better before defeated construct relatively

Soul Shaker

Monsters Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

. If defeated, a soul shaker disperses into several skittering, animate limbs. The terror can only truly be vanquished by destroying these disembodied appendages. If more than one of these pieces

escape, the soul shaker reforms over the course of days and begins hunting once more.PoisonNecroticConsume Vitality. The soul shaker targets a creature it is grappling. If the target is not a Construct or

Strahd's Animated Armor

Monsters Curse of Strahd

, or sleep. The magic that animates an object is dispelled when the construct drops to 0 hit points. An animated object reduced to 0 hit points becomes inanimate and is too damaged to be of much use

number of permanent spell effects on it to make the armor a better castle defender. The armor understands Common but obeys only the commands of its master. Lightning, PoisonCold, Fire

Razorvine Blight

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

on a successful one. If at least one of the creatures that failed this save isn’t a Construct or an Undead, the blight regains 9 hit points.Travelers of Sigil and the Lower Planes take care to

dangerous, in Sigil they sometimes mimic the behaviors of the city’s other inhabitants—for better or worse. At least one blight, known as Patch, spreads copies of itself across the city, creating a spy network of copies with mysterious goals.

Vampiric Mist

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Life Sense. The mist can sense the location of any creature within 60 feet of it, unless that creature’s type is Construct or Undead. Forbiddance. The mist can’t enter a residence

undetected to bleed their victims dry. Vampiric mists, sometimes called crimson mists, are all that remain of vampires who couldn’t return to their burial places after being defeated or suffering

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs

slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater form does the star spawn die. After finishing a long rest, a greater star spawn emissary regains

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

skin, especially around the head and neck. Their wings are attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels

":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe, and how they see the

there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and title from those who

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

wings are attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in

"} 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

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale

, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to

current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

for one last chance to win back the goodwill you’ve drunk away. 5 You once defeated a raging bugbear with a hand mirror, a mounted deer’s head, and two kicks to the groin. Later, 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 home communities

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale from the rest of the world, and a shroud of mist

after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however, Auril is reborn at full strength during the next winter

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

learned to laugh. You use this talent in response to all emotional situations, to better fit in with your comrades. 6 You still don’t understand how metaphors work. That doesn’t stop

notable deeds or actions. For example, Garurt translates as “axe,” a name given to a lizardfolk warrior who defeated an orc and claimed his foe’s weapon. A lizardfolk who likes to

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

discuss how they might reunite and restore Sardior, the Ruby Dragon. 2 A horde of revenant;revenants led by a death knight has one goal—destroying the ancient sapphire dragon who defeated

top of the map) provides the main access to the lair by way of two sections of relatively thin crystal walls. The dragon can use a lair action to open or close passages through these walls throughout

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. Suggested Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe

. 3 Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and

Fleeing with the Heart

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Fleeing with the Heart If the characters had a relatively easy time getting their hands on Jhaeros’s heart, use the following encounter to complicate their escape. Two ashen knights mounted on ashen

knights, two ashen shambling mounds take shape and join the fray against the heroes. Once these forces are defeated, the characters can conclude their business with Naevys.

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in knowledge of

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 another, and

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

attached to their front legs and can fold in close to the body, allowing deep dragons to easily maneuver through relatively narrow tunnels. Deep dragons often hoard secrets, delighting in knowledge

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 another

Medium Armor

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

better armor. Chain Shirt. Made of interlocking metal rings, a chain shirt is worn between layers of clothing or leather. This armor offers modest protection to the wearer's upper body and allows the sound

relatively unprotected, this armor provides good protection for the wearer's vital organs while leaving the wearer relatively unencumbered. Half Plate. Half plate consists of shaped metal plates that

The Sky

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

The Sky Flying characters can move from one place to another in a relatively straight line, ignoring terrain and monsters that can’t fly or that lack ranged attacks. Flying by spell or magic item

. Mounts that don’t tire (such as a flying construct) aren’t subject to this limitation. As adventurers travel through the air, check for random encounters as you normally would. Ignore any result that

What Happens Next?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

What Happens Next? Once the characters have defeated Murgaxor’s guardians, they might be tempted to run into the fortress’s basement immediately. Taking a short rest beforehand might be the wiser

course of action, but doing so kills the narrative momentum and might not feel right to your players. To give the characters a better chance of success, provide them with the benefits of a short rest

First Blood

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

First Blood After the last veteran is defeated or once the veterans stand down, read the following: A tall elf woman wearing a sumptuous gown appears at the mouth of the alley, shaking her head

their overzealousness. Seeing how you handle yourselves, though, I might be able to better apologize with an offer of employment.” The woman introduces herself as Madame Samira Arah, the newest member of Zinda’s ruling council, the Kings of Coin (see the “Zinda Gazetteer” section).

