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Returning 35 results for 'before blocking death could read'.
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
exclusion of all other tasks, retreating into a spacious cavern and blocking out all distractions. Creating a masterwork can become such a driving obsession that death can’t stop it: a giant who dies
Magic Items
Acquisitions Incorporated
Head office grants you the use of a unique item known as an occultant abacus (sometimes just referred to as an occultant), whose beads resemble tiny skulls.
Read the Kill
Also at rank 1, your
finish a long rest.
Ways to Read the Kill
d6
Reading
1
Using a tiny bellows to pump one last breath into a corpse.
2
Reading the entrails with special reading-the-entrails
Wave
Legacy
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
, and a Charisma of 18. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet.
The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Aquan. It can also speak
from sea chanteys to sacred hymns of the sea gods.
Wave zealously desires to convert mortals to the worship of one or more sea gods, or else to consign the faithless to death. Conflict arises if the
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the
Bolt","rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage.Although the dead typically recall little of their lives, some have an obsession with magic that survives both death and rebirth as a Returned. These
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
’t read, and speaks only in gibberish. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is
bluish hue of a person who has frozen to death. The hag’s hair is white, and the hag is emaciated, with pale eyes surrounded by bruise-colored flesh. A bheur hag carries a twisted gray wooden
Wand of Orcus
Legacy
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: animate dead (1 charge), blight (2 charges), circle of death (3 charges), finger of death (3 charges), power word kill
to a range of 120 feet.
The wand communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Abyssal and Common.
Personality. The wand’s purpose is to help satisfy Orcus
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the
(3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Shortsword","rollDamageType":"poison"} poison damage.Even death and the loss of their identities can’t erase the rage that inspires
Symbol
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Spells
Basic Rules (2014)
sphere for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.
Death. Each target must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 10d10 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the target is driven insane for 1 minute. An insane creature can't take actions, can't understand what other creatures say, can't read, and speaks only in
Sword of Kas
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
) from it: call lightning, divine word, or finger of death. Once you use the sword to cast a spell, you can’t cast that spell again from it until the next dawn.
Sentience. The Sword of Kas is a
its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Common.
Personality. The sword’s purpose is to bring ruin to Vecna. Killing Vecna’s worshipers, destroying the lich’s works, and
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Material Plane to forge their own destinies.
Once shadar-kai were Fey like the rest of their elven kin; now they exist in a state between life and death, thanks to being transformed by the Shadowfell
character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is
Human
Legacy
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Species
Basic Rules (2014)
sang from every page. Long into the night Liriel read, lighting candle after precious candle.
She’d never given much thought to humans, but these stories fascinated her. In these yellowed
(except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.
Although some humans can be
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye
. Read or paraphrase the following: The withered eyeball aims its empty gaze down an alley strewn with rubble. Rats scurry between chunks of old stone and dusty crates. At the back of the alley is a set of
moldering wood boards, propped up just enough to block a dark tunnel leading below the surface.
The boards blocking the entrance to the catacombs can be moved easily, revealing a sloping tunnel (area N1).
Orc
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation
, injury, or age) often join these cults instead of facing daily humiliation, exile, or death.
Serving as the bridge between the two parts of the tribe are the priestesses of Luthic, the orc goddess who
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Strahd’s Presence Strahd has finally deemed Death House worthy of attention. Once the party retrieves the rod piece in the ritual chamber, read the following to describe Strahd’s arrival at Death
House. The characters won’t yet see Strahd, but they’ll feel his presence. A gust of wind blasts through the halls of Death House, and the temperature drops precipitously. Candles and lamps snuff out and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
of purple flesh dimly lit by pinkish, bioluminescent orbs. The air reeks of death. An opening in one wall leads to another chamber.
A character holding the first rod piece divines that the next
book’s introduction. Caved-In Artery. A 10-foot-wide petrified artery leads from this chamber. The artery has caved in, blocking that exit from the chamber. A character who uses an action to dig through
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Appendix B: Friends and Foes This appendix describes creatures that appear in the adventure, presenting them in alphabetical order. The introduction of the Monster Manual explains how to read a
Sivak draconian
Undead
Anhkolox
Caradoc
Greater death dragon
Lesser death dragon
Lord Soth
Skeletal knight
Wersten Kern
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
X14. North Staircase When the characters open the secret door at the top of the stairs, read: A dusty corridor heads north, then bends to the east, descending a dark staircase. The air is thin, but
heavy with the stench of death. Three 10-foot-long staircases with landings between them descend a total of 30 feet to area X14a. The stench grows stronger down the stairs.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
’ experience as entertaining as possible: Read the description of Iggwilv’s Cauldron in appendix A. Read this chapter in its entirety, and reacquaint yourself with the “Rules of Conduct” and “Death in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
characters approach either bridge, they can make out the initial details of the rift and can see the guards blocking the path. Read the following to set the scene: A rift in the earth divides Elturel into
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
.
