r/HomebrewDnD

[OC] The Neurotoad: a CR 1/2 beast that gets exponentially more dangerous the more of them there are
▲ 32 r/HomebrewDnD+7 crossposts

[OC] The Neurotoad: a CR 1/2 beast that gets exponentially more dangerous the more of them there are

I've been working on an original homebrew bestiary and wanted to share one of my favorites: the Neurotoad.

It's a Tiny Beast built entirely around collective illusions. What makes it mechanically unique is that its danger scales with numbers: with 1-2 Neurotoads it produces false sounds and shadows; with 3-4 it generates illusory duplicates and distance distortion; with 5 or more it can simulate entire terrain, conceal exits and create nonexistent enemies. And the DC of its saving throws increases by +1 for each additional Neurotoad present.

Its Synaptic Call trait summons 1d4 reinforcements the moment it feels threatened, which can turn an apparently easy encounter into illusory chaos within a few rounds. Harmless Appearance makes players underestimate the threat until it's too late.

And when a creature fails a saving throw, Distorted Reality imposes disadvantage on its next roll or reduces its speed by half.

It doesn't seek to kill. It seeks to confuse until you leave.

The bestiary quote sums it up perfectly: "Don't trust what you see… when the swamp is thinking alongside you."

Ideal encounter: 2-3 Neurotoads at the start that quickly scale to 5 or more.

Feedback on balance for CR 1/2 is very welcome.

▲ 4 r/HomebrewDnD+1 crossposts

Am I making it too hard for my players with this?

So I'm making a homebrew campaign atm and an idea I had was to have a npc join my party from the beginning, the npc will get "kidnapped and killed" and at the end turns out he was alive and omg they're the BBEG. Pretty normal imo, if I roleplay it subtle enough I think it could be a fun twist.

But when i was browsing through some books I came across a Rakshasa which I find a pretty cool concept as a villain, only thing is they're a challenge level 13 and pretty overpowered considering we're starting from lvl1 characters.

Is it still a viable option if I just explain him as a veteran while they're "allies" and just don't directly attack with them on the frontline when enemies. Or is there a way I can scale them down to fit better for some lower levels can actually do something?

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u/OmdeKier — 2 days ago
▲ 211 r/HomebrewDnD+14 crossposts

Goblin Shadowmancer, Goblin Alchemist, and Goblin King - Expanded Goblins for Your Campaign

These pages are from Goblins & Goblins, my manual focused on expanding goblins into a much wider range of roles, encounters, factions, and campaign tools.

This preview includes the Goblin Shadowmancer, a CR 3 spellcaster built around darkness, fear, teleportation, necrotic magic, and optional shadow traits; the Goblin Alchemist, a chaotic potion-maker with random concoctions, explosive flasks, and extra customization options; and the Goblin King, a CR 4 leader who commands nearby goblins, uses legendary actions, and can turn a messy goblin fight into something much more dangerous.

I wanted Goblins & Goblins to make goblins feel fresh again, not just as disposable low-level enemies, but as tricksters, leaders, weird specialists, faction members, recurring villains, or chaotic allies that can show up at many different levels of play.

What’s Inside?

  • Tons of Goblin Statblocks – From the explosive Goblin Alchemist to the fearsome Goblin King, with extra traits and variants for customization.
  • Unique Goblin Races – Expand your bestiary with Desert Goblins, Sky Goblins, Snow Goblins, and Swamp Goblins, each with unique abilities and lairs.
  • Goblin Campaign Tools – Factions, encounter ideas, trap-filled hideouts, and a goblin name table to enrich your adventures.
  • 75+ Magic Items – From general goblin gear to race-specific magic items tailored for each goblin subrace.
  • VTT & Art Resources – Includes 36 art handouts and 28 creature tokens to bring goblins to life at your table.

