Magic permeates the worlds of Dungeons and Dragons and most often appears in the form of a spell. This chapter provides the rules for casting spells. Different character classes have distinctive ways of learning and preparing their spells, and monsters use spells in unique ways. Regardless of its source, a spell follows the rules in the Player’s Handbook.

What is a Spell?

A spell is a discrete magical effect, a single shaping of the magical energies that suffuse the multiverse into a specific, limited expression. In casting a spell, a character carefully plucks at the invisible strands of raw magic suffusing the world, pins them in place in a particular pattern, sets them vibrating in a specific way, and then releases them to unleash the desired effect-in most cases, all in the span of seconds.

Spells can be versatile tools, weapons, or protective wards. They can deal damage or undo it, impose, or remove conditions, drain life energy away, and restore life to the dead.

Uncounted thousands of spells have been created over the course of the multiverse’s history, and many of them are long forgotten. Some might yet lie recorded in crumbling spell books hidden in ancient ruins or trapped in the minds of dead gods. Or they might someday be reinvented by a character who has amassed enough power and wisdom to do so.

Components

A spell’s components are the physical requirements you must meet to cast it. Each spell’s description indicates whether it requires verbal (V), somatic (S), or material (M) components. If you can’t provide one or more of a spell’s components, you are unable to cast the spell.

Verbal (V)

Most spells require the chanting of mystic words. The words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power; rather, the combination of sounds, with specific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in motion. Thus, a character who is gagged or in an area of silence, such as one created by the silence spell, can’t cast a spell with a verbal component.  These chants and words are all done in a loud forceful voice, and not conducive to a stealthy mission.

Somatic (S)

Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a somatic component, the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures.

Material (M)

Casting some spells requires objects, specified in parentheses in the component entry. A character can use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found in chapter 5 of the Player’s Handbook) in place of the components specified for a spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a character must have that specific component before he or she can cast the spell.

If a spell states that a material component is consumed by the spell, the caster must provide this component for each casting of the spell.

A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these components, but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.

Concentration

Some spells require you to maintain concentration to keep their magic active. If you lose concentration, such a spell ends.

If a spell must be maintained with concentration, that fact appears in its Duration entry, and the spell specific show long you can concentrate on it. You can end concentration at any time (no action required).

Normal activity, such as moving and attacking, doesn’t interfere with concentration. The following factors can break concentration:

Casting another spell that requires concentration. You lose concentration on a spell if you cast another spell that requires concentration. You can’t concentrate on two spells at once.

Taking damage. Whenever you take damage while you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration. The DC equals 10 or half the damage you take, whichever number is higher. If you take damage from multiple sources, such as an arrow and a dragon’s breath, you make a separate saving throw for each source of damage.

Being incapacitated or killed. You lose concentration on a spell if you are incapacitated or if you die.

The DM might also decide that certain environmental phenomena, such as a wave crashing over you while you’re on a storm – tossed ship, require you to succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration on a spell.

The Schools of Magic

Academies of magic group spells into eight categories called schools of magic. Scholars, particularly wizards, apply these categories to all spells, believing that all magic functions in essentially the same way, whether it derives from rigorous study or is bestowed by a deity.

The schools of magic help describe spells; they have no rules of their own, although some rules refer to the schools.

Abjuration (blue): spells are protective in nature, though some of them have aggressive uses. They create magical barriers, negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish creatures to other planes of existence.

Conjuration (yellow): spells involve the transportation of objects and creatures from one location to another. Some spells summon creatures or objects to the caster’s side, whereas others allow the caster to teleport to another location. Some conjurations create objects or effects out of nothing.

Divine (white):  spells that involve healing or specific types of protections.

Divination (grey): spells reveal information, whether in the form of secrets long forgotten, glimpses of the future, the locations of hidden things, the truth behind illusions, or visions of distant people or places.

Enchantment (pink): spells affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. Such spells can make enemies see the caster as a friend, force creatures to lake a course of action, or even control another creature like a puppet.

Evocation (red): spells manipulate magical energy lo produce a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning. Others channel positive energy to heal wounds.

Illusion (purple): spells deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, to miss things that are there, to hear phantom noises, or to remember things that never happened. Some illusions create phantom images that any creature can see, but the most insidious illusions plant an image directly in the mind of a creature.

Necromancy (green): spells manipulate the energies of life and death. Such spells can grant an extra reserve of life force, drain the life energy from another creature, create the undead, or even bring the dead back to life.

Creating the undead using necromancy spells such as animate dead is not a good act, and only evil casters use such spells frequently.

Transmutation (orange): spells change the properties of a creature, object, or environment. They might turn an enemy into a harmless creature. bolster the strength of an ally, make an object move at the caster’s command, or enhance a creature’s innate healing abilities lo rapidly recover from injury.

Combining Magical Effects

The effects of different spells add together while the duration of those spells overlap. The effects of the same spell cast multi pie times don’t combine, however. instead, the most potent effect-such as the highest bonus-from those castings applies while their duration overlap.

For example:

If two clerics cast bless on the same target, that character gains the spell’s benefit only once; he or she doesn’t get to roll two bonus dice.

Crafting Spells

Details related on how to create your own spells are detailed in the Downtime Activity pages.

Homebrew Spells

As the campaign continues and the knowledge that the characters gather in from utilizing magic items, getting attacked by opponents, or just their own research will increase the available pool of spells that they are able to access and use. These spells are either new to the campaign and available to the characters, or they might be replacements, or new spells that could be available if they are researched by the characters.

• REPLACEMENT – These replace existing spells of the same name.
• R – These spells can be made available in special situations, but in all cases can be researched by the characters.

Animal Messenger (REPLACEMENT)

• 2^nd-Level Enchantment
• Classes: Bard, Druid, Ranger
• Casting Time: 1 Action (Ritual)
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S, M*
• Duration: 24 Hours
• Attack/Save: None
• Damage/Effect: Communication

By means of this spell, you use an animal to deliver a message. Choose a Tiny beast you can see within range, such as a squirrel, a blue jay, or a bat. You specify a location, which you must have visited, and a recipient who matches a general description, such as “a man or woman dressed in the uniform of the town guard” or “a red-haired dwarf wearing a pointed hat.” You also speak a message of up to twenty-five words. The target beast travels for the duration of the spell toward the specified location, covering about 50 miles per 24 hours for a flying messenger, or 25 miles for other animals.

When the messenger arrives, it delivers your message to the creature that you described, replicating the sound of your voice. The messenger speaks only to a creature matching the description you gave. If the messenger doesn’t reach its destination before the spell ends, the message is lost, and the beast makes its way back to where you cast this spell.

To determine the chance of a tiny beast being within 30 feet of the caster when the spell is cast, the caster must first make either a Nature or Survival roll for any beast within range of the spell.  This check is completed before the spell is cast so that the caster knows for certain that there is a target within range before casting the spell. A d20 is then rolled to determine if it is flying or ground creature.  Each subsequent search increases the DC by the amount shown in the table unless the caster has changed locations by at least an hour of travel. The difficulty increases for each attempt made in the same area.

At Higher Levels: If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the duration of the spell increases by 48 hours for each slot level above 2nd.

* – (a morsel of food)

Conjure Animals (REPLACEMENT)

• 3^rd-level conjuration
• Classes: Druid, Ranger
• Casting Time: 1 minute
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 hour (concentration)
• Attack/Save: None
• Damage/Effect: Summoning

You summon fey spirits that take the form of beasts and appear in unoccupied spaces that you can see within range. Choose one of the following options for what appears:

• One beast of challenge rating 2 or lower
• Two beasts of challenge rating 1 or lower
• Four beasts of challenge rating 1/2 or lower
• Eight beasts of challenge rating 1/4 or lower

Each beast is also considered fey, and it disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends.

The summoned creatures are friendly to you and your companions. Roll initiative for the summoned creatures as a group, which has its own turns. They obey any verbal commands that you issue to them (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any commands to them, they defend themselves from hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.

The creatures summoned take the form as required by the caster.  There are three basic templates at each of the different CR levels.  The caster must choose a single template for each summoning and all spirits summoned will be the same template and form.  Within each template are specific types that must also be chosen.  The form chosen must match the type selected as well as some form of beast that the caster has seen previously.  The form must be of a beast and not any other type of creature.

CR ¼ Spirit

Special Abilities

Choose One movement type:

• Burrowing: Add in 10 feet of burrowing speed
• Climbing: Add in 30 feet of climbing speed
• Flying:  Add in 40 feet of flying speed
• Running: Increase walking speed by ten feet
• Swimming: Add in 30 feet of swimming speed

Actions

Bite (or Claw): Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing or slashing damage

CR ½ Spirit

Special Abilities

Choose one movement type:

• Burrowing: Add in 10 feet of burrowing speed
• Climbing: Add in 30 feet of climbing speed
• Flying:  Add in 40 feet of flying speed
• Running: Increase walking speed by ten feet
• Swimming: Add in 30 feet of swimming speed

Choose one upgrade to the type:

• Charge: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 3 (1d6) damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Keen Sense: The spirit has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely one type of sense (hearing, sight, or smell).
• Multiattack: two attacks
• Pack Tactics: Advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the creature’s allies is within five feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
• Poison: Add poison to attacks, the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6) poison damage. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
• Pounce: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a melee attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the spirit can make one melee attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

Bite (or Claw): Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing or slashing damage (Note that large creatures have reach of 10 ft)

CR 1 Spirit

Special Abilities

Choose one movement type:

• Burrowing: Add in 10 feet of burrowing speed
• Climbing: Add in 30 feet of climbing speed
• Flying:  Add in 60 feet of flying speed
• Running: Increase walking speed by 20 feet
• Swimming: Add in 40 feet of swimming speed

Choose one upgrade to the type:

• Charge: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Keen Sense: The spirit has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely one type of sense (hearing, sight, or smell).
• Multiattack: two attacks
• Pack Tactics: Advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the creature’s allies is within five feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
• Poison: Add poison to attacks, the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) poison damage. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
• Pounce: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a melee attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the spirit can make one melee attack against it as a bonus action.
• Rampage: When the spirit reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the spirit can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a melee attack.

