birth before dark compound readily

Gaj

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

silt and lying in wait, lurking in dark caves, or perching on natural stone ledges, where they blend in with their surroundings. Gaj have no language, but they have the magical ability to understand the

speech of other creatures. A gaj’s head is a spongy globe about 2 feet in diameter, with three feathery antennae protruding from the top. Spaced around the head are six compound eyes, and six

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

and its siblings inherit whatever tools, weapons, and gifts their parents left behind. Each young tortle is expected to fend for itself. It leaves the place of its birth and finds its own corner of the

dozen) in a fortified compound enclosed by stone walls that are easily defensible. If no such compound exists, they build one. The parents spend the remainder of their lives guarding the compound

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats

the Inner Sea, the Mulan are generally tall, slim, and amber-skinned, with eyes of hazel or brown. Their hair ranges from black to dark brown, but in the lands where the Mulan are most prominent, nobles

Kalashtar Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

-Lashtavar. —Lakashtai, servant of the light The kalashtar are a compound race created from the union of humanity and renegade spirits from the plane of dreams — spirits called quori

for any noble cause. 10 You are obsessed with Dreaming Dark conspiracies. Hunted by Nightmares The virtuous spirits tied to the kalashtar fled from the dream-realm of Dal Quor to escape

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

skills. This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might

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

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began to corrupt him. Imperfections. The Abbot's fall from grace started when the Belviews—a family of sickly

present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor Belviews of their lingering imperfections. The Belview family, however, had strange ideas of what it

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods, debased their flesh by

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every

effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to. Baldur

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

accustomed to a variety of different people. GENASI ON ATHAS Although any world that includes one or more elemental planes can feature genasi, on Athas, the world of the Dark Sun campaign setting

Life of a Tortle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation Supplement

tools, weapons, and gifts their parents left behind. Each young tortle is expected to fend for itself. It leaves the place of its birth and finds its own corner of the wilderness in which to hunt, catch

skills. When a tortle nears the end of its natural lifespan, it seeks out a mate and procreates. Tortles lay their eggs (numbering as few as one or as many as a dozen) in a fortified compound enclosed

Dark Gifts

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

made at a forgotten shrine? Did you bargain with a voice whispering from a mirror, the sea, or the Mists? Does the Dark Gift compound with your other character choices to reinforce your unique origin

Dark Gifts The Dark Powers influence many who struggle within their clutches, tempting both the innocent and ambitious with whispered promises. These sinister bargains are rarely spoken, coming in

Birth of a Darklord

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

Birth of a Darklord Upon the completion of the Darklord’s greatest irredeemable act, the Mists drag them—and perhaps the lands around them—into the Domains of Dread. At this point, you should have an

idea of who your Darklord is, what they did, what form their evil takes, and how they came to the attention of the Dark Powers. Flesh out these details, referring back to how the Darklord reflects

Genasi Names

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

. GENASI ON ATHAS Although any world that includes one or more elemental planes can feature genasi, on Athas, the world of the Dark Sun campaign setting, elemental forces hold greater sway than they do

on other worlds. As a people touched by elemental power, genasi are viewed as seers, prophets, and chosen ones. The birth of a genasi, whether a slave, a noble, or a member of a desert tribe, is an auspicious event. Most Athasians believe a given genasi is destined for greatness — or infamy.

Yartar

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

). Reason to Visit. The “Dark Dealings in Yartar” side trek (chapter 6) brings the characters here. More broadly, characters affiliated with the Lords’ Alliance can readily receive support in Yartar, and Harpers and Zhentarim can get aid, too, if they’re discreet and know how to contact an agent in town.

Strahd's Vistani Servants

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

serve Strahd are less lively and friendly than normal Vistani, and their hearts are poisoned with dark intentions. Strahd uses them to lure adventurers into his domain and keep him informed about the

events occurring in lands beyond his reach. These Vistani will lie to protect the vampire, and they fear the consequences of disobeying him. When it comes to sharing information about their dark

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order to replenish the casualties of their endless warring

, orcs breed prodigiously (and they aren’t choosy about what they breed with, which is why such creatures as half-orcs and ogrillons are found in the world). Females that are about to give birth are

The Carnival

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

The Carnival Wandering Domain of Wonders Darklord: Nepenthe Genres: Body horror and dark fantasy Hallmarks: Entertainment, fey bargains, misfits, wandering exiles Mist Talismans: Carnival flier

. Visibly marked as outsiders by birth, circumstance, intention, or talent, the Carnival’s troupers trade their unique performances for coin and whatever else they need to survive. Although these

Hag Names

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

Hag Names Hags have whimsical names, often with a dark twist. A hag gives her newborn daughter a name that the girl keeps during her childhood, but upon gaining her full hag powers the daughter

chooses her own name, which might or might not relate to her birth name. Some hags use different names in different guises, but still prefer their original name as their favorite. The Hag Names table

Tragic Flaws

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

flaw can also be supernatural in nature. A hermit who harbors “dark, bloodthirsty thoughts that my isolation and meditation failed to quell” might have a sinister connection to the vicious god Mogis

. NATAL OMENS The birth of a hero is often accompanied by signs in Nyx and Theros alike. You can use the Omens table in chapter 4 to randomly determine an omen that appeared when you were born. It’s up to you and your DM to determine the omen’s meaning.

