example retreats have problem cornered - Search

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

the best way to solve problems. 2 Overwhelming force can accomplish almost anything. The tougher the problem, the more force you apply. 3 You stand tall and strong so that others can lean

Marine

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

solution for every problem, and following it is imperative. (Lawful) 3 Embracing. Life is messy. Throwing yourself into the worst of it is necessary to get the job done. (Chaotic) 4

. Job. 3 I must set an example of hope for those who have given up. 4 I’m searching for a fellow marine captured by an elusive enemy. 5 Fear leads to tyranny, and both must be

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

; Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren

Ancient Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

for my age, and I can’t wait for the day I can retire to my lair to be taken care of by doting fey. 5 I look down upon any being who resorts to violence to solve a problem. 6

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

Adult Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

’t wait for the day I can retire to my lair to be taken care of by doting fey. 5 I look down upon any being who resorts to violence to solve a problem. 6 Conversing with others is

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

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

tend to be loud, flashy, or explosive, even when the effect is unremarkable. For example, when you open the portal of a rope trick spell, the portal might be outlined by harmless, showy

to finding a solution to a scientific problem. 2 I’ll never forget the laboratory where I learned my skills, or the other attendants who learned alongside me. 3 I’m convinced

Satyr Legacy

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

problem. 8 If I have something really important to say, I always make sure to sing it. Myth of Xenagos the Satyr God The satyr Xenagos savored his reputation for presiding over the most

Xenagos as a satyr who lived life to the fullest and who played tricks that stirred up even the gods. Yet, he’s also an example of how bitterness can turn a great trick nasty and how schemes that

Alien Minds

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

. Like most reptiles, their feelings largely revolve around fear, aggression, and pleasure. Lizardfolk experience most feelings as detached descriptions of creatures and situations. For example, humans

register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren’t scared of a troll; instead, they

The Serpent Hills

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

, but can become fierce if threatened or cornered. Hill Giants The party comes across one or two hill giants gorging on a fallen herd animal. When the giants notice the adventurers, they see the

opportunity for another meal. A hill giant retreats when reduced to half its hit points or fewer, preferring prey that does not fight back. Unmarked Grave A low rise covered in hastily collected rocks

The Serpent Hills

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

creatures, but can become fierce if threatened or cornered. Hill Giants. The party comes across one or two hill giants gorging on a fallen herd animal. When the giants notice the adventurers, they see

the opportunity for another meal. A hill giant retreats when reduced to half its hit points or fewer, preferring prey that does not fight back. Unmarked Grave. A low rise covered in hastily collected

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

Breaking the Law

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

appendix C. Characters who overtly engage in criminal behavior are quickly cornered and arrested by members of the City Watch. Those charged with committing a crime are brought before a magister to be

judged. Advocates might intercede on behalf of the characters if they have allied themselves with influential NPCs and factions. For example, characters who become agents of the Lords’ Alliance are more

Actions in Exploration

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

for a balance between ability checks and roleplaying. For example, puzzles are an opportunity for players to do some problem-solving, but players can also lean on their characters’ talents and

information in a book. Taking Turns Often, characters spread out across a room to investigate the elements of the room. (The exploration example in chapter 1 of the Player’s Handbook shows this dynamic

Demogorgon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Stranger Things

solve the problem). If the demogorgon is killed, they can get the blood easily. But let them try other ways if they don’t want to fight to the death. For example, they can get blood off a sword blade immediately after it strikes and damages the creature (they must do this four times to get enough blood).

Playing the Same Character

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

what has happened. The character might grow lightheaded or briefly fall unconscious, for example. But upon awakening, the character feels a profound emptiness and sense of loss. Everything feels

distant and muted, as if their thoughts and feelings were trapped behind glass. Soon, the seriousness of the problem becomes clear. Soul Loss The soulless character has disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight

Dealing with Wealth

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

motivated primarily by money, wealth can threaten the entire campaign. After all, when mercenaries have all the money they’d ever need, why should they risk life and limb any more? Avoid this problem by

for spending their gold. Friends and loved ones, for example, can benefit from their largess, especially if these allies are experiencing hard times. If characters are attached to a settlement and

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

invasion and oppression. Although individually they are timid and shy away from conflict, kobolds are dangerous if cornered, vicious when defending their eggs, and notorious for the dangerous

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

Terminus Features

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

through one without a problem, while a Large creature can squeeze through. These windows have AC 13, 4 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. The windows can be locked from the inside. A

Daask. Kraz, described below, is one example of a helpful bystander. Kraz is a gnoll porter who has endured several run-ins with Daask criminals in the past and bears them no love. At the time of your

Roleplaying Major Ursa

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

through the undead, but finding it’s the problem. We didn’t catch up with the pirates till after they’d left the island. They’d taken as good as they gave. They were a miserable, sorry lot when we

gives him about the island, its inhabitants, and its traps and monsters. For example, questions such as “How do we get through the tunnels underneath the ruins?” are inappropriate because the major

Moral Quandaries

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

Moral Quandaries If you want to give the characters a crisis that no amount of spellcasting or swordplay can resolve, add a moral quandary to the adventure. A moral quandary is a problem of

atone for violating his or her oath. Rescue Quandary. The adventurers must choose between catching or hurting the villain and saving innocent lives. For example, the adventurers might learn that the

