better before dead complex rules

Wand of Orcus

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

some fell goal. The wand is topped with a skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the grip of its user. All Holy Water

from it (save DC 18). The table indicates how many charges you must expend to cast the spell. Spell Charge Cost Animate Dead 1 Blight 2 Circle of Death 3 Finger of

Paladin

Classes Player’s Handbook

forces of annihilation and corruption. Whether sworn before a god’s altar, in a sacred glade before nature spirits, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witnesses, a

level 1 features, which are listed in the Paladin Features table. See the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots. Paladin Features —Spell Slots per

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.” 61–80 “I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.” 81–00 “I am awash in

Wand of Orcus. The wand has 7 charges, and any of its properties that require a saving throw have a save DC of 18. While holding it, Orcus can use an action to cast animate dead, blight, or speak

High Fae Kindguard

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be spoken (though misdirection and riddles are always welcome). To

amuse themselves over the long centuries of their lives, high fae frequently engage in deceptions and other complex games of wits against one another. Most high fae remain secluded deep within the wilds

Oblex Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so

plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their prey to use as lures, which helps them harvest even more victims for their mind flayer masters.

Plaintiff

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

sometimes one casualty is left a little less than dead, just waiting to discover what a lucky break that accident actually was. You were a victim of a legal incident that was ostensibly the fault of

of that system. Even when the law is not on your side, you can use complex terms like ex injuria jus non oritur and cogitationis poenam nemo patitur to frighten people into thinking you know what you

Magewright

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

this way. Most magewright rituals take 10 minutes to perform, but certain complex rituals can take up to 1 hour. However long the ritual takes, it requires extra material components, usually in the

: speak with dead. Deception (+3), Religion (+4) 8 Oracle Guidance. Ritual only: augury, divination (1 hour). History (+4), Religion (+4)

Boss Delour

Monsters The Book of Many Things

"} poison damage.Delour the wererat is a sly trickster and consummate thief who rules the Moonstalkers alongside his friend Boss Augustus;Augustus. Delour’s honeyed words and calculating mind make

more complex challenges the guild can take on as it grows in power. His only real fear is exposure; the bigger and more active the Moonstalkers become, the more likely they are to attract the attention

Deathless Rider

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

Queen, who rules from a castle called Dynnistan. It isn’t known whether these legends are based on any true experience or are simply the result of imagination trying to account for a terrifying and

the wilds? Beware the dead riders who serve the Shadow Queen.” —Scalan, Edgewall innkeeper PoisonNecrotic

High Fae Impostor

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored, and outright lies must never be

spoken (though misdirection and riddles are always welcome). To amuse themselves over the long centuries of their lives, high fae frequently engage in deceptions and other complex games of wits against

High Fae Mage

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must

frequently engage in deceptions and other complex games of wits against one another. Most high fae remain secluded deep within the wilds of Eldraine. They draw power from motes of light found

Môrgæn

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

the person you've shot first is already dead? Still, when the situation calls for it, this protector of the woodlands is equally at home on missions of subterfuge and social interaction in the big city, provided her well-known love of ale, wine, and other intoxicants doesn't get the better of her.

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Master of Undeath. Orcus can cast animate dead (at will) and create undead (3/day). He chooses the level at which the spells are cast, and the creatures created by them remain under his control

will: animate dead (as an action), blight, speak with dead 1 charge each: circle of death, finger of death 2 charges: power word killOrcus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options

Skabatha Nightshade

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited

key between her hunched shoulders that rotates quickly when she’s in a good mood and slows down as her mood sours. When she is furious, the key comes to a dead stop. Alignment. Neutral evil

Kruthik Hive Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"Acid Spray","rollDamageType":"acid"} acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.A hive lord rules each kruthik hive. When the hive lord dies, the surviving members of the

floor with their sharp legs. In addition to having an acute sense of smell, kruthiks can see in the dark and can detect vibrations in the earth around them. They take the scent of their own dead as a

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

. Made from bones as hard as iron, the wand is topped with a magically enlarged skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the

or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: animate dead (1 charge), blight (2 charges), circle of death (3 charges), finger of death (3 charges), power word kill

High Fae Noble

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

untamed wilderness. High fae have no regard for mortal values of honor and law, but they nonetheless operate under inviolable rules of their own: gifts must always be repaid, promises must be honored

other complex games of wits against one another. Most high fae remain secluded deep within the wilds of Eldraine. They draw power from motes of light found throughout the wilds, and they use their