You can also find more of my creatures and manuals on DriveThruRPG, my Linktree, or by visiting r/JonnyDM!

u/jonnymhd — 4 days ago
▲ 17 r/HomebrewDnD+5 crossposts

[OC] Shriekweaver Monkey: el depredador cavernario de CR 2 que imita tu voz antes de atacarte

I've been working on an original homebrew bestiary and wanted to share one of my favorites: the Shriekweaver Monkey.

It's a Small Monstrosity built around harassment and control. What makes it interesting mechanically is the combination of three traits working together: Cave Hunter lets it move across walls and ceilings without ability checks, Unsettling Mimicry imposes disadvantage on Perception checks against any creature that hears the imitated voice, and Pack Tactics gives it advantage on attacks when allies are nearby.

Its combat routine is simple but brutal: lock targets in place with Grasping Claw and finish them off with Spider Bite, which combines piercing and poison damage in a single attack against grappled targets.

What I love most is that before combat even starts it has already sown confusion. The bestiary quote sums it up perfectly: "The voice was familiar. That should have been the first warning."

The ideal encounter is 3-5 Shriekweavers in a cave with high ceilings and areas of total darkness.

Feedback on balance for CR 2 is very welcome.

u/PassengerLeather8223 — 4 days ago
▲ 37 r/HomebrewDnD+4 crossposts

League of Legends to DND5e - Miss Fortune, the Bounty Hunter

Lady Miss Fortune has arrived on the scene! It took her no time at all to board us and capture the entire crew, ha, ha! And thank goodness she left me as a witness to pass along the information. What do you all think about her, who would you like to see next?

The art and images are from League of Legends, property by Riot Games.

If you want to use Miss Fortune and other champions, here is the FoundryVTT module.

u/Chance-Study-6305 — 5 days ago
▲ 296 r/HomebrewDnD+20 crossposts

Extended Preview of Mythological Items, coming soon on Kickstarter!

Hello, fellow adventurers! Today, we are excited to share an extended preview of magic items from our upcoming Kickstarter project, 300+ Mythological Items for 5E and 2024.

Step into a realm of ancient gods, legendary heroes, and forgotten civilizations with Mythological Items, a comprehensive compendium featuring over 300 magical items specifically designed for 5E and its 2024 ruleset update. This manual spans a vast array of cultural traditions, organizing its treasures into regional categories for easy reference and immersive worldbuilding. Each item includes not only full game mechanics, but also lore and background information to integrate it seamlessly into your campaign, whether as treasure, quest rewards, or the key to an unfolding mythic saga. From the storm-summoning weapons of thunder gods to cursed trinkets whispered of in ancient lore, this book brings myth to your table like never before.

This manual offers an extensive collection of magical items that can be incorporated into any campaign, regardless of its connection to specific mythological themes. The items presented in this volume, drawn from a multitude of global legends and folklore, are envisioned to enhance the diversity and depth of any fantasy world. This eclectic array mirrors the inherent blending of elements in many worlds and settings, where influences from various cultures and mythologies coexist harmoniously. For instance, Thor’s Hammer, Mjölnir, could serve as the centerpiece of a divine quest, while Draupnir, the Norse ring of endless wealth, might drive political intrigue or power struggles in a kingdom torn by greed.

Mythological Items also provides a solid foundation for campaigns that wish to delve deeper into the relics of a specific mythology or blend multiple traditions into a larger, interconnected setting. A campaign inspired by Greek mythology could see players donning the Nemean Lion’s Pelt, becoming nearly invulnerable as they take on challenges worthy of Heracles himself, while a campaign drawing from Japanese folklore could involve uncovering the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the fabled grass-cutting sword tied to imperial lineage and divine storms.

We suggest checking our pre-launch page for additional info and an extended 30-page preview of our compendium, scheduled to release in September! Alternatively, you can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming projects, special offers, and important news about our past and future works.

