both before dark concept retreat

Tiefling Legacy

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

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:At will: expeditious retreat, false life, minor illusion, prestidigitation3/day each: aid, misty step, Tasha's hideous

Hells—courted a mighty fey in hopes of luring him into trading away his soul. The attempt failed, but not before a troop of satyrs were corrupted by the dark delights of Phlegethos. The satyrs were

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

curse on a success.The transformation into a demilich isn’t a bitter end for all liches that experience it. Made as a conscious choice, the path of the demilich becomes the next step in a dark

it to retreat into its ancient tomb and forget to feed on souls. The spells it once knew fade from its mind, and it no longer channels the arcane energy it wielded as a lich. However, even as a mere

Feral Tiefling

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

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating

(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal) Subrace Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves, and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose one of

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods, debased their flesh by

Goliath Legacy

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

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

(Costs 2 Actions). Strahd makes one bite attack.With his mind sharp and his heart dark, Strahd von Zarovich is a formidable foe. Courage and lives beyond measure have been lost to him. Reread chapter 1

the reach of melee combatants and spellcasters, or he flies away (using summoned wolf;wolves or swarm of bats;swarms of bats or swarm of rats;rats to guard his retreat). Strahd observes the characters

The Soul's Shape

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)

When Elves Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

it looks like the characters are about to lose. The astral elves are confident they can conquer the Moondancer, but if two of the warriors fall, the third tries to retreat to the Dark Star. After

that attempt succeeds or fails, the star moth beats a hasty retreat. The star priest, Altura, remains aboard the Dark Star and uses a sending spell to relay what has happened to Helix, an astral elf on

Darklords

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

Secret

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

Other Domains of Dread

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

Questioning Corlie

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hold Back The Dead

—that’s not clear. I’ve had conflicting reports about the horde’s leader, but it’s some kind of ghost or creature made of dark mist.” Who’s Defending the Other Wall Sections? “We have a few soldiers

Will You Be? “The soldiers will need my support more than you will. I’ll be coordinating defenses on the other wall sections. You won’t see me again until the danger has passed.” Should We Retreat

Rip Tide Priest

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

Rip Tide Priest Priests of the Rip Tide cult gather in secret cabals to perform dark rituals that glorify Olhydra, the elemental Princess of Evil Water, as the embodiment of water’s destructiveness

): expeditious retreat, magic missile, shield 2nd level (3 slots): blur, hold person 3rd level (2 slots): sleet storm Actions Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Snapping Turtle Bay

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Snapping Turtle Bay This bay is beautiful beyond compare. Though the sky is dark with clouds of smoke and ash streaked with lightning, the white sand beaches, lush forests, bright coral reefs, and

colorful wildlife make this a restful retreat from the horrors of Chult. The shore is not without its dangers, but even they are inviting and wondrous to behold. Tri-flower fronds, mantraps, and jaculis

Wight

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

Wight The word “wight” meant “person” in days of yore, but the name now refers to evil undead who were once mortals driven by dark desire and great vanity. When death stills such a creature’s heart

and snuffs its living breath, its spirit cries out to the demon lord Orcus or some vile god of the underworld for a reprieve: undeath in return for eternal war on the living. If a dark power answers

It's Your World

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.

Final Confrontations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

berserker, they make a fighting retreat through the pastures to steal sheep and ponies. Nettlebees in Hiding. Once the barbarians make it to the ranch, Javor bursts into the house’s cellar. The Nettlebees

halfling pluck and dark devotion make the wicked Nettlebees unlikely to back down easily. In fact, Wiggan tries to bribe the characters into defending Bertram and him “against these savages.” He also uses

Elves

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

kingdoms lasting three thousand years. These battles devastated much of the world and resulted in the dark elves’ flight into the Underdark. Reeling from these calamities, the elven empires went into a

long, slow decline, and many of their kind took part in the great Retreat to their refuge on Evermeet. As the elves increasingly withdrew from the world, other races and civilizations rose to prominence

The Returned

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.

