birth before descent called race

Undercity Medusa

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

medusas of Ravnica, often called gorgons, are a monstrous race of creatures that appear superficially similar to human women. In place of hair, a gorgon has a writhing mass of black, serpentine

Oath of the Ancients Legacy

Classes Player’s Handbook (2014)

The Oath of the Ancients is as old as the race of elves and the rituals of the druids. Sometimes called fey knights, green knights, or horned knights, paladins who swear this oath cast their lot with

Dragonborn Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

proudly through a world that greets them with fearful incomprehension. Shaped by draconic gods or the dragons themselves, dragonborn originally hatched from dragon eggs as a unique race, combining the

self-improvement reflects the self-sufficiency of the race as a whole. Dragonborn value skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail, and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they

Sorcerer Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

unpredictable. Some draconic bloodlines produce exactly one sorcerer in every generation, but in other lines of descent every individual is a sorcerer. Most of the time, the talents of sorcery appear as

birth, or a taste of the water from a mysterious spring might spark the gift of sorcery. So too might the gift of a deity of magic, exposure to the elemental forces of the Inner Planes or the maddening

Baba Lysaga

Monsters Curse of Strahd

witches, Lysaga recently uncovered a potential threat to Strahd: a secret society of wereravens called the Keepers of the Feather, a group that uses ordinary ravens as their spies. Strahd doesn’t

winery (chapter 12), and she has begun to wage war against it. In addition, she has forged an alliance with the mad druids that haunt Yester Hill (chapter 14), convincing them that she gave birth to

Githyanki

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

psionic powers and built a great city called Tu’narath. They have since spread throughout the multiverse, starting in outposts outside the Astral Plane, called creches, where time passes and their

astral clouds. Githyanki who reside in the Astral Plane can live indefinitely. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical

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

flowing through their veins manifests differently in each genasi, often as magical power. Seen in silhouette, a genasi can usually pass for human. Those of earth or water descent tend to be heavier

Aarakocra

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

;and were imbued with a measure of their masters’ power over winds. Their descendants still command echoes of that power. From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called

At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation

Shifter

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Shifters are sometimes called weretouched, as they are descendants of people who contracted full or partial lycanthropy. Humanoids with a bestial aspect, shifters can’t fully change shape, but

race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When determining your character’s ability

Hexblood

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

before their birth. Many hexbloods turn to lives of adventure, seeking to discover the mysteries of their magic, to forge a connection with their fey natures, or to avoid a hag that obsesses over them

unusual crown, often called an eldercross or a witch’s turn. This living, garland-like part of a hexblood’s body extends from their temples and wraps behind the head, serving as a visible

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race, Many Forms The bodies of all

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

Changeling

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

on the spur of the moment, with no depth or history—is called a mask. A mask can be used to express a mood or to serve a specific purpose and then might never be used again. However, many

level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability

Centaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

freedom to travel. As much as they can, centaurs run — in wide plazas, spacious parks, and expanses of rubble and ruin. They race the wind, hooves thundering and tails streaming behind them

the laboratories of the Simic. Centaurs celebrate life and growth, and the birth of a foal is always cause for festivities. At the same time, they revere the traditions of the past, and among both

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

then passing through the shadow of That-Which-Endures changed them forever. Now the newest race to call Faerûn home, the verdan do their best to find their way in an unfamiliar world

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other people

tall and have green or brown eyes, but these traits are hardly universal. Humans of Chondathan descent dominate the central lands of Faerûn, around the Inner Sea. Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin

Arasta

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

in an enormous, gnarled olive tree called Enorasi, which was planted millennia ago by Klothys. It is said that those who eat of its fruit can see glimpses of the future. Eating the fruit brings with

touching her webs. Each creature restrained by a web or Arasta’s Web of Hair must make a DC 21 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, Arasta gains knowledge of a creature’s name, race

Giff

Species Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

own, which giff have learned to channel through their weapons. Most giff have no idea where this so-called astral spark comes from, but they feel its presence most strongly when they are in Wildspace

character is a member of the human race or one of the game’s fantastical races. If you create a character using a race option presented here, follow these additional rules during character creation

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; entire society forever stands prepared for war. Brutal Civility Hobgoblins hold themselves to high standards of military honor. The race has a long history of shared traditions, recorded and retold

gods unique to their race, the only survivors of a pantheon that was decimated by Maglubiyet so long ago that hobgoblins don’t remember the names of the fallen. Nomog-Geaya is the greater of the

New Race: Verdan

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

New Race: Verdan The verdan owe their existence to chaos. Descended and transformed from a large clan of goblins and hobgoblins, those who became the verdan were simply living their lives, doing

goblinoid things. But then passing through the shadow of That-Which-Endures changed them forever. Now the newest race to call Faerûn home, the verdan do their best to find their way in an unfamiliar world

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

centipede;giant centipedes. The called creatures arrive in 1d4;{"diceNotation":"1d4","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Children of the Night"} rounds, acting as allies of Keresta and obeying her spoken

(god of birth and renewal) in Waterdeep. She also has her sights set on destroying the House of the Moon — Waterdeep's temple of Selûne, whom she blames for the destruction of Vanrak Moonstar.A Vampire's

