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Returning 35 results for 'example running'.
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Strahd von Zarovich
Legacy
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monsters
Curse of Strahd
Shapechanger. If Strahd isn’t in running water or sunlight, he can use his action to polymorph into a Tiny bat, a Medium wolf, or a Medium cloud of mist, or back into his true form.
While in
coffin, he transforms into a cloud of mist (as in the Shapechanger trait) instead of falling unconscious, provided that he isn’t in running water or sunlight. If he can’t transform, he is
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
feet and its high jump is up to 10 feet, with or without a running start.20: Two-Headed. The mongrelfolk has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed
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
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
construction and architecture — primarily in crafting the infrastructure that allows Ravnicans to enjoy running water, levitating platforms, and other magical and technological wonders.
You have a
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
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
, inspired by the example of the angels, moved by the plight of the downtrodden, and devoted to the cause of justice. Or you could be a cynic in the ranks, perhaps because you reluctantly followed in the
.
10
I keep running into a particular Simic biomancer, and I enjoy the arguments that inevitably result.
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
with opalescent scales and ruffs of emerald-green fur running down their chins, chests, backs, and tails. One horn arcs from the back of a moonstone dragon’s skull and another at the tip of the
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
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
and ruffs of emerald-green fur running down their chins, chests, backs, and tails. One horn arcs from the back of a moonstone dragon’s skull and another at the tip of the nose; the two horns
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak
Running for One Player If you’re running this adventure for a single player, you can give that player a sidekick as a secondary character. Let the player choose one of the pregenerated sidekicks from
are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including things such as setting up camp and carrying gear. Ideally, a sidekick’s abilities should complement those of the main character. For example, a spellcaster makes a good sidekick for a fighter or rogue.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Being Your Own Patron For certain kinds of organizations, you can either join an existing group or found your own. For some players, the idea of running a crime syndicate, inquisitive agency
to worry about; when you run your own mercenary company, for example, you need to stock your own armory rather than drawing on an existing organization’s stockpile. The organization brings in income
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
, too, but they can share as needed. Let players know beforehand what books (other than the Player’s Handbook) they can reference during a playing session. For example, it’s not appropriate for
players to look up a monster in the Monster Manual (or the equivalent digital tool) while fighting that monster. If you’re running a published adventure, players should avoid reading that adventure so they don’t spoil any surprises.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
thin. The temple contains enough air for the oozes, plus 160 hours of breathable air for one creature, divided by the number of creatures present. For example, a party of four adventurers has 40
unable to move. When the air is used up, they die. Once the first level of exhaustion sets in, the characters become aware that they are running out of air, and know roughly how much they have left
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
adventurers and also include roleplaying hooks in the form of ideals, bonds, and flaws—things you ought to know. For example, if a player chooses the criminal background, one of the options for the
helping the players flesh out the details. For example, if the characters came together to overcome a common foe, the identity of this enemy needs to be determined. If a funeral gathered the group, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
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
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Running the Chase Participants in the chase are strongly motivated to take the Dash action every round. Pursuers who stop to cast spells and make attacks run the risk of losing their quarry, and a
the same time. However, participants can still be the targets of Opportunity Attacks from creatures not participating in the chase. For example, adventurers who chase a thief past a gang of ruffians might provoke Opportunity Attacks from the ruffians.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Running the Chase Participants in the chase are strongly motivated to use the Dash action every round. Pursuers who stop to cast spells and make attacks run the risk of losing their quarry, and a
participating in the chase. For example, adventurers who chase a thief past a gang of thugs in an alley might provoke opportunity attacks from the thugs.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
Running This Chapter This chapter begins with a goblin ambush on the road to Phandalin, leaving it up to the characters to chase their attackers to a cave lair. Before getting into the adventure’s
, suggest something simple. For example, Gundren could be a childhood friend or someone who helped the player’s character escape a tough situation. Transportation Details. Ask the players how their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Playing the Same Character A character who falls victim to the Void card doesn’t have to collapse into a coma; instead, they could have one chance to save themselves, with time running out. This
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
no need to keep track of how many circumstances weigh on both sides. For example, imagine a wizard is running down a dungeon corridor to escape from a beholder. Around the corner ahead, two ogres lie
in wait. Does the wizard hear the ogres readying their ambush? You look at the wizard’s passive Wisdom (Perception) score and consider all the factors weighing on it. The wizard is running, not paying
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
features. Descriptions such as “the ogre with the nasty scar” and “the ogre with the horned helm” help you and your players track which monster is which. For example, imagine that you’re running an
identical miniatures to represent multiple monsters, you can tag the miniatures with small stickers of different colors or stickers with different letters or numbers on them. For example, in a combat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
unique features. For example, imagine that you’re running an encounter with three ogres. You might attach descriptions such as “the ogre with a big scar” and “the ogre with the helmet” to help you and
mountain pass For example, in a combat encounter with three ogres, you could use three identical ogre miniatures tagged with stickers marked A, B, and C, respectively. To track the ogres’ Hit Points, you
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
monsters. If you aren’t using miniatures or other visual aids, one way to track your monsters is to assign them unique features. For example, imagine that you’re running an encounter with three Ogres
Running Combat This section builds on the combat rules in Playing the Game and offers tips for keeping the game running smoothly when a fight breaks out. Rolling Initiative Combat starts when—and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
.
