before being dead course reading

Book of Vile Darkness

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

book must spend 80 hours reading and studying it to digest its contents and use its Adjusted Ability Scores, Tireless Form, Spells, Vile Lore, and Vile Speech properties. The Book of Vile Darkness

attuned to the book, you can cast the following spells (save DC 18) from it: Animate Dead Circle of Death Dominate Monster Finger of Death Once you use the book to cast a spell, you can’t

Crown of Horns

Magic Items Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

The Crown of Horns contains the essence and intelligence of Myrkul, one of the Dead Three. This ghastly crown is a pale silver circlet with four curved bones set around its rim. On the crown's brow

dying essence. Myrkul has since returned to become one of the Dead Three, and the Crown of Horns continues to further his gruesome will by seeking out mortal agents and gradually transforming them into

Valindra Shadowmantle

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

, Prestidigitation 2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Plane Shift 1/Day Each: Cone of Cold (level 8 version), Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, ScryingProtective Magic. Valindra casts Counterspell or Shield in response

disastrous confrontations with enemies of her temporary allies, she’s elected to keep her personal lair secret. Deep within her lair is a hidden reading room where she usually keeps her spirit gem

Augury Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

course of action that you plan to take within the next 30 minutes. The DM chooses from the following possible omens: Weal, for good results Woe, for bad results Weal and woe, for both good and bad

spells or the loss or gain of a companion. If you cast the spell two or more times before completing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance for each casting after the first that you get a random reading. The DM makes this roll in secret.

Star Map of Creation

Equipment

and search it for an omen about the results of a specific course of action that you plan to take within the next 30 minutes. The GM chooses from the following possible outcomes: Good omen Bad omen

the outcome, such as the loss or gain of equipment or a companion. If the map is used two or more times in 24 hours, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance for each reading after the first that you get a random reading. The GM makes this roll in secret.

Zombie Clot

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

":"Flesh Entomb","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage, and if the target is a Large or smaller creature, it becomes entombed in dead flesh. A creature entombed in the dead flesh is

restrained, has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the dead flesh, and takes 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Flesh Entomb","rollDamageType":"necrotic

Lorehold Professor of Chaos

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Voice from the Past (1/Day). The professor can cast the contact other plane spell to contact a long-dead spirit, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability.Multiattack. The professor makes two

effect on itself on a success.Professors of chaos wield magic inspired by the ebb and flow of chance. They study the course history has taken, looking for breaking points in the flow of events, and focus

Occultant Abacus

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

within 5 feet of a creature killed within the past 24 hours, you can cast the augury spell. The course of action you inquire about with the spell does not need to have any connection to the dead creature

finish a long rest. Ways to Read the Kill d6 Reading 1 Using a tiny bellows to pump one last breath into a corpse. 2 Reading the entrails with special reading-the-entrails

Lorehold Pledgemage

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

each: comprehend languages, locate object 1/day each: mage armor, speak with dead, stone shapeLearn from the Past (2/Day). When another creature within 60 feet of the pledgemage misses a target with an

Lorehold apprentice;apprentices and then as pledgemages—study the magic of the past, searching for arcane artifacts and speaking with long-dead adventurers to uncover secrets lost to time. Though

Lorehold Professor of Order

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Voice from the Past (1/Day). The professor can cast the contact other plane spell to contact a long-dead spirit, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability.Multiattack. The professor makes two

magic. Lorehold Scholars The archaeomancers of Lorehold College draw their magical might from the flow of time and fate and the way those forces shape the course of history. Scholars of this broad

Swarm of Zombie Limbs

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, or the swarm dies.Among the undead, a lone zombie ranks far from the most menacing. The horror of the shambling dead lies not in their individual menace, though, but their numbers, their persistence

, and their disregard for their own well-being. A throng of zombies will douse a forest fire with their own ashes or march into a dragon’s maw until the monster chokes. In the course of their

