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Returning 35 results for 'both before dark concept real'.
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Cloaker
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Monsters
Basic Rules (2014)
motionless without its underside exposed, it is indistinguishable from a dark leather cloak.
Light Sensitivity. While in bright light, the cloaker has disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom
itself if it isn't in bright light. The duplicates move with it and mimic its actions, shifting position so as to make it impossible to track which cloaker is the real one. If the cloaker is ever in
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
hint of their ancestors’ physical form, and even less of the giants’ culture.
A mist hulk resembles a bipedal figure made of dark rain clouds. Parts of its body seem more solid than others
at any time. When it is slain, its misty form condenses into a torrent of water.
A mist hulk’s mood is always gloomy, and when threatened, it often howls in infectious misery. All who hear this wail are magically reminded of past regrets, real or imagined.PoisonThunder
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
unexplained phenomenon.
In either case, deathless riders are undeniably real. They are undead knights, once human, who ride undead steeds through the remotest parts of the wilds. They are sometimes
called lich-knights or fell horsemen.
In stark contrast to the knights of Eldraine, the deathless riders are without virtue of any kind. They are few in number—unless many more lurk in the dark
Tiefling
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Basic Rules (2014)
. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red
reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
in her seventies, but she is, in fact, much older.
Royal Blood. Madam Eva is Strahd’s half-sister, though Strahd is unaware of this fact. Her real name is Katarina, and she is the daughter of a
domain, in hopes that they will find a way to destroy the vampire or set Strahd free.
For the Love of Strahd. The Dark Powers of Ravenloft would consider Madam Eva a worthy choice to replace Strahd as
Species
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
. Their skin tones cover the full range of human coloration, but also include various shades of red. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red
reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some
Goliath
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Elemental Evil Player's Companion
skills.
This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might
the goliath concept of fair play.
A permanently injured goliath is still expected to pull his or her weight in the tribe. Typically, such a goliath dies attempting to keep up, or the goliath slips
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
tactics do. (Lawful)
6
Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good)
Sapphire Dragon Adventures
The Sapphire
the lair.
Cobweb-Choked Tunnels. Adventurers who manage to access the other side of the cave’s crystal walls discover a network of dark, cobweb-choked tunnels extending deep into the earth, set
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
a spice that makes life worth living. 4 Old age is a concept that I find fascinating. Maybe someday I too will be aged. Githyanki Ideals d4 Trait 1 Fidelity. Warriors are only as good as the vows
has no purpose. 4 Life is but a spark in the dark. We all go dark, but those who dare can burn bright. Githyanki Flaws d4 Flaw 1 Hunger and thirst are unbearable pains to me. 2 I can’t see a non
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
-reaching power of global corporations allied with political power doesn’t just inform our own real world — it molds it. Bringing that concept of powerful corporations working with or against nobility to
villain is the head of Evil Incorporated, just begging for some market volatility. Money, as they say, makes the world go around. And as is true in real life, so it goes in the fantasy realm. The far
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
with them. Aside from the secretive dusk elves of Vallaki (see chapter 5), the only nonhumans most Barovians are familiar with are the adventurers that Strahd has lured to his dark realm. Barovians
thus react to nonhuman characters the same way most humans in the real world would react to elf, dwarf, or half-orc adventurers suddenly walking the streets. Most such outsiders are scorned, feared, or shunned.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
The Soul’s Shape Before tasking characters with retrieving it, determine what form the pharaoh’s ka takes. It might be a physical object, a living creature, or a spiritual concept that needs to be
6 The manifestation of a joyous song sung by Muhar’s people
7 The soul of an innocent healer who resembles the pharaoh as he was in life
8 The soul of a character, perhaps one with an Echoing Soul (a Dark Gift detailed in chapter 1)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
K43. Bath Chamber Red satin curtains hang in archways at both ends of the south wall in this dark room. Between them, in the center of the chamber, stands a large, ornate iron tub with clawed feet
him the chance to turn her into a vampire spawn. The blood in the tub isn’t real, but rather a manifestation of Varushka’s tormented spirit. If the blood is disturbed in any way, read: A blood
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Corrupt Beyond Redemption Darklords aren’t misunderstood souls condemned through no fault of their own. If a person’s potential for evil is particularly great, the Dark Powers might indirectly
