before better defusing concept rituals

Hundred-Handed One

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

performed dark rituals, robbing the power of ancient, slumbering giants and using it to transform their servants. This primal energy granted the archons' agents numerous limbs—the better to raise the

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

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

advisor in human society. The very rare offspring of such a union are always purebloods, although they may appear fully human at birth and for several years afterward. The yuan-ti know rituals that

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better. If these

adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes them as strange. They know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the

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

traditional rituals that are unfamiliar to those around me. 6 Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice. d6 Ideal 1 Open. I have much to learn from the kindly folk I meet

Using the Golden Vault

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

book contains rituals that, in the wrong hands, could be used to summon dangerous extraplanar entities. The book was stolen by a nobleman named Markos Delphi, who might be under the influence of some

it, requires you to travel to Delphi Mansion and retrieve The Celestial Codex. May you fare better than the last group. Good luck, operatives.” Closing the music box causes the golden key to vanish.

Gith Tables

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

Zar’ryth Githyanki Personality Traits d4 Trait 1 When I’m bored I make my own excitement, and I’m always bored. 2 I treat others as if they were animals that simply don’t know any better. 3 Violence is

a spice that makes life worth living. 4 Old age is a concept that I find fascinating. Maybe someday I too will be aged. Githyanki Ideals d4 Trait 1 Fidelity. Warriors are only as good as the vows

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

lack of emotional bonding means they have no concept of marriage or permanent family relationships. Their eggs are placed in a common tribal hatchery with no effort to keep track of who each one

Credits

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

, Magali Villeneuve, Lauren Walsh, Shawn Wood, Zuzanna Wužyk, Kieran Yanner Concept Art Directors: Richard Whitters, Shawn Wood Concept Artists: Alix Branwyn, Tyler Jacobson, Chris Rahn, Magali

, Margaret Weis, Michael Williams, Janet Vialls, Peter Vialls, and many more! Additional thanks to the hundreds of playtesters whose efforts made this a better book! On the Cover Dragons

The Returned

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

for sinister rituals, jewelry stolen from graves, cursed magic items, and other ominous goods. In return, they demand kitchen utensils, worn bridles, waterlogged books, and other unremarkable trash

, pseudammas turn tragedy into horror by snatching mortal children and attempting to raise them. However, the Returned have forgotten the needs of the living and they have no concept of how to care for a child.

It's Just Business

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

. What better way to think of the big bad monster at the center of a web of even bigger and badder plans than as the CEO of a megacorporation, using every resource to dominate the market? What is an

-reaching power of global corporations allied with political power doesn’t just inform our own real world — it molds it. Bringing that concept of powerful corporations working with or against nobility to

Cleric

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

Faith in Diversification Despite their supposed wisdom, many common clerics fail to grasp the simple concept of using the best tool for the job. To the devoted priest of Tempus, every problem is just

occasion. Divine Deals From the most notable nobles to the most humble members of the working class, everyone needs faith and spiritual guidance. And what better way to teach the value of faith to

Weird Magic

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

age and renown might know unique rituals that can temporarily or permanently alter or transform a creature, bring back the dead for a limited time, rewrite memories, or siphon emotions. At the other end

, a hag should be able to use weird magic only once or twice per encounter in her lair, or only once per encounter if she is elsewhere. A hag who is expecting a fight might be better prepared and able

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

, paladins might not swear their oaths to ideals, but instead swear fealty to powerful sorcerers. To capture this story concept, you could build a new paladin spell list with spells meant to protect

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

their divine needs. Distance is a virtually meaningless concept on the Outer Planes. The perceptible regions of the planes can seem quite small, but they can also stretch on to what seems like infinity

Credits

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

Valenzuela, Brian Valeza, Nino Vecia, Tyler Walpole, Jabari Weathers Concept Artists: Kent Davis, Richard Luong Project Engineer: Cynda Callaway Imaging Technicians: Daniel Corona, Kevin Yee

Lindsay, Hilary Ross, Chris Tulach Special thanks to T. Alexander Stangroom and to the hundreds of playtesters whose efforts made this a better book. The following product provided information and

Outer Planes

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

Outer Planes. The desires of the mighty forces that dwell on these planes can remake them completely, effectively erasing and rebuilding existence itself to better fulfill their own needs. Distance is

a virtually meaningless concept on the Outer Planes. The perceptible regions of the planes often seem quite small, but they can also stretch on to what seems like infinity. It might be possible to

Prismari Faculty

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

insightful feedback, which she tailors to each individual. After a review, she often offers a small piece of advice that alters the student’s point of view and work forever—for the better. Uvilda

professor of expression) is the current Dean of Expression. Nazzari always want to see art that is bigger, more radical in concept, and more emotionally powerful. For their final project as a mage

Wuxia

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

, return home to free their village from an evil hobgoblin warlord. The rakshasa master of a nearby monastery performs rituals to raise troubled ghosts from their rest. A campaign that draws on elements of

that they better reflect such a setting. For example, when the characters use spells or special abilities that teleport them short distances, they actually make high-flying acrobatic leaps. Ability

Worshiping Phenax

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

, with the most sacred rituals performed on nights of the new moon. Offerings are made to attract Phenax’s favor, with valuables from successful robberies, parchment filled with lies, or loaded dice being

with Nylea. A pair of accomplished hunters, both fervent followers of Nylea, had a bet with one another to prove who was better with a bow. After countless tests found them equally matched, the hunters

