bitter blessing diffusing combat roles

Nightbringer

Magic Items Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

This heavy mace has a dark oaken handle and a head of blackened steel trimmed with gold. In combat, the mace’s head is wreathed in inky black energy. You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage

attuned to Nightbringer: Blessing of the Dragon Queen. You are immune to the charmed and frightened conditions, and you gain immunity to one of the following damage types (choose when you attune to the

Fury of Kostchtchie

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

, sometimes turn to the worship of the demon lord Kostchtchie. In the myths of these giants, Kostchtchie was once a frost giant of such tremendous might that he slew a demon lord in single combat

strength and ferocious bloodlust. The giants’ muscles expand, their arms extend past their knees, and bitter cold surrounds them. The demon lord’s gifts come at a cost, though, as the giants

Killmoulis

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

Slam. Melee weapon attack: -1;{"diceNotation":"1d20-1","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Slam"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage. Blessing of Bountiful Generosity (1/day

its long nose. In return, it then uses its magic to enhance the travelers' comfort as they rest. A Bitter Reproach. A killmoulis will follow after any party that has provided it with a tasty snack

Animated Coffin

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

False Appearance. If the animated coffin is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the coffin move or act, that

boxes with simple fittings to elaborate, gilded sarcophagi and reverent, fabric-lined caskets. Beyond the City of Doors, animated coffins serve similar—albeit less industrial—roles

Drow Favored Consort

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, including the powerful drow matron mother, takes an attractive drow as consort. Chosen as much for beauty as for magical might, a drow favored consort can hold their own in both conversation and combat

. Combining the roles of advisor, protector, and beloved, some favored consorts are content with a supporting role, while more ambitious consorts aspire to be the power behind the throne—or even to

Duergar Stone Guard

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by

Mouse Tree Nut

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 4 6 5 Despite its overall nutritiousness, the bitter grittiness of the mouse tree nut often precludes it from being eaten as a snack by most folk

Duergar Despot

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their

Duergar Kavalrachni

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying

Ember

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

who serves the Dragon Queen Takhisis. In his service to the Dragon Queen, Ember has taken on many roles at her behest—including that of a black-robed human member of the Mages of High Sorcery

weapon is a molten storm of ash and flame. In combat, Ember wears a set of magic plate armor that bolsters his already-impressive might, allowing him to annihilate entire cohorts with terrifying

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer

; FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND You can always find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. At such

Duergar Soulblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with

Duergar Xarrorn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training

Frost Giant Everlasting One

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"damage","rollAction":"Rock","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage.To hold its place or rise within the ordning, a frost giant must routinely face mighty foes in single combat. Some seek

“blessing” and worship of Vaprak from one generation to the next.ColdVaprak’s Rage (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The giant enters a rage. The rage lasts for 1 minute or until

Isolde

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Fiendish Blessing. The AC of Isolde includes her Charisma bonus. Innate Spellcasting. Isolde’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). Isolde can innately cast the following

known only as “the Caller” to corrupt and slay all of Isolde’s companions, leaving Isolde alone, bitter, and vulnerable. The insidious archfey then befriended Isolde and offered to

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

liking to you. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can

enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in

Duergar Mind Master

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some

Duergar Warlord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some

skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

versatility. Many bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

roles that protect and sustain the tribe. The strongest kobolds are trained to be hunters and warriors, the most clever are crafters and strategists, the toughest are miners and beast-wranglers, and so

tribe is balanced again. In this way, the tribe can quickly repopulate with just a few survivors. Because of these factors, kobolds don’t have assigned gender roles for young or adults. A leader

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

Wildspace Battle

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

: 20 tons Hit Points: 300 Crew: 13 Damage Threshold: 15 Keel/Beam: 250 ft./25 ft. Speed: Fly 30 ft. (3½ mph) Cost: 25,000 gp Using Roles in Combat During each round of combat, a ship has its own turn

and the members of its crew resolve its actions. Actions available to each crew member are dependent upon their assigned roles.

Creature Roles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

Creature Roles Each creature has a role listed next to their challenge rating. Roles are descriptive and most don’t follow special rules—they simply help you build encounters and use the creature

effectively in combat. Ambusher Ambushers are creatures who hide well—not just before an encounter, but during it. They utilize surprise and stealth to gain the upper hand. Artillery Artillery creatures

M6. Performers' Quarters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

in one corner, and flickering lanterns resting here and there. Five performers occupy the room. Two of them pace nervously while the others weep. The actors here perform their roles reluctantly and

Lyn or Bitter End, snares them in her traps. Given a chance, one or more of the actors also share the following information: “Even if Creeping Lyn hates you, it’s still possible to win her favor by

Observatories

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

such as complex telescopes, libraries, mechanical clocks, and magical divinatory aids. An observatory can serve a variety of roles in adventures. Its air of occult mystery makes it an enticing place to

explore, and the kinds of people and monsters attracted to an observatory—sages, eccentrics, and space travelers—make it a great location for roleplaying and combat encounters.

Running for One Player

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

or no longer needed, the character can return to Phandalin and acquire a new one. Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks

are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including things such as setting up camp and carrying gear. Ideally, a sidekick’s abilities should complement those of the main character. For example, a spellcaster makes a good sidekick for a fighter or rogue.

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

Dragonmarked NPCs

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

Dragonmarked NPCs The reach and influence of the dragonmarked houses means that they can play many roles in a campaign. Dragonmarked heirs can be valuable patrons. Dragonmarked villains usually covet

the Bitter Blade in House Deneith squeezes tribute from local towns in exchange for “protection.” 3 An heir of House Ghallanda poisons members of other dragonmarked houses who stay in non-Ghallanda

Divine Intervention

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

on mortal heroes to act like heroes. With those principles in mind, you might have gods intervene in dire situations in one of these ways: Blessings. A god might bestow a Blessing (see “Supernatural

Gifts” in this chapter) to help a character in need. Emissaries. A god might send a Celestial, a Fiend, or some other kind of emissary to aid a character with information, guidance, or combat

Blood Will Tell

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

among orcs react to this stigma by being more brutal than others of their tribe, which can put them in roles of leadership, but outsider half-orcs aren’t welcomed into orc society because they aren’t of

pure orc blood. And they aren’t accepted into other societies because of their orc heritage. Half-orcs are seen as off-putting and intimidating by other people, which is both a blessing and a curse

Fury of Kostchtchie

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

of these giants, Kostchtchie was once a frost giant of such tremendous might that he slew a demon lord in single combat, claimed its Abyssal realm for himself, and now waits for other frost giants to

past their knees, and bitter cold surrounds them. The demon lord’s gifts come at a cost, though, as the giants’ souls slowly burn away to fuel these newfound powers. Over time, the sensation of burning

Build Your Group

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

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

dangerous, so it’s often important for their group to include someone who can physically intervene when situations devolve into combat. The Tough’s role might include fighting criminal thugs, kicking

D&D Beyond

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