Lords and Their Thralls

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

Lords and Their Thralls While the demons fight for domination among their own kind in the Abyss, the Material Plane is the most fertile ground for demons to acquire followers. Even a relatively weak

better able to pursue the demon’s goal in the world. Sects dedicated to the worship of the various demon lords are spread across the mortal worlds of the multiverse as well as the Abyss. In return for

Dissecting the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Khorvaire, the Flotket Alps of Wildemount, or some other mountain range while preserving the plot elements. You can also strip out the story about an evil duergar building a dragon construct and have

the duergar doing something else instead. Alternatively, you could jettison everything but the map of the fortress, populating it with new creatures that better suit your campaign. Sometimes a good map is all a DM needs!

Darklake District

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Darklake District The Darklake District gives an illusion of openness. The streets are relatively wide to allow for merchant carts and wagons to pass, and the buildings aren’t as crowded around

restricted to the Darklake District, and the characters have better luck asking other outsiders for directions rather than trying to engage the duergar locals. They are directed to the Blade Bazaar if

Level 7: Maddgoth's Castle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

monsters on this level. Award XP for these creatures as if the characters had defeated them in combat. The level is named after a miniature, one-twelfth-scale fortress in one of its caverns. This

adventurers first arrive, but he might show up later (see “Aftermath”). Most creatures are reduced to one-twelfth their normal size as they approach Maddgoth’s castle, enabling them to better fit inside

Vidorant's Offer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

a moment, perhaps I can make you a better offer?” If the characters refuse to hear her deal, Vidorant attacks them. If they agree to listen to her deal, she continues speaking: “I could try to

dispatch you—and I might succeed—but more thieves will keep trying to interfere with my business. Instead, what if you went back and told everyone my vault was impenetrable and I thoroughly defeated you

Dragonspear Castle

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

expressed a desire to seek shelter there. As I tell them at such times, it is better to seek shelter inside an opened tomb in these lands, and crawl in to huddle among the warrior dead within, than to seek

Waterdeep and Baldur’s Gate once more attacked. This time, they defeated the devils, leaving the castle ruined and still cloaked in mists. At least one other time since then, the devils have punched back

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat. In a couple of situations, kobolds might

, since food is relatively scarce in such areas. Partly out of fear and partly because their eyes are sensitive to sunlight, kobolds prefer the security of a cave to living in the open air, and can be

Enemies Everywhere

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

Enemies Everywhere Elder brains seek stability and safety for their colonies, and a colony can remain in a relatively peaceful state for decades if it can evade discovery while it acquires food. Two

suitable spot, its followers construct a new lair while it transforms into an elder brain. Although a creature as arrogant and ambitious as an elder brain might resent an ulitharid’s rise, it understands

Developments

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

She shall return!” As with the first assault on the adventurers, try to ensure that if the attackers are defeated, at least one escapes to report the outcome of the battle. Most easily, the dragon can

it’s already used that power, it simply flees, intending to regroup with other survivors later. Because the yugoloths are mercenaries, the characters can attempt to buy them off with a better offer

It's Just Business

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

. What better way to think of the big bad monster at the center of a web of even bigger and badder plans than as the CEO of a megacorporation, using every resource to dominate the market? What is an

these hired helpers to prominence for their importance to the campaign story. And, of course, for comic effect. When the characters are relatively low level, an Acquisitions Incorporated style of play can

Final Confrontations

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

characters a better chance against the raiders. For their part, the Uthgardt, despite portentous visions, are unwilling to perish to serve Javor. If they suffer significant losses, including either

Wiggan’s guilt. Wiggan is even braver if Bertram is there to help him. Watson might try to stop an open battle, but he is unwilling to fight his relatives. If defeated but left alive, Wiggan can be coerced into telling the truth. The party has to promise to let him live to get him to talk.

Gith Tables

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

Zar’ryth Githyanki Personality Traits d4 Trait 1 When I’m bored I make my own excitement, and I’m always bored. 2 I treat others as if they were animals that simply don’t know any better. 3 Violence is

they keep. 2 Power. The weak rule the strong. 3 Duty. It is by Vlaakith’s will alone that I act. 4 Freedom. No strong soul should be enslaved. Better to die first than live as another’s puppet

H'Catha Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

veteran. Despite having one of her wing flaps torn away long ago, she remains as capable as ever while on board a ship. Spelljammer Academy has no better person to spearhead the training of raw recruits

they hail. Although relatively inexperienced in comparison to some of the other instructors at the academy, Saerthe is an experienced spelljammer. Their eyes shimmer like pools of quicksilver, allowing

D&D Beyond

Search Results