"As an ancient elf I've read historical books about ship battles and construction. Using the lingo I remember I steer the ship back to Waterdeep." 3. The DM narrates the results of the adventurers actions (often relying on the roll of a die to determine the results of an ...
Add some way for the undead elder brain to create undead This could be done via spellcasting (Innate or regular), via Legendary Actions (see also above), Lair Actions or regular actions such as a Wight's Life Drain. Looking at Orcus statblock in MToF, I'd also add somethin...
looking at them through the prism of these wonderful D&D pillars: combat, exploration, and roleplaying. First, let me say this: you can absolutely design great encounters without thinking about the pillars so deliberately. People were doing so for years, and they will continue to do so for a...
It also allows you to plan your next actions to ensure no time is wasted when your next turn comes up. Conversely playing on your phone or tablet, talking over or around DM exposition or other players or otherwise becoming distracted or disruptive practically screams “I don’t respect you ...
Advanced DMs can bring a stronger sense of an actual lair filled with enemies, when they start mixing enemies from multiple rooms, but mostly the books describe each room independently, and as far as I've experienced, unless something makes a particularly strong noise, fights are usually...
So, that likelihood in mind, I felt this is one of those rare situations where resolving would "get in the way" of good, well-deserved conclusion to a series of actions and decided that all things considered, in this rare situation and as a reward of great role-...
As a DM, it's good to introduce unknown friendly, neutral, and even hostile NPCs into encounters as sources of information for where a ruined old tower or lost temple is, where a dangerous swamp is, where a legend says a magic mace is housed in an Ogre's lair, etcetera. That way ...
They could open up and start giving you reasons to explain their actions, which then you could be able to act on. Maybe they feel things lack immersion, or aren't sure it's relevant, or have had bad experiences they think their PCs would avoid. These you can all build off and ...