beats blades don cunning rule

Eye and Hand of Vecna

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

a lich. A treacherous lieutenant named Kas the Betrayer;Kas brought Vecna’s rule to an end in a terrible battle. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly Artifacts that

minute. To you, solid objects within that radius appear transparent and don’t prevent light from passing through themselves. The vision can penetrate 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, or up to

Thri-kreen Gladiator

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

eschew armor. Although thri-kreen don’t need to sleep, they do require periods of inactivity to revitalize themselves. The Thri-kreen language doesn’t employ words in the usual sense. To

, 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

Glaive

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

, and fellow blades don’t dare call her anything else. Mournland adventurers, however, refer to the terrifying commander by another name: Kill Switch.PoisonOverdrive (Recharges after Finishing a

", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Self-Preservation"}.Since the Mournland’s earliest days, Glaive has wielded her namesake weapon in service to the Lord of Blades’ bloody conquest of the

Fist of Bane

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as needed to ensure loyalty. They enslave those too weak to resist them and shower the strong with

gifts and promises of power to turn them into loyal vassals. Cruel Tyrants. Whenever Bane’s followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They

Iron Consul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

immediately use its reaction to make one melee attack.Bane’s devoted followers are warriors who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as

followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They stamp out all opposition while richly rewarding those who swear fealty. Warrior Cult. Cultists of

Thri-kreen Hunter

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

two pairs of arms. Because their bodies are encased in protective chitin, they tend to eschew armor. Although thri-kreen don’t need to sleep, they do require periods of inactivity to revitalize

chatkcha (a flat, triangular wedge with three serrated blades). Gythkas typically have shafts of bone and obsidian blades, while chatkchas are usually made of sharpened bone or crystal. A generic thri

Thri-kreen Mystic

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

features and two pairs of arms. Because their bodies are encased in protective chitin, they tend to eschew armor. Although thri-kreen don’t need to sleep, they do require periods of inactivity to

weapon called a chatkcha (a flat, triangular wedge with three serrated blades). Gythkas typically have shafts of bone and obsidian blades, while chatkchas are usually made of sharpened bone or crystal. A

Night Blade

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

cause terrible pain and bleeding. Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal’s followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call

upon their god’s power to blend into the shadows with ease, or even turn invisible for a crucial moment. Cult Ranks. Low-ranking cultists of Bhaal are called night blade;night blades, whom Bhaal

Dracophage Subject

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

disintegrates.Kapak draconians are created using copper dragon eggs. These cunning opponents relish striking foes who are distracted or unaware. Kapaks often coat their weapons with their paralytic saliva

, making them formidable assassins as well. Their small wings don’t allow kapaks to fly, but they do help the draconians turn a fall into a rough glide. When they die, kapaks dissolve into acid

Kapak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

", "rollDamageType":"poison"} poison damage.Kapak draconians are created using copper dragon eggs. These cunning opponents relish striking foes who are distracted or unaware. Kapaks often coat their

weapons with their paralytic saliva, making them formidable assassins as well. Their small wings don’t allow kapaks to fly, but they do help the draconians turn a fall into a rough glide. When they

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the histories of

some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers’ psionic

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

impossible to manipulate, influence, or control by nonmagical means, even as it seeks to control other creatures through terror, pleasure, and awe. Yuan-ti know that the world they hope to rule can

are cunning and ruthless tacticians who readily sacrifice lesser yuan-ti if potential victory justifies such losses. They have no sense of honorable combat and strike first in decisive ambush if they

Death's Head of Bhaal

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

terrible pain and bleeding. Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal's followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call upon their god's

power to blend into the shadows with ease, or even turn invisible for a crucial moment. Cult Ranks. Low-ranking cultists of Bhaal are called night blade;night blades, whom Bhaal blesses with

Reaper of Bhaal

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

wounds plunge deep into a victim's body and cause terrible pain and bleeding. Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal's followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in

blade;night blades, whom Bhaal blesses with darkvision and superior stealth. Reaper of Bhaal;Reapers are the next rank up. They gain the ability to turn invisible and can use Bhaal's magic to evade

Raezil

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Raezil can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Fey Ancestry. Raezil has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic

on the politics of Prismeer. Once she is no longer petrified, Raezil is bound by the rule of reciprocity (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2) to help the characters complete any

Sivak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

. Sivaks can magically change their features to mimic the appearance of those they’ve slain. This allows these cunning soldiers to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When sivaks are

combination of warped alchemy and the Dragon Queen’s foul magic. The Dragon Armies closely guard the secret of the draconians’ creation, allowing Krynn’s metallic dragons to continue to think their eggs are being held hostage so they don’t oppose the Dragon Queen’s conquests.

