battle beings diffusing called rely

Cleric

Classes Player’s Handbook

, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes. Because their power is a divine gift, Clerics typically

associate themselves with temples dedicated to the deity or other immortal force that unlocked their magic. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on specific training, yet Clerics might learn

Duke Zalto

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

ancient enemies: dragons. Duke Zalto has set his minions to the task of finding and unearthing fragments of a dragon-slaying colossus called the Vonindod (“titan of death”). Pieces of it were lost in

battle, while the rest was dismantled at the end of the ancient war between giants and dragonkind. Once all the pieces are found, Zalto plans to reforge the Vonindod and unleash it on the world

Cadaver Collector

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the effect on itself with a success.The ancient war machines known as collectors lumber aimlessly across the blasted plains of Acheron until they are called upon by a necromancer to bolster the ranks

wander the Material Plane for centuries, collecting corpses while searching for a way to return home. Cadaver collectors respond to a summons from a mortal only when they are called to the scene of a

Cadaver Collector Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

. Cadaver collectors respond to a summons from a mortal only when they are called to the scene of a great battle — either where one is in progress, where one is imminent, or where one once took place

until they are called upon by a necromancer, hobgoblin general, or other evil warlord to bolster the ranks of a conquering army. These fearsome constructs obey their summoners until being dismissed

Living Blade of Disaster

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

by powerful eldritch forces can give rise to spell effects that become living beings. These so-called living spells haunt the places where they were created, subsisting on ambient magical energy.Poison; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

The Great Old One Legacy

Classes Player’s Handbook (2014)

might be unaware of your existence or entirely indifferent to you, but the secrets you have learned allow you to draw your magic from it. Entities of this type include Ghaunadar, called That Which

Lurks; Tharizdun, the Chained God; Dendar, the Night Serpent; Zargon, the Returner; Great Cthulhu; and other unfathomable beings.

Living Bigby's Hand

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

effects that become living beings. These so-called living spells haunt the places where they were created, subsisting on ambient magical energy.Poison

Returned Kakomantis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Returned, called kakomanteis, use their magical prowess to control the energy that suffuses the Underworld. Returned have escaped the Underworld and dwell among the living once more, but their second

, which manifest as separate beings known as eidolons. The experience of escaping the Underworld also causes them to lose their faces, which become expressionless surfaces with empty eye sockets and gaping

Cradle of the Fire Scion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

lava. As the scion dreams of battle—perhaps a battle to rouse Annam from seclusion by uniting the giants or a war to conquer all in Surtur’s name—the volcano rumbles and spews molten

giants’ gods are enormously powerful beings who infuse the world around them with primeval magic. In many worlds, they slumber and have become part of the landscape. In this case, each scion is

Skeletal Knight

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

damage.Skeletal knights are powerful Undead that arise to serve even more wicked beings—often death knight;death knights. Those who become skeletal knights were typically virtuous in life but betrayed

free to pursue its own ends. Skeletal knights are relentless in battle and difficult to destroy. They cling to the sins that curse them, and they fight until their skulls are reduced to shards. Their

Scion of Surtur

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

plume of smoke to rise, sometimes lit from below by fiery bursts of lava. As the scion dreams of battle—perhaps a battle to rouse Annam from seclusion by uniting the giants or a war to conquer

“Giants of Myth” in chapter 3 for additional inspiration.) Scions of giants’ gods are enormously powerful beings who infuse the world around them with primeval magic. In many worlds

Rod of Seven Parts

Magic Items Vecna: Eve of Ruin

annihilation. Desperate to save themselves and their allies, powerful elemental beings called the Wind Dukes of Aaqa rose against Miska. Committed to the concept of law, the Wind Dukes descended from a

people called the vaati, who once ruled many worlds. Seven Wind Dukes wove their power into an artifact called the Rod of Law. The dukes used the rod to imprison Miska on the plane of Pandemonium. As a

Skyjek Roc

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Keen Sight. The roc has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.Multiattack. The roc makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons. Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +7

rocs. These avians are named for the skyknights who are also part of the Wojek League, called Skyjeks. From the backs of their rocs, these mounted soldiers carry out reconnaissance missions, bombard

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, and the bugbears use your head to magically command all whom you once knew. Lurid tales such as these have flowered from the seeds of truth. Bugbears do rely on stealth and strength to attack

. Shiftless, Savage Layabouts When they’re not in battle, bugbears spend much of their time resting or dozing. They don’t engage in crafting or agriculture to any great extent, or

Cradle of the Frost Scion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

its cradle is functionally identical to a glacier or iceberg, nestled in an alpine valley or drifting in a polar sea. In its wintry seclusion, the scion dreams of battle and glory. If it is disturbed

the substance of the world together. (See “Giants of Myth” in chapter 3 for additional inspiration.) Scions of giants’ gods are enormously powerful beings who infuse the world around

