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Variant Rules

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

Variant Rules A shared campaign might use some variant rules to handle certain aspects of the game. The Adventurers League, for instance, has variant systems for gaining levels and acquiring treasure

. These “house rules,” presented below, serve as a sort of common language, ensuring that the rewards all characters receive are equivalent no matter what kind of adventure a character experienced.

Speaker Devil

Monsters Astarion's Book of Hungers

Each: Dimension Door, Modify MemoryDevil of Spoken Compulsion Speaker devils are hulking, four-armed devils who discover the secrets of creatures they then compel to perform wicked deeds. Despite

. These devils record the secrets they uncover in Mephistar, Mephistopheles’s vast library in Cania. While greedy to uncover other creatures’ secrets, speaker devils diligently redact any

Amnizu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

have no personalities or memories; they’re driven only by the desire to commit evil. The amnizus that patrol here drill the rules of the Nine Hells into the new arrivals’ minds and marshal

them into legions. Amnizu (Summoner Variant);Variant: Devil Summoning Some amnizus have an action that allows them to summon other devils: Summon Devil (1/Day). The amnizu summons 2d4

Variant Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from the Player’s Handbook, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait.

High Fae Kindguard

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be spoken (though misdirection and riddles are always welcome). To

, the Kindly Lord. Talion is as strange, ancient, and fickle as the wilds of Eldraine, and the Kindly Lord demands fealty and respect from their followers. But despite their austere demeanor, the Kindly

Nafik

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

, seeking forbidden rituals he hoped could teach him the secrets of everlasting life. When the lands of Bakar dried up, the faithful stopped bringing offerings to Amun Sa’s tomb. The threat of

by evil, Nafik now rules over the upper halls of Amun Sa’s pyramid and the priests he sentenced to an exanimate eternity.Necrotic, PoisonBludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical AttacksFire

Living Portent

Monsters The Book of Many Things

encounter. Variant: Servants of Living Stars Some stars in the sky are Elder Evils, alien beings of godlike power from the reality-defying Far Realm. A living portent can be a fragment of these beings

minions to avert its own demise. Khirad, the Star of Secrets. A blue-white star whose gifts grant insight but also reveal terrible truths. Zhudun, the Corpse Star. A dead star that whispers of the

Nagpa

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Hungry to claim more power despite the Raven Queen’s curse, nagpas strive to bring about world-shaking destruction. From the shadows, they manipulate events to bring about ruin. They can bring to

. They then revel in the grand devastation their plotting brought about—looting libraries, plundering vaults, and prying secrets of arcane lore and power from the wreckage.Corruption. The nagpa

High Fae Impostor

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be

followers. Despite having an austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following mysterious whims, journeying to the farthest reaches of Eldraine out of an insatiable curiosity.Bludgeoning

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must

the wilds of Eldraine, and the Kindly Lord demands fealty and respect from followers. Despite having an austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following mysterious whims, journeying to

Circle of Fenris

classes

Savage Devotee of the Great Wolf The bitter Northlands hold many dark groups and secrets. One of the most dangerous is the Circle of Fenris, a circle of Druids who venerate the Great Wolf. Inspired

by the strength and tenacity of Fenris, these Druids feel a kinship to the wolf through their ties to the natural world. Despite their unsavory reputation in the North, not all Circle of Fenris Druids

Young Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply those rules to these aquatic dragons.) Dragon Turtle Personality Traits d8

Dragon Turtle Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

characters, and use the Dragon Turtle Spellcasting table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for

making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply those rules to these aquatic dragons.) Dragon Turtle Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society

; specifically, you know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for you. Variant Criminal: Spy Although your capabilities are not much different

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

liking to you. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can

likely repeat. 5 I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. 6 Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.