Zombie Plague Spreader

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Manual) 1 minute later. The zombie acts immediately after the plague spreader in the initiative count.Among the undead, a lone zombie ranks far from the most menacing. The horror of the shambling dead lies

into a dragon’s maw until the monster chokes. In the course of their relentless marches, zombies might suffer all manner of trauma, potentially reducing them to masses of crawling limbs (see

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Wand of Orcus. The wand has 7 charges, and any of its properties that require a saving throw have a save DC of 18. While holding it, Orcus can use an action to cast animate dead, blight, or speak

with dead. Alternatively, he can expend 1 or more of the wand’s charges to cast one of the following spells from it: circle of death (1 charge), finger of death (1 charge), or power word kill (2

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Master of Undeath. Orcus can cast animate dead (at will) and create undead (3/day). He chooses the level at which the spells are cast, and the creatures created by them remain under his control

will: animate dead (as an action), blight, speak with dead 1 charge each: circle of death, finger of death 2 charges: power word killOrcus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options

Lorehold Apprentice

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

arcane artifacts and speaking with long-dead adventurers to uncover secrets lost to time. Though many Lorehold students bury themselves in old tomes, others take a more cavalier approach to their

course of history. Scholars of this broad mystical study divide between those who see history as an unpredictable jumble of chance and those who believe events form a perfect—and predictable—pattern.

Death Tyrant Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

and whether the cone is active. Any creature in that area can’t regain hit points. Any humanoid that dies there becomes a zombie under the tyrant’s command. The dead humanoid retains its

’s lair, roll a d20 for that creature. On a roll of 10 or lower, the creature is subjected to one random eye ray of the tyrant. If the death tyrant dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollAction":"Days","rollType":"roll"} days.Poison

Adult Time Dragon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

dragon’s hoard might find invaluable historical information from eras past.A Time Dragon’s Lair Time dragons often lair in the ruins of ancient civilizations or temples to dead gods and do

(your choice). Timelessness. Beasts, Humanoids, and Plants within 3 miles of the lair age only 1 year for every 10 years that pass. If the dragon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.

Mahadi the Rakshasa

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, dispel magic, hellish rebuke, invisibility, major image, speak with dead, suggestion 1/day each: banishment, demiplane, dominate person, fly, forcecage, geas, plane shift, true seeing Magic Weapons

rank most highly in his esteem. Of course, guests leaving Infernal Rapture are expected to pay their bills in full prior to departure. If a guest cannot pay for whatever reason, the contract they

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

, sleep 2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, gust of wind, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, fireball, nondetection 4th level (3 slots): blight, greater invisibility, polymorph 5th level

card reading in chapter 1, unless he has been forced into his tomb in the catacombs of Castle Ravenloft. Strahd's Tactics Because the entire adventure revolves around Strahd, you must play him

Hierophant Medusa

Monsters The Book of Many Things

martyrs’ remains until the martyrs are called back to life to oppose a world-changing foe. 2 Gather the lost shards of a dead god’s petrified body, and reunite them on the altar in the

filling books, scrolls, tablets, or stranger archives—such as magical crystals that hold captured memories or the voices of those long dead. You can use this lair and the lair actions described for

Fraz-Urb'luu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Twisted Paths. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on themselves, making

navigation in the area exceedingly difficult. If Fraz-Urb’luu dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days. Cultists of Fraz-Urb’luu Fraz

Ancient Time Dragon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

civilizations or temples to dead gods and do their utmost to preserve these historical sites. A time dragon’s insatiable desire for knowledge means it’s likely to have more than one such lair. The

area take 10 minutes or 2 hours (your choice). Timelessness. Beasts, Humanoids, and Plants within 3 miles of the lair age only 1 year for every 10 years that pass. If the dragon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction":"Days"} days.