Actions

Bite (or Claw): Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) piercing or slashing damage

CR 2 Spirit

Special Abilities

Choose one movement type:

• Burrowing: Add in 10 feet of burrowing speed
• Climbing: Add in 30 feet of climbing speed
• Flying:  Add in 60 feet of flying speed
• Running: Increase walking speed by 20 feet
• Swimming: Add in 40 feet of swimming speed

Choose one upgrade to the type:

• Charge: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Keen Sense: The spirit has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely one type of sense (hearing, sight, or smell).
• Multiattack: two attacks
• Pack Tactics: Advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the creature’s allies is within five feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
• Poison: Add poison to attacks, the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
• Pounce: If the spirit moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a melee attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the spirit can make one melee attack against it as a bonus action.
• Rampage: When the spirit reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the spirit can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a melee attack.

Actions

Bite (or Claw): Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing or slashing damage

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using certain higher-level spell slots, you choose one of the summoning options above, and more creatures appear: twice as many with a 5th-level slot, three times as many with a 7th-level slot, and four times as many with a 9th-level slot.

Dancing Wave [R]

• 2^nd-level conjuration
• Classes: Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 feet (5-foot cube)
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 Minute (concentration)
• Attack/Save: STR Save
• Damage/Effect: Combat

You summon a surging mass of water into existence at a point on the ground within range. The mass of water remains cohesive filling a 5-foot radius, though only rises 3 feet from the ground. The area is difficult terrain for any creature without a swimming speed.

For the duration of the spell, as a bonus action you can move the wave of water up to 30 feet along a surface in any direction. The first time the wave enters any creature’s space during your turn, they must make a Strength saving throw or take 2d6 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. A creature automatically fails this saving throw if they are prone.

Earth Ripple [R]

• 2^nd-level transmutation
• Classes: Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: DEX Save
• Damage/Effect: Bludgeoning/Piercing

You cause the earth to deform and ripple, a target creature must make a Dexterity saving throw or suffer one of the following effects (your choice):

Find Traps (REPLACEMENT)

• 2^nd-level divination
• Classes: Cleric, Druid, Ranger
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: None
• Damage/Effect: Detection

This spell highlights to the caster any trap within range that is within their line of sight. It highlights the object that is trapped but not the triggering mechanism.  As an example, if there is a pit that is triggered by a pressure plate somewhere before the pit.  The pit would be highlighted but not the pressure plate. A trap, for the purpose of this spell, includes anything that would inflict a sudden or unexpected effect you consider harmful or undesirable, which was specifically intended as such by its creator. Thus, the spell would sense an area affected by the alarm spell, a glyph of warding, or a mechanical pit trap, but it would not reveal a natural weakness in the floor, an unstable ceiling, or a hidden sinkhole. In all cases, the spell only detects traps that are there by design and purpose and not by some accident of nature.

Because the caster is aware of where the trap is located, they will have advantage on any rolls to disarm the trap or will be allowed to render aid to someone else attempting to disarm the trap.

Hurricane Slash [R]

• 2^nd-level evocation
• Classes: Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 feet (30-foot-long line)
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: DEX Save
• Damage/Effect: Slashing

You condense wind into a razor-sharp blast that shreds a 30-foot-long 5-foot-wide line. Creatures in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 slashing damage on a failed save or half as much on a success.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5 level or higher, you can create an additional line of effect for every two levels. A creature around more than one slash is affected only once.

Ray of Stone [R]

• Transmutation cantrip
• Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 Action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: Ranged
• Damage/Effect: Necrotic

A beam of amber light streaks toward the target, make of ranged attack against the target.  One a hit, it takes 1d8 necrotic damage.  If the target is immune to petrification the ray does not damage the target.

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

Summon Familiar

• 1st-level conjuration
• Classes: Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 hour (ritual)
• Range: 10 feet
• Components: V, S, M (50gp worth of clay, straw, charcoal, and incense)
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: None
• Damage/Effect:

You gain the service of a familiar, a spirit that takes the form of a non-humanoid creature of your choice. It must be in the shape of a creature you have seen before. It’s an Aberration, Celestial, Fey, Fiend, or Undead (choose one) instead of its usual type, uses the Familiar stat block below, and has a three Familiar Points worth of features of your choosing (see Familiar Features). It gains additional Familiar Points to spend when you reach wizard character levels 5, 9, 13, and 17. Whenever the familiar gains an additional Familiar Point, you can replace a Familiar Feature it has with another one of your choices by spending the appropriate number of Familiar Points.

It is possible to receive additional Familiar Points from heroic or some other spectacular action.  The exact amount and timing are up to the game master. You can’t have more than one familiar at a time.

Combat: Your familiar acts independently of you, but it always obeys your commands. In combat, you both act on the same turn and can alternate between Actions and movement as if being performed by the same creature. A familiar can’t Attack (unless it has the Combat Familiar feature) but can take other Actions as normal. A familiar can only take the Help Action to assist with a Check if it has proficiency in the Skill used to make the Check.

Spell Delivery: When you cast a spell with a range of touch, your familiar can deliver the spell as if it had cast the spell. Your familiar must be within 100 feet of you, and it must use its Reaction to deliver the spell when you cast it. If the spell requires an Attack or Save, it uses your Attack Modifier and Spell Save DC.

Shared Telepathy: While you’re familiar is within 100 feet of you, you can communicate with it telepathically. Additionally, as an Action, you can see through your familiar’s eyes and hear what it hears until the start of your next turn, gaining the benefits of any special senses that the familiar has. During this time, you are Deafened and Blinded regarding your own senses.

Pocket Dimension: As an Action, you can temporarily dismiss your familiar. It disappears into a pocket dimension where it awaits your summons. As an Action while it’s dismissed, you can cause it to reappear in any unoccupied space you can see within 30 feet of you. Whenever the familiar disappears into its pocket dimension, it leaves behind in its space anything it was wearing or carrying.

Death: When the familiar dies, it leaves behind a corpse of the form it took, and the caster that summoned it gains one Death Save failure that persists until they complete a Long Rest. If the summoner ever reaches three Death Save failures, they instantly die.

Resurrection: If the familiar has been dead for less than 24 hours, you can cast this spell again while within 10 feet of the familiar’s corpse to return it to life with one hit point. If the familiar has been dead longer than 24 hours or you are unable to retrieve its corpse, then you can summon your familiar into a new body by casting the spell again requiring double the amount of gold pieces worth of diamonds or gems (100gp) as a material component which is consumed in the casting of the spell.

A familiar resurrected in this way suffers a d4 penalty to all Checks and Saves until their next Long Rest and retains all their accumulated Familiar Points.

Familiar Stat Block

Special Abilities

• Telepathic Communication: The familiar can communicate telepathically with its caster while within 100ft of it.
• Magical Being: The familiar doesn’t require food, water, or air, and gives off a faint magical aura.

Repeatable Feature

Each of these features can be selected multiple times.

One Point Features

• Defensive: The familiar gains proficiency in one Save.
• Hardy: The familiar’s HP maximum increases by five.
• Keen Sense: The familiar has advantage on Perception Checks that rely on either sight, smell, or hearing (choose one).
• Linguist: The familiar learns one language of your choice that you know.
• Resilient: The familiar has advantage on Checks and Saves made to avoid or end one Condition on itself.
• Resistant: The familiar gains resistance to one damage type.
• Skillful: The familiar gains proficiency in one Skill.
• Swift: The familiar’s ground speed is increased by 10 feet.
• Talented: The familiar gains +1 to an Ability Modifier.

Two Point features

• Immune: The familiar gains immunity to one damage type or Condition.

Unique Features

Each of these features can only be selected once.

