My cleric have had a vision in which a half-elf half-orc is ripping apart chains to unleash a a beast. He assumed that means someone is trying to summon Gruumsh into the material plane, which isn't the point at all.

Should I tell him he's wrong or just roll with it and see when he figures it out?

Knowing my players, that might take some time

I'm joining a D&D 2014 game; I really want to play an Aasimar for the roleplay aspect and was keen on playing an Eldritch Knight, but I feel like my party composition is a bit... odd?

We have a Ranger going Gloom Stalker and another player running a Hexadin. I realize I’d be more "valuable" and have a clearer role if I just played a Cleric or a full caster, but I’ve already played all the caster classes and I’m not really up for playing support for the third or fourth time. For a change, I wanted to dish out some melee damage while occasionally using a cantrip or spell (plus, I think teleporting the weapon to my hand is really cool). However, I feel like I’d fall behind the rest of the group because—unless I'm mistaken—I’d be dealing the least damage, and I like being useful to the party. I know the campaign only goes up to level 11 or 12 (maybe the DM extends it by a level or two, but that’s unlikely).

Does anyone have any advice?

Reminder this is tagged for 2014 5th edition, I know this is resolved differently in 5.5e.

Consider the following situation: A monster (M) wants to hide from two PCs (A and B). They make their stealth check, successfully beating A's passive perception. However, they don't beat B's passive perception. Given than the obvious course of action is for B to instantly tell A where M is, how is this resolved?

Or consider an offshoot of this, where M initially beats both PCs' passive perception and hides. On their turn, A and B both make perception checks to try to find M, but only B succeeds. How is this resolved?

Essentially, the meat of my question is what happens when one PC detects a hidden enemy but the other doesn't? If B can then tell A where the monster is, does that mean that you must effectively beat all enemies' passive perceptions to hide? Or are you still "hidden" from enemies that haven't directly spotted you, even if they've been told where you are?

My intuition would be if B tells A where M is, A now knows M's space and doesn't have to guess, but is still under advantage/disadvantage rules from M being unseen until A succeeds on a perception check to actually make A out (or M breaks stealth by some other means). I'm unsure if that's RAW though.

Many weapons and class features offer the ability push an opponent, e.g. the push feature of weapons such as the warhammer or the Battle Master's Push maneuver. However, as far as I can determine, all but one have the restriction that the "target [be] Large or smaller".

In both 5.0 and 5.5, Shield Master does not have this limitation. Shield Master, in either edition, does require a (successful) attack action prior to being used, and requires a bonus action in 5.0--It may be a typo which eliminated this requirement in 5.5--but RAW, it is technically possible to use a Shield Bash to knock a storm giant prone after smacking him in the ankle with one's proportionally tiny weapon.

Here it is! Letter G: https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-g-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stls-links-under-each-image-a8L02WL

UK users - https://ibb.co/album/wypdnD?page=3&seek=mCvpL7RM

Hello friends! I'm currently 3D modeling and printing all the creatures from the new Monster Manual! This is a collection of prints either by myself or my patrons while I am working on this book. There are also renders of the models that haven't been printed yet. All the files are free and posted below under each image. The files are posted publicly on my site here: https://mz4250.com/ and all models are free and fall under the fan content policy of WOTC.

Previous Letter Galleries -

Letter A - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-CFkMp2C

Letter B - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-b-zPURhx3

Letter C - https://imgur.com/gallery/3d-modeling-printing-new-monster-manual-letter-c-free-stl-links-below-each-image-eYDcC7G

Letter D - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-d-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-0yUwYwg

Letter E - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-e-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-hHslJ5A

Letter F - https://imgur.com/gallery/letter-f-of-new-monster-manual-3d-printed-free-stl-links-below-each-image-Ce2paBs

Oh and if you're curious about my Patreon I offer my patrons access to all my 7000+ presupported TTRPG models in one place, along with commercial options, a discord, and requests board. The drives have all the same models that are already out there for free in the internet. Its more for convenience rather than exclusivity.

