before better defining colony race

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

) Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Defining Event You previously pursued a simple

randomly determine a defining event that marked you as a hero of the people. d10 Defining Event 1 I stood up to a tyrant’s agents. 2 I saved people during a natural

Gray Dwarf (Duergar) Legacy

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

artistic value. Few duergar become adventurers, fewer still on the surface world, because they are a hidebound and suspicious race. Those who leave their subterranean cities are usually exiles. Check

thus made them into the superior race. Duergar have no appreciation for beauty, that ability having been erased from their minds by the mind flayers long ago and any thought of recapturing it

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

coloration and features lie somewhere between their human and elf parents, and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race. They tend to have the eyes of their elven

Mind Flayers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

. Extremiton is also gathering thralls of every race to help defend the colony if the neothelid is destroyed or fails in its task. City of the Mind Extremiton can sense intelligent creatures within 2 miles of it

Mind Flayers Deep in the Underdark, a githyanki vanguard force attacked a large colony of mind flayers controlled by an elder brain. Fearing the colony’s destruction, the elder brain instructed its

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race, Many Forms The bodies of all

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

The Elder Brain

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

also sees itself as a savior of the mind flayer race and a living memorial that preserves the memories of the mind flayers’ prey. By its twisted logic, humanoids whose brains are devoured by the colony

illithid remains fearful of gith attacks, and likely sets about creating a sort of colony of its own, the better to remain undetected. It gathers minions, establishes a lair, and makes defense of its

Githyanki

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Githyanki The militaristic githyanki who live in the Crystal Labyrinth and Stardock have three important tasks: protect the crèche, train young githyanki warriors, and destroy the mind flayer colony

in Seadeeps (level 17). Knights and the Draconic Tongue Githyanki knights encountered in the Crystal Labyrinth and Stardock speak Draconic in addition to their native language of Gith — all the better

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

pilgrimage to understand the gods that others worship, so that you might better appreciate your own deities. The Underdark. Though your home is physically closer to the Sword Coast than the other

subterranean cities or settlements, you are probably a member of the race that occupies the place—but you might also have grown up there after being captured and brought below when you were a child

Folk Hero

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

artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Defining Event You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps

as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining

Githzerai Zerths

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

watchful eyes. The githzerai are aware that githyanki have conquered the Crystal Labyrinth (level 16) and are waging war against a mind flayer colony in Seadeeps (level 17). The githzerai wait patiently to

githyanki and githzerai who seek to reunify the gith races. By helping the githyanki defeat a common foe, Yrlakka hopes to demonstrate the merits of a single unified gith race — not only to the evil

Folk Hero

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

artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Defining Event You previously pursued a simple profession among the peasantry, perhaps

as a farmer, miner, servant, shepherd, woodcutter, or gravedigger. But something happened that set you on a different path and marked you for greater things. Choose or randomly determine a defining

4. Southern Terraces

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

allowed Rasharoo to notice the changes in Phylo and the entire colony more sharply, and it now trusts nothing and no one except Basidia. Its paranoia isn’t the product of Zuggtmoy’s corruption, however

few escape plans ready, and has nutrient caches hidden along exit tunnels in case Basidia decides it is better to abandon the grove and return to a nomadic lifestyle. Characters can climb the eastern

Personal Characteristics

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

your goals and ambitions? What is the single most important thing you strive for? You can choose any ideals you like, but your character’s alignment is a good place to start defining them. Each

to your class, your background, your race, or some other aspect of your character’s history or personality. You might also gain new bonds over the course of your adventures. Flaws Finally, choose a

Mind Flayer Lairs

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

Mind Flayer Lairs In the lair of a mind flayer colony, the safety and security of its residents is all-important. As a result, illithid lairs are always well hidden and well defended, almost always

substance that blocks all attacks except for psionic abilities. The elder brain relaxes here, and often assembles the colony members to engage in debates on philosophy and the nature of the planes. This

Doppelganger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

spread fear, suspicion, and deceit better than doppelgangers. Found in every land and culture, they can take on the guise of any individual of any race. Doppelganger Medium monstrosity

Sun Elves

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

— even other elves — are subordinate to them in skill, significance, and sophistication. They claim the title of “high elves” with pride, and indeed their race is responsible for great, and sometimes

a feeling of noblesse oblige to their profession: they venture out into the world to challenge its dangers because someone must, and who could be better suited?

Mind Flayer Thralls

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

members of the tribe to be branded as heretics, to provide the pretense for occasionally seizing a humanoid and devouring its brain. After the colony depletes and demoralizes the population sufficiently

creature retains its Hit Dice, hit points, racial traits (but not proficiencies granted by race), and all of its ability scores except for Intelligence. After the first stage of the process, the creature’s

Roleplaying a Yuan-ti

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

above those of our race. (Any) 4 Kinship. My allegiance is to my caste and my city. Other settlements can burn for all I care. (Any) 5 Inspiration. My actions set an example for the lesser castes to

I frequently overindulge in food and wine, and I am impaired and lethargic for days afterward. 4 I worship a forbidden god. 5 I secretly believe things would be better if I was in charge. 6 If I could get away with it, I would gladly kill and eat a superior yuan-ti.

