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Returning 35 results for 'before building during clever read'.
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Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
powerful as their black dragon progenitors, though, and they often drain the enclaves’ resources with their selfish demands.
Uninterested in building lairs, spiderdragons weave powerful webs and
particularly clever, though some of them understand their significance to Lolth worshipers and exploit their positions for as long as possible.Poison, PsychicStifling Webs (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
can’t be targeted by divination magic or features that would read its mind or determine its creature type.Multiattack. The infiltrator makes two Poison Blade attacks and can use Beguiling
’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Inviolate Presence. The veiled presence can’t be targeted by divination magic or by features that would read its mind or determine its creature type.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the
filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the villain is in this lair:
Veiled Presence. Challenge 22 (41,000 XP
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Alien Mind. Magic and other features can’t determine the corrupter’s creature type. If a creature tries to read the corrupter’s thoughts, that creature must succeed on a DC 20
Lair
This villain resides in a place of power and safety, whether that’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and
Kenku
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
at the burned-out building, a sudden cacophony erupted around us. Birds squawked, cats hissed, and dogs growled. Lidda hustled us back to the city’s safer avenues. Only when we were back within
a talent for learning and memorizing details. Thus, ambitious kenku can excel as superb spies and scouts. A kenku who learns of clever schemes and plans devised by other creatures can put them to use
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Zox Clammersham A clever rock gnome, Zox Clammersham is the sole survivor of his former party’s failed Undermountain expedition. Since the demise of his friends, Zox has managed to secure a ring that
allows him to command the scaladar. He has put the constructs to work building a device he calls the Simulacrux. This device will, in theory, create a simulacrum of any scaladar that passes through
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
. Only a special escape route—a secret passage known only to a palace’s most trusted servants, for example—should come as a surprise to the cultists and Red Wizards. Frontal Assault Because clever ruses
. When they finally face off against the adventurers, the attackers fight to kill. If the characters try to stay inside and under cover, the dragons attack whatever building they hide in, setting it
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
Temple of the Immortal Lotus If the characters follow the tracks leading to the temple, read: The tracks lead you to the western edge of a secluded glade. The trees partially obscure what appear to
Immortal Lotus. A gravel footpath extends up to the entrance of each structure. Clever characters can avoid certain encounters by moving through the forest rather than the clearing.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Arrival at the Bathhouse When the characters arrive at the bathhouse, read the following boxed text aloud to the players: The bathhouse is a one-story stuccoed building with stained-glass windows and
clay roof tiles. Ten-foot-tall walls enclose a large courtyard outside the southeast corner of the building. The closed wooden doors to the courtyard are engraved with images of smiling nymphs
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
cut from the slopes of the Spine of the World or the depths of the Lonelywood Forest. Stone from the hills and valleys surrounding Kelvin’s Cairn supplements wood as a building material in Ten-Towns
, one resident looks very much the same as another. Outdoors, it’s hard to tell the people of Ten-Towns apart—and easy for clever monsters to hide in their midst. The Easthaven ferry is trapped in ice, just like the rest of Ten-Towns..
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
Assault Because clever ruses and ambush have failed in previous attacks, the cult’s third assault opts for overwhelming force. The dragons attack the characters from the air, attempting to draw them outside
if they are indoors. When they finally face off against the adventurers, the attackers fight to kill. If the characters try to stay inside and under cover, the dragons attack whatever building they
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
14: Fortress The castellan governs the keep from its fortress, a stone stronghold solidly built to withstand assault. Multiple towers rise above the main building, which is 30 feet tall. The fortress
fortress, read the following boxed text aloud: Two round towers with pointed roofs flank this tiered stronghold. Archers march along its stone parapets, watching for signs of trouble. Two guards stand outside the fortress’s iron doors; they acknowledge passersby with stern nods.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake
Arrival at Leilon Point Leilon Point is ten miles from the town of Leilon. When the characters arrive at Leilon Point, read the following boxed text aloud: The farms of Leilon Point are deathly quiet
. The first, a large cottage, has a sign outside its door that reads, “Head House.” Second, a cubic wood building depicts the image of curling waves on its front door. Third is a brick building high up on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Approaching the Lodge When the characters approach the lodge, read: Jutting up out of the vast tundra is a towering edifice built entirely of ice. The domed structure is easily three times the height
and width of any building found in Ten-Towns.
The lodge has three tall openings on the east side. On the southern side of the building is a tunnel left behind by a remorhaz that raided the lodge’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Approaching the Citadel As the characters approach the Bleeding Citadel, read or paraphrase the following boxed text to the players: A great, disgusting scab the size of a large hill rises up from a
stinking swamp of blood. The domed top of an alabaster temple pokes through the scab. Many black iron chains of Avernus converge on the building, attaching within the grotesque mound.
The exposed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
gemstones and other valuables.
