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Hag of the Fetid Gaze

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

inspection. For example, the hag could appear to have smooth skin, but someone touching her would feel her rough flesh. Otherwise, a creature must take an action to visually inspect the illusion and

formed a coven dedicated to claiming Sylvarie’s temple and making it a base for their nefarious plans. The hags use their powers of illusion to pose as three elf sisters named Morganna, Azirssa

Githyanki

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

astral clouds. Githyanki who reside in the Astral Plane can live indefinitely. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical

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 typical life span of a player

Eladrin Legacy

Species Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

emotional state. For example, an eladrin might shift to autumn if filled with contentment, another eladrin could change to winter if plunged into sorrow, still another might be bursting with joy and become an

winter, all must watch out for themselves. 4 You speak only to point out the flaws in others’ plans. Spring d4 Spring Personality Trait 1 Every day is the

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. For example, humans confronted by an angry troll experience fear on a basic level. Their limbs shake, their thinking becomes panicked and jumbled, and they react by instinct. The emotion of fear takes

plans, or cultivating other methods to progress beyond their simple existence as hunters and gatherers. Hapless Soft Ones At their core, lizardfolk view other humanoids with an indifference verging on

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the blood, as it once did. Because their population is so small, the yuan-ti are aware they are vulnerable in open warfare. Instead, their current plans assume they will never rule outwardly in

’ feelings if doing so could adversely affect the yuan-ti’s plans, but they understand humanoid psychology well enough to know that they can get away with this casual disregard for life

Changeling Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

With ever-changing appearances, changelings reside in many societies undetected. Each changeling can supernaturally adopt any face they like. For some changelings, a new face is only a disguise. For

, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don’t have rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

actions contribute to the survival of the group. The tribe practices for the eventuality of defending the lair against intruders, and their plans always include knowing the best escape routes and who is

Using an Overarching Story

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

Using an Overarching Story This section presents a couple of examples of overarching stories which have, over the years, fueled many classic D&D campaigns. The adventurers’ goal in the first example

is to amass the power they need to defeat a powerful enemy that threatens the world. Their goal in the second example is to defend something they care about by destroying whatever threatens it. The

Acererak

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

. Acererak does not reside in the Tomb of Horrors at the time the characters travel there in chapter 3, but he might appear if its construction is hindered. He is keen on preventing characters from utterly

destroying the tomb, but might grace them with an audience if they look as though they could prove useful to furthering his plans. If enmity arises between the characters and Acererak, the would-be lich

Example Rival: High Priest Cheldar

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

Example Rival: High Priest Cheldar The temple of Pholtus, god of the sun, seeks to bring as many folk as possible under its sway. Though it has been in town for only two years, the temple is already

, divine spellcasting ability, and a few hundred common folk recently converted to the temple’s cause. Plans. Cheldar is stern but fundamentally a good person. He tries to win support by providing

Example Rival: Marina Rodemus

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

Example Rival: Marina Rodemus The Rodemus clan was a small but powerful family of traders in the city, but years ago, they pulled up stakes and left town overnight. Marina Rodemus, the youngest child

; and a shield guardian that protects her. Plans. Marina works to discredit and ruin other merchants. Her wererats spy on her opponents and sneak into warehouses, unleashing hordes of rats to spoil

Creating a Rival

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

created for themselves. Example Rivals d20 Rival 1 Tax collector who is convinced the characters are dodging fees 2 Politician who is concerned that the characters are causing more trouble than they

, and consider how they can be used. Plans. The foundation of a rival’s presence in the campaign is the actions the rival takes or the events that occur as a result of that character’s goals. Each time

Event-Based Adventures

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

section to get started, and use the information in chapter 4 to help flesh out the villain. For example, your villain might be an undead creature seeking to avenge a past imprisonment or injury. An

steps the villain takes to achieve its goals. Create a timeline showing what the villain does and when, assuming no interference from the adventurers. Building on the previous example, you might

Plan of Attack

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

their best option if they hope to survive. However, if the characters haven’t made escape plans ahead of time, the attackers will have taken steps to make retreat impossible. The specifics are up to

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

Pyramid Temple

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

, sacrifice, and all the other hallmarks of daily life. The accompanying map is an example of such a location. Cultist Level The lowest level of the temple includes sleeping and living quarters for favored

staircases offer access to the next level up. Abomination Level The yuan-ti at the top of the social hierarchy reside in the most insulted level of the pyramid, within quick striking distance of the

Lord Soth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

them to defeat. Rather than presenting him as a foe to be challenged in combat, portray Soth as a terrifying example of the villains in the Dragon Queen’s service—a lurking threat to be avoided. By the

adventure’s end, the characters will have opportunities to undermine Soth’s plans and remove him from the Dragon Army’s service—at least for a time. Lord Soth’s stat block appears in appendix B, and his history is summarized in chapter 4.

Plan of Attack

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

they hope to survive. However, if the characters haven’t made escape plans ahead of time, the attackers will have taken steps to make retreat impossible. The specifics are up to you, but should be

. 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

Jarlaxle Baenre

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

Jarlaxle Baenre Jarlaxle Baenre is a drow swashbuckler and the secret lord of Luskan, the City of Sails. Jarlaxle plans to use the cache of dragons to buy his way into the Lords’ Alliance, a

gets the better of them. He doesn’t suffer fools who threaten him, however. If forced into a violent confrontation, he swiftly and brutally kills someone to make an example of them and then walks off. If you choose Jarlaxle as the villain, the adventure takes place in the autumn.