One Point Features

• Aquatic: The familiar gains a Swimming Speed of 40ft and can breathe underwater. If it already has a Swimming Speed, it increases by 20ft.
• Arboreal: The familiar gains a Climbing Speed of 30 feet and can use its Reaction when falling to take half damage from the fall. If it already has a Climbing Speed, it increases by 15 feet.
• Avian: The familiar gains a Flying Speed of 30 feet. If it already has a Flying Speed, it increases by 15 feet.
• Concealed Aura: As an Action, the familiar can hide, or reveal, its magical aura.
• Contagion Sense: The familiar is aware of all poisons and diseases within 5 feet of it.
• Darkvision: The familiar gains Darkvision 60 feet.
• Distant Link: Increase the range of your telepathic communication from 100 feet to 1,000 feet. Your connection is so strong that you always know the exact location of your familiar and precisely how far it is from you.
• Empath: As an Action, the familiar touches a creature and magically knows the creature’s surface level emotional state. The familiar can use an Action to dig deeper into the creature’s true emotional state. The target makes a Charisma Save against your Spell Save DC. Failure: It knows the creature’s true emotions and feelings.
• Friendly Fire: The familiar has advantage on Checks and Saves against your spells and effects.
• Lanky: The familiar is unusually long-limbed and flexible. Its reach for Melee Attacks is increased by 5 feet. It can also interact with objects and creatures from 10 feet away.
• Limited Telepathy: The familiar can magically communicate simple ideas, emotions, and images telepathically with a creature that it can see within 60 feet of it that can understand a language.
• Magically Inclined: The familiar knows one cantrip from the Wizard spell list that doesn’t deal damage, and can cast it at will using Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as its spellcasting ability (your choice when this feature is chosen).
• Mimicry: The familiar can mimic simple sounds it has heard, such as a person whispering, a baby crying, or an animal chittering. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful Insight Check against your Spell Save DC.
• Nimble: The familiar doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks when it leaves an enemy’s reach.
• Predator: The familiar has advantage on Attacks against any creature under half its hit point maximum. It also has advantage on Survival Checks to track down targets it has been around for more than one minute.
• Prey: The familiar has advantage on Stealth Checks and can attempt to Hide even when it’s only lightly obscured.
• Quiet as a Mouse: The familiar makes no sound, leaves no noticeable trail, and can’t be tracked by mundane means while moving at half speed. It also has advantage on Checks made to Hide.
• Sacrificial: When a creature you can see is hit by an Attack while within 5 feet of your familiar, you can use a Reaction to cause the familiar to become the target instead.
• Shapeshifter: As an Action, the familiar can take on the appearance of a Tiny or Small Beast of its choice at will. Its statistics remain unchanged regardless of the form it takes. It reverts to its true form early if it uses an Action to do so, or if it dies.
• Stinging Blood: As an Action, one creature of the familiar’s choice within 20 feet must make a Constitution Save against your Spell Save DC. Failure: The creature takes 1d6 Poison damage and is Poisoned for one minute. The creature can repeat this Save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. Once a creature fails its Save against this feature, the familiar can’t use this again until it finishes a Long Rest.
• Strong Willed: The familiar has advantage on Saves to avoid being Charmed or Frightened.
• Subterranean: The familiar gains a Burrowing Speed of 20 feet and leaves a 5 feet wide tunnel behind it. If it already has a Burrowing Speed, it increases by 20 feet.
• Terrifying: As an Action, one creature of the familiar’s choice within 20 feet must make a Wisdom Save against your Spell Save DC. Failure: The creature is Frightened of the familiar for one minute. The target can repeat this Save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. Once a creature fails its Save against this feature, the familiar can’t use it again until it finishes a Long Rest.
• Too Freakin’ Cute: If the familiar is present for, or involved in, a Persuasion or Performance Check made by you, you can add a 1d4 to the result.
• Tough: The familiar’s HP maximum increases by an amount equal to your level (or twice its CR).
• Watchful: The familiar doesn’t require sleep.

Two Point Features

• Bulwark: The familiar now adds twice your Prof. Bonus to its AC.
• Chameleon: As an Action, the familiar can choose to become Invisible. The effect ends if the familiar moves or uses any Action other than Hide or Dodge.
• Combat Familiar: The familiar gains one of the following Attacks, which it can use when it acts:
• Melee: Melee Attack, 3 + Caster’s proficiency bonus to hit, 1d4 + Caster’s proficiency bonus Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage.
• Ranged: Ranged Attack 30 feet, 3 + Caster’s proficiency bonus to hit, 1d4 damage. The damage type depends on the flavor of the Attack and game master’s approval.
• Distraction: When you are targeted with an Attack within 5 feet of your familiar, you can use your Reaction to have the familiar distract the attacker and impose disadvantage on the Attack. You can use this feature several times equal to your Prof. Bonus per Long Rest.
• Echolocation: The familiar gains Blindsight 30 feet while not Deafened, and advantage on Perception Checks that rely on hearing.
• Evasion: If the familiar is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity Save to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the Save.
• Healer: As an Action, the familiar touches a creature and causes it to regain hit points equal to twice your Proficiency Bonus. Once it uses this feature, it can’t do so again until the next dawn.
• Invisibility: Once per Long Rest, the familiar can use an Action to become Invisible for one minute or until it makes an Attack or casts a spell.
• Malleable: The familiar can move through a space as narrow as one inch wide without squeezing.
• Relentless: When the familiar is reduced to 0 HP, it can choose to drop to one HP instead.
• Speech: The familiar gains the ability to speak and learns 1 language of your choice.
• Spider Climb: The familiar can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make a Check. In addition, it ignores movement restrictions caused by webbing.
• Third Eye: When you use an Action to see and hear using your familiar’s senses, you are no longer Blinded and Deafened to your own. You can see and hear using your own senses, but Perception Checks that rely on these senses are made with disadvantage.
• Tracking: The familiar gains the ability to cast Locate Creature. If the familiar is provided with the blood of the creature, some other piece of its being, or an object that smells strongly of it, the familiar can cast this spell without needing to have seen the creature or know it beforehand. Once this feature is used, it can’t be used again until the next dawn.

Three Point Features

• Combat Familiar: The familiar gains both of the following Attacks, which it can use when it acts:
• Melee: Melee Attack, 3 + Caster’s proficiency bonus to hit, 1d4 + Caster’s proficiency bonus Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage.
• Ranged: Ranged Attack 30 feet, 3 + Caster’s proficiency bonus to hit, 1d4 damage. The damage type depends on the flavor of the Attack and game master’s approval.
• Magic Resistance: The familiar has advantage on Saves against spells and other magical effects.

Unstable Explosion [R]

• 2^nd-level evocation
• Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 60 feet (10 diameter sphere)
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Attack/Save: DEX Save
• Damage/Effect: Fire

You cause an unstable explosion to erupt at a point of your choice within range effecting a five-foot radius, rolling 3d6. For each die that rolls a 6, roll an additional d6 and the radius of the spell expands by 5 feet. Each creature within the final range of the spell must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, they take fire damage equal to the total value of the rolled dice. On a success the target takes half as much damage.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3 level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 foreach slot level above 2.

Customization Options

The combination of ability scores, race, class, and background define your character’s capabilities in the game, and the personal details you create set your character apart from every other character. Even within your class and race, you have options to fine-tune what your character can do. But this chapter is for players who-with the DM’s permission – want to go a step further.

This chapter defines two sets of rules for customizing your character: multiclassing and feats. Multiclassing lets you combine classes together, and feats are special options you can choose instead of increasing your ability scores as you gain levels.

Multiclassing

Multiclassing allows you to gain levels in multi pie classes. Doing so lets you mix the abilities of those classes to realize a character concept that might not be reflected in one of the standard class options.

With this role, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in level, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in all your classes are added together to determine your character level.

Further details are in Chapter 6 of the Player’s Handbook.

Feats

A feat represents a talent or an area of expertise that gives a character special capability. It embodies training, experience, and abilities beyond what a class provides.

At certain levels, your class gives you the Ability Score Improvement feature. Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking that feature to take a feat of your choice instead. Vou can take each feat only once unless the feat’s description says otherwise.

You must meet any prerequisite specified in a feat to take that feat. If you ever lose a feat’s prerequisite, you can’t use that feat until you regain the prerequisite.

All the possible Feats are available for Players to choose for their characters except the Lucky Feat.

Homebrew Feats

As the Campaign progresses more Homebrew feats will be discovered and made available to the characters.

Blindfighting

Extensive and continuous training in complete darkness or in some cases with the aid of blindfolds, have allowed you to hone your remaining senses to a razor’s edge. This specialized combat training has granted you the ability to perceive your surroundings in ways others couldn’t begin imagining. Must have proficiency in Perception.

• You develop blindsight up to a range of 20 feet.
• Your blindsight can only work in a setting where your character can use his other senses, like hearing and smell.
• You gain advantage on Perception checks relying on hearing and scent.

Eldritch Empowerment

You learn two Eldritch Invocation option of your choice from the warlock class. If the invocation has a prerequisite of any kind, you can choose that invocation only if you’re a warlock who meets the prerequisite.

End Him Rightly

You have mastered a little-known sword technique. As an action, you can unscrew the pommel from your sword and throw it at a creature within 20 feet of you. When you do so, you make a ranged weapon attack against it using your Strength modifier (you are proficient in this attack). On a hit, the target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier and must make an Intelligence saving throw with a DC of 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier or be stunned by the impracticality of your tactics until the end of your next turn. The pommel lands within 5 feet of the target, and you have disadvantage on all attack rolls made with the sword whose pommel you unscrewed (due to it being imbalanced) until you pick it up and use an action to screw it back on.

Requires proficiency in at least one kind of sword.

Gastronomy

You have taken the art of cooking to a new art level.  No longer will you look at ingredients like a normal person.  You now have new eyes and a mind that always churns thinking of what could be turned into a recipe and a meal.  This path is not one followed by mere chefs, but those whose life of adventure and search of new and unique food allows you to excel beyond “just cooking a meal”.

You immediately gain the following abilities:

• Increase your Constitution or Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with cook’s utensils if you don’t already have it.
• As part of a short rest, you can cook special food, provided you have ingredients and cook’s utensils on hand. You can prepare enough of this food for several creatures equal to four + your proficiency bonus. At the end of the short rest, any creature who eats the food and spends one or more Hit Dice to regain hit points regains an extra 1d8 hit points.
• With one hour of work or when you finish a long rest, you can cook several treats equal to your proficiency bonus. These special treats last eight hours after being made. A creature can use a bonus action to eat one of those treats to gain temporary hit points or heal equal to your proficiency bonus.
• You can cook what would normally be poisonous dishes and make the editable.  The DC for success is eight + the CR of the creature to be eaten.  Success means the specific meat or vegetable is no longer poisonous and can be eaten safely.  Failure means that eat consumer of the food takes the CR in 1d6 damage.  Once the meal is cooked, no one knows if it is poisonous or not until eaten.  Upon a successful meal, the consumer of these meals gains a resistance to poison for as many hours of the CR of the creature eaten hours.  Only one attempt can be made per long rest.
• Much like an alchemist you can craft wondrous creations, but yours are made of meals.  Given at least two hours and the proper ingredients you can craft many different, delicious, and powerful dishes. Some recipes might take longer to accomplish.

Resourceful

You’ve always hated leaving anything to waste and have always made sure you get the most out of any situation.

• You gain proficiency in the harvesting kit and the herbalism kit.
• You ignore any penalties for harvesting a creature that died a particularly violent death.
• Both appraising and harvesting a creature take half the time than it normally would.