Gith Tables

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

Credits

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

The Temple of Elemental Evil

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

surface. Knifepoint Gully near Feathergale Spire leads to the Temple of Howling Hatred. The Dark Stream flows under Rivergard Keep, leading to the Temple of the Crushing Wave. The Ancient Stair

. At least two cultists from any group the characters interact with serve as escorts. Driving the Cults into Retreat The cultists learn and adapt as the characters attack their strongholds. The four

9. Contested Caves

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

Freth. They have been watching the invisible troll but aren’t sure what to make of it. They retreat to area 12 (through areas 9b, 10a, and 10b) if threatened. Zaztorrl’s loyalty to House Freth is shaky

planning to soften up the troglodytes in area 7a and are not expecting to face adventurers. If four of the drow fall, the survivors use darkness spells to cover their retreat to area 13. 9c. Roper

Kraken Attack!

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

following sections), the archaeologists use the commoner stat block. If the characters join the battle, the kraken focuses on them while the archaeologists retreat. If the characters don’t join the

longer a threat, the leader of the archaeologists approaches the characters. A stout human woman with bronze skin and curly dark hair held back with a colorful scarf runs toward you. Her expression is a

The Caller

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

, and truths hinting at the nature of the Dark Powers. Consider the following plots when featuring the Caller in an adventure: One of the characters’ allies requests they check in on the ally’s brother

. This pious or artistic soul has been convinced by a charming peer (the Caller in disguise) to attend a retreat that is secretly a meeting of the priests of Osybus. An old friend reappears in a

The Dark Dominion

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

The Dark Dominion The rock surrounding the city is honeycombed with tunnels and passageways forming the Dark Dominion, a territory claimed by the drow but not part of the city proper. Home to all

manner of Underdark denizens, this maze forms part of Menzoberranzan’s defenses as well as its underworld — a dangerous place for dark dealings and clandestine meetings. The Dark Dominion is a great

Outer Planes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

, only to form anew, again and again. Beneath the ruby glow lay a dark nightmare land of bare rock and flumes of sparks and gouting flame, where things slithered and scrambled half-seen in the shadows

their divine needs. Distance is a virtually meaningless concept on the Outer Planes. The perceptible regions of the planes can seem quite small, but they can also stretch on to what seems like infinity

A Bard's Muse

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

versatility. Others adopt a more personal approach to their art, driven by their attachment to a muse — a particular concept that inspires much of what those bards do in front of an audience. A bard who

, its roots delving into the dark unknown to draw forth the power of the earth, while its branches reach toward the sun to nourish their flowers and fruit. Nature is the ancient witness who has seen

Cleric

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

Faith in Diversification Despite their supposed wisdom, many common clerics fail to grasp the simple concept of using the best tool for the job. To the devoted priest of Tempus, every problem is just

be hiding in dark places to avoid danger. As a cleric in an Acquisitions Incorporated campaign, you’ll carefully choose your deity so that the domains of your divine patron synergize seamlessly with

Adventure Summary

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

to Tharizdun, where they are attacked by chuuls that dwell there. At the climax of this battle, the Whisperer appears from the polluted sea to attack the heroes — hoping to enslave them to its own dark

. Alternatively, you could set the Styes up as a small, stand-alone port town. This approach has the advantage of limiting characters to the Styes’ squalid confines. They can’t retreat to a nicer part of the

Journey Back to Leilon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

: Lightning and thunder suddenly crack a dark sky as heavy rain pours from above. Cries of, “Hurricane! All hands on deck!” can be heard throughout the vessel. The sailors need all the help they can get

retreat by any means necessary. Characters who interrogate a captured pirate or cultist learn who is behind the attack with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation) check.

Skull Lord

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

his eye and hand. In the confusion resulting from this turn of events, Vecna’s warlords turned against each other, and the dark one’s plans were dashed. In a rage, Vecna gathered up his generals and

, poison spray, ray of frost, shocking grasp 1st level (4 slots): magic missile, expeditious retreat, thunderwave 2nd level (3 slots): mirror image, scorching ray 3rd level (3 slots): fear, haste

Adventure Summary

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

, the characters learn about the dark fate of the hermitage and its people. More important, they come to understand that after the drowned ones have finished hunting the last residents of Firewatch

mouth of Scions Sound against threats from Karrnath, but it has since become a place of meditation and retreat. Ten years before the end of the war, the fort was attacked by the Order of the Emerald

D&D Beyond

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