sages standing adventure

Geryon (Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hierarchy. Sages who study the Nine Hells believe the battle for control of Stygia is a test staged by Asmodeus in hopes of purging the worst impulses from both Geryon and Levistus—or discovering a

the passages, spitting oaths of vengeance against Asmodeus and hatching schemes to reclaim his standing from Levistus. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Geryon can take

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Sages who study the Nine Hells believe the battle for control of Stygia is a test staged by Asmodeus in hopes of purging the worst impulses from both Geryon and Levistus—or discovering a competent

passages, spitting oaths of vengeance against Asmodeus and hatching schemes to reclaim his standing from Levistus. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Geryon can take one of the

Guild Artisan / Guild Merchant Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

in your proficiency with a certain kind of artisan’s tools), as well as the principles of trade and good business practices. The question now is whether you abandon your trade for adventure, or

you if a good case can be made for your innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. Suggested

Characteristics Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to scholarly pursuits, a sage values knowledge highly—sometimes in its own right

Minotaur

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Minotaurs are barrel-chested humanoids with heads resembling those of bulls. Blessed with a supernaturally strong sense of direction, minotaurs make great navigators. Some sages believe minotaurs

adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race’s description

Aarakocra

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

birdfolk. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that

violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race

Guild Artisan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

artisan’s tools), as well as the principles of trade and good business practices. The question now is whether you abandon your trade for adventure, or take on the extra effort to weave

innocence or the crime is justifiable. You can also gain access to powerful political figures through the guild, if you are a member in good standing. Such connections might require the donation of

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. BALDUR’S GATE FEATURE: RUMOR MONGER Via your personal rumor mill and articles

involved, have a strong chance of knowing who is. Suggested Characteristics Sages are defined by their extensive studies, and their characteristics reflect this life of study. Devoted to

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

minstrels, artists, or sages. Human nobles compete for the services of elf instructors to teach swordplay or magic to their children. Exploration and Adventure Elves take up adventuring out of wanderlust

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

unlikely to find the burrows in the first place. Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils

quick, if dangerous, path to wealth. Regardless of what spurs them to adventure, gnomes who adopt this way of life eke as much enjoyment out of it as they do out of any other activity they undertake

Lizardfolk

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

The saurian lizardfolk are thought by some sages to be distant cousins of dragonborn and kobolds. Despite their resemblance to those other scaled folk, however, lizardfolk are their own people and

on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race’s

Masterpiece Imbroglio

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Masterpiece Imbroglio An Adventure for 5th-Level Characters A group of scholars and sages known as the Cognoscenti Esoterica recently purchased a painting of Constantori, a famous courtier rumored to

once have been the most beautiful man alive. The portrait supposedly has occult properties, but before the sages could study it, the painting was stolen by the Agile Hand, a thieves’ guild. In this

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Background As the adventure begins, Eberron’s sages note with interest that four planes will become coterminous with Eberron within the next several months — a rare occurrence even in the annals of

known as the Elder Elemental Eye (perhaps the Dragon Below, the Dreaming Dark, or the Lords of Dust), the four Elemental Princes assemble their cults as described in the adventure. Their goal isn’t

Using the Infinite Staircase

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

the name of Shalfey has uttered a hasty plea. He sent a group of robed sages into the mountains to intercept a falling star, but a creature imperils their journey. Seek these emissaries and help them

Tegefed Mountains. After the adventure, the characters can return to the staircase through the same portal.

Observatories

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

Observatories Observatories are structures that help astronomers and stargazers observe the cosmos. This section includes rules and adventure ideas the DM can use for an observatory in any campaign

explore, and the kinds of people and monsters attracted to an observatory—sages, eccentrics, and space travelers—make it a great location for roleplaying and combat encounters.

Beginning the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Beginning the Adventure This adventure begins with the characters being tasked with finding a Candlekeep scholar who has not returned from a research expedition to the distant eastern realm of

you’re ready to begin the adventure, replacing Great Reader A’lai Aivenmore with another scholar of the characters’ acquaintance if you so choose: A’lai Aivenmore’s mood is dark as they pace before you

Variety Series

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

Variety Series Some groups don’t want a long campaign with sweeping plotlines; they prefer short, unconnected adventures. With that style of game, different players might take turns as DM for one to three sessions at a time, with each adventure standing as a self-contained story.

Candlekeep

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Candlekeep Book of the Avowed Written by Chris Lindsay Edited by Michele Carter and Hannah Rose Standing atop a rocky crag overlooking the Sea of Swords, the massive citadel of Candlekeep has

long since passed. The abundance of these ancillary works makes finding notable tomes an exercise in patience and perseverance. Fortunately, a legion of scholars and sages called the Avowed look after the library and remain vigilant in the care and cataloging of all the knowledge it holds.

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

. Beak and Feather From below, aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing

, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the aarakocra adventurer’s chosen path. Two other circumstances might call an aarakocra to adventure. First, aarakocra

Sigil, City of Doors

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

the Outlands but a plane in its own right, floats the ring-shaped city of Sigil, its myriad structures built on the ring’s inner surface. Creatures standing on one of Sigil’s streets can see the city

required for the operation of particular portals. The city is the domain of the inscrutable Lady of Pain, a being whose purpose and goals are unknown to even the sages of her city. She appears almost

Giants of the Star Forge

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

of the Star Forge” draws on the ideas, maps, stat blocks, and other details in the pages of that book, standing as an example of how to put all those pieces together. You can use Glory of the Giants to

help inspire alterations or expansions to this adventure, and of course to help you create your own adventures and even whole campaigns with giants in prominent roles.

