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Returning 35 results for 'planning instead'.
Other Suggestions:
placing instead
playing instead
plating instead
penning instead
Monsters
Acquisitions Incorporated
Evasion. If Viari is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half
and earnest debate, he demonstrates an equal flair for planning and forethought, mad combat moves (involving leaping off high places whenever possible), and dark vengeance.
Viari's career as an
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
few words. He shares leadership of the guild with Boss Delour and has a knack for planning heists. Guild members consider him a brutal but fair leader. Some perceptive guild members—like Kathra
mean nothing to him now. The violence grates on him, and he no longer empathizes with Delour’s fantasies of revenge. Instead, Augustus secretly longs to end his curse and integrate into society
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Spider Climb. The dragon can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without
. (Any)
4
Order. An organized hoard makes me happy—and you don’t want to see me unhappy. (Lawful)
5
Preparation. Justice and righteousness do not guarantee victory. Planning and
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Spider Climb. The dragon can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without
happy—and you don’t want to see me unhappy. (Lawful)
5
Preparation. Justice and righteousness do not guarantee victory. Planning and tactics do. (Lawful)
6
Companionship. Sure
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
against itself (real or imaginary), planning attacks against known rivals, and preparing its defenses against all possible threats. It considers itself the center of the world, in a narcissistic way
might be merciful and pacify the creature with a charm ray or a sleep ray instead of killing it outright. Of course, this mercy has a purpose; the defeated opponent is interrogated, subjugated, and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
captured Indreficus and subjected him to a nightmarish experiment that left him permanently transformed into a pain-wracked living portal. Hazlik presented his creation to the zulkirs, planning to
impress his people’s rulers and gain their patronage. Instead, the zulkirs revealed that Indreficus had not betrayed him. Rather, the zulkirs had watched the pair’s ascent and, wary of their potential
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
dispatch you—and I might succeed—but more thieves will keep trying to interfere with my business. Instead, what if you went back and told everyone my vault was impenetrable and I thoroughly defeated you
famous thief. Goldenbeard is planning to take the diadem for himself, right? He’s still mad about our heist all those years ago. But this ring you can keep. Tell whatever story you like about where
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
, cunning, and planning instead of brute force. Phenax and his champions move with purpose, don’t draw attention to themselves, and use misdirection to keep foes guessing about when and where their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
. 4 I have stopped using language and instead rely on growls and shrieks. 5 I have no fear of death and welcome it in battle. 6 My berserk fury makes a rabid dog look gentle. Gnoll/Cultist Ideals d6
. (Evil) 4 Paranoia. Others are planning to kill and eat me. I must find a way to kill and eat them first. (Chaotic) 5 Self-Sufficiency. When the time comes, even my allies will die by my hand. (Evil
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
upholding their principles. Consider the plots on the Falkovnia Adventures table when planning adventures in this domain. Falkovnia Adventures d10 Adventure
1 The party discovers a town where
“traitors”?