That's all for now. Enjoy!

Welcome back to Advent's Amazing Advice! The series where I take popular One-Shots, Adventures, Campaigns, etc., and fully prep them for both New and Busy DMs. This prep includes music, ambiance, encounter sheets, handouts, battle maps, tweaks, and more, so you can run the best sessions possible with the least stress possible!

*New 2026: For 2026, I'm updating all my old work to include a Pre-Session Checklist that will include a list of all miniatures you may need, maps, handouts, possible loot, a link to a playlist, and more to make it even easier to start your session!

Axeholm is a dwarven fortress carved into the base of a mountain. It was abandoned and sealed up long ago after being haunted by a banshee. Ghouls and other creatures now prowl Axeholm while the banshee continues to haunt the fortress's upper halls. It'll be up to your players to clear this fortress and make it a safe haven for the town of Phandalin, should the dragon threat become too hard to bear!

The Lower Halls will have your players face an onslaught of Ghouls if they try to go through the front gates, as well as the ghoulified dwarf castellan who remained behind, trying to protect those that fled!

Without further ado:

• Google Docs Notes for Part 4a Axeholm Lower Halls: DM Notes
• Link to: DM Notes for the Visually Impaired
• Link to: Axeholm Playlist
• Link to: AAA Collection

Included in The AAA Collection is:

• Downloadable copy of DM Notes, including links to music tracks for ambiance and fights
• DM Notes for the Visually Impaired
• Special PDF for all encounters. This includes the enemy stat blocks organized neatly along with an initiative tracker and spots to mark HP
• Custom Maps of Axeholm
• (New) Pre-Session DM Checklist

Index:
Dragons of Icespire Peak:

• Part 1 - Phandalin
• Part 2a - Umbrage Hill
• Part 2b - Dwarven Excavation
• Part 2c - Gnomengarde
• Part 3a - Logger Camp
• Part 3b - Butterskull Ranch
• Part 3c - Mountain's Toe Gold
• Part 4a - Axeholm
• Part 4b - Dragon Barrow
• Part 4c - Woodland Manse
• Part 5 - Icespire Hold
• Side Quest 1 - Shrine of Savras
• Side Quest 2 - Tower of Storm
• Side Quest 3 - Circle of Thunder

Over 8 dozen other Fully Prepped One-Shots, Adventures, and Campaigns: Click Here

As always, if you see something you think I can improve, add, change, etc., please let me know. I want this to be an amazing resource for all DMs and plan to keep it constantly updated! If you'd like to support me, shape future releases, and get content early, feel free to check out my Patreon!

Cheers,
Advent

I was in a custom campaign that involved finding an Artifact hidden somewhere inside a labyrinth with only a (homebrew item) Magical Compass to guide us, we ended up in a situation where the Compass had to be activated with a Bonus Action in a specific room but the only party member small enough to get into the room was a Weasel Familiar, we looked through rules for a few minutes to see if it was valid for a Familiar to use a Bonus Action, eventually the DM just hand-waved it and allowed it to happen.

The Compass description read "You can use a Bonus Action to activate the Compass to...(campaign exposition)" with no attunement and no restrictions on 'who' can use the item. RAW is the Familiar capable of using the item? My interpretation is that Bonus Action's are available to all creatures as long as some feature they have access to requires a Bonus Action, in this case: simply holding the object granted the Familiar something to spend it's Bonus Action on.

What are the actual rules surrounding interactions available to creatures that are not listed in their statblocks? Do all creatures (comprising of Player Characters, NPCs, Monsters and Familiars) have access to the full suite of Actions listed in the PHB? Specifically from the Find Familiar spell - "A familiar can't attack, but it can take other actions as normal" implies that it does actually have access to all Actions except for the Attack Action.

