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Shifter Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Shifters are sometimes called weretouched, as they are descendants of people who contracted full or partial lycanthropy. Humanoids with a bestial aspect, shifters can’t fully change shape, but

rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell doesn’t work on a Construct or an Undead. Life Span The

Valenar Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

or clever? Whatever their nature, it’s your duty to follow their example. Is this something you proudly embrace, or do you resist it? Each patron ancestor is tied to many Valenar: do you have a

Leonin

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

adversaries—incredibly clever and well-prepared to play a long game but ultimately doomed to lose their games. 4 I’m certain every bad thing that happens can ultimately be blamed on the

personal names, leonin identify themselves by their pride. A member of the Flintclaw pride with the personal name of Ziore, for example, would likely style herself as Ziore of the Flintclaw. Female Names

Ancient Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Spellcasting.Ancient legends suggest that when the gods came to the First World and tried to populate it with their Humanoid followers, a clever dragon fled to the Feywild to hide a clutch of eggs. The magic

of one plane to wander into others. Moonstone Dragon Lair Features You can look to other maps in this chapter as inspiration for the scattered parts of a moonstone dragon’s lair. For example

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

copy existing items with exceptional skill, allowing them to become excellent artisans and scribes. They can copy books, make replicas of objects, and otherwise thrive in situations where they can

a talent for learning and memorizing details. Thus, ambitious kenku can excel as superb spies and scouts. A kenku who learns of clever schemes and plans devised by other creatures can put them to use

Adult Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

suggest that when the gods came to the First World and tried to populate it with their Humanoid followers, a clever dragon fled to the Feywild to hide a clutch of eggs. The magic of that faerie realm

look to other maps in this chapter as inspiration for the scattered parts of a moonstone dragon’s lair. For example, a well maintained and above-water version of the black dragon lair’s

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

strong social structure that stresses devotion to the tribe, are clever with their hands, and viciously work together in order to overcome their physical limitations. In the kobolds’ version of

undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and

Creating a Heist Crew

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

example, whereas stealth, skill with locks, social skills, clever problem-solving, and versatile character abilities will shine. Well-outfitted characters are also more likely to succeed at these

Plan of Attack

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

before will be known. Only a special escape route — a secret passage known only to a palace’s most trusted servants, for example — should come as a surprise to the cultists and Red Wizards. Frontal

Assault Because clever ruses and ambush have failed in previous attacks, the cult’s third assault opts for overwhelming force. The dragons attack the characters from the air, attempting to draw them outside

Monsters and Motivations

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

. A powerful creature encountered early in the dungeon sets an exciting tone and forces the adventurers to rely on their wits. For example, an ancient red dragon might slumber on the first level of a

dungeon, a pall of smoke and the sound of its heavy breathing filling the chambers near its lair. Clever characters will do their utmost to avoid the dragon, even as the party’s brave thief makes off

Elix the Saint

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Guildmaster Dusk’s private quarters). Clever characters can steal Elix’s identity as well as his key. If Elix is either detained or disposed of, a character can use magic (for example, alter self or

Guildmaster Dusk, although a suggestion spell or other coercive magic can wring information from him. For example, he knows where Constantori’s Portrait is being kept (on the tower’s third floor, above

Plan of Attack

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

. Only a special escape route—a secret passage known only to a palace’s most trusted servants, for example—should come as a surprise to the cultists and Red Wizards. Frontal Assault Because clever ruses

General Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

“Cover” in the Basic Rules). DISGUISED CHARACTERS Rather than storm Cragmaw Castle with weapons in hand, clever characters might try to talk their way inside. For example, they might don the scarlet

cloaks of the Redbrands and claim to be emissaries sent by Iarno “Glasstaff” Albrek, the Redbrand leader, to meet with King Grol. A good DM rewards this kind of clever thinking by giving the

Character Advancement

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

completes an adventure designed for a tier higher than the character’s current tier, the character is awarded 1 additional checkpoint. For example, if a 2nd-level character completes a 6th-level adventure

player’s preferred style is neither penalized nor rewarded. Whether someone focuses on roleplaying and social interaction, defeating monsters in combat, or finding clever ways to avoid battles, this system

The Deck as Narrative

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

campaign. For example, a character who draws the Knight card might meet a warrior along the side of the road, in a tavern, or even trapped in a dangerous dungeon; by freeing the warrior, the character earns

, don’t put off card effects for too long. It’s okay for players to wonder for a session or two exactly when and how the effects will manifest, and you can use that time to devise clever and memorable

Ability Checks

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

successful one. In other cases, failing an ability check makes it impossible to make the same check to do the same thing again. For example, a rogue might try to trick a town guard into thinking the

whether both sides use the same ability or whether different abilities should counter each other. For example, when a creature tries to hide, it engages in a contest of Dexterity against Wisdom. But if two

Lay Out the Premise

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

are coauthors of the story with you, and the events of the story shouldn’t be predetermined; the actions of the players’ characters have to matter. For example, if a major villain shows up before the

as you’re planning adventures. If your adventure relies on certain events, plan for multiple ways they might come about, or be prepared for clever players to prevent those events from happening as

Elements of a Great Adventure

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

with Clever Twists It might seem stereotypical to build an adventure around dragons, orcs, and wizards in towers, but these are staples of fantasy storytelling. It might also seem trite to begin an

adventure in a tavern, but that’s an idea that remains true to D&D. Familiar story elements are fine, as long as you and the players occasionally put a spin on them. For example, the mysterious figure

Wood Elves: The Tairnadal

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

likely a legendary archmage. Was your ancestor a famous blademaster, a stealthy hunter, or a war chanter? Were they chivalrous or merciless? Bold or clever? Whatever their path, it is your duty to follow

their example. Is this something you proudly embrace, or do you resist it? Do you know another elf with the same patron ancestor, and what’s your relationship to that character? Do you know an elf