When the characters arrive at the apartments, read the following boxed text aloud:
A wooden jeweler’s sign hangs over an open door in the front of this two-story building
3: Private Apartments Residents and long-term visitors rent apartments in this tenement building. The complex’s most notable resident is also its landlord, a crotchety jeweler who invests in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath
Arrival When the characters arrive at the tower, read the following boxed text aloud: A tall, ruined tower thrusts skyward from the summit of the crag. Its uppermost floor is blackened with soot and
has been cracked open like an egg, with a fissure extending down one side of the building. Wooden scaffolds have been recently erected along this flank and work is clearly apace to rebuild the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
The Twilight Rose The Twilight Rose is a few minutes’ walk from Three Sun Square. As the characters approach the theater, read or paraphrase the following text: Colorful geometric tiles emboss the
theater’s front entrance or investigates the windows can make a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check. On a successful check, the character hears a muffled voice within. Characters who spend time surveilling the building see figures furtively open the front door and slip inside once every 10 minutes or so.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
Approaching the Vineyard A branch of the Old Svalich Road leads to the vineyard. If the characters approach along this path, read: After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders
signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.” If the characters head west on the trail toward the vineyard, read: A light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
Casing the Joint If the characters scout the vault before the heist, read or paraphrase the following: The vault stands in a rundown neighborhood, but the street and alleyways around the vault are
vault is an unmarked building on the city outskirts in an area with moderate foot traffic. The neighboring buildings stand at least 20 feet from the vault and don’t share walls with it. Nearby
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
determine the outcome. A Charisma check can’t deceive or persuade most devils into a bad deal because the fiends are too clever and experienced in deal-making to be fooled. If devils do get involved in a
read Infernal can make an Intelligence (Investigation) check opposed by the devil’s Charisma (Deception) check. If the character’s check result is higher than the devil’s, the character detects the extra clauses in the fine print and can have them removed before the contract is signed.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
Approaching the Winery If the characters continue toward the winery, read: Situated in the midst of the vineyard, the winery is an old, two-story stone building with multiple entrances, thick ivy
winery, next to the loading dock. West of the winery is a crumbling well and a wooden outhouse.
When the characters reach the winery, read: You hear the rustle of dead vines all around you. Inhuman
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a7
Running the Adventure As clever players will gather from the information in the “Legend of the Tomb,” this dungeon has more tricks and traps than it has monsters to fight. This is a thinking person’s
without fear of being disturbed, but if you do so opt, do not inform the players of this. As characters enter the various areas, read aloud appropriate sections of text, but never give any additional
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Destruction in Kalapang As the characters enter Kalapang, read or paraphrase the following: The streets of Kalapang are filled with rushing people, some trying to douse smoldering rooftops, others
constellations surveys the destruction. She waves in your direction, then approaches. “You arrived at a difficult time. I’d hoped to prevent exactly this,” she says, gesturing at the fallen building. “I am
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves
Confectionery Conflagration To begin the adventure, read or paraphrase the following text aloud: A well-worn dirt road snakes through the village of Hubbleton, a community of crafters, farmers, and
corner, a plume of black smoke catches your eye! It rises from a squat log building near the edge of the woods. As flames engulf the wooden roof, the stench of burnt sugar fills the air, and a faint
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves
characters might be locals. Or they might be dragon hunters who’ve heard of a black dragon in the area, a threat they’re determined to end. To begin the adventure, read or paraphrase the following text
. Sizzling streams of acid flow down the streets. Villagers rush about, shouting for loved ones and struggling to contain the damage.
Near the shore, flames leap from the windows of a low-roofed building
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Starting the Adventure The adventure begins as the characters near the walls of Yeonido. Read or paraphrase the following description as the party draws close to the city gates: The curving walls of
great breath.
The fog emanating from within Yeonido encompasses the city, lightly obscuring every street and building, including the interiors. This fog is unnatural, which a character who succeeds
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
for the adventurers to come to the city has paid for their ship’s passage, as well as for rooms at a fine inn on arrival. Read or paraphrase the following text: The ship passes through swirling fog
House, a well-appointed, two-story, mud-brick building painted pale blue. The characters have a full day to rest and explore Djaynai before they meet with the official who arranged their journey at
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
-shaped passageway that narrows as it draws closer to the main vault, where the Cult of the Dragon stores its treasure. If the characters explore the tunnels, read or paraphrase the following: The walls
and crunches underfoot.
When the characters reach the main vault, read: All tunnels seem to lead to a central core—a glittering cavern of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
information.) When the characters come within sight of the island, read: The sun makes the waves sparkle as Firewatch Island comes fully into view. Three barren hills are its most noticeable landmarks, rising
above narrow, rocky beaches and small wiry shrubs on an otherwise sparse landscape. In between those high points, a small fortress and beacon tower can be seen. The building is made of stone and looks
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
the rules for monster customization and encounter building in the Dungeon Master’s Guide—to build your own adventures. Consult appendix B for monster lists that will help your adventure building. What’s
New in the 2025 Version?
This is the 2025 version of the fifth edition Monster Manual. If you’ve read the 2014 version, much of this book will feel familiar, since the fundamental rules and variety
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen
-shaped passageway that narrows as it draws closer to the main vault, where the Cult of the Dragon stores its treasure. If the characters explore the tunnels, read or paraphrase the following: The walls
and crunches underfoot. When the characters reach the main vault, read: All tunnels seem to lead to a central core — a glittering cavern of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
at Turbine Heights, read the following text: The streets of this district are filled with steam. Through the haze, you can see bright streetlamps and abandoned buildings. Every fifteen seconds, a bolt
for 1 minute. L4. Infirmary A stone sign depicting a crutch hangs above the entrance to this one-story building. The double door below the sign is ajar, revealing a hallway beyond.
Beyond the double
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Prisoner 13
wears a loose, comfortable robe over a steel breastplate. Whether Varrin approaches the characters or invites them to a meeting, read the following text: “Thank you for hearing me out. My name is
layout of Revel’s End and a few useful tricks.”
Give the players a copy of map 4.1 (see “The Breaker’s Map” below), and read the following text: Varrin retrieves a faceted sapphire the size of a small
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath
, use the following read-aloud text to describe the situation: The progress on the town’s rebuilding has been slow, it appears. The holes for a palisade have been dug, but only a few logs are in place
. At the center of the ruins, a tall tower, mostly collapsed, rests atop a bluff. The only intact stone building sits at the bottom of the bluff, its white façade bearing the mark of Lathander






