bond believe diffusing cunning rule

Shadowmoor Expert

Backgrounds Lorwyn: First Light

, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoor’s merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and bravery

. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length isn’t just practical— it’s often a matter of life or death.

Fist of Bane

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as needed to ensure loyalty. They enslave those too weak to resist them and shower the strong with

gifts and promises of power to turn them into loyal vassals. Cruel Tyrants. Whenever Bane’s followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They

Iron Consul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

immediately use its reaction to make one melee attack.Bane’s devoted followers are warriors who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as

followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They stamp out all opposition while richly rewarding those who swear fealty. Warrior Cult. Cultists of

Derro Raider

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

indiscriminately raid settlements and rob travelers regardless of the apparent value of any goods they steal. These derro believe such acts are sanctioned by their despicable god, Diirinka, who delights in

others escaped the rule of mind flayer;mind flayers. The mind flayers’ psionic power eventually transformed these forsaken dwarves into Aberrations. You can learn more about derro in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.

Mev Flintknapper

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Stone Camouflage. The gnome has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky terrain. Gnome Cunning. The gnome has advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws

professional fighters that take up arms for pay or to protect something they believe in or value. Their ranks include soldiers retired from long service and warriors who never served anyone but themselves.

Orlekto

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

to eliminate Hekaton or Serissa presents itself, Orlekto seizes it. Until then, he conceals his treacherous nature. Ideal: “Storm giants should rule the world. Weak leaders have let dragons and

others steal what the gods gave to us!” Bond: “I serve Princess Mirran and her alone.” Flaw: “For Mirran’s love or my revenge, I’d betray my king and my honor.”Lightning, ThunderCold

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the histories of

some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers’ psionic

Narth Tezrin

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

Cunning Action. On each of his turns, Narth can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4;{"diceNotation":"1d20+4","rollType":"to hit

ran off and never returned. Ideal: “The bigger the risk, the greater the reward.” Bond: “I adore my colleague Alaestra, and I’d like to do something to impress her.” Flaw: “I’ll risk life and limb to become a legend.”

Miros Xelbrin

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

, so does his business, so he takes strides to protect the compound. Ideal: “As does the Emerald Enclave, I believe that civilization and the wilderness need to learn to coexist.” Bond

Jarund Elkhardt

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

in battle. The strain of his long years of rule is etched on his weather-worn face. Jarund's late son, Jarund Twice-Born, was killed almost a decade ago while trying to bring down a cave bear, leaving

strengthen the bond between them. Mjenir believes that the only way to break Auril's spell is to slay the goddess in her home, but Jarund believes that his warriors aren't strong enough to accomplish that task alone.

Raezil

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Raezil can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Fey Ancestry. Raezil has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic

on the politics of Prismeer. Once she is no longer petrified, Raezil is bound by the rule of reciprocity (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2) to help the characters complete any

Gray Render

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

its master.A curious impulse drives the gray render. Despite its hulking form and terrible appetite, it wants most of all to bond with an intelligent creature and, once bonded, to give its life to

protect that creature. Great strength and a ferocious nature make gray renders fierce guardians, but they lack a shred of cunning. Gray renders reproduce by forming nodules on their bodies that, on

Yuan-ti Anathema

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

from weaker creatures and use every resource at their disposal to war against neighbors, seeking the captives, sacrifices, glory, and riches the anathemas believe they need to achieve true divinity

. Anathemas don’t age, allowing them to pursue their goals until the end of days. Truly powerful ones might rule multiple yuan-ti cities and bring entire regions under their control.PoisonAcid

Meletian Hoplite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

use a combination of cunning, faith, and magic to defend their coastal home. Most of these skilled soldiers serve in the Reverent Army, the defenders of Meletis, which uses an array of proven strategies

not only in strategy and tactics but in the glorification of the warrior's spirit, the basis of an ethos that forges an unbreakable bond between members of a military unit. In combat, hoplites

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, even among themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the

histories of some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they

world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization? The Beast Within Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their

Dragonborn of Sardior

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

", "rollAction":"Spellcasting"} to hit with spell attacks): 1/day each: Bigby's hand, hypnotic pattern, telekinesisSardior is said to have died in the destruction of the First World. But many believe that

, metallic, or gem—something like a large extended family. But for dragonborn champions, this bond is spiritual as much as biological, and they devote themselves to their divine ancestor. Dragonborn champions advance the cause of their dragon god among draconic creatures and other folk alike.Psychic

