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Returning 35 results for 'beings barriers diffusing cultures reason'.
Hermit
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp
Life of Seclusion
What was the reason for your isolation, and what
changed to allow you to end your solitude? You can work with your DM to determine the exact nature of your seclusion, or you can choose or roll on the table below to determine the reason behind your
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
feet of it and can use an action to pinpoint the location of any creature, object, or area in that range that bears magic. This sense penetrates barriers but is blocked by a thin sheet of lead.
Tunneler
tombs, temples, and caves in search of magic items, which they bear off. They usually try to seize magic from beings that they encounter.
Magic is sacred to tomb tappers. They don't use any magic items
Genasi
Legacy
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Species
Elemental Evil Player's Companion
Those who think of other planes at all consider them remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth
of savage humanoids and weird cults in untamed lands. Others gain positions of great influence, especially where elemental beings are revered. A few genasi leave the Material Plane to find refuge in
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
hundreds of miles of the Great Glacier and the Great Ice Sea. No one from your nation makes the effort to cross such colossal barriers without a convincing reason. You must fear something truly
provided. The following section, discussing possible homelands, includes some suggested reasons that are appropriate for each location.
d6
Reason
d6
Reason
1
Emissary
4
Pilgrim
Lizardfolk
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
; Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren
, if other creatures prove useful to lizardfolk, those creatures can trigger a protective response made all the stronger by their apparent weakness. The lizardfolk assess such beings as hatchlings
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of nature. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the
past that could rewrite history. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society.
Work with your DM to
Kobold
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and
, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to live off the scraps of others, and they are often dominated by larger
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Divine Rank The divine beings of the multiverse are often categorized according to their relative cosmic power. Some gods who are worshiped on multiple worlds have a different rank on each world
of nature and mortal life, such as agriculture, the sun, and death. Greater deities are ultimately beyond mortal understanding, and they’re often known by different names across regions, cultures, and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
The Dark Powers Unfathomable, hidden forces manipulate life, death, and reality within Ravenloft. These mysterious, deathless beings are the architects of the Domains of Dread, and have secreted
villains to add to their terrifying menagerie. To what end, no one knows. The Dark Powers don’t move in the shadows of Ravenloft; they are the shadows. They’re the Mists and the darkness. They’re the reason
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
, the Stone Bridge is made of smooth, fused hard granite. It is only six paces wide and lacks railings or barriers, so anyone atop it is at the mercy of the wind, particularly in winter. Reason to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
be perfect beings. No matter how death tyrants come into being, bizarre impulses drive their deathless existences. Their motivations tend to be extreme or beyond the reason of living creatures.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
planes — and they lost. The gods were slain or driven into exile, leaving Athas under the dominion of elemental beings who took little interest in the affairs of mortals. In the grim age that
only the strongest survive. One of the hallmarks of the Dark Sun setting is that the heroes don’t need to seek out forgotten dungeons to find adventure — mere survival is adventure enough. But there is no reason you can’t successfully adapt Princes of the Apocalypse to your Dark Sun campaign.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Wizardry There’s a reason most powerful wizards are old. The special formulas of action, item, and sound that produce wizardly magic require precision, and such precision comes only from long
mental barriers in order to achieve ever greater mastery. Of all peoples, elves are perhaps best suited to wizardry. They have centuries of life to devote to their studies, and their trance effectively
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Armor and Shields D&D worlds are a vast tapestry made up of many different cultures, each with its own technology level. For this reason, adventurers have access to a variety of armor types, ranging
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
works of lesser beings crumble and fall into ruin fills me with joy.
3 I never confront a threat directly when deceit and skulduggery are available options.
4 Subjugating others is
cultures vanished are my reasons for existing. If you can help me in that, I’ll let you live.
Black Dragon Ideals d6 Ideal
1 Envy. If the achievements of others cannot be eclipsed, they can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
The Noble Knife The Noble Knife is a somewhat mysterious organization known for its high level of engagement with the cultures and societies within which its members work. Having made such
faction, you’d almost never see two teams in the same place at the same time — unless they had been given opposite tasks for some reason. If that’s the case, get out of there quick, because whatever happens next isn’t going to be pleasant.
— Omin Dran
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
beings through unlawful means. Some people pray to Bhaal when they want to commit murder. A person might have good reason to resort to murder, such as when one is unable to redress some injustice
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Evil Inchoate I will be the last creature when I am done. The cosmos will then be perfect, free of the braying abominations that are all other living things.
— Orcus
As beings of utter chaos and
particular affinity for their own kind, which is the biggest reason why they seldom cooperate with one another unless they are forced to submit to a demon lord or other leader. Going even farther, every
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
History of Eberron Every child knows the story of the Progenitor Dragons: Siberys, Eberron, and Khyber. In the dawn of time, these three cosmic beings created thirteen planes of existence, each
struggling against her bonds and yearning to destroy the world above. Another tale shared across cultures describes one more conflict that occurred in the first age of the world. Long ago, powerful
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
legend of the creatures’ origin is passed down from elder to hatchling, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to
dragons. Kobolds willingly serve chromatic dragons and worship them as if they were demigods — mighty beings of divine descent. This isn’t a casual sort of worship or lip service; kobolds are awed in the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
new disguises to use among small folk. It makes me feel clever!
