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Example of Play

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

Example of Play These pages present a short example of play, similar to the ones in the Player’s Handbook, to illustrate how everything outlined in the “How to Run a Session” section works in

practice. In this example, the Dungeon Master is running an adventure (“The Fouled Stream”) from chapter 4. The four players are Amy (playing Auro, a Halfling Rogue), Maeve (playing Mirabella, an Elf Wizard

Instrument of the Bards Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

An instrument of the bards is an exquisite example of its kind, superior to an ordinary instrument in every way. Seven types of these instruments exist, each named after a legendary bard college. The

following table lists the spells common to all instruments, as well as the spells specific to each one and its rarity. A creature that attempts to play the instrument without being attuned to it must

Shapechange Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

, and you must have seen the sort of creature at least once. You transform into an average example of that creature, one without any class levels or the Spellcasting trait. Your game statistics are

replaced by the statistics of the chosen creature, though you retain your alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in

Swarmkeeper

classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

character’s bond with nature spirits. Take the opportunity to describe the swarm and the ranger’s magic in play. For example, when your ranger casts gaseous form, they might appear to melt

Mongrelfolk

Monsters Curse of Strahd

whose ancestors underwent, horrific magical transformations, to the extent that they retain only a fraction of their original being. Their humanoid bodies incorporate the features of various beasts. For

example, one mongrelfolk might have the basic body shape of a dwarf with a head that combines the features of a cat and a lizard, one arm that ends in a crab’s pincer, and one leg that ends in

Swarmkeeper (TCoE)

classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

character’s bond with nature spirits. Take the opportunity to describe the swarm and the ranger’s magic in play. For example, when your ranger casts gaseous form, they might appear to melt

Race Legacy

Rules

in mind the kind of character you want to play. For example, a halfling could be a good choice for a sneaky rogue, a dwarf makes a tough warrior, and an elf can be a master of arcane magic.

Dhampir Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Poised between the worlds of the living and the dead, dhampirs retain their grip on life yet are endlessly tested by vicious hungers. Their ties to the undead grant dhampirs a taste of a vampire

from that list for a particular campaign. If you are replacing your race with a lineage, you retain any languages you had and gain no new languages. Creature Type Every creature in D&D

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

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, enjoying every moment of invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play. Vibrant Expression A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body

unlikely to find the burrows in the first place. Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils

Hexblood Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

DM is free to add or remove languages from that list for a particular campaign. If you are replacing your race with a lineage, you retain any languages you had and gain no new languages. Creature

ways. For example, the text of the cure wounds spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a creature of the Construct type. Hexblood Traits

Ancient Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

nearest unoccupied space. Compulsive Dance. The dragon targets a creature it can see in its lair, and a merry waltz begins to play that only the target can hear. The target must succeed on a DC 15

Reborn Legacy

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

with a lineage, you retain any languages you had and gain no new languages. Creature Type Every creature in D&D, including every player character, has a special tag in the rules that identifies

themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the text of the cure wounds spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a creature of the Construct type. Reborn Traits

Adult Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

see in its lair, and a merry waltz begins to play that only the target can hear. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or dance until initiative count 20 on the following round

Strahd von Zarovich Legacy

monsters Curse of Strahd

card reading in chapter 1, unless he has been forced into his tomb in the catacombs of Castle Ravenloft. Strahd's Tactics Because the entire adventure revolves around Strahd, you must play him

to Strahd is quickly undone. For example, a critical hit might dislocate Strahd’s jaw, but only for a moment; then the vampire’s jaw quickly resets itself. The ability of the Heart of

Wild Shape

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

a short or long rest. Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level, for example, you can transform into any beast that has a

challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn’t have a flying or swimming speed. Beast Shapes Level Max. CR Limitations Example 2nd 1/4 No flying or swimming speed Wolf 4th 1/2 No flying speed Crocodile

Wild Shape

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

a short or long rest. Your druid level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table. At 2nd level, for example, you can transform into any beast that has a

challenge rating of 1/4 or lower that doesn’t have a flying or swimming speed. Beast Shapes Level Max. CR Limitations Example 2nd 1/4 No flying or swimming speed Wolf 4th 1/2 No flying speed Crocodile 8th

Coins

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

material. The Coin Values table lists coins and how much they’re worth relative to the Gold Piece, which is the game’s main coin. For example, 100 Copper Pieces are worth 1 Gold Piece. A coin weighs about a

Selling Equipment Equipment fetches half its cost when sold. In contrast, trade goods and valuables—like gems and art objects—retain their full value in the marketplace. The Dungeon Master’s Guide has prices for magic items.

Coins

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

material. The Coin Values table lists coins and how much they’re worth relative to the Gold Piece, which is the game’s main coin. For example, 100 Copper Pieces are worth 1 Gold Piece. A coin weighs about a

Selling Equipment Equipment fetches half its cost when sold. In contrast, trade goods and valuables—like gems and art objects—retain their full value in the marketplace. The “Magic Items by Rarity” section of “Magic Items” has prices for magic items.