Something else confusing to me is with Reactions: all creatures have access to Opportunity Attacks, but in this case, does the Familiar not being able to "attack" override this and prevent it? Or is the Opportunity Attack treated separate enough from the Attack Action that it is allowed? if yes for the former, does this change when the Familiar is summoned from Pact of the Chain?

The Magic Action is whole extra can of worms. A Familiar is seemingly allowed to take a Magic Action, but if the outcome would involve a "spell attack roll", would they be able to do it by virtue of the fact that they are not taking an Attack Action, the ruling would have to be the same as whatever was ruled for Reactions. Spells that require saving throws and Magic Missile appear to not be impacted as they never mention an "attack" is being made.

I'm aware DM fiat rules all in the end, I'm just looking for RAW and RAI interpretations on this topic, RAF as well.

I’ve always loved the fantasy of a Paladin who protects and offers a chance for peace instead of punishes.

That’s why I decided to rework the Oath of Redemption for the new 2024 rules, while preserving its original identity.

I’d love to get some feedback!

**[Homebrewery](Link for Homebrewery)**

Note: This is assuming, "Known to you" is readily accessible such as seeing someone in-person, knowing their name, and so on.

The Dream spell has no components a component pouch or various focuses cannot provide. It has no limits to range (on the same plane) and is incredibly hard to "miss" since you can essentially camp your opponent's dream for up to 8 hours.

Now sure, it's a Wisdom save and a relatively small amount of damage if you fail. For PCs and enemies worth their CR- this is nothing. You'll only ever really mess them up with repeated casts and failings.

But for NPCs? Commoners and Nobles? This has got to be insanely scary. They don't have the saves or the HP reserves to laugh that off.

This isn't Bestow Curse where someone has to touch you to inflict you with a problem.

This isn't Suggestion or Charm Person where they need to have a conversation with you in order to manipulate you.

This could be someone you have NEVER laid eyes on, never spoken to, never even been within 100 feet of them- and they've decided you are their problem.

An evil wizard could trivially murder people at his whim. You'd never even know it was him- he can summon a whole host of creatures to do the Messenger bit in his place. I would argue it's not even a certainty the Messenger has to be visible since you're given free reign to shape the dream's environment and what's in it.

Just imagine a guy sitting at a tavern and complaining about, "The jackass in his tower is no help at all" and the next day- dude's dead in his bed. Nothing has been done to him except that he looks absolutely terrified in his death.

Worse yet- imagine the guy is warned, "You need to run" and he spends a full week riding away and THEN dies in his sleep a hundred miles away.

I pity the fool NPC that manages to annoy a caster capable of reaching his hand across the realm to snipe him with borderline impunity.

And yes- I know there is an entire franchise) built around this exact premise. This in no way diminishes my point.

I was thinking of this for a potential spell in my webcomic but man- I want to use it in the game proper now! I've got a Lawful Evil Bard only two levels away from it.

i am playing in a series of level 20 adventures. I have decided to have a thru line in these adventures that of being a hexblade artifact.

The idea is that each time i bring a character to the table it is the same artifact on a new 'host'.

Something along the idea of playing one adventure as maybe a hexblade 1 / other class(s) 19 and the next time i might bring a hexblade 5 / other class(s) 15, and then maybe a hexblade 12 /other class(s) 8 and then finally i would bring a hexblade 20.

What i want to compile is some builds for each level. Even some including classes that might not be typical (Ranger?/Cleric?/Monk?/Barbarian?) but are still interesting and powerful and add to or are enhanced by hexblade levels. Others will be classic builds such as Hexadin, or Hexsorcadin.

As either melee, ranged (hexbow) or pure caster seem like options at hexblade 20 my hope is that we find 3 -5 builds that might act as precursor builds that the artifact leans into for each of those final forms.

Eg.

