before bonding defeated close realms

Greater Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

. Star Spawn Emissary Few understand the full hungry hostility of the multiverse. Star spawn emissaries are the fingers of alien realms, digits that tip the scales of reality toward terror. Heralded by

in its lesser form. When this form is destroyed, the emissary’s body collapses into a gory slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

emissaries are the fingers of alien realms, digits that tip the scales of reality toward terror. Heralded by ominous astrological events, these ravenous invaders make worlds ready for unimaginable masters or

slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater form does the star spawn die. After finishing a long rest, a greater star spawn emissary regains

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

ground. The dwarf clasped his old friend close for a brief instant, then, remembering his dignity, squirmed and freed himself from the half-elf’s embrace. — Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

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

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats

naming traditions of their ancestors. The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

heads of defeated foes, cut away or stitch open the eyelids, and leave the mouths hanging open. The heads are then placed on spikes or hung from cords around a bugbear den. The heads themselves are

a bugbear gang with a special boon. A gang that gains the favor of Hruggek and Grankhul in this way might find that the head will emit a shout when an enemy gets too close (in the fashion of an alarm

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

out of sight on a high tree branch in the form of a leopard, a human peers out of the jungle at the strange construction of a temple of Evil Elemental Air, keeping a close eye on the cultists&rsquo

, druids take on a more active role in combating the threat, as adventurers. Creating a Druid When making a druid, consider why your character has such a close bond with nature. Perhaps your

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

serve as a battering ram if a settlement dares to close its gates, blocking the way to the treasures and tasty food that lie within. A heavily laden wagon that requires the strongest orcs to return it to

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

discuss how they might reunite and restore Sardior, the Ruby Dragon. 2 A horde of revenant;revenants led by a death knight has one goal—destroying the ancient sapphire dragon who defeated

top of the map) provides the main access to the lair by way of two sections of relatively thin crystal walls. The dragon can use a lair action to open or close passages through these walls throughout

Githzerai

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

sooner had the gith defeated their sworn enemies than they were plunged into a bitter civil war. In the ensuing conflict, Zerthimon was killed and his followers, naming themselves githzerai

their revenge on the mind flayers. Through forays into the Material Plane and other realms, they provide stiff opposition to their enemies’ plans for world domination.

Beholder

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

subterranean realms. Beholders are a particular threat to adventurers because both gravitate toward mysterious ruins and sites of great magic. Many beholders collect the magic items and petrified bodies of heroes they’ve defeated, displaying them as trophies.

The Great Dance

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

positions with each passing day. About once every thousand years, the demons close in on the lower reaches of the Styx and portals leading deeper into the Hells. Invariably, the legions of the Nine Hells

the Nine Hells. Whether by cosmic chance or the design of some unknown power, the dark waters of the Styx provide passage between the two planes, but pathways to other realms are at best fleeting and

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

kingdom’s subjects defeated the githyanki and declared independence, but centuries later, the magical gardens endure under the watchful protection of a different red dragon, Xabazhut. Xabazhut is a young

dragon flew over the region, raining down fiery destruction. This bicentennial rampage ensured that people didn’t build their farms and villages too close to the valley. Xabazhut now carries out this practice of his forebear.

Life in Djaynai and Janya

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

, reserving family names for close loved ones. In both realms, those family names combine Djaynaian words focused on nature, such as Pineshadow or Misthare. The following are common public names: Feminine

Life in Djaynai and Janya The following truths are known to people who dwell in Djaynai or Janya, and to travelers who spend time in those realms. Those above and below the sea share similar cultures

Felidar

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

blue-gray hide has a silvery, geometric pattern, and its thick white mane falls in an orderly fashion around its shoulders. Nearly every felidar forms a close bond with one other creature. Winged

can’t speak Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Bonding. The felidar can magically bond with one creature it can see, right after spending at least 1 hour observing that creature while within 30 feet of it. The

Bring It to an End

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

, forcing the adventurers to close the portal while dealing with a villain at the same time. 8 The dungeon begins to collapse while a villain attempts to escape in the chaos. 9 The adventurers must choose

whether to pursue a fleeing villain or save an NPC they care about or a group of innocents. 10 Just when the characters think the main threat is defeated, it transforms into a different monster or a more powerful form.

Ruthless Reigar

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

dressed figure standing inside its glassy dome. Hastain The esthetic is 250 feet away at the start of the battle and tries to get close enough to attack the Second Wind with its tentacles. The reigar

combat. While the reigar and the duplicate attack the characters, the esthetic uses Jammerscream against the Second Wind, then moves close enough to the ship to attack with its tentacles if it isn’t

Half-Elf

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

newcomer’s bearded face split in a wide grin. He held open his arms and, before the dwarf could stop him, engulfed Flint in a hug that lifted him off the ground. The dwarf clasped his old friend close for

. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Jacqueline's Powers and Dominion

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

Renier’s will. If a guard is defeated, the armor collapses, releasing a swarm of rats. Plague Seasons. The Inverted Court beneath Chateau Delanuit holds hidden sewer laboratories where wererat

the Borders. When Jacqueline Renier wishes to close her domain’s borders, the Mists rise at the edge of the lands, as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of this chapter. Additionally, the Mists are filled with swarms of rats; endless waves of them attack any creatures that enter the Mists.

