before birth diffusing close refer

Vedalken

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

with ideas than with people. They form close friendships based on mutual interests or compelling disagreements, and their interactions dwell on their thoughts about those issues rather than their

bioengineering or through extensive study, and others concentrate on perfecting society through the careful drafting and application of laws. Vedalken Names Vedalken are given names at birth, but

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

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

assigned by the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name is up to three syllables long. Clan names are five syllables or more and end in a vowel. Birth names are rarely linked to gender

Baba Lysaga

Monsters Curse of Strahd

death upon her. Lysaga eventually got her wish, and after Strahd settled in the valley of Barovia, Lysaga moved as close to him as she dared to. In the filth-ridden depths of her heart, Lysaga knows

winery (chapter 12), and she has begun to wage war against it. In addition, she has forged an alliance with the mad druids that haunt Yester Hill (chapter 14), convincing them that she gave birth to

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

can more easily pronounce the name in this altered form. An adopted name of this sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to

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

Dragonborn Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, gold, or copper-green. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws with three

to another dragonborn clan before seeking aid from other races—or even from the gods. Dragonborn Names Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they put their clan names first as a

Centaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

the laboratories of the Simic. Centaurs celebrate life and growth, and the birth of a foal is always cause for festivities. At the same time, they revere the traditions of the past, and among both

the Gruul and the Selesnya they are voices of memory and history, preserving old ways and keeping alive the legends of ancestral heroes. They feel a close kinship with wild animals, perhaps because of

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Members of the Selesnya Conclave refer to their magic as “doruvati,” a Sylvan word meaning “gift.” When you use these gifts of Mat’Selesnya, graceful swirls of green and

, empathetic, and generally peaceful — unless roused to action. Their flaws and bonds alike grow naturally from their close ties to the community. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait

Goliath Names

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

change them to refer to an individual’s notable deeds. Goliaths present all three names when identifying themselves, in the order of birth name, nickname, and clan name. In casual conversation, they

Goliath Names Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name is up to three

Adult Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of an arcanaloth seeking a powerful Feywild artifact. 5 An adult moonstone dragon attempts to help a beholder worried that its dreams will soon give birth to a rival beholder. 6 Members of

multiplanar lairs by opening portals between planes at will. They sometimes forget to close those portals, allowing the inhabitants of one plane to wander into others. Moonstone Dragon Lair Features You can

Yuan-ti Names

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

sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to itself by its birth name, by its adopted name, or (especially among purebloods) by a

Yuan-ti Names Yuan-ti names have meanings that have been passed down through the generations, although spellings and inflections have changed over time. Some yuan-ti add more sibilants to their birth

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

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

to the folk of the Sword Coast. If you come from Kara-Tur, the people of Faerûn likely refer to you as Shou, even if that isn’t your true ethnicity, because that’s the blanket term

course, you followed an equally long route when you came north from your place of birth. Though it isn’t unusual for Zakharans to visit the southern extremes of Faerûn for trading purposes, few

The Draconic Prophecy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

forge, especially when connected to House Cannith as the gorgon in the previous line. Or they could refer to the birth of a new thing from the ashes of the old, or to mortal passions (the fires of the

: “The gorgon’s breath.” These words could refer to a literal gorgon, perhaps one magically altered or infused with radiant energy so its breath restores health, brings the dead back to life, or animates

Childhood

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

rely on friends for the development of their social skills. In exceedingly rare cases, a birth might produce twins or — scarcer yet — triplets. These offspring, which the elves refer to as soul siblings

to usher a child into the world. They cannot understand how a birth is both a joy and a sorrow, a reunion and a parting. Each birth represents an elf soul that has been to Arvandor and returned

Dwarves of the Five Nations

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

greatest cities of Galifar. While many of the dwarves of the Five Nations still speak the language of their ancestors, they feel a bond to the lands of their birth. A Brelish dwarf feels a deep, personal

of the same blade. As a dwarf of the Five Nations, consider how widespread your family is and where their roots lie. Are they soldiers? Priests or politicians? Architects or stonemasons? Are you close

Workers' Camp

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

in area 2. They know certain command words that magically compel the hulks’ obedience. The handlers carry long hooked poles to prod the hulks, and which are also enchanted to magically open and close

the stone slab in area 2. If approached, the handlers refer characters to Moghadam in area 1. If combat breaks out, they flee to area 2 and release the umber hulks, ordering them to dispose of the

Enter the Giant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes’ Feast: Saving the Children’s Menu

held close to her chest. She seemed eager to hide, so Arthur opened the doors to his barn and magically regrew the pasture grass to cover her tracks. She accepted his help, and they waited quietly

level, and Ignis and the children moved in. Calder Moore Lord Invido commands the loyalty of many fire giants Ignis’s Plight Ignis was a queen among her people, but when she gave birth to her twins

Life in Shankhabhumi

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

Life in Shankhabhumi Outsiders often refer to the people of Shankhabhumi collectively as “riverlanders,” but the folk of the three city-states call themselves Sagorpuri, Ashwadhatuj, or Tippuri, and

to be many syllables long and indicate the bearer’s gender. Most folk use a last name based on their city of birth—Sagorpuri, Ashwadhatuj or Tippuri. The only exceptions are the descendants of

Hazlik's Powers and Dominion

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

Hazlan doesn’t feel as real as the world of his birth, though he’s yet to discover why. He pushes his apprentices to chip away at the nature of the land, hoping to find out what lies beyond—and

surveillance are detailed in “The Eye of Hazlik” later in this domain description. Closing the Borders. Hazlik can open and close the borders of his domain at will, as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of

