failing the rules

Role of the Dungeon Master

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

apply the rules and keep the story going. The DM is a storyteller. The DM sets the pace of the story and presents the various challenges and encounters that the players must overcome. The DM is the

helpful ones. The most important thing to remember about being a good DM is that the rules are a tool to help you and the players have fun. The rules aren’t in charge. You’re the DM — you’re in

Ability Checks

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

each ability is used for. (Constitution checks are rare, as tests of a character’s endurance are usually passive or reactive, making a saving throw more appropriate.) Proficiency When the rules or a

involved.” Sometimes the rules allow for any one of two or more proficiencies to apply to a check. When deciding what check a character should make, be generous in determining if the character’s

Mythals

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

Mythals Mythals are some of the most powerful magic in the world of Toril, constructs that bind and shape the Weave in a particular location, sometimes so powerfully that the rules of magic or even

in cities such as Silverymoon and Evereska, adventurers are most likely to encounter damaged or failing mythals in ruined locations where magic once had great influence. Although an identify spell

L14. Study

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

Seelie and Unseelie courts. (Volumes 3 and 8 are missing from Skabatha’s collection and can be found in chapter 4.) Three Rules to Rule By is a thin, dog-eared book that describes the rules of hospitality

, ownership, and reciprocity in detail (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2). Twilight Tides is a fat, wrinkled book about navigating the oceans of the Feywild. After two books were stolen from her

Gnoll Lair Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

armor scraps and rusty weapons balanced atop the partly open double door. Moving either door triggers the trap, the rules for which are as follows: Avoiding the Trap. A Medium or smaller creature can

slip through the gap between the doors with a successful DC 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check; failing this check triggers the trap. Detect and Disable. As a Search action, a character can examine the

Alliance in Doomspace

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

already joined). The “Vortshu and T’kitka at Vocath” sidebar shows these rules in play. VORTSHU AND T’KITKA AT VOCATH The following is an example of the “Forming a Coalition” rules in play. A

requires the character to succeed on three DC 14 Strength (Athletics) checks before failing three of those checks Zoth’ess Ssurran Representative The ssurran of Fyreen are acclimating to life in Wildspace

Glasya

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

. Glasya, the rebellious daughter of Asmodeus, rules the place and oversees the punishments doled out to devils that stray from their assigned tasks. These lawbreakers are put on trial in Phlegethos, and if

unpredictable. She flaunts the rules of tradition and bends the law without breaking it. She delights in shocking others by springing gambits that catch them unaware. Mortals who go up against

Ogre Lair Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be hoisted 5 feet into the air. The hoisted creature has the Restrained condition until it gets free. Rules for detecting, disabling, and escaping the trap are as

be disabled by a character who takes the Utilize action and succeeds on a DC 13 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check; failing this check triggers the trap. Escaping the Trap. As an action, a creature

Meetings with Sarusanda

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

. Sarusanda witnessed him commit a terrible act in the cult’s name, though she doesn’t give details, and the inquisitor admits she didn’t arrest her father. Sarusanda considers this her greatest failing

. Regardless of the characters’ reaction to this revelation, learning it counts as a secret for the purposes of the Power of Secrets rules in this book’s introduction.

Fireside Contests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Giants of the Star Forge

Fireside Contests The Fireside contests are described below. They can be run in any order. The rules of the Fireside contests are as follows. Competitors. Any number of characters can partake in each

succeed on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check to climb an oily rope. Failing this check by 5 or more causes the creature to fall. Prize. If a character wins the contest of fire giant’s spirit, Diasma

Finding Droki

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

fitted with two tentacle-like things that bob up and down in time with his brisk pace. He keeps muttering a repetitive series of phrases to himself at different volumes, failing to notice you. “Droki is

screams in fright and knocks his feet together, activating his boots of speed. If a chase ensues, resolve the outcome using the chase rules in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Droki has advantage

Eye in the Sky

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

High Sorcery, wherein their dedication to the magical arts is challenged. Failing the test can be deadly, but those who dare to seek magical power without passing the test are branded renegades and

doors in the room should lead outside, no other entrances into the Barb were visible from the exterior. A Spellbook Emblazoned with the Symbol of the Mages of High Sorcery Rules of the Trial Rovina

Lair Locations

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

requires a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check is required to disarm the trap. Opening the chest without disarming the trap, or failing to disarm it

trap, or failing to disarm it, triggers the trap. When triggered, the trap fires a small poisoned dart from the lock. Any creature standing in front of the lock is automatically struck by the needle

21. Azrok's Hold

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

which the ring rests once belonged to Kressando Rosznar, who came to Azrok’s Hold after failing to make progress in dealings with the Xanathar Guild in Skullport. The young nobleman was looking to set up

found Kressando condescending. He killed the nobleman for failing to show the proper respect. Kressando’s gutted corpse was fed to the otyugh in area 17e, but Azrok kept the finger as a trophy. If the

Specific Spells

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

armor in the equipment rules in the Player’s Handbook, but various game features distinguish between the armor you wear and a shield you wield. Take a look at the monk’s Unarmored Defense feature and

shove option in the combat rules, the sanctuary spell does end on you, since you have made an attack. Can I hand a shadow blade to another PC? It only says the blade dissipates as I throw or drop it. No

Ziggurat Locations, Tier 5

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

, defending themselves as necessary. Failing that, they attempt to wangle their freedom through bribery and deceit. Treasure. Chana and Vana each wear a copper fox mask worth 10 gp and two pieces of jewelry

Dice Game. The gamblers are playing an ancient dice game called Madarua’s harvest. They welcome the characters to join in. The buy-in is 5 gp per game. The game’s rules are as follows: Each

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