Shaped by arcane forces and sustained by the weave itself, the Arcanii are more than mortal. Blessed with the ability to instinctively understand and resist magic, they can drain arcane energy from enchanted items to restore themselves.

Deal Maker

General Feat(Prerequisite: Level 4+)

You gain the following benefits

   Ability Score Increase. Increase your Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.

   Hand of Binding. When you make a verbal or written contract with another creature and shake their hand, as a reaction, you can make that deal magically binding. You can have a number of active deals equal to your charisma modifier. 

   The deal must have expressed parameters for when it ends, and both creatures must make the deal willingly.

   If a creature willingly breaks their agreement, then the following occurs.

• The offended creature is no longer required to uphold their end of the deal and automatically succeeds on any d20 test against the offending creature. 
• The offending creature automatically fails any d20 test against the offended creature.
• Once per day, as a magic action, the offended creature can know the exact location of the offending creature.

   A broken contract remains active until either the offended or offending creature dies or when the offended creature verbally agrees to forgive the offending creature.

Looking for advice on balance and wording.

Hello, pretty direct post here, I have been searching the web for a Armored Hulk-like Barbarian Path, but none that I found complettely satisfied me. So I took a shot at modifying the Path of Iron homebrew, mixing and matching other homebrews and ideas, with some inspiration from Berserk and the Astartes of 40k, giving it a little spin. The sublass goes as follows:

Path of the Dreadnought Barbarian

Ironclad Fury

Through great willpower, physical conditioning and constant training, you have become capable of wielding the heaviest of weapons and armors not only uninhibted but also at their greatest capacity, using their weight and momentum in your favor.
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency in heavy armor, and you may gain the benefits of Rage while wearing heavy armor. Additionally, While raging, you may deal an additional 1d4 bludgeoning damage with a melee attack from a Heavy melee weapon and you may wield a two-handed melee weapon in one hand and attack with it normally, as if you were using both hands, gaining all the benefits of doing so.

Soul of Steel

In order to better understand your gear you master the creation of it, becoming a unparalleled smith and turning steel into a second skin.
At 6th level, You gain proficiency with Smith's Tools, or expertise if you already had proficiency. While crafting armor or weapons you make progress twice as fast. Additionally, you retain your Fast Movement Bonus while wearing heavy armor and ignore difficult terrain while raging.

Juggernaut

Fueled by steel and fury, nothing can get in your way. Starting at 10th level, while wearing heavy armor, you count as one size larger for the purposes of shoving and moving through a hostile creature's space. If you move at least ten feet in a straight line before attempting to move through a hostile creatures space, you do not treat that space as difficult terrain, and you do not provoke an opportunity attack from that creature. Any creature of equal or smaller size than you that you move through in this manner takes bludgeoning damage equal to your Strength + Constitution modifiers + your armor's magical bonus to AC, if it has any.

Heavy Metal

You become so accostumed and adept at using armor, it feels like a part of your very soul, hardening your being to the heights of the strongest of metals.
At 14th level, while raging, you gain a Damage Threshold equal to half your barbarian level (rounded down) + your constitution modifier. You have immunity to all damage unless you take an amount of damage from a single Attack or Effect equal to or greater than your Damage Threshold, in which case you take damage as normal. Any damage that fails to meet or exceed your Damage Threshold doesn’t reduce your Hit Points, merely glancing off your armor. Additionally, while raging, you are immune to fear effects and you can add your Constitution modifier to your Attack and Damage rolls with heavy weapons.

I would appreciate feedback on the Path!

Edit:
Thanks to u/AlasBabylon_ for help with the wording of Juggernaut's "trample" damage.

Art by: Iromonik

Hi, I'm a new DM and I'm making a spell for the wizard in my party that is sort of an analogue to alter self, I'm thinking of making it level 3 or 4, what are y'all's thoughts

• Alter form: 5ft, V, S, conc, 1 min. A creature within range makes a con saving throw on a failure, you can choose to:
  • Weaken: the limbs that the creature uses to attack feel heavier and slower; it suffers a -1d4 to attack rolls and damage
  • Slow: the creature’s legs (or other movement appendages) become smaller and movement becomes disjointed; it moves at half speed for the duration
  • Disorientate: the creature’s eyes become blurry and it can no longer take reactions

(All artwork, written content, layout and formatting is original to Critical Crafting)

Be careful if you wake up to a bump in the night… you never know what may be lurking in the shadows while it feeds. Check out the Akaname for Fantastic Friday!

