being before dead content rather

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

. Cultists of Bhaal sometimes form cabals of assassins or mercenaries, but they perform their brutal slaughter for the perverse love of bloodshed and honor to their sinister god rather than for

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

Narthus

Monsters Heroes of the Borderlands

before the end of Narthus’s next turn has Advantage.A craven lackey, Narthus serves Ivlis out of fear rather than loyalty. Narthus spends his days groveling before Ivlis and cruelly whipping new

fascinations. He grows the cult’s ranks through macabre rituals, conscripting the dead to serve the cult’s depraved goals.

Manshoon

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

. That Manshoon is dead, and the current Manshoon is one of the original’s many clones. Being a magical copy rather than an original doesn’t make Manshoon any less of a threat, as he’s

someone else in disguise, which is just as Manshoon prefers. Manshoon seeks power and is checked only by the many enemies who want to see him dead. He recently failed to seize control of Waterdeep in a

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

, Speak with Dead 1/Day Each: Create Undead (level 8 version), Power Word KillLegendary Action Uses: 3. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Sammaster can expend a use to take one of the

efficiently as he can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence. Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps

Sammaster (Lich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

, Prestidigitation 2/Day Each: Speak with Dead, Wall of Force 1/Day Each: Create Undead (level 8 version), Disintegrate, Power Word KillProtective Magic. Sammaster casts Counterspell or Shield in

can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence. Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps a magical soul

Spore Servant Octopus

Monsters Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

was creating a spore servant from a dead giant octopus to protect the caves while the leader could not. Unlike a living octopus, this guardian has only basic control over its tentacles. Rather than coiling around intruders to immobilize them, the spore servant simply bludgeons them.

"} bludgeoning damage.Spore servants are dead creatures reanimated by the magical spores of a myconid leader. The final act of the myconid leader in Seagrow Caves before lapsing into its current comatose state

Kraul Death Priest

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

: animate dead, blight, vampiric touch Pack Tactics. The kraul has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the kraul's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally

","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Quarterstaff","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.The kraul are an ascendant power group within the Golgari Swarm, long content to

Khargra

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

devours any metals it encounters. Though normally content to eat raw veins of ore, this creature considers refined and crafted metals to be particularly delectable. Vexing Scavengers. Khargras are

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

Vampiric Mist Legacy

Monsters Tales from the Yawning Portal

without squeezing. Each foot of movement in water costs it 2 extra feet, rather than 1 extra foot. The mist can’t manipulate objects in any way that requires fingers or manual dexterity. Sunlight

first encountered, a vampiric mist appears as a billowing mass of light clouds. As the creature feeds, its coloration darkens to a deep crimson. In the Temple of Blood inside the Doomvault (Dead in Thay

Elkhorn

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

dead.” Combat Notes Elkhorn’s challenge rating is based on him using Feint to improve his rather weak sword attack. Having been trained in his youth to fight ogres and trolls, he&rsquo

destruction of evil in all its forms. He’s not especially bright, so he fights with his heart rather than his wits. Age has drained much of the strength from Elkhorn’s body. Strongheart

Vampirate

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.Vampirates are the walking, talking husks of dead pirates who refused to go quietly into the afterlife. They ply the void in their ships, plundering unsuspecting

vampire’s but doesn’t use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from another creature by touching it or by

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

rather than perform the work or confront the foe. Even when subsumed into a goblinoid host and drawn into war, bugbears must often be roused from naps and bribed to get them to do their duties. This

natural state. Thanks to Grankhul, they can use their size and strength to work as stealthy assassins rather than blundering around like ogres. Bullying, murder, and engaging in battle are all holy

Vampirate Captain

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

as a crawling claw or a Will-o'-Wisp;will-o'-wisp. Vampirate Vampirates are the walking, talking husks of dead pirates who refused to go quietly into the afterlife. They ply the void in their

parchment. A vampirate has fangs like a vampire’s but doesn’t use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from

Caradoc

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

at his core, the seneschal didn’t return as a skeletal knight but rather as an intangible spirit. Caradoc’s Undead form suits him well, allowing him to possess the living and use unwilling

’s swiftly pulled back if caught beyond its walls without a host. Personality Trait. “I might be dead, but there’s no reason I can’t live it up a little.” Ideal. &ldquo

Vampirate Mage

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

Vampirates are the walking, talking husks of dead pirates who refused to go quietly into the afterlife. They ply the void in their ships, plundering unsuspecting vessels and feeding on the life

use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from another creature by touching it or by siphoning off its energy from a