High Fae Noble

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

untamed wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored

Lord demands fealty and respect from their followers. But despite their austere demeanor, the Kindly Lord is also known for following their own mysterious whims, journeying to the farthest reaches of Eldraine to satiate their curiosity.Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Bugbear

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

lurking just out of sight, and many of them have sneaked away from that god’s influence. They are long of limb and covered in coarse hair, with wedge-shaped ears and pointed teeth. Despite their

character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each. You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but

, and a pouch containing 10 gp FEATURE: CITY SECRETS You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you

Azalin Rex

monsters

forsook his mortality to pursue arcane studies, this was the ultimate frustration. Despite the limits on his studies, Azalin numbered among the few Darklords who understood the mysterious nature of the

sensor in any Undead in Darkon with an Intelligence of 6 or less, even if it is beyond 1 mile of Azalin. In addition, Azalin can speak through the Undead he placed the sensor in. No Secrets. Whenever a

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

wings are attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in

it to the surface world. Lost and confused, the wyrmling has been captured by a group of cruel adventurers. 3 A deep dragon wyrmling whimsically rules over a worshipful group of kobolds, sending

Ezmerelda d'Avenir Legacy

monsters Curse of Strahd

, a Vistana, is the protégé of Rudolph van Richten—despite the fact that her first encounter with the vampire hunter was anything but pleasant. Witness to Tragedy. When Ezmerelda

for two years, helping him track down and slay many creatures of the night. But because van Richten could never bring himself to fully trust a Vistana, he kept secrets from her. The two vampire

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

table to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. (Though the Monster Manual doesn’t explicitly include dragon turtles in the variant rules for making a dragon a spellcaster, you can apply

those rules to these aquatic dragons.) Dragon Turtle Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I speak slowly and deliberately

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society. Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth Tool Proficiencies: One

always occur in shady venues. Variant Criminal: Spy Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Others strike out on their own in search of the secrets of flight, to master magic, or to uncover the secret of their curse and find a method to break it. Kenku adventurers, despite their relative

their ingenuity and skill had turned toward scheming against their patron, the spark of creativity was torn from their souls. Finally, to ensure that the kenku could never divulge any secrets, their

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in knowledge of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social

dragon;young deep dragon's Humanoid form while committing a string of murders, hoping to turn local Underdark settlements against the dragon. 6 Despite repeated mind flayer attacks, a young

Young Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. (Chaotic) 6 Control. Everyone is welcome, as long as they follow my rules. (Lawful) Crystal Dragon Adventures The Crystal Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers suggestions for stories

’t always appreciate the dragon’s sense of humor. 5 A young crystal dragon finds some manticore;manticores' bluster hilarious and befriends them despite their fear. But the dragon is

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

level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

occupation or social class that frequents the establishment. This contact is delighted to talk with you, and to listen. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an

follow me around. 4 I once satirized a noble who still wants my head. It was a mistake that I will likely repeat. 5 I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble. 6 Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.

Rewards

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

Rewards Adventures in a shared campaign that uses variant rules for gaining levels and acquiring treasure (such as those described below) don’t include experience point awards or specific amounts and kinds of treasure.

Power of Secrets

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

Power of Secrets The characters can learn three secrets in this chapter applicable to the Power of Secrets rules found in this book’s introduction. These secrets are tied to three NPCs whom the

. Describe the Power of Secrets rules to the players at this time, but don’t let them spend any secrets yet. When the characters receive Vecna’s Link, they can spend secrets using the Power of Secrets rules, as described in the introduction.

Creating a Dragonmarked Character

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Creating a Dragonmarked Character Dragonmarks manifest on certain members of a few species, represented in the rules by variant race options: For humans and half-orcs, a dragonmark is a variant race

that replaces traits associated with those races. For half-elves, a dragonmark is a variant race that lets you keep some half-elf traits and replace others with the traits associated with your mark

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of medicine or a place to recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each

in, a pet mouse, a token to remember your parents by, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp FEATURE: CITY SECRETS You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and

Power of Secrets

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

secrets power if revealed to the characters. The characters don’t learn any secrets applicable to the rules in “The Power of Secrets” section found in this book’s introduction, though they can spend secrets during this chapter normally.

Power of Secrets The individuals the characters meet in Avernus are primarily Fiends and other unpleasant beings. As a rule, these creatures lack the remorse, guilt, and shame that would give their

The Power of Secrets

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

“Power of Secrets” section that lists each secret that can be used with these rules. The Secrets Tracker in appendix C helps you keep track of secrets the characters have learned. The Secrets Tracker includes spoilers, so keep it hidden from the players.

The Power of Secrets Wade Acuff Cults of Vecna everywhere are conducting rituals to siphon victims’ secrets, which will fuel the lich’s ritual to remake the multiverse Vecna uses stolen secrets to

Human Traits

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

HUMAN TRAITS If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 6, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait

with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on. VARIANT

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