Tool Expert

You have honed your proficiency with particular tools, granting you the following benefits:

• Increase one ability score of your choice by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency in one tool kit of your choice.
• Choose one tool kit in which you have proficiency. You gain expertise with that tool kit, which means your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with it. The skill you choose must be one that isn’t already benefiting from a feature, such as Expertise, that doubles your proficiency bonus.

Town Drunk

You have been drinking for years and have gotten used to the effect of alcohol.

Once you have this feat you gain the following benefits:

• Tipsy and Drunk are now the same level (1/2 your intoxication level)
• You no longer have disadvantages until you reach Wasted.
• You gain a +2 to reach the “Blackout” stage.
• You won’t get hungover if you don’t pass Drunk.

Upgrade Familiar One

Minimum Level: 8

As a wizard you have explored and developed new techniques on how to best train and increase the usefulness of your familiar.  This feat gives you three more familiar points to spend on your summoned familiar.

Upgrade Familiar Two

Minimum Level: 16

Continuing where you left off, you have been able to calculate the exact amount of spirit and magical energy it takes to upgrade your familiar again. You can spend another three extra points on your familiar.

Upgrade Pact of the Chain Familiar One

Minimum Level: 8

Much like the wizard spells of upgrading their familiar, the warlock can do the exact thing, but using different methodologies.  Communing with their patron and instead of requesting additional power for themselves, they request it for their familiar, which will convert their current familiar with a Stage Two version.

Upgrade Pact of the Chain Familiar Two

Minimum Level: 16

Requirement: Upgrade Pact of the Chain Familiar One

Continuing the tradition and power allotment, the warlock begs their patron for yet more power for their familiar creating something that is far more than a familiar and something short of a real monster.  Some of these would give dragons a pause.  This feat allows the Chain of the Pact to grow into a Stage Three familiar.  Note that Upgrade Pact of the Chain Familiar One must have already been chosen.

Perks

Perks are like feats, but in a lessor sense.  They can alter how a character does something, but the low-level Perks will mostly add in a new flavor to the play.  These are rewarded to the characters at specific points of the campaign, such as when a new major chapter has been completed.  They are awarded to the party by the gamemaster at the appropriate time they decide.

Adored

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Bard

Adoration. When a creature using one of your bardic inspirations dies, you can, as a reaction if you are not restrained, begin a standing ovation. Illusory roses, confetti, and underwear appear around the creature as if thrown from an adoring crowd whose rapturous applause can be faintly heard. The creature rolls the bardic inspiration die with advantage (it rolls two dice and chooses the highest result).

Once you use this perk, you may not do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Attunement

Minimum Level: 3

Through the thorough understanding of yourself and the attunement of magic items, you can attune to one additional item than normal.

Avoidance

Minimum Level: 3

If you hit a creature with a melee attack on your turn, you do not provoke opportunity attacks from that creature until the end of your turn. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Beneficent

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Paladin

You instinctively know where a patient’s tension is being held. The divine touch of your hand can temporarily relieve these pressure points, bringing a welcome bliss.

Massage. When you expend at least 5 points of your Lay on Hands, you can give a brief, gentle, but expert massage. The recipient has advantage on its next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. Once you use this perk, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Cantrip Sage

Minimum Level: 3

Choose one cantrip you know that deals damage. When you cast that cantrip, you can forego the damage roll and deal maximum damage instead of rolling. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Chemist

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Acid damage.

Cloakmaster

Minimum Level: 3

When you roll a Dexterity (Stealth) check made to hide and you have disadvantage on the roll because of the armor you wear, you can choose to remove the disadvantage and make a straight roll instead. You can’t use this perk to gain advantage on your Dexterity (Stealth) roll in any way. Once you use this perk. You can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Climber

Minimum Level: 3, Prerequisite: No climbing speed

You gain a climbing speed of 20 feet.

Cunning Movement

Minimum Level: 3

You razzle-dazzle an opponent that is adjacent to you sufficiently such that one ally of yours who is adjacent to you and the opponent gain an additional attack against that opponent at the cost of your action. Once you have used this Perk, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Deft

Minimum Level: 3

You catch yourself instinctively finding the center of gravity of items you hold, often balancing them on a single finger.

Centre of Gravity. Choose any weapon with which you are proficient. Until the end of your next turn, that weapon gains the thrown property (range 20/60) and gains a +1 bonus to attack, and damage rolls you make when you throw that weapon. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Dodge

Minimum Level: 6

As a reaction, turn any Critical Hit against you into a normal Hit. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Empath

Minimum Level: 3

You may add 1d4 to any Insight checks or Charisma saving throws. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Escape Artist

Minimum Level: 3

Your pursuers swear you bathe in grease; no one can keep their hands on you.

• If you add your proficiency bonus to an ability check made to end the grappled or restrained condition on yourself, you can instead add twice your proficiency bonus.
• When you escape a creature’s grapple on your turn, you can immediately use your bonus action to attack the creature you escaped.

Once you use this perk, you may not do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Firebrand

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Fire damage.

Fit

Minimum Level: 3

You can ignore 1 level of Exhaustion (you will not die until 7th level).

Fleet-Footed

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Rogue

For short bursts your movement is so quick it leaves a blurred after-image.

Quickstep. When you use your Cunning Action, you can take the Dodge action. A blurry after-image of your movement is left in your wake until the start of your next turn.

Once you use this perk, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Fleetness

Minimum Level: 3

Your walking speed increases permanently by 5 feet.

Full of Life

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Necrotic damage.

Gorilla Technique

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Monk

For fleeting moments, you find yourself able to interact with objects just beyond your physical reach. Your aura visibly glows when you channel ki and seems to extend far beyond the reach of your arm.

Long Strike. Until the start of your next turn, the reach of all your unarmed strikes is increased by 10 feet.

Once you use this perk, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Gourmet

Minimum Level: 3

You gain the instinctive knowledge of how to properly season, prepare, and cook food. Any dish you make is guaranteed to be delicious and filling regardless of whatever foul ingredients went into it.  Add an additional 1d6 to any cooking rolls you make.

Hard of Hearing

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Thunder damage.

Hardheaded

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Psychic damage.

Hardy

Minimum Level: 6

You have Advantage on all Death Saves.

Healer

Minimum Level: 3

Choose one 1st-level spell you know or have prepared that regains hit points, such as cure wounds or healing word. When you cast that spell at its base level, you can forego the healing roll and cause the target to regain the maximum number of hit points possible from that spell. Once you use this perk. you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Healthy

Minimum Level: 3

When you roll Hit Dice for healing you may re-roll any 1’s or 2’s rolled. You must keep the new result. This effect is retroactive to previous rolls.

Impalement Arts

Minimum Level: 3

When you attack with any thrown weapon, you can treat a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20 as a critical hit. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

In the Darkness

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Radiant damage.

Interfere

Minimum Level: 6

As a reaction, you may give an attack against you Disadvantage. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Marksman

Minimum Level: 3

When you attack with a short bow, longbow, light crossbow, heavy crossbow, or hand crossbow, you can treat a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20 as a critical hit. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Master Swordsman

Minimum Level: 6

Your expertise with the blade is unmatched and few rival your skill.

• While wielding a sword, when you take the dodge action, you can use your bonus action to make a single melee attack at disadvantage.
• While wielding a sword and attacking at disadvantage, you can choose to ignore the disadvantage and instead attack with advantage. Once you use this feature you must complete a long rest before you can use it again.
• When attacking with a sword, you can choose to deal bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, rather than the normal damage type. You must choose the damage type of the attack before making the attack roll.

Material Caster

Minimum Level: 3

Whenever you cast a spell that has a material component that is consumed by the spell, and the material component has a gold piece cost, such as revivify or arcane lock, the material cost for the spell is reduced by 25%. For example, revivify would require diamonds worth 225 gold pieces, rather than 300 gold pieces.

Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Pious

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Cleric

Endow Grace. As a bonus action you can cause a beam of light to shine down on a target you can see within 60 feet. For the next minute, it gains a +1 bonus to all attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws.

Divest Finesse (Evil-aligned variant). As a bonus action you can cause a beam of darkness to shine down on a target you can see within 60 feet. For the next minute, it gains a -1 penalty to all attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws.

Once you use this perk, you may not do so again until you finish a long rest.

Polar Bear

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Cold damage.

Polyglot

Minimum Level: 3

You learn one additional language of your choice. You can choose this perk multiple times.

Preservationist

Minimum Level: 3

Using materials available in your harvester’s kit, you can extend the life of harvested items. Choose one harvested item and double it’s time to expire.  Only the remaining time left for the expiration is doubled.  Once a material has been preserved, it can no longer be affected by additional preservation efforts.  

Only one material’s expiration can be extended per long rest.

Prowess

Minimum Level: 3

You gain proficiency with one skill of your choice. This perk cannot be used to gain expertise with any skill. You can choose these perk multiple times if you choose a different skill each time.

Rite Master

Minimum Level: 3

Whenever you cast a spell as a ritual, the spell’s casting time is increased by 5 minutes instead of 10. All other requirements for ritual casting still apply.

Ritualist

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Wizard

When you prepare your spells for the day, you can spend ten minutes preparing one ritual spell you know.  It appears as arcane script on your forearm.  Before you finish you next long rest, you can cast that spell using only its casting time, and without expending a spell slot.  When you do so, the script fades away, and you cannot cast it again using this feature until the next long rest.

Rod

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Lightning damage.

Scavenger

Minimum Level: 3

You find twice as much food from plants and dead animals upon a successful Survival check.

Shield Bearer

Minimum Level: 3

Sometimes others can benefit from your skill with a shield more than you could.

• Your Strength or Constitution score increases by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You can choose to impose disadvantage on any attack of opportunity made against a creature within 5 feet of you.

