before beyond defeat cautious returner

Young Deep Dragon

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

local environment, consuming vast quantities of fish and pale crabs and cultivating fungal growths. They bully nearby communities when they can or enter into cautious arrangements with powerful

dragons demand tribute from these groups in the form of food or treasure. Underdark explorers have many reasons to brave deep dragon lairs beyond treasure hunting; they might contain the only surviving

Ironscale Hydra

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

each head regrown in this way. Reactive Heads. For each head the hydra has beyond one, it gets an extra reaction that can be used only for opportunity attacks. Wakeful. While the hydra sleeps, at least

, from the bog-dwelling hydras known across the multiverse to massive ironscale hydras that lurk in deep wildernesses. Beyond even these exist serpentine horrors born of the whims of foul gods, like the

The Great Old One Legacy

Classes Player’s Handbook (2014)

Your patron is a mysterious entity whose nature is utterly foreign to the fabric of reality. It might come from the Far Realm, the space beyond reality, or it could be one of the elder gods known

Lurks; Tharizdun, the Chained God; Dendar, the Night Serpent; Zargon, the Returner; Great Cthulhu; and other unfathomable beings.

Animated Coffin

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

boxes with simple fittings to elaborate, gilded sarcophagi and reverent, fabric-lined caskets. Beyond the City of Doors, animated coffins serve similar—albeit less industrial—roles

. Natural ambushers and tireless sentries, animated coffins guard ancient necropolises, family crypts, and the lairs of powerful Undead. A cautious vampire might sleep in an animated coffin to evade hunters

Zargash

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

folly, but Zargash is twisted beyond any hope of redemption. His hobbies include slaying the living and animating the dead. Alignment. Chaotic evil. Personality Trait. “I do not fear death

defeat seems inevitable, he casts gaseous form on himself and flees, leaving his allies to fend for themselves. League of Malevolence The League of Malevolence is an odious assemblage of villains

Polukranos

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

beyond one, it gets an extra reaction that can be used only to make opportunity attacks. Siege Monster. Polukranos deals double damage to objects and structures. Wakeful. While Polukranos sleeps, at

, from the bog-dwelling hydras known across the multiverse to massive ironscale hydra;ironscale hydras that lurk in deep wildernesses. Beyond even these exist serpentine horrors born of the whims of foul

Eldritch Lich

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

. Immediately after taking damage, the lich, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, magically teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.From beyond the stars, a Great Old

, the Night Serpent 4 Ghaunadaur 5 Zargon, the Returner 6 That Which Lurks Necrotic, Poison

Zargon the Returner

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

save, it takes half as much damage.Zargon the Returner is an elder evil—an undying abomination from eons past with an insatiable appetite. A tentacled, slime-covered horror with a cyclopic red

another plane—or another reality entirely. When Asmodeus ascended the infernal hierarchy, he and his legions wiped out most of the plane’s earlier inhabitants, but Zargon proved beyond even

Deck of Several Things

Magic Items Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

defeat the next hostile monster or group of monsters you encounter, you have advantage on ability checks made using one skill of your choice for the duration of the adventure. Otherwise, this card has no

already been claimed, you gain an equivalent hoard. Idiot. Reduce your Intelligence by 1d4 + 1 (to a minimum score of 1) for the duration of the adventure. You can draw one additional card beyond

Deck of Many Things Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

-handedly defeat the next hostile monster or group of monsters you encounter, you gain experience points enough to gain one level. Otherwise, this card has no effect. Donjon. You disappear and become

1d4 + 1 (to a minimum score of 1). You can draw one additional card beyond your declared draws. Jester. You gain 10,000 XP, or you can draw two additional cards beyond your declared draws. Key. A

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale

, Auril is reborn at full strength during the next winter solstice, with divine power far beyond what is reflected in the stat blocks presented here. After finishing a long rest, Auril regains any of

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to

form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however, Auril is reborn at full strength during the next winter solstice, with divine power far beyond what is reflected in the

