before back diffusing career real

Portentia Dran

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

than her own, or back into her true form. Any equipment she is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (her choice). In a new form, Portentia retains her game statistics and ability to

-profit-and-power biz — Portentia Dran is more than she appears to be. Quite literally. The person known as Portentia is actually a changeling, who took the place of the real Portentia before her fifth

Black Viper

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

who died a century ago, after a long and nefarious career. Esvele Rosznar, a brash young noble, has recently adopted the Black Viper's persona to lead a secret life of crime. Like many other nobles

. When she throws back her cloak to reveal the costume she has put together, most folk toss their purses and flee. If that doesn't work, she usually needs only to draw her dagger. Of course, some of the

Yuan-ti Nightmare Speaker Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

Shapechanger. The yuan-ti can use its action to polymorph into a Medium snake or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t

":"psychic"} psychic damage and is frightened of the manifestation, believing it to be real. The yuan-ti must concentrate to maintain the illusion (as if concentrating on a spell), which lasts for up to 1

Deep Crow

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

powers. But one thing all agree on is that ending up a meal for one of these monstrosities is a too-real threat for those who stumble into their deadly lairs. Though the deep crow most immediately

doesn't struggle, the deep crow takes it back to its lair to be devoured at leisure. Creatures that do struggle might be repeatedly dropped from a height to soften them up a bit. Family Ties. Deep crows

Hoard Mimic

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. The mimic transforms into a hoard or back into its true, amorphous form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its

dragon’s lair to draw unwitting intruders away from the real riches—and into the mimic’s maw. If faced with unexpectedly fierce opposition, though, a hoard mimic might offer information about the true hoard in exchange for its life.

Yuan-ti Nightmare Speaker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Nightmare", "rollDamageType":"psychic"} psychic damage and is frightened of the manifestation, believing it to be real. The yuan-ti must concentrate to maintain the illusion (as if concentrating on a

the purpose of acquiring more victims and enjoy the company of Undead.PoisonChange Shape. The yuan-ti transforms into a Medium snake or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form

Ancient Brass Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

damage or someone uses an action to wake it. Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It

. Images of Large or smaller monsters haunt the desert sands within 1 mile of the dragon’s lair. These illusions move and appear real, although they can do no harm. A creature that examines an

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Regis the halfling, the only one of his kind for hundreds of miles in any direction, locked his fingers behind his head and leaned back against the mossy blanket of the tree trunk. Regis was short

wide and wonder-filled world. For them, adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or sometimes a necessity. Halfling Names A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly a nickname

Ancient Copper Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

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 or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice). In a new form, the

seekers and distract them from where the real treasure is hidden. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects

Madam Eva

Monsters Curse of Strahd

in her seventies, but she is, in fact, much older. Royal Blood. Madam Eva is Strahd’s half-sister, though Strahd is unaware of this fact. Her real name is Katarina, and she is the daughter of a

castle like the back of her hand, and she was present for the wedding of Sergei and Tatyana. After Strahd went mad and murdered his brother, she fled the castle and took refuge with the Vistani. Later

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

of questions. 3 I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. 4 I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. 5

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant

, the verdan found that they were often mistaken for smaller, green-skinned half-elves. Attracting curiosity but no real questions, they have thus been able to make their way reasonably freely in the

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

of steel, cutting down one enemy after another. After tumbling away from a cone of freezing air, an elf finds her feet and draws back her bow to loose an arrow at the white dragon. Shrugging off the

whistles to the hawk that circles high above him, calling the bird back to his side. Whispering instructions in Elvish, he points to the owlbear he’s been tracking and sends the hawk to distract

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

’ve learned that most of the real business of entertainment (or any other venture) happens behind the scenes. It’s easy for you to case what sorts of audiences attend what venue — like

me of someone I love. 2 Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday I’ll get it back. 3 I want to be famous, whatever it takes. 4 I idolize a hero of the old tales and

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

No career criminal in Baldur’s Gate operates without being aware of the Guild. Some studiously keep a low profile, carrying just the occasional smuggled load in with legitimate merchandise, or

realizing the connection. You got the Guild to back off demands for your death by offering to make amends by working for the criminals, but even so the kingpin still plots a personal revenge. 2 The

Young Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

their rivals. The sonic pulse of their breath weapon sows weakness, leaving the victims unable to fight back. Luminous Blue Sapphire dragons’ scales and wing membranes show varied shades of

not guarantee victory. Planning and tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good

Signature Case

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Signature Case Inquisitives occupy a significant place in the popular imagination, both in their real-life exploits (as reported in the newspapers) and in many fictionalized accounts. As romanticized

against you. 2 The Set Up. You uncovered evidence of a high-profile figure’s misdeeds. At trial, that evidence was deemed false, but by then the accused’s career was ruined. 3 Scandal. Your work uncovered

Sapphire Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

their lairs fiercely, ambushing intruders and plotting assaults against their rivals. The sonic pulse of their breath weapon sows weakness, leaving the victims unable to fight back. Luminous Blue

unhappy. (Lawful) 5 Preparation. Justice and righteousness do not guarantee victory. Planning and tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate

. 3 I like to squeeze into small places where no one else can get to me. 4 I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms. 5 I eat like

Changing Gods

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Changing Gods If events in your character’s adventuring career warrant doing so, you can abandon the service of one god and turn to a different one. Once you abandon a god’s service, you can rarely

go back without performing some act of contrition. Your DM decides whether your new god will accept you as a champion and what you might have to do to prove your commitment. When you change gods, you

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

breath weapon sows weakness, leaving the victims unable to fight back. Luminous Blue Sapphire dragons’ scales and wing membranes show varied shades of blue, ranging from the light tones of a

tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good) Sapphire Dragon Adventures The Sapphire

Resolving the Mystery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

the real books back to Candlekeep without offering a compromise, the jackalweres put up a fight, though they’ll surrender rather than fight to the death. Losing the books is a great setback to the

tough negotiators.) If they agree on a deal, the jackalweres let the characters take the real books back to Candlekeep.