The characters must contend with Princess Ebonmire and Prince Livid (see the “Royal Oozes” sidebar). These dimly intelligent oozes defend their master to the death, blocking the characters from
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
Trouble at the Docks When the characters arrive at the docks, read: The scene at the docks is chaotic. Hundreds of people swarm the piers, trying to push their way onto three vessels that haven’t yet
ten thugs blocking her path work for him. Traevus and his thugs are indifferent toward the party but turn hostile if the characters try to force their way onto the Moondancer with Captain Sartell in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
L1. Entry Cave The cave mouth opens into darkness from which a breezes blows, carrying the faint odor of death. Inside is a natural cave, its floor and ceiling uneven. The passage leads to the west
, narrowing as it proceeds.
A body is sprawled on the floor 60 feet into the passage. When the characters get close enough to take a good look at the body, read the following: The corpse of a human
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
tasks, retreating into a spacious cavern and blocking out all distractions. Creating a masterwork can become such a driving obsession that death can’t stop it: a giant who dies while creating art might
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
M12. Parts Storage The secret tunnel from Brigganock Mine leads here. If the characters enter Motherhorn this way, read: The tunnel ends at a wall of loose-fitting stones. Red light shines through
the cracks, and you hear the sounds of shouting and hammering coming from somewhere beyond the wall.
The stones blocking the end of the tunnel can be easily moved to create a 3-foot-square opening
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
two exits, including an adamantine portcullis blocking a passage to the north. Set into a metal plate above the portcullis is a row of five red crystals shaped like drops of blood.
The adamantine
psychic damage. Acheron Wardrobe The scene on this door depicts an army of orcs clashing with an army of hobgoblins. When the door is opened, read: Dust and smoke billow from the wardrobe, and the air
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Astarion's Book of Hungers
) with the characters, Astarion recognizes two Vampire Wardens from Cazador’s palace. The wardens are blocking the public exit to Rat’s Run. Certain that someone from the palace wants to kidnap him
, Astarion is subdued and brought back to Cazador’s palace. A particularly reckless breed of sailors frequents Rat’s Run.To them, death lurks around every corner, whether it’s on the stormy sea or here
Magic Items
The Book of Many Things
the transformation early. When you revert to your normal form, you return to the same state you were in when you initially transformed.
Book. You gain the ability to speak, read, and write 1d6 + 2
unconscious condition, and must begin making death saving throws. Spells and other magical effects that restore hit points have no effect on you until you are stabilized. If you fail three death saving throws
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Olanthius Returns If the characters desecrate any of the tombs or disturb the journals in area C7, Olanthius the death knight returns to the crypt on a chariot pulled by two gorgons. Olanthius is
) transform into specters under Olanthius’s command and join him on his hunt. Olanthius is an extraordinarily powerful foe for 9th-level characters. Fortunately, the characters can avoid combat with the death
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Approaching Death House As the characters come within sight of Death House, read or paraphrase the following: A boy and a girl stand in the middle of the dirt road outside a grim house. The boy is
hesitation about leaving the children alone, a friendly neighbor arrives and offers to keep the children safe. Sarusanda Splits Off As soon as the characters enter Death House, Sarusanda suggests she and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Neverwinter’s New King Craig J Spearing Vecna plans to turn Lord Neverember into a death knight who will subjugate the city’s population When the characters cross the threshold in area E2b, they
appear in an unreality where Vecna commands control over the city of Neverwinter in Faerûn. In this unreality, Vecna turned Lord Neverember into a loyal death knight and iron-fisted tyrant. Neverember
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
from other D&D worlds include the Free City of Greyhawk on Oerth, the city of Specularum on Mystara, and the city of Sharn on Eberron. To get things rolling, read or paraphrase the following
introductory text to the players: For the past several days, the talk of the streets and taverns has all been about the so-called death curse: a wasting disease afflicting everyone who’s ever been raised from
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
), though not very well. The wolves are huddled behind him and go where he goes. Though well past his prime, he fights to the death to defend the den, and he takes umbrage at anyone who kills any of his
, read: The old man cackles. “When Kiril returns,” he says to you with his last breath, “he’ll skin you alive.” Treasure Skennis’s electrum flute is nonmagical and worth 250 gp. Skennis also carries a pouch containing four 50 gp gemstones.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
be utterly destroyed. If the characters finish off Strahd in his coffin, read: Strahd can’t hide his surprise as death takes him into the black abyss. Surprise turns to rage, and the Pillarstone of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
The Sky Is Falling When the characters safely reach the ground, read the following text: Above the field west of Kalaman, the Bastion of Takhisis crumbles. As the flying citadel tilts precariously
.
The characters land a quarter mile from Kalaman’s west wall. There is little risk of the flying citadel crashing on the characters, but fallen rocks and the bones of death dragons litter the field
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Facing Strahd After he arrives at Death House, Strahd, Master of Death House (see appendix B) waits for the characters in the house’s main hall (area D2a). He is accompanied by two vampire spawn. If
). When Strahd encounters the characters, read the following: “So, intruders into my realm, we finally meet. From the way the villagers spoke about you, I expected you to be more impressive. Ah, well. I