before being despite complete reason

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling

absorbs over the course of its lifetime explodes outward when the darkling dies, incinerating the creature and much of its possessions. Love of Art. Despite their curse, darklings retain a fondness

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

. The Killing Light. The Summer Queen's curse causes a darkling's body to absorb light, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every

much of its possessions. Love of Art. Despite their curse, darklings retain a fondness for the beauty of art. A darkling might risk taking a peek at a sunset or lighting a tiny candle to glimpse

Ulder Ravengard

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

struggled in performing his duties, finding his hands tied at every turn by both overt and invisible bureaucracy. Despite this, he's been a voice of reason and common sense on the Council of Four — if

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

topaz dragon their monarch, despite the dragon’s complete lack of interest and growing annoyance toward them. Cold, Necrotic

for new growth and construction. Despite being competent swimmers and making their lairs on seacoasts and in brackish marshes, topaz dragons hate the water. Unfortunately, their favorite food is giant

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

complete their quests and return home as quickly as possible. The Firbolg Adventurers table can serve as inspiration for determining why a firbolg character leaves home. Firbolg Adventurers d8

Reason for Adventuring 1 Outcast for murder 2 Outcast for severely damaging home territory 3 Clan slain by invading humanoids 4 Clan slain by a dragon or demon 5

Waterdhavian Noble

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

Faerûn for being eccentric, spoiled, venal, and, above all else, rich. Whether you are a shining example of the reason for this reputation or one who proves the rule by being an exception, people

. 6 Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood. 7 My favor, once lost, is lost forever. 8 If you do me an injury, I will crush you, ruin

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

extended their stewardship over the sea floor from their initial settlements and built outposts to create trade with other races. Despite this expansion, few folk know of them. Their settlements are so

arrogant. They see themselves as caretakers of the sea, and they expect other creatures to pay them deep respect, if not complete deference. This attitude might grate on others, but it arises from a seed

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

quirk for a lizardfolk character or to inspire a unique mannerism. Lizardfolk Quirks d8 Quirk 1 You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with

. Great Purpose Aarakocra enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

capable of flight, and similar objects provoke a great desire for the kenku to acquire the items for themselves. Despite their lack of wings, kenku love dwelling in towers and other tall structures

. The kenku lack the talent to improvise or alter a plan, but a wise Master sets multiple plans in motion at once, confident that underlings can follow orders to the letter. For this reason, many

Neverwinter

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

is far from complete, however. Entire sections of the city still lie in rubble, plagued by brigands and monsters, and sinister factions scheme to take over the place. Neverwinter is part of the

as little as eight or nine days. Reason to Visit. If the characters need the services and commerce of a big city and Waterdeep doesn’t do for some reason, then Neverwinter is the next best choice.

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

Background As basic training at Spelljammer Academy comes to its conclusion, the characters are required to complete their first mission aboard a spelljamming ship. As luck would have it, orders have

reason, a staff member is coming along to supervise and make sure nothing prevents the character-recruits from completing their mission. That staff member is Petty Officer Winston Ryeback. The spy is

Barbarian

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

supernatural feats of strength and endurance. The outburst is temporary, but while it lasts, it takes over body and mind, driving the barbarian on despite peril and injury, until the last enemy falls

all others; see the following sections for some ideas. Rawr! I’m really angry! Funny, I don’t feel any stronger. Maybe because I’m always angry, I’m always in top condition. Stands to reason.

Outcast Adventurers

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

firbolgs are entrusted by their clan with an important mission that takes them beyond their homes. These firbolgs feel like pilgrims in a strange land, and usually they wish only to complete their quests

and return home as quickly as possible. The Firbolg Adventurers table can serve as inspiration for determining why a firbolg character leaves home. Firbolg Adventurers d8 Reason for Adventuring 1

Xanathar Guild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Xanathar Guild Anyone can join the Xanathar Guild, which, despite its name, doesn’t have official guild status in Waterdeep. Before membership is granted, however, an applicant must pass a test that

might receive a monstrous bodyguard or assistant (such as a bugbear, a kenku, or a wererat), who has secret instructions to kill the guild member if they fail to complete the assignment as ordered. The

No Time to Lose

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

, and drinks of nearly everyone on campus last year. Anyone who came in contact with these are now threatened by the ritual Murgaxor is conducting.” “Once complete, this ritual will drain the life

for no other reason than the characters carry the evil mage’s corruption, and they’re likely to be gravely injured or die once he completes his ritual.

Finding the Books

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

adventures rests within the walls of Candlekeep is reason enough for an adventurer to seek out this legendary book and claim a cozy corner to read about the escapades of Alkazaar and his dungeon-delving

Alkazaar’s Appendix to the characters’ attention and approach the characters (especially if the party has visited Candlekeep before) in hopes that they can complete Alkazaar’s unfinished quest and

Halls of the Hunting Axe

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

predatory creatures lurking in the extensive ruins. Despite forays by adventuring bands and dwarves determined to reclaim and explore the ruins, the halls rarely stay empty for long. As a result

Torhild’s rest. Reason to Visit. Characters have a chance to explore Torhild’s tomb in the “Halls of the Hunting Axe” side trek in chapter 6.

Biblioplex Supplies

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

related to the Magister’s Masquerade, moving them out of the archives, and then transporting them to Kollema Hall should take the characters and their group 6 hours to complete. That assumes everyone

students fell victim to it, experiencing fatigue and headaches; many of them died, wasting away in a matter of days despite all efforts to cure them.

