before best dark compared reflective

Snow Sphinx

monsters

13): At Will: Detect Magic, Ice Knife, Minor Illusion 1/Day Each: Dispel Magic, Fear, SuggestionCamouflaged against the ice, a solitary snow sphinx is on the prowl. A shock of dark humanoid hair

whips around a feline face, revealing piercing blue eyes that can freeze foes with a single glance. Compared to its desert-dwelling cousins, this sphinx is far less likely to be defeated with reason or

Icewind Kobold

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

live in the mountains and hills of Icewind Dale are among the hardiest of their kind. Drawn to the north by a desire to find and serve white dragons, these kobolds adapted as best they can to the

hostile climate. Their sensitive eyes appreciate sunless days and long, dark nights. They use wooden javelins as tools to test the snow ahead of them. Kobolds native to Icewind Dale frequently wander

Graz'zt Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Dark Prince is a warning that not all beautiful things are good. Standing nearly nine feet tall, Graz’zt strikes the perfect figure of untamed desire, every plane and curve of his body, every

pleasure palaces where nothing is forbidden, save moderation or kindness. The dark Prince of Pleasure considers restriction the only sin, and takes what he wants. Cults devoted to him are secret societies

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics. EVERYONE’S SECOND-BEST FRIENDS

; Elves. “It’s best not to wander into elven woods. They don’t like intruders, and you’ll as likely be bewitched as peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned

Dusk Hag

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

their dark magic allows them to influence the dreams of others, sending messages or inflicting nightmares with a touch. Tales talk of ambitious wizards, frantic monarchs, and desperate heroes

waits behind a silver skull.” 3 “Three days, three deaths, three eyes, three breaths.” 4 “Doom falls on the peacock and the sparrow alike. Best be a raven.” 5 “A white hand on a black field holds

Tiefling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red

three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that

Strahd, Master of Death House

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Zarovich was a prince, a soldier, and a conqueror. His thirst for power never sated, Strahd made a pact with the Dark Powers to become immortal. Meanwhile, Strahd’s evil deepened, until in a jealous

. He had become a vampire, and Barovia became a Domain of Dread. Now the Dark Powers keep Strahd trapped in his realm, tormenting him with his inability to escape for all eternity. He spends his days

Tarandus

races

For millennia, the tarandus have been known as a society of explorers devoted to charting and understanding the world. Their culture prizes discovery, and they believe that their lives are best spent

travelling, observing and creating maps that guide others along safe paths. All tarandus possess antlers that rise roughly a foot above their heads. Their dark-red noses can emit a gentle glow

Soul Coin

Magic Items Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

answer you truthfully and to the best of its ability. The answer is no more than a sentence or two and might be cryptic. Freeing a Soul. Casting a spell that removes a curse on a soul coin frees the soul

. These coins are then distributed throughout the Nine Hells to be used for goods and services, infernal deals, dark bargains, and bribes.

Feral Tiefling

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red

three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that

Aasimar Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

dark eyes 3 Starkly colored hair 4 An unusual hue tinting your shadow 5 A ghostly halo crowning your head 6 Rainbows gleaming on your skin Creating Your Character At

character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

. Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch

who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. 6 I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. 7 The best way to get me to do something is to tell me

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

honeycombs of hidden passages, deceptively thin walls, and secret chambers that allow them to traverse the entire lair without ever being seen by intruders. The best-defended sapphire dragon lairs have no

the lair. Cobweb-Choked Tunnels. Adventurers who manage to access the other side of the cave’s crystal walls discover a network of dark, cobweb-choked tunnels extending deep into the earth, set

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, sophistication, and manners, they make up in valor. And I must admit, their best smiths produce art that approaches elven quality.” Halflings. “Halflings are people of simple pleasures, and

(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal) Subrace Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves, and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose one of

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

successfully prevented a murder, and the would-be perpetrator wants me dead. 5 One of my parents was prominent in the guild, and I resent constantly being compared to that standard. 6 I’ve

best at everything in my legal training, and now I work with the person who was always just a little bit better. 6 A good friend was promoted into work they can’t tell me about. 7 I

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every

unquestioned, and impress those on the lookout for wealthy patrons. You are welcome in the Upper City and may stay there after dark without being harassed or evicted. Your word is accepted over others&rsquo

Vault Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

slabs set on brass hinges. Unless otherwise noted, each door is unlocked. Lighting Unless otherwise noted, interior areas are dark. Area descriptions assume the characters have a light source or some

other means of seeing in the dark. Moonlight Mirrors Several areas in the vault contain objects known as moonlight mirrors, which each reflect a powerful beam of light from one of Krynn’s moons

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

accustomed to a variety of different people. GENASI ON ATHAS Although any world that includes one or more elemental planes can feature genasi, on Athas, the world of the Dark Sun campaign setting

time. People there tend to be less accepting of differences. Sometimes a cold shoulder and a suspicious glare are the best genasi can hope for; in more backward places, they face ostracism and even

Gemstones

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

Gemstones Gemstones are small, lightweight, and easily secured compared to their same value in coins. If a treasure hoard includes gemstones, you can use the following tables to randomly determine

(light and dark blue with yellow flecks) 7 Malachite (striated light and dark green) 8 Moss agate (pink or yellow white with mossy gray or green markings) 9 Obsidian (black) 10 Rhodochrosite (light pink

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

, rot, and rebirth. You have spent your life in the slow churn of that ecosystem, in the dark places of the city where the messy parts of existence are on display. There is little squeamishness among the

