better both down count rarely

Warduke

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

better comes along.” Flaw. “I don’t have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Warduke likes to hit things with his sword; it’s as simple as that. League of

Vargouille

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hour, as its head takes on fiendish aspects. The curse doesn’t advance while the target is in sunlight or the area of a daylight spell; don’t count that time. When the cursed target’s

or a dretch, fears vargouilles only if they appear in great numbers. In the Lower Planes, vargouilles rarely get the chance to eat live prey other than vermin. More often, they lap up the ichor left

Grim Champion of Pestilence

Monsters The Book of Many Things

Undead in the Grim Harrow, considering himself better than all of them and unjustly condemned to the Gardens of Decay for an act of altruism. Though the weakest of the Harrow’s three leaders

;rival Jyn for power and together can oppose her. The fact that the three champions rarely agree on anything is a major check on the group’s power. Instead of the Grim Harrow acting as a unified

Claugiyliamatar

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

home and hunting ground of the ancient female green dragon Claugiyliamatar, better known to many as Old Gnawbone. She earned her nickname from her habit of gnawing on old kills, and is often seen

with a mangled corpse hanging from her mouth. Other dragons rarely remain in Kryptgarden Forest for long, because Claugiyliamatar drives them out. Claugiyliamatar rarely meddles in the affairs of small

Claugiyliamatar (possessed)

Monsters Divine Contention

underground city known as Southkrypt. For centuries, Kryptgarden Forest has been the home and hunting ground of the ancient female green dragon Claugiyliamatar, better known to many as Old Gnawbone. She

earned her nickname from her habit of gnawing on old kills, and is often seen with a mangled corpse hanging from her mouth. Other dragons rarely remain in Kryptgarden Forest for long, because

Quavilithku Spyder-Fiend

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

art objects—the more beautiful, the better. The arms hanging below their wolf heads are physically frail but useful for employing tools of destruction or sabotage. Spyder-Fiends Demonic

position. Spyder-fiends loyally serve their general, Miska the Wolf-Spider. While they were rarely seen during Miska’s imprisonment in Pandemonium, they have become increasingly active as Miska

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

feel beholden to stay on good terms with her vile spawn, the hags of the Hourglass Coven.” Flaw. “I don't have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Skylla is not an

Dzaan

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

more dart.Dzaan was a Red Wizard of Thay who studied the arcane tradition of illusion. The leaders of the Arcane Brotherhood welcomed him with open arms, eager to count a Red Wizard among their ranks

effectively becomes a clone of Dzaan, authentic in every way. Companion. Because they’re so despised throughout Faerûn, Red Wizards often adopt disguises and rarely travel abroad without an escort

Mister Light

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

get to know Naeryx better, though it took a while for Naeryx to trust him. After getting his hands on some money, Urmius bought a sad little carnival that was camped on the outskirts of

costume and is rarely seen in public without makeup. He carries around a fancy weather vane given to him by the carnival’s previous owner. He twirls it and waves it around like a fool’s

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age. Goliath Names Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname

goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Goliaths rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

away. Auril instantly reappears in her Auril (Second Form);second form, in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of where her first form disappeared. Her initiative count doesn’t change. Innate

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

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

communities are threatened. Pastoral Pleasantries Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much

loath to make sweeping generalizations—especially negative ones. Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile once in

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

woven hair. The city contains wandering undead, many of which are engaged in continuous battles with one another. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Orcus can take a lair

square that he can see. They last until the next initiative count 20. Each creature in that area when the arms appear must succeed on a DC 23 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the arms

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

The ghastly Wand of Orcus rarely leaves Orcus’s side. The device, as evil as its creator, shares the demon lord’s aims to snuff out the lives of all living things and bind the Material

. 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

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

disappeared. The greater emissary uses the lesser emissary’s initiative count. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual

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

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

ice, whereupon Auril instantly reappears in her Auril (Third Form);third form, in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of where her second form was destroyed. Her initiative count doesn’t change