Jijibisha's Vengeance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

fiendish powers, a bargain that ultimately resulted in the ruin of Manivarsha. She is behind Amanisha’s capture and is loath to let her prisoner escape. Before the party can complete their conversation

!” Jijibisha Manivarshi uses the ultroloth stat block, but she has access to only the wall of fire spell and the at-will spells from her Innate Spellcasting trait. Despite her fiendish powers, she looks

The Dark Powers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

villains to add to their terrifying menagerie. To what end, no one knows. The Dark Powers don’t move in the shadows of Ravenloft; they are the shadows. They’re the Mists and the darkness. They’re the reason

Ravenloft, but they are unknown to mortals and desire no worship. Despite the control the Dark Powers exert, these beings remain distant from the domains they manipulate. Although some of their names

Factions and Their Representatives

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

” — legal permission to kill someone or to have someone killed — can be purchased from the merchant prince Jessamine. The price depends on the prominence of the intended victim, the reason for the sanction

a year. That has less to do with price than with the fact that if word gets out who purchased a sanction, nothing can stop the friends of the victim from sanctioning the original purchaser. Despite

The Grand Masquerade

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

not be sufficient motivation to take that risk. The Grand Masquerade is a fantastic adventure backdrop, but not a complete adventure. Adventurers need a good reason to attend; you can give them one by

the characters have a reason to be at the Grand Masquerade, they face a series of dangerous trials as they navigate the social intricacies of the ball. Common challenges include securing an invitation

Adventure Structure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

, where Volo gives them a quest. It’s a straightforward rescue mission with a twist involving a case of mistaken identity. If the adventurers complete the quest, Volo rewards them with a valuable piece of

all for themselves, however. Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 describe the lairs of the story’s villains and can be used at any time, in any order, or not at all. The characters might have reason to visit one

Adventure Summary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

point where his expedition was lost, despite its members’ formidable knowledge and skill. Working their own way into the Barrier Peaks, the characters eventually arrive at Kwalish’s first laboratory

to complete their quest — and they might even have the chance to help Kwalish deal with one of a number of problems of his own. PLACING THE ADVENTURE The original Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

Traversing the Astral Sea

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

(28 standard days). The typical method for determining the length of a year—the amount of time that passes during a complete cycle of the seasons—has no meaning or usefulness for individuals who spend

most of their time on the Astral Plane. For this reason, astral travelers avoid using years as a measurement of time. Travel by Thought Alone A creature doesn’t need a vessel to travel through the

Casting Time

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

controlling its spectral weapon as a bonus action. That bonus action does not involve casting a spell, despite the fact that it’s granted by a spell, so you can control the weapon and cast whatever spell

concentration if the spell doesn’t normally require it? Concentration is required when casting any spell, including a ritual version, for longer than 1 action. Once the casting is complete, the spell requires concentration only if its duration entry says it does.

The Lords of Dust

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

serve its own ends. The goal of the Lords of Dust is to release the overlords from their bindings and loose them upon Eberron in a new age of darkness. Despite this unified goal, the Lords of Dust

to conquer the world already. The reason is that they have no interest in ruling this world; they want to return it to the state of unnatural glory that existed before. Their only interest in humanoids

Helmed Horror

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

Helmed Horror This construct possesses intelligence, the ability to reason and adjust its tactics, and an unswerving devotion to its maker that persists even after its maker’s demise. Resembling an

armor, the helmed horror requires less direction and maintenance as it carries out its appointed tasks. A helmed horror follows its orders with complete loyalty, and is intelligent enough to

End Simulation

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

encounter discover that they were merely unconscious, and each gains one level of exhaustion from lingering psychic shock. With the training exercise complete, the new recruits are ready for

-toe) bears are testament to her status as a battle-hardened veteran. Despite having one of her wing flaps torn away long ago, she remains as capable as ever while on board a ship. Spelljammer Academy

Nobles of Borca

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Nuikin accomplishments. Ocrotire. The Ocrotires descend from respected admirals and seafaring explorers (despite Borca’s lack of a coast). Their estate features a vast oceanarium featuring thousands

of bizarre sea creatures and a complete megalodon skeleton. Olzanik. This family of metalworkers obsesses over war. To them, every success is a conquest, but no Olzanik has ever seen battle in

Boareskyr Bridge

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

camp at Fort Tamal never seemed to need such a robust guard before. Even the relative nearness of Najara seems to provide little reason for so many of Elturgard’s mightiest defenders to be squandered

power of the gods for a reason, and surely that reason can’t be to stand guard while merchants sleep. Then again, the High Observer is, by all reports, a wise and effective ruler. Perhaps he perceives

Lost Mine of Phandelver

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

Lost Mine of Phandelver Lost Mine of Phandelver is an adventure in the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, designed to take characters from 1st to 5th level. Characters who complete it are at the right

grasslands and foothills. You can simply declare that the party makes the uneventful journey, or you can offer some reason why they would want to visit Triboar. The town is a good place for them to resupply

Topaz Dragon Adventures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

times. 6 A clan of winged kobolds consider a young topaz dragon their monarch, despite the dragon’s complete lack of interest and growing annoyance toward them. Adult Topaz Dragon

Creatures 1 Moved by pity, a giant eagle continues bringing food to an abandoned topaz dragon wyrmling, despite the wyrmling’s attempts to eat the eagle. 2 A pseudodragon who is fanatical

Alanik Ray and Arthur Sedgwick

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

published two volumes to date: The Life of Alanik Ray and The Casebook of Alanik Ray. Alanik Ray’s Traits Ideal. “Logic is a guide but also an illusion. Order and reason don’t supersede what is right

and make deductive leaps. Despite his experience with the paranormal, he relies on his husband Arthur to keep him out of true supernatural peril. Still, the detectives manage to find trouble wherever

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