before both dead cunning reside

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

financial recompense. These cunning serial killers and mass murderers remain a step ahead of investigators, at least until the cultists’ zealous bloodlust overwhelms their senses. Cultists The

adventurers Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul seized divinity but were slain for their hubris. All three have been reborn and are now known as the Dead Three. Each of the Dead Three has inspired wicked cults that

Oblex Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so

plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their prey to use as lures, which helps them harvest even more victims for their mind flayer masters.

Underworld Cerberus

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

deep in the Underworld. Terrifying and cunning, they guard portals between the wards of the Underworld, Erebos’s greatest treasures, and noteworthy souls who might attempt to escape the realm of

the dead. Three-headed cerberi commonly serve demons, but if left to their own devices, they often herd wily souls into labyrinthine Underworld wildernesses, then hunt them for sport. Feared by the

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

. If the brother gods are angry with them, they let the bugbears know with bolts of lightning (Hruggek) or by striking them blind or dead (Grankhul). Bugbears worship their gods simply by preying on

Lich Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

, detect thoughts, invisibility, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, counterspell, dispel magic, fireball 4th level (3 slots): blight, dimension door 5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, scrying

. Everything about a lich’s lair reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses

Stone Cursed

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Cunning Opportunist. The stone cursed has advantage on the attack rolls of opportunity attack;opportunity attacks. False Appearance. If the stone cursed is motionless at the start of combat, it has

would be lost. Cryptic Whispers Even though a creature transformed into a stone cursed is long dead, a vague whisper of their memories lives on in the obsidian skull embedded within the stone cursed

Breath Drinker

Monsters The Book of Many Things

reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target dies. Until the breath drinker dies, the dead target can’t be returned to life by any means short of divine intervention. On a successful save

causing the creatures to devour themselves. Cunning stalkers, breath drinkers are usually solitary. Occasionally they serve powerful Far Realm entities or Elder Evils, consuming life and souls for their

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

their race, allowing them to shed their frail humanity like dead skin. Those that did not transform eventually became slaves or food for the blessed of the serpent gods. The yuan-ti empires withered

are cunning and ruthless tacticians who readily sacrifice lesser yuan-ti if potential victory justifies such losses. They have no sense of honorable combat and strike first in decisive ambush if they

Valindra Shadowmantle Legacy

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, counterspell, dispel magic, fireball 4th level (3 slots): blight, dimension door 5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, scrying 6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe

reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses, emerging to destroy those who dare to disturb

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

flayers created a special breed of Ooze, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The

engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When

suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When

Fraz-Urb'luu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

trick, every ounce of demonic cunning, to manipulate his enemies—mortal and Fiend alike—to do his will. Fraz-Urb’luu can create dreamlands and mind-bending fantasies able to deceive the

see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Twisted Paths. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on themselves, making

Fraz-Urb'luu Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Deception and Demon Lord of Illusions. He uses every trick, every ounce of demonic cunning, to manipulate his enemies—mortal and fiend alike—to do his will. Fraz-Urb’luu can create

creatures within 1 mile of the lair frequently see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on

Strahd, Master of Death House

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

. Spellcasting. Strahd casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18): At will: Detect Thoughts, Fog Cloud, Mage Hand 2/day each: Animate Dead (as an

legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Strahd regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. Cunning Escape. Strahd moves up to

The City of the Dead

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

The City of the Dead Look to the cliffs to the north of Sharn, and you’ll see a collection of crypts embedded into the cliff face. This is the City of the Dead, the final resting place of the

. Few people reside in this area. Among its major features are Aureon’s Holt, a temple of the Restful Watch, where Sovereign priests conduct funerals and serve as the caretakers of the tombs. Warden

Features

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

honored dead. People. The inhabitants of San Citlán typically have skin of light to medium brown, black hair, and dark eyes. Humans and dwarves are the most common folk in the city. A small number of

intelligent Undead known as olvidados (detailed below) also reside here and are fully accepted as citizens. Languages. The language of San Citlán is Citlanés, which is related to Tletlahtolli (the

Holed Up

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Slaying the mammoth is a tall order, so characters would be wise to flee from Norsu or try to reason with it. Norsu and the winter wolves reside in an ice lodge built by Garagai. The wolves try to entice

missing for the past four days and are presumed dead. The wolves are holding the siblings in a cage and feeding them raw meat to keep them alive until Dougan’s Hole pays a ransom for their safe return

Vampires

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

the youngest vampires might be little more than bloodthirsty servants of their creators, the eldest possess incredible cunning and control over supernatural forces of the night. Undead vampires lie

. Vampire Resting Places 1d6 The Vampire’s Resting Place Is... 1 Among the roots of a dead tree. 2 At the bottom of a stagnant pool. 3 A coffin filled with grave dirt. 4

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

made from dead darkmantles 20 Cloaks made of scraps from an elven tapestry Booyahgs Spellcasters of any sort among the goblins are rare. Goblins typically lack the intelligence and

