beings both down confined reason

Hermit Legacy

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

Lizardfolk Legacy

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

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

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

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

The Dark Powers

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

Dark Sun

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.

Death Tyrant

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.

Bhaal

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

Breaking the Contract

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Zariel voids all the active contracts she has made with beings across the multiverse. This causes no small amount of cosmic chaos. The Fate of Thavius Kreeg If the characters killed Thavius Kreeg in

Baldur’s Gate, he crawled out of the River Styx as a lemure. In accordance with the terms of their contract, Zariel promoted him to an amnizu, then confined him in her fortress (see “Poor Devil: Thavius

Evil Inchoate

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

Sex

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

, gender, and sexual behavior. For example, a male drow cleric defies the traditional gender divisions of drow society, which could be a reason for your character to leave that society and come to the

surface. You don’t need to be confined to binary notions of sex and gender. The elf god Corellon Larethian is often seen as androgynous, for example, and some elves in the multiverse are made in

Dragon Servitors

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

Druids of Khorvaire

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?

Templars of the Silver Flame

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

Hill Giants

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

no sense of taste or their hunger is so all-consuming that flavor isn’t a consideration. Whatever the reason, the upshot is that hill giant dens are filthy, reeking places. Decaying carcasses and

, but most of them recover and don’t learn anything from the experience. The rare exceptions are called mouths of Grolantor — giants that are confined and starved to the point of emaciation before being

Shadowfell

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

villainous beings become Darklords, able to exercise great power but confined to realms that twist their desires, capturing them in cycles of dread and despair. Mists surround each of the Domains of Dread

multiverse, mysterious entities known as the Dark Powers collect the most wicked beings from across ages and worlds within inescapable, mist-shrouded demiplanes. In these shadowy prisons, the

Hermit

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

Order of the Gauntlet

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

Patron Benefits

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

Chaos Incarnate

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

accumulates changes to its form due to interaction with the energies of the Abyss. These long-lived demons often become demon lords, beings of such power that they can hold sway over entire realms within the

seemingly obliterated in a battle (perhaps to be reborn in another location). For this reason, imposing a sense of order on the relationship between the Abyss’s layers is a fool’s errand. All that can be

Sports and Games

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

the Stone Trees, part of the Cornerstone district, where the matches serve as both a spectator sport and a reason for gambling. Shifters created temporary hrazhak fields in the slums and warehouse

because the matches are confined to Lower Dura and the Cogs and well hidden from the eyes of the Watch. A match usually occurs only once every few months. Sometimes participants voluntarily enter the

Adventure Synopsis

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

. It has now been almost a month, and the delegation never showed up at Goldenfields or any other outpost. Powerful factions have good reason to worry about the missing delegation. The Harpers are

resourceful characters can find ways to destroy the portals instead of trying to slay these dire beings. With the portals shut, the elemental nodes revert to normal, and any surviving cultists scatter to

Courthouse: Summer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

, concludes that it’s nothing of consequence, and returns it to its owner. Dock Ward Courthouse Arrested characters are brought to a courthouse in the Dock Ward and confined to cells (area H8) until their

and two veterans) down upon the characters, whom “Hyustus” accuses of beating the cell block guards to death. These reinforcements have no reason to believe that Captain Staget isn’t who he appears to

Monastic Orders

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

can’t obtain easily themselves. But such studies are only part of the monks’ daily life: They seek to understand death as it pertains especially to intelligent living beings, and to this end they eagerly

natural thing in the world, from their perspective, and to expire in service to its principle is one of the most profoundly holy experiences a living being can hope to enjoy. It is for this reason

Glasya

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

overwhelming odds with an audacious plan attract her attention and could win her respect and patronage. The reason behind Glasya’s rise to lordship is the subject of much whispered debate in the Nine Hells

encompass the complexities of the strange relationships formed by beings of immortal evil. Coin Legions Taking a cue from the sword, shield, and dreg legions into which the devils’ armies are

Class Training

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

around me — entities no one else could perceive. I sought out the druids to help me understand the visions and communicate with these beings. 6 I have always felt disgust for creatures of unnatural

origin. For this reason, I immersed myself in the study of the druidic mysteries and became a champion of the natural order. Fighter d6 I became a fighter because … 1 I wanted to hone my combat skills

The Knucklebones Gang

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Feywild, courtesy of powerful fey with whom she has struck bargains. For this reason, the night hag has no concern for the well-being of her redcap and madcap minions. See appendix D for more information

loose sort of control. Mad Maggie understands the nature of these beings and she does not hold it against the characters if they kill them, especially when acting in self-defense. Mad Maggie’s

Monsters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

, supernatural beings. Does the movement from a dragon’s Wing Attack legendary action draw attacks of opportunity if it moves out of reach? Yes. Wing Attack does not protect the dragon from opportunity

with it. Can a hydra use Reactive Heads to make multiple opportunity attacks against one creature at the same time when it provokes? Yes. For that reason, we recommend taking the Disengage action when you’re going to move away from a hydra.

Specific Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

the target it hits from regaining Hit Points until the end of your next turn. This is true even if the target takes none of the Necrotic damage, whether because of Immunity or some other reason. Using

Antimagic Field! In contrast, a spell like Conjure Woodland Beings has a non-instantaneous duration, which means its effect can be ended by Dispel Magic and temporarily disappears within an Antimagic

Specific Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

the necrotic damage, whether because of immunity or some other reason. Using 5-foot squares, does cloud of daggers affect a single square? Cloud of daggers (5 ft. cube) can affect more than one square

swarms are groups of creatures. When you cast a spell like conjure woodland beings , does the spellcaster or the DM choose the creatures that are conjured? A number of spells in the game let you summon

Encounters in the Villa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

carry no treasure. G9. Parlor Urstul Floxin was confined here when he returned to the villa, but shortly thereafter he killed his guards and escaped. The room is furnished for comfort and contains dainty

(Intimidation) check, but the check is made with disadvantage if Lord Gralhund has reason to believe his wife can see or overhear the conversation: “The Stone of Golorr is some kind of ancient creature

Nine Hells

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

rival, Bel, who fell out of Asmodeus’s favor and was forced to serve as Zariel’s adviser. Tiamat, the Queen of Evil Dragons, is a prisoner on this layer, ruling her own domain but confined to the Nine

Asmodeus’s most loyal and resourceful vassals, and few beings in the multiverse can outwit him. He is more obsessed than most devils with striking deals with mortals in exchange for their souls, and his

The Nine Hells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

, ruling her own domain but confined to the Nine Hells by Asmodeus in accordance with some ancient contract (the terms of which are known only to Tiamat and the Lords of the Nine). Zariel’s seat of power is

Asmodeus’s most loyal and resourceful vassals, and few beings in the multiverse can outwit him. He is more obsessed than most devils with striking deals with mortals in exchange for their souls, and

Middle Level (M1-M9)

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

and insist on serving them fresh bread and soup. The duties of the homunculi are confined mostly to the kitchen and the adjoining dining room (area M8). They don’t know much about what happens in the

making wine. Mimic Chair. The reason for the odd number of chairs is that the chair closest to the door to area M6 is a mimic that escaped from area M19. It moved the real chair to the corner and took

Encounter Locations

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

cavern was created by Xanthoria to conduct more experiments. Specifically, Xanthoria found herself able to communicate with other beings that had been infected with her spores and wanted to understand

the process further. Suspended Subjects. The two beings suspended in the mycelium were a human named Konrad and an orc named Rugga Two-Guts. Now they are fused with the fungus and constitute

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