Whether you’re running a published adventure or one of your own creation, your initial description of a room or situation should focus on what the characters can perceive. You don’t have to reveal every
complete a task. In those cases, you typically call for a D20 Test, usually an ability check. For example, a successful Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check might be needed to pick the lock, while a
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
. The sphere dissipates whenever it touches anything—a ray, a creature, or a hard surface, for example. These minor magic items have a short life span, and as they age, they begin to emit loud clucking
unpredictable for classroom use and then use the wizard gizzards in the game of the same name. This night at Bow’s End Tavern is the first such event of the term, and enthusiasm is running high. Playing the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
community. For instance, those officers who take gold from the Boromar Clan believe that the Boromars help keep the city running and give the people what they want. But if some strangers in town break the
law, they’re just troublemakers who deserve to be run in. As another example, the guards of the Dura Bazaar have an understanding with the gang of pickpockets known as the Little Fingers. As long as the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
-hunting (see “University”). In any of these cases, the potential employer might represent an established organization (a crime syndicate or university, for example) or might be independent like your
party. In the latter case, there’s always the possibility that you could end up competing with an organization—running up against a crime syndicate while pursuing a criminal job, perhaps, or competing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
specifies otherwise. For example, a ship that is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide occupies a 20-by-10-foot space. A ship can’t move into a space that is too small to accommodate it. If it tries to do so
any passengers who might ride along. Passengers don’t generally engage in running a ship, but they also don’t need to be mere bystanders. Seasick merchants and marines thoroughly capable of facing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
of a franchise’s task slots are filled, one of those tasks must be completed before staff can be allocated to a new franchise task. (The one exception to this rule is the running a franchise activity
). For example, a rank 2 franchise can undertake two concurrent franchise tasks. If the characters are setting out to explore the Swamp of Lingering Malaise, they might order their majordomo to send
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
same kind of creature are present, since the druid might favor a certain kind of beast or plant.) Running the Encounter. The frost druid aims to kill the characters or send them scurrying back to Ten
giant riding a mammoth, as the earth rumbles and trembles with every one of the mammoth’s heavy footfalls. Running the Encounter. The frost giant has come down from the Spine of the World mountains
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
questions to help narrow down options. As an example, consider a group of characters whose franchise headquarters is a submersible ship, and whose staff are largely former pirates. While the characters head
tasks might drive the campaign. Even after a specific franchise task has concluded, the DM can make notes for how that task might tie to future tasks. For the characters running the submersible
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Example Observatory Map 13.1 shows an example of a midsize observatory. This observatory is staffed by 2d4 scholars who study the stars and provide visitors with information and counsel. Use the mage
through small holes in the floor to a subterranean waterwheel. Since this observatory is on a hilltop with no access to running water, attendants use a Decanter of Endless Water to fill an elevated basin
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
that best describe the creature. Knowing the creature’s alignment can also help with your portrayal. The classic advice for writers holds true: show, don’t tell. For example, rather than describe an
and inspire the other players by their example. However, be sure to tailor aspects of social interactions to fit the other players’ tastes too. Involve Specific Characters. If you have players who don’t
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
usually describes locations so the players know what’s happening and have a sense of what their characters’ options are.
Whether you’re running a published adventure or one of your own creation, your
hinder a character’s ability to complete a task. In those cases, you typically call for a D20 Test, usually an ability check. For example, a successful Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check might be needed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
your XP budget as you can without going over. It’s OK if you have a few unspent XP left over. Examples are given below: Example 1. A low-difficulty encounter for four level 1 characters has an XP
), for 150 XP total Example 2. A moderate-difficulty encounter for five level 3 characters has an XP budget of 225 × 5, for a total of 1,125 XP. With that, you could build either of these encounters: 2
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Running Wilderness Encounters When you’re ready to stage an encounter in the wilderness, roll two 20-sided dice of different colors. The first d20 is the encounter die; the second d20 is the blizzard
. The Random Wilderness Encounters table is structured so that certain monsters are more likely to be encountered in a blizzard than others. For example, at the two extremes, yetis are always
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
can help you design adventure content that provides opportunities for character development. Keep a running tally of the adventurers’ classes and levels, as well as any quests and downtime activities
record of adventures, which you can refer to if your own log is incomplete.) NPC Notes. Record statistics and roleplaying notes for any NPC the characters interact with more than once. For example, your