before beast driven complex roles

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

Demogorgon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"necrotic"} necrotic damage. Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). Demogorgon uses Spellcasting.Prince of Demons, the Sibilant Beast, and Master of the Spiraling Depths, Demogorgon is the embodiment of

Demogorgon’s followers are typically lone killers driven by the whispering voice of their master. His most blessed followers gain the Two Minds of Chaos trait. Two Minds of Chaos. This creature

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in

contrast, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers. Half-Elf Names Half-elves use either human or elven

Baphomet Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

each: dispel magic, dominate beast, hunter's mark, maze, wall of stone 1/day each: teleport Labyrinthine Recall. Baphomet can perfectly recall any path he has traveled, and he is immune to the maze

natures, for Baphomet envisions a world without restraint, where creatures live out their most savage desires. Cults devoted to Baphomet use mazes and complex knots as their emblems, creating secret

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

demands of the Nine Hells and the impulsive hedonism of the Feywild. Driven by dramatic and unpredictable emotions, these feral creatures wreak havoc wherever they go. Corrupted Essence. The devils

might present itself as a friendly, agreeable guide that helps travelers survive the Nine Hells. Another is a howling beast that attempts to destroy all in its path. One will show mercy and empathy

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

; animosity, gnomes tend to avoid or abandon settlements that have a severe infestation of kobolds, and conversely kobolds are usually driven out of communities that have a large gnome population

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

personality: a feline shifter may be cool and distant, driven by predatory instincts, while a shifter with a lupine spirit might be drawn to find and protect a pack. When a shifter fully embraces this beast

world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization? The Beast Within Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their

Baphomet

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Baphomet casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18): 3/day each: dispel magic, dominate beast, maze, wall of

Baphomet use mazes and complex knots as their emblems. They create secret places to indulge themselves, including labyrinths of the sort their master favors. Bloodstained crowns and weapons of iron and

Lhammaruntosz

Monsters Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

a DC 19 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 60 feet away from the dragon. Change Shape. Lhammaruntosz magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge

Bahamut, which the dragon can use to commune with the deity. In recent decades Lhammaruntosz has retreated inside the shrine, becoming reclusive due to a attack by a disguised demon which has driven her

Hobgoblin

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Hobgoblins trace their origins to the ancient courts of the Feywild, where they first appeared with their goblin and bugbear kin. Many of them were driven from the Feywild by the conquering god

in alphabetical order: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don’t have rules themselves, but

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, wandering tabaxi are catlike humanoids driven by curiosity to collect interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes on all the world’s wonders. Ultimate travelers, the inquisitive

on a particularly interesting item when an owner refuses to sell or trade it. Tabaxi Names Each tabaxi has a single name, determined by clan and based on a complex formula that involves astrology

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

The Beast Within

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

takes shape. The beast within is a pool of powerful instincts, and its influence is revealed by a shifter’s personality: a feline shifter may be cool and distant, driven by predatory instincts, while

The Beast Within Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within: a totemic force that shapes their body and mind. Some shifters believe that these spirits are independent entities

The Beast Within

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

personality takes shape. The beast within is a pool of powerful instincts, and its influence is revealed by a shifter’s personality: a feline shifter may be cool and distant, driven by predatory instincts

The Beast Within Wildhunt Shifter Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their body and mind. Some shifters believe that these spirits are

Temple of Black Earth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Tyar-Besil’s main entrance, a well-fortified gate complex with barracks, guardrooms, armories, and stables. Enemies that managed to fight their way down the Ancient Stair from the surface above were

stopped in their tracks by the daunting defenses of the gate quarter. More than one reckless attack by orcs, trolls, or giants was driven back from the gate. In time, those savage foes found other ways

Stage 3

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

Stage 3 Third Council of Waterdeep At the third meeting of the Council of Waterdeep, the characters take lead roles in shaping the fight against the cult. Xonthal’s Tower The Cult of the Dragon is

infiltrate a cult stronghold and claim the mask, then save a nearby village from the blue dragon that means to take the relic back. Mission to Thay The ritual that will bring Tiamat to Faerûn is too complex

Diplomats or Wanderers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast

, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to

Stage 3

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

Stage 3 Third Council of Waterdeep At the third meeting of the Council of Waterdeep, the characters take lead roles in shaping the fight against the cult. Xonthal’s Tower The Cult of the Dragon is

infiltrate a cult stronghold and claim the mask, then save a nearby village from the blue dragon that means to take the relic back. Mission to Thay The ritual that will bring Tiamat to Faerûn is too complex

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

that feature dragons, whether you want such an encounter to be the climax of an adventure or an obstacle in a larger narrative. “Dragon Adventures” looks at the different roles a dragon can play in an

