Compendium
Search the built-in D&D 5e reference library for creatures, spells, magic items, and more
Quick Answer
The Compendium is your built-in D&D reference library with smart search across creatures, spells, items, and more.
The Compendium is CritForge's built-in reference library for D&D 5th Edition. It covers creatures, spells, magic items, classes, feats, conditions, backgrounds, species, equipment, and traps. You can search it while prepping sessions, building encounters, or looking up a rule mid-game.
What's in the Compendium
Everything in the Compendium comes from two sources:
- SRD 5.2 content -- the official rules and stat blocks that Wizards of the Coast released for free public use. This includes 300+ creatures, hundreds of spells, magic items, classes, feats, conditions, backgrounds, species, equipment, and traps.
- CritForge originals -- creatures and content written by the CritForge team using SRD 5.2 mechanics. These fill gaps in the SRD (which only covers a slice of the full Monster Manual) and give you more variety at the table.
All of it is free to reference, print, and use in your games. Results are labeled with their source so you always know where something came from.
How Search Works
The Compendium has two ways to find what you need, and the default combines both for the best results.
Quick Search (Text)
Type a name or partial name and you'll get exact matches. If you know you're looking for "Owlbear" or "Fireball," this is the fastest path.
Quick search works without logging in, so you can look things up even before creating an account.
Smart Search (Semantic)
Describe what you need in plain English instead of guessing the exact name. Smart search understands concepts, not just keywords.
Examples that work well:
- "swamp ambush predator"
- "healing spell for a low-level cleric"
- "cursed item that seems beneficial at first"
- "large flying creature CR 5 or higher"
- "battlefield control spell that doesn't require concentration"
Smart search requires a CritForge account (any tier, including trial).
Default: Both Together
When you search the Compendium, the default mode runs both quick search and smart search, then merges the results. You'll get exact name matches alongside conceptually relevant hits, ranked by relevance.
What You Can Search For
The Compendium covers ten categories. Here are some practical examples of how GMs use each one.
Creatures
- Search by name: "goblin," "young red dragon"
- Search by concept: "aquatic beast," "flying undead," "pack hunters for a forest ambush"
- Filter by challenge rating when building balanced encounters
Spells
- Search by name: "shield," "counterspell"
- Search by effect: "area damage for a 5th-level wizard," "utility spell for exploration," "buff that doesn't require concentration"
Magic Items
- Search by name: "cloak of protection"
- Search by theme: "items for a rogue," "defensive gear for a frontline fighter," "cursed weapons"
Classes, Feats, and Backgrounds
- Look up class features and hit dice
- Find feats by concept: "melee combat feat," "feat that improves spellcasting"
- Browse available backgrounds for character creation
Conditions
- Quick reference for conditions like Stunned, Frightened, or Poisoned
- Useful mid-session when you need to confirm exactly what a condition does
Species
- Look up species traits, speeds, and abilities
- Compare options when a player is building a new character
Equipment and Traps
- Browse weapons, armor, and adventuring gear with costs and properties
- Search traps by concept: "poison trap," "magical alarm"
Using Results in Your Prep
Each search result shows the entry's name, type, and source (SRD 5.2 or CritForge). Creatures include their challenge rating. Spells show their level and school.
The Compendium is designed to work alongside CritForge's generators. While you're building an encounter, plotting a dungeon, or fleshing out an NPC, you can search the Compendium to find the right creature, spell, or item without leaving the app.
Sources
SRD 5.2
The Systems Reference Document 5.2 is a subset of the D&D 5th Edition rules that Wizards of the Coast published under the Creative Commons license. It includes core rules, a selection of creatures, spells, items, and other game content that anyone can use freely. Not everything from the Player's Handbook or Monster Manual is in the SRD, but it covers a solid foundation.
CritForge Originals
To fill gaps in the SRD's creature roster, the CritForge team writes original stat blocks using SRD 5.2 mechanics. These are clearly labeled as CritForge content in search results. They're public domain and free to use in your games just like the SRD content.