before burden dead cunning reflective

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

Mastix, Whip of Erebos

Magic Items Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Erebos wields Mastix, a whip capable of extending like an impossibly long shadow. In the hands of the god of the dead, the whip snares the reluctant dead and drags them into his realm. When Erebos

grants his weapon to a mortal follower, it’s typically to reclaim a powerful soul or to humiliate Heliod. Whip of the Dead. Erebos’s whip seethes with the enervating energy of the

Gloom Weaver Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Burden of Time. Beasts and humanoids, other than shadar-kai, have disadvantage on saving throws while within 10 feet of the gloom weaver. Fey Ancestry. The gloom weaver has advantage on saving throws

hit","rollAction":"Innate Spellcasting"} to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components: At will: arcane eye, mage armor, speak with dead 1/day

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

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

three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that

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

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

. Sometimes it beckons you in the dead of night. 3 An apparition that has haunted your family for generations now haunts you. You don’t know what it wants, and it won’t leave you alone

Shadar-kai Gloom Weaver

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Burden of Time. Beasts and Humanoids (except elves) have disadvantage on saving throws while within 10 feet of the shadar-kai. Fey Ancestry. The shadar-kai has advantage on saving throws against

material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16): At will: arcane eye, mage armor, minor illusion, prestidigitation, speak with dead 1/day each: arcane gate, bane

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

three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that

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

Components of a Curse

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

suffering to the curse’s victim. A burden is often reflective of what caused the curse in the first place, twisting the transgressor’s action against them. The burden takes effect immediately, along with a

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

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

Ancient Seal

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

Ancient Seal This curse protects the resting place of a long-dead ruler and punishes any who disturb the ruler’s remains or plunder the treasures. Pronouncement. Carved into the stone of the crypt

door are the words “Relentless death follows those who disturb the sovereign’s rest.” Burden. Each character that gains the curse is hunted by a wraith that appears at sunset and vanishes at dawn

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

Gloom Weaver

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

, 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

eye, mage armor, speak with dead 1/day each: arcane gate, bane, compulsion, confusion, true seeing Spellcasting. The gloom weaver is a 12th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma

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

I assume the worst in people. 3 I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones. 4 I have an addiction. 5 I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope. 6 I talk to spirits that no one else can see.

Amberdune Pack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

spectacles in his human and hybrid forms Marliza, a petite jackalwere whose wide eyes and long braids belie her cunning Ramah, Inbar’s outspoken brother, who prefers to spend his shift at Amberdune Books

death. Though she is a capable leader in her own right, the burden of taking over from Nidalia is a heavy one. While she was alive, Nidalia taught Korvala the ritual to create gingwatzims. The other

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

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

Golgari Creatures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

farms. Shriekers serve as sentries in Golgari tunnels, and violet fungus sprouts from the corpses of intruders. Amorphous masses of dead and decaying matter can develop into shambling mounds in the

Golgari warrens. These creatures, often associated with decay and rebirth, are prized by the guild. Giant bugs serve as beasts of burden, companions, steeds, and guardians. Among the largest of these

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

Introduction

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

Introduction It’s fitting that a gaming fundraiser is named Extra Life. In our games, there’s always a raise dead spell, a secret power-up that delivers a 1UP mushroom, or something else to keep the

among my colleagues tell me that an informed multiverse is a safer multiverse. After all, why should we unhappy few endure the burden of protecting the multiverse from itself? I am also told that this

D&D Beyond

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