nurture further transgression, but they don’t force individuals to undertake actions against their will. When an evildoer’s wickedness ripens, the Dark Powers engulf them forever. When creating your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
concept of how long they’ve lived, how many times they’ve died, or why they returned to life. Should a Darklord fall, the temporary defeat lasts until they’re restored by the Dark Powers. In their
. Darklords Are Prisoners. Darklords cannot leave their domains. If a Darklord enters the Mists or uses another method to attempt an escape, the Dark Powers return them to their domain. Even death rarely
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
experiencing random instances of good luck. Meanwhile, Far Realm energies manifest as eyes staring from the dark, insidious insects, or misshapen silhouettes looming in the distance. The land’s
fraying planar boundaries might also allow glimpses into other planes or ghostly appearances of strange figures. Let Atagua’s place between the real and surreal inspire your descriptions.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
confirmation that their torment is real. Body Horror Adventure Sites d8 Adventure Site
1 A derelict ship, buried for mysterious reasons
2 A vine-covered, ostensibly abandoned prison
3 The
cavernous gut of a dead, multi-eyed behemoth
4 An inn in the valley, its insides dark and smoke-drowned
5 An asylum, abandoned save for vermin
6 A cave system, slick and comprised
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Secret No mortal soul is entirely free of second thoughts or doubt. Even a cleric must grapple with dark desires or the forbidden attraction of turning against the teachings of one’s deity. If you
haven’t considered this aspect of your character yet, see the table entries for some possibilities, or use them for inspiration. Your deep, dark secret might involve something you did (or are doing), or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
glade and its surrounding forest always thrive, offering shelter and bounty to the creatures who dwell there. But this verdant region hides a dark secret. A forgotten empire of giants used a network
landscape around them. Though the forest is real for all practical purposes, it is a magical illusion concealing a region of sinister corruption.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
bell. The Dark Powers have created a false image of Strahd’s ancestral home within the fog, just beyond reach. Strahd comes to the hill on occasion to gaze upon the city, even though he knows it can’t
be real. The image tantalizes him. Any creature that enters the deadly fog is subject to its effects (see the “Mists of Ravenloft” section in chapter 2). If the characters ask an NPC spellcaster about
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
behind no body, and if killed, dies for real. The Nightingale Bell is protected by the Dark Powers and can’t be destroyed. Dreaming the Dream. A character cannot remove levels of exhaustion by
exhausting labor. Those who rebel are either dragged off to lightless cells or slain outright, forcing them to awaken in the real world. Nature of the Dream. Creatures in the dream of I’Cath have the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
chapter 2. Not all domains need to be elaborately detailed settings. As the domains in this section demonstrate, creating a simple concept for a Darklord and the horrors surrounding them can be a
Ravenloft table to randomly determine where the Dark Powers have guided the party. Domains marked with an asterisk are described earlier in this chapter. Domains of Ravenloft d100 Domain
01–04
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Magic of Wyllowwood In addition to dark caverns, this level contains forests of trees like those that grow on the surface. These temperate forests were magically created by Halaster, and the sky high
denizens. The forests are real and nourished by magic, and Halaster regularly repopulates them with birds, insects, rodents, and larger mammals. The main caverns have 100-foot-high ceilings hidden by
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
creation—a very real (if utterly bizarre) sanctuary brought into being by its dreaming mind. Renekor’s presence warps the demiplane, causing erratic weather and strange phenomena. Each time the characters
, roll twice and use the higher result. Wisteria Vale Events d8 Event 1–2 None. 3 Light rain falls from a clear sky. 4 The sky turns dark as thunderclouds roll in. Lightning flashes in the distance
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3
actually yellow mold (see “Dungeon Hazards” in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide) covered by a permanent major image spell (save DC 15). The bones, spider, and sword hilt are real. Eastern Door
. Western Door. In front of the secret door is a dark stain on the floor, which makes the door as easy to find as the eastern one. This door swings on a horizontal pivot in the middle of the slab. Pushing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
consequential, and not just a waste of time. One of four basic approaches can help you do that: A real monster inhabits a character’s dreams and poses a real threat to that character’s mind or body. The
who ordinarily can’t dream (such as an elf, a warforged, or a kalashtar) to enter the dreamscape as well. Agents of the Dreaming Dark use their magic to bring the dreams of the characters together so
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
, but they’re not the only set of assumptions that can do so. You can build an interesting campaign concept by altering one or more of those core assumptions, just as well-established D&D worlds have done
remote, and even angels never make contact with mortals? In the Dark Sun setting, the gods are extremely distant — perhaps nonexistent — and clerics rely instead on elemental power for their magic.
