before burden driving call reality

Donaar Blit'zen

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

, giving rise to a driving paranoia that this regurgitation might damage his teeth. As testaments to his obsession with dental hygiene, Donaar named his greatsword Toothbrush and calls his whip Floss. He

once like. As such, Donaar has learned that no amount of bravado and compensation is too much — provided he leaves no openings for strangers to call him on it. By the same token, strangers quickly

Fraz-Urb'luu Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

. Fraz-Urb’luu wears all these masks and more. He particularly delights in aiding demon-hunters against his demonic adversaries, driving the hunters to greater and greater atrocities in the name

elaborate fantasies that have no bearing on reality. When I return my focus to the world, I have a hard time remembering that it was just a daydream.” 61–80 “I convince myself that

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

nameless holy figure, whom others call the Abbot, was drawn to the abbey after Saint Markovia died by Strahd's hand. He sought to restore the abbey after it fell to corruption, but was himself

in a flesh golem bride, but he enjoys corrupting this once angelic being and driving the Abbot to commit further acts of depravity. The Abbot's Traits Ideal. “I want to rid Barovia of its sickness. By

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

tieflings, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect their personality. They are gifted with magic from the infernal realms but chart their own course in life.

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

an unappealing place to explore by temporarily diverting springs, driving away game, stealing critical tools, and altering trails to leave hunting or lumber parties hopelessly lost. The firbolgs

call home. Orphaned firbolgs are those whose clans or homelands have been destroyed. They become crusaders for nature, seeking to avenge their loss and prevent the further destruction of the natural

Ygorl, Lord of Entropy

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

Teleport action. Call the Void (Costs 3 Actions). Each creature that is not a construct or undead within 30 feet of Ygorl must make a DC 22 Constitution saving throw against the lord of entropy’s

of eternity. It has no sense of empathy or compassion, driven only to unmake so that the resulting base elements of reality can fuel the multiverse’s endless cycles of creation and destruction

Avarice

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

fantasizes about rising to fame and prominence in record time and hopes that plundering the lost Netherese city of Ythryn will turn her fantasies into reality. The tiefling has the secret support of the

the Knights of the Black Sword, if she needs to call on their talents. Familiar. Avarice’s familiar throughout the adventure is a squawking raven named Skelm. It uses the raven stat block in

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

watch might follow a tiefling around for a while, and demagogues blame tieflings for strange happenings. The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect his or her

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

reflect the agenda, sentiment, or philosophy of one’s order. KNIGHTLY ORDERS OF FAERÛN Many who rightfully call themselves “knight” earn that title as part of an order in

. The reality of the dangers they faced eventually sank in, as did Lurue’s tenets. Over time the small group grew and spread, gaining a following in places as far as Cormyr. The Knights of the

Sorcerer Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

chaos of Limbo, or a glimpse into the inner workings of reality. Sorcerers have no use for the spellbooks and ancient tomes of magic lore that wizards rely on, nor do they rely on a patron to grant

motivations driving them to adventure. Some seek a greater understanding of the magical force that infuses them, or the answer to the mystery of its origin. Others hope to find a way to get rid of it, or to

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

then passing through the shadow of That-Which-Endures changed them forever. Now the newest race to call Faerûn home, the verdan do their best to find their way in an unfamiliar world

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant

Wizard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

-force mind control. Their magic conjures monsters from other planes of existence, glimpses the future, or turns slain foes into zombies. Their mightiest spells change one substance into another, call

. Some aspire to become like the gods, shaping reality itself. Though the casting of a typical spell requires merely the utterance of a few strange words, fleeting gestures, and sometimes a pinch or

The God-Brain

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

The God-Brain The scope of what mind flayers call history exists on a cosmic scale. Through ages of empire and conflict, the illithid elder brains indulged experiments without comparison or reference

for lesser beings, explorations beyond the boundaries of time, reality, immortality, and the multiverse. Many failed—at least one catastrophically so. To summarize an eon of atrocities, one elder

Psychological Horror

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

. Uncertainty, paranoia, and blurred lines between reality and fiction also shape psychological horror stories. In your adventures, this might take the form of unreliable information. Characters might experience

a deadly encounter only to wake up at the end, not having previously realized they were asleep. Before undermining characters’ senses, though, make sure you know what’s driving these skewed

First World, The

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

First World, The Scholars speak of a primordial state, a single reality they call the First World, which preceded the Material Plane. Many of the peoples and monsters that inhabit the worlds on the

Lich

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

Lich Deathless Master of Magic Habitat: Any; Treasure: Arcana Viko Menezes An ancient lich and her ghast gravecaller attendants warp reality with forbidden magic Some nefarious magic-users carry out

. Over ages, some liches lose their connection to time and the physical world, degenerating into demiliches. Ambition can become an addiction of the mind and spirit. It builds beyond a driving flame

Fear

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

Fear An overwhelming foe or horrid monster doesn’t need magic or some supernatural ability to strike fear into the most stalwart adventurers. During any frightful encounter, you can call on a

spells. An enemy demonstrates it can deal enough damage to reduce a character to 0 hit points in one blow. A creature is alien or monstrous in ways the character never could have imagined. An object undermines a character’s understanding of reality.