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

violet eyes. In a breeze or when aloft, the creature’s scales and hair appear to blaze with a holy, golden fire. Beyond their coloration, ki-rins vary in appearance based on the deity each one

working behind the scenes, or they might be champions of their master’s cause, out to defeat villainy wherever it is found. When viewed from the outside, a ki-rin’s lair is indistinguishable

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures

solstice, with divine power far beyond what is reflected in the stat blocks presented here. After finishing a long rest, Auril regains any of her forms that were destroyed, provided at least one

Icespire Hold

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

Icespire Hold Icespire Hold is where adventurers can expect to find Cryovain if they haven’t defeated the young white dragon elsewhere. This location is designed for characters of 6th level, though lower-level characters can defeat the dragon if they’re cunning and cautious.

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

aggression toward creatures that they could defeat in a fight and that can’t be dealt with in some other manner. They are aggressive toward prey they want to eat, creatures that want to harm them, and

plans, or cultivating other methods to progress beyond their simple existence as hunters and gatherers. Hapless Soft Ones At their core, lizardfolk view other humanoids with an indifference verging on

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

beyond — from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Air. They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien

the Wind Dukes long ago to defeat the Queen of Chaos’s monstrous champion, Miska the Wolf-Spider. When plunged into Miska’s body, the chaos in his blood sundered the rod and scattered its

Zargon the Returner

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

Zargon the Returner Kevin Glint In the days of Cynidicea’s Fall, Zargon fed on the panicking masses, devouring any who denied it worship Zargon the Returner is an elder evil—an undying abomination

of the plane’s earlier inhabitants, but Zargon proved beyond even Asmodeus’ might. No matter what blistering wrath Asmodeus brought to bear on Zargon, the aberration continually re-formed from its horn

Conclusion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Scions of Elemental Evil

Conclusion Once the characters defeat Ulsedra Vox, any cultists remaining inside the temple flee when told their leader is gone. The characters can easily leave the building. On the temple’s

outskirts, the characters rejoin the elf Filonia in her small camp. Pleased beyond measure to see the characters, the knight asks to hear tales of their mission during their return to Celene.

Interfering with the Lady

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

learned its lesson, the Lady sends it to the Mazes in the next blink. Similar to other godlike beings, the Lady of Pain has no stat block. She is beyond the ability of characters to defeat by conventional means.

Level 5: Wyllowwood

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

Level 5: Wyllowwood Wyllowwood is designed for four 8th-level characters. Those who defeat the monsters on this level should gain enough XP to reach 9th level. In some cases, defeating a monster can

River of the Depths, which they first encounter on level 4. Characters who follow the river must navigate rapids and small waterfalls to reach Wyllowwood. Beyond this level, the River of the Depths

Expanded Ziggurat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

characters of all levels, though unseasoned adventurers determined to face the Returner in combat are almost certainly doomed to fail. Characters killed by Zargon might be resurrected on the Infinite

chosen! Praise the Returner!” shouts the cultist on the altar with glee as they melt into an amorphous blob of chattering teeth and darting eyes. Treasure. The twelve cultists each wear a gold mask of

Snapping Turtle Bay

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

Snapping Turtle Bay This bay is beautiful beyond compare. Though the sky is dark with clouds of smoke and ash streaked with lightning, the white sand beaches, lush forests, bright coral reefs, and

the cyclopes from cautious to hostile. They are experts at surviving the dangers of Snapping Turtle Bay, which makes them valuable allies if characters offer them something they want. The cyclopes

Simple Traps

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

experience, the characters can become overly cautious, and you run the risk of the action grinding to a halt as the players search every square inch of the dungeon for trip wires and pressure plates

for you to describe what happens next, the players should be specific about how they want to defeat the trap. Simply stating the desire to make a check isn’t helpful for you. Ask the players where their characters are positioned and what they intend to do to defeat the trap.

