before burden dark continued 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

, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling

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

part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling absorbs over the course of its lifetime explodes outward when the darkling dies, incinerating the creature and

Khargra

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

tasty, refined metal their victim carries, they quickly flee—and will flee before that rather than risk death. Stealthy Couriers. A number of clans among the dwarves, duergar, and azers have trained

, digesting the dust but leaving the message lodged in its digestive tract. Trained over long years and with plentiful treats to learn the direction to different underground strongholds and outposts, the khargra carries its burden to its destination, then coughs up the message on command.

Haunted One

Backgrounds Curse of Strahd: Character Options

with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its

, common;set of common clothes, and 1 sp. Harrowing Event Prior to becoming an adventurer, your path in life was defined by one dark moment, one fateful decision, or one tragedy. Now you feel a darkness

Tiefling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his

. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red

Eye and Hand of Vecna Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Seldom is the name of Vecna spoken except in a hushed voice. Vecna was, in his time, one of the mightiest of all wizards. Through dark magic and conquest, he forged a terrible empire. For all his

would allow him to live on as a lich. Beyond death, he became the greatest of all liches. Even though his body gradually withered and decayed, Vecna continued to expand his evil dominion. So formidable

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

Feral Tiefling

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with that wicked glint in his

. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red

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

accustomed to a variety of different people. GENASI ON ATHAS Although any world that includes one or more elemental planes can feature genasi, on Athas, the world of the Dark Sun campaign setting

Fisher

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

’s discretion, a number of those listeners become friendly toward you; this is not a magical effect, and continued amicability on their part depends on your actions. You can roll on the following

throw this salt over your shoulder. (Lawful) 3 Daring. The richest bounty goes to those who risk everything. (Chaotic) 4 Plunder. Take all that you can and leave nothing for the

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

dozen adopted grandparents inviting you in for a meal. 3 Seeing a lost patriar after dark in the Outer City, you guided the wayward noble through back streets to safety. The patriar repaid your

, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you. BALDUR’S GATE FEATURE

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

skills. This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might

give up their lives as their physical skills decay. Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. They hope for innate

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods, debased their flesh by

Cyric

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

Cyric The Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun The worship of Cyric derives directly from the story of his ascension to godhood. Cyric was a mortal during the Time of Troubles and the key to how that

chaotic period resolved, but he was also a selfish traitor and a murderer. When he became a god, Cyric continued to work various plots of deceit and murder — the most famous of which is that, according to

Components of a Curse

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

Components of a Curse Most curses have three distinct components: pronouncement, burden, and resolution. Whatever form these take, at least one of them, especially the burden or resolution, should

a powerful villain or a wrongly slain innocent Swearing a vow to refrain from or undertake some action on pain of great suffering Burden A curse’s burden is the effect that causes hardship and

Dreaming Dark NPCs

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

dragonmarked houses, noble families, and other driving forces. Because Dreaming Dark agents can communicate and coordinate with one another in dreams, they never have to risk losing their cover to receive

Dreaming Dark NPCs Agents of the Dreaming Dark are insidious villains that can appear anywhere, in almost any context. They receive orders from a cabal of powerful quori. The leader of the

3. Watchful Statues

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

the character is held by the dark gaze within the stony cowl for 1 round. During this time, the statue whispers impossible secrets to the character, which carry both benefit and burden. A character who

3. Watchful Statues Six statues stand here, all of cowled wizards leaning on staffs, their faces obscured by deep hoods. The hollows the hoods form are particularly dark. Niches between the statues

3. Watchful Statues

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

the character is held by the dark gaze within the stony cowl for 1 round. During this time, the statue whispers impossible secrets to the character, which carry both benefit and burden. The character

3. Watchful Statues Six statues stand here, all of cowled wizards leaning on staffs, their faces obscured by deep hoods. The hollows the hoods form are particularly dark. Niches between the statues

Haunted One

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

with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its

Gromph's Grimoire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Gromph’s Grimoire After recovering Gromph Baenre’s grimoire from Sorcere in chapter 15, the characters might think about what to do with the dark tome once the threat of the demon lords is ended. The

willingly. Finding a means to get rid of Gromph’s grimoire once and for all could be the basis for continued adventures, perhaps even leading characters into the Abyss (see “Into the Demonweb Pits

K40. Belfry

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

path leads to the dark center of the room, where a rope dangles from high above. The rope is attached to a great bell mounted in a wooden framework 50 feet overhead. Pulling the rope or attempting to

belfry is filled with giant spider webs (see “Dungeon Hazards” in chapter 5, “Adventure Environments,” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Characters who blunder into them risk becoming stuck. At the west end of the north wall, behind thick webs, is a secret door that opens into area K41.