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

bound to their fey lord and unable to bargain away their souls. So rather than claim them, Fierna warped and twisted them before returning them to the Feywild, content that the corruption of the satyrs

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

her divine spark vanishes. She is dead until the next winter solstice, when she reappears at full health in a cold, remote location of her choosing. Frigid Aura. So long as Auril has at least 1 hit

heart of the diamond. If Auril is killed in her third and final form, she is dead until the next winter solstice. While she is dead, her mortal worshipers lose their god-granted spells and abilities

Madam Eva

Monsters Curse of Strahd

from evil and good 2nd level (3 slots): lesser restoration, protection from poison, spiritual weapon 3rd level (3 slots): create food and water, speak with dead, spirit guardians 4th level (3 slots

): divination, freedom of movement, guardian of faith 5th level (2 slots): greater restoration, raise dead 6th level (1 slot): find the path, harm, true seeing 7th level (1 slot): fire storm

Shadar-kai Gloom Weaver

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

casts a spell.Although they’re formidable warriors, gloom weavers are often content to hide in the shadows, watching as their very presence affects their victims. Their bleak energy weighs down

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome. Cold and Calculating Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in

utility and importance. Nowhere does this come through as strongly as when lizardfolk deal with the dead. To a lizardfolk, a comrade who dies becomes a potential source of food. That companion might have

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

a frivolous lark. You’ve maintained a solitary vigil outside the cavern entrance ever since. 2 You crossed the Guild in a bad way. Fortunately, its members think you’re dead. Less

contradictions, fills your hours. 4 You tend to some part of the city’s forgotten history: the unmarked graves in Cliffside Cemetery, the crumbling remains of dead patriar families’ manors, or

Lady Illmarrow

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Emerald Claw, but her motives for founding the order are buried in her past. Lady Illmarrow has no interest in ruling the living. Rather, she seeks to become Queen of the Dead. The Mark of Death

missile, shield, sleep 2nd level (3 slots): blur, detect thoughts, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, counterspell, fireball, fly, lightning bolt 4th level (3 slots): blight, confusion

Priest of Osybus (Deathly)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Deathly Boon. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability. Tattoo of Osybus. If the priest drops to 0 hit points, roll on the Boons

before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon 1 Priest of

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

homeland, content to dwell in small, tight clans. These tabaxi hunt for food, craft goods, and largely keep to themselves. However, not all tabaxi are satisfied with such a life. The Cat Lord, the divine

of the world beyond their home. Barterers of Lore Tabaxi treasure knowledge rather than material things. A chest filled with gold coins might be useful to buy food or a coil of rope, but it’s

Priest of Osybus (Blazing)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon 1 Priest of Osybus (Dread);Dread. Eerie whispers can now be

visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the

Priest of Osybus (Ectoplasmic)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

revive with a benefit from the Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than

challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell

Priest of Osybus (Spectral)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

the Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest

1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6

Priest of Osybus (Vampiric)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon

object. 6 Priest of Osybus (Deathly);Deathly. The priest’s visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each

Anthropologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

. 2 I’m a stickler when it comes to observing proper etiquette and local customs. 3 I would rather observe than meddle. 4 By living among violent people, I have become

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

Priest of Osybus (Dread)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can

can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6;{"diceNotation":"1d6

Priest of Osybus

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon

. 6 Priest of Osybus (Deathly);Deathly. The priest’s visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using

Ancient Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

distinctive amethyst dragon characters. Amethyst Dragon Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I am never so content as when

, preferring caverns with at least one entrance submerged underwater. They prize locations with a combination of open space, connecting tunnels, and dead ends to make the most of their natural and

Stranded

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

Stranded This is an ideal event for the Fields of the Dead region, if one occurs there, but it can be used anywhere. The caravan sees a fight happening ahead. A freight wagon is stranded on the road

, its draft animals dead. A merchant (noble) and three guards are sheltered under the wagon, with crates dragged between the wheels for cover. They are plentifully supplied with crossbows and bolts

Stranded

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

Stranded This is an ideal event for the Fields of the Dead region, if one occurs there, but it can be used anywhere. The caravan sees a fight happening ahead. A freight wagon is stranded on the road

, its draft animals dead. A merchant (noble) and three guards are sheltered under the wagon, with crates dragged between the wheels for cover. They are plentifully supplied with crossbows and bolts

Horror Gameplay

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

notorious monster is all the scarier when it emerges and rips apart something the characters assumed was their true antagonist. Have foes play dead, only to “return to life” after characters think things are

characters worry might happen? Do you want to update any content boundaries? Is there anything that would make the game more enjoyable for you? Ask Permission Players put considerable thought and

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