before bands driven cautious risk

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarf-kin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more powerful. A

two elements of their character. They are cautious and distrustful, which serves them well as they navigate the dangers of the Underdark and its societies. They also have a stronger-than-normal

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

safe from the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarf-kin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more

ago but for two elements of their character. They are cautious and distrustful, which serves them well as they navigate the dangers of the Underdark and its societies. They also have a stronger-than

Deathlock

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

warlock. The consequences of breaking that pact can be dire and, in some cases, lethal. A warlock who fails to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock

, a foul Undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron. An powerful necromancer might also discover the wicked methods of creating a deathlock and then subjugate it, acting as the deathlock’s patron.PoisonNecrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered

Deathlock Mastermind

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul Undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron. An powerful necromancer might also discover

Deathlock Wight

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul Undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron. An powerful necromancer might also discover the wicked methods of

Khargra

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

material is coughed up. Reluctant Predators. Khargras find living flesh disgusting, and they attack creatures only when driven by hunger and a lack of safer options. After securing a meal of whatever

tasty, refined metal their victim carries, they quickly flee—and will flee before that rather than risk death. Stealthy Couriers. A number of clans among the dwarves, duergar, and azers have trained

Uthgardt Tribe Member

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

and ruin. But for the last few generations, some bands among the tribes were tempted to settle, make peace, trade, and even to build towns. Perhaps this is why Uthgar chose to raise up the totems

among the people as living embodiments of his power. Perhaps they needed a reminder of who they were and from whence they came. The Chosen of Uthgar led bands back to the old ways, and most of your people

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying. Driven Competitors Every day brings a new challenge to a goliath. Food, water, and shelter are rare in the uppermost mountain reaches. A

skills. This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale

unfeeling entity. Have Auril speak only when necessary. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words

Arasta

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

it a risk, though, for those who Klothys finds unworthy might be driven mad. There, within Enorasi’s hollow trunk, Arasta awaits the next would-be prophet to make her meal. Her webs stretch

; petty rivalries, Arasta was once one of Nylea’s most beloved dryad companions. Phenax’s bitterness saw her transformed into an arachnid monstrosity and driven into the darkest depths of the

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to

incapable of showing mercy or compassion. Play her as a supremely cold and unfeeling entity. Have Auril speak only when necessary. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

where the townsfolk would try to hunt down all kobolds and put the tribe’s survival at risk. Some aggressive individual kobolds and tribes do exist, but in general kobolds don’t purposely

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Bands of orphans and runaways band together in the Outer City, running after passersby in ragged throngs to plead for scraps. In the Lower City, urchins are often recruited into the lowest echelons

of desperate poverty, for good and for ill. They tend to be driven either by a commitment to the people with whom they shared life on the street or by a burning desire to find a better life &mdash

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures

. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words, define her. Lesser gods in the D&D multiverse are

Able Scavengers

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

are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation where the townsfolk would try to

hunt down all kobolds and put the tribe’s survival at risk. Some aggressive individual kobolds and tribes do exist, but in general kobolds don’t purposely provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures

Orzhov Representative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

the flesh as long as possible, and as a spirit afterward. (Any) Bonds d6 Bond 1 The unbearable weight of my debt has driven me to desperation. 2 I’m duty-bound

convinced that everyone I know is plotting against me. 3 I’ll brave any risk if the monetary reward is great enough. 4 I am convinced that I am far more important than anyone else is

Anthropologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

survive—or why they did not. Some anthropologists are driven by intellectual curiosity, while others want the fame and recognition that comes with being the first to discover a new people, a

desensitized to violence. 5 I would risk life and limb to discover a new culture or unravel the secrets of a dead one. 6 When I arrive at a new settlement for the first time, I must learn all its

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

, seeing them as accidents. Many feel nothing for their genasi children at all. Some genasi live as outcasts, driven into exile for their unsettling appearance and strange magic, or assuming leadership

self-assurance in one genasi and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Too much failure can

Band

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

Band Irina Nordsol A small band of hill giants hunts across a ruin-studded landscape The giants most commonly encountered in the world are bands of two to four who are united by a common

purpose. These are often warriors engaged in raiding, hunting, or a mission on behalf of the leader of their home community. Sometimes these bands are religious in nature—a small community dedicated to

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

warriors are commanded to scour the surrounding landscape for any opportunity to spill blood and bring glory to their gods. Often, bands of warriors work on a rotation, with one group heading out on a