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

Baphomet Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

, the Horned King and the Prince of Beasts. He rules over minotaur;minotaurs and others with savage hearts. He is worshiped by those who want to break the confines of civility and unleash their bestial

natures, for Baphomet envisions a world without restraint, where creatures live out their most savage desires. Cults devoted to Baphomet use mazes and complex knots as their emblems, creating secret

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

you. Suggested Characteristics A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their

. d6 Flaw 1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of

Ancient Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Everything is a complex interaction of forces that must be kept in a delicate and carefully maintained balance. (Neutral) 2 Knowledge. We are the whole of creation, seeking to understand itself

. (Any) 3 Self-Improvement. I am a complex gem, and I constantly polish and refine my many facets to make the whole that much more perfect. (Any) 4 Responsibility. Having knowledge and

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one

it to the surface world. Lost and confused, the wyrmling has been captured by a group of cruel adventurers. 3 A deep dragon wyrmling whimsically rules over a worshipful group of kobolds, sending

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

beauty have little meaning for them. A sharp sword serves a useful and good purpose, while a dull sword is a dead weight without a whetstone. Lizardfolk see little need to plan more than a season or so

Avarice

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Icy Doom. When Avarice dies, her corpse freezes for 9 days, during which time it can’t be thawed, harmed by fire, animated, or raised from the dead. Special Equipment. Avarice wields a staff

challenge, even when the odds are clearly stacked against her. Seeing other wizards as a threat, paranoia rules her life. Avarice has been a member of the Arcane Brotherhood for almost two years. She

Vecna the Archlich

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 22): At will: Animate Dead (as an action), Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Fly, Lightning Bolt

scribe. He spent the better part of his childhood secretly educating himself in his masters’ arts. Once Vecna learned all he could, he massacred the wizards. He then recorded his every foul thought

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to

engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When

suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Golgari, no fear of death or taboo about the dead, just a fierce affirmation of the cycle. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s kit Languages

animate dead, plant growth 4th giant insect, grasping vine 5th cloudkill, insect plague Golgari magic is often accompanied by a sickly green glow and a rotting

Adult Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

"} Ideal 1 Balance. Everything is a complex interaction of forces that must be kept in a delicate and carefully maintained balance. (Neutral) 2 Knowledge. We are the whole of creation

, seeking to understand itself. (Any) 3 Self-Improvement. I am a complex gem, and I constantly polish and refine my many facets to make the whole that much more perfect. (Any) 4

Artificer

classes Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

magic as a complex system waiting to be decoded and then harnessed in their spells and inventions. Becoming an Artificer... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the traits in the Core Artificer Traits

Artificer’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Artificer Features table. See the multiclassing rules in the Player’s Handbook to determine your available spell slots, adding half your

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

; Suggested Characteristics A folk hero is one of the common people, for better or for worse. Most folk heroes look on their humble origins as a virtue, not a shortcoming, and their home communities

1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. 3

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

caverns and complex tunnel systems. As they grow older, they continually renovate their lairs, using their tunneling abilities and command over stone. Sapphire dragons eventually create dizzying

easily accessible entrances or exits at all, and trespassers who do find their way inside must then contend with a maze of corridors, dead ends, and steep inclines. Sapphire Dragon Lair Features The

Inheritor

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

with me to pursue my destiny. d6 Flaw 1 The tyrant who rules my land will stop at nothing to see me killed. 2 I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and

city, especially hard drink. 5 Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. 6 I have trouble trusting in my allies.

Immersive Storytelling

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

against the player’s better judgment, because “that’s what the character would do.” Since combat isn’t the focus, game rules take a back seat to character development. Ability check modifiers and skill

both the characters and the lords have come to terms with their differing outlooks and agendas. This style of gaming is deep, complex, and challenging. The focus isn’t on combat but on negotiations

Chapter 2: Traps Revisited

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

elaborate approach — describing traps in terms of their game mechanics and offering guidance on creating traps of your own using these new rules. Rather than characterize traps as mechanical or magical, these rules separate traps into two other categories: simple and complex.

Chapter 2: Traps Revisited The rules for traps in the Dungeon Master’s Guide provide the basic information you need to manage traps at the game table. The material here takes a different, more

D&D Beyond

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