black bad diffusing currents release

Zlan

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

black crystal called chardalyn, fragments of the shattered Crystal Shard. Zlan has leveraged its connection with the shattered Artifact to psychically infest chardalyn, using the crystalline material to

rival and an equal. The Zlan Liches table gives a brief description of each component. Zlan Liches Name History Argent Black Emerged from the Negative Plane, fed on hate and

Olhydra

Monsters Princes of the Apocalypse

in the black depths of vast seas or enthroned among jagged reefs. Olhydra waits for the chance to enter the Material Plane through elemental water nodes or when called by the proper rituals. Whether

— bad weather, strong tides, and increasing aggression from dangerous sea life. Violent downpours become frequent within 10 miles of the lair. A downpour occurs once every 2d12;{"diceNotation

Vinyl Record

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 15 15 15 These black disks are covered in a continuous spiral that moves to the center of the disk—believed to be an ancient and lost way of

recording knowledge. Some sages know how to unlock the messages within the grooves, while many Obojiman potion makers grind or melt these “records” to release the magic they contain. These

Shrieking Greaves

Magic Items The Book of Many Things

Each of these black leg guards is decorated with a motif of monstrous skulls screaming in terror. The greaves have 3 charges. While wearing these greaves, you can use a bonus action to expend 1

magic. You have disadvantage on saving throws against the frightened condition. Whenever you start your turn frightened, the greaves release an ear-piercing scream. You and each creature within 10 feet

Darkweaver

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

experiences, particularly great meals, with the monster. Some might even convince a darkweaver to release them if they promise to return with rare spices or one-of-a-kind meals. Those who manage to

lightless caverns, preferring locations touched by pitch-black planes, such as Pandemonium or the Shadowfell. Darkweavers tend to inhabit isolated sites where they can weave webs of shadow undisturbed. A

Leonin

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

gold to black. While their hands prove as nimble as those of other humanoids, leonin have retractable feline claws, which they can extend instantly. This, along with their ability to produce bone

adversaries—incredibly clever and well-prepared to play a long game but ultimately doomed to lose their games. 4 I’m certain every bad thing that happens can ultimately be blamed on the

War in the Streets

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

as the Black Network) recently tried to ally their organization with the Xanathar Guild. The architect of this attempt was a clone of the wizard Manshoon, a founder of the Black Network long thought

dead. While the two sides were negotiating in Xanathar’s lair, the Stone of Golorr suddenly disappeared from where Xanathar had hidden it. The paranoid beholder accused the Black Network of stealing it

17. Stone Temple Pileup

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

basilisk is disturbed, the centipedes emerge and attack the nearest creature. Treasure. The basilisk clutches a driftglobe. The creature’s claw must be pried open to release the globe. 17b. Desecrated

, remains intact and appears to be made of glistening black stone. (The sheen is due to a black pudding that coats the statue.) The black pudding has 120 hit points and is held in stasis by Halaster’s

Devilish Work Crew

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

character can convince them to parley with a successful DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check. The devils won’t forgive their comrade for his compassion, but the characters could persuade them to release

takes the group to the Tower of Urm. Abyssal Chicken Tiny fiend (demon), chaotic evil Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Hit Points 10 (3d4 + 3) Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (see Bad Flier below

Beshaba

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

Beshaba The Maid of Misfortune, Lady Doom, Black Bess Beshaba is the counterpoint to Tymora and is just as frequently acknowledged in daily life as is her more benevolent “sister.” She is seen as a

cruel and capricious goddess who must be propitiated to avoid attracting her attention and interest in a negative way. Beshaba’s name is invoked when someone is beset by bad luck — which could be as

K56. Cauldron

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

from a fat, black cauldron in the center of this dark, oppressive room. Surrounding the cauldron are several gaunt women in soiled black robes. These witches sit hunched on tall wooden stools, their

tangled hair tucked under black, pointed hats. They take turns tossing ingredients into the cauldron, uttering fell incantations, and cackling maniacally. If the witches know the characters are coming

The Darkening

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Locathah Rising

he opened (Umberlee’s Maw) have created an area in the ocean that acts like a beacon for strong, irregular currents and bad weather. Underwater, the effect manifests as a general darkness in an oddly

Where Next?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

negotiate for his release if the characters capture him. He suggests that it would be most unwise to oppose a duke of Baldur’s Gate without leverage. If the characters decide to attack Vanthampur Villa

, casting darkness spells to confound foes and facilitate escape. Revenge Squad (for 5th-level characters). A black gauntlet of Bane comes after the characters with two reapers of Bhaal and a master of souls, who commands an undead force of six skeletons or four zombies.

9. Boss Hark's Cave

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

with Hark Characters can try to negotiate with Hark instead of attacking him. He agrees to release the remaining villagers if the characters do one of the following things (and leave the goblin lair in

needs the new lock for his treasure chest in area 8. Kill the Blob (see area 3). If the characters provide Hark with proof of the black pudding’s demise, he releases all the villagers into their custody.

