beings believe diffusing causing rites

Book of Vile Darkness

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

, foul rites that allow one to transform into a death knight or lich, or long-lost spells crafted by beings so evil their names ought never to be spoken aloud. Vile Speech. While the book is on your

The contents of this foul manuscript are the meat and drink of the wicked. It contains knowledge so horrid that to even glimpse the scrawled pages invites doom. Most believe the lich-god Vecna the

Kraul Death Priest

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

linger at the margins of the undercity but now increasingly making their buzzing voices heard in the subterranean Golgari guildhall. These six-legged, insectile beings are hard-headed and literal-minded

, with little grasp of metaphor or nuance. The death priests occupy the highest roles in kraul society. They lead the buzzing chants of the kraul rites. Their inscrutable clicks and buzzing can summon

Jiangshi

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

their descendants and the communities they knew in life, sowing terror and taking retribution for the slights or neglected burial rites that led to their cursed resurrections. Rigor mortis notoriously

afflicts the limbs of jiangshi, causing them to hold their arms rigidly and to walk with a stiff gait. This, along with their flight, lead many to call them hopping vampires. By day, jiangshi lurk

Chardalyn Berserker

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

creep over them, but it passes quickly. Chardalyn Madness. Prolonged contact with the demonic magic imprinted on the chardalyn has afflicted the berserker with a form of madness, causing the berserker

to believe that its weapons are conduits through which it can speak to a demon lord or other dark power, as well as channel its rage. If the berserker’s madness is cured using magic that removes

Dire Troll

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

on a successful one.Trolls kill and eat almost anything—including, in rare cases, other trolls. This cannibalism has the effect of causing a troll to grow to an unusually large size. The

strongly resembling a troll. Vaprak is given to fits of mindless destruction and uncontrollably fears the plots and ambitions of other deities. Vaprak’s troll worshipers believe this god

Tomb Tapper

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

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

they acquire, instead choosing to protect and venerate such items. Tappers spend their long lives in the search for the source of all magic, which they believe to be hidden deep in the Underdark. They

Elder Tempest

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

falls there, causing the area to be lightly obscured. Heavy rain also extinguishes open flames and imposes disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing. In addition, strong winds swirl

DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.Terrifying storms manifest in the bodies of elder tempests. Beings carved from clouds, wind, rain, and lightning, elder

Reborn

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

veins making it clear that they’ve been touched by death. Other reborn are marvels of magic or science, being stitched together from disparate beings or bearing mysterious minds in manufactured

of Dread (detailed in chapter 3): Har’Akir. You died and endured the burial rites of this desert realm, yet somehow a soul—yours or another’s—has taken refuge in your

Moonstone Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragon’s lair. 6 A moonstone dragon, offended by gifts of gold, is causing nightmares among the local nobility. 7 A powerful spellcaster is forcing a captive moonstone dragon to invade

, conversation. 3 A moonstone dragon wyrmling has convinced a lost white dragon wyrmling that the latter is also a moonstone dragon, cursed by an archfey of winter. The two travel together, causing

Lady Illmarrow

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

island domain. Long ago, it was revealed that the elven line of Vol — a house that practiced the art of necromancy and bore the Dragonmark of Death — was engaged in secret blood rites

attack on House Vol was nothing more than an excuse to eliminate a political rival. But others believe that what the Undying Court truly feared was a path shown in the Draconic Prophecy — that a

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

of Seclusion 1 You led an ill-fated expedition into the Riverveins. Your friends were swept away by flooding, and you’ve never been able to shake the guilt of causing their deaths over

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

Giff

Species Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

Giff are tall, broad-shouldered folk with hippo-like features. Some have smooth skin, while others have short bristles on their faces and the tops of their heads. As beings of impressive size and

crowds. They're also natural swimmers. Most giff believe they originated on one world, but their home world is now the stuff of legend, because no living giff has seen it or knows where it is. The

Genasi Legacy

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

Loxodon

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

structures. Relentlessly Loyal Loxodons believe in the value of community and life, and thus are most often found in the Selesnya Conclave. Some find fulfillment in the cause of order by joining

the Orzhov Syndicate or the Azorius Senate. Loxodons believe that the members of a group have a responsibility to look out for each other. Once they have joined a guild or bonded with other individuals

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

souls of the insolent intruders to his tomb, magically transferring them to his phylactery. Liches who follow Acererak’s path believe that by becoming free of their bodies, they can continue

its existence. Few liches seek to become demiliches, for it means an end to the existence they hoped to preserve by becoming undead. However, time can erode the lich’s reason and memory, causing

Star Spawn Seer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’s goal is to tap into vast energy sources and perform the dire rites that will extend a bridge between the Material Plane and the squirming chaos of an Elder Evil’s realm. An entity that

even a moment’s contact is enough to break a mortal’s mind. Yet beings do exist that are native to these realms: entities that are ever hungering, searching, warring, and sometimes

Deck of Many Things Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

alteration, causing your alignment to change. Lawful becomes chaotic, good becomes evil, and vice versa. If you are true neutral or unaligned, this card has no effect on you. Comet. If you single

apply it. The Void. This black card spells disaster. Your soul is drawn from your body and contained in an object in a place of the GM's choice. One or more powerful beings guard the place. While your

Gods and Devotion

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

, when they piously observe the god’s rites and sacrifices, and when they devoutly trust in the god’s divine might, the god becomes more powerful. The competition for mortal devotion isn’t necessarily

a zero-sum game. The people of Theros don’t believe in one particular god to the exclusion of others, and the most pious people pray to all the gods with equal fervor. But a deity’s goal is to