Once you use this perk, you may not do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Shield Use

Minimum Level: 3

When you are hit with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to add a +2 bonus to your AC, possibly turning the hit into a miss. You must be wielding a shield and you must be able to see the attacker to gain this benefit. The increase lasts until the end of the attacker’s next turn. Once you use this perk you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Stalwart

Minimum Level: 3

When you hold position, your defenses become near impenetrable.

• At the start of your turn, you can reduce your speed to zero and impose disadvantage on the next melee attack made against you before the start of your next turn.
• When an effect causes you to move without expending your movement, you can choose to move half of the distance instead. Round down to the nearest 5-foot interval.

Once you use this perk, you may not do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Stout

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Force damage.

Swimmer

Minimum Level: 3, Prerequisite: No swimming speed

You gain a swimming speed of 20 feet.

Tactician

Minimum Level: 3

When a creature within 30 feet of you that you can see makes an attack roll, you can use your reaction to grant advantage on that roll. Once you use this perk, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Tracker

Minimum Level: 6

Class Requirement: Ranger

You find yourself able to hone your senses on families of creatures and gain additional insights into the creature as you track it.

Tracker. You meditate for 10 minutes, focusing on one type of creature: aberrations, beasts, celestials, constructs, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, giants, monstrosities, oozes, plants, or undead. For the next 8 hours, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to track creatures of that type.

On a successful check, you learn the following:

• The direction the creature headed.
• If the creature is aware of your presence.
• The creatures approximate speed (in mph).
• How long since the creature was last in this place.
• If the creature is healthy, bruised, bloodied. or wounded (> 75%, 50-75%, 25-50%, or <25% of hit points respectively).

Once you use this perk, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.

Tradesman

Minimum Level: 3

You gain proficiency with one tool, instrument, gaming set or kit of your choice. This perk cannot be used to gain expertise with any tool, instrument, gaming set or kit. You can choose these perk multiple times if you choose a different tool instrument, gaming set or kit each time.

Vile

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Poison damage.

Weathervane

Minimum Level: 6

You have Resistance to Air or Wind damage. You have advantage to remain standing against any attacks that might cause you to fall prone.

Whip Master

Minimum Level: 3

A whip in your hands becomes a deadly weapon.

• When you hit a large or smaller creature with a whip, the creature’s speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
• Whips you wield gain the light property.
• The damage die of whips you wield increases from 1d4 to 1d6.
• You gain a +5 bonus to BDSM.

Gods of the Multiverse

Religion is an important part of life in the worlds of the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse. When gods walk the world, clerics channel divine power, evil cults perform dark sacrifices in subterranean lairs, and shining paladins stand like beacons against the darkness, it’s hard to be ambivalent about the deities and deny their existence.

Many people have a favorite among the gods, one whose idea is and teachings they make their own. And a few people dedicate themselves entirely to a single god, usually serving as a priest or champion of that god’s ideals.

From among the gods available, you can choose a single deity for your character to serve, worship, or pay lip service to or you can pick a few that your character prays to most often or just make a mental note of the gods who are revered in your DM’s campaign so you can invoke their names when appropriate. ]If you’re playing a cleric or a character with the Acolyte background, decide which god your deity serves or served, and consider the deity’s suggested domains when selecting your character’s domain.

The Pantheon

In the following pages are showing the different Pantheons that exist in the Campaign.  The Pantheons are represented by several columns of Information:

• Name:  What they are called and worshiped by
• Rank: At what power level is that deity compared to the others: Greater[G], Intermediate[I], Lesser[L], Demigod[D]
• Alignment: What alignment the god/goddess themselves have and will act toward
• Portfolio:  What powers that specific god/goddess is known to have
• Domain:  What domains of power that the god/goddess covers.  These are the divine domains that clerics focus on.
• Worshipers:  Who worships this specific god/goddess.

Pantheons

• Faerunian Pantheon
• Drow (Dark Seldarine) Pantheon
• Dwarven (Morndinsamm) Pantheon
• Elven (Seldarine) Pantheon
• Giant (Ordning) Pantheon
• Gnome (Lords of the Golden Hills) Pantheon
• Halfling (Yondalla’s Children) Pantheon
• Orc Pantheon

Faerunian Pantheon

Drow (Dark Seldarine) Pantheon

Dwarven (Morndinsamm) Pantheon

Elven (Seldarine) Pantheon

Giant (Ordning) Pantheon

Gnome (Lords of the Golden Hills) Pantheon

Halfling (Yondalla’s Children) Pantheon

Orc Pantheon

When all this started, I had created a PDF for the players to walk them through a couple of basic rules that needed to be clarified, and what, if any limitations this campaign might have on the very large amount of D&D material that is out there and available. Races, Classes, Homebrew, and anything else I thought was important. After a bunch of modification as the campaign progressed, I decided it might just be batter to put it all here. After all, we are already putting all the session content here. Here you go, rule updates, and any other material I thought was important for the players:

• Introduction
• Campaign Details
• Creating a Character
• Races
• Classes
• Personality and Backgrounds
• Equipment
• Customization Options
• Using Ability Scores
• Adventuring
• Downtime Activity
• Combat
• Spells
• Magic Items
• Bestiary
• Gods of the Universe
• Locations
• Factions

Adventuring

Delving into the ancient tomb of horrors. slipping through the back alleys of Waterdeep, hacking a fresh trail through the thick jungles on the Isle of Dread-these are the things that Dungeons and Dragons adventures are made of. Your character in the game might explore forgotten ruins and uncharted lands, uncover dark secrets and sinister plots, and slay foul monsters. And if all goes well, your character will survive to claim rich rewards before embarking on a new adventure.

This chapter covers the basics of the adventuring life, from the mechanics of movement to the complexities of social interaction. The rules for resting are also in this chapter, along with a discussion of the activities your character might pursue between adventures.

Whether adventurers are exploring a dusty dungeon or the complex relationships of a royal court, the game follows a natural rhythm, as outlined in the book’s introduction:

• The DM describes the environment.
• The players describe what they want to do.
• The DM narrates the results of their actions.

Typically, the DM uses a map as an outline of the adventure, tracking the characters’ progress as they explore dungeon corridors or wilderness regions.

The DM’s notes, including a key to the map, describe what the adventurers find as they enter each new area. Sometimes, the passage of time and the adventurers’ actions determine what happens, so the DM might use a timeline or a flowchart to track their progress instead of a map.

Details on Time, speed, and movement can all be found in Chapter 8 of the Player’s Handbook as well as different activities that are important for the players and characters.

• Movement
• Environment
• Social Interaction
• Monster Harvesting
• Drunkenness
• Lockpicking

Death and Resurrection

Death comes to all characters, most of the time violently with blood, guts, and body parts flying in the wind.  A character death can be traumatic to the player and the group they adventure with.  Luckily with magic most things can be fixed, but death is still death.  It is not as easy as everyone hopes it will be.

Any death is difficult, especially for the recovery.  Any character that is brought back after death will possibly develop issues, mental or otherwise.  Side effects after being on the other side should be considered the norm and those issues will have to be dealt with and possibly resolved.

Resurrection Spells

Revivify

This is the cheapest of the resurrection spells in terms of both money and spell level cost. It is a level 3 spell and costs only 300 gold worth of precious gems, however its scope is very limited, as it must be used upon a creature within a minute of its death. Creature returns to life with 1 hit point. This spell can’t return life to a creature that died of old age, and it can’t restore missing body parts.

The chance of success is a DC10 for the caster to overcome, only their spell casting modifier is allowed as a modifier to the casting roll, spells such as Guidance will not work.

Raise Dead

This is more expensive than revivify, costing a gemstone worth at least 500 gold and a 5th level spell slot, however the time frame for use is much larger. Touch a creature dead for no longer than 10 days. A resurrection ritual is required and, if its soul is both willing and at liberty to rejoin the body, the creature returns to life with 1 hit point. This spell has no effect on undead. This spell neutralizes poisons and cures nonmagical diseases. This spell doesn’t remove magical effects. If they aren’t removed prior to casting, they return when the creature comes back to life. This spell closes all mortal wounds but doesn’t restore missing body parts. If the creature doesn’t have body parts or organs necessary for survival, the spell fails.

Coming back from the dead is an ordeal. The target takes a -4 penalty to all attacks, saves, and ability checks. Every time it finishes a long rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.

The chance of success is controlled by the Resurrection Ritual.

Resurrection

The resurrection spell requires an hour of preparation and a gem worth at least 1000 gold. You touch a creature that has been dead for no more than a century, didn’t die of old age, and isn’t undead. A resurrection ritual is required and, if its soul is willing, the target returns to life with all its hit points. This spell neutralizes any poisons and cures normal diseases. It doesn’t, however, remove magical diseases, curses, and the like. This spell closes all mortal wounds and restores any missing body parts.

Coming back from the dead is an ordeal. The target takes a -4 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks. Every time the target finishes a long rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.

If you use this spell on a creature that has been dead for one year or longer, you can’t cast spells, and have disadvantage on all attacks, ability checks, and saves until you finish a long rest.

The chance of success is controlled by the Resurrection Ritual.

Forced Resurrection

The resurrect spell above, but more forceful in that this version of the ritual forces a spirit to return to its body. For this to be successful, a blood sacrifice is required, as is an object that the deceased greatly favored in life. The object must be bathed in the blood of the sacrificed individual before the resurrection ritual is performed.

The chance of success is controlled by the Resurrection Ritual.

True Resurrect and Wish

The resurrection spell requires an hour of preparation and a gem worth at least 25,000 gold. You touch a creature that has been dead for no longer than 200 years and that died for any reason except old age. A resurrection ritual is required and, if the creature’s soul is free and willing, it’s restored to life with all its hit points.

This spell closes all wounds, neutralizes any poison, cures all diseases, and lifts any curses. The spell replaces damaged or missing organs and limbs. If the creature was undead, it is restored to its non-undead form.

