before borders defusing close races

Two-Headed Cerberus

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

of the dead. Such isn’t the case for mortals, though, and they eagerly set upon those who tread too close to the Underworld’s borders. Feared by the living and the dead, cerberi patrol

both banks of the Tartyx River. These multiheaded hounds of the Underworld breathe gouts of molten rock that sear and imprison those who trespass upon the borders of life and death. Most cerberi have a

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

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

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

give up on something. A dragonborn holds mastery of a particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members of other races who share the same commitment find it easy to earn the respect of a dragonborn. Though

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

reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their

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

feelings about them. To members of other races, vedalken often seem cold, even emotionless. That assessment isn’t fair—they feel emotion every bit as intensely as other folk do, but they are

Closing the Borders

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

Closing the Borders Nepenthe can close the borders of its domain, as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of this chapter. With the sword’s consent, Isolde can do the same. When the Carnival’s

borders close, the Mists are filled with eerie, colorful lights and distant music, echoing memories of past carnivals.

Misty Borders

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

the Mists? Do they ascribe a personality to them? Where do the Mists appear besides the domain’s borders? How does a Darklord use the Mists to close their domain’s borders (detailed in chapter 3)?

Misty Borders In a few sentences, describe how the Mists of Ravenloft operate in your domain. This might largely be the same as detailed at the beginning of chapter 3, or they too might reflect the

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

stare, then appeared to go back to sleep. — Richard Lee Byers, The Black Bouquet A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit

know that most races don’t share their sense of humor, but they enjoy anyone’s company just as they enjoy everything else they set out to do. Subrace Choose one of the subraces below

Ivana's Powers and Dominion

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

seeks political and financial control over all Borca, and casually manipulates the domain’s noble families into destroying one another. Closing the Borders. Ivana can close or open Borca’s borders once

per day. She rarely closes the borders, as her manipulations typically prevent her victims from leaving. She might open or close the borders to confound the whims of her co-Darklord, Ivan, though. When

Escaping the House

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

Escaping the House After the house is awakened, the domain’s borders close and the house’s spirits set their full attention on the party. Escaping the house requires disrupting the house’s spirits in one of three ways, each encouraged by the spirit the characters communed with during their séances.

Inheritors of Darkon

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

Inheritors of Darkon Since the disappearance of Azalin Rex, Darkon has been without a Darklord. Three individuals strive to claim Azalin’s place as the domain’s ruler, though none know what that entails. Additionally, these individuals cannot open or close the domain’s borders.

Saidra's Powers and Dominion

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

crimson-tinged shadow. Closing the Borders. When Duchess Saidra wants to close the borders of her domain, the Mists don’t rise. Rather, those who try to leave find themselves roaming the lands of

The Mists

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

wherever these wicked forces desire. The Dark Powers also grant Darklords limited ability to manipulate the Mists surrounding their domains, allowing most to open or close their domains’ borders to

Handbook for details). Most Darklords can keep their domains’ borders closed indefinitely and can reopen them at will. For some Darklords, slightly varied effects manifest when they close their domains

Ivan's Powers and Dominion

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

. Those unable to escape are eventually forced to don the ludicrous livery of the Dilisnya household staff and become Ivan’s new servants. Closing the Borders. Ivan can close or open Borca’s borders

once per day. He closes them to prevent those he’s obsessing over from escaping. When he closes Borca’s borders, the Mists rise as detailed in “The Mists” section at the start of this chapter. Additionally, the fog is filled with Ivan’s taunting voice and patrolled by grim clockwork toys.

Ramya's Powers and Dominion

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

with her siblings Arijani and Reeva. She constantly struggles to quell the rebellion they lead, as detailed in “Treachery in Kalakeri” later in this domain. Closing the Borders. Ramya can close or open

Kalakeri’s borders as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of this chapter, but she can do so only while she controls the Sapphire Throne. If her faction is driven out of Jadurai, the domain’s borders remain in their current state until she regains control.