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all

until my enemies are dead, no matter the cost. 4 I understand the value of civilization and the order that society brings. 5 I don’t trust anyone. 6 I believe in living to

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

, sleep 2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, gust of wind, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, fireball, nondetection 4th level (3 slots): blight, greater invisibility, polymorph 5th level

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

Phenax

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

cloak of Athreos, the River Guide, who ushers the dead to their final rest. Hidden by illusion as he was, neither Athreos nor Erebos could find Phenax and bring him back. Able to play whatever role

the situation calls for, Phenax is a consummate actor. His incisive wit and cunning enable him to read the desires of his marks, adjusting his approach to suit the moment. In his rare moments of candor

Lost Treasures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Lost Treasures As they explore the tomb, characters are likely to find one or more fabled treasures as well as magic items inhabited by the spirits of Omu’s dead trickster gods. What happens to these

Company of the Yellow Banner was vanquished trying to obtain this lost jewel, which is rumored to have the power to resurrect the ancient dead. If the Eye of Zaltec indeed has such power, it requires

Underworld Crossing

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Underworld Crossing The Tartyx River is dotted with ruined temples of Athreos on either side of its banks that serve as crossing points between the mortal world and the Underworld. Souls of the dead

to keep the living out of the realm of the dead and the dead from returning to the land of the living. Underworld Crossing Adventures Adventures in Underworld crossings usually involve the characters

The Ring of Winter

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

identifies the location of the nearest creature that has Artus’s blood flowing through its veins. Artus has many living relatives, and a few of those reside in the North. The blod stone has pointed Storvald

of Winter is an elusive artifact, and neither it nor its bearer can be found in the course of this adventure. Characters who set out to find the ring for themselves will quickly hit one dead end after

The Vanthampur Family

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

The Vanthampur Family Thalamra Vanthampur is a cunning, devil-worshiping beast of a woman in her late sixties who can stare down a hell hound without flinching. She is barrel-bodied, with strong

complex below her villa. Thalamra is a widow three times over, and each of her dead husbands was kind enough to give her a son. Her oldest boy, Thurstwell, is a pale and sullen recluse in his forties. A

Terminology

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

Terminology The Astral Plane is, quite literally, the plane of stars. More precisely, it is where the stars and portals to the heavens reside—an infinitely vast celestial void that surrounds all the

petrified hulks of dead gods and swirling pools of color that serve as portals to other planes of existence. (For more information about color pools, see the Dungeon Master’s Guide.) Much in the way that

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

lay up to six eggs per year, and an egg matures for two to three months before it hatches. Kobolds don’t engage in funeral ceremonies; a dead kobold’s body is burned or disposed of in

rock outcroppings, creating warrens above the water line. Kobolds reside most commonly in hilly or mountainous terrain. Such locations usually have natural caves suitable for living space, plenty of

Efreeti

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

. Haughty and Cruel. The efreet are deceptive, cunning, and cruel to the point of ruthlessness. They despise being forced into servitude and are relentless in pursuit of vengeance against creatures that

oppressive tyrants toward those they force to labor for them. Planar Raiders. Most efreet reside on the Elemental Plane of Fire, either in great domed fortresses of black glass and basalt surrounded by

Zilargo

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

gnome charlatan to connive another gnome out of a jewel mine—as long as this is accomplished through cunning, negotiation, or deception rather than violence or outright theft, and as long as the mine

spies and assassins. Most agents of the Trust simply pass information through dead drops; some estimate that a third of the nation works for the Trust in this capacity. When the Trust identifies a threat

Zilargo

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

gnome—as long as the charlatan accomplishes the deed through cunning, negotiation, or deception rather than violence or outright theft, and as long as the mine stays in Zil hands. The same applies to

agents of the Trust simply pass information through dead drops; some estimate that a third of the nation works for the Trust in this capacity. When the Trust identifies a threat, it acts preemptively

Wood Elves: The Tairnadal

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

the footsteps of this ancestor, living as the patron did. In this way, the champion comes to embody their ancestor, allowing the dead to live on. The Tairnadal have three distinct lines: the Draleus

Tairn, the Silaes Tairn, and the Valaes Tairn. All three lines roam the northern plains of Aerenal, having left the forest long ago, but the Valaes Tairn now reside mostly in Valenar, being the

From the Tome of Strahd

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

. She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me? I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.

Old Tower: Winter

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

Old Tower: Winter The characters have learned that the Stone of Golorr is with Amath Sercent, a priest of Bane who is allied with Manshoon. She and her acolytes reside in Yellowspire, a Castle Ward

becomes attuned to the Stone of Golorr, it reveals the location of the Vault of Dragons, under the Brandath family mausoleum in the City of the Dead, and the three keys needed to enter it. When the characters are ready to visit the mausoleum, proceed with encounter 4, “Mausoleum.”

Cerberi

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Cerberi 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

mortal side of the Tartyx River. There they generally ignore—or only modestly menace—the souls of the dead. Such isn’t the case for mortals, though, and they eagerly set upon those who tread too close

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