before better diffusing cruel remaining

Wand of Orcus

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

some fell goal. The wand is topped with a skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the grip of its user. All Holy Water

following day, remaining until Orcus dismisses them. Sentience. The Wand of Orcus is a sentient Chaotic Evil item with an Intelligence of 16, a Wisdom of 12, and a Charisma of 16. It has hearing and

Skabatha Nightshade

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited

. Personality Trait. “When dealing with outsiders, I present myself as a kindly old grandmother.” Ideal. “Children are better off working for me than picking up lots of bad habits

Leucrotta

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

kills transformed into gnolls, others underwent more bizarre changes; leucrottas were the most numerous of these. As clever as it is cruel, a leucrotta loves to deceive, torture, and kill. Creatures who

like doing their own killing, since leucrottas are meticulous in their cruelty and able to draw out kills for better and longer sport. And when there are no victims to be had, a leucrotta can mimic the

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

. Made from bones as hard as iron, the wand is topped with a magically enlarged skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the

, remaining until Orcus dismisses them. Sentience. The Wand of Orcus is a sentient, chaotic evil item with an Intelligence of 16, a Wisdom of 12, and a Charisma of 16. It has hearing and darkvision out

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

bodies, sending these copies off to lure prey into their clutches while remaining tethered to the slime by long tendrils of goo. These duplicated creatures are indistinguishable from their victims

jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

while remaining tethered to the slime by long tendrils of goo. These duplicated creatures are indistinguishable from their victims except for a faint sulfurous smell. Oblexes use these duplicates to

sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to

Baphomet Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

. Although filled with bestial bloodlust, there lies within a cruel and cunning intellect devoted to subverting all of civilization. Baphomet wields a great glaive called Heartcleaver. He sometimes

reversed within that room. Any creatures or objects in the room when this happens fall in the direction of the new pull of gravity, unless they have some means of remaining aloft. Baphomet can ignore the

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one

it to the surface world. Lost and confused, the wyrmling has been captured by a group of cruel adventurers. 3 A deep dragon wyrmling whimsically rules over a worshipful group of kobolds, sending

Baphomet

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

minotaur with six iron horns. A fiendish light burns in his red eyes. Although he is filled with bestial blood lust, there lies within him a cruel and cunning intellect devoted to subverting all

fall in the direction of the new pull of gravity, unless they have some means of remaining aloft. Baphomet can ignore the gravity reversal if he’s in the room, although he likes to use this

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

offering food and other supplies to aid their departure. If those who insist on remaining respect nature, take only what they need, and live in harmony with the wood, firbolgs explore the possibility

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades. 6 You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Dessarin Valley, were ever a secretive and guarded people, only spotted during their flights over the High Forest. A cruel and rapacious green dragon nearly wiped out the population and scattered the

survivors. These aarakocra and their descendants have sworn vengeance against the dragon and may be seen scouring the lands of the North and Cormyr for signs of their foe. Their only remaining settlement

Tepest

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

Tepest Domain of Nature’s Cruel Secrets Darklord: Mother Lorinda Genre: Folk horror Hallmarks: Fey bargains, nature worship, rural festivals, secret sacrifices Mist Talismans: Bloodstained farm

her accursed offspring. Meanwhile, lingering in forests and hiding beneath the earth, resentful fey watch and plot, offering cruel bargains to those who wander beyond Mother’s sight. The people of

Secret Chicken

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

, both boggles originally came to the temple to steal this chicken. Or this might just be a tale the remaining boggle tells, planting false eggs with the chickens in order to better negotiate with the characters.

Githyanki

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

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

to communicate with their red dragon mounts. Githyanki Leaders The githyanki are led by Al’chaia, a knight who is cruel to her trainees and soldiers. Al’chaia recently acquired a manual of gainful

Adult Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

illusions, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to

their way to avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your

avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk of the world

Silver Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

remaining watchful against evil. Silver dragons typically dwell amid snow-capped mountains, though aspirations and congeniality drive some to instead live among cosmopolitan societies. Disguised as

humanoids, they ally with artists, historians, knights, and humble leaders who learn from the past to create better futures. Silver dragons take inspiration from legendary heroes and have grand

Personality

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

Personality Lolth is a cruel god. She loves chaos and hurting the innocent, especially those who oppose her power-hungry ideals. The suffering of others delights her, and if that pain benefits her

plans, all the better. The Spider Queen employs duplicity and sadism against her enemies, but she also enjoys bedeviling those who claim to love her. She promises great rewards to those who follow her

Duergar Despot

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

gathering on the fringes of Icewind Dale. Adventurers are much better equipped to deal with such threats, particularly in the dead of winter. One recent arrival in the area is Xardorok Sunblight, a

, and heartlessly cruel—the perfect realm for Xardorok to claim as despot. Unbeknownst to Xardorok, however, it is not Deep Duerra guiding his actions but the archdevil Asmodeus in the guise of Deep