10 On the night of the new moon, no zombie horde appears at Lekar’s walls. Instead, a undead messenger arrives with a missive for General Drakov.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
, consider the plots on the Lamordia Adventures table when planning adventures in this domain. Lamordia Adventures d10 Adventure
1 Sapient lab animals escape Ludendorf University and need
inherit his dying father’s factory in Ludendorf. Instead, Udo Schaller paid assassins to murder his son and had his brain transplanted into Ruprekt’s young body, with the help of Dr. Mordenheim. Udo’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
planning to soften up the troglodytes in area 7a and are not expecting to face adventurers. If four of the drow fall, the survivors use darkness spells to cover their retreat to area 13. 9c. Roper
illusion, which doesn’t attack or react to anything. Any attack or effect that targets the roper ends up targeting the stalagmite instead. The stalagmite has AC 17, 120 hit points, and immunity to poison and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
potent threat in both dueling and earnest debate, he demonstrates an equal flair for planning and forethought, mad combat moves (involving leaping off high places whenever possible), and dark
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Evasion. If Viari is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
in the pale vines of a strangler fig. This tree is an ancient entity named Magtubo. (Use the treant stat block for Magtubo, but its type is Undead instead of Plant.) Magtubo has lived in the Gardens
stat block appears later in this chapter), can usually be found lounging among Magtubo’s roots, planning the Grim Harrow’s next moves. Scarlet Mire Scarlet Mire is a putrid swamp soaked in unspeakable
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
explorer to find it. The inn’s sullen, elderly proprietor, Bartaban (neutral good human commoner), has heard the halfling’s rambling far too often to be humored by it. Séance. Rinaldo is planning to conduct
instead. Once it answers three questions, the spirit departs, and Rinaldo can’t try to summon it again until he finishes a long rest. Here’s what the White Lady knows about the recent happenings around
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
planning to interrogate him for information. The next cell is occupied by the maggot-laced corpse of a grell that starved to death while in captivity. The three westernmost cells are occupied by
. Confined inside is a prisoner named Marta Moonshadow. Fascinated by drow culture, Marta hoped to join the ranks of House Auvryndar but was captured and locked up instead. She seeks an opportunity to prove
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
ongoing operations. You also have a knack for finding weaknesses in enemies — not only in combat, but in a rival’s business plans as well. Mastermind Planning, tactics, misdirection, intrigue, sneak
gravest of insults. For an Acquisitions Incorporated rogue, it’s a compliment. You’re able to look out for yourself in combat, but are smart enough to instead style yourself as the expert who gets out
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Scions of Elemental Evil
Elemental Evil. The cultists are planning the widespread death of innocents across this region, and I won’t stand for it.
“My spies infiltrated Nulb, a village near the temple, and stole a record book from
summon allies to their destructive cause.
“You must find the leaders, eliminate them, and stop the cults’ plot. However, the temple is crawling with cultists. Instead of battling them all directly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer
deserves a territory within Baldur’s Gate proper. He’s planning an attack on Brampton, the destination of much of his smuggling and the territory of his ex-wife, Diamond Urchin.
The Whiskey Lady. Few know
. Instead, her supposed relative welcomes guests, engaging them with sharp wit, hard liquor, political gossip, and political opportunities of “gray” legality. No one seem to know their host’s name
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Planning to Evacuate Once the village leaders agree to prepare for evacuation, the people of Vogler have much to do. Becklin focuses on getting information about the Red Dragon Army and shoring up
lid. If the characters open the box, they find it holds a suit of Solamnic plate armor. If the characters follow Becklin’s instructions, they won’t give the box to Darrett until after the evacuation. If they instead do so before leaving town, see the “Darrett’s Armor” section in chapter 4.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
deserves a territory within Baldur’s Gate proper. He’s planning an attack on Brampton, the destination of much of his smuggling and the territory of his ex-wife, Diamond Urchin.
The Whiskey Lady. Few know
. Instead, her supposed relative welcomes guests, engaging them with sharp wit, hard liquor, political gossip, and political opportunities of “gray” legality. No one seem to know their host’s name
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
. The mind flayer fanatics sensed this psychic weakness when they sought to negotiate with Golcuus about using its labyrinth. Instead of diplomacy, they simply blasted the beholder’s sanity and
some planning. The first step is to reach area L4; from there, the characters must spin the orb to connect area L4 to area L5. Once in area L5, the characters must then return the orb to its initial
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Delour and has a knack for planning heists. Guild members consider him a brutal but fair leader. Some perceptive guild members—like Kathra Bitterwind—have noticed he’s become more reclusive recently
Delour’s fantasies of revenge. Instead, Augustus secretly longs to end his curse and integrate into society. Only a Wish spell can end Augustus’s curse. He has ordered Wanewort, a night hag, to find
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
lie, telling the characters that a madcap named Wazzik is planning to kill Lulu and urging them to take care of this threat first. A successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that the imps are
Redcaps are murderous fey creatures that soak their caps in fresh blood. Madcaps are redcaps that drench their caps in demon ichor instead. Mad Maggie currently commands sixty redcaps and thirty madcaps
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn
his size is Small. Bullywugs captured Nosey outside the demiplane and were planning to offer the puppy to their king as a gift, but Nosey escaped from them. Nosey suffers from a bad cold and sneezes
toad-like bipeds chase a frantic puppy.
