both before dark concept reveal

Crown of Lies

Magic Items Vecna: Eve of Ruin

, the Dark Powers of the Domain of Dread lured Kas to a hidden forge, where he found the Crown of Lies. Once Kas vowed to deliver Vecna into the Dark Powers’ clutches and donned the crown, the

Dark Powers released Kas. From there, Kas set out to ruin his former master. Should Kas fail, the Dark Powers will reclaim him. The crown is made of burnished and entwined metal rods. To attune to it

Living Portent

Monsters The Book of Many Things

Whisperer. A purple star whose guidance and minions seem to help for a time but whose influence inevitably leads to disaster. Hadar, the Dark Hunger. A cinder-red dying star that siphons life from its

minions to avert its own demise. Khirad, the Star of Secrets. A blue-white star whose gifts grant insight but also reveal terrible truths. Zhudun, the Corpse Star. A dead star that whispers of the

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

Aasimar Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

celestial heritage. These often begin subtle and become more obvious when the aasimar gains the ability to reveal their full celestial nature. The Aasimar Celestial Features table has examples you can

dark eyes 3 Starkly colored hair 4 An unusual hue tinting your shadow 5 A ghostly halo crowning your head 6 Rainbows gleaming on your skin Creating Your Character At

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began to corrupt him. Imperfections. The Abbot's fall from grace started when the Belviews—a family of sickly

insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich. Somehow the deva realized that any attempt to slay Strahd would be futile—that the ancient curse upon the land meant that the

Fraz-Urb'luu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

an extended, muscular neck; a smiling face framed by long, pointed ears and lank, dark hair; and bat-like wings are furled against his powerful shoulders. He can assume other forms, however, from the

to greater and greater atrocities in the name of their cause, only to eventually reveal his true nature and claim their souls as his own.Fraz-Urb’luu’s Lair Fraz-Urb’luu’s

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

;Disguise kit Languages: One of your choice Equipment: A Dimir insignia, three small knives, a set of dark-colored common clothes, and the starting equipment of the background described in this

reveal them. (Any) 4 Knowledge. I want to know as much as I can about this city and how it works. (Any) 5 Independence. I value the freedom to pursue my own goals without interference

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

Fraz-Urb'luu Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

that of a great gargoyle, some 12 feet tall, with an extended, muscular neck and a smiling face framed by long, pointed ears and lank, dark hair, and bat-like wings are furled against his powerful

of their holy cause, only to eventually reveal his true nature and claim their souls as his own.Fraz-Urb’luu’s Lair Fraz-Urb’luu’s lair lies within the Abyssal lair known as

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

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

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

Appendix E: Concept Gallery Just as most adventurers don’t walk into a dragon’s lair without a plan, neither were D&D’s iconic monsters developed without considerable forethought. This gallery

. The images herein show just a few avenues explored in updating these foes to the most current edition of the game, along with notes taken from internal concept and story documents. Some present

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

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

Appendix E: Concept Gallery Just as most adventurers don’t walk into a dragon’s lair without a plan, neither were D&D’s iconic monsters developed without considerable forethought. This gallery

. The images herein show just a few avenues explored in updating these foes to the most current edition of the game, along with notes taken from internal concept and story documents. Some present

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Appendix E: Concept Gallery Just as most adventurers don’t walk into a dragon’s lair without a plan, neither were D&D’s iconic monsters developed without considerable forethought. This gallery

. The images herein show just a few avenues explored in updating these foes to the most current edition of the game, along with notes taken from internal concept and story documents. Some present

The Dreaming Dark

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

The Dreaming Dark In the spaces between sleeping and waking, nightmares wait with grasping claws. The quori spirits that rule Dal Quor spent a thousand years seizing control of the continent of

Sarlona. Now they have turned their many eyes toward Khorvaire. The ultimate goal of the Dreaming Dark is to control all the nations of the world. The plane of Dal Quor goes through cycles of light and

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)

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

Domain of Dread Parolee

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

nearly destroying the lich Vecna, the warrior Kas found himself trapped in the Shadowfell, imprisoned in a Domain of Dread called Tovag. There, he languished as a vampire. In time, the Dark Powers of the

Shadowfell lured Kas to a hidden forge, where he found the Crown of Lies. Once Kas vowed to deliver Vecna into the Dark Powers’ clutches and donned the crown, the Dark Powers released Kas. From there

