean up” any incorrect readings or misunderstandings. Noteworthy Occultants: Talanatha Three-Coins Essential Functions: Track kills; assess the value to the franchise of the

), whose beads resemble tiny skulls. Read the Kill Also at rank 1, your occultant abacus not only tracks your franchise’s kills, it helps you determine the impact of those kills on the franchise’s fate

Nautiloid Down

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

to communicate using telepathy, Vorryn and Dredavex prefer to speak aloud in Gnomish or Undercommon, with an accent best described as “gooey.” Vorryn is persnickety and exasperated most of the time

courses through the ship’s veins. Equipment is scattered everywhere, both from the impact of the crash and because of subsequent repair work. Approaching the Nautiloid As you trudge deeper into a

Dragon Encounters

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

you’re crafting a whole adventure around a dragon or just want to throw a dragon with an interesting personality into the party’s path, how do you put a dragon to best use in an encounter? Start by

relationship between dragon and minions can impact an encounter. With these four questions in mind, you can look to the Dragon Encounter Complications table for suggestions of quirks, special effects, and

The Zhentarim

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

the best guards or mercenaries money can buy. And if the cargo is shady or the cause you’re fighting for is questionable or even unjust, the Zhentarim don’t mind. Affiliation with the Zhentarim can be

have any particular interest in morality, and evil acts have no impact on her attitude toward the party. She disapproves of taking any wyrmspeakers alive, though, fearing the power of such dangerous

The Zhentarim

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

the best guards or mercenaries money can buy. And if the cargo is shady or the cause you’re fighting for is questionable or even unjust, the Zhentarim don’t mind. Affiliation with the Zhentarim can be

have any particular interest in morality, and evil acts have no impact on her attitude toward the party. She disapproves of taking any wyrmspeakers alive, though, fearing the power of such dangerous

The Zhentarim

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

the best guards or mercenaries money can buy. And if the cargo is shady or the cause you’re fighting for is questionable or even unjust, the Zhentarim don’t mind. Affiliation with the Zhentarim can be

have any particular interest in morality, and evil acts have no impact on her attitude toward the party. She disapproves of taking any wyrmspeakers alive, though, fearing the power of such dangerous

Kobolds

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

, builds improvised weapons in the hope of gaining some new advantage in combat. An inventor captures bugs, scoops up exotic dungeon slimes, and claims the best stolen goods as ingredients in its

, there’s a 50 percent chance that the swarm disperses. 4. Green Slime Pot. The kobold throws a clay pot full of green slime at the target, and it breaks open on impact. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to

Modifying a Class

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

make the class over- or underpowered. Ask yourself the following questions about a feature you’re replacing: What impact does replacing the feature have on exploration, social interaction, or combat

tell you how to design new class features. The best place to start is by looking at other class features, or at spells, feats, or any other rules for inspiration. You’re almost certainly going to have

Adventure Models

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

kind who is coordinating the weaker giants’ activities. Clash of Titans Sometimes giants are background elements to an adventure that has more to do with the impact of the giants’ actions on the

and a dragon are oblivious to the destruction they’re causing Delve into the Past The best reason for delving into the past is to discover a path to a better future. —Diancastra In the world of

People of Phandalin

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

Redbrand Ruffians, a bandit gang that did their best to set up a reign of terror in Phandalin some years ago. Brawn came very late to the Redbrands’ operation, and thus did only a little intimidation

adversary. He invites the characters to explore the manor if they desire, reminding them that he still owns the place. He also tries to get the best of the characters, offering money, land, goods, or

Outer City Gazetteer

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

Outer City Gazetteer Dreams both flourish and die in the Outer City, which many say holds the best and worst of Baldur’s Gate. The following are some of the best known and most infamous Outer City

, Disengage, or Hide action. Tyler Jacobson Among Little Calimshan’s most notorious locations is the Calim Jewel Emporium, widely regarded as the best jeweler in the city — and the best place to fence

Creating a Monster Stat Block

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

monster might be based on a real-world creature or a monster from myth, in which case its name might be obvious. If you need to invent a name, keep in mind that the best names either reflect the

Player’s Handbook. Step 3. Type A monster’s type provides insight into its origins and nature. The Monster Manual describes each monster type. Choose the type that best fits your concept for the monster

The Nine Hells

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

leave fuming impact craters behind. Empty battlefields are littered with weapons and bones, showing where the legions of the Nine Hells met enemies on their native soil and prevailed. The archduchess

high with treasures left behind by those who tried — and failed — to best him in a deal. Phlegethos. Phlegethos, the fourth layer, is a fiery landscape whose seas of molten magma brew hurricanes of hot

Nine Hells

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

, Avernus, is the arrival point for visitors, a rocky wasteland with rivers of blood and clouds of biting flies. Fiery comets occasionally fall from the darkened sky and carve out fuming impact craters

piled high with treasures left behind by those who tried—and failed—to best him in a deal. Phlegethos Phlegethos, the fourth layer, is a fiery landscape whose seas of molten magma brew hurricanes of hot

Outer City Gazetteer

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

Outer City Gazetteer Dreams both flourish and die in the Outer City, which many say holds the best and worst of Baldur’s Gate. The following are some of the best known and most infamous Outer City

notorious locations is the Calim Jewel Emporium, widely regarded as the best jeweler in the city — and the best place to fence stolen gems, as it’s also the local Guild headquarters. In addition to

Eternal Flame Cultists

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

arcane arts who learned much of his fire magic from Vanifer herself, Bastian relies on his spells in a fight, and he is a “quick burn” sort who tries to deliver maximum impact early in the fight. If he

manipulation that enabled her to escape a life of servitude serves her well as the head of a growing cult. For Vanifer, battle is best observed at a distance. She prefers to hurl destructive magic from afar

The Mountain Door

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2

best of their ability unless prevented or interrupted by the player characters. Round 1. After sounding the alarm, the sentries in area 1 (Wark and Thark) flee south to area 2. Round 2. The orcs in

east end of the bridge drops into the crevasse and slams into the cliff wall on the west side. Any characters on the bridge take 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage from the impact with the wall and must make

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