both before dark curious retain

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

speak of a seelie fey who betrayed the Summer Queen. His true name has been stricken from history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath

absorbs over the course of its lifetime explodes outward when the darkling dies, incinerating the creature and much of its possessions. Love of Art. Despite their curse, darklings retain a fondness

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath that she cursed every member of his house. Other fey refer to the descendants of Dubh Catha's house as the dubh sith-or

much of its possessions. Love of Art. Despite their curse, darklings retain a fondness for the beauty of art. A darkling might risk taking a peek at a sunset or lighting a tiny candle to glimpse

Mist Hulk

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

embody their ancestors’ mixed elemental nature of Air and Water. After countless ages of isolation—often on one of the Elemental Planes or some hidden demiplane—they retain the barest

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

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

Drowned Master

Monsters Ghosts of Saltmarsh

head retain their former shapes, but its legs have split into shadowy tentacles. The drowned master is tethered to a source of powerful magic that prevents it from traveling far. It commands other drowned ones, compelling them to serve as agents in its dark plots.Poison

Gray Render

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

its master.A curious impulse drives the gray render. Despite its hulking form and terrible appetite, it wants most of all to bond with an intelligent creature and, once bonded, to give its life to

ground 8 Attacks carts and wagons as if they were terrible monsters 9 Howls when it rains 10 Whines piteously in the dark 11 Buries treasure it finds 12 Chases birds, leaping into the air to catch them, heedless of the destruction it causes

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or

humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version. Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

his or her appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually

unlikely to find the burrows in the first place. Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils

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

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

Background A large section of a fey-infused woodland has fallen under the control of a coven of green hags. Using dark gardening techniques, the hags have grafted myconids into the trees of the wood

rock. This pinnacle stands among the ruins of an ancient city that once housed the Infernal Machine, until Baron Lum the Mad discovered and claimed it for himself. A fallen clock tower still holds some of the machine’s components, which retain enough power to manipulate time.

Rundreth Manor

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

spread stories of the Dark Lady to scare off curious or foolhardy adventurers. They warn fellow members to approach Nurvureem with extreme caution. In recent months, Nurvureem has been pestered by

mysterious and terrifying figure known far and wide as “the Dark Lady.” Locals warn everyone to stay well away from the ruins. The truth of the tale is that the “Dark Lady” is a female adult black shadow

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

ruthless shipping magnate has bribed a dragon turtle to attack competitors’ vessels and drive them out of business. 2 A curious dragon turtle swam upriver from the sea and is now stuck beneath

. The water’s edge on the map represents the lip of the shelf, which descends to a dark plain twelve hundred feet below. Coral Reef. The rocky cliff side depicts the contours of a coral reef that

The Returned

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

separated from their memories, which become wandering eidolons (see chapter 6). They retain their personalities and skills, but each Returned tends to be a very different being from who they once were

. 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

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

isn’t a vampire, but uses his reputation as one to terrorize his vassals 2 An indulgent socialite who made a terrible bargain with a fell power to retain her youth 3 A scientist obsessed with

Shadow Dragon Treasures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Shadow Dragon Treasures Shadow dragons retain the preferences of their original form when it comes to treasure. With each passing year, though, the more lustrous objects in their hoards begin to

. Ebony, onyx, and similar dark-hued valuables bring shadow dragons no particular joy, but they aren’t as inherently repellent as silver, platinum, and diamonds. Beauty fills shadow dragons with contempt

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

The Adventure Begins

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

The Adventure Begins The characters begin the adventure in the slave pens of Velkynvelve. Stripped of everything but their underclothing, they are at the mercy of the dark elves and in the company of

other prisoners, many of who aren’t what they seem. Captured by the drow! You wouldn’t wish this fate upon anyone, yet here you are — locked in a dark cave, the cold, heavy weight of metal tight

Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin)

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

grandest deep gnome strongholds, which existed for more than two thousand years until it was overrun a little more than a century ago by the dark elves of Menzoberranzan. The deep gnomes recently reclaimed

their old home, and now struggle to rid it of malign influences that have crept into the tunnels and warrens in their absence. Deep gnomes are lean with dark, earthen skin tones of gray. Males are bald

3. Glabbagool

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

3. Glabbagool This area contains the skeletal remains of a drow, along with a dark metal mace and a scattering of coins. However, the characters are quick to notice that these items appear to hover

sentience and awareness. The ooze is genuinely curious about other creatures and wants to learn more about the world. It defends itself if attacked, but doesn’t otherwise try to harm the characters

Recovering Memories

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

modifications, each requiring its own magical removal, resulting in the recovery of a few traumatic memories at a time. Alienism. Scientifically curious lands in your campaign might feature burgeoning

language. Don’t explain why the character gains these benefits, though, and let them make their own explanations to other characters. Lost memories might also take the form of Dark Gifts (see chapter 1).