5 Violence is the provenance of uncouth beings, and I will do my best to avoid its use.
6 I don’t understand why anyone would
fight when they could talk instead and build on this ecosystem of wondrous cultures and fascinating traditions.
7 I owe the short-lived mortals I become friends with the responsibility of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Genasi Lands As rare beings, genasi might go their entire lives without encountering another one of their kind. There are no great genasi cities or empires. Genasi seldom have communities of their
own and typically adopt the cultures and societies into which they are born. The more strange their appearance, the harder time they have. Many genasi lose themselves in teeming cities, where their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
regardless of order. You can count on these clergy to help you secure spellcasting services, and to offer you other material aid within reason. Enemies. Since the order of knights templar is sworn to
Undead. Unnatural beings loathe templars, as they represent everything these foul creatures despise—light, life, hope, and good. These menaces sometimes go to great lengths to trap and destroy templars
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
strengthen the whole. We must destroy undead and ensure that the cycle continues. We, the Gatekeepers, protect the natural world from the forces that come from outside it, from those beings that slither in
, consider whether you have ties to one of these traditions, and what led you to leave your order. Are you on a mission? Are you exploring the world? Have you been banished, with good reason or otherwise?
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
bodies. These quadrupedal brains seek to ambush sapient beings, then drain their thoughts until they’re mindless. Then, if their victims are Humanoids, they enter the creatures’ skulls. With access to
has an Intelligence score of 3 or higher, regardless of interposing barriers.
Actions
Multiattack. The intellect devourer makes one Claw attack and uses Devour Intellect.
Claw. Melee Attack Roll
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
, and caves in search of magic items, which they bear off. They usually try to seize magic from beings that they encounter. Magic is sacred to tomb tappers. They don’t use any magic items they acquire
magic. This sense penetrates barriers but is blocked by a thin sheet of lead.
Tunneler. The tomb tapper can burrow through solid rock at half its burrowing speed and leaves a 10-foot-wide, 20-foot-tall
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
carved into the likenesses of gargoyles appear in the architecture of countless cultures to frighten away trespassers. Although such sculptures are only decorative, real gargoyles can hide among them
their creator, they possess a fundamental hatred for beings of elemental air, aarakocra in particular, and relish every opportunity to destroy such creatures.
On their home plane, gargoyles carve out
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
their lairs inside the hulls of wrecked or abandoned ships. Best of Both Worlds Many hags settle in places where the barriers between the mortal world and the Feywild are thin, making it easy for
her final resting place. If she is outmatched, or wants to vacate her lair quickly for some other reason, she uses a mix of her innate spellcasting, rare magic, guile, and the assistance of minions to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
character’s backstory, consider how the gods have influenced your life. The gods are pervasive in the stories and cultures of Theros, and even their devout followers shouldn’t feel bound to choose a faith
likely a reason why you’ve avoided them.
In addition to the gods, the supernatural gifts presented earlier in this chapter might influence your background. Consider what story emerges from your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp Life of Seclusion What was the reason for your isolation, and what changed to
allow you to end your solitude? You can work with your DM to determine the exact nature of your seclusion, or you can choose or roll on the table below to determine the reason behind your seclusion
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
the north and bounded on its other sides by hundreds of miles of the Great Glacier and the Great Ice Sea. No one from your nation makes the effort to cross such colossal barriers without a convincing
reason. You must fear something truly terrible or seek something incredibly important. Zakhara. As the saying goes among those in Faerûn who know of the place, “To get to Zakhara, go south. Then go
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
presence begins to erode the barriers between their location and the Abyss. It can take a few years for weaker demons to warp their environment, while changes begin to occur around the location of a
that infest the area. The effects of the event might persist for a few months or even centuries, but the barriers between the Abyss and the world remain intact. A Growing Menace If the first stage of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
sentient beings must come to the light of reason and goodness of their own volition. That is why it is not interested in controlling minds: it focuses only on deeds, setting an example to the world in hopes
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
position to help you through status, influence, or magic. Information. The most precious reward most immortals can give is a tidbit of their ages-spanning knowledge. Immortal beings often know secrets
morsel of information that sets you off in pursuit of more. Magic. Immortal beings often have access to vast stores of magic, including their own spells and secret caches of magic items. They are mindful
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
marriages and funerals. Temples are places where worshipers go either to spend personal or family time in a space consecrated to a deity or to seek the aid of the priests for some reason. Small
in Faerûn run the gamut, representing all the outlooks that their mortal followers demonstrate, from the principled agents of good to the vicious proponents of evil. Most cultures and societies aren’t