before brutal diffusing common risk

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

speak of a seelie fey who betrayed the Summer Queen. His true name has been stricken from history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath

that she cursed every member of his house. Other fey refer to the descendants of Dubh Catha's house as the dubh sith-or, in Common, "darklings." Darklings most often settle in secluded caverns and

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath that she cursed every member of his house. Other fey refer to the descendants of Dubh Catha's house as the dubh sith-or

, in Common, "darklings." Darklings most often settle in secluded caverns and chambers beneath the towns of other species. From such enclaves, they quietly ply their trade as thieves and assassins

Boneless

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

rise from the bodies of those who’ve suffered brutal ends, such as deliberate skinning or crushing. Deathless malice infuses what remains, their husks flopping and slithering in pursuit of

them to death in their full-body grip. Boneless arise in a variety of forms. While the animate skins of specific creatures are the most common, foul spellcasters might create these horrors from the

Waythe

Magic Items Tales from the Yawning Portal

detection. It regains all of its expended charges at dawn and isn’t at risk of crumbling if its last charge is used. Sentience. Waythe is a sentient weapon of neutral good alignment, with an

Intelligence of 12, a Wisdom of 2, and a Charisma of 14. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The weapon can speak and understand Giant and Common, and it can communicate telepathically

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

stranger in the area of the campaign? Or is the campaign set in a rough-and-tumble frontier where barbarians are common? What led you to take up the adventuring life? Were you lured to settled lands

+2 8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 +2 9th +4 Brutal Critical (1 die) 4 +3 10th +4 Path Feature 4 +3

Cradle of the Fire Scion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

rage. If intruders disturb its resting place, the fire scion’s cradle rises as a bipedal juggernaut of molten rock. Sometimes miners risk their lives to find rich veins of ore in a scion&rsquo

. Veins of precious metals and ore are more common within 6 miles of the scion. Desertification. Precipitation is almost nonexistent within 6 miles of the scion, parching the land and withering most

Scion of Surtur

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

molten rock. Sometimes miners risk their lives to find rich veins of ore in a scion’s volcano, or misguided fire cultists offer sacrifices meant to appease or awaken the volcano, and the awakened

the giant’s magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Abundant Ore. Veins of precious metals and ore are more common within 6 miles of the scion. Desertification. Precipitation is

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere. Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, vehicles (land

) Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Defining Event You previously pursued a simple

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when you’re around. The bottle of pink

a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and insults are my

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

choice, as appropriate to your factionLanguages: Two of your choiceEquipment: Badge or emblem of your faction, a copy of a seminal faction text (or a code-book for a covert faction), a set of common

: In recent years, the Zhentarim have become more visible in the world at large, as the group works to improve its reputation among the common people. The faction draws employees and associates

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

one that you’re perfectly willing to use for your advantage. You know what people want and you deliver, or rather, you promise to deliver. Common sense should steer people away from things that

sound too good to be true, but common sense seems to be in short supply when you’re around. The bottle of pink-colored liquid will surely cure that unseemly rash, this ointment — nothing

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere. Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival Tool

Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, vehicles (land) Equipment: A set of artisan’s tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Sylvan Equipment: A Selesnya insignia, a healer’s kit, robes, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp (Azorius 1-zino coins) Feature: Conclave’s Shelter As a

proven to be a danger to them. The members of the enclave will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives in this effort. In addition, as a guild

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

heart of the world and monuments to the durability of life. In their role as caretakers, firbolgs live off the land while striving to remain in balance with nature. Their methods reflect common

something that put their homeland at risk, such as starting a forest fire or killing a rare or beautiful wild creature. These firbolgs are loners who wander the world in hope of finding a new place to

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

self-assurance in one genasi and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Too much failure can

bloodlines of those genasi have spread into other lands. Though far from common, air and fire genasi are more likely to be found in the western regions of Faerûn, along the coast from Calimshan north

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

where the townsfolk would try to hunt down all kobolds and put the tribe’s survival at risk. Some aggressive individual kobolds and tribes do exist, but in general kobolds don’t purposely

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

;Disguise kit Languages: One of your choice Equipment: A Dimir insignia, three small knives, a set of dark-colored common clothes, and the starting equipment of the background described in this

identity. 3 I have trouble trusting anyone but myself. 4 I have a particular vice that puts all my secrets at risk if I’m not careful. 5 I’m pretty sure I’ve done

Netherese Sensibilities

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Netheril’s Fall: Tales of Terror, Treasure, and Time Travel

individuals typically express the following common assumptions: Brutal Outlook. Violence is normal and part of everyday life. Quick Fixes. Magic is the solution to every problem. Spellcasters’ Privilege

Creating a Barbarian

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

barbarian. Did you come from a distant land, making you a stranger in the area of the campaign? Or is the campaign set in a rough-and-tumble frontier where barbarians are common? What led you to take up the

