back being direct contested retain

Yeth Hound

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

feet of the hound must use all its movement on that turn to get as far from the hound as possible, must finish the move before taking an action, and must take the most direct route, even if hazards

hunting dogs. They race in pursuit of their prey, running it down until it’s too exhausted to fight back. Only the threat of dawn drives the pack back into hiding. A pack of yeth hounds can be

Ancient Gold Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is

action to make a Charisma check contested by the dragon’s. If the creature wins, it escapes the dream plane. Otherwise, the effect ends on initiative count 20 on the next round. When the effect

Adult Gold Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed

make a Charisma check contested by the dragon’s. If the creature wins, it escapes the dream plane. Otherwise, the effect ends on initiative count 20 on the next round. When the effect ends, the

Humanoid Mutate

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

as smooth as a salamander’s. Some intelligent Humanoid mutates retain their personalities from before they were exposed to the Far Realm. Some, driven by the allure of otherworldly powers, seek

deliberately change themselves, seeking to embrace the fell powers they worship. Creatures that become mutates often inexplicably change back to their previous forms once the Far Realm influence abates

Tlincalli

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’s time to lay eggs and hatch a new brood of young. These scorpion folk deposit their eggs in warm places out of direct sunlight, often amid a stand of cacti near their present encampment. The

alive. After using their stingers to paralyze victims and their spiked chains to bind them, tlincallis take these captives back to their encampment and tie them to cacti or rock formations. When the

Velomachus Lorehold

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

exploration and discovery through the lens of creating a direct conduit to the past. She founded Lorehold College to ensure mortals would never forget the lessons of the past. After living for centuries

accompanied by visual effects resembling tomes and scrolls composed of golden light, perceptible distortions as time doubles back on itself, and thunderous sounds.Thunder

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

“Yer late, elf!” came the rough edge of a familiar voice. Bruenor Battlehammer walked up the back of his dead foe, disregarding the fact that the heavy monster lay on top of his elven

mountains they love, weathering the passage of centuries with stoic endurance and little change. They respect the traditions of their clans, tracing their ancestry back to the founding of their most

Knight of Eldraine

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

: the wildest parts of Eldraine. To that end, they patrol the forests along the Boundary Lands, turning back loggers and hunters—by force if necessary. Though they’ve renounced their

former oaths, the knights of the Verdant Order retain their focus on the five virtues of the courts, so their Knightly Virtue trait remains unchanged.

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

;s petrified flesh came back to life as morkoths: tentacled monstrosities brimming with malice and greed. Morkoths are driven by greed and selfishness mixed with a yearning for conflict. They hoard

are tied to a particular place or group of locales, and still others move erratically through the cosmos. Occasionally, a morkoth learns to direct its island’s movement.A Morkoth’s Lair

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

stare, then appeared to go back to sleep. — Richard Lee Byers, The Black Bouquet A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit

unlikely to find the burrows in the first place. Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils

Amethyst Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of creation. 5 To experience a thing is to truly understand it. Direct and personal experience is the most valuable form of knowledge. 6 I see a far more kaleidoscopic reality than you do

swapping back. 5 A cult devoted to a Great Old One of the Far Realm seeks an alien monolith that can summon its master, but the site is guarded by an amethyst dragon. 6 An amethyst dragon

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ serpent gods into their religions. These victories sent a constant influx of food, ore, and slaves back to the home cities. The wealth of the empire allowed the ruling elite plenty of time to

— yuan-ti make perfect courtiers. And, worse for the rest of us, rulers. — Elminster The physical and magical prowess of the yuan-ti empire allowed the former humans to retain their

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all

raid just as another group returns, laden with severed heads, sacks of loot, and armfuls of food. Warriors also serve as scouts, bringing back detailed reports about the surrounding area so that the

Young Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Direct and personal experience is the most valuable form of knowledge. 6 I see a far more kaleidoscopic reality than you do … or than any of your selves do, really. 7 It is not my place

adventurers to psychically trade bodies with adventurers from another world, so that each can carry out certain tasks before swapping back. 5 A cult devoted to a Great Old One of the Far Realm

Ancient Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

experience a thing is to truly understand it. Direct and personal experience is the most valuable form of knowledge. 6 I see a far more kaleidoscopic reality than you do … or than any of

restriction. 4 An amethyst dragon recruits a group of adventurers to psychically trade bodies with adventurers from another world, so that each can carry out certain tasks before swapping back. 5

Reincarnation

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Reincarnation I died and was brought back to life by a friendly human druid using the reincarnate spell. I have no idea what became of the druid, whose name I don’t know. I retain the memories of my

Action Options

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

supernatural might. As an alternative, a suitably large opponent can be treated as terrain for the purpose of jumping onto its back or clinging to a limb. After making any ability checks necessary to

get into position and onto the larger creature, the smaller creature uses its action to make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by the target’s Dexterity (Acrobatics

Doppelganger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Doppelganger I’m a shapechanger. I have none of the traits of the race I’m imitating, but I retain my class features, background, and alignment. I have darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. I can

proficiency bonus + my Intelligence modifier. I can polymorph into any humanoid I have seen or back into my true form. My statistics, other than my size, don’t change. Any equipment I’m wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. I revert to my true form when I die.

