books before death cunning resolve

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Blood-Soaked Resolve. While Bloodied, the cultist has Advantage on saving throws.Multiattack. The cultist makes three Cursed Blade attacks. It can replace one of these attacks with a use of

financial recompense. These cunning serial killers and mass murderers remain a step ahead of investigators, at least until the cultists’ zealous bloodlust overwhelms their senses. Cultists The

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.

Adult Deep Dragon

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

ferocious might, cunning ambushes, or fungal poisons. Some adult deep dragons plunder the surface for treasures and lore. Deep Dragons Deep dragons slither through the wet and lightless places of the

;s lair is changed by its presence, creating the following effects: Preservation of Knowledge. Books and other written forms of communication with 1 mile of the lair become magically protected and can

Kiona's Notes

Equipment

Kiona the Dread Lord;Kiona has filled nearly thirty books with notes and secrets about the Codex Mortis. If you spend 80 hours studying Kiona’s notes, you gain the following benefits: You

have advantage on Intelligence checks to recall or understand lore about necromancy and the Codex Mortis. You have advantage on death saving throws. When you cast a necromancy spell, the gold piece cost of the spell’s material components is halved.

Samurai (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

The Samurai is a fighter who draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome enemies. A Samurai’s resolve is nearly unbreakable, and the enemies in a Samurai’s path have two choices

Spirit (10 temp. hp) 15th Rapid Strike, Fighting Spirit (15 temp. hp) 18th Strength before Death

Samurai

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

The Samurai is a fighter who draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome enemies. A Samurai’s resolve is nearly unbreakable, and the enemies in a Samurai’s path have two choices

Spirit (10 temp. hp) 15th Rapid Strike, Fighting Spirit (15 temp. hp) 18th Strength before Death

Dracophage Subject

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity

saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid

Kapak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity

saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid

Night Blade

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

cause terrible pain and bleeding. Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal’s followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call

rank are the death’s heads, who can take on the skull-faced guise of their deity to terrify their prey. In combat, they intimidate foes by shrugging off the deadliest attacks with ease, showing that resisting Bhaal’s schemes is futile.

Sivak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points by a creature that is Large or smaller, the draconian crumbles into dust that then forms a spectral, shrieking image of the creature that

. Sivaks can magically change their features to mimic the appearance of those they’ve slain. This allows these cunning soldiers to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When sivaks are

Underworld Cerberus

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

deep in the Underworld. Terrifying and cunning, they guard portals between the wards of the Underworld, Erebos’s greatest treasures, and noteworthy souls who might attempt to escape the realm of

life and death. Most cerberi have a boundless hunger for fresh meat, especially the flesh of humanoids. Villains have been known to exploit that hunger by luring cerberi away from the river and setting them loose on mortal settlements.Fire, Necrotic

Blue Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, wall of forceSeekers of forgotten lore and lost relics, blue abishais are the most cunning and learned of their kind. Their research into occult subjects gleaned from tomes plundered from across the

before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of abishai is associated with one of Tiamat’s five dragon

Strahd, Master of Death House

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

, Strahd takes 20 radiant damage at the start of his turn, has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, and can’t use his Change Shape bonus action.Multiattack. Strahd makes two Death Strike

attacks. He can replace one of these attacks with Blighted Fire if available. Death Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +9;{"diceNotation":"1d20+9", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Death Strike"} to hit

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

. (Lawful) 3 Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic) 4 Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death

Lich Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe of invulnerability 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift 8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun 9th level (1 slot): power word

. Everything about a lich’s lair reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses

Malaxxix

Monsters The Book of Many Things

’ll be found by mortals who are desperate for power and ripe for corruption. Malaxxix seeks the Books of Keeping: ancient tomes that contain the true names of all yugoloths. To this end, it

Planes as a tyrannical marauder. Roleplaying Malaxxix Malaxxix is a being of great cunning, terrible rage, and insatiable bloodlust who regards any opportunity to inflict misery on others as

Bavlorna Blightstraw

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

these visitors enter into an agreement with Bavlorna, she’ll use her powers to resolve their pressing problem in exchange for something of use to her. Alignment. Neutral evil. Personality

thoughts, dispel magic, finger of death, glibness, locate creature, mass suggestion. Once a spell from this list has been cast, no member of the coven can cast that shared spell again until the next

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of medicine or a place to recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each

) 3 Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic) 4 Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in

Baernaloth

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

the Books of Keeping—ancient tomes detailing the true names of the first yugoloths—report no mention of baernaloths within. Some posit that these enigmatic yugoloths were created by a

hovering at death’s door. The challenge rating of a baernaloth is 18 (20,000 XP) when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), a