Plesiosaurus

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Plesiosaurus A plesiosaurus is a marine dinosaur whose compact body is driven by powerful flippers. Predatory and aggressive, it attacks any creature it encounters. Its flexible neck accounts for a

third of its total length, letting it twist in any direction to deliver a powerful bite. Plesiosaurus Large beast, unaligned Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Hit Points 68 (8d10 + 24) Speed 20 ft

Appendix A: Animals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

Appendix A: Animals This appendix provides stat blocks for animals of the Beast type—along with many of their gigantic or mythologized kin—in alphabetical order. Most represent versions of animals

that exist (or existed) in the real world. You can find descriptions of these creatures in dictionaries or other educational sources, or you might create new roles for them in your D&D worlds. Use these

Diplomats or Wanderers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast

, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to

Goblin Werebats

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Goblin Werebats South of Wyllow’s tower stands a large complex of ornate stone buildings that used to be home to a cult of Malar, the Beast Lord. Wyllow allowed these evil humans to hunt in her

Hermit

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

—something so big that it’s driven you from your beloved books and into a life of adventure. Is it a fragment of the Draconic Prophecy? A complex puzzle leading to an ancient treasure?

Monsters and Motivations

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

adventurers. Characters might be able to appease a hungry beast by offering it food, and smarter creatures have complex motivations. The Monster Motivation table lets you use a monster’s goals to define its

Yeenoghu

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

Yeenoghu Also known as the Beast of Butchery, Yeenoghu inspires his followers to devour any creatures they meet. In his mind, the cosmos is made up only of predators and prey. To sate his blood lust

his incursions across the planes. The few humanoids that take up his worship are disaffected loners, many of them outcasts driven away from civilization. A cult of Yeenoghu operates like a pack of

Almiraj

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

Almiraj An almiraj (pronounced AWL-meer-ahj) is a large, timid rabbit with a 1-foot-long spiral horn emerging from its forehead, not unlike the horn of a unicorn. If driven to attack, it tries to

spear enemies with its horn. Almiraj Small beast, unaligned Armor Class 13 Hit Points 3 (1d6) Speed 50 ft. STR 2 (–4) DEX 16 (+3) CON 10 (+0) INT 2 (–4

Baphomet

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

devoted to Baphomet use mazes and complex knots as their emblems, creating secret places to indulge themselves, including labyrinths of the sort their master favors. Bloodstained crowns and weapons of iron

. Baphomet wields a great glaive called Heartcleaver. He sometimes casts this deadly weapon aside so that he can charge his enemies and gore them with his horns, trampling them into the earth and rending them with his teeth like a beast.

Baphomet

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

devoted to Baphomet use mazes and complex knots as their emblems, creating secret places to indulge themselves, including labyrinths of the sort their master favors. Bloodstained crowns and weapons of iron

. Baphomet wields a great glaive called Heartcleaver. He sometimes casts this deadly weapon aside so that he can charge his enemies and gore them with his horns, trampling them into the earth and rending them with his teeth like a beast.

Dracolich

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

, driven to rule over all. A dracolich is a fiendishly intelligent tyrant that crafts complex webs of foul schemes, attracting servants motivated by greed and a lust for power. Acting from the shadows

The Vanthampur Family

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

The Vanthampur Family Thalamra Vanthampur is a cunning, devil-worshiping beast of a woman in her late sixties who can stare down a hell hound without flinching. She is barrel-bodied, with strong

complex below her villa. Thalamra is a widow three times over, and each of her dead husbands was kind enough to give her a son. Her oldest boy, Thurstwell, is a pale and sullen recluse in his forties. A

Sovereigns

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

is the Sovereign of Horn and Hunt. He guides both the beast and the hunter, and he is the patron of those who walk on the edge of civilization and the natural world. Boldrei is the Sovereign of Hall

is suggested for his clerics, Kol Korran guides fair negotiation; those driven solely by greed prefer the Keeper of the Dark Six. Olladra is the Sovereign of Feast and Fortune. She is the giver of

Iroas as Campaign Villain

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

victory or by cleaving to stubbornly held ideas. Although a campaign against Iroas might be straightforward in how the action plays out, the underlying causes of conflict could be quite complex

, involving attacks on people who may seem unrelated to the initial conflict. As a campaign villain, Iroas is most likely driven by his desire to win in battle, to confront Mogis, or to avenge an insult to

Wight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

places, surrounded by dead plants, noticeably blackened, and avoided by bird and beast. Humanoids slain by a wight can rise as zombies under its control. Motivated by hunger for living souls and driven by

Wight The word “wight” meant “person” in days of yore, but the name now refers to evil undead who were once mortals driven by dark desire and great vanity. When death stills such a creature’s heart

Life and Outlook

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

Life and Outlook Kobolds have a tribal society in which they all take on specialized 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 on. Even a stupid or physically weak kobold is given a role in the tribe, whether something as simple as picking

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