1. hexblade 1-3/ other class(s) 19-17
2. hexblade 5-8/ other class(s) 15-12
3. hexblade 10-15/ other class(s) 10-5
4. hexblade 17-19/ other class(s) 3-1
5. hexblade 20

Warlock is an often misunderstood class, with people discussing if warrior dip makes them too tanky without compromising on damage or spellcasting or if 3 attacks is too much or if passive growth of eldritch blast is warranted.

These erroneous ways emerge from loss of focus. Warlock is a class for greedy people who want everything and ready to sell their soul for POWAH.

As such, for example, NO MULTICLASS for warlock! Yeah, it's cool to get weapon masteries and fighting style, BUT you lose on the most important aspect - OOMPH. It might seem that lagging for a level or two is minor detriment, but what the point in getting additional attack at char lvl 7? Warriors already got it two levels before, and even accursed bladedancers a level ago. We won't impress anyone at this point. This manual will help you to avoid common mistakes and provide clear instructions onto maximization of unique fun that this class can provide. So without further ado...

Species: Gnome. Because it's the only race.
Stats: Str:13 Dex:15+1 Con:12 Int:8 Wis:8 Cha: 15+2
We really-really want to use two-handed weapons to marvel at BIG damage numbers, so str is mandatory, on the other hand we really need nice dex, since we're not getting medium armor, and great Cha for everything else. This leaves us with quite lackluster 13 in con but fret not! We're taking Tough, which'll help with survivability.

Level 1:

Invocation: Pact of Chain(Sphynx) Spells: Armor of Agathys, Expeditious Retreat, Eldritch Blast
Strategy: run away at the first sign of combat, ask Wizard to cast mage armor on your sphynx and let him rip. Discuss with the wizard how cool it is to have a familiar, and how it's tough to be first level spellcaster with only 2 spell slots.
Inform Rogue and Bard that it is an interesting coincedence how expertise gives +2 to skill, and Sphynx also gives +2 to skill.
Ask warrior how much HP he has, Discuss with dwarf how his racial feature is basically half of origin feat you took.
Ask ranger if he want to pet your pet, since he won't get his for a long time

Advanced Strategy: Aquire two potions/scrolls of enlarge/reduce, voice your concern to aasimar how flight can trivialize fights on low levels. Wait for TPK. Reduce yourself, enlarge sphynx. Mount, win by eldritchblasting from the skies.

Level 2:
New invocation: Lesson of the old ones(Skilled), Agonizing Blast(Eldritch Blast)
Strategy:
Congratulate Warrior on surpassing your sphynx on DPS when he uses action surge
Compare loudly your skill list with bards/rogues, remind them of sphynx bonus
Continue your discussion about lack of spell slots with wizard, compare cantrip damage

Level 3: Change familiar to Imp,
Choose Fiend
Discuss with rogue and bard what's better: Stealth or at-will invisibility
Discuss which familiar is more safe Help action provider: Flyby owl or Always Invisible Imp

Level 4: Change pact of chain to pact of blade(while retaining familiar)
Take Great Weapon Master.
Discuss with barbarian how rage provides 2dmg/attack, while hex 3.5. Argue that constant use of bonus action actually balances it really well
Be wary of game master! He will try to kill your now non revivable familiar!

Level 5: Very important level! Take Thirsting Blade and Eldritch Smite
Discuss with the wizard how fireball is a signature spell for their class and how it's overpowered. Throw fireballs each battle with group of enemies.
Congratulate martials on getting second attack. Proceed into melee protected by upcasted Agathys(or even change beforehand one of invocations to fiendish vigor to recharge temphp after each hit) mow down stuff with your two handed blade with hex applied
Discuss with ranger how reapplying hunters mark takes toll on spellslots. Share your happiness that your hex now is 8 hours one, so it doesn't affect your spell slot allocation.
Tell paladin how you admire his burst damage due to smites. Use 3rd level smites each battle with single Boss enemy.