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

its nature. That aspect might drive it to drink itself nearly to death, or to throw itself into caring for others with such relentless energy that it eventually collapses from exhaustion

Valindra Shadowmantle Legacy

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

of invulnerability 7th level (1 slot): finger of death, plane shift 8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, power word stun 9th level (1 slot): power word kill Turn Resistance. The lich has

reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses, emerging to destroy those who dare to disturb

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

exhilarating than a narrow escape from the jaws of death. (Chaotic) 4 Dignity. The dead and their belongings deserve to be treated with respect. (Lawful) 5 Immortality. All my

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the area patrolled by the guard did she explain that the noises indicated that the wingless folk had claimed that area, and that to trespass would be to court death. — Gimble, Notes from a

copy existing items with exceptional skill, allowing them to become excellent artisans and scribes. They can copy books, make replicas of objects, and otherwise thrive in situations where they can

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Whether calling on the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, druids are an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning, and fury. They claim no mastery over

. Similarly, a druid uses such woods to make other objects, such as weapons and shields. Yew is associated with death and rebirth, so weapon handles for scimitars or sickles might be fashioned from it

“Old White Death”

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

“Old White Death” The white dragon Arauthator haunts the Sea of Moving Ice like an avenging wind. Personifying the brutality and savagery of his kind, Arauthator is a solid ally of the Cult of the

tribes known as the Ice Hunters, because of the many enemies Arauthator has frozen into the icy walls of the berg’s hollowed interior. In addition to his size, cunning, and ferocity, Arauthator wields

“Old White Death”

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

“Old White Death” The white dragon Arauthator haunts the Sea of Moving Ice like an avenging wind. Personifying the brutality and savagery of his kind, Arauthator is a solid ally of the Cult of the

tribes known as the Ice Hunters, because of the many enemies Arauthator has frozen into the icy walls of the berg’s hollowed interior. In addition to his size, cunning, and ferocity, Arauthator wields

Tower of the Heavens

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

background. For centuries, each elder sage has passed down the Books of Prophecy to that sage’s chosen successor. Piyarz was Shalfey’s pupil, and according to tradition, he would assume the title of

elder sage on Shalfey’s death. However, Piyarz grew impatient. When Shalfey’s tower hands left in search of the star, Piyarz tried to seize the title—but Shalfey sealed himself in his sanctum (areas

Death House Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

would be difficult to resolve in the location, choose an unencountered result instead. Death House Encounters d12 Encounter 1–4 Meeting with Sarusanda (see below)* 5–8 Three priests of Osybus

Death House Encounters The foul energies coalescing in Death House have spawned numerous horrors. When the characters enter locations with an “Encounter” subsection for the first time, the

Amberdune Pack

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

spectacles in his human and hybrid forms Marliza, a petite jackalwere whose wide eyes and long braids belie her cunning Ramah, Inbar’s outspoken brother, who prefers to spend his shift at Amberdune Books

loudly orating from a tome to entice potential customers Theryn, a young jackalwere with deft hands, good for repairing damaged books or liberating a few coins from wealthy pockets Zan, the oldest pack

Resolving the Mystery

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

the real books back to Candlekeep without offering a compromise, the jackalweres put up a fight, though they’ll surrender rather than fight to the death. Losing the books is a great setback to the

Resolving the Mystery The characters’ interactions with the Amberdune Pack affect the resolution of this section, but they can discover what happened to the real books and find the original versions

Age

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

Age Barovia is the grim reflection of its undead master. Almost everything here is old and timeworn. Everywhere the adventurers go, they should be reminded of death, decay, and their own mortality

of old books, and the rust on iron fences and gates. A character gazing into a mirror, a pool, or other reflective surface might glimpse an older, more decrepit version of himself or herself.

Adventure Outline

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

Adventure Outline In Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, the characters experience the magical scars left behind by the death of dragons. Faced with the evil schemes of one living dragon and the righteous

anger of another, they’ll have the chance to explore whether peace between the feuding dragon families is possible—or if they must resort to violence to resolve the conflict on this isle. This adventure

Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies

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

, the city can count on the other members of the Lords’ Alliance to come to its defense. This arrangement infuriates Amn, which is not prepared to test the alliance’s resolve. To the east, the nations of

, anticipating that they can find such a book in the city’s markets. As such, Baldur’s Gate does a small but bustling trade in rare books. Several merchants have a known policy of buying valuable books without

Shadowmoor Expert

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light

a gloomy, 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. AURORE FOLNY

D&D Beyond

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