mechanics smart with only artistry from for long

Giant Lynx

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

likely hunting locations. They’re also smart enough to outwit many of the hunters who seek to trap them for their fur, and they’re fond of disabling any trappers’ snares they find in

their territories. Frost and cloud giants sometimes befriend giant lynxes and treat them as beloved pets. As long as the lynxes’ intelligence and independence are respected, the creatures are happy to share their divination magic with their giant companions.Cold

Ancient Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

predictable only in my unpredictability. 6 It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water. 7 I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for

where the dragon can bask in the sunlight and watch the waves below. Entry Tunnel. A long tunnel leads from the outcropping to the heart of the lair. Decorated Caverns. The walls of the lair are

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

unpredictability. 6 It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water. 7 I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for bronze dragons; while I wait

in the sunlight and watch the waves below. Entry Tunnel. A long tunnel leads from the outcropping to the heart of the lair. Decorated Caverns. The walls of the lair are mostly still in their natural

Aranea

monsters

as the Spider Swamp in Calimshan, where they create beautiful objects that express their artistry and which are sometimes traded to other communities. Most araneas prefer to avoid combat, befuddling

their foes long enough to skitter to safety. Roll or choose a result from the Aranea Crafts table as inspiration for an aranea’s crafting talent. Aranea Crafts 1d6 The Aranea Is

Shadowmoor Giant

monsters

takes great slumbers bordering on hibernation. These giants sleep for so long that they fuse with the surrounding earth, imbuing them with the land’s ambient wild magic. The giants can mold and

uninterrupted. Smart adventurers avoid these archways for fear of evoking the sleeping giant’s ire. Treasure hunters might search for the archways in hopes of finding the place abandoned but still

Grung

Species One Grung Above

THIS IS NONCORE D&D MATERIAL These game mechanics are usable in your campaign if your DM allows them but not refined by final game design and editing. Grungs are aggressive froglike

lethargic and compliant. A creature afflicted in this way over a long period of time becomes a shell of its former self and can be restored to normalcy only by magic.

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

friend. In spite of the added discomfort, the dwarf’s long, pointed, often-broken nose and gray-streaked though still-fiery red beard came as a welcome sight to Drizzt. “Knew I’d find

common shades are light brown or deep tan, like certain tones of earth. Their hair, worn long but in simple styles, is usually black, gray, or brown, though paler dwarves often have red hair. Male

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world. Slender and Graceful With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members

. Since they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society, which is regimented from day to day but constantly changing over decades, so

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

into the future. This approach allows them to maintain their current level of influence in the world, but it limits their growth. Lizardfolk have no interest in developing writing, making long-term

pity. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long. The typical human would barely make it through a day in the swamps. Still

Way of the Long Death

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

Way of the Long Death Monks of the Way of the Long Death are obsessed with the meaning and mechanics of dying. They capture creatures and prepare elaborate experiments to capture, record, and

required) to have 1 hit point instead. Touch of the Long Death Starting at 17th level, your touch can channel the energy of death into a creature. As an action, you touch one creature within 5 feet of you

Survival Skills

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

itself to give its fellows time to collapse a nearby tunnel and prevent invaders from getting to the rest of the tribe. All kobolds know that fleeing from danger, especially against bad odds, is the smart

thing to do, but they are smart enough to realize that the strategic death of an individual can buy valuable time for the rest of the tribe, and each individual reluctantly accepts this need for

Chapter 8: Castle in the Clouds

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

. Characters should have time to deal with Talis and possibly other cultists before it takes to the sky. The characters must be smart in how they tackle storming the castle — it’s clearly a well

-fortified place. They also can’t wait too long. If the characters tarry, Skyreach Castle leaves to pick up more treasure from another lair of the cult. The exact moment when it takes flight is up to you as DM

Look Out Above

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

Look Out Above Chief among the creatures drawn to the scent of death on the island is a monstrous peryton (see appendix C) known as Rasp. This creature has long hunted across the region, searching

is smart enough to not fight to the death, though, and it leaves the island to return to one of its mainland lairs if reduced to half its hit points or fewer. If Rasp reduces a character to 0 hit