Family and Friends

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

get a result that does not mention one or both of them, use the Absent Parent table to determine what happened. Next, refer to the Family Lifestyle table to determine the general circumstances of your

haunted by my childhood, when I was treated badly by my peers. 4–5 I spent most of my childhood alone, with no close friends. 6–8 Others saw me as being different or strange, and so I had few companions. 9

Redcap

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

combat. Even if a redcap wanted to be stealthy, its iron boots force it to take ponderous, thunderous steps. When a redcap is near to potential prey, though, it can close the distance quickly and get in

hags and dark mages that know methods to call redcaps out of the Feywild and put them to work as grisly servants. Also, some redcaps can sense the being whose murderous acts led to their birth. A redcap

Vedalken

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

tend to engage more with ideas than with people. They form close friendships based on mutual interests or compelling disagreements, and their interactions dwell on their thoughts about those issues

Simic bioengineering or through extensive study, and others concentrate on perfecting society through the careful drafting and application of laws. Vedalken Names Vedalken are given names at birth

Uncertain Origins

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

. Although smaller in stature, they were no less draconic in nature. This tale stresses the close kinship between dragons and dragonborn, while reinforcing the natural order of things — dragons rule and

dragonborn serve, at least according to the dragonborn’s former masters. Another legend asserts that Io created the dragons at the birth of the world, but dragonborn did not yet exist. Then, during the

Redcap

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

. Even if a redcap wanted to be stealthy, the creature’s iron boots force them to take ponderous, thunderous steps. When a redcap is near potential prey, though, they can close the distance quickly and

had never been. Some redcaps can sense the being whose murderous acts led to their birth. They typically use this innate connection to find their creator and make that creature their first victim

Life in Zinda

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

who wave fans and brooms, symbolically sweeping Zinda’s sin into the sea. On the tenth night, the Prince of Vice steps into the sea and sheds their mask, bringing the festivities to a close. Kings of

information, and issues shadowy threats to keep political rivals in line. Names Zindanese of all origins receive their given name on the tenth day after their birth. The family gathers at this time, and

Attacking the Citadel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

decide whether they want to open the engagement at range or close to boarding distance. In either case, the Xaryxian ships are surprised at the beginning of combat. The Xaryxian Armada The enemy armada

coalition fleet or scour the wrecks for treasure. The two dragons are 1,000 feet from the characters’ ship when they are spotted. Both dragons close the distance. One targets characters while the other

Giantkind

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

origins are murkier. Heirs of Annam As described in the Monster Manual, the ordning ranks the six main families of giants. Each family’s place in the ordning corresponds to the birth order of the

throughout this book typically refer to “the Giant language” or “Giant runes,” so there should be no confusion between the language and the creature type. Other Giants The other creatures of the

Birth of a Beholder

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

Birth of a Beholder Beholders can produce others of their own kind, but the process has nothing to do with biology and everything to do with psychology. When a beholder sleeps, its body goes briefly

solitary beholder lairs within a cave system or a ruined structure, either one of its own making or a place the creature took over after killing or driving off the beholder that gave it birth. A solitary

Where Are You From?

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

continent of Kara-Tur, far to the east of Faerûn, is home to people whose customs are unfamiliar to the folk of the Sword Coast. If you come from Kara-Tur, the people of Faerûn likely refer to you as Shou

south some more.” Of course, you followed an equally long route when you came north from your place of birth. Though it isn’t unusual for Zakharans to visit the southern extremes of Faerûn for trading

Council of Four

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

. 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

political agenda through meetings in her private offices and at her family estate. When she does choose to debate, she speaks with a strength beyond what it seems like her age should allow, and is known for leveling insults that land unsettlingly close to (supposedly) hidden truths.

Baba Lysaga

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

goddess to afflict Queen Ravenovia with ill health and visit death upon her. Lysaga eventually got her wish, and after Strahd settled in the valley of Barovia, Lysaga moved as close to him as she dared to

them that she gave birth to Strahd, whom the druids consider a god. With the druids on her side, she expects to rid Barovia of its wereraven menace. Gifts of Mother Night. The goddess Mother Night has

Centaur

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

the Simic. Centaurs celebrate life and growth, and the birth of a foal is always cause for festivities. At the same time, they revere the traditions of the past, and among both the Gruul and the

Selesnya they are voices of memory and history, preserving old ways and keeping alive the legends of ancestral heroes. They feel a close kinship with wild animals, perhaps because of their own horse-like

Council of Four

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

. 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

political agenda through meetings in her private offices and at her family estate. When she does choose to debate, she speaks with a strength beyond what it seems like her age should allow, and is known for leveling insults that land unsettlingly close to (supposedly) hidden truths.

Life in Yongjing

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

complex familial structures helps to facilitate social harmony. Members of a clan keep close eyes on one another, because the deeds of an individual affect the social standing of the clan as a whole

before their personal name. Personal names are formed of two words; the first is usually determined by birth order, social status, or rank, and the second is an aspirational or lucky name

Zodiac Signs

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

the creature’s birth—might carry more weight. Each zodiac sign is associated with an omen: a vague prophecy of the events of an individual’s life. These predictions might not come true, or they might

misfortune they endure is eventually balanced by good tidings. Many Balances live up to their birth sign’s moniker by becoming traders or merchants. Sage The Wise One; Most Prominent in Early Spring In

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