The Yawning Portal

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

dark room at the bottom of the 140-foot shaft (level 1, area 1). Durnan charges adventurers 1 gp each to descend into the well, whether they opt to use the rope or not. The return trip also costs a piece

of gold, sent up in a bucket in advance. He also readily accepts coin from patrons who want to place grisly bets on adventurers who dare explore Undermountain, and their odds of returning alive

Gaj

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Boo’s Astral Menagerie

under sand or silt and lying in wait, lurking in dark caves, or perching on natural stone ledges, where they blend in with their surroundings. Gaj have no language, but they have the magical ability to

understand the speech of other creatures. A gaj’s head is a spongy globe about 2 feet in diameter, with three feathery antennae protruding from the top. Spaced around the head are six compound eyes, and

Netherese Necropolis

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

that has become suffused with demonic magic can warp a creature’s mind, causing madness that usually fades away once the contact is broken. Chardalyn is cold to the touch and readily accepts

left his mark on Icewind Dale, Netherese wizards created their own chardalyn. Many items made from this dark-colored crystal can be found in the ruins of ancient Netherese enclaves. Four members of

House of the All-Seeing Orb

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

Tashlutans claim to have some amount of skill with personal prognostication. One of the most notable sights in Tashluta, the House of the All-Seeing Orb is an immense compound dedicated to the study of

carrying tomes or mysterious-looking magic devices, bustle about the immense compound. The largest building is patterned with inscribed eyes. A larger, more detailed eye is carved above the building’s

Rudolph van Richten

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

with the knowledge they need to confront the dark. Though he’s made many devoted allies, he keeps them at arm’s length, fearing the threat of his curse. When not traveling, van Richten lives out of his

from my enemies.” Flaw. “I am cursed. I will never find peace.” Adventures with Rudolph van Richten Van Richten readily provides mentorship to characters devoted to fighting the creatures of the night

Lone Faithful

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

accident of their birth as a kind of cruel joke they have chosen to embrace. Equally intriguing and disturbing to followers of some faiths in Faerûn are stories spread by tieflings who claim to have

visions in which the gods of Faerûn appear to them modeled in the tieflings’ own image. One such is the entity they call the “pale horned goddess of the moon” (Selûne); another is the “dark, devilish

Humans Transformed

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

serpent gods of the primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods

advisor in human society. The very rare offspring of such a union are always purebloods, although they may appear fully human at birth and for several years afterward. The yuan-ti know rituals that

Banderhobb

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

. A banderhobb fulfills its duties until its existence ends. When it expires, usually several days after its birth, it leaves behind only tarry goo and wisps of shadow. Legends tell of a dark tower in

Banderhobb A banderhobb is a hybrid of shadow and flesh. Through dark magic, these components take on an enormous and vile humanoid shape, resembling a bipedal toad. In this form, a banderhobb

Redcap

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

hags and dark mages that know methods to call redcaps out of the Feywild and put them to work as grisly servants. Also, some redcaps can sense the being whose murderous acts led to their birth. A redcap

The Abbot

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

reopened the abbey and began tending to the physically and mentally ill. In so doing, he hoped to bring some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began

for which they were eternally grateful, but could not cure them of certain human defects that had been present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor

Death Knight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Death Knight When a paladin that falls from grace dies without seeking atonement, dark powers can transform the once-mortal knight into a hateful undead creature. A death knight is a skeletal warrior

swept the land. When Isolde gave birth to a son, Soth refused to believe that the child was his and slew them both. All were incinerated in a fire that swept through the castle, yet Soth would find no rest in death, becoming a death knight.

Hags

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

Motherhood. Hags propagate by snatching and devouring human infants. After stealing a baby from its cradle or its mother’s womb, the hag consumes the poor child. A week later, the hag gives birth to a

also return the child to its grieving parents, only to watch from the shadows as the child grows up to become a horror. Dark Bargains. Arrogant to a fault, hags believe themselves to be the most

Draegloth

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

family’s rivals, which were not thus gifted. The birth prompts the leaders of the house to begin crafting new plans to strike at its rivals when the draegloth is fully grown. These plans always use

suppress its ambitions might abandon its house and strike out on its own. Whether these rebellious draegloths are part of Lolth’s plan for sowing even greater chaos is unclear. Brute Cunning and Dark

Mausoleum: Winter

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

Brandath family is an old one. Lord Dagult Neverember married into it for its wealth, and Lady Brandath gave birth to his son, Renaer. It’s a dark irony that Neverember entrusted the location of his

The Dark Seldarine

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

The Dark Seldarine Lolth demands the lion’s share of worship from the drow, according to her wishes and by the command of her priestesses. The Spider Queen isn’t, however, the only entity venerated

by drow. They revere a host of divine entities, which they refer to as the Dark Seldarine in mockery of the surface elves’ deities. The Dark Seldarine are mighty, immortal beings, survivors from the

The Monastery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

feels quite right. Over long years, the monastery has drawn hundreds of dark recruits to its hidden location, through both whispered rumor and dark outreach to criminals seeking refuge from the law

the control room of area M8). They readily direct characters toward the Grand Master in the central abbey (area M3). If the monks are harassed, or if the characters spend too much time exploring on

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