Haunted One

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

with a sword or banished with a spell. It might come to you as a shadow on the wall, a bloodcurdling nightmare, a memory that refuses to die, or a demonic whisper in the dark. The burden has taken its

Frozen Shipwreck

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

Frozen Shipwreck The Dark Duchess is hundreds of yards from shore, trapped in thick ice. When the characters get close enough to see it, read: The Sea of Moving Ice stretches out before you, a

the waterline of the vessel, it’s a 10-foot climb to get to the main deck. The sides of the hull are slippery and can’t be climbed without using magic or climbing gear. The ice around the Dark Duchess

Sharn Watch

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

all of them don’t care about their city and won’t try to keep their communities safe; they do so because they see their benefactors as being an important part of the continued health of their

place the law above all else, and most of those are willing to risk their lives to save an innocent bystander from a rampaging Daask troll. But most members of the Watch are pragmatists who put the

Atagua Gazetteer

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

threats and engineered by the ancient Flood People who first settled these lands. Yet danger remains. In some years, the rains that end the dry season are late, increasing the risk of wildfires. Bulettes

whistling creatures that sometimes pass into Atagua from dark realms—and that might someday emerge in unstoppable numbers to consume this land.

Gloom Weaver

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

Gloom Weaver Although a formidable fighter, a gloom weaver is often content to remain hidden in the shadows, watching with rapt attention as its very presence affects its victims. Its dark energy

, exhaustion Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 Languages Common, Elvish Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Burden of Time. Beasts and humanoids, other than shadar-kai, have disadvantage on

Suggested Characteristics

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

life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die. 4 I live for the thrill of the hunt. 5 I don’t talk about the thing that torments me. I’d rather not burden others with my curse. 6 I expect

what the personal cost. (Good) 2 I’ll stop the spirits that haunt me or die trying. (Any) 3 I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good) 4 I have a dark

Khargra

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

only when driven by hunger and a lack of safer options. After securing a meal of whatever tasty, refined metal their victim carries, they quickly flee—and will flee before that rather than risk death

plentiful treats to learn the direction to different underground strongholds and outposts, the khargra carries its burden to its destination, then coughs up the message on command. khargra Small

Darklings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha (“Dark Crow” in Common), and other Fey refer to the house’s descendants as dubh sith—“darklings.” Darklings dwell in secluded caverns and chambers beneath

creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover their entire bodies with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light darklings absorb over the course of their

An Unexpected Message

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

the Council of Waterdeep, the message could be a hastily scribbled note, an eloquent appeal delivered by bonded messenger, or a whispered plea in a dark corridor. “You don’t know me, but we can help

the Blue Dragon Mask is in his possession. If the characters ask the members of the Council of Waterdeep their opinions, the NPCs are unanimous: the risk is enormous, but the potential payoff is even greater. Losing one of the five dragon masks will be a huge setback for Severin’s plans.

An Unexpected Message

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

the Council of Waterdeep, the message could be a hastily scribbled note, an eloquent appeal delivered by bonded messenger, or a whispered plea in a dark corridor. “You don’t know me, but we can help

, and that the Blue Dragon Mask is in his possession. If the characters ask the members of the Council of Waterdeep their opinions, the NPCs are unanimous: the risk is enormous, but the potential payoff is even greater. Losing one of the five dragon masks will be a huge setback for Severin’s plans.

Reaching the Tower

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

cavern around it offers space to camp and no risk of encounters. However, if the characters are riding giant lizards or other mounts, those mounts are unable to navigate the narrow route to the tower

far walls and ceiling are out of sight in the darkness. Bits of quartz and mica in the stone glimmer as they catch the light, showing a footpath worn into the stone floor. At the end of that path, a vast, dark shape rises — an enormous stalagmite carved into a bleak, black tower.

Traveler

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

as a danger. Such groups will hide you from the law or anyone searching for you, though they won’t risk their lives for you. Additionally, you can tell whether an object you can see and touch is from

misplaced) magic item. Work with your DM to detail this inheritance and how it can factor into future adventures. A knight of the Circle takes up her ancestors’ sacred charge to challenge the dark.

Tymora

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

luck and the bravery to seek it out. Tymora has worshipers among all sorts of folk: the dashing young noble, the risk-taking merchant, the daydreaming field hand, and the scheming ne’er-do-well

ear and continued on her way. Unknown to Tyche, the rose was a manifestation of Moander, god of corruption and decay. The severed rose stem crept into Tyche’s ear and subtly began to rot her from the

Renown in Kalakeri

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

leaders enact their monstrous agendas upon the land, leading only to continued suffering. The Dark Powers ensure that the defeated faction doesn’t remain quelled for long, though. The characters might

instead try to gain influence with Ramya or with Arijani and Reeva to curb the villains’ atrocities and mitigate the wickedness in Kalakeri. Such actions put the characters at risk, but if they don’t

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