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good)
Sapphire Dragon Adventures
The Sapphire Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers suggestions for
manage to access the other side of the cave’s crystal walls discover a network of dark, cobweb-choked tunnels extending deep into the earth, set with natural steps and shelves throughout. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
. Their second life is theirs to do with as they please, but it’s typically a confused, cursed life, plagued by frustration, bitterness, loneliness, and melancholy. Such leads many Returned along dark paths
, pseudammas turn tragedy into horror by snatching mortal children and attempting to raise them. However, the Returned have forgotten the needs of the living and they have no concept of how to care for a child.
compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Boo’s Astral Menagerie
Nordsol, Claudio Pozas, April Prime, Julio Reyna, Craig J Spearing, Matt Stewart, Cory Trego-Erdner, Brian Valeza, Randy Vargas, Svetlin Velinov, Shawn Wood, Zuzanna Wuzyk
Concept Illustrator: Shawn
, Lawrence and David Cook. Star Frontiers: Alpha Dawn. 1982.
TSR, Inc. Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix. 1992.
———. Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix II: Terrors Beyond Tyr. 1993
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
The Wizards Three When the Dark Powers divulged Vecna’s plan to Kas, the powers also whispered that Lady Alustriel Silverhand was marshaling allies to stop the lich. Kas didn’t relish the thought of
Mordenkainen using the Crown of Lies and received Alustriel’s summons to her sanctum in Sigil, the City of Doors. Throughout this adventure, the real Mordenkainen is traveling the multiverse, unaware
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Nocturnal Raiders If the drow kept to themselves in their subterranean cities and fortresses, few other creatures would care. The dark elves could indulge their evil practices until their caverns
, other elves. To the dark elves, raiding the surface for captives and treasure isn’t just a cultural and military tradition, but also an economic necessity. Some raids are major operations that involve
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Dementlieu Domain of Decadent Delusion Darklord: Saidra d’Honaire Genres: Dark fantasy and psychological horror Hallmarks: Masquerades, decadent aristocracy, social decay, illusions, impostor
decadent wealth. Everything appears more valuable, more solid, and more wholesome than the actuality, and everyone behaves as if the illusion of grandeur and prosperity were real. Everyone in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
real-life Pidlwick, who lies entombed in the catacombs. The dark paint on his face is soot. If the characters see Pidlwick II in bright light, read: It’s obvious that you’re looking not at a small
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
dark silken mats with a pale web-strand pattern woven through them in silvery thread. In the middle of the chamber (at the center of the web) stands a broad pedestal carved from zurkhwood, with a 10
it. On a failure, a character mistakes it for a real giant spider. This place is a shrine to Lolth, the drow’s spider goddess, and also serves as quarters for Asha, the junior priestess. She tends the