before behind decades cautious reason

Manshoon

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

formative influence. Manshoon made many enemies and sought to preserve his power by crafting several clones. A magical accident decades ago caused all his clones to activate at once and fight against

clandestine coup. It’s widely believed he’s turned his attentions elsewhere, but another Manshoon clone lurks in that city, manipulating the Zhentarim behind the scenes to amass

Kadroth

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

in cult affairs because he fears her spellcasting ability and her connection to the Arcane Brotherhood. She could take over the cult anytime she wanted, and Kadroth doesn't want to give her any reason

to do so. For all his political machinations, Kadroth is a visionary who has so far made the cult stronger through his actions and decisions. He spends hours behind his desk, staring into the burning

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers’ psionic

Stone Giant Dreamwalker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Stone giants sometimes go on dream quests in the surface world, seeking inspiration for their art, a break from decades-long ennui, or satisfaction of simple curiosity. Some who go on these quests let

themselves become lost in the dream. Other stone giants are banished to the surface as punishment. Regardless of the reason they ended up on the surface, if they don’t take shelter under stone

Forge Fitzwilliam

Monsters Thieves’ Gallery

audacious criminal has left a trail of broken promises and false identities along the Sword Coast. He conceals flexible morals and a ready dagger behind his winning smile. Forge enjoys the finer

things in life, particularly when they result from his own cleverness. Decades of heists and cons haven’t slaked his thirst—in fact, his ambitions only grow grander with time.Cunning. Forge

Hermit Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

changed to allow you to end your solitude? You can work with your DM to determine the exact nature of your seclusion, or you can choose or roll on the table below to determine the reason behind your

case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp Life of Seclusion What was the reason for your isolation, and what

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

and its siblings inherit whatever tools, weapons, and gifts their parents left behind. Each young tortle is expected to fend for itself. It leaves the place of its birth and finds its own corner of the

, defending their offspring, and sharing a lifetime of knowledge before they die. When the children are old enough to leave the compound, they pick up whatever weapons and tools their parents left behind and

Caradoc

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

’s swiftly pulled back if caught beyond its walls without a host. Personality Trait. “I might be dead, but there’s no reason I can’t live it up a little.” Ideal. &ldquo

;The safest place to be is behind the toughest warrior in the room.” Bond. “In life and in death, I’m the only one who matters.” Flaw. “Who can resist a little drama

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

histories of some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

provided. The following section, discussing possible homelands, includes some suggested reasons that are appropriate for each location. d6 Reason d6 Reason 1 Emissary 4 Pilgrim

;n. Recent events in your homeland have led to the abolition of slavery, and a corresponding increase in the traffic between Mulhorand and the distant parts of Faerûn. Those who leave behind

Warforged Colossus

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

much damage on a successful one. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this beam is disintegrated, leaving behind anything it was wearing or carrying.In the final days of the Last War, House Cannith

unleashed its mightiest creations: the warforged colossi. These enormous mechanical warriors thundered across Cyre, crushing everything in their paths and leaving ruin behind them. Meant to end the war

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

time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is incapable of showing mercy or compassion. Play her as a supremely cold and

Constantori's Portrait

Magic Items Keys from the Golden Vault

of 120 feet and has darkvision within a range of 60 feet, but it can’t see anything behind itself. The painting can converse in Common, Draconic, and Elvish as if it were a living person

condemns anyone who tries to remove it from its gold-leaf frame. Wealth of Information. The painting’s primary purpose is to observe and recall conversations. Over the past few decades

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

journals or hidden away in someone’s mind. Even you might not be aware of all the reasons behind the missions you carry out. Sometimes a mission’s sole purpose is to conceal the

motivation behind another strike performed in a different part of the city, or simply to spread fear. As part of your covert work for House Dimir, you maintain a false identity as a member of another guild

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

sent Kurtulmak to retrieve it. Garl lured his pursuer into a maze-like cavern, then collapsed the exits behind him, trapping Kurtulmak for all eternity. Kurtulmak is a hateful deity, one who despises

undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and

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

can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

exist. If the demilich drops to 0 hit points, it is destroyed and turns to powder, leaving behind its gems. Crushing a gem releases any soul trapped within, at which point the target’s body re

its existence. Few liches seek to become demiliches, for it means an end to the existence they hoped to preserve by becoming undead. However, time can erode the lich’s reason and memory, causing

Gnoll Vampire

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

leaving nothing behind but bones, gristle, and the victim’s blood-spattered belongings. Gnoll vampires are indiscriminate feeders that prefer the flesh and blood of humanoids, including other

embodiment of winter’s remorseless consumption. Tekeli-li exists today as a gnoll vampire that hasn’t fed in decades. Adventurers who use the “Rime of the Frostmaiden” to

