before birth driven continue reveal

Dracophage Subject

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

slaad tadpole. In the 24-hour period before the tadpole is born, the host feels unwell; its speed is halved; and it has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. At birth, the

’s foul magic. The Dragon Armies closely guard the secret of the draconians’ creation, allowing Krynn’s metallic dragons to continue to think their eggs are being held hostage so they don’t oppose the Dragon Queen’s conquests.Poison

Frostmourn

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

manner—perhaps poisoned, stabbed in the back, or killed while sleeping—the slain giant can rise as a frostmourn. Driven by its desire for vengeance, the frostmourn can turn the living into

wound that seeps frosty vapor or vibrant, purple veins showing the ravages of poison. It can momentarily dissolve its body into a swirling blizzard to avoid harm, reforming at a distance to continue its assault.Cold, PoisonFire

Phantom Warrior

Monsters Curse of Strahd

soldier or knight who perished on the battlefield or died performing its sworn duty. It appears like a translucent version of its living self. Task Driven. Although one is often mistaken for a ghost, a

master or because it believes it must perform a task to satisfy its honor or sense of duty. For example, a guard who dies defending a wall might return as a phantom warrior and continue guarding the

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying. Driven Competitors Every day brings a new challenge to a goliath. Food, water, and shelter are rare in the uppermost mountain reaches. A

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

Kas the Betrayer

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Tovag, his Domain of Dread. He can be permanently destroyed only by having a stake driven through his heart and then being beheaded. The stake must be cut from a tree growing in soil from Oerth, Kas&rsquo

; Kas has earned many epithets during his long existence. He is a vampire, legendary swordfighter, and ruthless warlord, and he is driven primarily by one thing: his hatred for Vecna. Kas resembles a

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

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

insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich. Somehow the deva realized that any attempt to slay Strahd would be futile—that the ancient curse upon the land meant that the

Endelyn Moongrave

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

” veil. The outermost layers of her dress open to reveal a marionette theatre, and she manipulates her puppets using an arrangement of artificial hands that nestles in the folds of fabric. She

reflects the present, and the third reflects the future. These hags are utter wickedness distilled into corporeal forms, driven by a lust for secrets that can be used to manipulate their prey. Skabatha

Hexblood

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

and avoid the same. While many hexbloods gain their lineage after making a deal with a hag, others reveal their nature as they age—particularly if a hag influenced them early in life or even

before their birth. Many hexbloods turn to lives of adventure, seeking to discover the mysteries of their magic, to forge a connection with their fey natures, or to avoid a hag that obsesses over them

Assassin Bug

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

continue their horrid life cycle. An Unnatural Plague. Whole settlements along the frontier have been wiped out by plagues of assassin bugs. Without a quickly organized defense, even a single bug can

headfirst into wildfires often reveal an infestation of assassin bugs, as they immolate themselves in an instinctive effort to rid themselves of this scourge. Monstrous Interactions. Few creatures are

Obzedat Ghost

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

let go of the fortunes they amassed in life. Addicted to power and prestige, these patriarchs continue to dominate the guild and accumulate even larger fortunes. Mostly Unanimous. The ghosts of the

Obzedat function as a unit, driven by their shared desire to accumulate ever more wealth for the guild. In times of disagreement, the eldest of the council exerts his seniority to bend the council to

Hobgoblin

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Hobgoblins trace their origins to the ancient courts of the Feywild, where they first appeared with their goblin and bugbear kin. Many of them were driven from the Feywild by the conquering god

Maglubiyet, who marshaled them as soldiers, but the fey realm left its mark; wherever they are in the multiverse, they continue to channel an aspect of the Feywild’s rule of reciprocity, which

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating

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

Investigator

Backgrounds Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

the mysteries you’re embroiled in are local crimes or realm-spanning conspiracies, you’re driven by a personal need to hunt down even the most elusive clues and reveal what others would

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

Trait 1 I see omens in every event and action. The serpent gods continue to advise us. 2 I have very high standards for food, drink, and physical pleasures. 3 I prefer to be alone

Gnoll Vampire

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

wearing perfume or carrying an open container of it. Stake to the Heart. If a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into the vampire's heart while the vampire is incapacitated in its resting place, the

hours.When a gnoll’s ravenous hunger is so great that it craves flesh and blood even after death, it can rise as a vampire to continue its feeding frenzy. A gnoll vampire is a savage predator

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

. Harmed by Running Water. Keresta takes 20 acid damage if she ends her turn in running water. Stake to the Heart. If a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into Keresta's heart while Keresta is

(god of birth and renewal) in Waterdeep. She also has her sights set on destroying the House of the Moon — Waterdeep's temple of Selûne, whom she blames for the destruction of Vanrak Moonstar.A Vampire's

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

, seeing them as accidents. Many feel nothing for their genasi children at all. Some genasi live as outcasts, driven into exile for their unsettling appearance and strange magic, or assuming leadership

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

who study its ebb and flow to expect the stalemate to continue. A different view is put forth by the archmage Tzunk, who notes that Maglubiyet has never faced a foe as ferocious and protective as

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

Kas the Betrayer

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

, and he is driven primarily by one thing: his hatred for Vecna. Kas resembles a well-muscled, raven-haired, human man in his thirties, though he is far older. His fangs reveal his vampiric nature.