Beginning the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

ritual, I’ll throw in a magic item from my own adventuring days. What do you say?” The magic item Grahlista offers is a pair of Boots of the Winterlands. If the characters negotiate for a better

: Challidax’s Lair. The dragon’s lair is an extensive network of icy caves two days’ journey from Grahlista’s home. The terrain around the lair is supernaturally cold, regardless of the season. A Cruel

Lekar

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

fortifications. During the First Siege of Lekar, General Drakov sacrificed the entirety of the northern River Ward, leaving hundreds of souls to be slaughtered but allowing the remaining defenders to turn back

better than civilians, being assured of daily rations and housing in the Bastion Ward—the Talons-only district around city hall where General Drakov established her command center. From here, Drakov

Recovering from Defeat

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

Recovering from Defeat If the characters fail to prevent a Prince of Elemental Evil from remaining in the world, all is not lost. The triumphant prince remains near the node for several weeks

time and saw how the battle unfolded. If the characters need better gear or spells cast on their behalf, the factions get to work. No one wants a second assault to fail for lack of potions of fire

Running the Adventure

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

most of the creatures encountered in this adventure. The remaining stat blocks can be found in appendix A, as indicated in the text, or in the encounters in which they appear. When a creature’s name

appears in bold type, that’s a visual clue pointing you to its stat block as a way of saying, “Hey, DM, you better get this creature’s stat block ready. You’re going to need it.” Spells and equipment

Surprise! Dragon Cultists!

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Surprise! Dragon Cultists! If the characters rid the dungeon of the worshipers of Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul, any remaining followers of the Dead Three avoid the dungeon and the bathhouse once they

of Tiamat led by a male human cult fanatic named Ultiss. These chaotic evil worshipers of Tiamat have been sent by Arkhan the Cruel (see chapter 3) to retrieve the treasure stolen from the dragon

Wand of Orcus

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

demon lord senses an opportunity to achieve some fell goal. The wand is topped with a skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform

can’t use it again until the next dawn. While holding the wand, Orcus can summon any kind of Undead, not just skeletons and zombies. These Undead don’t perish at dawn the following day, remaining until

Running the Adventure

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

the creatures encountered in this adventure. The remaining stat blocks can be found in appendix A or appendix B, as indicated in the text, or in the encounters in which they appear. When a creature’s

name appears in bold type, that’s a visual clue pointing you to its stat block as a way of saying, “Hey, DM, you better get this creature’s stat block ready. You’re going to need it.” Spells and

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

cruel in victory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat, just as in their own society lower castes must scrape before those of greater status and as goblin tribes bow before other goblinoids

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

Umbraxakar

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

Umbraxakar The shadow dragon Umbraxakar used to be a lawful good bronze dragon named Glyster. Fond of assuming human form, Glyster was Vanrak Moonstar’s friend and companion, remaining by the noble’s

to transform him into a shadow dragon to better serve Vanrak in the battles to come. Thereafter, Glyster became known as Umbraxakar (“shadowborn” in Draconic). The death knight and the shadow dragon

Background

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

, orcs, and goblins, ruled by cruel druids who worshiped Lolth in her aspect as the Queen of Spiders. The druids promptly had the few remaining sailors dispatched by their underlings and claimed the ship

a cruel twist, and Emperor of the Waves disappeared. A storm separated the ship from its escort, and it was never heard from again. Devastated by the financial loss, Aubreck was reduced to the

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

damage from a single attack that deals more than half its remaining hit points, it withdraws from combat on its next turn. If it hasn’t already tried to summon another yugoloth, it does so immediately. If

it’s already used that power, it simply flees, intending to regroup with other survivors later. Because the yugoloths are mercenaries, the characters can attempt to buy them off with a better offer

Skabatha Nightshade

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

Skabatha Nightshade Skabatha is the oldest member of the Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in

cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited with a lost love might be transformed into one of their loved one’s cherished items, such as a favorite bonnet. Skabatha assumes the guise

Journey Spread Example

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

the character succeeds on the Wisdom check and chooses the better path, the characters’ travel time decreases by a day, but their path is lined with omens that foretell terrible events when they reach

Challenge: Donjon (Upright). This card can describe literal or metaphorical imprisonment. Perhaps the characters happen upon an eccentric’s zoo, where monstrous animals are held in cruel captivity

Developments

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

damage from a single attack that deals more than half its remaining hit points, it withdraws from combat on its next turn. If it hasn’t already tried to summon another yugoloth, it does so immediately. If

it’s already used that power, it simply flees, intending to regroup with other survivors later. Because the yugoloths are mercenaries, the characters can attempt to buy them off with a better offer

Hidden Shepherds

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

firbolgs’ 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

offering food and other supplies to aid their departure. If those who insist on remaining respect nature, take only what they need, and live in harmony with the wood, firbolgs explore the possibility

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