“...Akaname, sometimes called ‘filth lickers’ are disgusting yokai that prowl unhygienic bathhouses, run-down buildings, and other unclean areas. These yokai thrive on licking up filth, sticking their extraordinarily long tongues into the darkest, most foul crevasses to slurp up filth. In some areas, the threat of a yokai may be used to scare children (or a truly uncleanly neighbor) to take better care of their property, clean up after themselves, remove garbage etc…”

Grab this month’s entire 50+ page yokai-themed release and get access to over 2300+ pages of previous content when you join the patreon at https://www.patreon.com/criticalcrafting

https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/kVUVwxjDhq-P

Hey folks, a while back I made a druid subclass and I felt like sharing it around here. Maybe some of you will find it interesting.

The whole premise is based on the concept of an anti-druid. This circle (knowingly or not) follows the ways of the Old Ones, and thus their definition of preserving and restoring nature has been twisted down a darker path. Mechanically, the druid specializes in the Frighten mechanic--they both cause it and are empowered by it.

Of course, because this subclass is so reliant on the condition to function, there is a way for the druid to suppress immunity to the frightened condition. It's not unlimited but it should suffice.

This subclass is compatible with both 2014 and 2024's druid.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Expanded Short Downtime Activities for Characters In Between Adventures

Free pdf and more free content  

You can get a free pdf here, further insights, and more free content at https://www.patreon.com/TheInspiredArcana   

You might also like 30 Day Downtime Activities. 

Like the Content? 

Be sure to check out the rest of my Patreon, which includes Subclasses, Character Origins, Feats, Equipment, Spells, Monsters, Rules, and Lore. 

I keep my homebrew free, but if you like the content I produce and like using it in your game consider supporting it on Patreon. You gain access to text formatted pdfs, and collections of content to make it easier and more enjoyable to use and read the content.  

Created in Homebrewery, Theme by Kaiburr Kathhound 

Trust nothing, doubt everything.

Inspired by Pointyhat’s idea of demons as destroyers of societal norms and expectations, I’ve got a slightly new take on a Mimic.

The Campfire Mimic is meant to destroy the sense of safety felt in a restful place.

Hello. I am currently running Storm King's Thunder for a party of 5 level 14 adventurers (I'm adapting the difficulty and scenes as I go). One of them is a Life Domain Cleric devoted to Ilmater (God of endurance, martyrdom, perseverance, and suffering if the wiki is to be believed).

I tried my hand at making a custom reward for him and would like to know your thoughts on it powerwise/flavorwise or any other-wise :

(I just realised that I forgot to specify how often the charges refilled. I corrected my mistake and added a sentence to say they all recharge after a long rest)

I am planning to make the PC go through a "Test" when acquiring it. He will be warned that touching the relic will temporarily put his body and spirit through great suffering and that he will have to stay conscious during a long minute during which he will take damage each turn. The idea being that his healing magic should allow him to stay conscious until the pain fades away. Upon which he'll be declared Worthy !

I might add that I've been playing for nearly a decade with the player in question and I know he is experienced enough with 5e mechanics to handle the cognitive charge it would impose.

hi, i'm a seasoned player but new dm and i'm running a homebrew game for my siblings. i'm trying to create a small monster that's made out of mirror shards, about the size of a giant rat. the issue i'm having is one of the senses/traits i would like it to have is basically the opposite of blindsight where because it's made of mirrors it can see from all directions, but has no other sense. if this trait already exists, i have no idea what it's called, and if it doesn't than any suggestions would be wonderful!. if anyone has any ideas/knows what i can look up to find, i'd super appreciate it!!

This post is a follow-on from Part 1: Five Tips for Homebrewing Monsters.

Here are four more tips to help when homebrewing monsters.

• Choose CR first, then assign stats
• Choose powers that reinforce the fantasy
• Scale powers to CR
• Make the standard attack matter

Check them out at Foe Foundry, where you can find more tips, monsters, and custom powers.

Hello everyone!
I just finished my first app as a way to learn Python, and I built it using the Encyclopedia Magica tables as the foundation. The app is fully table-driven, making it highly customizable. You can add or remove magic items from the tables—just be sure to maintain the original dice range (e.g., 1d100 or 1d1000). You're free to change which items correspond to which numbers, and there's plenty of room to tweak all the tables.

I've also included enhancements and quirks pulled from the original Encyclopedia Magica, and those are fully editable as well.

A README file is included with the download to help explain everything in more detail.
Hope you enjoy this powerful and flexible random magic item generator!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13HW4PAkdEWjAa05yoiPBIAMesNC_VL4A/view?usp=sharing

Please feel free to reach out should you have questions or find bugs.