Four additional Bullywug Warriors are trying to recapture Nosey, but they quickly turn to attack intruders instead. If a bullywug dies, one remaining
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
take, the stages of the journey should correspond to the way you might give someone directions, as in the example above. Planning the Stages. You can use the accompanying Travel Planner sheet to plan
example, a forest might be home to tiny dragonets instead of birds, or its trees might be festooned with giant webs or have eerie green, glowing sap. A single fantastic element within an otherwise
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
close to her was planning to poison her child after its birth, then found a vial of poison on his person. (The false report and the planting of the poison are both the work of Drivvin Freth, who wants to
” below).
Erelal wears a flowing black and silver gown instead of armor, giving her AC 12, but is still armed with her scourge. The male drow with her are Chaszantar and Ulgreth, two sycophants vying
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
is a festival of both Waukeen and Lathander, and is used for planning business, making treaties and agreements, and receiving envoys from unknown lands and traditional foes. Much wine is drunk over
planning. Sundown brings an end to the festivities, and most folk spend much of the night cleaning and reordering things for the following day. Many visitors decline to participate, but doing so often
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
incapacitated condition. The chairs are stacked to the side because Voalsh never uses chairs, instead preferring to hover vigilantly on guard against her foes. Treasure. The desk holds an amber
who were once mind flayers. Each nothic has a fringe of tentacles beneath its single eye, telepathy to 120 feet, and the following action instead of Rotting Gaze: Mind Blast (Recharge 5–6). The nothic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
not carrying light sources, they can try to hide from these Barovians, who carry pitchforks (+2 to hit) instead of clubs, dealing 3 (1d6) piercing damage on a hit. Barovian commoners rarely leave
without so much as a farewell. They wield light crossbows (+4 to hit, range 80/320 ft.) instead of longbows, dealing 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage on a hit. STRAHD'S SPIES
As the undisputed master of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
whereabouts, or shed light on his intentions. Only if magic is used to coerce them do they reveal what they know: Stonky is planning to launch the Barn Door and all its books into space. The countdown has begun
and attack anyone who isn’t Stonky or a member of the Livestock. These golems resemble humans made of crackling lightning. They use the flesh golem stat block but deal lightning damage instead of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
watching clouds drift past their mountaintop homes instead of living atop those clouds as in days of yore. Family First Most types of giants live communally in large groups of clan mates, but the central
flying predators such as manticores and wyverns. Second, the giants believe they deserve to be rewarded for their forbearance; no one could stop them from simply taking what they want, but instead of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Bjornhild to elaborate, she tells them that she’s planning to attack a nearby Elk Tribe camp and steal their food. She’s taking every member of her camp with her, hoping that overwhelming numbers will make
and have already passed their own variations of the Frostmaiden’s tests. These druids have the darkvision spell prepared instead of animal messenger. They flew to Grimskalle in owl form and entered the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
stat blocks). If they notice an intruder in the mess hall, the goblins panic and attack. The goblins attempt to overwhelm any intruder with sheer numbers, aiming to subdue instead of kill. If all
following items. If the check succeeds by 3 or more, the character finds two items, instead of one. You can choose which item a character finds: A longsword decorated with shimmering filigree, worth 200 gp A
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
) seeking surface-world creatures or structures to destroy
8 1 medusa (attitude: 1d10) anxiously planning its next move
9 1d3 earth elementals (attitude: 1d6 + 2) examining a crystal
people is death and decay. Too many of us brood on the past or haunt our dusty ruins. Can we not focus on the glories that lie ahead, instead of dwelling on the glory we have lost?
—Diancastra