Shapechange

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

can’t be a construct or an undead, and you must have seen the sort of creature at least once. You transform into an average example of that creature, one without any class levels or the Spellcasting

trait. Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the chosen creature, though you retain your alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and

Shapechange

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

can’t be a construct or an undead, and you must have seen the sort of creature at least once. You transform into an average example of that creature, one without any class levels or the Spellcasting

trait. Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the chosen creature, though you retain your alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and

Inspiration for the DM

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

card from the deck. Rather than adding it to the communal hand, you keep that card secret until you play it on behalf of one of the characters’ opponents. You can play your inspiration cards soon

players are likely to follow your example, so if you want them to use their inspiration cards freely, you should do so as well.

Every DM Is Unique

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

Every DM Is Unique The preceding example of play shows how one Dungeon Master might run an encounter, but no two DMs run the game in exactly the same way—and that’s how it should be! You’ll be most

successful as a DM if you choose a play style that works best for you and your players. The Rule of Fun D&D is a game, and everyone should have fun playing it. Everyone shares equal responsibility in

Creating a Sidekick

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

to a character’s backstory or to events that have transpired in play. For example, a sidekick could be a childhood friend or pet, or it might be a creature the adventurers saved. As DM, you determine

play the sidekick. You play the sidekick. There’s no limit on the number of sidekicks in a group, but having more than one per player character can noticeably slow down the game. And when estimating the difficulty of an upcoming encounter, count each sidekick as a character.

Age

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

of the game. You can choose any age for your character, which could provide an explanation for some of your ability scores. For example, if you play a young or very old character, your age could

Religion in the Realms

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

have need. The gods play a role in the lives of nearly everyone, from the mightiest lord to the meanest urchin. The various races of Toril worship their pantheons, which remain largely the same from

region to region, with different cultures and societies emphasizing some deities over others. Although exceptions exist — the gods of Mulhorand, for example — all the gods are revered across all of Faerûn.

Rhythm of Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

Rhythm of Play The three main pillars of D&D play are social interaction, exploration, and combat. Whichever one you’re experiencing, the game unfolds according to this basic pattern: The Dungeon

game back to step 1. This pattern holds during every game session (each time you sit down to play D&D), whether the adventurers are talking to a noble, exploring a ruin, or fighting a dragon. In

Sex

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

Sex You can play a male or female character without gaining any special benefits or hindrances. Think about how your character does or does not conform to the broader culture’s expectations of sex

, gender, and sexual behavior. For example, a male drow cleric defies the traditional gender divisions of drow society, which could be a reason for your character to leave that society and come to the

Rhythm of Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Rhythm of Play The three main pillars of D&D play are social interaction, exploration, and combat. Whichever one you’re experiencing, the game unfolds according to this basic pattern: The Dungeon

game back to step 1. This pattern holds during every game session (each time you sit down to play D&D), whether the adventurers are talking to a noble, exploring a ruin, or fighting a dragon. In

Experts at the Table

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

return to an earlier example, if the characters arrive in Waterdeep and you don’t have an inn prepared, you can ask one of the experts at your table, “What inn do you stay at, and what’s unique about

Realms history, the Realms lore experts at your table will enjoy recognizing the Easter eggs you’ve placed. The adventure in chapter 7 of this book, “The Lost Library of Lethchauntos,” is a good example

Instrument of the Bards

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

Instrument of the Bards Wondrous item, rarity varies (requires attunement by a bard) An instrument of the bards is an exquisite example of its kind, superior to an ordinary instrument in every way

rarity. A creature that attempts to play the instrument without being attuned to it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 2d4 psychic damage. You can use an action to play the

Character Advancement

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

taking part in a play session. A character reaches 1 checkpoint for each hour an adventure is designed to last. Note that the award is based on the adventure’s projected playing time, rather than the

actual time spent at the table. The reward for completing an adventure designed for 2 hours of play is 2 checkpoints, even if a group spends more than 2 hours playing through it. If a character

Damage Rolls

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

any relevant modifiers as normal. To speed up play, you can roll all the damage dice at once. For example, if you score a critical hit with a dagger, roll 2d4 for the damage, rather than 1d4, and then

target at the same time, roll the damage once for all of them. For example, when a wizard casts fireball or a cleric casts flame strike, the spell's damage is rolled once for all creatures caught in

Ability Checks

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

element of chance in the situation. For example, your DM can call for a Charisma check at any point during an interaction if he or she wants the dice to play a role in determining an NPC’s reactions. Other

Talk with Your DM

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Talk with Your DM Start by talking with your Dungeon Master about the type of D&D game they plan to run. If the DM draws inspiration from Greek myth, for example, you might choose a different

direction for your character than if the DM is planning for swashbuckling on the high seas. Think about the kind of adventurer you want to play in this game. If you don’t know where to begin, look at the

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