Chakuna's Powers and Dominion

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

Chakuna’s Powers and Dominion Chakuna gained her status as a Darklord when she defeated Urik von Kharkov. In so doing, though, she discovered a terrible truth about the nature of Valachan, and she

the Borders. When Chakuna chooses to close the borders of her domain, the seas grow rough and the Mists rise. In addition to their normal effects (see “Influence of the Mists” at the start of this

Half-Elf

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

newcomer’s bearded face split in a wide grin. He held open his arms and, before the dwarf could stop him, engulfed Flint in a hug that lifted him off the ground. The dwarf clasped his old friend close for

. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Synopsis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

vault in which he stored his phylactery. Eventually, Szass Tam and his followers defeated and enslaved Gul. They changed the Doomvault into a monstrous menagerie and arcane laboratory. Although the

Szass Tam is siphoning the power of members of the Chosen, mortals who have been invested with the power of the gods so as to help shape the Realms to match the will of their divine benefactors. The

Factions of Krynn

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

Factions of Krynn Close equivalents to the factions of the Forgotten Realms don’t exist in the Dragonlance setting, and so must be replaced with more suitable groups from Krynn. The Harpers

Deep Gnomes

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

for them in most worlds. I’ve walked many realms, and nary a one has even a hint of a gnome nation. Hidden but Homey Deep gnomes protect their enclaves with labyrinthine tunnels, traps, and armed

close off living spaces with doors or window coverings. Most of their homes are sparsely furnished dwellings of one or two rooms. Bed spaces, often carved into the cavern walls, are strung with hammocks

The Underdark

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

? No, you don’t. So close your mouth and open your eyes and ears, and dip your quill. — Oshgir the half-orc, to Kimitar Thaeless, glyphscribe of Deneir Known by many as the Realms Below, the vast

Hazlik

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

pursuits, such as creating the perfect mortal form and visiting dream realms within an individual’s psyche. As Hazlik advanced in power, he developed rivalries with his fellow Red Wizards. Through

, sought to undermine them before they became threats. Moreover, they deemed Hazlik’s transformation of Indreficus an abomination. As punishment, they ruled that every rival Hazlik had defeated could exact

Giants and Other Ancients

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

doesn’t need to be important in your world, but it might have long-lasting implications. In the Forgotten Realms, giants and dragons sometimes nurse grudges against each other stemming from the

extending into the divine realms as well. The god Moradin, who is revered by many dwarves, is said to loathe the evil giant gods. But you might decide the dwarves and giants of your world have a long

39. Netherskull's Sanctum

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

uses its Telekinetic Ray to open and close the secret doors when it comes and goes through this tunnel. 39c. Death Tyrant All doors leading to this area are 1-foot-thick, 7-foot-diameter adamantine

returns. Netherskull. Unless it has been defeated elsewhere, the death tyrant floats 30 feet above the stone-tiled floor of this 40-foot-high chamber. Netherskull seeks to destroy intruders and animate

Ambush at the Archway

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

cover against anyone attacking from the other side. They draw shortswords if the characters close for melee. If three of the bounty hunters fall, the survivors quickly retreat to their nearby riding

horses and flee the village. Characters can learn about Paloma and the crimes of which she is accused from any defeated bounty hunters who survive the fight (see the “Learning about Paloma” section). One

Goristro Raid

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

Goristro Raid This encounter occurs only if the characters teamed up with the erinyes in the previous encounter. If the characters instead defeated the erinyes and claimed the Venatrix for themselves

“treasure” that the erinyes are after: a unicorn named Sterling in an iron cage. Nykaia explains that Kypris will drive the war machine close to the goristro. The three erinyes will then fly to the

Mistshore: Autumn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

surfaces next to the dock on initiative count 5, close enough that the drow can leap onto its barnacle-encrusted back on their next turns. In the round after it surfaces, the mechanism breathes a cloud

exertion. If the drow are defeated while on Big Belchy’s back, the Stone of Golorr tumbles off the mechanical dragon turtle’s shell and drops into Deepwater Harbor. If the water is deep enough, the

The Present Age

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

killed, while the face of Faerûn was reshaped by waves and veils of mystic blue fire. Entire nations were displaced or exchanged with realms from other worlds, and parts of the earth were torn free to

to be mystified as to why they would be singled out. In 1485, in Icewind Dale, the Chosen of Auril foments war with Ten-Towns and was defeated. In Anauroch, seeing that Netherese forces were spread

When Elves Attack

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

fairly. If she survives the battle, Captain Sartell puts the plasmoids to work, though she keeps them under close supervision. Prisoners of the Astral Elves If the characters are defeated, the astral

star moth gets close enough to use its mangonel (at long range). Once that happens, Sartell orders her ship to turn about and close with the astral elves as quickly as possible to minimize the Dark

B. Gates of Barovia

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

as they approach, screeching as the hinges move. The gates close behind the characters after they pass through. If the characters are riding in Vistani wagons, the gates open in front of the lead

wagon and close when the rear one has entered. The eastern gates don’t open for people trying to leave Strahd’s domain unless they are accompanied by Vistani. The fog chokes any non-Vistani that passes

Escape from Vogler

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

. When the characters draw close, read the following: The screams of villagers, still evacuating onto boats, ring through the smoke of burning buildings. Among the screams rises an unbelievable word

who come within 5 feet of the boilerdrak recognize it isn’t a dragon, but a mechanical device. After the baaz draconians are defeated, proceed with the “Fewmaster Gholcag” encounter. Vogler

Phantom

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Phantom Collecting the souls of your defeated foes in everyday objects—what a good idea. Though, I’d probably need an encyclopedia to hold all my anti-admirers. Tasha Many rogues walk a fine line

Shadowfell are masters of these macabre techniques, and some are willing to teach this path. In places like Thay in the Forgotten Realms and Karrnath in Eberron, where many necromancers practice their craft, a

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