before barriers diffusing contrast return

Goblin Psi Commander

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

of their psionic abilities, goblin psi commanders wield blades of pure psychic energy. They can throw barriers of mental force while toppling foes with a single, mind-splitting burst. Psionic

with other Aberrations, which help them transform in return for their service as shock troops. Regardless, the result is the same: a goblin with unnatural and barely contained psychic power. Psionic

Soulknife Legacy

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Most assassins strike with physical weapons, and many burglars and spies use thieves’ tools to infiltrate secure locations. In contrast, a Soulknife strikes and infiltrates with the mind

, cutting through barriers both physical and psychic. These rogues discover psionic power within themselves and channel it to do their roguish work. They find easy employment as members of thieves&rsquo

Mapping a Wilderness

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Mapping a Wilderness In contrast to a dungeon, an outdoor setting presents seemingly limitless options. The adventurers can move in any direction over a trackless desert or an open grassland, so how

uneven ground. Valleys and ridges channel travel in certain directions. Mountain ranges present forbidding barriers traversed only by remote passes. Even the most trackless desert reveals favored

Halflings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Halflings Folk think of elves as aloof and graceful, dwarves as fierce and hardy, and of gnomes — if they think of them at all — as clever and shy. Halflings, in contrast, have the reputation of

travelers as a rule, with tongues and hearts as nimble as their feet. Whereas if strongheart halflings are on the move, it always seems driven by a desire to return to home or find and settle in a

Servants of the Queen

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

lead them to where the barriers are weakest so they can then slip across planes to their destination. Once at their destination, the shadar-kai watch and wait, looking for the tragedies their queen

might also bring a bit of the sediment as a gift to the Raven Queen. What she would give in return is never known ahead of time, but her boons come in many wondrous forms: the restoration of a lost soul, the rediscovery of a missing memory, or a glimpse into the forgotten knowledge of the ancients.

Hag Lairs

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

their lairs inside the hulls of wrecked or abandoned ships. Best of Both Worlds Many hags settle in places where the barriers between the mortal world and the Feywild are thin, making it easy for

exact her vengeance, and no dish of revenge is sweeter than one served cold and to the next three generations of her enemy’s family. Hags hate to be in debt to someone who’s done them a favor spontaneously, outside of any bargain, and so will return favors unexpectedly to such folk. — Elminster

Purphoros's Influence

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

weapons of the gods, asking nothing in return. But his infrequent though memorable bouts of destructive fury have earned him more ill will in the pantheon than he realizes. Heliod despises Purphoros’s

Purphoros, deeply involved in the project of civilization. Purphoros’s desire to overturn the established order with violence stands in stark contrast to their measured ways. As a result, Purphoros stands aloof from them.

People of Setessa

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

men set out on peregrination after spending a number of years identified as women, and some women return from peregrination (or never undertake it) after a period of realization. Some people move

children are sacred to Karametra, so they are brought into the city and tended just as Setessa’s own children are. In contrast to the discipline associated with educating children in other poleis

Zariel

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

, that change signaled a major shift in the devils’ tactics. Zariel’s fiery temperament and reckless maneuvering stand in stark contrast to Bel’s approach, which relied on his expertise in logistics and

, dwarves, elves, and other folk. If Tiamat were to return to the material world, that event could trigger, or be a signal of, the resumption of the war between giants and dragons. The Warrior’s General

Enemies All Around

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

with it in return for the promise of great wealth. Dwarves who have been touched by Abbathor might succumb to this temptation — only to find themselves imprisoned in the dragon’s lair, sentenced to a

reminisce over the defeat of a dragon, or weep as they recall the death of a beloved elder. In contrast to clan gatherings, dwarves who drink alone invariably become morose and sullen — when

Dragon Encounters

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

goblins (as in “The Sunless Citadel,” an adventure found in Tales from the Yawning Portal). In this case, fighting the dragon might be necessary if the dragon doesn’t want to return, but killing the

seeing the inside of the dragon’s home. This scenario also means an adult or older dragon has access to lair actions. In contrast, a dragon fighting outdoors can more easily fly out of reach of opponents

Centaur

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

have the guros travel. A courser explores new trade territory for their guros. They are expert trackers and navigators, able to venture deep into unexplored territory and unerringly return to their

fortune before sending young centaurs on their way, guiding the first steps of their journey. While most centaurs return to the band eventually, some find their calling elsewhere. When the Lagonna tell

Beholder Lairs

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

barriers to gain access to the tunnel. As with the tunnels between chambers, escape tunnels are usually a steep climb or nearly vertical to make it difficult for non-flying creatures to follow. A tunnel

flee, the beholder and its forces return night after night, each time eliminating key defenders, and ultimately breaking the morale of the survivors, at which point the beholder’s minions can capture anyone or anything worth keeping and raze the settlement.

Recurring Villains

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

Recurring Villains The most effective villains are the ones that return, over and over, to plague their heroic nemeses. When the heroes foil the schemes of an evil mastermind, the clever villain

Villain In contrast to a villain who is a part of the characters’ everyday life, an otherworldly villain isn’t only anonymous but also fundamentally mysterious. It’s not just a question of who the

Spire of Iriolarthas (Y19a-Y19h)

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

, attacks them. Y19b. Ballroom Chamber music washes over you as you enter this ballroom. In contrast to the desolate, frozen ruins outside, a dozen people mill around in here, dressed in flowing silk

they complete this mission and return with the staff, she escorts them to the obelisk and tries to activate it. If the characters are unwilling to help Veneranda achieve her goal, they quickly outlive

Stone Giants

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

yet, since the revelation of that fact would herald Annam’s return. Ever since Ostoria fell and Annam abandoned his children, no sole king or emperor has ruled over giantkind. According to legend, the

interest in how soon Annam’s return comes to pass — they all want to live to see it. Some individuals gain a measure of immortality for themselves by merging with elemental forces. These storm giant