Vegepygmy Scavenger

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2);{"diceNotation":"1d4+2", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Sling", "rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage.Vegepygmies rely on scavengers to

evade foes and pelt them with slings from the cover of leafy foliage. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant

Necromite of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat abilities. The

Scion of Thrym

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

or drifting in a polar sea. In its wintry seclusion, the scion dreams of battle and glory. If it is disturbed, the scion’s cradle of the frost scion;cradle animates as a bipedal figure formed of

” in chapter 3 for additional inspiration.) Scions of giants’ gods are enormously powerful beings who infuse the world around them with primeval magic. In many worlds, they slumber and have

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments. Fair Play For goliaths, competition exists only

elements that can tip the balance one way or the other. Goliaths happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A goliath who relies too

Living Demiplane

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

that become living beings. These so-called living spells haunt the places where they were created, subsisting on ambient magical energy.Poison

Drow House Captain

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.Multiattack. The drow makes two Scimitar attacks and one Whip or Hand Crossbow attack. Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +8

effective leaders in battle. Among Lolth’s devotees in the city of Menzoberranzan in the Forgotten Realms, each noble house entrusts the leadership of its military forces to a house captain, who

Kelubar Demodand

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

the kelubar dismisses it as an action.Kelubars, sometimes called slimy demodands, are the bureaucrats of Carceri, existing as intermediaries between farastu demodand;farastus and shator demodand

;shators. They are squat, and their skin drips with a foul-smelling, acidic slime. Kelubars revel in the subservience of others, and they prefer to do battle with words—or at least to send in their

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

expected—not that they remember what it was they expected. As a result of having followed the Path of Phenax (see chapter 4), the Returned lose their identities, which manifest as separate beings

who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth approximately 100 gp, based on its composition and craftsmanship

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

Githyanki

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

psionic powers and built a great city called Tu’narath. They have since spread throughout the multiverse, starting in outposts outside the Astral Plane, called creches, where time passes and their

cultivated over eons in the Astral Plane. Now all githyanki can use their psychic bond with that plane to access splinters of knowledge left behind by beings who travel, live, and die among the silver

Skull Lasher of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

replacing the normal flail’s striking head. Necromite of Myrkul;Necromites are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull

Kobold Dragonshield

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.Multiattack. The kobold makes two Spear attacks. Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3;{"diceNotation":"1d20+3

unworthy of their status and are desperate to prove themselves deserving of it. But they also have the ability to rally in the face of certain death, inspiring others to follow them into battle.

Thri-kreen Gladiator

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

communication difficult to interpret and impossible to duplicate. To interact with creatures of other sapient species, thri-kreen rely on a form of telepathy. Thri-kreen often use weapons of their own design

, particularly the gythka (a two-handed polearm with a blade at each end) and a light thrown weapon called a chatkcha (a flat, triangular wedge with three serrated blades). Gythkas typically have shafts

Returned Drifter

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

), the Returned lose their identities, which manifest as separate beings known as eidolons. The experience of escaping the Underworld also causes them to lose their faces, which become expressionless

shadow plays without weight or substance. Returned Masks. Adventurers who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth

Returned Sentry

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

, which manifest as separate beings known as eidolons. The experience of escaping the Underworld also causes them to lose their faces, which become expressionless surfaces with empty eye sockets and gaping

. Returned Masks. Adventurers who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth approximately 100 gp, based on its

Drow House Captain Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Battle Command. As a bonus action, the drow targets one ally he can see within 30 feet of him. If the target can see or hear the drow, the target can use its reaction to make one melee attack or to

) Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the drow has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.Multiattack. The drow makes three attacks: two with his

Howler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hesitation. Howler packs course over the battlefields of the Blood War and also serve evil mortals powerful and vicious enough to command their loyalty. Howlers rely on speed, numbers, and their mind

around the battlefield in a search for safety. Fiends especially prize howlers for this reason, because for a few crucial moments in a battle, their howls can neutralize an enemy.Cold, Fire, Lightning; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Leonin

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

, or belligerent. The truth is that many leonin simply enjoy fighting, whether verbal or physical. They take pleasure in argument, wrestling, sparring, and even battle, enjoying the opportunity to

. Leonin rely on themselves and their prides. A pride is bound together by the experience of a shared challenge and, in particular, the sacred act of the hunt. See chapter 3 for more details on Oreskos and

Whelm Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Dwarvish, Giant, and Goblin. It shouts battle

to destroy goblins and giants or to protect dwarves. Whelm has ties to the dwarf clan that created it, variously called the Dankil or the Mightyhammer clan. It longs to be returned to that clan. It

Gloamwing

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the gloamwing has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.Multiattack. The gloamwing makes two attacks: one with its bite

guardians that ride flying creatures called gloamwings. They are fearsome agents of House Dimir, protecting the territory and interests of that guild — particularly the neighborhood of Nightveil, from which

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