Giants

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

WALKER) Doomwake Giant Belief is a powerful force in Theros, capable of bringing about wonders and changing the world—but not always for the better. Doomwake giants arise from pernicious fears that

their greatness. Some believed the grandest testaments to their glory were being denied them by their servants’ unremarkable forms. So the archons performed dark rituals, robbing the power of ancient

Outer Planes

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

or other powerful forces that dwell on the plane, which can remake the realm completely, erasing and rebuilding existence to better fulfill those forces’ needs. Distance is a virtually meaningless

concept on the Outer Planes. A perceptible region of a plane might seem quite small on one visit, and on another trip it can stretch on to what seems like infinity. Adventurers could take a guided tour

Hill Giant

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

thongs. Bigger Means Better. In a hill giant’s world, humanoids and animals are easy prey that can be hunted with impunity. Creatures such as dragons and other giants are tough adversaries. Hill giants

attempt to enter. In conversation, hill giants are blunt and direct, and they have little concept of deception. A hill giant might be fooled into running from another giant if a number of

Personal Characteristics

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

against your best interests. More significant than negative personality traits, a flaw might answer any of these questions: What enrages you? What’s the one person, concept, or event that you are terrified

antihero, driven by his rivalry with Drizzt. His bond might be phrased as “I will not rest until I have proved myself better than Drizzt Do’Urden.” Each of these characters also has an important

Other Nonplayer Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

long distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing

handle a team of horses or mules better than anyone on the Trade Way. She has an uncanny knack for making animals understand what she wants from them with only a twitch on the reins, a whistle, and a snap

Other Nonplayer Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

distances. But that’s what fills Sechepol’s wagon. He will make his money on the road, selling his stock to his fellow travelers in the caravan. He is diplomatic and has a gift for defusing arguments

team of horses or mules better than anyone on the Trade Way. She has an uncanny knack for making animals understand what she wants from them with only a twitch on the reins, a whistle, and a snap of her

Xvarts

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

duplicate. These are the xvarts, creatures that not only look identical to Raxivort in appearance but also foil any magic used to track him down. Spells, rituals, and other effects that could reveal

. They lack the physical equipment to reproduce, as well as the inclination to do so. They are greedy, conniving, and obsessed with the acquisition of valuables — the more ornate or bizarre, the better

Anatomy of a War Band

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

the remains of their foes using bizarre rituals. A hyena that feeds on such a corpse spawns a gnoll, while other humanoids who join in the feast become cultists of Yeenoghu. Fangs use their claws in

battle, the better to imbue their victims with the magic needed to spawn more gnolls. Gnoll Warriors Common gnolls comprise the bulk of a war band. They fight mainly with spears fashioned from wood and

Creating a Monster Stat Block

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

Manual guide you. Once you have a monster concept in mind, follow the steps below. Step 1. Name A monster’s name should be given as much consideration as any other aspect of the monster, if not more. Your

Player’s Handbook. Step 3. Type A monster’s type provides insight into its origins and nature. The Monster Manual describes each monster type. Choose the type that best fits your concept for the monster

Alignment

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

one person, concept, or event that you are terrified of? What are your vices? TIKA AND ARTEMIS: PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Tika and Artemis have distinct personality traits. Tika Waylan dislikes

, Artemis is more than a criminal assassin—he is an antihero, driven by his rivalry with Drizzt. His bond might be phrased as “I will not rest until I have proved myself better than Drizzt Do’Urden

Factions in the North

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

Underdark. A hill giant chief with a headband of intellect performing rituals that can transform people into pigs. The Emerald Enclave The Emerald Enclave is a group of wilderness survivalists who

lost souls to its organization with the promise of a better life. Its agents are evil and grasping. When they are not gathering information for the kraken, they lurk in the shadows and indulge in

City Celebrations

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

season that lasts a tenday. Among the rituals in homage to the goddess of wealth and trade are these: Caravance (Tarsahk 1). This gift-giving holiday commemorates the traditional arrival of the first

alongside its residents. Better yet, if you’re of an adventuresome bent, register in your favored ward and compete! Who knows? Your name or visage might soon have a place in the House of Heroes

Headquarters Features

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

malfunctioning magic, and so forth. The DM approves the headquarters concept and decides how large or small the initial structure can be, as well as any useful features. DMs and players can work together

better served by having the franchise change headquarters at different stages. Characters might start out in a ship, then move to a castle, then take possession of a unique magical headquarters in

Uthgardt Lands

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

season might come to trade during the next. They do understand the concept of belonging to a larger group, and that those groups might be in conflict. After all, each tribe of Uthgardt has its ancestral

and foremost — but attribute these claims to a tribe other than their own. The strongest among the band will insist on the chance to prove him- or herself better than the stories you’ve heard, and will

Tomb Locations

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

plots, and insists that the characters will know better once they speak with her. If the idea that Valin might be a mummy lord is mentioned, Alessia confirms that she sees the oracle regularly and

dao wears a golden, gem-encrusted necklace worth 2,500 gp. T5. Scrying Pool This chamber was once used to conduct scrying training and rituals, but it has been desecrated by Valin’s corruption, as can

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