Undercroft

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

weapons can open or close a portal to the Inner Plane of that element. The Dark Lady can supply names and descriptions of each of the four elemental princes (described in chapter 7). Nurvureem is curious

without exposing herself to danger. The Dark Lady’s image opens conversation by saying, “Welcome to Rundreth Manor.” The image ignores any attacks the characters make against it, although such interaction

Will-o'-Wisp

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

Will-o’-Wisp Guide on the Path to Doom Habitat: Forest, Swamp, Urban; Treasure: None Vicki Pangestu From a distance, will-o’-wisps look like lanterns bobbing in the dark. Through the windows of

abandoned structures or around the bends of treacherous paths, these spirits tempt the curious into peril. Once their prey is vulnerable, will-o’-wisps feed on the life force of those they lay low. Roll

Travelers in the Mists

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

, and how to survive their dangers. Those who travel between domains might have the Mist Walker Dark Gift (see chapter 1) or know how to employ Mist talismans (detailed at the start of this chapter

carrying a message from the Keepers of the Feather 4 Curious members of the Keepers of the Feather led by a wereraven (see chapter 5) in disguise 5 A band of Vistani 6 A spirit that cries out before being yanked back into the Mists, leaving behind a Mist talisman

Graz'zt

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

ranks of those who seek pleasure above all else. He promises dark delights and forbidden ecstasies, in return for total submission to him. His cult gathers new members by circulating tracts, poems, and

other works of art that depict encounters with him. Upstanding folk regard these works as vulgar, wretched, and obscene, but the delights they depict or describe sometimes lure a curious soul into

65. Underground Lake

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

65. Underground Lake A dark underground lake opens up before you, its ceiling festooned with chains and gears — some of which appear to have dwarves dangling from them. A gigantic motionless stone

anyone seeking to prevent the atropal’s ascension. The aboleth’s other personality is that of a humanoid child — harmless, gleeful, and insanely curious. In this state of mind, the aboleth poses no

The Bedine

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

it brings destruction and ruin. Bedine are dark-haired and olive-skinned, with brown eyes. They wear a loose-fitting, linen robe called an aba, covered by a dark cloak called a jellaba. They carry

once lush and verdant land. Shamir is cautious and superstitious, but he’s also intelligent and curious. The blue circle painted on the golem’s chest and the symbols on its body make him think it’s the

Drow

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

for so long that they have evolved to their surroundings and can see in the dark. However, they can no longer stand sunlight. When laborers are in short supply in the Underdark, the drow send raiding

stone rivals that of the greatest dwarf artisans, yet their structures retain a decidedly elven aesthetic. Though appearing delicate, drow settlements are structurally sound and remarkably resilient

Mist Hulk

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

hulks are Elementals that embody their ancestors’ mixed elemental nature of Air and Water. After countless ages of isolation—often on one of the Elemental Planes or some hidden demiplane—they retain

the barest 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

Droaam

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

grow larger and more organized every day, and the rest of Khorvaire is uneasy with the potential power of a fully realized Droaam. The monsters that inhabit Droaam retain their racial subcultures. Most worship the Dark Six, but other religious traditions flourish as well.

Drowned Master

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

Drowned Master This waterlogged undead, bound to the Pit of Hatred in Tammeraut’s Fate, hovers menacingly over the bones of its victims. Its torso, arms, and head retain their former shapes, but its

agents in its dark plots. Drowned Master Medium undead, chaotic evil Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Hit Points 157 (21d8 + 63) Speed 30 ft. STR 17 (+3) DEX 12 (+1) CON

Worshiping Kruphix

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

are certainly those among them who might try if they could see a way to retain their own powers. The Silence. When the squabbling of the gods threatened the world once more despite Kruphix’s warning

held only unmoving stars. The great Silence of the gods serves as the backdrop for numerous tales of heroism and sacrifice. Many alive today witnessed the sky go dark and the temples grow quiet. Most

Gray Render

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

Gray Render A curious impulse drives the gray render. Despite its hulking form and terrible appetite, it wants most of all to bond with an intelligent creature and, once bonded, give its life to

Howls when it rains 10 Whines piteously in the dark 11 Buries treasure it finds 12 Chases birds, leaping into the air to catch them, heedless of the destruction it causes I suspect gray renders owe

Rangers

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

talkative owl, the ranger had monitored the drow for several days, curious as to why a dark elf had wandered into the valley. At first, Montolio had assumed that the drow was somehow connected to Graul

Random Encounters (T-Z)

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

the character finds, roll on the Trinkets table in appendix A. Unseen Servant A curious object drifts into view, as though held aloft by an invisible force. This unseen servant was created by Strahd

(Perception) score of 16 or higher, the party isn’t surprised. In that case, read: Creatures with pale flesh scuttle across the ceiling like spiders, their red eyes glowing in the dark. As they draw near

Gray Render

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

Gray Render A curious impulse drives the gray render. Despite its hulking form and terrible appetite, it wants most of all to bond with an intelligent creature and, once bonded, to give its life to

offerings of meat to its bonded creature 7 Compulsively digs up the ground 8 Attacks carts and wagons as if they were terrible monsters 9 Howls when it rains 10 Whines piteously in the dark 11 Buries treasure

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