. 2 I like to remind people of their inevitable demise. 3 Sometimes I give voice to the whispers of the rot, which I hear but no one else does. 4 I do my best to discourage anyone from

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

type of gaming set, thieves’ tools Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a pouch containing 15 gp Criminal Origins Criminals are pervasive in Baldur

attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. 7 The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. 8 I blow up at the slightest insult. d6

Darklord's Shadows

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

Darklord’s Shadows A Darklord lurks at the heart of every Domain of Dread. Everything in their realm is inspired by or personalized to them in some way. Some domains might be dismal ruins reflective

committed. Consider selecting those that best complement the players’ characters and that don’t conflict with any boundaries discussed in your group’s session zero (see “Preparing for Horror” in chapter 4

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

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

. Goliaths see females and males as equal in all things, and they find societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling or worthy of mockery. To a goliath, the person who is best at a job should be

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, and secret chambers that allow them to traverse the entire lair without ever being seen by intruders. The best-defended sapphire dragon lairs have no easily accessible entrances or exits at all, and

manage to access the other side of the cave’s crystal walls discover a network of dark, cobweb-choked tunnels extending deep into the earth, set with natural steps and shelves throughout. The

Rundreth Manor

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

mysterious and terrifying figure known far and wide as “the Dark Lady.” Locals warn everyone to stay well away from the ruins. The truth of the tale is that the “Dark Lady” is a female adult black shadow

stalks them. She sometimes poses as a drow captive of a dragon, desperate to avoid being eaten and willing to pay with her treasure to be rescued. The Harpers have learned her secret, and do their best to

Domains of Dread

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

Domains of Dread In remote corners of the Shadowfell, it is easy to reach horrific demiplanes ruled over by accursed beings of terrible evil. The best known of these is the valley of Barovia

, overlooked by the towering spires of Castle Ravenloft and ruled by Count Strahd von Zarovich, the first vampire. Beings of the Shadowfell called the Dark Powers created these domains as prisons for these “darklords,” and through cruelty or carelessness trapped innocent mortals in these domains as well.

Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin)

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

Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin) Also known as svirfneblin, the deep gnomes of the Underdark are a stark contrast to their surface kin, dour and serious compared to the cheerful and generally optimistic

grandest deep gnome strongholds, which existed for more than two thousand years until it was overrun a little more than a century ago by the dark elves of Menzoberranzan. The deep gnomes recently reclaimed

Skald

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

Skald The largest community in Kartakass, Skald presents itself as a bustling hub of commerce and creativity that boasts the best of everything in the land. The lure of overnight celebrity, glowing

and aging celebrities prey on youth and creativity, while critics and struggling performers create a culture of desperate deceptions. Vice, criminality, dark bargains, and supernatural predators flourish in Skald, like a pack of wolves hiding behind glamorous masks.

Vampires

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

living keeps to the darkness and far from reflective surfaces. Dark Desires. Whether or not a vampire retains any memories from its former life, its emotional attachments wither as once-pure

relationship, eventually turning into hatred. Strahd’s beloved, Tatyana, spurned him for Sergei, whom she pledged to marry. In a desperate attempt to win Tatyana’s heart, Strahd forged a pact with dark

Shar

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

drawn to serve Shar often nurture their own deep wounds or dark secrets, which in their minds makes them best suited to console those who suffer from a similar ill. Throughout the world’s history, many

Shar The Mistress of the Night, the Dark Lady, Our Lady of Loss The dark twin of Selûne, Shar is the goddess of darkness, both in its physical form and as it exists in the minds and souls of mortals

House Dimir

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

floated effortlessly down from the upper reaches of the chamber, and alighted on the chamber floor near the two of them. — Doug Beyer, Return to Ravnica: The Secretist House Dimir is Ravnica’s dark

secret: behind a facade of respectable messengers and reporters lurks an association of spies and assassins whose existence is barely suspected by the populace at large. Secrecy is both House Dimir’s best

Setup

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

Setup This adventure is best used late in the campaign for two reasons. First, the characters know more about the elemental cults and have a better perspective to understand the Dark Lady’s

information. Second, it strains credulity for any of the factions to send inexperienced agents into the Dark Lady’s lair. The characters receive a sending spell, telling them to meet a faction agent at a local

Tactics

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

engaging in much verbal communication, each kobold knows what has to be done to succeed. Kobolds’ ability to work together is remarkable, especially compared to the behavior of other small humanoids

following: Attacking light sources to extinguish them, so the kobolds can use their darkvision to best advantage. Leaving one defender in a room to lure invaders into a trap or an ambush. Often this bait is

Lord Viallis's Tome

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

the temple of the Burnt Tongue Cult. Knowing that Candlekeep is the best possible place to learn about a mysterious book, the characters can spend a day or two in diligent research to turn up

references in other works to a book whose cover matches Sarah’s sketch—a tome called Retribution of the Ancients. That work is not a part of Candlekeep’s collection, but several of the Avowed know it by reputation. It is a dark work of ritual magic, its contents potentially deadly in the wrong hands.

The Dark Powers

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

The Dark Powers Unfathomable, hidden forces manipulate life, death, and reality within Ravenloft. These mysterious, deathless beings are the architects of the Domains of Dread, and have secreted

these pockets of terror deep within the Plane of Shadow. The Dark Powers watch and influence events within their dominion. When their gaze drifts, they reach into other planes to collect heroes and

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