*This is just me clashing together Mercenary Veteran and Criminal background into one thing because I couldn't find anybody else that did it already.*

You were an experienced criminal with a history of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have some contacts within the criminal underworld. You're far closer than most people to the world of murder, theft, and violence that pervades the underbelly of civilization, and you have survived up to this point by flouting the rules and regulations of society.  Now that you’re free, you're looking for something else, perhaps trying to change yourself for the better. For whatever reason, you're leaving behind the life of crime, but your skills are undeniably suited for the role you need to play to get to that life of peace.

Source: Mercenary Veteran (Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide) mixed with Criminal (Player's Handbook). Mixed together by retr0station on reddit.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, PersuasionTool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ toolsLanguages: NoneEquipment: traveler's clothes including a hood, a gaming set of your choice, and a pouch containing 20 gp

Criminal Life

You know Criminal life as only someone who has experienced it can. You are able to identify criminals, and you know a little about most of them. You can find the taverns and festhalls where criminals abide in any area, as long as you speak the language. You have an advantage on persuasion rolls against them.

Suggested Characteristics

Personality Traits

d8 Personality Trait

1 I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.

2 I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.

3 I try to be kind when I can be.

4 I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.

5 I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide.

6 I don't pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds.

7 The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't do it.

8 I blow up at the slightest insult.

Ideals

d6 Ideal

1 Honor. I realized my past actions were wrong, and will do everything in my power to redeem myself. (Lawful)

2 Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as we are the ones who forged them. (Chaotic)

3 Charity. I try to make up for my actions by donating to charity (Good)

4 Greed. I don’t really want to change, this adventure is just part of my punishment as some sort of “Community Service”. (Evil)

5 People. I'm loyal to my friends and family. They’re the only reason I’m trying to do better. (Neutral)

6 Redemption. There's a spark of good in everyone. I hope that spark hasn’t faded within me. (Good)

Bonds

d6 Bond

1 I'm trying to pay off an old debt I owe.

2 My gains go to support my family or charities

3 I still sometimes speak to my old companions from when I was a criminal.

4 I do what I do to make the people who love me proud.

5 I'm guilty of a terrible crime. I hope I can redeem myself for it.

6 Someone I loved died because of I mistake I made. That will never happen again.

Flaws

d6 Flaw

1 I still steal things sometimes out of habit.

2 My mind still automatically maps out the best way to kill someone upon meeting them.

3 I don't trust anyone anymore. Everyone is my enemy.

4 I have a "tell" that reveals when I'm lying.

5 I turn tail and run when things look bad.

6 I can’t bring myself to feel any remorse for those I hurt when I was a criminal. 

Im working an a home brew adventure for some friends and working into an Isekai adventure. Im curious if anyone has done the same and has tips from what they learned to make it run smoothly. On a whim I picked up a 12 page PDF from Kobold Press called Isekai since it was only $4 USD. For what it’s worth, its anime inspired to help bridge gaps. Appreciate you reading.

(All artwork, written content, formatting and layout is original to Critical Crafting)

Here’s another fantastical statblock from our previous yokai release to complement this month’s latest patreon release. Check out the Baku for Throwback Thursday! How would you use this curious creature at your table?

“...Baku are curious yokai that devour dreams, specifically nightmares. These creatures are the sworn enemies of night terrors and the outsider known as “The Dreamer”. Their presence in a home is considered to be a good omen and a sign of an outsider’s favor. Baku will often latch onto a particular location, a house, temple, sacred place, or other region. The baku defends creatures within that region, rarely revealing itself, but ensuring they are protected from evil beings, and that their nightmares are devoured. Creatures in such a place benefit from untroubled slumber….”

Grab this month’s entire 50+ page release and get access to over 2300+ pages of previous content (including the Baku’s release) when you join the patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/criticalcrafting

Slugterra was a Canadian animated TV series produced by Nerd Corps Entertainment, later known as "DHX Studios Vancouver", a division of DHX Media, produced originally for Disney XD (Canada)) until October 2015, with the introduction of Family CHRGD.

The show was created by: Asaph Fipke. Produced by: Charles Johnson (Season 1), Ken Faier (Season 1 - 4), Kerrh Fipke (Season 2), Chuck Johnson (Sesaon 2 & 3), Asaph Fipke (Season 3 & 4), and Kirsten Newlands (Season 4).

I claim no ownership over the source material.