becoming before death complex roles

Eye and Hand of Vecna

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

Vecna the Archlich;Vecna was a mighty wizard who, through magic and conquest, forged a terrible empire. For all his power, however, Vecna feared death and took steps to prevent his demise by becoming

Concentration required), demanding that you commit an evil act. The hand might have a specific act in mind or leave it up to you. Hand of Vecna Spells Spell Charge Cost Finger of Death 5

Fighter

Classes Player’s Handbook

mercenaries—as Fighters, they all share an unparalleled prowess with weapons and armor. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and defying it. Fighters master various

broad ability and extensive specialization makes Fighters superior combatants. Becoming a Fighter... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the traits in the Core Fighter Traits table. Gain the

Spirit Statue Mascot

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Death Burst. When the spirit statue is reduced to 0 hit points, the statue crumbles, and the spirit returns to the afterlife in a burst of ghostly white flame. Each creature within 5 feet of it must

succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6);{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Death Burst","rollDamageType":"radiant"} radiant damage.Slam. Melee Weapon Attack

Gambler's Blade

Magic Items Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

;3) to your death saving throws. You can change this magical bonus each day at dawn. Curse. This weapon is cursed, and becoming attuned to it extends the curse to you. Until the curse is broken with a remove curse spell or similar magic, you are unwilling to part with the weapon.

Kraul Death Priest

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

, with little grasp of metaphor or nuance. The death priests occupy the highest roles in kraul society. They lead the buzzing chants of the kraul rites. Their inscrutable clicks and buzzing can summon

Feed on Death. When a creature within 30 feet of the kraul drops to 0 hit points, the kraul or another creature of its choice within 30 feet of it gains 5 (1d10);{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType

Stonemelder

Monsters Princes of the Apocalypse

Death Burst. When the stonemelder dies, it turns to stone and explodes in a burst of rock shards, becoming a smoking pile of rubble. Each creature within 10 feet of the exploding stonemelder must

make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 11 (2d10);{"diceNotation":"2d10","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Death Burst","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as

Devourer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

replacing all life with everlasting death. A lesser demon that proves itself to Orcus might be granted the privilege of becoming a devourer. The Prince of Undeath transforms such a demon into an 8-foot

creature is restrained and has disadvantage on death saving throws. If the creature dies while imprisoned, the devourer regains 25 hit points and immediately recharges Soul Rend. Additionally, at the

Circle of Spores

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

believe that life and death are parts of a grand cycle, with one leading to the other and then back again. Death isn’t the end of life, but instead a change of state that sees life shift into a new

form. Druids of this circle have a complex relationship with the undead. Unlike most other druids, they see nothing inherently wrong with undeath, which they consider to be a companion to life and

Tarul Var

Monsters Tales from the Yawning Portal

"} days, regaining all his hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery. Spellcasting. Var is a 12th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is

(1 slot): circle of death * Conjuration spell of 1st level or higher Turn Resistance. Var has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.Paralyzing Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +9

Fire Hellion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

, hoping to learn tactics the devils have fine-tuned over millennia and to acquire magical gifts to help the giant rise in the ordning. Over time, the giant is corrupted, becoming a Fiend in its own right

this way, the devil stands to gain a constant supply of souls from the giant’s enemies, as well as the promise that the giant will serve the devil as a smith in the Nine Hells after death. The

Prismari Professor of Expression

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

teachers channel the elements of wind, flame, and lightning to accompany them. Their magic is fast and beautiful, which becomes swift death in battle, mesmerizing in its energetic flow. Devastating

lightning strikes and searing lashes of flame meet the professors’ foes head on. Professors who embrace the Prismari philosophy of expression focus on magic becoming art in the moment. Whether to

Circle of Spores (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

believe that life and death are parts of a grand cycle, with one leading to the other and then back again. Death isn’t the end of life, but instead a change of state that sees life shift into a new

form. Druids of this circle have a complex relationship with the undead. Unlike most other druids, they see nothing inherently wrong with undeath, which they consider to be a companion to life and

Reborn

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Death isn’t always the end. The reborn exemplify this, being individuals who have died yet, somehow, still live. Some reborn exhibit the scars of fatal ends, their ashen flesh or bloodless

veins making it clear that they’ve been touched by death. Other reborn are marvels of magic or science, being stitched together from disparate beings or bearing mysterious minds in manufactured

Phantom

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Many rogues walk a fine line between life and death, risking their own lives and taking the lives of others. While adventuring on that line, some rogues discover a mystical connection to death itself

. These rogues take knowledge from the dead and become immersed in negative energy, eventually becoming like ghosts. Thieves’ guilds value them as highly effective information gatherers and

Phantom (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Many rogues walk a fine line between life and death, risking their own lives and taking the lives of others. While adventuring on that line, some rogues discover a mystical connection to death itself

. These rogues take knowledge from the dead and become immersed in negative energy, eventually becoming like ghosts. Thieves’ guilds value them as highly effective information gatherers and

Lady Illmarrow

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

","rollAction":"Rejuvenation"} days, regaining all her hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within two hundred miles of the location at which she was destroyed. Spellcasting. Illmarrow

, polymorph 5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, cone of cold, hold monster, scrying 6th level (2 slot): chain lightning, circle of death, create undead 7th level (2 slot): finger of death, forcecage

White Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

opportunity attacks.White abishais fight with a reckless fury, making them ideally suited for bolstering the ranks of Tiamat’s armies. White abishais fight without fear, becoming whirlwinds of

destruction on the battlefield. Abishais Each abishai was once a mortal who somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her

Mind Flayer Lich (Illithilich) Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

":"1d10","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Rejuvenation"} days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery. Spellcasting. The lich is an 18th

, scrying 6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe of invulnerability 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift 8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun 9th level (1 slot): power

Undercity Medusa

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by a greater restoration spell or similar magic.The

undercity like hungry predators. LUDMILLA, THE TUNNEL VIPER Ludmilla is the last surviving member of the Sisters of Stone Death, the trio of power-hungry medusas who slew Svogthir, the original

Lich Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

":"1d10","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Days"} days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery. Spellcasting. The lich is an 18th-level

6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe of invulnerability 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift 8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun 9th level (1 slot): power word

Baba Lysaga

Monsters Curse of Strahd

black tentacles, polymorph 5th level (2 slots): cloudkill, geas, scrying 6th level (1 slot): programmed illusion, true seeing 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, mirage arcane 8th level (1 slot

death upon her. Lysaga eventually got her wish, and after Strahd settled in the valley of Barovia, Lysaga moved as close to him as she dared to. In the filth-ridden depths of her heart, Lysaga knows

Eldritch Lich

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

becoming an eldritch lich. Like other liches, eldritch liches are spellcasters who have cheated death, but an eldritch lich does so by allowing a Great Old One to implant a Far Realm parasite in the lich

lich against destruction, reviving the lich a few days after death. Canny foes can sabotage an eldritch lich’s revival by slaying the lich in a magic circle, thereby forcing the lich to return in

Acererak

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

after 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Rejuvenation"} days, regaining all his hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of Acererak’s

, hold monster, wall of force 6th level (3 slots): chain lightning, circle of death, disintegrate 7th level (3 slots): finger of death, plane shift, teleport 8th level (2 slots): maze, mind blank 9th

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

discuss how they might reunite and restore Sardior, the Ruby Dragon. 2 A horde of revenant;revenants led by a death knight has one goal—destroying the ancient sapphire dragon who defeated

their army in battle centuries ago. 3 An ancient sapphire dragon guards the phylactery of a lich who helped the dragon establish a lair centuries before becoming Undead. 4 Lolth the Spider

Faceless

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

chosen. Even so, that doesn’t stop you. You’ve left your old face behind, taking on a new persona, becoming something more. Characters with the faceless background don a disguise &mdash

I am exceptional. I do this because no one else can, and no one can stop me. 6 I do everything for those who were taken from me. d6 Flaw 1 I am callous about death. It

Storm Giant Quintessent

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, dispersing itself into the storm surrounding its lair. The giant can end this effect at the start of any of its turns, becoming a giant once more and appearing in any location it chooses within its lair

end of their natural life spans seek an escape from death. They plumb the depths of their powerful connection to the elements and disperse themselves into nature, transforming into semiconscious storms

Valindra Shadowmantle Legacy

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Rejuvenation"} days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery. Spellcasting

of invulnerability 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift 8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun 9th level (1 slot): power word kill Turn Resistance. The lich has

Staff of the Forgotten One

Magic Items Tomb of Annihilation

known on many worlds as a sign of death. Beneficial Properties. While the staff is on your person, you gain the following benefits: Your proficiency bonus to Intelligence (Arcana) and Intelligence

force tries to possess the staff wielder. The wielder must succeed on a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or be possessed, becoming an NPC under the DM’s control. If the intruding life force is targeted

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

. Goliaths see females and males as equal in all things, and they find societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling or worthy of mockery. To a goliath, the person who is best at a job should be

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

, and a pouch containing 25 gp Dust Digger Prior to becoming an adventurer, you spent most of your young life crawling around in the dust, pilfering relics of questionable value from crypts

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

serve similar roles but under threat of death. URDS: WINGED KOBOLDS Winged kobolds, known as urds, hatch seemingly at random from kobold eggs, even in a tribe that has no adult urds. Although

roles that protect and sustain the tribe. The strongest kobolds are trained to be hunters and warriors, the most clever are crafters and strategists, the toughest are miners and beast-wranglers, and so

Dragons in Play

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

divided into five main sections: “Roleplaying Dragons” presents tips and tricks for building a dragon character as complex and distinctive as any other villain, ally, or mysterious figure in your

campaign. It includes tables to help you craft dragon personalities, as well as discussions of dragon aging, reproduction, and death; dragons’ relationship to undeath and religion; and draconic shape

Artificer

classes Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

magic as a complex system waiting to be decoded and then harnessed in their spells and inventions. Becoming an Artificer... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the traits in the Core Artificer Traits

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

becoming a druid was part of your character’s destiny. Have you always been an adventurer as part of your druidic calling, or did you first spend time as a caretaker of a sacred grove or spring

. Similarly, a druid uses such woods to make other objects, such as weapons and shields. Yew is associated with death and rebirth, so weapon handles for scimitars or sickles might be fashioned from it

Observatories

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

such as complex telescopes, libraries, mechanical clocks, and magical divinatory aids. An observatory can serve a variety of roles in adventures. Its air of occult mystery makes it an enticing place to

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