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

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

useful to a topaz dragon, it shouldn’t count on being safe from the dragon the next time they meet. Topaz dragons rarely go out of their way to fight other creatures, however, with the exception of

dragons rarely tolerate any company but their own, and they are usually indifferent at best even toward their own kind. Moreover, their unpredictability means that even if a creature proves itself

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

the regional effects that encompass the island. While she’s on the island, the Frostmaiden can take one of the following lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties): Auril

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

shouldn’t count on being safe from the dragon the next time they meet. Topaz dragons rarely go out of their way to fight other creatures, however, with the exception of bronze dragons, for whom

intelligent creatures in the dragon’s territory, and desperate locals seek to find out what’s behind the dragon’s wrath. Connected Creatures Topaz dragons rarely tolerate any

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

and worse, so you know you can count on them in a fight. — Brego Stoneheart, sea captain Tritons guard the ocean depths, building small settlements beside deep trenches, portals to the

remote even merfolk and sea elves rarely encounter them. Haughty Nobles As a result of their isolation and limited understanding of the Material Plane, tritons can come across as haughty and

Morkoth Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

core of the warren, where the pearly matter of the island is also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most

to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the morkoth takes a lair action to cause one of the effects described below: The morkoth uses its Hypnosis action, originating

Ancient Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

even if a creature proves itself useful to a topaz dragon, it shouldn’t count on being safe from the dragon the next time they meet. Topaz dragons rarely go out of their way to fight other

. Connected Creatures Topaz dragons rarely tolerate any company but their own, and they are usually indifferent at best even toward their own kind. Moreover, their unpredictability means that

Adult Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

and rarely cultivating connections with other creatures. When they do connect with others, it is most often for intellectual and philosophical pursuits or to fulfill some arcane purpose involving the

their lairs. The challenge rating of a legendary amethyst dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

proves itself useful to a topaz dragon, it shouldn’t count on being safe from the dragon the next time they meet. Topaz dragons rarely go out of their way to fight other creatures, however, with

Creatures Topaz dragons rarely tolerate any company but their own, and they are usually indifferent at best even toward their own kind. Moreover, their unpredictability means that even if a creature

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, or secret backstabbing and outright fights over the title. Most often, the victor in such a struggle comes from another family of the lasher caste, and any allies of the previous boss count themselves

new leader can act as the real boss. If the creature brushes aside such manipulation, the tribe falls into line behind the new tyrant—better to abide the new rule than conspire against it and be

Ancient Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

godhood, perhaps recreating or replacing Sardior. Connected Creatures Amethyst dragons are generally aloof creatures, dwelling in isolation for long periods of time and rarely cultivating

Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can take one of the following lair actions; the dragon can’t take the same lair action two rounds in a row: Beguiling Whisper

Adult Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

illusions, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to

their way to avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your

avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk of the world

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

fragments that make up the island’s core are also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most of the lair

is underwater. A morkoth encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 12 (8,400 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the morkoth can take one of the following

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

mushrooms and plants in neatly organized displays. The challenge rating of a legendary deep dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can take one of the following lair actions; the dragon can’t take the same lair action two rounds in a row: Deep Torpor. The dragon casts the

Designing NPCs

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

Designing NPCs Nothing brings your adventures and campaigns to life better than a cast of well-developed NPCs. That said, NPCs in your game rarely need as much complexity as a well-crafted character

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

taken creatures into its service, its lair doubles as a sacred site wherein the ki-rin not only rests but also teaches of holy mysteries. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties

toward an idealized form. Such creatures are rarely aggressive toward others that aren’t normally prey. Controlled Weather. A ki-rin can cast control weather while it is within 3 miles of its

Difficult Terrain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Difficult Terrain Combat rarely takes place in bare rooms or on featureless plains. Boulder-strewn caverns, briar-choked forests, treacherous staircases — the setting of a typical fight contains

difficult terrain. Every foot of movement in difficult terrain costs 1 extra foot. This rule is true even if multiple things in a space count as difficult terrain. Low furniture, rubble, undergrowth

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