Communication and Disposition

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

fluent and literate in Common. All other lizardfolk speak only Draconic and are illiterate. The lizardfolk in this colony are nervous and on edge, fearful of an imminent sahuagin invasion. In

the characters, keep in mind that Common is not a native language for the race, and their but their mindset results in a speech pattern distinct from that of other Common-speaking humanoids

Alignment

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

adventurers cause problems in groups alongside others who don’t share their interests and objectives. Generally, evil alignments are for villains and monsters. Languages Your race indicates the languages

place to start defining them. Each background in this chapter includes six suggested ideals. Five of them are linked to aspects of alignment: law, chaos, good, evil, and neutrality. The last one has

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat. In a couple of situations, kobolds might

at the actions or deeds of other races. They aren’t forgiving of other races, and they enjoy nursing their hatred until they get a chance to wreak revenge on a creature or a race that has wronged

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Beast Masters and Slave Drivers Goblins know they are a weak, unsophisticated race that can be easily dominated by bigger, smarter, more organized, more ferocious, or more magical creatures. Their god

new leader can act as the real boss. If the creature brushes aside such manipulation, the tribe falls into line behind the new tyrant—better to abide the new rule than conspire against it and be

Evil Students

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

good on its promise and telepathically shares the following information with the characters: A mind flayer colony has taken over a level of Undermountain known as Seadeeps. (Cephalossk knows this

because it has been in telepathic contact with the ulitharid on level 17.) Githyanki have invaded Undermountain and are trying to exterminate the mind flayer colony in Seadeeps. Halaster has commandeered a

If It Exists In D&D, There's A Place for It in Eberron

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

Thelanis and these are all the kenku in the world. So just because it’s possible to put anything you want in the world, don’t assume that the streets of Sharn are a zoo flooded with every character race

sourcebook that’s come before it, this book is intended to be a source of inspiration: use what inspires you, but always feel empowered to change the world to better suit the story you want to tell

Worshiping Klothys

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

young world of Theros was the godlike race of titans, born from the same swirling chaos as the world itself. Before any order could be imposed on the world, the titans had to be contained. Kruphix and

left their young world vulnerable to dangers from both inside and out. Putting their rivalry aside, the pair agreed it was better to share and have something than let their struggles destroy all creation

Chapter 1: What Is Eberron?

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

Chapter 1: What Is Eberron? In an ancient ruin beneath the Demon Wastes, a band of heroes race to claim the Reaper’s Heart. If the agents of the Emerald Claw reach it first, they’ll unleash an army

. Human greed and ambition may prove more dangerous than any devil or demon. But through this darkness, there are opportunities for a group of bold adventurers to make a difference… for better or for

Outer Planes

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

Material Plane. But the landscape can change at a whim of the powerful forces that dwell on these planes, which can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence to better fulfill

celestial creatures, including angels, couatls, and pegasi. The Lower Planes are the home of fiends: demons, devils, yugoloths, and their ilk. The planes in between host their own unique denizens: the construct race of modrons inhabit Mechanus, and the aberrations called slaadi thrive in Limbo.

Doppelganger

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

spread fear, suspicion, and deceit better than doppelgangers. Found in every land and culture, they can take on the guise of any individual of any race. Stealing Secrets. A doppelganger’s adopted

Emotionless Evil

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

own lives much too highly to risk them when the odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the

opportunity to study their opponents and implement better tactics. Any enemy who chases a group of fleeing yuan-ti might be on the victorious side of a rout or could be heading into a trap; if the enemy has

Roleplaying

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

the NPC in question is a family member or a contact of a particular adventurer and talks only to that character. An NPC of a certain race or class might listen only to characters he or she feels a

?” Or just ask the player what his or her character is doing while the conversation is going on. The first approach is better for players who are already comfortable speaking in their characters’ voices

Dungeon Inhabitants

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

, orcs that dwell in the mines of a ruined dwarf citadel might skirmish constantly against the hobgoblins that hold the citadel’s upper tiers. Mind flayers that have established a colony in the lowest

challenging as the characters gain levels or to ratchet up the tension. However, this approach can turn the dungeon into a grind. A better approach is to include encounters of varying difficulty

Silver Dragon Adventures

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

mascot and would-be protector of a group of refugee aarakocra. 3 A silver dragon wyrmling practices precocious shape-shifting abilities among a colony of kobolds. 4 A hell hound watches

interlopers without violence. 4 Two silver dragons compete to see who is better at playing the part of a young noble. 5 A young silver dragon rules over a group of yuan-ti, claiming to be an

Silverymoon

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

), but no being is turned away from Silverymoon because of its race — though a drow or an orc proving true to one’s blood is sure to be punished in full for transgressing against the peace of the city

lost language, to learn the proper intonation of a complex song, or to better understand the cryptic writings of a long-dead sage, there is no better place to seek aid than Silverymoon. It is an easy

Tips for New Dungeon Masters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

backgrounds and race options that appear in this introduction, if you’re comfortable with allowing these options in your game. Magic Item Descriptions When the characters acquire a new magic item and

the characters have hit the creature at least once, allowing players to know without asking if attacks made against the creature hit or miss. Hit Points. It’s better not to tell players how many hit

Modifying a Class

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

modify existing classes to better serve your game’s needs. Changing Proficiencies Changing a class’s proficiencies is a safe and simple way to modify a class to better reflect your world. Swapping

firmly in the world by associating the class with a particular race or culture. For example, you might decide that bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards represent the magical traditions of four

D&D Beyond

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