Temple Locations T10-T18

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

breaks down, revealing his identity if the characters haven’t already sussed it out. He is desperate to have the curse undone so he can return to Candlekeep. Having just arrived at the temple, Falthrax

Piles of straw and moth-eaten blankets have been set up in this area as rough beds, and broken furniture and garbage is scattered around. In contrast to the squalor, four fine paintings hang along the

Other Religious Systems

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

), or even forces and philosophies that don’t center on deities. Tight Pantheons In contrast to a loose pantheon, a tight pantheon focuses on a single religion whose teachings and edicts embrace a small

initiation ritual. The foundation myth of a mystery cult is usually simple and often involves a god’s death and rising, or a journey to the underworld and a return. Mystery cults often revere sun and

Areas of the Sanctum

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

stripped of their spellbooks and magic items (including any teleporter rings they obtained in Kolat Towers). They then awaken in a back alley of Waterdeep with 1 hit point each. If the characters return

wooden chairs. The table stands out in stark contrast against the alabaster walls and floor. If they haven’t been drawn elsewhere, two of Manshoon’s followers are sparring and engaged in mock

Abyssal Prisons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

dimensional barriers that prevent fiends from teleporting or summoning other demons within the sector. Fiendish Arena In this zone, a vampire named Issem culls the weakest demons using arena combat. When

attuned to this zone. He is willing to share the key’s attunement in return for a taste of fresh blood. Any character who agrees to this bargain suffers the effects of Issem’s bite attack. Development

Brimstone Hold Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

below. Three-foot-high barriers line the causeway’s edges, funneling travelers toward the gatehouse of Vrakir’s imposing fortress. The bridge crosses the lava river at its narrowest point, spanning 300

don’t intervene. If the characters aren’t present, it takes the duergar 10 minutes to subdue the rioting prisoners. If the characters return to the prison yard after obtaining the Book of Vile

Tyrant's Spiral

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

endless loop. The modrons are indifferent to other creatures and ignore creatures they trample or creatures that try to communicate. If faced with barriers, the modrons create simple structures (like

itself to life, which it believes it can do only in the Nine Hells. If the characters negotiate with the skull, it offers to aid their escape if they promise to return it to the Nine Hells. It knows

Ironslag: Upper Level

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

running through these tunnels end at a pair of wooden barriers. Three pillars of black basalt support the ceiling. The bucket chain passes through gaps in the western and eastern walls, its iron

release Zaltember until they have obtained Duke Zalto’s conch of teleportation, the duke or the duchess gives it to them in exchange for the promise of Zaltember’s safe return. Zalto and Brimskarda also

Forge Level (X27-X37)

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

-Towns, Kapanuk was of little use to his captors. If released, Kapanuk tries to acquire some weapons and armor. He also invites the characters to return with him to Wyrmdoom Crag, where his kin will

alcove. These barriers fall and lock into place if the characters physically forced open the portcullis that seals the vault’s entrance. Placing the fingers and palm of Xardorok’s gauntlet in the hand

The Dark Seldarine

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

picked clean of flesh by the giant spiders that lurk in the web-draped stalactites overhead. In return for victims and adoration, Lolth grants signs of her favor, such as great success during a slave

Keptolo. But Vhaeraun represents a different aspect of drow masculinity: strong, silent, obedient, swift, and deadly. He is thought of as Lolth’s favored son, in contrast to Keptolo’s role as her beautiful

Masters' Domain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

smiling figure with its hands held out, as if ready to accept an offering. In contrast to the beatific pillars, alcoves around the room contain statues of four-armed gargoyles. Advance Notice

ritual that uses this area’s magic to return soul-bound undead characters to life. If she is allowed to do so, Phaia flees the Doomvault. Aura. A detect magic spell reveals an aura of necromancy on

Candlekeep

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

precious currency of Candlekeep: knowledge. I know of many companies who have been shown lore concerning lost ruins, then asked to brave some dangerous place and return with prizes that can be found only

up the book, or pay an additional price to have it delivered. Spellbooks. In contrast, magical books of spells and formulae cost much, much more — a spellbook might be priced at thousands or even

Outer City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

valuable magic potions, and eagerly encourages his shoppers to investigate — and then return to tell him the story. Garynmor Stables and Menagerie As horses and other beasts of burden aren’t allowed inside

and each other, speaking through the barriers so as to maintain anonymity. Also popular are schools like the Lamp of Learning and the Verdashir Academy (also known as the Dervish Academy), which train

Outer City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

in the Riverveins tunnels along with a chest full of valuable magic potions, and eagerly encourages his shoppers to investigate — and then return to tell him the story. Garynmor Stables and Menagerie

people from across the city can buy and sell secrets with Guild agents and each other, speaking through the barriers so as to maintain anonymity. Also popular are schools like the Lamp of Learning and the

Locations R - U

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

characters seeking assistance to wait for the cathedral’s caretaker to return. If they heed the druid’s advice, assume that the caretaker returns at the next dawn. The primary caretaker of Shadowtop

or barriers, so anyone traversing it is at the mercy of the wind. Suggested Encounter The first time the adventurers approach the midpoint of the bridge, they see a fire giant and a hell hound

Locations on the Second Level

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a6

is cleared of opponents. The headsman, by contrast, uses his axe after tossing one victim down the well. Treasure. The stakes of the game include six pieces of jewelry (worth 250 gp each) and ten

stronghold and return home. Cell 2C. Eight male elf commoners are awaiting sacrifice in the Temple. They have no treasure, but they promise to sing their rescuers’ praises. Cell 3C. A merchant is being

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