before bones defending close run

Anhkolox

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

target.Anhkoloxes are vicious undead creatures created from the bones of bears and other beasts. Their barbed bones grind and crack, often moving in seemingly impossible ways. Anhkoloxes are driven by

territorial instinct and a predatory urge to hunt and devour living prey. They run on all fours and rear up onto their hind legs when they corner their quarry. When they strike, they wallop foes about

Android

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

android has one or more upgrades to help it excel at its intended functions, but all androids are capable of defending themselves with concentrated bolts of force up close or from a distance. Despite

Deep Crow

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

, echoing from the darkness like a death knell. For by the time those glowing red eyes fix on you, it's far too late to run … Some adventurers and sages whisper that deep crows were first spawned as

resembles a massive version of its namesake bird, this creature is a unique form of avian insect. Seen up close, it can easily be discerned from any other giant bird by its insectoid maw, its four-clawed

Living Demiplane

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

, an unfurnished stone chamber 30 feet in every dimension. A creature too big to fit in this space succeeds on the saving throw automatically. Creatures in the chamber never run out of breathable air

extradimensional chamber are expelled, appearing as close to the living spell's previous location as possible. Each expelled creature appears in a randomly determined unoccupied space, along with whatever it is

Trapper

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

territory. It remains motionless as it waits for prey to come close. When a target is within its reach, it peels itself away from the surface and wraps around its prey, crushing, smothering, and then

digesting it. Only a scattering of bones, metal, treasure, and other indigestible bits is left behind. A trapper’s ability to alter the color and texture of its outer side enables it to blend in with

Young Kruthik

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

packs and nest in sprawling subterranean warrens. They are attracted to sources of heat, such as dwarven forges and pools of molten lava, and carve out lairs as close to such locations as possible

grind up the flesh and bones with mandibles strong enough to chew rock. When several kruthiks gang up on a single foe, they become frenzied and even more lethal. Kruthiks abide the presence of

Mister Witch

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

company of their eldest son, Urmius Umbrage—a brooding shadar-kai ne’er do-well with a cruel sense of humor. Naeryx and Urmius were close in age and got along well in all respects. Years later

, without informing the rest of his family, Urmius bought a run-down carnival and persuaded Naeryx to help him operate it. Naeryx and Urmius—now calling themselves Mister Witch and Mister Light

Kruthik Hive Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

forges and pools of molten lava, and carve out lairs as close to such locations as possible. As they burrow through the earth, they leave behind tunnels—evidence that is often the first clue to

carrion, kruthiks prefer live prey. They kill enemies by impaling them on their spiked limbs, then grind up the flesh and bones with mandibles strong enough to chew rock. When several kruthiks gang up on

Adult Kruthik

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

lairs as close to such locations as possible. As they burrow through the earth, they leave behind tunnels—evidence that is often the first clue to the nearby presence of a kruthik hive

enemies by impaling them on their spiked limbs, then grind up the flesh and bones with mandibles strong enough to chew rock. When several kruthiks gang up on a single foe, they become frenzied and even

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

imparted to Lysaga the secret of longevity, which requires her to bathe in the blood of beasts on nights of the new moon. Failure to do so causes Lysaga to age rapidly, becoming mere dust and bones in a

Centaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

freedom to travel. As much as they can, centaurs run — in wide plazas, spacious parks, and expanses of rubble and ruin. They race the wind, hooves thundering and tails streaming behind them

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

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

heightened senses. Geth’s gift from his lycanthrope ancestors was sheer toughness. Strength seeped into his bones and flooded his flesh. His skin hardened, and his hair became coarse like an

bear or boar: stoic, stubborn, and thick-skinned. Longtooth shifters typically have lupine traits and prefer to run with a pack. Swiftstride are often predatory and feline, but a swiftstride could

14. Cave Bear Den

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

here. These mates attack anyone they don’t recognize, defending their young in area 14b. Gnawed bones cover the den’s floor. 14b. Young Cave Bears Two cave bear cubs (use the black bear statistics

) sleep and play here. Qurrok has hollowed out several large rocks for the young bears to run through and climb on.