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster Bugbears feature in the nightmare tales of many races — great, hairy beasts that creep through the shadows as quiet as cats. If you walk alone in the woods, a bugbear will reach out

terrifying to them as bugbears are in the eyes of many other races. His name is rarely spoken, and never above a whisper. Skiggaret’s influence manifests at times when bugbears are forced to act

Jacqueline's Powers and Dominion

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

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

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

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race, Many Forms The bodies of all

human society, so they gain influence by controlling enemy rulers — and those close to them — through blackmail, drugs, magic, and the subterfuge of disguised purebloods. From Calimshan and

Ankhtepot's Powers and Dominion

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

the day Ankhtepot blames her for not finding what he desires, though she has no idea she’s searching for the Darklord’s ka. Closing the Borders. When Ankhtepot wishes to close the borders of Har’Akir

Hazlik's Powers and Dominion

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

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

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

hatred of the civilized races of the world and their need to satisfy the demands of their deities, the orcs know that if they fight well and bring glory to their tribe, Gruumsh will call them home to

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

Exemplars of Ambition

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

of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds. Dwarves

Meeting Atiba-Pa

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

former Lightsea Lancer and Djaynai’s current regent. He is known not only for his falcon-eyed shrewdness but also for his compassion and kindness. Those close to him know he suffers bleak moods, during

honor to serve my homeland. I will not pass beyond our borders for any reason.” Flaw. “I can’t let them see me when I’m like this. The melancholy in my bones is mine alone to bear.”

Deep Gnomes

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

guards, all designed to make the entrance to a settlement uninviting. But inside its borders, a deep gnome settlement is a warren shaped and decorated by the svirfneblin to make the place welcoming and

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 Boromar Clan

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

and crimelords reaching across Sharn. … has halflings in many leadership roles but includes members of all races. … is facing a serious challenge from Daask. The Boromar Clan began with a family of

halfling immigrants from the Talenta Plains. Today the Boromars are one of Sharn’s most influential families. There’s a Boromar on the City Council. The Boromars have close ties by marriage to the

Exemplars of Ambition

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

of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds. Dwarves

The Long View

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

lives. It’s a rare elf who forms strong relationships with people of other races, particularly those whose life spans are much shorter. Humans like to believe that elves don’t form close bonds with

consider a real friendship. Among elves, a hundred years of acquaintance between individuals is considered a good foundation for a close relationship. In keeping with their seeming aloofness, elves

Centaur

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

the wild, centaurs avoid conflict but fight fiercely when pressed. They roam the vast wilderness, keeping far from borders, laws, and the company of other creatures. Wilderness Nomads. Centaur tribes

vanish into the wilderness and are never seen again. Those that can bear the loss of their tribe might take up residence among other races. Frontier settlements value the nature knowledge of their centaur

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might

races have little good to say about kobolds, but they do admit that the little reptilians do respectable tunnel work using simple tools. If a band of kobolds is enslaved by more powerful creatures

Harkon's Powers and Dominion

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

close Kartakass’s borders, a soothing song fills the Mists. The Mists function as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of this chapter, but in addition, any creature in the Mists that has its speed

. Those who come here seeking him must first talk their way past the taverna’s heavily tattooed head bouncer and mixologist, the werewolf Haldrake Moonbaun. Closing the Borders. When Harkon chooses to

Godefroy's Powers and Dominion

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

, hostage. Closing the Borders. When Godefroy wishes to close his domain, fog rolls in off the sea and blankets the land. Everything in the domain that’s outdoors is heavily obscured by the fog (see the

Player’s Handbook). Characters who reach the domain’s borders through this fog are affected as detailed in “The Mists” at the start of this chapter.

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

other humanoid races, which were pale imitations of dragonborn perfection. Io shaped the dragonborn and fired them with his breath, then spilled his own blood to give them life. The first dragonborn

Expert Tunnelers

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

heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might erect a railing or a wall that prevents them from

falling off the edge — high enough to protect a kobold but low enough to serve as a tripping hazard for a larger creature. Those of other humanoid races have little good to say about kobolds, but they do

Lizardfolk

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

of the world. Their hut villages thrive in forbidding grottoes, half-sunken ruins, and watery caverns. Territorial Xenophobes. Lizardfolk deal and trade with other races only rarely. Fiercely

stalked, killed, and devoured. They make no distinction between humanoids, beasts, and monsters. Similarly, lizardfolk don’t like reaching too far beyond their borders, where they could easily become

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