Elves of Valenar

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

you’re a ranger, was your ancestor a famous blademaster, or a stealthy hunter? Was your ancestor chivalrous or merciless? Bold or clever? Whatever their nature, it’s your duty to follow their example

Fairy Rings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

spell that lasts for 24 hours on a successful check (no effect on a failure). The campestris aren’t clever enough to answer complex questions about Thither or offer reliable directions, and they speak

might arrive inside a similar fairy ring that is hidden in an elven tomb or inside the tumbled-down ruin of an ancient tower, for example. If the creature holding the wand and running widdershins is

Traps in Play

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

description is clear enough that you can adjudicate whether a character’s actions locate or foil the trap. As with many situations, you shouldn’t allow die rolling to override clever play and good planning

character to discover a trap without making an ability check if an action would clearly reveal the trap’s presence. For example, if a character lifts a rug that conceals a pressure plate, the character has

Combat Encounters

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

challenging: Changes in Elevation. Terrain features that provide a change of elevation (such as stacks of empty crates, ledges, and balconies) reward clever positioning and encourage characters to jump, climb

below: Example 1. A low-difficulty encounter for four level 1 characters has an XP budget of 50 × 4, for a total of 200 XP. With that, you could build any of the following encounters: 1 Bugbear Warrior

Traps in Play

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

description is clear enough that you can adjudicate whether a character's actions locate or foil the trap. As with many situations, you shouldn't allow die rolling to override clever play and good planning

to discover a trap without making an ability check if an action would clearly reveal the trap's presence. For example, if a character lifts a rug that conceals a pressure plate, the character has

Princes of Elemental Evil

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

any other elemental, or any of the other princes. Some embody the combination of elements — for example, Bwimb, the Lord of Ooze, or Cryonax, the Prince of Evil Cold. However, the four princes most

of elemental nodes throughout the world. Elemental nodes are places in the Material Plane that are suffused with energy from the Elemental Planes. For example, a subterranean magma chamber or a swamp

Camp Alertness

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

to resort to stealth or subterfuge to get in. For example, characters scaling the plateau from the east could use brush for cover right up to where the cliff overlooks the camp. From there, they

posts alongside the monk Leosin. Characters have one night to escape this fate. They might wriggle out of their bonds, bribe or charm a cultist to set them free, or come up with a clever use for a

Camp Alertness

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

need to resort to stealth or subterfuge to get in. For example, characters scaling the plateau from the east could use brush for cover right up to where the cliff overlooks the camp. From there, they

night tied to posts alongside the monk Leosin. Characters have one night to escape this fate. They might wriggle out of their bonds, bribe or charm a cultist to set them free, or come up with a clever

Phandalin Quests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

fight to the death, your players might get bored and miss out on some fun roleplaying opportunities. Whenever possible, reward players for being clever. For example, characters who disturb the ankhegs

characters embark on a journey to a location, go to the section of this book that describes that location in detail. For example, if the players choose to undertake the Umbrage Hill Quest, go to the “Umbrage

Resolving Interactions

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

. For example, if the party’s rogue says something that pushes a noble’s attitude toward the party from indifferent to hostile, another character might be able to diffuse the noble’s hostility with clever roleplaying and a successful Charisma (Persuasion) check.

the adventurers try to persuade an indifferent creature to do something. A hostile creature opposes the adventurers and their goals but doesn’t necessarily attack them on sight. For example, a

Cult of the Howling Hatred

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

perceptions over facts: illusionists, spies, and assassins, for example. Predatory or fierce winged creatures of any kind, even non-sentient monsters that would otherwise resist training, perceive the

clever, impulsive, and creative. They usually see themselves as smarter, quicker, and more capable than others they meet. Howling Hatred cultists dislike open battle. They prefer to work in secret

Leonin

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

The meddling of the gods in mortal affairs makes me angry and bitter. I wish they would just leave us all alone! 3 I view the gods as worthy adversaries—incredibly clever and well-prepared to

Leonin Names Along with their personal names, leonin identify themselves by their pride. A member of the Flintclaw pride with the personal name of Ziore, for example, would likely style herself as Ziore

The Rank and File

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

obedience of another devil only if both are in the hierarchy of the same archdevil. For example, a devil in service to Dispater can’t command a lower-ranked devil among the forces of Levistus. Lowest of

and specific circumstances. A clever upstart that wants to annihilate its superior could manipulate events to bring about one such circumstance, then look on as the commander succumbs while it cites the

Hoard Quirks

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

, for example. Regional Effects The regional effects associated with legendary dragons’ lairs are channeled into the environment from the dragons through their hoards. These effects can linger to varying

another dragon’s hoard, whereupon the previous owner’s curse is nullified. Clever adventurers might work out a bargain with a friendlier dragon involving a trade of cursed treasure in exchange for a similar (but probably smaller) amount of treasure freely given.

Specific Spells

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

cumulative. If you have temporary hit points and receive more of them, you don’t add them together, unless a game feature says you can. You decide which temporary hit points to keep. As an example

modifier, your armor, a shield, and cover—unless your AC is higher than 16. For example, if your AC is normally 14, it’s 16 while barkskin is on you. If your AC is normally 15 and you have half cover, your

1. The Resplendent Grotto of Ichthyglug the Voluminous

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

way to know who cast the spell or why the ship was sunk. If more than one character enters the aft section at the same time, the partial hull shifts under the added weight, topples to one side, and

no farther falls to the floor inside the curtain. Spell effects that would not reasonably pass through the watery curtain are stopped by the barrier as though it were a solid wall. For example, a magic

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