Chapter 8: Castle in the Clouds

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

. Characters should have time to deal with Talis and possibly other cultists before it takes to the sky. The characters must be smart in how they tackle storming the castle—it’s clearly a well-fortified

place. They also can’t wait too long. If the characters tarry, Skyreach Castle leaves to pick up more treasure from another lair of the cult. The exact moment when it takes flight is up to you as DM. If

Troglodyte

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

Troglodyte The Monster Manual provides statistics for the typical troglodyte. Once in a while, a troglodyte tribe produces an unusually smart and strong specimen that can spew acid — what many

damage. Greatclub. Melee Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. Acid Spray (Recharge 6). The troglodyte spits acid in a line 15 feet long and 5 feet wide

Dust Hulk

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

their ancestors’ passion for artistry, but instead of carving stone, they view their bodies as living works of art. As they fly, coursing along wind currents or blowing through underground tunnels

like living sandstorms, they create mesmerizing dances with their ever-shifting forms. It’s tempting to view the various hulks as symbols of the long, slow decline of the giants as a people. But that’s

Harpers

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

Harpers Any smart, non-evil character can join the Harpers of Waterdeep. Bards and wizards are especially welcome. Harpers are altruists who work behind the scenes to keep power out of the hands of

evil tyrants. In the current situation, it doesn’t take long for them to suspect that the Zhentarim is wholly or partially responsible for the escalation of violence in Waterdeep. Harper spies might

Stone Giant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Stone Giant Stone giants are reclusive, quiet, and peaceful as long as they are left alone. Their granite-gray skin, gaunt features, and black, sunken eyes endow stone giants with a stern countenance

cavern cathedrals, their buttresses and columns carved with a beauty that shames the legendary stonecraft of the dwarves. Carvers and Seers. Among stone giants, artistry ranks as the greatest

Commerce

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

. Smuggling has also long been a profitable business here. The dwarven mining operation promises to bring about a rapid growth in Saltmarsh’s fortunes. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing depends on

boats, while less well-to-do folk hire out to work as deckhands. The work is difficult and dangerous, but a smart deckhand can save money for several years and eventually buy their own boat. That

Never Alone

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

patrolling the laboratory section (areas 1 to 23). On a 3–4, it patrols the temple section (areas 24 to 39). There are no fixed mechanics for encounters with the thessalhydra, but feel free to have

. Accustomed to inspiring fear, and having grown somewhat lazy in its guardian role, it is usually content to let foes flee from it rather than pursuing. Each time the characters finish a long rest in

Giant Lynx

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

likely hunting locations. They’re also smart enough to outwit many of the hunters who seek to trap them for their fur, and they’re fond of disabling any trappers’ snares they find in their territories

. Frost and cloud giants sometimes befriend giant lynxes and treat them as beloved pets. As long as the lynxes’ intelligence and independence are respected, the creatures are happy to share their

Light Domain

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

shadow and see through every deception. Some are deities of beauty and artistry, who teach that art is a vehicle for the soul’s improvement. Clerics of a god of light are enlightened souls infused with

uses when you finish a long rest. Channel Divinity: Radiance of the Dawn Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to harness sunlight, banishing darkness and dealing radiant damage to

Reaching Grudd Haug

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

alarm, putting the entire den on alert (see “Denizens”). If the characters use the airship’s weaponry to attack Grudd Haug, the den’s defenders are smart enough to take cover behind walls. Defenders armed

Objects. Most of the furnishings and other items in Grudd Haug are sized for hill giants. Exceptions are noted in the text. Tables, benches, and other room fixtures are typically twice as high, long

26. Chipgrin's Rise

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

he’s smart and can help the characters connect the dots if they’ve heard of Juiblex and its unending hunger. If either Topsy or Turvy are with the characters, Chipgrin is pleased to welcome them to the

diplomats and peacemakers. If they take Chipgrin’s message to the Diggermattocks and arrange an audience, Chipgrin suggests that they stick around long enough to see what comes from “all this chit-chat and howdy-do!”