Prisoner 13

Monsters Keys from the Golden Vault

Antimagic Susceptibility. In an area of antimagic, Prisoner 13’s tattoos and reactions don’t function, and she suffers the following modifications to her statistics: her AC becomes 13

steal away most of the clan’s gold, leaving only a pittance. Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she can, and shares as

Shadow Magic (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

are always icy cold to the touch. 2 When you are asleep, you don’t appear to breathe (though you must still breathe to survive). 3 You barely bleed, even when badly injured. 4

Your heart beats once per minute. This event sometimes surprises you. 5 You have trouble remembering that living creatures and corpses should be treated differently. 6 You blinked. Once

Yuan-ti Anathema

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Anathemas don’t age, allowing them to pursue their goals until the end of days. Truly powerful ones might rule multiple yuan-ti cities and bring entire regions under their control.PoisonAcid

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, even among themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the

histories of some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers

Shadow Magic

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

are always icy cold to the touch. 2 When you are asleep, you don’t appear to breathe (though you must still breathe to survive). 3 You barely bleed, even when badly injured. 4

Your heart beats once per minute. This event sometimes surprises you. 5 You have trouble remembering that living creatures and corpses should be treated differently. 6 You blinked. Once

Gar Shatterkeel (Noncore)

Monsters Locathah Rising

*Circle spells don’t count against spells prepared. Water Walk. Gar can stand and move on liquid surfaces as if they were solid ground. Watery Fall. When Gar drops to 0 hit points, his body

), and doesn’t require Gar to maintain concentration. Gar Shatterkeel and any creatures he designates are immune to this effect. Up to five corpses that Gar can see within 60 feet rise up as drowned blade;drowned blades and attack anyone Gar directs them to on his turn. Cold

Adult Green Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

attack. Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6);{"diceNotation":"2d6+6

","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Wing Attack","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.The most cunning and

Enchanting Infiltrator

Monsters The Book of Many Things

actions at the start of its turn. Cunning. The infiltrator escapes nonmagical restraints and ends the grappled condition on itself, then moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attack

illusory duplicate of itself in its space, then teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, to an unoccupied space within 15 feet of itself. The image flings illusory blades at two

Ancient Green Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

a tail attack. Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8);{"diceNotation

":"2d6+8","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Wing Attack","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.The most cunning

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way

, set itself up as a petty lord, and rule over all those who fall into its grasp. A Sinister Cycle. A forlarren in its fey aspect demonstrates self-destructive urges that reflect the inherent tension in

Moonblade Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

, some blades have faded from the world, their magic lost as family lines have become extinct. Other blades have vanished with their bearers during great quests. Thus, only a few of these weapons remain

. 97–98 The moonblade functions as a ring of spell storing. 99 You can use an action to call forth an elfshadow, provided that you don’t already have one serving you. The elfshadow

Emerald Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12): At will: mage hand (the hand is invisible), minor illusionEmerald dragons are the most curious, cunning, and manipulative of the gem dragons, wielding

be the center of attention. Emerald Dragon Ideals d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal 1 Seclusion. It’s safer if others don&rsquo

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

serve as spies or assassins at the command of their leader, a noble patron, or some other mortal or divine power. The majority of monks don’t shun their neighbors, making frequent visits to

adventurer means leaving a structured, communal lifestyle to become a wanderer. This can be a harsh transition, and monks don’t undertake it lightly. Those who leave their cloisters take their work

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each. You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but

I eat like a pig and have bad manners. 6 I think anyone who’s nice to me is hiding evil intent. 7 I don’t like to bathe. 8 I bluntly say what other people are hinting at

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. 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

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

Urban Bounty Hunter

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

areas to help you succeed. You might be a cunning thief-catcher, prowling the rooftops to catch one of the myriad burglars of the city. Perhaps you are someone who has your ear to the street, aware of

. 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

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

here as part of some such delegation, then decided to stay when the mission was over. Mulhorand. From the terrain to the architecture to the god-kings who rule over these lands, nearly everything

strong code of honor or sense of propriety that others don’t comprehend. 4 I express affection or contempt in ways that are unfamiliar to others. 5 I begin or end my day with small

Young Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

hand is invisible), minor illusion 1/day each: detect thoughts, invisibility, silent imageEmerald dragons are the most curious, cunning, and manipulative of the gem dragons, wielding psionic power to

like to be the center of attention. Emerald Dragon Ideals d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal 1 Seclusion. It’s safer if others don

Specific Beats General

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Specific Beats General This compendium contains rules that govern how the game plays. That said, many racial traits, class features, spells, magic items, monster abilities, and other game elements

break the general rules in some way, creating an exception to how the rest of the game works. Remember this: If a specific rule contradicts a general rule, the specific rule wins. Exceptions to the

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