The spell can provide a new body if the original no longer exists, in which case you must speak the creature’s name. The creature appears in an unoccupied space you choose within 10 feet of you.

The chance of success is controlled by the Resurrection Ritual.

Reincarnation

If no material matter remains of the individual that one wishes to bring back from the dead, or an individual with a regular resurrection spell is not available, the Reincarnate spell may be used. Requires 1000 gold worth of oils. Touch a dead humanoid, or a piece of one, that’s died in the last 10 days. The spell makes a new adult body for its soul. A resurrection ritual is required and, if the target’s soul isn’t free or willing to come back to life, the spell fails.

The game master picks the new body by rolling 1d100 that determines the character’s new race and gender. The number rolled determines the new body for the soul, which may not be the same race as the old body. The creature remembers its old life and retains its capabilities save for its racial traits, which must be changed if it’s given a new race. See the Reincarnation page for a list of races that your character could become if brought back to life from the Reincarnation spell.

The chance of success is controlled by the Resurrection Ritual.

The Resurrection Ritual

Resurrection Challenge

If a character is dead, and a resurrection is attempted by a spell or spell effect with longer than a 1 action casting time, a Resurrection Challenge is initiated. Up to 3 individuals who knew the deceased can offer to contribute to the ritual via a Contribution Skill Check. The DM asks them each to make a skill check based on their form of contribution, with the DC of the check adjusting to how helpful/impactful the DM feels the contribution would be.

For example, praying to the god of the devout, fallen character may require an Intelligence (Religion) check at an easy to medium difficulty, where loudly demanding the soul of the fallen to return from the aether may require a Charisma (Intimidation) check at a very hard or nearly impossible difficulty. Advantage and disadvantage can apply here based on how perfect, or off base, the contribution offered is which is, again, decided by the game master it is an NPC. If the ritual is being used to restore a character, the game master will confer with the player of the dead character to gauge whether the contributions are effective.

After all contributions are completed, the game master then rolls a single, final resurrection success check with no modifier. The base DC for the final resurrection check is 10, increasing by 1 for each previous successful resurrection the character has undergone (signifying the slow erosion of the soul’s connection to this world). For each successful contribution skill check, this DC is decreased by 3, whereas each failed contribution skill check increases the DC by 1.

Upon a successful resurrection check, the character’s soul (should it be willing) will be returned to the body, and the ritual succeeded. On a failed check, the soul does not return, and the character is lost.

Only the strongest of magical incantations can bypass this resurrection challenge, in the form of the True Resurrection or Wish spells. These spells can also restore a character to life who was lost due to a failed resurrection ritual.

Examples of Contributions

When a resurrection ritual has begun and the other characters and/or available NPCs are seeking to return the deceased to their body (or new body via reincarnation), the contributions they provide are to have emotional or sentimental meaning and usually involves the contributor’s relationship with the deceased. Other than telling the deceased what they meant to the living, some examples of contributions to serve as inspiration are…

• Barbarian: Trophies of their conquests, their weapon, tales of their victories, music featuring war drums, firm and to the point speeches, personal belongings.
• Bard: Inspiring poems or songs about them, performances befitting of their personality, stories of their adventures, their musical instrument(s), personal belongings.
• Cleric: A prayer to the cleric’s deity, cleric’s holy symbol, candles and incense, an expression of what they meant to everyone, personal belongings.
• Druid: A beloved animal companion, beseeching you goddess for assistance, soil of the earth, personal belongings.
• Fighter: Their armor or weapons, trophies, firm and to the point speeches, personal belongings.
• Knight: Their sword or shield, pieces of their riding gear, or any signets or other objects showing their status.
• Monk: Display of their martial arts, meditation in deceased’s memory, candles and incense, personal belongings.
• Paladin: Reminding the deceased of their oath, paladin’s holy symbol, stories of how they have changed the world, their weapon, personal belongings.
• Ranger: Their animal companion, their bow and/or quiver, a preferred type of arrow, trophy from their preferred foe, personal belongings.
• Rogue: Expensive jewelry or gold coins, preferred weapons, tales of their exploits, personal belongings.
• Sorcerer: Magic items of significance, sign of their ancestry, their familiar, personal belongings.
• Warlock: The warlock’s weapon, beseeching their patron for assistance, their familiar, personal belongings.
• Wizard: The wizard’s quarterstaff or spell book, their familiar, magic scrolls and tomes, personal belongings.

Movement

Swimming across a rushing river, sneaking down a dungeon corridor, scaling a treacherous mountain slope — all sorts of movement play a key role in fantasy gaming adventures.

The game master can summarize the adventurers’ movement without calculating exact distances or travel times:

Sometimes it’s important, though, to know how long it takes to get from one spot to another, whether the answer is in days, hours, or minutes. The rules for determining travel time depend on two factors: the speed and travel pace of the creatures moving and the terrain they’re moving over.

Speed

Every character and monster have a speed, which is the distance in feet that the character or monster can walk in 1 round. This number assumes short bursts of energetic movement during a life-threatening situation.

The following rules determine how far a character or monster can move in a minute, an hour, or a day.

Travel Pace

While traveling, a group of adventurers can move at a normal, fast, or slow pace, as shown on the Travel Pace table. The table states how far the party can move in a period and whether the pace has any effect. A fast pace makes characters less perceptive, while a slow pace makes it possible to sneak around and to search an area more carefully (see the “Activity While Traveling” section later in the Player’s Handbook for more information).

Forced March. The Travel Pace table assumes that character’s travel for eight hours in day. They can push on beyond that limit, at the risk of exhaustion.

For each additional hour of travel beyond eight hours, the characters cover the distance shown in the Hour column for their pace, and each character must make a constitution saving throw at the end of the hour. The DC is 10 + 1 for each hour past the first eight hours of travel. On a failed saving throw, a character suffers one level of exhaustion (see Appendix A).

Mounts and Vehicles. For short spans of time (up to an hour), many animals move much faster than humanoids. A mounted character can ride at a gallop for about an hour, covering twice the usual distance for a fast pace. If fresh mounts are available every 8 to 10 miles, characters can cover larger distances at this pace, but this is very rare except in densely populated areas.

Characters in wagons, carriages, or other land vehicles choose a pace as normal. Characters in a waterborne vessel are limited to the speed of the vessel (see chapter 5, “Equipment” in the Player’s Handbook), and they don’t suffer penalties for a fast pace or gain benefits from a slow pace. Depending on the vessel and the size of the crew, ships might be able to travel for up to 24 hours per day.

Certain special mounts, such as a pegasus or griffon, or special vehicles, such as a carpet of flying, allow you to travel more swiftly. The Dungeon Master’s Guide contains more information on special methods of travel.

Overland Movement Table (One Hour of Travel)

Overland Movement Table (Eight Hours of Travel)

Difficult Terrain

The travel speeds given in the Travel Pace table assume relatively simple terrain: roads, open plains, or clear dungeon corridors. But adventurers often face dense forests, deep swamps, rubble-filled ruins, steep mountains, and ice-covered ground — all considered difficult terrain. You move at half speed or slower in difficult terrain.

Hampered Movement Table

Different terrains will cause different movement speeds.  This is true for Combat movement or Overland travel.

Terrain and Overland Movement Table

Quadrupeds, such as horses, can carry heavier loads than characters can.

Mounts Movement Table

Rafts, barges, keelboats, and rowboats are used on lakes and rivers.

If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. In addition to 10 hours of being rowed, the vehicle can also float an additional 14 hours, if someone can guide it, so add an additional 42 miles to the daily distance traveled. These vehicles can’t be rowed against any significant current, but they can be pulled upstream by draft animals on the shores.

Vehicle Movement Table

Special Types of Movement

Movement through dangerous dungeons or wilderness areas often involves more than simply walking. Adventurers might have to climb, crawl, swim, or jump to get where they need to go.

Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling

Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing speed and use it to climb, or a swimming speed and use it to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check.

Jumping

Your Strength determines how far you can jump.

Long Jump. When you make a long jump, you cover several feet up to your Strength score if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing long jump, you can leap only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot of movement.

This rule assumes that the height of your jump doesn’t matter, such as a jump across a stream or chasm. At your DM’s option, you must succeed on a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check to clear a low obstacle (no taller than a quarter of the jump’s distance), such as a hedge or low wall. Otherwise, you hit it.

When you land in difficult terrain, you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to land on your feet. Otherwise, you land prone.

High Jump. When you make a high jump, you leap into the air several feet equal to 3 + your Strength modifier (minimum of 0 feet) if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing high jump, you can jump only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot of movement. In some circumstances, your DM might allow you to make a Strength (Athletics) check to jump higher than you normally can.

You can extend your arms half your height above yourself during the jump. Thus, you can reach above you a distance equal to the height of the jump plus 1 1/2 times your height.

Traveling in Darkness

Unless you can see where you are going, getting anywhere will be difficult.  There are several different types of sight that will allow you to move at normal speed, but unless you can see your movement will be impacted.

Blindsight: You will be able to move up to the distance of your Blindsight and not incur any penalties.  Any attempt to move at full speed, you must make an Acrobatics or Dexterity save that has a DC of 10 + 2 for every five feet moved.

Darkvision: While total darkness is still dim light, moving around is not that difficult and you are able to move at your full speed without any difficulties.

Normal Vision: You speed is limited to ten feet per round and any attempt to move faster requires an Acrobatics or Dexterity check with a DC of 15 + 2 for every five feet moved.

Tremorsense: Much like Blindsense, this ability allows you to see where you cannot see.  You can move up to the distance of your Tremorsense senses without a problem.

Truesight: There is no darkness that can stop you.  You can move normally without any issues.

The Environment

By its nature, adventuring involves delving into places that are dark, dangerous, and full of mysteries to be explored. The rules in this section cover some of the most important ways in which adventurers interact with the environment in such places. The Dungeon Master’s Guide has rules covering more unusual situations.  There are also a lot more details in Chapter 8 of the Player’s Handbook.