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

Creeping Transformations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

homes to protect themselves and others. Regular, cautious visits from their friends keep these four people tenuously grounded, so there haven’t been any further violent incidents. Other residents show

actually at risk of collapse. Trees, bushes, and other natural elements throughout town cast shadows that undulate, particularly in moonlight. When viewed closely, the shadows appear normal. During

Khyber

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

this valuable mineral resource—though such journeys rarely risk delving into the weirdest depths of Khyber. Increasingly, House Tharashk prospectors seek partnerships with academic expeditions into

substantial profits. Aside from assisting in such profit-driven expeditions, Morgrave University doesn’t often sponsor independent missions into Khyber. Such missions rarely bring back physical objects of any

Protanther

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

full strength. If this puts the humanoids at risk, so be it. Attitude. Neutral. If there are humans or tieflings in the party, Protanther is instead cautious. If there are elves in the party, he is

Protanther

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

strength. If this puts the humanoids at risk, so be it. Attitude. Neutral. If there are humans or tieflings in the party, Protanther is instead cautious. If there are elves in the party, he is unfriendly

Hades

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

. Layers of Hades Layer Description Oinos A land of dead-gray ash, stunted trees, and virulent disease is stalked by roving bands of Fiends looking for a fight or recruits for the Blood War

. Adventurers might pursue a hag, a lich, or another evil spellcaster who comes to Hades to collect larvae for vile purposes. Once they are in the Three Glooms, the adventurers risk becoming trapped by the overwhelming despair of the place.

Gruul Clans

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

largest and mightiest of them all. — Doug Beyer, Return to Ravnica: The Secretist The Gruul Clans are a wild people in a civilized land, a loose affiliation of bands that squat on the fringes of

gradual expansion of the city, however, has driven the Gruul into smaller and smaller refuges. ITCHING FOR A FIGHT Gruul goblins live in colonies scattered at the edges of Gruul territory and civilized

Campaign Events

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

. Similar events might mark the start, middle, or end of a campaign as the actions of giants shake the world. The World-Shaking Events table offers inspiration for giant-driven events that can set or alter

the course of your campaign. World-Shaking Events d8 Event 1 A giant who claims prophetic inspiration from Annam unites scattered bands of giants into a powerful political and militaristic force. 2

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

rather than among other creatures, including my own kind. 4 I sometimes become consumed by philosophy. 5 I believe I am superior to others of my caste. 6 I am driven by wanderlust

Evil Inchoate

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

demon sees itself as the rightful inheritor of the cosmos. It is driven to destroy all other living creatures, or at least command their absolute loyalty. In due time, the laws of the universe will

. Such a site is usually protected with intricate traps, mindless servants, and other defenses that bring no risk of subversion or betrayal. If an archdevil were ever to acquire a demonic amulet

Suggested Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

civilizations survive — or why they did not. Some anthropologists are driven by intellectual curiosity, while others want the fame and recognition that comes with being the first to discover a new people, a

to observing proper etiquette and local customs. 3 I would rather observe than meddle. 4 By living among violent people, I have become desensitized to violence. 5 I would risk life and limb to

Blingdenstone Factions

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

lurking, any elemental brought to the battle runs the risk of being driven insane. Nomi and Gurnik agree that if the Steadfast Stone is cleansed and Ogrémoch’s Bane is banished, the Stoneheart Enclave

Simple Traps

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

experience, the characters can become overly cautious, and you run the risk of the action grinding to a halt as the players search every square inch of the dungeon for trip wires and pressure plates

The Zhentarim

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

full extent of the threat, as corruption and madness have already infiltrated their secret outpost since those initial reports (see chapter 9). However, even the most cautious member of the Zhentarim

fate would destroy the Zhentarim’s plans for control of Faerûn. Davra Jassur Lawful evil human assassin Ideals: Order, discipline, ambition Personality: Driven, focused, ruthless Potential

Gracklstugh

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

Gracklstugh If the characters visited Gracklstugh previously, the duergar response to their return is dictated by the gray dwarves’ prior experience with the characters. The duergar are cautious — if

characters spend much time in Gracklstugh, they become caught up in a rush of destructive events. A secret alliance of factions within the Council of Savants and the Keepers of the Flame, driven by

People of Akros

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

martial bands, holding strong in the face of unbeatable odds. It sings of a great yearly competition that crowns the preeminent warrior-athlete in Akros, and—by extension—the world. The majority of

Akroan military. Stratians The Akroan military is formed of wandering bands of warriors (drawn from the lektoi families) known as stratians. Outside the walls of the Kolophon, the stratians camp in the

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