New Race: Verdan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

goblinoid things. But then passing through the shadow of That-Which-Endures changed them forever. Now the newest race to call Faerûn home, the verdan do their best to find their way in an unfamiliar world

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant, and the Verdan emerged. I’m sorry, was that the question? — K’thriss Drow’b

Beholders: Bad Dreams Come True

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

alien intelligence, inhuman forms of perception, and the ability to shape reality through force of will — or even by their mere presence. Inside the comfortable confines of its subterranean lair, a

is the natural companion to eternal vigilance. Beholders are among the few creatures that can shape reality in their vicinity. In addition, beholders don’t truly sleep when they rest. Instead, a

Birth of a Beholder

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

images of itself or of other beholders (which might or might not actually exist). On extremely rare occasions when a beholder dreams of another beholder, the act creates a warp in reality — from which

solitary beholder lairs within a cave system or a ruined structure, either one of its own making or a place the creature took over after killing or driving off the beholder that gave it birth. A solitary

Druid

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

travelers in navigating the realms of Beasts, Fey, or Plants. 3 A hermit who works alone to protect the lands, seas, or skies they call home. 4 A mender who travels the world healing natural, magical, or

manufactured disasters. 5 Part of a loose organization that adheres to timeless rituals and guards natural secrets. 6 A warden who minds the underpinnings of reality and protects against extraplanar

Blood of Vol

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

Malevanor was personally involved in the program that produced the infamous Karrnathi undead soldiers. After decades of driving the Karrnathi war effort, this foul creature expects us to believe that he

the faithful call themselves) are glad to be reanimated after death; at least they can do some good. Because of this association with necromancy, many believe the Blood of Vol embraces death and its

Donaar Blit'zen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

a driving paranoia that this regurgitation might damage his teeth. As testaments to his obsession with dental hygiene, Donaar named his greatsword Toothbrush and calls his whip Floss. He carries an

. As such, Donaar has learned that no amount of bravado and compensation is too much — provided he leaves no openings for strangers to call him on it. By the same token, strangers quickly come to

The Abbot

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

The Abbot No creature in Barovia is older than the master of the Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk. This nameless holy figure, whom others call the Abbot, was drawn to the abbey after Saint Markovia

ladylike conduct so that “she” can be formally presented to Strahd and win his love. Strahd has no interest in a flesh golem bride, but he enjoys corrupting this once angelic being and driving the Abbot

Suggested Characteristics

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

, sentiment, or philosophy of one’s order. KNIGHTLY ORDERS OF FAERÛN Many who rightfully call themselves “knight” earn that title as part of an order in service to a deity, such as Kelemvor’s Eternal

Baldur’s Gate. On a lark, they took the unicorn goddess Lurue as their mascot and went on various adventures for fun. The reality of the dangers they faced eventually sank in, as did Lurue’s tenets

Dream of the Blue Veil

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

not always so. Various scholars speak of a primordial state, a single reality they call the First World, which preceded the multiverse as we know it. Many of the peoples and monsters that inhabit the

Welcome to the Far North

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

, further isolating the region. Icewind Dale has thus been trapped in a different reality from the rest of the world, for though the sun never rises over the dale, it continues to rise everywhere else

. The people of Icewind Dale know Auril’s wrath when they feel it, and they have a name for the unending winter she has inflicted on them. They call it the Everlasting Rime. No one understands why the

Kruphix's Champions

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

important to me than what he stands for. (Any) 2 Balance. Too much power in any one place is a threat to us all. (Lawful) 3 Selflessness. I accept the burden of knowledge so that others don’t

have to. (Good) 4 Knowledge. I seek out dangerous secrets so that I can know the nature of reality. (Neutral) 5 Power. The best thing about knowing a secret is getting to use it against

3. Roost of the Conch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

follow, but will take to marching back and forth in front of the boulder and will continue to threaten the party if they approach again. If the crayfish is attacked, it will immediately call forth its

companion. Creature. The boulder is in reality a huge shell inhabited by Kalka-Kylla (see appendix B), a giant hermit crab. The bamboo staff is one of its legs; a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Nature

Townmaster's Hall

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

his thirties.” In reality, Iarno created the Redbrands, installed himself as their leader, and took the pseudonym “Glasstaff” to conceal his true identity. (The Redbrands call him that because he

The Grand Design

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

end, each colony conducts research into the nature of the world and the creatures that inhabit it. The mind flayers examine all facets of reality, seeking any knowledge that could give them the edge

society’s central authority, such as by inciting years of famine while driving the local nobility to bouts of madness through psionic assaults, they can create widespread unrest that the colony can use to

Aboard the Moondancer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

party’s home world, since wood is much easier to find there than at her usual port of call, the Rock of Bral. Captain Elaina Sartell Captain Sartell operates out of the Rock of Bral as a privateer under

sits in the chair while piloting the ship. Area 12: Upper Cargo Hold. The upper cargo hold contains a dozen healthy mules (which Sartell plans to sell as beasts of burden); sacks of food for the animals

Cult of the Crushing Wave

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

other people, remembering only his harsh treatment by the merchant crew and the brutality of the pirates. But in time he became aware of a call to a higher purpose, impelling him to find other

magical trident. Sensing its power, Gar took up the weapon and began to call his cult to join him in the Temple of the Crushing Wave. Traits. Gar is covered in barnacles, and he wears an artificial arm in

Devils

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

. Devils on the Material Plane use their influence to manipulate humanoid rulers, whispering evil thoughts, fomenting paranoia, and eventually driving them to tyrannical actions. Obedience and Ambition

scrolls and tomes are said to exist that list the true names of certain devils. A mortal who learns a devil’s true name can use powerful summoning magic to call the devil from the Nine Hells and

Giant Mushroom Tower

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

insist on engaging the demon lord here and now. Dozens of spore servants and myconids respond to Zuggtmoy’s telepathic call if their mistress is in danger, attacking the characters heedless of their own

safety. Any attack that successfully deals damage to Zuggtmoy damages her gown, driving the demon queen into a rage to attack the intruders.

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