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

to begin your career as a mere attendant, you can aspire to become a skilled mage or alchemist, a laboratory supervisor, or even a flamethrower-wielding scorchbringer tasked with defending Izzet

suspension. 7 Great ideas are fine, but great results are what counts. 8 If you can guess what I’m about to do, that means I’ve run out of imagination. Ideals d6

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

invasion and oppression. Although individually they are timid and shy away from conflict, kobolds are dangerous if cornered, vicious when defending their eggs, and notorious for the dangerous

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

laden wagon or after heroically defending it from thieves gain great respect and advance higher in the tribe’s pecking order. All Are Fighters Most of the orcs that stay behind when the

Battle Begins

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

Battle Begins This section has no set timeline or specific goals beyond involving characters in Kalaman’s desperate defense. Roll on or choose the encounters you want to run from the Defending the

Wall table. These encounters are described below. Once you’re ready for the characters to begin their infiltration of the flying citadel, proceed with the “Dragonnel Reinforcements” section. Defending

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Guild. If either of them ever finds out, your life as you know it will be over. 6 A close friend or relative joined the Guild and vanished mysteriously. You’ve worked your way into the lower

tail and run when things look bad. 6 An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that.

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

intelligently and do everything you can to make him a terrifying and cunning adversary for the player characters. When you run an encounter with Strahd, keep the following facts in mind: Strahd

close as he wishes. Closed doors can be magically locked (needing a successful DC 20 Strength check to force open) until Strahd chooses to end the effect, or until Strahd uses this lair action again

Y2. Berserker Cairns

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

Y2. Berserker Cairns Dirt trails run along two concentric rings of cairns that encircle the hillside. Each cairn is a ten-foot-high mound of slimy black rocks. These burial mounds predate the arrival

of Strahd and the druids. They have remained undisturbed for centuries. Buried under the rocks are the moldy bones of an ancient tribe of berserkers that once lived in the mountains. (See “Blood Spear of Kavan” in the “Special Events” section below.)

Questioning Corlie

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hold Back The Dead

been able to get too close, but they say we’ll face dozens or even hundreds of skeletons and zombies all around this part of the fortress. They have a few wagons, or perhaps large creatures, with them

—that’s not clear. I’ve had conflicting reports about the horde’s leader, but it’s some kind of ghost or creature made of dark mist.” Who’s Defending the Other Wall Sections? “We have a few soldiers

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

traps, snares, and nets to catch the unwary, and when their hunting patrols encounter other beings, they always look for ways to capture their foes instead of killing them. Goblins that run up against

might display more than one of these items. Status Symbols d20 Status Symbol 1 Earrings and notches in an ear 2 Rib bones tied into hair 3 A belt made from raccoon pelts

Dragonmarked House Adventure Hooks

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

in bandit or monster activity in a nearby forest. 3 A hostel run by House Ghallanda has gained a reputation for being haunted, and the disturbances are growing more dangerous. 4 People healed at a

killed defending their charge from assassins, but manages to force the attackers to drop a clue to the identity of their employer. 8 The characters are hired to protect a crucial shipment aboard an

Finding Viantha

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

by 4 or less, the characters get close and run into undead (see “Undead Encounter”). On a check failed by 5 or more, the characters find nothing. Undead Encounter The characters run into random undead

from the Undead Encounters table. The undead run amuck in the forest on their way to Claugiyliamatar’s lair and fight the characters to the death. The undead are loyal to Viantha and do not lead the

Siege of Lekar

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

involved. The following examples are just a few of the possibilities: Forced Conscripts. The characters run into an overwhelming force of Talons and are absorbed into its ranks. When zombies appear at the

city wall, the characters are offered their freedom in return for defending the city. Last Bastion. Far from Lekar, the characters fall in with local survivors who say the city is the country’s last