Hobgoblin

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

Hobgoblin Hobgoblins trace their origins to the ancient courts of the Feywild, where they first appeared with their goblin and bugbear kin. Many of them were driven from the Feywild by the conquering

god Maglubiyet, who marshaled them as soldiers, but the fey realm left its mark; wherever they are in the multiverse, they continue to channel an aspect of the Feywild’s rule of reciprocity, which

15. Nursemaid's Suite

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

15. Nursemaid’s Suite Dust and cobwebs shroud an elegantly appointed bedroom (area 15A) and an adjoining nursery (area 15B). Double doors set with panes of stained glass pull open to reveal a balcony

(area 15C) overlooking the front of the house. The bedroom once belonged to the family’s nursemaid. The master of the house and the nursemaid had an affair, which led to the birth of a stillborn baby

Interesting Things About the Shadow Marches

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

druidic shrines. The Marches are the birthplace of the druidic tradition of the Gatekeepers. Long ago, this sect defeated the vile daelkyr; today, its last champions continue to protect Eberron from

cults work with mind flayers and other aberrations. Others have no evil intent but are driven by dangerous delusions.

Aftermath of the Last War

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

Aftermath of the Last War Darguun was born in the Last War, and the scars of its birth are still raw. Most of the Cyran population fled the goblin uprising, and those who remained were killed or

clan lords continue this practice. Overall, Darguun is a nation that is still finding its identity—a kingdom that seeks to be more than a seized territory. The goblins carry the legacy of a mighty

Dwarves

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

. To the dwarves, Moradin is the Creator. With his impeccable skills, he crafted the first dwarves and imbued them with a sense of relentless purpose, driven to apply their own crafting skills to the

aspect as well, he is credited not only for the birth of the dwarves but for fostering in them a deep appreciation for clan and family. He demonstrates how dwarf parents should raise their children

Investigator

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

hire, uncovering secrets for well-paying clients. Whether the mysteries you’re embroiled in are local crimes or realm-spanning conspiracies, you’re driven by a personal need to hunt down even the most

elusive clues and reveal what others would keep hidden in the shadows. Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Insight, Investigation, or Perception Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thieves’ tools

Arcane Origin

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

arose from, your DM can use this table (or select an origin) and reveal it to you when the information plays a role in the campaign. Arcane Origins d6 Origin 1 Your power arises from your family’s

. Its magic changed you. 4 Your birth was prophesied in an ancient text, and you are foretold to use your power for terrible ends. 5 You are the product of generations of careful, selective breeding. 6 You were made in a vat by an alchemist.

Orcs

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

depths of the Ironroot Mountains. The orcs of Eberron weren’t formed by Gruumsh, and they aren’t inherently driven to evil. However, they are an extremely passionate and primal race, given to powerful

Marches were the first druids on Khorvaire. The Gatekeepers played a crucial role in defeating the alien daelkyr and binding this evil in Khyber, and their descendants continue to maintain the ancient

16. Nursery

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

16. Nursery Infant githyanki are brought to the crèche shortly after birth and raised in this nursery until they are old enough to undertake their training. 16a. Sleeping Area Children. Forty

githyanki infants (noncombatants) sleep in crystal cradles arranged in five rows of eight. Window Slits. Four 2-foot-long, 6-inch-wide window slits reveal the starry void of space beyond. A creature

Hexblood

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

avoid the same. While many hexbloods gain their lineage after making a deal with a hag, others reveal their nature as they age—particularly if a hag influenced them early in life or even before their

birth. Many hexbloods turn to lives of adventure, seeking to discover the mysteries of their magic, to forge a connection with their fey natures, or to avoid a hag that obsesses over them. A Hexblood Created by a Night Hag

Arauthator's Treasure

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

Arauthator’s Treasure If Old White Death is killed or driven away, he leaves his iceberg lair’s treasure hoard behind. (Because Oyaviggaton is just one of a number of minor lairs maintained by the

talked into letting this material be transported south, provided she gets to come along. If Arauthator still lives, the ice toad would prefer to stay and continue her work with her records intact.

The Horror of Defeat

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

. The Red Wizards who freed her are devoured or driven away, hunted by the forces of Szass Tam. The cultists who orchestrated Tiamat’s return fare little better, with the Dragon Queen not caring which

the end of your campaign, however. The characters have lost a crucial battle, but they might survive to continue the war. Their new goal is to find a way to banish or destroy Tiamat for good, bringing peace to the world once more.

Nagas

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

history. When this race died out, the nagas deemed themselves the rightful inheritors of their masters’ treasures and magical lore. Industrious and driven, nagas occasionally venture out from their

days, ready to continue its eternal work. Benevolent Dictators and Brutal Tyrants. A naga rules its domain with absolute authority. Whether it rules with compassion or by terrorizing its subjects, the

Arauthator's Treasure

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