before battle diffusing complex races

Planar Ally

Spells Player’s Handbook

exchange for payment, but it isn’t obliged to do so. The requested task could range from simple (fly us across the chasm, or help us fight a battle) to complex (spy on our enemies, or protect us during

Sahuagin Priestess Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

the sahuagin hunting horn — a call to raid and battle. Coastal settlers refer to sahuagin as “sea devils,” for sahuagin have no compassion in them, slaughtering the crews of ships and decimating coastal

massive mutant males that grow second sets of arms. They are terrible foes in battle, and all sahuagin bow down before these powerful barons. Way of the Shark. Sahuagin worship the shark god Sekolah. Only

Sahuagin Baron Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

it. This is the sound of the sahuagin hunting horn — a call to raid and battle. Coastal settlers refer to sahuagin as “sea devils,” for sahuagin have no compassion in them

self-styled rulers of sahuagin ocean domains are massive mutant males that grow second sets of arms. They are terrible foes in battle, and all sahuagin bow down before these powerful barons. Way of

Dhergoloth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, dhergoloths rush into battle like whirlwinds of destruction, lashing out with the five sets of claws that extend from their squat, barrel-shaped bodies. They take contracts to put down uprisings, clear out

brutes, employers must use caution when instructing them. They can handle simple orders that don’t take a lot of time to resolve. When given anything complex to do, however, they either forget what

Planar Ally Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

service in exchange for payment, but it isn't obliged to do so. The requested task could range from simple (fly us across the chasm, or help us fight a battle) to complex (spy on our enemies, or

Howler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

-numbing howling to corner prey before they tear it apart. Their howls flood the minds of their victims, making complex thought impossible. Listeners can do little more than stare in horror and stumble

around the battlefield in a search for safety. Fiends especially prize howlers for this reason, because for a few crucial moments in a battle, their howls can neutralize an enemy.Cold, Fire, Lightning; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way. MERCENARIES OF THE NORTH Countless mercenary companies

-states in the North are willing to field an army alongside the Chill, but several are happy to quietly pay the Chill to battle the Uthgardt, orcs, trolls of the Evermoors, and other threats to

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

among the fae, magically negotiating themselves advantages in battle. Like many high fae, these mages draw power from the latent energy found throughout the wilds of Eldraine. However, high fae mages

frequently engage in deceptions and other complex games of wits against one another. Most high fae remain secluded deep within the wilds of Eldraine. They draw power from motes of light found

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

field of battle centuries ago. SLOW TO TRUST Dwarves get along passably well with most other races. “The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years,” is

them into an exile that lasted over 250 years. This longevity grants them a perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as humans and halflings lack. Dwarves are solid and enduring like the

Geryon (Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

use this opportunity to replace his hated rival. Among the archdevils, Geryon is known for his martial prowess. He is a ferocious hunter and a relentless tracker. He often joins his troops in battle

hierarchy. Sages who study the Nine Hells believe the battle for control of Stygia is a test staged by Asmodeus in hopes of purging the worst impulses from both Geryon and Levistus—or discovering a

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

opportunity to replace his hated rival. Among the archdevils, Geryon is known for his martial prowess. He is a ferocious hunter and a relentless tracker. He often joins his troops in battle; he loves

. Sages who study the Nine Hells believe the battle for control of Stygia is a test staged by Asmodeus in hopes of purging the worst impulses from both Geryon and Levistus—or discovering a competent

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster Bugbears feature in the nightmare tales of many races — great, hairy beasts that creep through the shadows as quiet as cats. If you walk alone in the woods, a bugbear will reach out

. 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

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments. Fair Play For goliaths, competition exists only

battle, at the peak of strength and skill, than endure the slow decay of old age. Few folk have ever meet an elderly goliath, and even those goliaths who have left their people grapple with the urge to

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

seeks adventurers to lead into battle against the mind flayer;mind flayers that usurped the dragon’s lair. 4 Powerful infernal creatures have opened a portal in the middle of a city square

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

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

little to conceal an underlying brutality that hobgoblins practice on each other and perfect upon other races. Punishment for infractions of hobgoblin law are swift and merciless. Beauty is something

greatest respect is reserved for those who earn their glory in battle. In theory, the fortunes of war can elevate the lowest-ranking banner in a legion to the highest status. In practice, warlords are

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

important than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the

again in ruins, Dove Falconhand decided to reform the group with the primary goal of building alliances and friendship between the civilized races of the world and goodly people in order to combat evil

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

races have little good to say about kobolds, but they do admit that the little reptilians do respectable tunnel work using simple tools. If a band of kobolds is enslaved by more powerful creatures

, sorcerer, miner, or crafter is as likely to be female as male. Grow Fast, Die Early Kobolds grow and mature much more swiftly than members of other humanoid races. At 6 years old a kobold is

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

hatred of the civilized races of the world and their need to satisfy the demands of their deities, the orcs know that if they fight well and bring glory to their tribe, Gruumsh will call them home to

