Page 38 - Dungeon Master's Guide

Characters who reach 20th level have attained FLAVORS OF FANTASY
the pinnacle of mortal achievement. Their deeds are
recorded in the annals of history and recounted by DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is a fantasy game, but that broad
bards for centuries. Their ultimate destinies come to category encompasses a lot of variety. Many different
pass. A cleric might be taken up into the heavens to flavors of fantasy exist in fiction and film. Do you want
serve as a god's right hand. A warlock could become a horrific campaign inspired by the works of H. P.
a patron to other warlocks. Perhaps a wizard unlocks Lovecraft or Clark Ashton Smith? Or do you envision a
the secret to immortality (or undeath) and spends eons world of muscled barbarians and nimble thieves, along
exploring the farthest reaches of the multiverse. A druid the lines of the classic sword-and-sorcery books by
might become one with the land, transforming into a Robert E. Howard and Fritz Leiber? Your choice can
nature spirit of a particular place or an aspect of the have a impact on the flavor of your campaign.
wild. Other characters could found clans or dynasties
HEROIC FANTASY
that revere the memory of their honored ancestors ~~------------------
from generation to generation, create masterpieces of Heroic fantasy is the baseline assumed by the D&D
epic literature that are sung and retold for thousands rules. The Player's Handbook describes this baseline:
of years, or establish guilds or orders that keep the a multitude of humanoid races coexist with humans in
adventurers' principles and dreams alive. fantastic worlds. Adventurers bring magical powers to
Reaching this point doesn't necessarily dictate the bear against the monstrous threats they face. These
end of the campaign. These powerful characters might characters typically come from ordinary backgrounds,
be called on to undertake grand adventures on the but something impels them into an adventuring life. The
cosmic stage. And as a result of these adventures, their adventurers are the "heroes" of the campaign, but they
capabilities can continue to evolve. Characters gain no might not be truly heroic, instead pursuing this life for
more levels at this point, but they can still advance in selfish reasons. Technology and society are based on
meaningful ways and continue performing epic deeds medieval norms, though the culture isn't necessarily
that resound throughout the multiverse. Chapter 7 European. Campaigns often revolve around delving into
details epic boons you can use as rewards for these ancient dungeons in search of treasure or in an effort to
characters to maintain a sense of progress. destroy monsters or villains.
This genre is also common in fantasy fiction. Most
STARTING AT HIGHER LEVEL novels set in the Forgotten Realms are best described as
-----
Experienced players familiar with the capabilities of heroic fantasy, following in the footsteps of many of the
the character classes and impatient for more significant authors listed in appendix E of the Player's Handbook.
adventures might welcome the idea of starting a
campaign with characters above 1st level. Creating a SwoRD AND SoRCERY
higher-level character uses the same character creation A grim, hulking fighter disembowels the high priest
steps outlined in the Player's Handbook. Such a of the serpent god on his own altar. A laughing rogue
character has more hit points, class features, and spells, spends ill-gotten gains on cheap wine in filthy taverns.
and probably starts with better equipment. Hardy adventurers venture into the unexplored jungle in
Starting equipment for characters above 1st level is search of the fabled City of Golden Masks.
entirely at your discretion, since you give out treasure A sword-and-sorcery campaign emulates some of the
at your own pace. That said, you can use the Starting classic works of fantasy fiction, a tradition that goes
Equipment table as a guide. back to the roots of the game. Here you'll find a dark,
gritty world of evil sorcerers and decadent cities, where

STARTING EQUIPMENT
Character Level Low Magic Campaign Standard Campaign High Magic Campaign
l st-4th Normal starting equipment Normal starting equipment Normal starting equipment
5th-lOth 500 gp plus ldlO x 25 gp,. 500 gp plus ldlO x 25 gp, 500 gp plus ldlO x 25 gp,
normal starting equipment normal starting equipment one uncommon magic item,
normal starting equipment
11th-16th 5,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp, 5,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp, 5,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp,
one uncommon magic item, two uncommon magic items, three uncommon magic items,
normal starting equipment normal starting equipment one rare item, normal starting
equipment
17th- 20th 20,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp, 20,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp, 20,000 gp plus ldlO x 250 gp,
two uncommon magic items, two uncom mon magic items, three uncommon magic items,
normal starting equipment one rare item, normal starting two rare items, one very rare item,
equipment normal starting equipment

CHAPTER 1 I A WORLD OF YOUR OWN
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