born before defend continues reason

Sammaster (Lich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Sammaster was a keenly intelligent wizard born centuries ago. A quick study throughout his itinerant apprenticeship, Sammaster primarily studied magic relating to dragons. After learning all he could from

. He drew on the warped resurrection of dracoliches to become a lich himself. He continues to lead the Cult of the Dragon from the shadows, developing new ways to control and corrupt dragonkind

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

. History Sammaster was a keenly intelligent wizard born centuries ago. A quick study throughout his itinerant apprenticeship, Sammaster primarily studied magic relating to dragons. After learning all

for his demise. He drew on the warped resurrection of dracoliches to become a lich himself. He continues to lead the Cult of the Dragon from the shadows, developing new ways to control and corrupt

Ironscale Hydra

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

, from the bog-dwelling hydras known across the multiverse to massive ironscale hydras that lurk in deep wildernesses. Beyond even these exist serpentine horrors born of the whims of foul gods, like the

hibernation during which it continues to grow. When it awakens, it goes on a feeding rampage, so beginning the cycle once again. These rhythms of destruction sometimes become so ingrained in the minds and

The Fathomless

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

learn about terrestrial realms, or does it want you to open cosmic floodgates and drown the world? Perhaps you were born into a generational cult that venerates the Fathomless and its spawn. Or you

might have been shipwrecked and on the brink of drowning when your patron’s grasp offered you a chance at life. Whatever the reason for your pact, the sea and its unknown depths call to you

The Fathomless (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

learn about terrestrial realms, or does it want you to open cosmic floodgates and drown the world? Perhaps you were born into a generational cult that venerates the Fathomless and its spawn. Or you

might have been shipwrecked and on the brink of drowning when your patron’s grasp offered you a chance at life. Whatever the reason for your pact, the sea and its unknown depths call to you

Asteria

Monsters The Book of Many Things

still draws much of her power from her bond with Euryale. Asteria is foremost a protector and warrior, traveling the multiverse to uproot injustice, defend innocents, and inspire hope. She believes

the first Deck of Many Things. She doesn’t know why this is but surmises her life is tied to that deck; so long as it continues to exist, so will she. She has no way to prove this hypothesis

Tiny Servant

spells Xanathar's Guide to Everything

servant does nothing other than defend itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the servant continues to follow that order until its task is complete. When the creature drops to 0 hit points

Mark of Sentinel Human

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Protection is my purpose. I defend the innocent from those who would do them harm. For my siblings, this is a job; for me, it’s a calling. —Harric d’Deneith, Sentinel Marshal

born in Karrnath, and war flows in its veins. For centuries, the Blademarks Guild of House Deneith has governed the mercenary trade. While warriors with the Mark of Sentinel are among its most elite

Kasimir Velikov

Monsters Curse of Strahd

strong that he adopted the name of the Vistana who welcomed him into his clan, a man named Velikov. Although Velikov passed away more than a century ago, Kasimir continues to live among Velikov's

led her down a path of evil and deceit. For that reason, Kasimir wants to see the vampire destroyed so that his sister can be rescued from her eternal damnation. Secrets of the Amber Temple. Patrina

Polukranos

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

, from the bog-dwelling hydras known across the multiverse to massive ironscale hydra;ironscale hydras that lurk in deep wildernesses. Beyond even these exist serpentine horrors born of the whims of foul

period of hibernation during which it continues to grow. When it awakens, it goes on a feeding rampage, so beginning the cycle once again. These rhythms of destruction sometimes become so ingrained in

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

born near sandy coastlines, but as soon as they’re able to walk on two legs, they become nomad survivalists eager to explore the wilderness, experience its many wonders, put their skills to the

prefer simple, non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables. If a tortle doesn’t like its name for whatever reason, it can change it. A tortle might change its name a dozen

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

background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a member of a Waterdhavian family. Like other nobles, you were born

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

few miles from where they were born. You aren’t one of those folk. You are from a distant place, one so remote that few of the common folk in the North realize that it exists, and chances are

provided. The following section, discussing possible homelands, includes some suggested reasons that are appropriate for each location. d6 Reason d6 Reason 1 Emissary 4 Pilgrim

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and insults are my

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

pity. Born into the world lacking stout scales and sharp teeth, it’s a wonder they have managed to survive for so long. The typical human would barely make it through a day in the swamps. Still

quirk for a lizardfolk character or to inspire a unique mannerism. Lizardfolk Quirks d8 Quirk 1 You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

want. 4 I’m a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

crawl to make progress. In places where a tunnel opens into a chasm and continues on the other side, the kobolds might connect the two passages with a rope bridge or some other rickety structure

undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and

Kalashtar Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

I am kalashtar, born of two worlds. Over a thousand years ago, my ancestor bound her bloodline to the spirit Kashtai, and I am a child of that union. Kashtai moves within me. Her memories come to

manipulate the folk of Khorvaire to eliminate kalashtar whenever possible. Many kalashtar defend themselves from the Dreaming Dark by focusing on devotion to the Path of Light. Others, though, seek

Ashen Grotto

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

their dead to be interred within this nexus of giants’ magic. Many giants hold strong beliefs and taboos about the grotto. Some might put aside a deadly enmity with their rivals to defend it against

intruders. Others might refuse to enter for any reason other than during funerary rites to inter a family member’s remains. Remains laid to rest within the grotto remain peaceful, and the power of the cave is anathema to Undead.

