player resources Archives - Tribality

Character Spotlight: Glint

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:10:32 +0000

This week we will spotlight another character build that was inspired by the options presented in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. If you missed the past two, you can find Sassa the Lorehunter and Captain Thranis Stendor here. Glint takes advantage of the abilities that the Psi Warrior fighter subclass offers. I hope this take on a ranged tank gives you some ideas for potential characters to bring to your own table. Backstory The streets of Atuk are dangerous places for […]

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Character Spotlight: Thranis Stendor

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 15:10:38 +0000

Welcome back to the Character Spotlight series. We’ll take a look at another character build, this time centered around healing. If you missed last week’s build, check out Sassa the Lorehunter here. The latest supplement Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything is chock full of some of my favorite class options presented so far. Today’s build features two of the subclass options in that supplement: Cleric Domain of Peace, and Monk Way of Mercy. I’m not 100% confident in how I built […]

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Kevin’s Spellbook: Mage Hand

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 15:10:46 +0000

*poof* Welcome back, ye seekers of the mysteries of the universe! This week we are going to take a look at a mage’s best friend, Mage Hand. This versatile cantrip is one of the most useful utility cantrips in the game, so much so that the Arcane Trickster rogue subclass has it as one of its key features. So what makes this cantrip so good? A-Mage-Ing In a world filled with traps waiting for triggers and potions that need pinching, […]

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Kevin’s Spellbook: Shape Water

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:10:44 +0000

Welcome adventurer! Today I crack open my grimoire and tell you about another one of my favorite spells. This time we will take a look at a cantrip that often goes ignored for its more flashy cousins, Prestitgititaion, Mage Hand, and the like. But, with the right tools and in the hands of a clever player Shape Water can be a potent ally. (I decided to save Major Image and illusions for another week. That school offers so much I […]

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Kevin’s Spellbook: Heat Metal

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:10:33 +0000

Welcome to a new series in which I explore and expound upon my favorite spells. In this series, we will tackle a new spell in each article, expounding on creative uses of my favorite part of any fantasy universe: *magic*. Heat Metal Is The Hottest Spell Around We’re starting with Heat Metal. It is a relatively straightforward spell in which you heat up one manufactured metal object so that it glows red. A creature holding or wearing the item takes […]

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Instant Character Backstory

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:00:19 +0000

Some days you can spend hours finely crafting the important character beats in your backstory, heaping on lavish descriptions of their childhood home and just how sad they felt when their parents died. Other days you have 15 minutes to throw one together before hopping into a game your friend just texted you about. So, here are 4 steps to build your backstory in 15 minutes. 1. Go With Your Gut Because you only have 15 minutes, go with the […]

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Character Motivation 101

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:00:23 +0000

Once you’re done rolling a new character, building their backstory, drawing fan art, and perfecting the character’s voice, all that remains to breathe life into the character is finding the character’s motivation. Great characters, whether in fiction or in Dungeons & Dragons, act and make decisions based on a central need, or want. This is your motivation. It is a goal that pushes your character forward in their story. It is central to each decision your character makes and should […]

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Exploring the Urchin Background

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 05 May 2020 14:00:05 +0000

The Urchin 5e background offers a potential rags-to-riches story and any class can benefit from its skill proficiencies. It also comes with its own adventure hook: how did you get enough money to live modesty for ten days? Was it a gift? A lucky find? The loot from a final crime? That — and the pet mouse (which is awesome) — can help add some interesting depth to your character. Your impoverished life before the beginning of the campaign can […]

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Exploring the Soldier Background

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:00:30 +0000

The soldier background in 5e offers a great opportunity to do some collaborative worldbuilding with your DM. After all, what is a soldier without an army? Here are some starting questions to help you build the organization before diving into your character’s background: Is this a formal or informal army? Meaning, are you a career soldier, or is it expected that you return to your previous life after your term of service? How does class play into rank? Can only […]

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Exploring the Sailor Background

Kevin Victor Rae — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:00:32 +0000

Hellooooo, sailor (background)! The sailor background for 5e is a fun option, offering two useful skills and a great feature to find safe passage on a ship whenever needed. Your mileage may vary based on your campaign setting, but if you’re looking for a nautical good time, check out Seas of Vodari (plug plug plug) — which has a ton of sailor background variants among all kinds of other awesome content! I have always loved stories centered around the ocean […]

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