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

smooth-skins is far greater. Despite their alien outlook, some lizardfolk make an effort to understand and, in their own manner, befriend people of other races. Such lizardfolk make faithful and

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

Uthgardt Tribe Member

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

constructs of civilization. (Neutral) 6 Glory. I must earn glory in battle, for myself and my clan. (Any) d6 Bond 1 My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing

fullest. 3 I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me. 4 I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and

Minotaur

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

carve their horns to sharpen their edges, etch symbols of power into them, or sheathe them in bronze to prevent them from shattering during battle. Thick hair extends down minotaurs’ necks and

adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race’s description

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

goblin tribe has to nobility is the caste of lashers — families of goblins trained in the ways of battle, and also possessed of key skills such as strategy, trap-building, beast taming, mining

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

ancient pact to advise a monarchy on matters of defense—until someone bests the dragon’s security measures. 3 A sapphire dragon seeks adventurers to lead into battle against the mind

of psychic forces has begun to affect the local fauna in strange ways. Sapphire Dragon Lairs Sapphire dragons make their lairs in enormous caverns and complex tunnel systems. As they grow

Races

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

Races Humanoids of all kinds have made their mark on the continent of Khorvaire. Presented in alphabetical order, the playable races in this section have especially shaped the land’s recent history

. Each of the races described in the Player’s Handbook has a place in Eberron. As you make a character from one of these races, this section can help you understand your character’s place in the world

Chapter 2: Character Races

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

Chapter 2: Character Races Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. This chapter presents character races that are some of the more distinctive race options in the D&D multiverse. They supplement the

options in the Player’s Handbook and are more rare in the worlds of D&D than the races in that book are. If you’re a player, consult with your DM before using any of the races here. Many DMs like to

Ileuthra

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

to remain in the worldin the world if the humanoid races are aware of where they are. If the characters agree that all dragon masks will be handed over to the metallic dragons as soon as they are found — including any masks captured after the final battle — his attitude can be improved.

knowledge, but the dragon is cagey on that point. Seeing good and bad in equal measure among the lesser races, Ileuthra recognizes that helping the humanoids is less a case of deciding whether they are worthy

Ileuthra

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

to remain in the world if the humanoid races are aware of where they are. If the characters agree that all dragon masks will be handed over to the metallic dragons as soon as they are found—including any masks captured after the final battle—his attitude can be improved.

knowledge, but the dragon is cagey on that point. Seeing good and bad in equal measure among the lesser races, Ileuthra recognizes that helping the humanoids is less a case of deciding whether they are worthy

Running This Chapter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

on the Isle of Serpents on Oerth, a world known for its legendary dungeons and magical treasures. The characters arrive on the island in time to witness a battle between a kraken and a crew of

in the complex the archaeologists were exploring: the Tomb of Wayward Souls. The archaeologists haven’t explored far into the deadly complex, so the characters must face its challenges without much

Retreat!

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

Retreat! If the adventurers retreat from the sounds of battle, they barely escape from a partial collapse of their local section of Araumycos’s cavern complex. They race ahead of a small horde of

Sun Elves

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

Sun Elves Sun elves, also known as gold elves, or Ar’Tel’Quessir, have a reputation for being arrogant and self-important. Many of them believe they are Corellon’s chosen people and that other races

, or noteworthy other races’ accomplishments might be, there is an inherent superiority to all things elven. This attitude colors sun elves’ relations with other elves, whom they see as diluted or

Chapter 3: Races of Eberron

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

Chapter 3: Races of Eberron The Bazaar in Sharn is flooded with merchants and customers. An Aereni elf scowls behind a golden deathmask as she argues with a dwarf merchant. As a Talenta halfling

mounts. This chapter provides an overview of the common races and their role in the world. It also presents four new races that were originally developed for the Eberron campaign setting. Changelings

Metallic Dragons

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

of the lesser races. Using Metallic Dragons The metallic dragons will strike against the cultists at the Well of Dragons, but they are much more effective if their attacks are coordinated as part of

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

Within the Well of Dragons

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

cultists working in and patrolling the caverns are on high alert, and use a complex system of checks and passwords as proof against spies and enemy agents. The advanced state of the ritual means that

all cultists have been ordered to patrol or prepare for battle. If the characters tarry too long in one place or wander around the Well of Dragons without purpose, add additional guard patrols based on existing encounters.

Metallic Dragons

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

of the lesser races. Using Metallic Dragons The metallic dragons will strike against the cultists at the Well of Dragons, but they are much more effective if their attacks are coordinated as part of

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

Metallic Dragons

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

of the lesser races. Using Metallic Dragons The metallic dragons will strike against the cultists at the Well of Dragons, but they are much more effective if their attacks are coordinated as part of

the overall plan of battle. Moreover, if they can be brought into the alliance represented by the Council of Waterdeep, they can help defend humanoid territories from the cult’s devastating raids. This is covered in greater detail in chapter 14.

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