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

some other convenient way (or, in a cannibalistic tribe, eaten). Kobolds believe that if they die in service to their tribe, Kurtulmak immediately sends each of them back to life as the next egg laid in

. A kobold’s cautious nature doesn’t mean it can’t get angry. The blood of dragons flows in its veins, and like a raging drake, a kobold that is pushed too far or has its back

A Corporate Prospectus

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

stage to the well-being of his employees. It’s definitely not third. But it’s up there somewhere. Jim Darkmagic III comes from a long line of renowned wizards, but he turned his back on his family

hotly contested position with the company. (Any deaths incurred in this process were incidental, and not the result of the actions or negligence of Acq Inc.)

Adult Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

foundations of creation. 5 To experience a thing is to truly understand it. Direct and personal experience is the most valuable form of knowledge. 6 I see a far more kaleidoscopic reality than

before swapping back. 5 A cult devoted to a Great Old One of the Far Realm seeks an alien monolith that can summon its master, but the site is guarded by an amethyst dragon. 6 An amethyst

Undercover Empire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

victories sent a constant influx of food, ore, and slaves back to the home cities. The wealth of the empire allowed the ruling elite plenty of time to focus on intellectual pursuits. These nobles

sacrifices, the yuan-ti stepped up their raids on bordering settlements to meet this need. The physical and magical prowess of the yuan-ti empire allowed the former humans to retain their holdings for

Draconic Races

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook is the most direct way to reflect a character with dragons somewhere far back in their ancestry. But for players who want to try a more nuanced approach, this

Antagonists and Rivals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

Antagonists and Rivals The most direct use of the Moonstalkers is for them to steal something belonging to the characters or someone close to them. The characters might strike a deal with the guild

to get their treasure back or infiltrate the guildhall to retrieve it. Alternatively, if the characters are looking to steal something (for instance, as part of an adventure from Keys from the Golden

Nobility

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

city’s own. Seventy-eight noble family lines are found here, many of which can trace their lineage back to the city’s founding. Books have been written about individual families — histories of their

of the city, this means not merely the ability to carry a weapon, but the right to retain up to seventy equipped soldiers. These soldiers always wear a house’s colors and the house’s “arms of grace

Aging and Death

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

the elf is in trance. This change, commonly known as Transcendence, is evidence that Sehanine Moonbow has opened the door to enable the elf’s soul to return to Arvandor — a direct sign from the gods

accept their upcoming fate with optimism or resignation, but some react by throwing themselves back into the labors of life with a frenzy other elves consider unbecoming. Elves who die of old age

6. Shrine to Lolth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

, resting 3–4 Asha and 1d4 drow are engaged in worship 5–6 The shrine is empty The back half of the chamber, behind the altar, is piled with a semicircle of pillows and cushions. Resting among these

(Perception) check contested by the spider’s Dexterity (Stealth) check to spot it before it moves. Treasure The altar is flanked by a pair of heavy silver candlesticks worth 25 gp each. They hold thick

Dragonmarked Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

Dragonmarked Characters Here are a few examples of characters who carry the Mark of Storms. Noble Sorcerer. You are heir to one of the oldest families of Lyrandar, a direct descendant of the

water, and you’re looking for adventurers that will take you back to either of them. Criminal Rogue. You’ve never been one to play by the rules. You always dreamed of being a smuggler or a sky pirate, and

Inhabitants

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

faerie steeds alongside pegasi and beasts of living stone. As a result of this mingling, fundamentally incompatible parts of the multiverse come into direct contact. They don’t always clash, but when they

City of Doors. Some sages track the existence and spread of humans back to Sigil itself, rather than to a deity or its creations. Various factions handle the day-to-day governance of Sigil, enforcement

Dealing with Amrik

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

paying it back. Characters who plan to rip off Amrik must succeed on a Charisma (Deception) check contested by Amrik’s Wisdom (Insight) check, as described under “Contests” in chapter 7 of the

Jhesiyra Kestellharp

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

was irrevocably insane. She fled, but Halaster dragged her back to Undermountain and trapped her in the Citadel of the Bloody Hand, a dungeon complex under Mount Waterdeep connected to Undermountain

who doesn’t qualify is pushed back without being harmed when trying to step through the open gate. Only a wish spell can allow a character to pass through. As the Dungeon Master, you can suspend this

Life in Godsbreath

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

make amends come through groups known as sevens—assemblies of the seven people who are closest at hand when an accusation of criminal behavior is made, but who have no direct stake in the outcome. For

the most severe wrongs, offenders are banished to uninhabited islands, though they retain the right to travel to the Meet each year to seek reconciliation with the larger community. The Gods’ Tale The

Tavern Brawl

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

successful Strength check contested by Yagra’s Strength check. Yagra thanks the characters if they help her, but is disappointed that they interfered in the fight. Remember how the characters deal with Krentz

in this scene. If he survives, the characters might meet him again in one of the Xanathar Guild’s sewer hideouts (see area Q5). Hanging Back If the characters don’t interfere in the brawl, Yagra

Silversong Lake

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Number of Feathers Characters who try to identify the hecklers can spot Kettlesteam in her current guise with a successful Wisdom (Perception) check contested by the kenku’s Charisma (Deception) check. See

Illusions. To coax her back to the lake, the characters must perform an act of gallantry, such as helping Candlefoot find his lost voice. If the characters persuade Palasha to return to the lake and

Controlling a Concord Jewel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

(Arcana) check. On a success, the creature can direct the Concord Jewel to take one of the following actions: Land. When commanded to land, the Jewel automatically settles into a safe position adjoining

the Radiant Citadel or on the surface of a Material Plane world. From this site, creatures can move back and forth between the Jewel and the location. Sections of the exterior walls of the lowest 15

D&D Beyond

Search Results