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Returning 35 results for 'before being death cunning rather'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
, 20 Arrows, Quiver, Thieves' Tools, Burglar's Pack, and 8 GP; or (B) 100 GP
Rogues rely on cunning, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation. They
skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks.
In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
. Cultists of Bhaal sometimes form cabals of assassins or mercenaries, but they perform their brutal slaughter for the perverse love of bloodshed and honor to their sinister god rather than for
financial recompense. These cunning serial killers and mass murderers remain a step ahead of investigators, at least until the cultists’ zealous bloodlust overwhelms their senses.
Cultists
The
Backgrounds
Lorwyn: First Light
, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoor’s merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and bravery
. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length isn’t just practical— it’s often a matter of life or death.
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
a cunning mind. Biha Babir is politically savvy and prefers to outsmart her opponents rather than battle them, though she doesn’t shy from combat if necessary.
Biha Babir covets opulence, but
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
, Wall of Force
1/Day Each: Befuddlement, Clone, Finger of Death, Mind Blank (cast before combat), SimulacrumProtective Magic. Manshoon casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s
. That Manshoon is dead, and the current Manshoon is one of the original’s many clones. Being a magical copy rather than an original doesn’t make Manshoon any less of a threat, as he’s
Spy
Legacy
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Monsters
Basic Rules (2014)
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The spy deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType
cutthroat politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Halfling Nimbleness. Samara can move through the space of a Medium or larger creature.
Brave. Samara has advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the
gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Tomb of Annihilation
Cunning Action. On each of his turns, Orvex can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Orvex deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType
politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Halfling
trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
.
Death Bolt (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Death Bolt"}. The spirit hurls a magical lightning bolt in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in
that area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 27 (6d8);{"diceNotation":"6d8", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Bolt", "rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage plus 16 (3d10
Monsters
Out of the Abyss
Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Khalessa can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Khalessa deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6
individuals use spies to gain the upper hand in a world of cutthroat politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
his criminal ventures by capturing him.
Rather than put Gant to death for his crimes in Icewind Dale, the Council of Speakers in Ten-Towns made a deal with representatives of the Lords' Alliance to have
Brotherhood but rather hatched by Gant himself, who intended to impress his superiors by pulling it off.
For a long time, Gant held out hope that the Arcane Brotherhood would apply pressure to secure his
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid
Monsters
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
cause terrible pain and bleeding.
Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal’s followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call
rank are the death’s heads, who can take on the skull-faced guise of their deity to terrify their prey. In combat, they intimidate foes by shrugging off the deadliest attacks with ease, showing that resisting Bhaal’s schemes is futile.
Urchin
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but
. (Lawful)
3
Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic)
4
Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points by a creature that is Large or smaller, the draconian crumbles into dust that then forms a spectral, shrieking image of the creature that
. Sivaks can magically change their features to mimic the appearance of those they’ve slain. This allows these cunning soldiers to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When sivaks are
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
bound to their fey lord and unable to bargain away their souls. So rather than claim them, Fierna warped and twisted them before returning them to the Feywild, content that the corruption of the satyrs
, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
deep in the Underworld. Terrifying and cunning, they guard portals between the wards of the Underworld, Erebos’s greatest treasures, and noteworthy souls who might attempt to escape the realm of
life and death. Most cerberi have a boundless hunger for fresh meat, especially the flesh of humanoids. Villains have been known to exploit that hunger by luring cerberi away from the river and setting them loose on mortal settlements.Fire, Necrotic
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of medicine or a place to recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each
)
3
Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic)
4
Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
, wall of forceSeekers of forgotten lore and lost relics, blue abishais are the most cunning and learned of their kind. Their research into occult subjects gleaned from tomes plundered from across the
before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of abishai is associated with one of Tiamat’s five dragon
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
, Strahd takes 20 radiant damage at the start of his turn, has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, and can’t use his Change Shape bonus action.Multiattack. Strahd makes two Death Strike
attacks. He can replace one of these attacks with Blighted Fire if available.
Death Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +9;{"diceNotation":"1d20+9", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Death Strike"} to hit
Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
priest’s next turn.
Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"recharge","rollAction":"Circle of Death"}). Each creature in a 60-foot-radius sphere centered on a point
the priest can see within 150 feet of it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6);{"diceNotation":"8d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Circle of Death","rollDamageType":"necrotic
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Emerald Claw, but her motives for founding the order are buried in her past. Lady Illmarrow has no interest in ruling the living. Rather, she seeks to become Queen of the Dead.
The Mark of Death
, polymorph
5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, cone of cold, hold monster, scrying
6th level (2 slot): chain lightning, circle of death, create undead
7th level (2 slot): finger of death, forcecage
Way of Mercy
Legacy
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Classes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
bring a swift end as an act of mercy.
Those who follow the Way of Mercy might be members of a religious order, administering to the needy and making grim choices rooted in reality rather than idealism
. Some might be gentle-voiced healers, beloved by their communities, while others might be masked bringers of macabre mercies.
The walkers of this way usually don robes with deep cowls, and they often conceal their faces with masks, presenting themselves as the faceless bringers of life and death.
Monsters
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space
defensive measure. If the crew of a ship becomes aware of leeches that have become attached, it’s customary for them to try to scrape the leeches off the hull rather than attack them with weapons
. Killing a leech while it is attached to the ship is dangerous, because the trauma of its death can be felt by the ship’s spelljammer, who is weakened and incapacitated by the shock.Attach to Hull
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
at his core, the seneschal didn’t return as a skeletal knight but rather as an intangible spirit. Caradoc’s Undead form suits him well, allowing him to possess the living and use unwilling
;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
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
tasty, refined metal their victim carries, they quickly flee—and will flee before that rather than risk death.
Stealthy Couriers. A number of clans among the dwarves, duergar, and azers have trained
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
(spell save DC 13):
At will: light, spare the dying
2/day each: command, create food and water, cure wounds, faerie fire, hold person, revivify
1/day: death wardMercion strikes the balance of a
natural leader and a protective caregiver. She has a direct manner that reassures and inspires those around her.
Mercion does not worship a deity, but rather an ideal: that truth gives life to artistry
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
, it becomes stronger and more violent, and it typically gains a renewed dedication to protecting its now-fetid domain. Most deadbark dryads would rather fight to the death than allow any intrusion into
Lich
Legacy
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Monsters
Basic Rules (2014)
6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe of invulnerability
7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift
8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun
9th level (1 slot): power word
.
Everything about a lich’s lair reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses
Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
points.Necromancers of deep evil, the priests of Osybus steal the souls of others to fuel the priests’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature
Dark Powers and tapped into their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis.
As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and
Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
, the priests of Osybus steal the souls of others to fuel the priests’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the
into their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis.
As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship
Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the grave over and over.
This unholy order of priests was founded
grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship. In time, his goal was achieved: he became a lich of almost godly
Species
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Death isn’t always the end. The reborn exemplify this, being individuals who have died yet, somehow, still live. Some reborn exhibit the scars of fatal ends, their ashen flesh or bloodless
veins making it clear that they’ve been touched by death. Other reborn are marvels of magic or science, being stitched together from disparate beings or bearing mysterious minds in manufactured