Gromph's Inner Sanctum

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

is lit by magic candles and floored in black stone, engraved and inlaid with magical diagrams in silver and gold. A female drow stands in the center of one magic circle, hands resting on her hips

. Behind her, shelves and cabinets hold ceramic pots, glass vials, and other arcane paraphernalia, while a tome bound in black leather lies open on a lectern, its pages covered in spidery glyphs. The only

Bad Time to Be a Zhent

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

Bad Time to Be a Zhent Within days after the events that local broadsheets dub the “Gralhund Villa Bloodbath,” the City Watch cracks down on the Black Network. Even members of the Zhentarim who have

broadsheets jump on the bandwagon by portraying the Black Network in the most unflattering light, thus dealing a crippling blow to the faction’s already questionable reputation. Encounter with Istrid Horn

Snack Sampling

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

, served with toasted crackers 4 Midnight mushroom caps with blinking, phosphorescent spots, stuffed with crumbled cheese 5 Pickled black lotus root that turns the tongue of anyone who eats it purple 6

later, they learn the student was delivered to the infirmary, spent a night there with a bad headache, and recovered by the next morning. A character who succeeds on a DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation

The Golden Stag

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

bring bad luck on the caravan, but no more than two or three people are persuaded. In minutes, the hunt is on, and the deer herd scatters into the nearby forest and through farmers’ fields. The

believes that a wizard somewhere can release him from the curse, but wherever he goes, people try to kill him for his golden coat. If the characters allow him to accompany them and protect him, he

The Golden Stag

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

bring bad luck on the caravan, but no more than two or three people are persuaded. In minutes, the hunt is on, and the deer herd scatters into the nearby forest and through farmers’ fields. The

. He believes that a wizard somewhere can release him from the curse, but wherever he goes, people try to kill him for his golden coat. If the characters allow him to accompany them and protect him, he

T4. Antechamber

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

stones, and make sure no one disturbs the Delvers, who are entombed here. The Believers watch the moving stones carefully, because it’s a bad sign when they move, and they have to figure out what it

the characters release Braelen, he tries to go back to the surface through the tunnel in area T1. Chains. Fastened to iron bars here are chains to the cages in area T3. Characters can raise a fallen

12. Divination Pool

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

can fill the basin in area 5 and release the sluice quickly enough, the water pours into the pool before it has a chance to evaporate. Alternatively, the pool can be activated with a flask of holy water

, which is not subject to the mummy lord’s lair effects. When any water hits the pool, it spreads out and flares with a black light. Any character who received Ilda’s warning (or who remembers the

53. Crypt of the Sun Queen

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

carrying spears and ornate jugs. The ceiling is painted to look like a clear blue sky. A small bejeweled cockroach rests atop a sarcophagus of black basalt in the middle of the room. A two-foot-diameter

queen, chose not to flee, and instead offered herself as a sacrifice in exchange for the release of her people. Acererak was impressed by the queen’s courage — not enough to spare her life or honor her

12. Divination Pool

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

can fill the basin in area 5 and release the sluice quickly enough, the water pours into the pool before it has a chance to evaporate. Alternatively, the pool can be activated with a flask of holy water

, which is not subject to the mummy lord’s lair effects. When any water hits the pool, it spreads out and flares with a black light. Any character who received Ilda’s warning (or who remembers the

Talking Snakes

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

leads to the realm of an apocalyptic god known as Dendar the Night Serpent. If the Night Serpent emerges, she will devour the world. Her yuan-ti followers are searching for a relic called the Black Opal

releasing her. Ubtao has since withdrawn from the world, leaving no one to guard against Dendar’s release. Ras Nsi, one of Ubtao’s fallen champions, has joined forces with the yuan-ti and become

6. Captive Balor

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

black sphere holds the demon in place, and appears to be slowly draining away its essence. The balor Tarnhem is bound here by the magic of Acererak, who has fashioned a device from a sphere of

(area 14), and then set the controls in area 5 to release him. To convince them to do so, the fiend promises anything within his power. As a show of good faith, he can relate how to safely open the

Lost Treasures

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

items when the characters leave the tomb is discussed below. Relics of the Past Acererak placed four treasures in the tomb as lures: the Black Opal Crown, the Eye of Zaltec, the Navel of the Moon

, and the Skull Chalice of Ch’gakare. These items can be kept, sold to interested buyers, or returned to their rightful owners. Black Opal Crown (Area 49). The yuan-ti of Omu are after this treasure. If

Kostchtchie's Maw

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

that prevent him from casting spells, Kostchtchie squats in a 10-foot-deep, 80-foot-diameter pool of black tar in a cavern at the bottom of a chasm, his hands chained behind him. His unholy screams and

glares at a character and bellows, “FREE ME!” or “BRING ME MY HAMMER!” in Giant first and Abyssal second. If that fails to garner the desired reaction, Kostchtchie resorts to using telepathy to contact the nearest character, demanding its immediate release while offering nothing in return.

Commerce

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

. Smuggling has also long been a profitable business here. The dwarven mining operation promises to bring about a rapid growth in Saltmarsh’s fortunes. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing depends on

have all helped fuel a bustling local black market. Some fishing boats meet ships at sea to load and unload illegal goods, while other cartels conduct business at isolated points along the shore near

The Zhentarim

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

The Zhentarim Members of the shadowy Black Network consider themselves part of an extended family, and rely on the larger organization for resources and security. The Zhentarim recognizes and

knows that demons at large in the world are bad for business. The organization thus views the possible presence of the demon lords in the Underdark with the same concern as any other external threat

24. Potion Brewery

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

24. Potion Brewery Cauldron. Fire erupts from a hole in the middle of the floor. Floating 1 foot above the fire is a hefty iron cauldron big enough for a person to hide in. A plume of black smoke

the brewing of potions. A wooden ladder on rollers is attached to a rail mounted above the shelves. This demilich is all that remains of Branta Myntion, a wizard who fell in with a bad crowd. Her

Delerium Crystal Legacy

Equipment