Fraz-Urb'luu Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

creatures within 1 mile of the lair frequently see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on

’luu dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10","rollType":"roll"} days. Madness of Fraz-Urb’luu If a creature goes mad in Fraz-Urb’luu’s lair or

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

an orc war band celebrating its recent victory. Silently, he stalks into their midst and whispers an oath, and two orcs are dead before they even realize he is there. Silver hair shining in a shaft

sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that

Appendix C: Treasures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Strahd, the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, and the Sunsword—are determined by the results of the card reading in chapter 1. The other items can be acquired as characters discover their whereabouts during the course of the adventure.

Supernatural Hooks

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

Supernatural Hooks Celestial omens, vivid dreams, or other magical phenomena can point characters to the adventure situation and suggest a course of action. The Supernatural Hooks table offers some

patron. 3 A fortune teller’s reading for one of the characters points to a quest and offers hints about challenges that lie ahead. 4 Flames, clouds, smoke, or huge flocks of birds take distinct shapes

Worshiping Athreos

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

Worshiping Athreos Most funeral traditions include small offerings and words of reverence to Athreos. Predominant among these traditions is burying or burning the dead with a clay funerary mask, to

“frame” the identity of the dead for Athreos, and with at least one coin, so a soul might pay Athreos to ferry them to the Underworld. Some people are laid to rest with large amounts of grave goods

Character Creation

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

hero’s life from miraculous birth to glorious end? If you’re reading this, the answer is that you make a hero, of course. In Theros, player characters and heroes are synonymous, being rare

makes a hero? Is it a quality of birth that sets some mortals above others? Is it a blessing from the gods? Is it a matter of fate, spun out in the strands of a divine tapestry, charting the course of a

Tree Trap

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

Tree Trap This encounter can occur anywhere in Neverwinter Wood. Set the scene by reading the following boxed text: You come upon a sixty-foot-wide forest clearing, in the middle of which is a black

, needle-like spire — a forty-foot-tall pine tree ravaged by fire long ago, its limbs burned off. Tied to the dead tree near its base are several ghastly dolls made of twigs bound with black hair. Ten

Strahd's Enemy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Strahd’s Enemy Drawn from the high deck, the fourth card in the card reading determines the location of an NPC who can improve the characters’ chances of defeating Strahd. (Some cards offer two

character he or she can see. Each of the NPCs described in this section has a role to play in the adventure, even if that individual isn’t indicated in the card reading. For the one so designated, however

Occultant

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

within 5 feet of a creature killed within the past 24 hours, you can cast the augury spell. The course of action you inquire about with the spell does not need to have any connection to the dead creature

living and the dead Position Proficiency: In addition to the proficiencies noted below, you can add your proficiency bonus to an ability check to intimidate a creature close to death, assess what disease

K67. Hall of Bones

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

eastern doors is mounted the skull of a dragon. Cyrus Belview (see area K62) created this enormous work of art out of the bones of dead servants and slain adventurers. It has taken him many years

Castle Ravenloft. The skull weighs 250 pounds. Fortunes of Ravenloft If your card reading reveals that a treasure is here, it is lying on the bone table. If your card reading indicates an encounter

Drazhomir Yarnask

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

for stirring poems written in old tongues, reading them to the rest of the group in a soft, resonant voice that comes directly from his soul. Extracurriculars: Dead Languages Society Job

than one student a scare when they’ve turned around to suddenly find him there. Drazhomir’s greatest love is poetry. As a member of the university’s Dead Languages Society, he scours ancient literature

Augury

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

gem-inlaid sticks, rolling dragon bones, laying out ornate cards, or employing some other divining tool, you receive an omen from an otherworldly entity about the results of a specific course of

gain of a companion. If you cast the spell two or more times before completing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance for each casting after the first that you get a random reading. The DM makes this roll in secret.

Augury

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

gem-inlaid sticks, rolling dragon bones, laying out ornate cards, or employing some other divining tool, you receive an omen from an otherworldly entity about the results of a specific course of

gain of a companion. If you cast the spell two or more times before completing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance for each casting after the first that you get a random reading. The DM makes this roll in secret.

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