before birth dark continued respected

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

speak of a seelie fey who betrayed the Summer Queen. His true name has been stricken from history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath

for the beauty of art. A darkling might risk taking a peek at a sunset or lighting a tiny candle to glimpse the colors in a painting or a jewel. Elder Transformation. A wise and respected darkling can

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath that she cursed every member of his house. Other fey refer to the descendants of Dubh Catha's house as the dubh sith-or

the colors in a painting or a jewel. Elder Transformation. A wise and respected darkling can qualify to undergo a ritual to become an elder. Other elders mark the supplicant with glowing tattoos

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

wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age. Goliath Names Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began to corrupt him. Imperfections. The Abbot's fall from grace started when the Belviews—a family of sickly

present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor Belviews of their lingering imperfections. The Belview family, however, had strange ideas of what it

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

primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods, debased their flesh by

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

effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to. Baldur

Eye and Hand of Vecna Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Seldom is the name of Vecna spoken except in a hushed voice. Vecna was, in his time, one of the mightiest of all wizards. Through dark magic and conquest, he forged a terrible empire. For all his

would allow him to live on as a lich. Beyond death, he became the greatest of all liches. Even though his body gradually withered and decayed, Vecna continued to expand his evil dominion. So formidable

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Those who think of other planes at all consider them remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth

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

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists

(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

Life in the Sensa Empire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

Life in the Sensa Empire Those who live in the Sensa Empire or who travel through the land experience its wealth, both in riches and deep traditions. Aurum Guild Gold mining is a respected career

Empire, there’s no lack of lucrative, respected jobs in the mines, though the work comes with occupational hazards. But the wealth of the empire often draws threats. Banditry is an ongoing problem, and

Birth of a Darklord

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

Birth of a Darklord Upon the completion of the Darklord’s greatest irredeemable act, the Mists drag them—and perhaps the lands around them—into the Domains of Dread. At this point, you should have an

idea of who your Darklord is, what they did, what form their evil takes, and how they came to the attention of the Dark Powers. Flesh out these details, referring back to how the Darklord reflects

Cyric

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

Cyric The Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun The worship of Cyric derives directly from the story of his ascension to godhood. Cyric was a mortal during the Time of Troubles and the key to how that

chaotic period resolved, but he was also a selfish traitor and a murderer. When he became a god, Cyric continued to work various plots of deceit and murder — the most famous of which is that, according to

Skola Vale Revels

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

, dark-humored sibyls might invite outsiders to join the Cult of Horns. If they agree, the non-satyr might be crowned with a circlet of horns, marking them as “stubs” (for their crown’s stubby horns). A

period of hazing follows, where the stubs are enticed to perform menial or humiliating tasks. When the satyrs grow bored—or a respected, sober satyr steps in—the hazing ends, which typically results in

Easthaven in a Nutshell

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

Easthaven in a Nutshell Friendliness ❄❄ Services ❄❄❄ Comfort ❄❄❄ Available Quest. “Toil and Trouble”. Population. 750. Leaders. Speaker Danneth Waylen (chaotic good human commoner), respected for his

) and 12 veterans. Heraldry. A snowflake at the top center of a steel-gray field, above a horizontal brown field that forms the left-hand base, and a dark blue field that forms the right-hand base; where

Genasi Names

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

. 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, elemental forces hold greater sway than they do

on other worlds. As a people touched by elemental power, genasi are viewed as seers, prophets, and chosen ones. The birth of a genasi, whether a slave, a noble, or a member of a desert tribe, is an auspicious event. Most Athasians believe a given genasi is destined for greatness — or infamy.

Gromph's Grimoire

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

Gromph’s Grimoire After recovering Gromph Baenre’s grimoire from Sorcere in chapter 15, the characters might think about what to do with the dark tome once the threat of the demon lords is ended. The

willingly. Finding a means to get rid of Gromph’s grimoire once and for all could be the basis for continued adventures, perhaps even leading characters into the Abyss (see “Into the Demonweb Pits

Vladeska Drakov

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

Vladeska Drakov In the world of her birth, Vladeska Drakov was known as the Crimson Falcon, leader of a peerless mercenary army called the Falcon’s Talons. She and her troops executed a thousand

ancient grudges and petty atrocities in a land of bitterly feuding royal families. Infamous but respected, Drakov amassed a fortune and planned to retire young, buying a title and a realm to rule. The

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order to replenish the casualties of their endless warring

, orcs breed prodigiously (and they aren’t choosy about what they breed with, which is why such creatures as half-orcs and ogrillons are found in the world). Females that are about to give birth are

Gifts from Sir Tristan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Stranger Things

greedy, Sir Tristan reminds them that they’re old friends. Once the deal is struck, Sir Tristan might have a surprise for the group. If the characters negotiated a fair deal and respected their

healing. Finally, he has two weapons — a wand of magic missiles and this greatsword: Winter’s Dark Bite. This greatsword is made of an unknown black metal. In most cases, it works as a +1 greatsword

Random Settlements

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

oppresses majority Ruler’s Status d20 Ruler 1–5 Respected, fair, and just 6–8 Feared tyrant 9 Weakling manipulated by others 10 Illegitimate ruler, simmering civil war 11 Ruled or controlled by a

respected 19–20 Religious leader Notable Traits d20 Trait 1 Canals in place of streets 2 Massive statue or monument 3 Grand temple 4 Large fortress 5 Verdant parks and orchards 6 River divides town 7

Cults of the Dragon Below NPCs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

poisons laced with the whispers of a dark entity. 6 A dragonmarked heir whose fortunes were ruined in the Last War founds a cult within their house. 7 The local thieves’ guild turns from mundane

organized crime activities to bizarre murders and acts of chaos. 8 A respected noble behaves more erratically as time goes on, treating their servants and family with random and escalating cruelty.