41. Free Gold

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

made a home. Several bones are piled with the coins, and the hilt of a broken sword thrusts up from the mass. This apparent pile of gold is covered with a pale yellow dust. The entire pile of coins is

actually yellow mold (see “Dungeon Hazards” in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide) covered by a permanent major image spell (save DC 15). The bones, spider, and sword hilt are real. Eastern Door

Anhkolox

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

Anhkolox Anhkoloxes are vicious undead creatures created from the bones of bears and other beasts. Their barbed bones grind and crack, often moving in seemingly impossible ways. Anhkoloxes are driven

by territorial instinct and a predatory urge to hunt and devour living prey. They run on all fours and rear up onto their hind legs when they corner their quarry. When they strike, they wallop foes

The Final Steps of Courage

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

horn sounds from the camp’s south gate. The sentries run toward the opposite side of the camp while the camp staff scatter. If the characters follow the sound, they see several tortured-looking

burn victims close in on the characters and attack. What the Soldiers Know If the characters defeat the wraiths, the camp’s commander, Captain Atoy, thanks the characters and welcomes them to rest

Location Overview

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

her tough demeanor. She is cold, calculating, charismatic, and knows how to run a business with ruthless efficiency and an eye for profit. The bartender is Backes Dunfield, a human with a scarred face

and a crooked smile. He started working for Martisha six months ago and quickly proved himself a valuable lieutenant. The cook is Cooragh Struckt, a half-orc who has been a close friend and confidante

Special NPCs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

Special NPCs In this chapter, each player runs not only a player character but also an NPC who has ties to the settlement that the characters are defending. Once you’ve determined where the adventure

completion. The details of these special quests won’t be revealed until the end of this part of the adventure. The player-controlled NPCs are intentionally simpler and easier to run than the players

17. Demons' Ledge

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

bones of troglodyte children snatched from the fungi gardens 30 feet below (area 18i). 17d. South Perch The vrock here pays close attention to the entrance to the minotaur caves south of it. The main

cavern is strung with web cables, with the tunnels beyond descending to area 7b. The vrock is too large to move through the cables. 17e. Southeast Perch The vrock stationed here keeps a close eye out for

Running the Siege

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

Running the Siege You have a few options on how to run the battle. Consider the following: You can treat each defender and orc as an individual, and run the combat as a long, complex encounter. If

you do so, the players should control some of the NPCs. You can streamline parts of the fight. The map of the ranch has been divided into specific zones, and you can run regular battles only in the zone

11. We All Float Down Here

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

pseudopod. 11b. Grimlock Skeleton The skeleton of a one-armed grimlock lies on the floor where a narrow passage in the west wall intersects with a wider tunnel heading north and south. Close examination

reveals that the grimlock’s bones have been picked clean by acid, and its eyeless skull is turned toward the narrow passage that leads west. The grimlock’s bony arm and hand also point in that direction. The skeleton was left here by the mimic and hides nothing of value.

S7. Main Hall and Belfry

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

S7. Main Hall and Belfry Rows of crumbling pillars support the 40-foot-high vaulted ceiling of this hall. Humanoid bones litter the dusty floor, and a 10-foot-square hole in the ceiling leads to the

Strength (Athletics) check. Characters can reach the belfry from inside using magic such as a spider climb or fly spell. Treasure. Close examination of the bell reveals that it’s thin sides are solid

10. Ritual Chamber

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

black energy run between the pillars and the cloud. The cult fanatics are named Abberoch, Belora, Liana, Shanzo, Torfiana, and Uzalyn. They are performing a ritual designed to anchor one of

. Darkness swallow the moon. Darkness claim this dungeon and all that dwell within.” If attacked, they continue to chant while also defending themselves. Killing a cult fanatic deactivates one of the pillars

D&D Beyond

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