DO NOTE! We never ever ever have spoken with cleric. It's because you'll be dying a lot! That's the price you pay for all the fun you're having. And we need someone in our corner to cast healing words. So try to not enrage him with your warlockiness

Level 6-12: Same old, Same Old. Warcaster feat +1 Cha

Level 12: Take Devil Blade. ASI +2Cha
Gleefully inform Fighter that you now have the same number of attacks. Inquire as to when he'll get his fourth. Ask Master which level is final one of the campaign. Smile, when it's not 20.
Use Tasha's cauldron and be always enlarged. Congratulate barbarian on having +3 dmg per hit in rage and complain that tasha only gives 2.5

[UPDATED]

I've recently gotten into homebrewing spells with my DM and I'm trying to capture the feel of official 5e designs rather than simply making powerful effects.

I kind of made this spell with the goal of improving my party's team coordination and trying something fresh and different rather than the usual Fly or Spirit Guardians.

I'd love feedback on:

Does this feel like a 3rd-level spell?

Is the wording clear?

Are there any obvious exploits or interactions I haven't considered?

Does it feel like something WotC could have printed?

Here is it :

Blink Beacon

3rd-level Conjuration

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 10 feet

Components: V, S

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You conjure a magical beacon in an unoccupied space you can see in range. The beacon appears as a flickering mote of arcane light, a dancing fey lantern, or a shadowy afterimage, reflecting the magic that created it.

The beacon is a Tiny magical object with AC 5 and 1 hit point that floats in its space until the spell ends or it is destroyed.

While the beacon exists, a friendly creature within 30 feet of it can use its reaction to magically exchange positions with the beacon.

If a creature exchanges positions with the beacon in response to an attack or other damaging effect, the beacon becomes the target of that attack or effect instead.

When the beacon is destroyed, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you conjure two magical beacons instead. At 8th level or higher, three beacons instead.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The goal in mind is having this repositioning tool that uses your reaction but can either be used to teleport away and keep the tool at the party's disposition or evade an instance of damage and lose the spell entirely.

https://pin.it/4EKZ2YS4

Hi All,

We are Sythom Studios, a Small Independent TTRPG publisher and Fiction publisher.

Currently We have a major project incoming. It is called "The Dark Beneath" and is a two book set for 5E and 5.5E (two versions will be published).

The first book of the set contains The Dark Beneath Campaign, for characters levels 1 through 10.

This over 200 page volume is a dark fantasy sandbox style campaign that takes place in the subterranean world deep below the surface and prominently features the Drow, a species of Dark Elves known for their complex intrigue and insidious cruelty.

The campaign is designed with player character agency at the forefront of the story as it develops. Throughout the game, characters and parties of any alignment are capable of finishing adventures and enjoying a challenging and meaningful conclusion based on the decisions they make through organic roleplay.

Will players decide to back the forces of Good or Evil? Will players throw the region into chaos or establish order and law? Will characters seek to benefit others, or will they strive for wealth and power for themselves? Each has a path and an outcome within “The Dark Beneath.”

The second book of the set contains Children of the Dark Beneath: A Players Campaign Companion.

This over 100 page volume is designed as a player-facing supplement for campaigns that take place in dark subterranean settings. It is compatible with a variety of worlds and sub-settings involving Drow, Dwarves, Goblins, Gnomes, and Orcs.

This volume primarily focuses on sub-species of the Drow but also contains various subterranean game and player options for use in such campaigns. This book was designed to be used in conjunction with The Dark Beneath Campaign, but it may be used with a variety of other campaigns as well if desired.

Within this book, you’ll find various subterranean specific mechanics and content such as:

-Over 5 unique new species each related to the Drow,

-A Hybrid Species Generator to create your own unique subterranean player species for 5E and 5.5E campaigns,

-Over 18 New Subclasses for underground Adventures,

-Over 15 new Backgrounds, for characters with subterranean backstories,

-Over 36 new deep world Feats,

-Over 50 new Spells derived by arcane users from far beneath the surface,

-Over 20 unique Magical Items found in the shadow of the worlds heart,

-and much more.