Happy adventuring!

u/MythosChronicles — 9 days ago
▲ 15 r/HomebrewDnD+1 crossposts

Bulette variations

MM2014 p34 stats the standard “land shark”. It says it “ranges across temperate lands” so my idea is for different terrain/biome/ecologies.

u/infinitum3d — 7 days ago
▲ 72 r/HomebrewDnD+1 crossposts

Gemwright - Artificer Specialty

This is an Artificer subclass that I created. This is the first homebrew I created. I tried my best to make it as close as possible to how official subclasses are.

I wanted to make Artificers more fantasy than steampunk, as I seem to see that issue or complaint a lot.

Feedback and criticisms are welcome. Please let me know what you think.

u/eblokselasor — 9 days ago
▲ 227 r/HomebrewDnD+17 crossposts

Atlantis: War of the Tridents Extensive Preview - Sea Serpent Barbarian, Ocean Spells, Magic Items, NPCs, and Monsters

Here are a few preview pages from Atlantis: War of the Tridents, my 270+ page adventure module for 5E, blending Greek mythology, Atlantean fantasy, underwater exploration, political conflict, and traditional fantasy adventure.

This preview shows a mix of the content included in the book: the Barbarian: Path of the Sea Serpent, an ocean-themed subclass built around aquatic adaptation, serpent-like fury, and sea monster resilience; the Atlantean Elemental Sword, a very rare magic weapon forged with fire, lightning, and water gems; several new ocean-themed spells like Rejuvenating Waters, Water Cyclone, and Tidal Smite; Callista, the High Priestess of Athena in Atlantis; and monsters such as the Brine Sea Serpent and Lesser Stone Golem.

The full adventure includes flexible campaign paths, underwater and surface encounters, new character options, spells, magic items, NPCs, monsters, locations, factions, and extensive VTT resources.

It is designed for campaigns that want mythic adventure, oceanic exploration, Atlantean politics, divine influence, ancient secrets, and dangerous creatures from the depths.

You can explore all my manuals and resources on DriveThruRPG, or through my Linktree, and check out more previews on r/JonnyDM.

u/jonnymhd — 11 days ago
▲ 36 r/HomebrewDnD+1 crossposts

[Interest Check] Nāmoku Nahā: A Polynesian-Inspired D&D 5e Homebrew World

UPDATE: Wow you guys! I'm kinda blown away by the interest everyone has show. When I threw that post up last night, it was purely just to gauge interest in the world I had created. I figured maybe one or two people would respond but I never expected so many. Thank you all for taking the time to read about my setting and for your enthusiasm to play in it!

Because of the overwhelming interest I'm going to start building out the world, rules and adventure better so it will fit a PbP game. I'm not sure how long it will take me but I'm hoping maybe a few weeks to a month. But I'm writing down everyone's usernames who commented or messaged me expressing interest so when I do launch the actual game here, I will personally ping every one of you so you don't miss your chance to throw your hat in the ring.

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Aloha, adventurers! I am a long-time DM and native Hawaiian looking to see if there is any interest in a Play-by-Post (PbP) campaign set in a world I’ve spent years crafting: Nāmoku Nahā, The Shattered Isles.

This world was originally created as a teaching tool for my children to learn the language and live through the legends and stories I grew up with. But I've put so much time and effort into creating it that I'm curious to see if others would be interested in playing an adventure in such a setting.

The Setting: Nāmoku Nahā (The Shattered Isles)

Centuries ago, a great upheaval shattered a massive progenitor island into a ring of six distinct archipelagos. Today, Nāmoku Nahā is a realm of deep division. Left to their own devices, the island groups exist in a tumultuous balance. Some islands crave war and conquest, while others seek peace, all while powerful kahuna (priests) and aliʻi (chiefs) maneuver for political dominance.

But for four months of the year, the weapons of war are kapu, strictly forbidden. This is the Makahiki season, a sacred time of peace, harvest, and games that test both strength and skill.

Your journey begins on Honoʻonāʻaliʻi (The Bay of Chiefs). Usually a bustling metropolitan hub, the starting island has exploded into a vibrant, multi-cultural spectacle. For the festival, visitors from every corner of the Shattered Isles (and even travelers from the distant islands beyond) have gathered to celebrate. Here, ancient legends and traditions are told and kept with deep reverence and awe.