Divine Intervention

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

Divine Intervention In some campaigns, gods are fond of meddling in mortal affairs, and heroes sometimes call on the gods for aid beyond what divine magic ordinarily provides. The gods sometimes also

god should never guarantee success or victory, nor should a god’s interference portend immediate defeat. Gods can act to change the balance of an encounter or offer an avenue of escape, but they count

Jhesiyra Kestellharp

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

form. Jhesiyra can exert control over Halaster’s magic gates, keeping adventurers from passing through them if she thinks they lack the might needed to defeat the perils beyond. In terms of game rules

, inhabiting the very dungeon itself. Halaster is unaware of Jhesiyra’s presence but also wonders over her disappearance following the Spellplague. Jhesiyra’s plan is to use adventurers to defeat Halaster so

Using an Overarching Story

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

is to amass the power they need to defeat a powerful enemy that threatens the world. Their goal in the second example is to defend something they care about by destroying whatever threatens it. The

and using it to defeat a cosmic threat. Example 2: Agents of X You can also build a campaign around the idea that the adventurers are agents of something larger than themselves — a kingdom or secret

Worshiping Iroas

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

stubbornness. Countless tales tell of him or his champions besting terrible beasts, enemy armies, or threats to the world. Still other stories rise beyond accounts of his victories. Bulwark of Brotherhood

. Iroas carries a battle-worn bronze shield called the Bulwark of Brotherhood. It symbolizes the protective bond shared by all soldiers at war and his determination, ironically, to defeat his own brother

Feywild Guides

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

scout stat block, but change its size to Small) 2 Gloomy wood elf druid (use the druid stat block) 3 Flamboyant pixie 4 Happy-go-lucky satyr 5 Ultra-competitive sprite 6 Overly cautious treant sapling

(see chapter 1 of The Wild Beyond the Witchlight for its stat block) 7 Giggly goblin warlock (use the cult fanatic stat block, but change its size to Small) 8 Humorless centaur Feywild Guide Quirks

Character Levels

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Character Levels The adventure is meant for characters of levels 1–10 and includes threats for those levels and beyond. Strahd can be an especially deadly challenge at these levels. It is assumed

Ravenloft without first increasing their power will likely die. You can award experience points for the defeat of foes, use milestone awards, or a mixture of both. Given the fact that much of the

Animated Coffin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

retractable spikes. Like their inanimate counterparts, animated coffins range from plain wooden boxes with simple fittings to elaborate, gilded sarcophagi and reverent, fabric-lined caskets. Beyond

powerful Undead. A cautious vampire might sleep in an animated coffin to evade hunters during the day, while a necromancer might enlist animated coffins to conscript corpses from faraway settlements into

Athreos's Champions

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

Athreos’s Champions Athreos expects his champions to maintain the balance between the living and the dead, just as he does. Beyond this, his servants take it upon themselves to maintain funerary

customs unique to their cultures and preserve the memories of the departed. Beyond the mortal world, the River Guide opposes any who disrupt the cycle of life and death, behavior that occasionally brings

Cargo Deck Conflagration

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

creatures and objects beyond that range are only lightly obscured. Running the NPCs As the characters defeat the last of the mephits, Krik’Lit and Pffred get the fire under control by expending half the

. Visibility. Visibility on the Cargo Deck is reduced to 10 feet. Creatures and objects beyond that range are heavily obscured. Elemental Meddling The chamber containing the galley is the source of the

Ending the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

Ending the Adventure ROCK GNOME RECLUSE The adventure can end in one of several ways. Ideally, it concludes with the defeat of Cryovain the white dragon, the completion of all the Phandalin quests

offer, you can run it again for different players, or you can find an adventure that takes the characters beyond 6th level. The “Where Next?” section below offers a few suggestions.

Attack of the Nematode

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

Nematode writhing 500 feet above the town like a malevolent cloud. The creature is far too large to defeat by conventional attacks or spells, so the characters must once again explore the Nematode from

rather than lightning). Beyond the membrane in the Nematode’s head is a massive, fluid-filled chamber that serves as the Nematode’s brain. The characters must damage each of the five electroreceptors in

D&D Beyond

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