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

help by paying for improved roofs and lamps in your neighborhood, causing the entire community to celebrate your deed. 4 Fueled by alcohol, you faced down a carrion crawler that slunk out of the

The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. 4 I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. 5 Secretly, I believe

Young Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragons are generally solitary creatures. On the rare occasion that one forms nonhostile relationships with other beings, it is almost always to bolster the defenses of the dragon’s lair and

population, but the galeb duhr are causing trouble for local miners. 4 Two Lolth cultist;cultists seek a magical relic that attracts giant spider;giant spiders, but the relic’s resting place has

Sword of Zariel

Magic Items Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

following tables. These traits override any conflicting personality trait, ideal, bond, or flaw. Personality Traits D8 PERSONALITY TRAIT 1 I treat all beings, even enemies, with respect

have disadvantage on attack rolls made within the weapon’s radius of bright light. As a bonus action, you can intensify the sword’s light, causing it to shed bright light in a 15-foot

Folk Horror Torments

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

Folk Horror Torments A folk horror domain’s Darklord has been consumed by the traditions, land, or rituals they embody. They might not fully understand their own beliefs, though, causing them to fail

in their duties or cause rites to spin out of control. Such Darklords remain devoted, though, desperately trying to prove themselves or satisfy the object of their belief. Folk Horror Torments d6

Kelemvor

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

the hand and lead it to the proper afterlife. Kelemvor’s priests teach that those who revere the gods according to the rites of their religion have done their proper service and will be offered the

rites for those who can’t afford the lavish ceremonies of their faith. The tenets of Kelemvor’s faithful compel them to forestall or prevent untimely deaths whenever possible. Different sects and

Ankhtepot

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

ascended to the throne. The new pharaoh quickly became unpopular among the people and priests. Seeking a remedy for this, Ankhtepot came to believe that the gods wanted another to take the pharaoh’s

, his ka—the vital essence that inspires all living beings. Ankhtepot reawakened, trapped and paralyzed within his corpse as he was mummified along with his treacherous followers. The murderous priest

Mummies

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

Mummies Deathless Ancients with Ageless Ambitions Habitat: Desert, Swamp; Treasure: Relics Mysterious rites and mighty faith can tie spirits to their corpses, binding them to their remains for all

time. Should their resting places be violated, these beings, known as mummies, reanimate their deteriorating bodies to restore the sanctity of their tombs and punish those who disturbed their rest

Gods and Religion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

believe they are nearly divine, and they are inclined to view their existence as part of a mythic story that is still unfolding. Unlike some other powerful, ancient creatures (such as dragons), giants

don’t typically exalt themselves and demand worship from lesser beings. Rather, they are often drawn to follow gods—and sometimes other powerful beings—who help them live out their part in that epic

Interloper Gods

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

Interloper Gods Annam’s withdrawal has caused ongoing upheaval in the religious lives of giants across the Material Plane. Most believe Annam turned from his descendants in anger or disappointment

, and many hope he can be convinced to return to his divine throne if the giants restore their ancient glory. But some giants believe that Annam is dead, that he is petulant and unworthy of worship, or

The Lord of Blades in the War

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

. Some scholars say that he was originally a warforged named Bulwark, the personal bodyguard of King Boranel of Breland. Others believe that he was the last warforged to emerge from the creation

artificer named Aaren d’Cannith, who became furious when the house used his invention to create weapons of war. Based on that knowledge, some believe Aaren transferred his consciousness into a warforged

Bronze Dragons

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

such works widely. When dealing with shorter-lived beings, bronze dragons prefer to win them over through conversation and cultivation, but they don’t shy from battle when villains keep others from

their dwellings, bronze dragons hoard things they believe will be useful one day. They salvage treasure lost to the sea, reclaiming wealth or sunken ships.

Death Tyrant

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

magic or Underdark radiation. Sometimes beholders purposefully pursue this undead state, just as depraved magic-users pursue lichdom, although it is rare, as most beholders already believe themselves to

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.

Giff

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

Giff Giff are tall, broad-shouldered folk with hippo-like features. Some have smooth skin, while others have short bristles on their faces and the tops of their heads. As beings of impressive size

over crowds. They’re also natural swimmers. Most giff believe they originated on one world, but their home world is now the stuff of legend, because no living giff has seen it or knows where it is. The

Tenets

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

initiation, which includes a solemn oath of secrecy, learn deeper truths that build upon the basic tenets of the group: Preexistent Souls. The souls of mortal beings have always existed and aren’t part of

outsiders to ready themselves for the coming destruction. Many initiates are fundamentally kindhearted and try to help outsiders when they can, but they ultimately come to believe most outsiders are lost

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

and suffering? The Blood of Vol teaches that we all have the potential to become divine beings—and that death is a curse, designed to kill you before you can unlock the divinity within you. The Blood

Roleplaying a Mind Flayer

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

Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I never let pass an opportunity to show my contempt for lesser beings. 2 I like to flavor my meals by engendering positive emotions in my victims before feeding on

them. 3 So as not to taint my thoughts, I avoid telepathically communicating with lesser beings when possible. 4 I never eat unless the victim is conscious and aware. 5 I’m very picky. I feed only on

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

magical power than a potion, but they all believe that the tribal sorcerer can figure out how to use any such item they come across. When kobolds sense an opportunity to separate a magic item from its

owner, they are often willing to take the chance of revealing themselves because the potential reward is worth the risk. Dragon Servitors Kobolds believe that they were created by Tiamat from the blood

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