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the

a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and insults are my

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

might prove helpful: So long as she has mortal worshipers, Auril can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

possibilities.) Now you’re looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you’re leaving

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

Gruul Anarch

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

) Feature: Rubblebelt Refuge You are intimately familiar with areas of the city that most people shun: ruined neighborhoods where wurms rampaged, overgrown parks that no hand has tended in decades, and the

effects, such as flames smoldering behind your eyes or dancing over your hands. Suggested Characteristics Gruul ways aren’t the ways of civilized folk, and the Gruul have little patience for

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Suggested Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe

want. 4 I’m a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and

Quaggoths

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

—earns the enmity of that quaggoth’s band regardless of reason or fault. These grudges sometimes extend to whole communities rather than individuals. Generations of quaggoths might seek revenge against a

settlement’s inhabitants for decades-old slights. Only the leader of a quaggoth band can demand that a grudge ends. DAARKEN

Dwarves and Dragonmarks

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

Dwarves and Dragonmarks House Kundarak carries the Mark of Warding. In addition to providing all manner of security, House Kundarak dominates the banking industry. Mror Past 1d6 Reason for Leaving

1 A feud with a rival clan has gotten out of hand, and it’s best that you leave the Holds for a few decades. 2 You’re in a large family and there’s no room for you to shine in your hold

Gnome Adventurers

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

Gnome Adventurers I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a gnome turn a dead end into a wonderful opportunity. — Delaan Winterhound When a gnome leaves the burrow, the force behind that decision

of them take readily to life in the outside world and don’t come back on schedule, returning to the burrow only after spending years or decades away as a member of an adventuring party. The Pull of

Dran Enterprises

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

thwarted. They say acquisition is a family business, and it’s certainly true for those of my house. I hadn’t seen my sister, Auspicia Dran, for years. Decades, in fact. And then out of nowhere, she returns

like to know what the dental plans are like at Dran Enterprises, for a completely separate and unrelated reason. — Omin Dran

Ilmater

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

feel their existence is one of secret torment and suffering. The idea that pain has nobility to it — that there can be a divine reason behind the trials that face Baldurians — comforts many. Some

Ilmater

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

feel their existence is one of secret torment and suffering. The idea that pain has nobility to it — that there can be a divine reason behind the trials that face Baldurians — comforts many. Some

Secret Doors

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

door 20 Secret Door Etiquette Adventurers often fail to locate secret doors. For this reason, don’t hide important treasures or locations behind secret doors unless you’re comfortable with the

characters not finding them, and don’t risk letting your adventure grind to a halt because the only path forward is hidden behind a secret door.

Arauthator's Treasure

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

Arauthator’s Treasure If Old White Death is killed or driven away, he leaves his iceberg lair’s treasure hoard behind. (Because Oyaviggaton is just one of a number of minor lairs maintained by the

your campaign. To claim this treasure, it must be hacked out of the ice in the lair cavern. Doing so takes half a day (and is thus impossible if Arauthator is still in the lair). Marfulb’s four decades

Using Enclaves

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

adventure hooks that might attract characters to the enclave or give them a reason to draw on its magic. The adventure hooks also suggest specific creatures or encounter tables appearing in the “Encounters

a hostile giant is the driving force behind an adventure seed, how does the adventure change if that giant is indifferent or even friendly to the characters?

Steading of the Hill Giant Chief

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

perils they are to face. They are to follow any clues that point toward the sinister hand suspected of guiding the uprising, but are to return at once if they determine exactly the reason or force behind the unholy alliance. Some relic of great evil might be at hand.

, some motivational power behind this unusual banding of different races of giants. Finally, the party has been instructed to keep any and all loot they chance upon, this being their reward for the

Arauthator's Treasure

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

Arauthator’s Treasure If Old White Death is killed or driven away, he leaves his iceberg lair’s treasure hoard behind. (Because Oyaviggaton is just one of a number of minor lairs maintained by the

decades of data on Arauthator is priceless to the Arcane Brotherhood (a fact Maccath will recognize if the characters don’t) or to other collectors of draconic lore. If the dragon is dead, Marfulb can be

Respect for the Players

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

in the face of devastating tragedy are better suited for character backstories. DM Die Rolling Should you hide your die rolls behind a DM screen, or should you roll your dice in the open for all the

in the open demonstrates impartiality—you’re not fudging rolls to the characters’ benefit or detriment. Even if you usually roll behind a screen, it can be fun to make an especially dramatic roll where

D&D Beyond

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