Yet, beneath the festival's joy, an unsettling current runs deep. A quiet panic is brewing just under the surface, spoken of only in hushed whispers. The kahuna are receiving dark, fragmented omens in their rituals, and across the bay, families whisper of ancestral ʻaumakua appearing in dreams not with blessings, but with urgent, fearful warnings. The land itself feels heavy, as if holding its breath. Everyone can sense that something has gone terribly wrong, a shifting of the tides that threatens to break the sacred peace before the season ends. 

What Makes This World Unique?

Nāmoku Nahā is not your standard European high-fantasy setting. It follows several unique environmental and cultural rules:

  • No Metal: Because the islands lack naturally occurring metallic ore, traditional metal armor, shields, and weapons do not exist. Instead, the finest tools and highest-status martial weapons are carved from stone, bone, dense wood, razor-sharp shark teeth, or volcanic obsidian. 
  • Rare Magic: While everyone believes in the unseen powers, spirits, and demigods, actual displays of powerful magics are quite rare. Public displays of magic may be met with either awe or fear by the common folk.
  • No Written Language: There is no paper or script in the islands. Histories and knowledge are preserved through ʻoli (chants) and kiʻi (glyphs) carved into stone, wood, or bone.
  • Mana & Magic: In Hawaiian culture, mana refers to spiritual energy, life force, or divine power that exists within all things. It is a fundamental concept representing an invisible energy that connects us all and is more like “the force” in Star Wars than magic in D&D. Because of this, the use of magic in this setting has been drastically changed.
  • ʻAumakua: Within the islands the barrier between the living and the dead is remarkably thin. The ancient families here are watched over by ʻaumakua, ancestral guardian spirits who manifest as animals. These sacred ancestors protect their worthy descendants through warnings, advice, and when necessary...through violence.
  • Kapu (Sacred Taboos):  Society and magic are governed by the Kapu System, strict, divinely enforced laws that dictate what is sacred, forbidden, or dangerous. Violating a Kapu isn't just a legal crime, it is a spiritual violation that can instantly anger local spirits, strip a character of their spellcasting capabilities, or mark them as cursed until a ritual of cleansing is performed.

A Note on Cultural Themes & Inclusivity

To my Polynesian brothers and sisters: While Nāmoku Nahā is inspired by the breathtaking vastness and diverse cultures of greater Polynesia, I want to be upfront about my background and perspective. I am just a Hawaiian boy from Hawaiʻi, and that is the home, language, and culture I know best.

My ultimate goal in creating this homebrew setting has always been to bring Polynesian culture, legends, and mythology to the forefront of the hobby I love, and to tell the tales of OUR peoples. However, because I am writing from my own experience, you will find that much of the world-building, from the names of islands and NPCs to the underlying worldviews, lore, and legend, relies heavily on Hawaiian traditions and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language).

Although I am blessed to have tons of friends from all across Polynesia, my knowledge of the specific legends, stories, and languages of the other islands is still sparse. I want to be as inclusive, respectful, and mindful of all Polynesian cultures as possible. If any other Polynesians would like to collaborate on bringing your people, languages, and stories into this world, I would absolutely love the opportunity to do so!

And if I ever misstep, misrepresent, or inadvertently offend, please know that was never my intention, and I humbly apologize in advance. I am always open to respectful feedback so if I have misrepresented or cast any other island group or people in a negative light, please let me know so I can fix it as soon as possible.

To my kānaka maoli: Also, I want to be entirely transparent: I am by no means a Hawaiian scholar or completely fluent in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. I am very much a lifelong student, continuously learning and reconnecting. On the off chance that there are any other kānaka in this community who speak the language fluently or are more deeply versed in our legends, culture, and vocabulary, I would absolutely love to connect. I would welcome your insight and would be thrilled to collaborate with you to make this world even more authentic.

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u/Borohir — 13 days ago