borders being diffusing combat roles

Firbolg Primeval Warden

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

, disguise selfLike giant priests of Hiatea, firbolgs who serve her fall into two distinct roles that parallel Hiatea’s dual nature. At home, primeval wardens tend the hearths and tutor the young

. Primeval wardens who patrol the borders of firbolg communities are fierce hunters who guard against external threats and incursions. Firbolgs Distant cousins of giants, the first firbolgs wandered the

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

Dried Fruit

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 2 1 4 Dried fruit is plentiful on Obojima but there are certain artisans who know how to preserve and concentrate the flavor and vibrancy of the fruit

in such a way that it borders on mysticism. Although dried fruit can be bought at markets and from farmers from all over Obojima, the best dried fruit for making potions is from fruit trees that grow around the base of Mount Arbora.

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

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

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

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

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

others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats. As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat

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

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might

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

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

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

Military Force

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

Military Force Your group serves as a team of soldiers in a larger military force, one dedicated to combat missions or other dangerous tasks. You could be a team of mercenaries, a special forces unit

of civilization, such as protecting the Eldeen Reaches from the dangers of the Demon Marches or skirmishing with Droaam at the borders of Breland.

Build Your Group

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

all of these roles: Prince Oargev ir’Wynarn Civil Servant. The vast majority of work performed on behalf of a head of state has very little to do with deadly adventure: it’s about prosecuting and

this role, as are paladins—as long as they aren’t asked to do things that violate the tenets of their oaths. Marshal. Combat is the specialty of the Marshal, who focuses on enforcing the law of the

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

Ramya's Powers and Dominion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

obsessions shape all of Kalakeri. War Leader. Ramya eagerly leads her troops in battle. She rides into combat upon a war elephant or wyvern and carries the legendary talwar (longsword) and longbow of

with her siblings Arijani and Reeva. She constantly struggles to quell the rebellion they lead, as detailed in “Treachery in Kalakeri” later in this domain. Closing the Borders. Ramya can close or open

Strahd's Powers and Dominion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

appear in the clouds, changing the weather, and so forth. He can’t use these effects to aid him in combat, but they can make his presence known throughout the land. Master Vampire. Strahd eagerly

mysterious goals. As part of this arrangement, Strahd avoids harming Vistani who travel within his land. Closing the Borders. Strahd closes Barovia’s borders whenever something that interests him threatens to

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

5. Trolling the Troglodytes

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

. The southwest edge of the cave borders a 30-foot-deep, yawning pit with nothing in it. Secret Door. The north wall contains a secret door that swivels on a central axis. The secret door can be seen

hit points do not decrease thanks to its Regeneration trait. If the characters come to the troglodytes’ aid, the fearful troglodytes disengage from combat on their next turn, flee through the secret

Second Séance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

: “EVICT LEAPER NEXT”. Mara offers a new message only if the characters battled the Chimney Witch. She now asks the characters to combat the Leaper in area 5b. Theodora Halvhrest: “RESTORE HER SHIELD

séances or are taking their time exploring, feel free to run this encounter multiple times, allowing the characters to ask more questions. If the borders to the domain are not yet closed, a storm begins brewing at this point.

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

Aarakocra

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

birdlike humanoids guard the windy borders of their home against invaders from the Elemental Plane of Earth, such as gargoyles, their sworn enemies. Enemies of Elemental Evil. In service to the Wind

it takes to guard against the incursions of Elemental Evil. Aarakocra have no concept of political borders or property ownership, and the value of gems, gold, and other precious materials means

Scout

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

wilderness and among barbarians and rangers, and many Scouts serve as the eyes and ears of war bands. Ambusher, spy, bounty hunter — these are just a few of the roles that Scouts assume as they range

at 13th level, you excel at leading ambushes and acting first in a fight. You have advantage on initiative rolls. In addition, the first creature you hit during the first round of a combat becomes

Star Spawn Mangler

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

frame. Cultists summon these creatures to serve as guards and assassins, two roles at which they excel. Star Spawn Mangler Medium aberration, chaotic evil Armor Class 14 Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13

) Ambush. On the first round of each combat, the mangler has advantage on attack rolls against a creature that hasn’t taken a turn yet. Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the mangler can take

Firbolgs

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

serve her fall into two distinct roles that parallel Hiatea’s dual nature. At home, primeval wardens tend the hearths and tutor the young. Primeval wardens who patrol the borders of firbolg communities

Droaam

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

different monsters can work together in unusual ways and how their special abilities could be used outside combat. Droaam offers a way to introduce monsters into any adventure, and for characters to

bent could appear anywhere in Khorvaire. House Tharashk brokers the services of Droaamish monsters across the continent. Some of these monsters can appear in traditionally aggressive roles, as mercenary

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