Halfling Deities

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

Brandobaris is the trickster-god of thievery and stealth, patron of many halfling adventurers. Urogalan is the silent, melancholy god of the earth and death. Accompanied everywhere by a great dark hound, he is

saddened by his duties, and vigilant in ensuring that the dead are respected and protected. Lady Luck Many halflings have taken to regular worship of Tymora, seeing her as a helping hand in their fortunes and a patron of the luckiness associated with the hin.

The Carnival

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

The Carnival Wandering Domain of Wonders Darklord: Nepenthe Genres: Body horror and dark fantasy Hallmarks: Entertainment, fey bargains, misfits, wandering exiles Mist Talismans: Carnival flier

. Visibly marked as outsiders by birth, circumstance, intention, or talent, the Carnival’s troupers trade their unique performances for coin and whatever else they need to survive. Although these

Hag Names

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

Hag Names Hags have whimsical names, often with a dark twist. A hag gives her newborn daughter a name that the girl keeps during her childhood, but upon gaining her full hag powers the daughter

chooses her own name, which might or might not relate to her birth name. Some hags use different names in different guises, but still prefer their original name as their favorite. The Hag Names table

Tragic Flaws

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

flaw can also be supernatural in nature. A hermit who harbors “dark, bloodthirsty thoughts that my isolation and meditation failed to quell” might have a sinister connection to the vicious god Mogis

. NATAL OMENS The birth of a hero is often accompanied by signs in Nyx and Theros alike. You can use the Omens table in chapter 4 to randomly determine an omen that appeared when you were born. It’s up to you and your DM to determine the omen’s meaning.

Rival Vendors

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

conspire to exacerbate their enmity. In the course of the adventure, the characters are drawn into their conflict. Lamai Tyenmo Lamai Tyenmo (lawful good, gnome commoner) has dark, wild hair and a wide

noble) dresses in impeccable purple-and-gold silk gowns and has polished horns. She runs a respected market stand, Xungoon Family Seafood, and seeks to expand her family’s business. She cherishes her

Saidra d'Honaire

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

his rightful home by a vicious younger brother. The young girl took pleasure in lording that fact over other peasant children, proclaiming herself superior by birth despite her present circumstances

. Despite the family’s new wealth, Saidra continued to dress in rags and labor from dawn to dusk, acting as a housemaid to her stepmother and stepsisters. A harder blow descended when Saidra’s stepmother

Worshiping Heliod

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

. Birth of Erebos. Some myths claim that Heliod was the first of the gods, though most people believe that distinction belongs to Kruphix. These myths also say that when the light of Heliod’s own sun

. Worse, his sight grew ever weaker as he spent days staring at the sun. Yet still he traveled on. Even when blindness claimed Solsemon’s sight, the oracle continued undaunted. Finally, one day, Solsemon

Tymora

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

ear and continued on her way. Unknown to Tyche, the rose was a manifestation of Moander, god of corruption and decay. The severed rose stem crept into Tyche’s ear and subtly began to rot her from the

good and pure in her friend. However, following this first figure out of the rotten shell was another form stunning to behold, but full of dark malice and capricious ill will. As the two forms

Heliod's Influence

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

honor. The sun’s nightly descent into darkness symbolizes bravery and self-sacrifice—the willingness to endure the horrors of the dark for the sake of others. Those who protect innocents in his name

respected, there would be peace and order in Nyx and the mortal world alike. Divine Relationships Heliod’s repeated attempts to establish himself as the ruler of the pantheon anger Erebos and Purphoros

Lone Faithful

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

accident of their birth as a kind of cruel joke they have chosen to embrace. Equally intriguing and disturbing to followers of some faiths in Faerûn are stories spread by tieflings who claim to have

visions in which the gods of Faerûn appear to them modeled in the tieflings’ own image. One such is the entity they call the “pale horned goddess of the moon” (Selûne); another is the “dark, devilish

Darklings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha (“Dark Crow” in Common), and other Fey refer to the house’s descendants as dubh sith—“darklings.” Darklings dwell in secluded caverns and chambers beneath the

respected darkling can undergo a ritual to become an elder. Other elders mark the supplicant with glowing tattoos, channeling away some of the darkling’s absorbed light. If the ritual succeeds, the darkling

Chapter 22: Euryale

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

kingdom, for the stars shone auspiciously on her birth. But Asteria defied his expectations. While other nobles’ children happily played with their bevy of toys, Asteria intently focused on cataloging

as an icon of protection, strength, and her dearest friend, Asteria has continued her journey alone. But Istus’s act echoed through the multiverse, and the original Deck of Many Things reflected

Humans Transformed

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

serpent gods of the primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods

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

Council of Four

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

current situation, Duke Stelmane is in no position to oppose attempts by her fellow dukes to seize the reins of power in Baldur’s Gate. Duke Dillard Portyr Duke Dillard Portyr was once a respected

. One promotion after another followed until she was named Master of Drains and Underways. By then, she had been married three times and given birth to three sons. Her lifelong goal has been to lift

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