Character Objectives

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

alleviates the risk of players losing interest. For example, if the overall story of your adventure involves a quest to deliver a priceless relic to a remote monastery, each encounter along the way is an

constantly threatening the monastery. Some players create their own objectives, which is to be expected and encouraged. It is, after all, as much the players’ campaign as yours. For example, a

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

will unleash on the city through her rats. If she can’t rule, then no one will. Marina’s Plans Element Description Event Rats become a noticeable problem in the streets, with swarms sighted in

Difficulty Class

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

succeeds on any ability check with a DC less than or equal to the relevant ability score minus 5. So in the example above, the fighter would automatically kick in the door. This rule doesn’t apply to

example, once a character’s ability score reaches 20, checks of DC 15 and lower using that ability become automatic successes. Smart players will then always match the character with the highest

Battlefield Events

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

. Mark one victory and advance to Event 2: “The Storm Breaks.” The party retreats. The undead spill into the town. Proceed to Event 5: “Streets of Rage.” Event 2. The Storm Breaks If the defenders hold

docks! The party holds the line. Mark one victory and advance to Event 6: “Rolling Thunder.” The party retreats. The cultists of Talos surge into the town. Go to Event 5: “Streets of Rage.” Event 4

Pursuit Level

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

the individual descriptions in the “Random Encounters” section. The players might come up with additional ways of evading pursuit. Adjudicate these as you see fit. For example, if the characters

another encounter or event offering a distraction. For example, a wandering stone giant, a purple worm, or a pack of savage gnolls whipped into a frenzy by Yeenoghu might show up just as the drow

Random Urban Encounters

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

adventurers find a humanoid corpse. Draft. The characters are drafted by a member of the city or town watch, who needs their help to deal with an immediate problem. As a twist, the member of the watch might

trinket. You can determine the trinket by rolling on the Trinkets table in the Player’s Handbook. Guard Harassment. The adventurers are cornered by 1d4 + 1 guards eager to throw their weight around

Roleplaying

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

adventurers are in a living world. Strive for responses and actions that introduce twists into the game. For example, an old woman whose family was killed at the hands of an evil wizard might regard

the party’s wizard with grave suspicion. However you roleplay a character or monster, the classic advice for writers holds true: show, don’t tell. For example, rather than describe an NPC as shallow

Interacting with Townsfolk

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

that the characters must coat their weapons in the concoction and injure the dragon with those weapons until he retreats to his lair and enters a magical slumber. (The dragon retreats when he has taken

thing: stay away from the Forbidden Vale lest they make the problem worse. If the characters feel like emulating the heroes of old, they should face the dragon outside the vale, trying to catch it while it’s spreading flames across the hillsides.

Event Descriptions

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

use of that facility. For example, a knight might want your Smithy to replace a horseshoe or repair a damaged weapon or suit of armor, or sages might need your Arcane Study to help them settle a

person, or brigands are plaguing the area. If you help, you must dispatch one or more Bastion Defenders. Roll 1d6 for each Bastion Defender you send. If the total is 10 or higher, the problem is

Getting Players Invested

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

a character’s player directly, but instead consider handing over your narrative reins and letting a player describe the perfect detail. For example, say you have a peaceful village you plan to feature

qualities that set them apart from common folk. Reinforce this in your game. NPCs don’t need to gush over the characters, but the characters’ reputations as heroes, problem-solvers, or wonderworkers should

Ilvaash's Anima

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

mind flayers acquired only four or five obelisk fragments, Chishinix sulks here, feeding treats to her severed head. She recognizes the characters’ arrival as a problem and tries to delay them with

, Chishinix isn’t likely to suffer their presence for long. She telepathically alerts the other fanatics and attacks. If reduced to fewer than 30 hit points, she retreats to join the others. A2: Refectory

1. Jarl's Lodge

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

can be a powerful ally. Nilraun knows the command word to free Cryovain (“uvenfetter”), and he trades this information for his life if he is subdued or cornered. For more information about the captured

sound of someone climbing the stairs, he retreats to Storvald’s throne room (area 1G). Two closed doors stand between him and that room. Since he isn’t a giant, Nilraun must use an action to try to

Eladrin

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

, any eladrin can change their season. An eladrin might choose the season that is present in the world or perhaps the season that most closely matches the eladrin’s current emotional state. For example

problem, the more force you apply. 3 You stand tall and strong so that others can lean on you. 4 You maintain an intimidating front. It’s better to prevent fights with a show of force than to harm others

Marine

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

problem, and following it is imperative. (Lawful) 3 Embracing. Life is messy. Throwing yourself into the worst of it is necessary to get the job done. (Chaotic) 4 Might. The strong train so that they might

Bonds d6 Bond 1 I face danger and evil to offset an unredeemable act in my past. 2 I. Will. Finish. The. Job. 3 I must set an example of hope for those who have given up. 4 I’m searching for a

Satyr

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

lived life to the fullest and who played tricks that stirred up even the gods. Yet, he’s also an example of how bitterness can turn a great trick nasty and how schemes that get out of hand aren’t fun

, and I dress accordingly. 7 Having horns is the best. They are fun to decorate, and they can pop open an amphora, no problem. 8 If I have something really important to say, I always make

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