The Cogs

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

remarkable locations. For example, the Pool of Onatar’s Tears is sacred to the Sovereign of the Forge. The current caretaker is a warforged priest named Smith, who believes that Onatar has plans for

Lords of Dust Campaign Themes

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

mortals to do specific deeds. For example, one shred of the Prophecy could stipulate that King Boranel has to be killed by one of the characters. The Lords of Dust could easily kill Boranel themselves, but

devious that it is often impossible to discern a pattern to their actions until their plans have come to fruition and the connections have finally been made clear. (You could retroactively decide that what you intended as unconnected encounters were all part of the plan from the beginning!)

The Moment of Truth

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

, the mutiny succeeds. Talk The adventurers may attempt to speak on behalf of the captain, hoping to talk the mutineers out of their plans. Castisha has already made up her mind, and nothing short of

adjust based on the tactics the characters use. For example, if one of the characters shoots a fireball into the sky to intimidate the sailors into standing down, the Charisma (Intimidation) check to cow

Assigning Assets

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

specific good assets canceling out cult assets. Give the players free reign on matching assets, but weigh in on whether a specific plan has merit if you feel the need. For example, the players might

. More importantly, the metallic dragons will keep the chromatic dragons from interfering with the adventurers’ plans. Final Battle Assets Cult Assets Factional Assets Severin Order of the Gauntlet

Story Overview

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

arcane texts and schemas buried in the ruins. These items were moved to a Daask safe house in Tavick’s Landing near the Terminus Lightning Rail station. The organization plans to smuggle the relics out

Breland to Droaam with Alden’s help. Coal, a destitute warforged hired by Alden, witnessed her good friend Razor die, executed in the ruins of Old Sharn as an example to the other workers. Coal made

Plot Points

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

plot point gets to add some element to the setting or situation that the group (including you) must accept as true. For example, a player can spend a plot point and state that his or her character

right must add a complication to the scene. For example, if the player who spends the plot point decides that her character has found a secret door, the player to the right might state that opening the

Putting the Planes Together

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

tree, literally or figuratively. For example, the Norse cosmology centers on the World Tree Yggdrasil. The three roots of the World Tree touch the three realms: Asgard (an Outer Plane that includes

Midgard. Similarly, one vision of the planes where the deities of the Forgotten Realms reside situates a number of celestial planes in the branches of a World Tree, while the fiendish planes are linked by

Elements of a Great Adventure

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

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

one destination, no matter how hard they try to change it. For example, if a major villain shows up before the end of the adventure, the adventure should allow for the possibility that the heroes

Wood Elves: The Tairnadal

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

Tairn, the Silaes Tairn, and the Valaes Tairn. All three lines roam the northern plains of Aerenal, having left the forest long ago, but the Valaes Tairn now reside mostly in Valenar, being the

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

Orc Lairs

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

of prey. The orc stronghold depicted and described here is an example of such a place, which could suit the needs of a tribe for several years or even decades. It has several subterranean chambers

living space and do other menial tasks. Most of Luthic’s faithful reside in this area, close to the whelping pens where young orcs are kept until they grow old enough to contribute to the tribe. When

Scarlet Brotherhood

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

across the world. Already its assassins have slain those who might oppose their sinister plans. In almost every court in the land, from the most remote backwater barony to the imperial courts of world

pay well above market value for his goods, ensuring his popularity and dependence on Brotherhood contacts. The Brotherhood plans to surround him with their advisers and functionaries to ensure that

Woodland Pool

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn

. Now that Kelek has removed Uni’s horn, Grump plans to sell Uni as a packhorse and won’t let her go without a fight. Development. Once Uni is free of the Net, Grump realizes his plans are falling

trickery is used to fool the bugbear into leaving (for example, if the character claims to be working for Kelek). If the characters defeat eight or more bullywugs, Grump surrenders and begs for mercy. If

Battle Tactics

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

see its opponents before 60-foot darkvision sees it. A beholder always has several backup plans ready. When dealing with one, I have three plans of my own: run, hide, and distract. Rival adventurers

example, if a beholder intends to shoot charm, slowing, and sleep rays at a ranger, and the ranger succumbs to the charm, the beholder could use its remaining rays against other targets. Use Legendary

Horror in Falkovnia

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

Warrior Veterans. Martial Law Lekar is a martial dictatorship. Drakov’s troops carry out example-setting impalings as punishment for even the slightest crimes. These executions impose order through

they defend the city’s southern gate, the Gate of Torches, from the impending zombie siege. Unknown to the characters, Drakov plans to sacrifice the gate as detailed in the “Siege of Lekar” adventure.

Puzzle Cubes

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

least two of the puzzle cubes, and Ras Nsi always steps in to claim the final cube. Things play out differently if the players find a way to foil their enemies’ plans — by killing them, for example. On

15. Thessalar's Laboratory

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

subterranean lake. In exchange for the components in his possession, Thessalar proposes any of the following options: The characters can travel to the Tomb of Horrors (see chapter 3) to recover Seodra’s plans

. The characters can instead travel to the tomb to either facilitate a prisoner exchange (offering Seodra for Thessalar’s missing sculptors), or to disrupt its construction by stealing Moghadam’s plans

Patron Benefits

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

sponsored by your patron. Plans that span the world and the course of millennia require many agents to complete. If necessary, your patron can put you in contact with their other agents, who might be in a

course of centuries). For example, take a prophetic snippet like the one mentioned in the book’s introduction: “If the Bear King is slain by a sorrowful assassin in the Shadow of the Mourning, the

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