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

1. False Entrance Tunnel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a7

1. False Entrance Tunnel If the characters clear the passage on the west side of the cliff face, read: The corridor before you is made of plain stone, roughly worked, and it is dark and full of

cobwebs. The ceiling overhead is obscured by hanging strands of webbing. Casual observation will not reveal that the ceiling, 20 feet overhead, is composed of badly fitting stones. The cobwebs must be

Aasimar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

their celestial heritage. These often begin subtle and become more obvious when the aasimar gains the ability to reveal their full celestial nature. The Aasimar Celestial Features table has examples

you can choose or use as inspiration to create your own. Aasimar Celestial Features d6 Celestial Feature 1 A dusting of metallic, white, or charcoal freckles 2 Metallic, luminous, or dark eyes 3

Q2. Main Entrance

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

air, then closes its mouth and doesn’t activate again until the next dawn. At one time, the statue would breathe a cone of ice and hail, but its magic has deteriorated over the years. The doors are unlocked and can be pushed open to reveal a dark foyer (area Q3).

Arijani

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

Arijani Arijani is the charming face of resistance for all who oppose Ramya’s control of the Sapphire Throne. Like Ramya and Reeva, Arijani was given a second life by the Dark Powers. Now a rakshasa

influential supporters he seeks to attract to his cause. These traits also allow him to cultivate a persona of vacant decadence, which he uses as a mask so his foes will underestimate him and reveal

K72. Chamberlain's Office

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

Barovian crest are hung neatly on the dark, oak-paneled walls. If he has not been defeated elsewhere, Rahadin (see appendix D) is here, waiting for the characters to arrive so he can kill them. A shadow

wall. It can be pulled open to reveal a dusty, web-choked staircase of ancient, worn stone (area K79) that descends into darkness.

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

Encounters on the Way

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

the haunted tower. If questioned, they reveal the following information: The soldiers were working on the tower’s reconstruction, but they fled last night after seeing a ghost. Before seeing the ghost

) check discerns that the soldiers are holding something back. If pushed, they reveal another clue: Gallio Elibro has been acting strangely. He appears overtired, and he’s been spotted at night wandering

The Dark Powers

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

The Dark Powers Unfathomable, hidden forces manipulate life, death, and reality within Ravenloft. These mysterious, deathless beings are the architects of the Domains of Dread, and have secreted

these pockets of terror deep within the Plane of Shadow. The Dark Powers watch and influence events within their dominion. When their gaze drifts, they reach into other planes to collect heroes and

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

use for healing magic, and a sorcerer can meet most of the tribe’s other magic-related needs. Kobold shamans are very rare; priests of Kurtulmak, when they reveal themselves, are easily recognized

lack of emotional bonding means they have no concept of marriage or permanent family relationships. Their eggs are placed in a common tribal hatchery with no effort to keep track of who each one

Gothic Horror Villains

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

Gothic Horror Villains Villains in gothic horror tales are subtle or unassuming until they reveal their true nature. Any intriguing figure with a dark secret can serve as a gothic horror villain, and

The Land of the Mists

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

, and the machinations of the Dark Powers present a wealth of ominous possibilities. All these elements share a shadowy uncertainty and the potential for terror to take on unpredictable forms. The

following sections are written for you, the DM, to consider and incorporate into your adventures as you see fit. If you wish to reveal the core mysteries of Ravenloft to your players and explore the Land

Sign of Sorcery

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

a spell, does the effort reveal itself in a sign of sorcery? Is this sign tied to your origin or some other aspect of who you are, or is it a seemingly random phenomenon? Signs of Sorcery d6 Sign

1 You deliver the verbal components of your spells in the booming voice of a titan. 2 For a moment after you cast a spell, the area around you grows dark and gloomy. 3 You sweat profusely while

Temple of the Restful Lily

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

insecurities and tricking them into accepting dark bargains that ultimately lead to misery. The temple consists of three buildings. What was once Sylvarie’s private tower has been taken over by the hags as a

the bathhouse are the coven’s wicked minions in disguise, but also here are an undercover Harper agent, a water spirit, and a cursed kobold—all potential allies who can reveal the coven’s malicious machinations. Azirssa, Greensong, and Morganna

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.

Q11. Wine Storage

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

Q11. Wine Storage Five barrels lie in wooden braces along the walls of this dark, moldy storage room. Hiding behind the barrels is a wounded elf named Savid (N male dusk elf scout). He has 4 hit

the winery, the Wizard of Wines, and the name of the wine, Champagne du le Stomp. A secret door at the north end of the west wall can be pulled open to reveal a den (area Q6).

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.

D&D Beyond

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