, Fast Movement 3 +2 6th +3 Path Feature 4 +2 7th +3 Feral Instinct 4 +2 8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 4 +2 9th +4 Brutal Critical (1 die) 4 +3 10th +4

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

rival orcs first and foremost as competitors for food and victims. On some occasions, though, tribes that have a common concern band together. The result is an orc horde — a sea of slavering

Anthropologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

desensitized to violence. 5 I would risk life and limb to discover a new culture or unravel the secrets of a dead one. 6 When I arrive at a new settlement for the first time, I must learn all its

culture—even one in need of aid. (Lawful) 3 Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any) 4 Power. Common people crave strong

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

museum, or a university. d6 Flaw 1 I have a secret fear of some common wild animal—and in my work, I see them everywhere. 2 I can’t leave a room without

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Languages: One of your choice Equipment: A scroll case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp Hermit Origins Any

a patriar’s scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. 6 You aren’t originally from Baldur

Rogue

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

a personal risk on a job but more comfortable directing muscle, this flavor of rogue is a great match for a character who wants to follow in the footsteps of Nerof Gasgol and rise to political and

economic power. Rakes and bravos are common throughout the cities of the Flanaess. A Swashbuckler can thus originate from almost any city, but among the Rhennee in particular, Swashbucklers are common. As travelers along waterways, they have learned that a quick, mobile approach to combat works best.

Leosin Erlanthar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

brutal than he expected, and although his mind and will are still strong, he’s in a very poor physical state. Despite the danger, Leosin isn’t entirely happy about being rescued if characters come to

set him free. He believes he can learn more, and he’s willing to take the risk. He’s too weak to resist, however, so characters can easily take him away against his will if that’s what they want to do

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

clade — a diverse group of individuals combining disparate talents in pursuit of a common goal — or a researcher on a specialized, short-term project focused on addressing an immediate

confident in my ability to adapt to any situation and handle any danger. 5 I’ll take any risk to earn recognition for my scientific brilliance. 6 I have a tendency to take shortcuts in

Howler

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

the prowl, courage isn’t enough to stand up against them, and even one’s sanity is at risk. Prowlers from Pandemonium. These nightmare creatures, native to Pandemonium, can also be found on most of

the Lower Planes, because of the many fiends that capture them and train them as war hounds. Howlers can be domesticated, after a fashion, but they respond only to brutal training during which they are

Ogre Howdah

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

violent though they be, ogres prove to be tractable minions for those unafraid to be brutal masters. I prefer giants, however. Ogre Howdah Large giant, chaotic evil Armor Class 13 (breastplate

Languages Common, Giant Challenge 2 (450 XP) Howdah. The ogre carries a compact fort on its back. Up to four Small creatures can ride in the fort without squeezing. To make a melee attack against a

Nagas

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

days, ready to continue its eternal work. Benevolent Dictators and Brutal Tyrants. A naga rules its domain with absolute authority. Whether it rules with compassion or by terrorizing its subjects, the

evolution. Though cooperation between them is rare, nagas and yuan-ti sometimes set aside their differences to work toward common objectives. However, yuan-ti always chafe under a naga’s authority. Immortal Nature. A naga doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Leosin Erlanthar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

more brutal than he expected, and although his mind and will are still strong, he’s in a very poor physical state. Despite the danger, Leosin isn’t entirely happy about being rescued if characters come

to set him free. He believes he can learn more, and he’s willing to take the risk. He’s too weak to resist, however, so characters can easily take him away against his will if that’s what they want to

Gladiator

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

Gladiator Gladiators battle for the entertainment of raucous crowds. Some gladiators are brutal pit fighters who treat each match as a life-or-death struggle, while others are professional duelists

Senses passive Perception 11 Languages any one language (usually Common) Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Brave. The gladiator has advantage on saving throws against being frightened. Brute. A melee

15. Outer Door and Foyer

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

risk destruction. Although they have common enemies and similar needs, the two vampires are allies only by circumstance and care nothing for each other. Treasure. The black sapphires (500 gp each) can

-relief sculpture of a humanoid skull with a black sapphire embedded in each eye socket. Words of Unwelcome. Carved into the frame above the door are the words “GO AWAY!” written in Common. Alarm

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

broodguards and exceedingly rare anathemas have their place in the hierarchy as well. All yuan-ti can interbreed. Females usually lay clutches of eggs, which are stored in a common hatchery, although

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

Secret Doors

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

that it’s hidden, a secret door is similar to a common door. With the Search action, a character can search for a secret door along a 10-foot-square section of wall and make a Wisdom (Perception) check

characters not finding them, and don’t risk letting your adventure grind to a halt because the only path forward is hidden behind a secret door.

Campaign Events

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

provide the sparks that can ignite and sustain a campaign. The most common pitfall of serial stories without a set beginning, middle, and end is inertia. Like many television shows and comic-book series

, a D&D campaign runs the risk of retreading the same ground long after the enjoyment’s gone. Just as actors or writers drift away from those other mediums, so can players — the actors and writers of a

D&D Beyond

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