Vision and Light

The most fundamental tasks of adventuring-noticing danger, finding hidden objects, hitting an enemy in combat, and targeting a spell, to name just a few- rely heavily on a character’s ability to see. Darkness and other effects that obscure vision can prove a significant hinderance.

A given area might be lightly or heavily obscured. In a lightly obscured area, such as dim light, patchy fog, or moderate foliage, creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

A heavily obscured area – such as darkness, opaque fog, or dense foliage – blocks vision entirely. A creature in a heavily obscured area effectively suffers from the blinded condition.

The presence or absence of light in an environment creates three categories of illumination: bright light, dim light, and darkness.

Bright light: lets most creatures see normally. Even gloomy days provide bright light, as do torches, lanterns, fires, and other sources of illumination within a specific radius.

Dim light: also called shadows, creates a lightly obscured area. An area of dim light is usually a boundary between a source of bright light such as a torch, and surrounding darkness. The soft light of twilight and dawn also counts as dim light. A particularly brilliant full moon might bathe the land in dim light.

Darkness: creates a heavily obscured area. Characters face darkness outdoors at night (even most moonlit nights). within the confines of an unlit dungeon or a subterranean vault, or in an area of magical darkness.

Blindsight: A creature with blindsight can perceive its surroundings without relying on sight, within a specific radius. Creatures without eyes, sue h as oozes, and creatures with echolocation or heightened senses, such as bats and true dragons, have this sense. Note that the range of blindsight is measured from the creature that has that vision as the origin point. There are not any special environmental situations that extend this range.

Darkvision: Many creatures in the worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, especially those that dwell underground. have darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision can see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far as that creature is concerned. However, the creature can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Note that the range of darkvision is measured from the creature that has that vision as the origin point. There are not any special environmental situations that extend this range.

Truesight: A creature with truesight can, out to a specific range, see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects, automatically detect visual illusions, and succeed on saving throws against them, and perceives the original form of a shape changer or a creature that is transformed by magic. Furthermore, the creature can see into the Ethereal Plane. Note that the range of truesight is measured from the creature that has that vision as the origin point. There are not any special environmental situations that extend this range.

Additional Vision Clarification

One of the common traits of the titular dungeons in Dungeons & Dragons is that they tend to be dark. In Fifth Edition, many races and classes give features that allow players to see such conditions, such as Darkvision, but this trait is not infallible. It has drawbacks and limitations that many players and Dungeon Master’s are not aware of.

When it comes to exploration in various types of lighting, many things need to be considered, including the nature of darkness, distances, and obscurement. Bearing these in mind is important for any player or DM to preserve D&D’s mood and balance. It should be noted that the rules of vision are based upon obscurement. While there are three kinds of lighting, including bright, dim and darkness, it is obscurement that governs them. This is where having or lacking Darkvision comes into play.

For characters without Darkvision, darkness is considered heavily obscured, meaning they cannot see in it at all. Perception checks that rely on sight automatically fail. Dim light, including candles and starlight, is lightly obscured. Creatures without Darkvision can see in it, but it is difficult. This means Perception checks that rely on sight have disadvantage. This applies to Passive Perception as well, which grants a -5 to the value when the player would have disadvantage. Lastly, bright light grants full vision. It does not count as having any obscurement at all. However, if the light is from direct sunlight, characters with Sunlight Sensitivity are penalized.

As for characters with Darkvision, the obscurement is moved down a stage based on their distance of vision. For example, a character with a Darkvision of 60 feet treats darkness within that range as dim light, and dim light is treated as bright light. However, outside of that range, darkness is still heavily obscured. In it, the character is still unable to see. What’s more, a creature with Darkvision still has disadvantage on Perception checks in darkness.

It should also be noted that this only pertains to obscurement from sources of light. Darkvision does nothing to protect from other effects of obscurement. For example, the Fog Cloud spell creates an area that is heavily obscured; creatures cannot see inside of it or through it at all. Because Fog Cloud is not a spell that solely affects lighting, Darkvision provides no benefits to sight inside of the area.

Another important distinction to make is the difference between magical darkness and non-magical darkness. The Darkness spell inhibits Darkvision within its area. This spell is notoriously dangerous because even the caster is unable to see within its range. What’s more, it consumes forms of non-magical light, so lighting a torch does nothing to help.

The only way a character can see within the Darkness spell is by using a spell that is third level or higher to create light or the Warlock Invocation Devil’s Sight. This Invocation is very different from Darkvision. Primarily, Devil’s Sight allows the user to see in darkness (including magic darkness) normally, as if it were bright light. What’s more, Darkvision removes a player’s ability to see things in color while in darkness; Devil’s Sight has no such caveat.

Vision, however, interacts differently with invisibility. Creatures with the Invisible condition can hide anywhere, as they are considered heavily obscured for that purpose. However, they still must use the Hide action to benefit from this ability. Note that this doesn’t help against creatures with vision that doesn’t rely on sight, such as Blindvision. Otherwise, they must use their sense of hearing or watch for any traces left by the creature, like footprints in the snow or ripples in shallow water.

If an Invisible creature is not hiding, however, they can be detected. Creatures who try to attack them have disadvantage, and an Invisible creature has advantage on their attacks. However, the best use of invisibility is to Hide to prevent from being targeted. While D&D’s vision system is a little complex, using it properly can really elevate the immersion the game. After all, the only thing scarier than a dungeon is a dungeon cloaked in darkness’ embrace.

Note that in all cases the range of any special vision type is measured from the creature that has that vision as the origin point. There are not any special environmental situations that extend this range.

Summary

Normal Vision Table

Darkvision within Range Table

Darkvision Outside of Range Table

Conditions

Darkness – Darkness creates a heavily obscured area. Night, even most moonlit nights, are considered to cast full darkness as do any areas with a lack of bright light sources.

Dim Light – Dim light creates a lightly obscured area. This is often used to describe the hazy area between bright light (as caused by a torch or other light source) and darkness. Twilight, dawn, and even the light of a full moon are all considered dim light.

Bright Light – Most creatures can see normally in bright light. This is a well-lit room, a sunny day, the area closest to a light source, etc.

Heavily Obscured – Darkness, as well as things such as thick fog or dense foliage, cause an area to be heavily obscured. In these areas, creatures suffer from the blinded condition.

Lightly Obscured – Areas that are lightly obscured cause a creature to have disadvantage on perception checks that require sight.

Blinded – A blinded creature can’t see and automatically fails any ability check that requires sight. Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature’s Attack rolls.

Passive Perception – If a creature has disadvantage on perception checks, that creature takes a -5 penalty to their passive perception score. (We’ll discuss passive perception and how it relates to darkness but check out our full article for more info.)

Magical Darkness – Magical darkness is any darkness created by a spell or other magical effect.

Social Interaction

Exploring dungeons, overcoming obstacles, and slaying monsters are key parts of D&D adventures. No less important, though, are the social interactions that adventurers have with other inhabitants of the world.

Interaction takes on many forms. You might need to convince an unscrupulous thief to confess to some malfeasance, or you might try to flatter a dragon so that it will spare your life. The DM assumes the roles of any characters who are participating in the interaction that don’t belong to another player at the table. Any such character is called a nonplayer character (NPC).

In general terms, an NPC’s altitude toward you is described as friendly, indifferent, or hostile. Friendly NPCs are predisposed to help you, and hostile ones are inclined to get in your way. It’s easier to get what you want from a friendly NPC, of course.

Social interactions have two primary aspects: roleplaying and ability checks.

Roleplaying

Roleplaying is literally the act of playing out a role. In this case, it’s you as a player determining how your character thinks, acts, and talks.

Roleplaying is a part of every aspect of the game, and it comes to the fore during social interactions. Your character’s quirks, mannerisms, and personality influence how interactions resolve.

There are two styles you can use when roleplaying your character: the descriptive approach and the active approach. Most players use a combination of the two styles. Use whichever mix of the two works best for you.

Descriptive Approach to Roleplaying

With this approach, you describe your character’s words and actions to the DM and the other players. Drawing on your mental image of your character, you tell everyone what your character does and how he or she does it.

When using descriptive roleplaying, keep the following things in mind:

• Describe your character’s emotions and altitude. Focus on your character’s intent and how others might perceive it.
• Provide as much embellishment as you feel comfortable with.
• Don’t worry about getting things exactly right. Just focus on thinking about what your character would do and describing what you see in your mind.

Active Approach to Roleplaying

If descriptive roleplaying tells your DM and your fellow players what your character thinks and does, active roleplaying shows them.

When you use active roleplaying, you speak with your character’s voice, like an actor taking on a role. You might even echo your character’s movements and body language. This approach is more immersive than descriptive roleplaying, though you still need to describe things that can’t be reasonably acted out.

Going back to the example of Chris roleplaying Tordek above, here’s how the scene might play out if Chris used active roleplaying:

Results of Roleplaying

The DM uses your character’s actions and attitudes to determine how an NPC reacts. A cowardly NPC buckles under threats of violence. A stubborn dwarf refuses to let anyone badger her. A vain dragon laps up flattery.

When interacting with an NPC, pay close attention to the DM’s portrayal of the NPC’s mood, dialogue, and personality. Vou might be able to determine an NPC’s personality traits, ideals, flaws, and bonds, then play on them to influence the NPC’s attitude.

Interactions in Dungeons and Dragons are much like interactions in real life. If you can offer NPCs something they want, threaten them with something they fear, or play on their sympathies and goals, you can use words to get almost anything you want. On the other hand, if you insult a proud warrior or speak ill of a noble’s allies, your efforts to convince or deceive will fall short.

Monster Harvesting

The act of removing useful body parts from a creature is referred to as harvesting.