Stone Giants

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

shifting light, endless sky, changing climate, and eroding wind, represents a dream state, an unreality where nothing lasts and therefore nothing has significance. Ordning of Artistry Among stone giants

highest levels of artistry, stone giants compete in games of boulder hurling and catching. Their rock-throwing skills suit stone giants well when they have cause to defend their homes or attack enemies

Bestiary

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light

ensure their respites go uninterrupted. Smart adventurers avoid these archways for fear of evoking the sleeping giant’s ire. Treasure hunters might search for the archways in hopes of finding the place

Shadowmoor takes great slumbers bordering on hibernation. These giants sleep for so long that they fuse with the surrounding earth, imbuing them with the land’s ambient wild magic. The giants can mold and

Avarice's Arrival

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

are met, which Vellynne has no intention of doing. Avarice as an Ally Avarice is smart enough to ally with the characters if doing so might help her conquer Ythryn, but she won’t join forces as long as

Step 5: Add Flavor

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

flesh out your encounter in these ways, go right ahead and finish your creation. Otherwise, take a look at the following sections for some basic advice on adding flavor elements to the simple mechanics

ground can go a long way toward spicing up an encounter. Consider setting your encounter in an area that would provide challenges even if a fight were not taking place there. What potential perils or

Horror Atmosphere

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

. Furniture, whether by its arrangement or removal, can suggest a specific location. Props can even represent game mechanics, such as tracking hit points with crimson flat glass marbles in clear goblets

-game items are kept away from the play space. Perhaps phones and tablets are permitted as long as they are silenced and used away from the table. Additionally, not everyone is comfortable being

Fighter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

coin you’ve been promised for a job if the job leaves you dead. Keeping them Guessing No combat tactic is too down-and-dirty when your life and the welfare of your franchise are on the line. Smart

fighters use any means necessary to gain the edge in battle, whether those tricks were learned from a long-gone drill instructor, first used by an opponent against you, or an original tactic perfected by

Ataaz Muhahah

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

skilled artistry remains apparent. The living monkeys chatter and shriek continually, and the gorge echoes with the sound of their cries. Occasionally, the echoes from up and down the gorge overlap

skeleton lying at the statue’s feet is all that remains of a human explorer killed by the golem. It has long since been picked clean. Bridge Gap Part of the bridge has fallen away, leaving a 20-foot

18. Iron Mine

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

Valtagar knows that his wife is a dragon in disguise. In her true form, Stalagma looks like a slender, 30-foot-long dragon with shiny steel-gray scales covering her body, steely talons, and blade-like

), dealing 13 (1d10 + 8) slashing damage on a hit, or 19 (2d10 + 8) slashing damage in her enlarged duergar form. Instead of Cold Breath, she breathes acid in a 60-foot-long, 5-foot-wide line. The breath

Fire Giant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

the difficult and dangerous work for long. Though fire giants are skilled in the engineering of mine tunnels and the gathering of ore, they place less importance on the safety of their serfs than on

the giants, fire giants produce the greatest crafters and artists. They excel at smelting and smith work, as they do at the engineering of metal and stone, and the quality of their artistry shows even

Modifying a Class

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

? Does replacing the feature affect how long the party can continue adventuring in a day? Does the feature consume resources provided elsewhere in the class? Does the feature work all the time, or is it

regained after a short rest, a long rest, or some other length of time? Armed with answers to these questions, you can start designing new features that replace the ones you are removing. It’s fine if

Simulation Chambers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

, curiosities, and devices of unknown purpose. Mister Blip wears a smart-looking leather apron with a score of tools of various purpose tucked into tiny leather loops. The only other article of clothing

proud, among others. A long, smartly crafted bronze mustache completes his ensemble. Quote: “If you’re looking for a quick answer, I’m probably not the best place to find it.”

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