Lizardfolk Personality

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and portable! 2 You sleep best while mostly submerged in water. 3 Money is meaningless to you. 4 You think there are only two

metaphors work. That doesn’t stop you from using them at every opportunity. 7 You appreciate the soft humanoids who realize they need chain mail and swords to match the gifts you were born with. 8 You enjoy eating your food while it’s still wriggling.

Druids of Khorvaire

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

champions of the natural world. We defend it from anything and anyone who threatens it. We, the Children of Winter, preserve the natural cycle of life and death. Disease and decay cull the weak and

strengthen the whole. We must destroy undead and ensure that the cycle continues. We, the Gatekeepers, protect the natural world from the forces that come from outside it, from those beings that slither in

Lava Child

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

Lava Child Physically identical to one another, lava children have muscular builds and childish, perpetually grinning faces. Most are born in the Fountains of Creation, also known as the Plane of

. Though they’re not violent by nature, lava children fiercely defend territory they claim as their own. Many intruders have been fooled by a lava child’s smile, believing themselves welcome when in

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Every kenku is born with a desire to take to the air, and those who learn spellcasting do so in hope of mastering spells that will allow them to fly. Rumors of magic items such as flying carpets, brooms

. The kenku lack the talent to improvise or alter a plan, but a wise Master sets multiple plans in motion at once, confident that underlings can follow orders to the letter. For this reason, many

Mournland Villains

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

Mournland Villains Few people have reason to spend time anywhere near the Mournland. Among the exceptions are those who seek to plunder the riches of lost Cyre, such as Ikar’s Salvage (described

undead army from the corpses in the Mournland. 5 A rakshasa works to free a fiendish overlord trapped in a whirlwind of stone and sand somewhere in the Mournland. 6 A servant of the Lords of Dust maintains an extensive collection of severed heads and continues to draw on the knowledge in their brains.

Let Them Speak Now …

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

adventurers entered into rapport with Araumycos, so that characters shunted out of that rapport can defend their compatriots’ helpless bodies while the fight continues. If all the characters are defeated on

Wandering Monsters

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

Wandering Monsters Halaster continues to use the Terminus Level as a dumping ground for stray monsters. Duergar also patrol the mines. Beholder Zombies Four beholder zombies, set loose by Halaster

dripping with blood (see “Regional Effects”). These duergar have orders to deliver adventurers to Valtagar Steelshadow unharmed. If a fight breaks out, they use Enlarge and defend themselves. If the

Medusa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

them with threats of petrified doom, while others recruit servants that are immune to being petrified, such as gargoyles and gorgons. Medusas are born or created through preternatural circumstances

. Roll on or choose a result from the Medusa Fates table to inspire what led to a medusa’s creation. Medusa Fates 1d6 The Medusa Was... 1 Born a medusa and lives unaware of whatever curse

Personalities

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

unique mannerism. Lizardfolk Quirks d8 Quirk 1 You hate waste and see no reason not to scavenge fallen enemies. Fingers are tasty and portable! 2 You sleep best while mostly submerged in water

the soft humanoids who realize they need chain mail and swords to match the gifts you were born with. 8 You enjoy eating your food while it’s still raw and wriggling.

Nylea's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

undead Your piety score to Nylea decreases if you diminish Nylea’s influence in the world, fail to defend nature, or offend her sensibilities through acts such as these: Killing an animal for any reason

, plants, and the natural world. Nylea’s Favor Nylea chooses champions who will tirelessly defend the natural world, regardless of their mortal ties and associations. She cares more for consistency of

Shieldbearers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel

in crisis. Strict rules of engagement prevent them from impacting local conditions or taking sides in a conflict; their mandate allows them only to extract those in danger and defend themselves if

outlander backgrounds. Arayat Arayat (neutral, human assassin) was born to a family of Dayawlongon freedom fighters who had no more wars to fight. Peace did not bring them prosperity, and the family’s

Shieldbearers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

in crisis. Strict rules of engagement prevent them from impacting local conditions or taking sides in a conflict; their mandate allows them only to extract those in danger and defend themselves if

outlander backgrounds. Arayat Arayat (neutral, human assassin) was born to a family of Dayawlongon freedom fighters who had no more wars to fight. Peace did not bring them prosperity, and the family’s

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes’ Feast: Saving the Children’s Menu

Homestead” sidebar). Arthur Holrow was one of twelve children, born to parents of hardy country stock. Naturally quite shy, Arthur kept to himself. While his siblings were drawn to lofty pursuits and

Homestead are extraordinary. That’s partly due to Arthur’s magical experiments and his skill with druidic magic. But there’s another, more ominous reason for the land’s fecundity. The hill at Holrow

Tiny Servant

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

, general command, such as to fetch a key, stand watch, or stack some books. If you issue no commands, the servant does nothing other than defend itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order

, the servant continues to follow that order until its task is complete. When the creature drops to 0 hit points, it reverts to its original form, and any remaining damage carries over to that form. At

Military

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

, their household staffs, and guests bearing written invitations. Many Watch officers, born and raised in the city, pride themselves on recognizing every Upper City resident on sight. The Watch

operates out of the Citadel, a massive keep built into the Upper City’s walls. In times of crisis, bells at the High Hall and the Citadel are rung simultaneously. If the pealing continues for more than a few

Military

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

, their household staffs, and guests bearing written invitations. Many Watch officers, born and raised in the city, pride themselves on recognizing every Upper City resident on sight. The Watch operates out

of the Citadel, a massive keep built into the Upper City’s walls. In times of crisis, bells at the High Hall and the Citadel are rung simultaneously. If the pealing continues for more than a few

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