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

course, you followed an equally long route when you came north from your place of birth. Though it isn’t unusual for Zakharans to visit the southern extremes of Faerûn for trading purposes, few

subterranean cities or settlements, you are probably a member of the race that occupies the place—but you might also have grown up there after being captured and brought below when you were a child

Something New

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

Something New The characters learn that a Krezkite woman named Dimira Yolensky (LG female human noncombatant) is about to give birth. A local midwife named Kretyana Dolvof (LG female human commoner

) is summoned to the mother’s cottage to deliver the newborn. In the absence of a priest, the burgomaster’s wife, Anna Krezkova, is called upon to supervise the blessed event and offer prayers for the

Raw Magic

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

draconic bloodlines produce exactly one sorcerer in every generation, but in other lines of descent every individual is a sorcerer. Most of the time, the talents of sorcery appear as apparent flukes. Some

sorcerers can’t name the origin of their power, while others trace it to strange events in their own lives. The touch of a demon, the blessing of a dryad at a baby’s birth, or a taste of the water from

Raw Magic

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

draconic bloodlines produce exactly one sorcerer in every generation, but in other lines of descent every individual is a sorcerer. Most of the time, the talents of sorcery appear as apparent flukes. Some

sorcerers can’t name the origin of their power, while others trace it to strange events in their own lives. The touch of a demon, the blessing of a dryad at a baby’s birth, or a taste of the water from

Race For The Crab Temple

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Race For The Crab Temple An adventure for Level 3 characters THESHARN INQUISITIVE RIVALS RACE TO WRETCHED RUIN Not one but two expeditions from Morgrave University launch this week to explore the

so-called Crab Temple, discovered last month near Stormreach. Which team will be the first to cross the deadly Straits of Shargon, cut through the jungles of the Skyfall Peninsula, and discover the great crab’s secrets?

Birthplace

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

you know about your parents.) Once you have a result, roll percentile dice. On a roll of 00, a strange event coincided with your birth: the moon briefly turning red, all the milk within a mile spoiling

81–82 Brothel, tavern, or inn 83–84 Castle, keep, tower, or palace 85 Sewer or rubbish heap 86–88 Among people of a different race 89–91 On board a boat or a ship 92–93 In a prison or in the

Scholarly Missions

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

dedicated to finding out. 4 Historical Research. Your team’s work involves learning more about Eberron’s long history. 5 Radical Engineering. The birth of a new race wasn’t the peak of magical and

Dwarves

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

raw materials around them and thereby unlock the beauty that hides within. Moradin is also worshiped as the All-Father, in acknowledgment of his role as the progenitor of the dwarven race. In this

aspect as well, he is credited not only for the birth of the dwarves but for fostering in them a deep appreciation for clan and family. He demonstrates how dwarf parents should raise their children

Noble

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

company of guards, as well as servants who are commoners. The noble’s statistics can also be used to represent courtiers who aren’t of noble birth. Noble Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment

Adult Moonstone Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of an arcanaloth seeking a powerful Feywild artifact. 5 An adult moonstone dragon attempts to help a beholder worried that its dreams will soon give birth to a rival beholder. 6 Members of

moonstone dragon is called upon to discipline a group of moonstone dragon wyrmling;moonstone dragon wyrmlings that rampaged through a Fey noble’s territory. 8 An adult moonstone dragon has amassed

Childhood

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

to usher a child into the world. They cannot understand how a birth is both a joy and a sorrow, a reunion and a parting. Each birth represents an elf soul that has been to Arvandor and returned

numbers of elves will be needed to withstand. In contrast, if an elven community goes a century or longer without a new birth, members take this as a sign that the community has stagnated and must disband

Sidekick Stat Blocks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

Sidekick Stat Blocks A sidekick’s game statistics are presented in a box called a stat block, which is essentially a mini character sheet. A stat block contains things like ability scores and hit

points, as well as the actions a sidekick is most likely to take in combat. Like any character, a sidekick can use the action options in the combat rules. These stat blocks work with any character race

Character Creation

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

a hero. That’s not to say I’m the greatest hero or would even be remembered once I fell, but I would not turn away being called “Aesrias, the hero.” I am stronger than others of my age and have always

makes a hero? Is it a quality of birth that sets some mortals above others? Is it a blessing from the gods? Is it a matter of fate, spun out in the strands of a divine tapestry, charting the course of a

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Gang Mentality Since bugbears aren’t a particularly fecund race, their overall population is small and spread over a wide area. Bugbears live in family groups that operate much like gangs. The

remove opposition or exile weaker or unpopular members to keep the rest of the gang strong. Fortunately for the race as a whole, even young and elderly bugbears have the ability to survive alone in the

Age of Trax

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

Age of Trax Human history vaguely recalls an era just before the birth of modern human civilization, called the Age of Trax. This semi-mythical era, nestled several centuries back in the fog of

historical memory, is marked by the rule of supernatural beings called archons. The archons of Trax are said to have come from unknown lands to the north and established a heavy-handed rule over the

D&D Beyond

Search Results