Strongheart

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

comfort to those who have no goodness in them.” Ideal. “Justice needs champions. I count myself as one.” Bond. “Valor’s Call is not just an assembly of like-minded

individuals who believe that good must triumph over evil. Its members are also my friends.” Flaw. “I am prepared—my friends might say too prepared—to sacrifice myself for the greatest

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

impossible to manipulate, influence, or control by nonmagical means, even as it seeks to control other creatures through terror, pleasure, and awe. Yuan-ti know that the world they hope to rule can

are cunning and ruthless tacticians who readily sacrifice lesser yuan-ti if potential victory justifies such losses. They have no sense of honorable combat and strike first in decisive ambush if they

Oath of Conquest

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights &mdash

most fiercely resisted by other paladins of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness. TENETS OF CONQUEST A paladin who takes this oath has the tenets of

Oath of Conquest (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights &mdash

most fiercely resisted by other paladins of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness. TENETS OF CONQUEST A paladin who takes this oath has the tenets of

Waterdhavian Noble

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

Faerûn for being eccentric, spoiled, venal, and, above all else, rich. Whether you are a shining example of the reason for this reputation or one who proves the rule by being an exception, people

and raised in a different world from the one that most folk know—one that grants you privilege but also calls you to fulfill a duty befitting your station. Your bond might be associated with your

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

deities who are brothers, Hruggek and Grankhul. Hruggek is the fearsome elder sibling, possessed of legendary might and prowess in battle. Bugbears believe their strength and bravery come from him

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

Kalashtar Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

spirits. Bound to Spirits Every kalashtar has a connection to a spirit of light, a bond shared by other members of their bloodline. Kalashtar appear human, but their spiritual connection affects them

an orphan kalashtar raised among strangers. The bond to the spirit can cause some kalashtar to display unusual quirks. Consider rolling or selecting a trait from the Kalashtar Quirks table

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way

, set itself up as a petty lord, and rule over all those who fall into its grasp. A Sinister Cycle. A forlarren in its fey aspect demonstrates self-destructive urges that reflect the inherent tension in

Loxodon

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

structures. Relentlessly Loyal Loxodons believe in the value of community and life, and thus are most often found in the Selesnya Conclave. Some find fulfillment in the cause of order by joining

the Orzhov Syndicate or the Azorius Senate. Loxodons believe that the members of a group have a responsibility to look out for each other. Once they have joined a guild or bonded with other individuals

Moonstone Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, encourage great thinkers, and spur adventurers to heroic deeds. They sometimes give guidance to those in need or request help from adventurers to encourage them to greatness. As a rule

volunteered to be a spy in a conflict between a group of pixie;pixies and a group of quickling;quicklings. Both sides believe the wyrmling is working exclusively for them.

Kasimir Velikov

Monsters Curse of Strahd

is to become as powerful a vampire as Strahd. Kasimir Velikov's Traits Ideal. “I failed my people and my sister, and now I must atone or be damned.” Bond. “I seek to return my long-dead sister, Patrina

, to life—even at the cost of my own life.” Flaw. “I believe my sister can be redeemed.” Treasure. Kasimir wears a ring of warmth and has a leather-bound spellbook containing all the spells he has

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the blood, as it once did. Because their population is so small, the yuan-ti are aware they are vulnerable in open warfare. Instead, their current plans assume they will never rule outwardly in

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

Nintra Siotta

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

; Bond. “I have many supporters in the Gloaming Court who worship the ground I walk on. They deserve a sovereign who is worthy of their love.” Flaw. “Why should I worry about the

schemes of others? No one is my equal in cunning.”On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties) Nintra can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects; she can’t use the same

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all

Smuggler

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

rattles me; I have a lie for every occasion. 5 I love gold but won’t cheat a friend. 6 I enjoy doing things others believe to be impossible. 7 I become wistful when I see the sun

value on friendship. (Any) 6 Daring. I am most happy when risking everything. (Any) D6 BOND 1 My vessel was stolen from me, and I burn with the desire to

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each. You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but

better life. d6 Bond 1 My town or city is my home, and I’ll fight to defend it. 2 I sponsor an orphanage to keep others from enduring what I was forced to endure

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in

of oneself. (Any) d6 Bond 1 It is my duty to protect my students. 2 I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands. 3 I

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any) d6 Bond 1 I have a family, but I have no idea where they are. One day, I hope to see them again. 2 I worked the land

Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land. 6 I have trouble trusting in my allies.

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