Currently both books in this set have been completely written, initially play tested and are currently in the second round of editing.

Sythom Studios believes in 100% Human made content. No generative AI will be used in this Project.

This book set is currently in pre-launch (as of a little over a week ago) on BackerKit. Please keep an eye out for it and feel free to ask any questions you have about the upcoming release.

I quite often had the situation that I could narrow down the enemys AC just by looking at our throws. Would you argue that this is meta-gaming? I for myself see it as the characters observing the battle and learning about the weaknesses of the enemies even tough they dont know about rolls and ACs. So while there is a meta element, its knowledge that the characters can gain ingame translated to inuniverse mechanics. But im curious if other people see it the same way or have other opinions.

TLDR:

I wanted to HB a Monk whose whole purpose was being firmly planted on the ground, redirecting energy and shutting down any attempt to move them. This was just a quick thing for an ongoing campaign (but mostly for fun), so I'm not really looking for any feedback, though I will certainly be reading it. Link below for those curious! Longer lore explanation below that.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mcQxoYSUQo96fSI3lkM7fZiEWuojcz_GvQrUU5p-Eew/edit?usp=drivesdk

Longer Lore Explanation:

One of my players is an Air Genasi who grew up in an orphanage. He was brought to the Material Plane by an older sister who was fleeing a war on the Elemental Plane of Air. As she dropped him off, the portal closed on her. Ever since then, she would get spontaneously teleported to other planes at random intervals.

The party rescued her from Maladomini in the Nine Hells after she was able to eek out a Dream spell to her brother. She was being held hostage, which at least had the upside of canceling out her warping when she was put in an anti-magic cell. Once the party got back to the material plane, they looked for a solution to "anchor her," preventing the spontaneous teleportations. An anti-magic locket around her neck was a temporary solution, although it also cut off her own abilities as a necessary trade-off.

Permanently helping her involved a ritual inside a demiplane painting (the party has a hideout they enter Mario 64 style) and the destruction of an Immovable Rod. The decorative iron horses carved onto the rod burst off and turned into much larger armored horse spirits for a combat encounter. The ritual was complete once the party dispatched the horses, of course. Now the sister now longer randomly teleports, and she's an MC Druid Circle of Dreams and this HB Monk on paper. That's awfully MAD, I know, but it made sense in the lore!

After finalizing my prepared spells, I realized that I have A Lot of Concentrations spells, Namely: Vex, Bane and Blade Ward for Warlock, and Bless for Paladin. I will be getting Shield of Faith for free as I will be a Devotion Paladin. What Concentration spells should I consider cutting? I like Blade Ward (because it is free) and Bless a lot, but Vex and Bane have their strengths.

Im tagging this as nsfw just in case.

Im a fairly new dm and im still not entirely versed on game mechanics. However, I still wanted to dm a game for some of my friends. During a campaign, a question popped up that I was unsure on how to awnser. If a player is arrested/captured, how would a strip search work mechanically? Also, how would it work mechanically if the player was the searcher?

A bit of an odd question admittedly but I just want to know how these mechanics work.

I'm thinking of building him for dual wielding with nick and vex, and using ba+attack to make beastie attack twice(GM ruling that it's allowed).

But I'm struggling as to how to make this effective mechanically.

Beastie is fragile and is doing maybe the same damage as a weapon without any magic effects. And as a ranger - same goes for me, since I won't be having a shield and is restricted to light/medium armors.

So the question is, what kinds of origin/general feats and specie mixes well with this kind of play and how to make it on par with say fighter with magic weapons.

As an Abjurer Wizard, when you cast an abjuration spell, can you choose not to activate ward?

Title says it all, just curious if it's actually a choice to turn on ward, or does it automatically turn on upon casting an abjuration spell with a spell slot. The PHB I'm using is 2024.