Deathly Interludes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

character’s dead rivals could have known. Whatever a character learns during their temporary death, they can carry with them back into the mortal world. Such might make dying one of the most helpful things to happen in a character’s greater heroic career.

be quite sudden—or to give them a way to continue engaging in the quest while their companions attempt to bring them back to life. These interludes can be played as brief scenes where the player of

University Contacts

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

what to make of you but gives you work to keep you busy 2 A career bureaucrat who insists you file paperwork in multiple offices in order to get anything done 3 A junior professor who might be more

7 A tired senior professor whose only joy in academia is seeing what you bring back from your adventures 8 An eager researcher who wants to come with you on every adventure because second-hand reports are always incomplete and unsatisfying

Aundair Spire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

academic knowledge exceeds that of many colleagues, and students call him an excellent lecturer. But his lack of significant field experience has held him back. Word is circulating that he plans a truly

ambitious expedition to the far south of Xen’drik, which almost certainly will either make or break his career. He might hire the characters or their rivals to accompany him on this expedition. Cullen Cole

Embarrassment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

few small difficulties early in your career, or maybe it took you a while to restore your reputation after one agonizing night when the fates conspired to bring about your theatrical ruin. The ways

on with the show (if possible) or promising to come back tomorrow with a new performance that’s guaranteed to please. Embarrassments d6 Embarrassment 1 The time when your comedic song, “Big Tom’s

Familiar Faces

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

to you. Every NPC could be a potential ally, enemy, or foil later in the campaign. If the players take a shine to one, bring that character back — or better yet, make the NPC an integral part of the

ongoing plot. All franchises need servants and hirelings to do mundane jobs, and NPCs the characters already know are a great fit for these roles. Employ these NPCs to make the world feel more familiar and real to the players and characters alike.

Scouting the Lake

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

nonthreatening. They fish in the vicinity for the better part of an hour, then head back toward Lonelywood with their catch. 13 The characters encounter a keelboat flying the Targos flag. It has 1d6 fishers

(commoners) and a captain (scout) aboard. They don’t believe the lake monster is real and try to badger the characters into fishing elsewhere. They use trawling nets to fish in the vicinity for the

Missions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

encircling groups of guards, but they haven’t organized an attack. Nighthill thinks the raiders don’t intend to attack the keep; they seem interested only in loot. The real danger is to the town and to those

people who didn’t make it into the keep before it was cut off. Nighthill wants the characters to slip back into the town and help people who are cut off or harass the raiders. A stealthy group can make it out of the keep and back in again without drawing the raiders’ attention.

Exit, Pursued by an Owlbear

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

. What used to be a comically posed owlbear painted on wood is transforming into a real and enraged owlbear, and it’s rampaging right toward you! The owlbear prop turns into an actual attacking owlbear

stage crew step up in the background to deal with lesser threats as other props animate and begin to fly around the stage. Once the characters defeat the owlbear, it turns back into a wooden prop and

Missions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

encircling groups of guards, but they haven’t organized an attack. Nighthill thinks the raiders don’t intend to attack the keep; they seem interested only in loot. The real danger is to the town and to those

people who didn’t make it into the keep before it was cut off. Nighthill wants the characters to slip back into the town and help people who are cut off or harass the raiders. A stealthy group can make it out of the keep and back in again without drawing the raiders’ attention.

Why Are You Here?

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

Why Are You Here? As a resident of Clifftop, you’ve got a reputation. What is it, and how did you earn it? Are you a new prodigy, or an old retired hero who’s just getting back into the game? As

always, consider your background. If you’re a soldier, you might have had a celebrated career. As an entertainer, you might perform at one of the theaters of Upper Menthis between adventures. If you’re a

Tall Tales

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

Tall Tales Some folks are content to merely listen to stories of giants and other enormous peoples and creatures. For others, these tall tales become the basis of their entire adventuring career

says giants and other enormous creatures are stories for children. You hope to slay such a creature and bring back proof of their existence out of spite.

The Book's Demiplane

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

, particularly the High Forest and the River Rauvin, but the book’s story dates back to the days before the future site of the city was settled. As the story opens, the weather in the demiplane is brisk but

. The characters are active participants in the story, and its events are real to them: they can defeat enemies and be defeated by them. But a player character who drops to 0 hit points while on the

Foreword

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

their motives. A D&D adventure is only as good as its villains, and Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has multiple baddies to choose from. Before I pull back the curtain and lead you into the heart of

Waterdeep, I wish to thank Ed Greenwood for making the City of Splendors what it is: the kind of magical place you wish in your heart was real. Chris Perkins December 2017

D&D Beyond

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