Anything that can be harvested from a creature is referred to as a harvesting material or simply material. In general, only creatures that have died may be harvested, but there may be some exceptions based on context.

Appraising

Before a player begins hacking and butchering their hunt, they may instead choose to take a moment first and appraise the creature to be harvested. To do this, they must spend 1 minute examining the creature to be harvested and then roll an Intelligence check, adding their proficiency bonus if they are proficient in the skill corresponding to that creature (see table below).

The DC of the check is equal to 8 + the Harvested Creature’s CR (treating any CR less than 1 as 0). Success on this check grants the player full knowledge of any useful harvesting materials on the creature, the DC requirement to harvest those materials, any special requirements to harvest them, and any potential risks in doing so. In addition, any harvesting check made on that creature by that player is rolled at advantage. A character may only attempt one appraisal check per creature.

Monster Type / Skill Check Table

Splitting Up the Responsibilities

Some party members may prefer to let one character handle the appraisal of materials, while another more dexterous character handles the actual harvesting. In this scenario, all benefits of appraising a creature are conferred to the player doing the harvesting, so long as the player that performed the appraising assists the harvesting player through the whole duration of the harvest.

This section details the steps associated with performing a harvest, and any factors that may influence it.

Harvesting

To harvest a creature, a character must make a Dexterity ability check using the same skill proficiency as listed in the above appraising table.

This check reflects a character’s ability to not only properly remove the intended item without damaging it, but it also involves any ancillary requirements of the harvest such as proper preservation and storage techniques.

Each individual item in a creature’s harvesting table is listed with a DC next to it. Any roll that a player makes that equals or exceeds this DC grants that player that item. Rewards are cumulative, and a player receives every item with a DC equal to or below their ability check result.

Only one harvesting attempt may be made on a creature. Failure to meet a certain item’s DC threshold assumes that the item was made unsalvageable due to the harvester’s incompetence.

For most creatures, the time it takes to harvest a material is counted in minutes and is equal to the DC of that material divided by 5. For huge creatures however, it is equal in DC of that material, while for gargantuan creatures, it is equal to the DC of that material multiplied by 2.

Violent Deaths

This guide assumes that most creatures you attempt to harvest died in direct combat and thus already accounts for the idea that you are harvesting creatures that are not in pristine condition. However, some deaths are more violent than others and can make harvesting useful materials either extremely difficult or downright impossible. Such examples include burning by fire, dissolving from acid, or being completely crushed under a pillar of stone. In these cases, raise the DC for harvesting any of that creature’s materials by 5. Alternatively, the DM may decide that well- orchestrated hunts result in a carcass that is prime for harvesting, such as creatures killed mostly through psychic damage, or those killed in one clean attack. In these cases, the DM should lower the DC for harvesting any of that creature’s materials by 5.

Furthermore, the DM may adjudicate whether some of a creature’s individual materials have been made useless due to effects imposed by them during their death. Examples may include blood being tainted from poisoning, or their pelt being worthless due to excessive slashing/piercing damage.

Expiration

Many harvested goods will start to rot and decay. Below is a quick overview of how we determined expiration dates.

Meat

It is possible to harvest the meat of many creatures, although uncooked meat spoils quickly and often attract other predators. Some creature types have meat that is inedible (i.e., undead), while others carry some sort of stigma (cannibalism, distasteful, unholy). For example, eating a celestial may be considered a vile, unholy act; while eating a monstrosity may be considered disgusting and distasteful; and giants are too like most medium-sized humanoids and is often considered in line with cannibalism. Of course, while buying stigma associated meats is forbidden and possibly illegal in most places, there are always people willing to buy illegal goods (although they may be hard to find).

      * Some monstrosities have meat that is edible (DM Discretion)

The amount of meat is dependent on the beast’s size. The weight of a raw piece of meat is one pound heavier than a ration (one slab of meat, 3 lb. is needed to produce 1 dried ration, 2 lb.).

Eating Meat: Cooked meat can be eaten safely. Cooking meat requires a campfire or oven. Eating raw meat requires a DC 10 Constitution Check. A successful check results in a filling meal. A failure results in debilitating stomach cramps, causing 1 level of exhaustion (disadvantage on ability checks).

Drying Meat: The meat can be dried using salt, spices, heat, and time.

Drunkenness

A pint of ale is never very far away in the world of Faerun. A drink to accompany a fine meal a bit of liquid courage to head into battle, or a celebration after long and arduous journey. A great way for anyone to enjoy themselves, but alcohol itself is a double-edged sword It can make you feel invincible, but it can also make you think you’re seeing double, be careful when consuming for dangerous effects are never tar behind.

Intoxication

For many, alcohol can affect you differently that is where intoxication levels come into effect. Your characters intoxication level is equal to your constitution modifier plus your proficiency bonus and there are different stages to being drunk.

Tipsy

when the alcohol is flowing, and good times are being had by all you start to feel a tingle in your fingers. You gain the sense that you could do just about anything, you are tipsy.

“Tipsy” is when you are 1/4 of the way to being intoxicated rounded down. Therefore, at this stage you have advantage on a charisma-based skill checks and wisdom saves for being frightened At this stage you also gain disadvantage on ranged attacks

Drunk

As the night continues so does your drinking. You’re having a fun night, why stop? Once you’ve reached 1/2 of your intoxication level you reached the point where you are drunk.

At this stage your speech is slurred, you’re seeing double, and your limbs are a little numb. If you are drunk, you gain five temporary hit points and maintain your advantage against fright. You lose your charisma-based advantage and gain disadvantage on ALL attack rolls and intelligence checks.

Wasted

At this point in the night. you are one of the last people in the bar. You’ve ignored that voice in the back of your head saying you should stop and now you’re wasted.

When you are 3/4 of the way to full intoxication you are wasted. You gain another five temporary hit points and cannot be rightened or charmed, but you have disadvantage on all attack rolls and ability checks.

Blackout

Now you have drank too much. You have past the point of no return. You may not be able to form coherent thoughts or even be able to say your own name. You have reached the Blackout stage.

This is the point where you have reached your intoxication level You are at disadvantage for any attack rolls, ability checks and saves aside from Constitution. At this point you must make a constitution save (D.C. equals 10 + 1/2 the number of drinks consumed) every hour or be rendered unconscious.

A Simple Drink

There are many types of drinks that one could imbibe, and those drinks have different levels of intoxication.

Drink Strength Table

Racial Bonus

Dwarves, Half-Ores, and Goliaths have stronger constitutions than most. Therefore, their intoxication level is twice their Constitution modifier plus their proficiency bonus.

Lockpicking

Insert cool intro here. I mean. it’s just a homebrew on lockpicking, what kind of intro does it need? It anything, I’ll just say I think it’s cooler than your usual Dexterity (thieves’ tools) single roll. but that’s just my opinion.

Study the Lock

When faced with some kind of mechanical lock, you can use your Action to Study the Lock. You handle, analyze, and test the lock looking for weak spots and trying to figure out the best plan of attack. Make an Intelligence (thieves’ tools) check against the DC of the lock. If you succeed, you find the mechanism’s weak spots and how to exploit them giving your future attempts at picking the lock advantage.

Additionally, if you take a subtle approach when unlocking the lock, the jam the lock result becomes minor setback and the break the lock result becomes jam the lock. It you fail, you don’t gain any additional information on the lock. Future attempts at studying the lock can only be made after a short rest.

Pick the Lock

You use your Action to try to, you know, pick the lock. You must choose a subtle or a non-subtle approach and then make a Dexterity (thieves’ tools) against the lock’s DC. Creatures without proficiency in thieves’ tools can’t opt for a subtle attempt and creatures using improvised tools make the check with disadvantage.

If you succeed on the check, the lock is picked and opens. If you fail by less than 5, the lock isn’t picked but nothing else happens. If you fail 5 or more, but less than 10, you jam the lock. If you fail by 10 or more, you break the lock on the spot. Hard to visualize? Here’s a handy-dandy table.

DC15 Lock Example Table

Break the Lock

The lock is broken and can’t be picked or used. Sorry, dude.

Jam the Lock

Your attempt at picking the lock caused something to break, catch, jam, or otherwise damage the mechanism momentarily. Future attempts at picking the lock have the DC cumulatively increased by five until the lock is successful picked or properly opened by its designed opening method of the lock’s DC is increased by 15, you break the lock.

Minor Setback

Same as jamming the lock except the DC is only increased by two.

Subtle Approach

You focus on decreasing your chances of leaving visible marks of you forced entry by using subtler, gentler, and less aggressive methods. Your attempts at picking the lock are hard to see to most people. If someone tries to analyze the lock looking for marks, they must make an Intelligence (Investigation) check against a DC equal to 10 plus your Dexterity (thieves’ tools) bonus. seeing nothing out of the ordinary on a failure and signs of your picking on a success.

Non-Subtle Approach

You just want to get the job done, no fuss, no subtlety. You use more aggressive methods and whatever tools your nave in your arsenal to open the lock, like using a piece of metal for leverage. creating dents on specific places to weaken the mechanism, etc., which leaves clearly perceivable marks on the lock or on the area it was placed. Any creature that looks at the lock can see that it was the target of a breaking and entering attempt.

Changing the DC

Some locks can be more susceptible to a specific type of approach. A rusty lock is considerably harder to pick using delicate tools and trying not to leave marks than it is to simply grab a hammer or plyers and try to make the mechanism unlock by force. At the same time, some locks might be too heavy or reinforced to be reasonably made to open without the use of small tools and delicate technique. For that reason, the DM might assign different DCs for the same lock based on what approach is taken. A successful study the lock check tells the character whether one of the approaches is easier than the other or it both have the

Magical Locks

If the lock has a magical component to it. the DM might allow the study the lock check to be an Intelligence (Arcana) check instead of the usual Intelligence (Thieves Tools) check.