Purpose

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

characters. Detail its leadership, including law enforcement (discussed later in the chapter). Include characters who can provide information, such as sages, soothsayers, librarians, and observant

of adventure and intrigue to your campaign. Adventure Site A village harboring a secret cult of devil worshipers. A town controlled by a guild of wererats. A city conquered by a hobgoblin army. These

Bulette

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

come together only to mate, resulting in a bloody act of claws and teeth that usually ends with the male’s death and consumption. Arcane Creation. Some sages believe the bulette is the result of a mad

, the creatures inevitably reappear. Because their young are almost never seen, some sages suspect that bulettes maintain secret nesting grounds from which adults strike out into the world. Bulette

Planar Portals

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

, appearing as a clear window or a fog-shrouded passage, and interplanar travel is as simple as moving through the portal. Other portals are locations—circles of standing stones, soaring towers, sailing ships

the simplest way to travel from the Material Plane to a desired location on another plane. Often, though, a portal presents an adventure in itself. First, the adventurers must find a portal that leads

The Truth behind the Legend

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a7

entrance to his halls, and went to reside in his final haunt, while his soul roamed strange planes unknown to even the wisest of sages. If the characters gain access to the innermost part of the tomb

place. PLACING THE ADVENTURE In the original Tomb of Horrors, Gary Gygax suggested six possible, far-flung locations for the adventure in the Greyhawk setting—proof in itself that the tomb is liable

A Beautiful Mine

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

A Beautiful Mine The characters can pick up this quest if they start the adventure in Termalaine or shortly after they arrive in town. As they trudge through the streets, they see a young boy

standing on a box, yelling about various local happenings, including the recent evacuation of workers from a nearby mine that has been overrun by kobolds. A reward of 50 gp is offered to anyone who can rid

The Crestfall Coven

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

finally come. With the help of a tiefling scout named Mettle (see the Gala Guests table earlier in the adventure), the hags have been able to spy on the gala. Disguised as three elf nobles from the Feywild

present stolen invitations to the winter wolves standing guard outside, then waltz into Paliset Hall, cackling with delight at how well their plan is unfolding.

Renown

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

Renown Renown is an optional rule you can use to track characters’ standing, individually or as a party, within a particular group, such as a faction, an organization, or a community. A character’s

with another, based on the character’s interaction with each group. You can use renown over the course of an entire campaign or within a single adventure. At a campaign scale, you might set up factions

Early Investigations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

following events in the adventure, employing scrying magic, or methodically searching the Sumber Hills. Some or all of the player characters might begin the adventure already in possession of useful

information because of the adventure hooks in chapter 1. Key clues from these hooks include the following: Best Served Cold: The character hears from tavern patrons in Red Larch that a band of

Damming the Styx

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

the characters visit Bel’s forge later in the adventure (see “Bel’s Forge”), they find it under siege from Shummrath’s hastily mustered forces. The attackers are quickly overwhelmed, forcing

. Rigorath the cambion tells them that Ubbalux must swear fealty to Mephistopheles to escape the standing stones. If Ubbalux does as Rigorath suggests, swearing its undying fealty to Mephistopheles, the

Adventure Background

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

Adventure Background For pious giants, position in the ordning is everything. Brimskarda, a legendary fire giant smith, is discovering what it means to fall in the ordning’s ranks. Various missteps

in recent years have imperiled her lofty station. To resecure her standing in the ordning and prove that she is still the greatest smith among giants, Brimskarda has reclaimed the legendary Star Forge

More Monastery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

More Monastery The original Expedition to the Barrier Peaks mapped out six levels of the adventure’s crashed ship: “a large exploration-colonization expedition of human origin.” This adventure

focuses on only a cursory exploration of a similarly crashed planar craft, but you can easily expand the adventure by allowing characters to discover portals in the monastery that lead to lower levels of

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

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

transitioning from another published adventure to this one. Nightstone is a fortified settlement located a few miles south of the Ardeep Forest, in the untamed hills between Waterdeep and Daggerford. A

lonely wooden signpost, standing where the trail to Nightstone meets the High Road, points the way to the settlement. Nightstone’s closest neighbors are the elves of the Ardeep Forest. Hunters from

A Call for Heroes

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

A Call for Heroes When the adventure begins, the characters know the general history of Redwood Watch and its plight involving missing villagers. As soon as the characters enter the village, council

members Selenar Woodwise and Gwenhumara Goldmoss approach them to provide more information about Redwood Watch’s call for heroes. Read or paraphrase the following: Standing before you are two wood

1. Portal Stones

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

magical gate to Castle Naerytar sits between a pair of moss-covered standing stones visible from all the front rooms of the lodge. Three other portals near the lodge stand between similar stones, and

, and one leads to the desert of Mulhorand, near a blue dragon’s lair. These additional portals should not be a major part of the adventure, but they can introduce cultist nonplayer characters coming

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