both before dead cunning related

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

financial recompense. These cunning serial killers and mass murderers remain a step ahead of investigators, at least until the cultists’ zealous bloodlust overwhelms their senses. Cultists The

adventurers Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul seized divinity but were slain for their hubris. All three have been reborn and are now known as the Dead Three. Each of the Dead Three has inspired wicked cults that

Karas Chembryl

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

shrines to the Dead Three and her research about lore or Artifacts related to those gods. Only Karas’s most trusted confidantes know her hideout’s location. Karas extends her connection to the

, Bhaal, and Myrkul has earned her the title Auspice of the Dead Three.Karas Chembryl’s Lair Karas operates from a hideout deep beneath the city of Baldur’s Gate. The hideout contains

Oblex Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so

plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their prey to use as lures, which helps them harvest even more victims for their mind flayer masters.

Underworld Cerberus

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

deep in the Underworld. Terrifying and cunning, they guard portals between the wards of the Underworld, Erebos’s greatest treasures, and noteworthy souls who might attempt to escape the realm of

the dead. Three-headed cerberi commonly serve demons, but if left to their own devices, they often herd wily souls into labyrinthine Underworld wildernesses, then hunt them for sport. Feared by the

Werevulture

Monsters The Book of Many Things

related to vrock;vrocks, vulturelike demons known for their covetousness and their capricious violence. According to these scholars, a flock of vrocks descended on a Material Plane world through a

. But during the next full moon, they transformed into the first werevultures: hideous, birdlike creatures who hungered for the flesh of the dead. In the years since, the curse has spread far and wide

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

. If the brother gods are angry with them, they let the bugbears know with bolts of lightning (Hruggek) or by striking them blind or dead (Grankhul). Bugbears worship their gods simply by preying on

Lich Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

, detect thoughts, invisibility, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, counterspell, dispel magic, fireball 4th level (3 slots): blight, dimension door 5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, scrying

. Everything about a lich’s lair reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses

Stone Cursed

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Cunning Opportunist. The stone cursed has advantage on the attack rolls of opportunity attack;opportunity attacks. False Appearance. If the stone cursed is motionless at the start of combat, it has

would be lost. Cryptic Whispers Even though a creature transformed into a stone cursed is long dead, a vague whisper of their memories lives on in the obsidian skull embedded within the stone cursed

Breath Drinker

Monsters The Book of Many Things

reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target dies. Until the breath drinker dies, the dead target can’t be returned to life by any means short of divine intervention. On a successful save

causing the creatures to devour themselves. Cunning stalkers, breath drinkers are usually solitary. Occasionally they serve powerful Far Realm entities or Elder Evils, consuming life and souls for their

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

their race, allowing them to shed their frail humanity like dead skin. Those that did not transform eventually became slaves or food for the blessed of the serpent gods. The yuan-ti empires withered

are cunning and ruthless tacticians who readily sacrifice lesser yuan-ti if potential victory justifies such losses. They have no sense of honorable combat and strike first in decisive ambush if they

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

“Yer late, elf!” came the rough edge of a familiar voice. Bruenor Battlehammer walked up the back of his dead foe, disregarding the fact that the heavy monster lay on top of his elven

identities and affiliations, recognize related dwarves, and invoke their ancestors’ names in oaths and curses. To be clanless is the worst fate that can befall a dwarf. Dwarves in other lands are

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

master in your fields of study. Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead

work to preserve a library, university, scriptorium, or monastery. 4 My life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore. 5 I’ve been searching my whole

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Proficiencies: Arcana, History Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have not yet been able to

tomes related to a specific field of lore. 5 I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question. 6 I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it

Valindra Shadowmantle Legacy

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, counterspell, dispel magic, fireball 4th level (3 slots): blight, dimension door 5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, scrying 6th level (1 slot): disintegrate, globe

reflects its keen mind and wicked cunning, including the magic and mundane traps that secure it. Undead, constructs, and bound demons lurk in shadowy recesses, emerging to destroy those who dare to disturb

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

flayers created a special breed of Ooze, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The

engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When

suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

an orc war band celebrating its recent victory. Silently, he stalks into their midst and whispers an oath, and two orcs are dead before they even realize he is there. Silver hair shining in a shaft

sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that

Fraz-Urb'luu

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

trick, every ounce of demonic cunning, to manipulate his enemies—mortal and Fiend alike—to do his will. Fraz-Urb’luu can create dreamlands and mind-bending fantasies able to deceive the

see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Twisted Paths. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on themselves, making

Fraz-Urb'luu Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Deception and Demon Lord of Illusions. He uses every trick, every ounce of demonic cunning, to manipulate his enemies—mortal and fiend alike—to do his will. Fraz-Urb’luu can create

creatures within 1 mile of the lair frequently see hallucinations of long-dead friends and comrades that vanish after only a brief glimpse. Roads and paths within 6 miles of the lair twist and turn back on

Strahd, Master of Death House

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

. Spellcasting. Strahd casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18): At will: Detect Thoughts, Fog Cloud, Mage Hand 2/day each: Animate Dead (as an

legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Strahd regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. Cunning Escape. Strahd moves up to

Hints

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

proficiency in a skill related to a hint, share that hint with them. If the same skill is listed multiple times with the same or higher DCs, reveal hints with the lowest DCs first then hints with higher DCs

learn the associated hint. Don’t hesitate to reveal hints to the party. Hints provide characters with relevant skills the opportunity to shine, even if they’re not usually particularly cunning

Gathering Information

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Gathering Information If the Cassalanters are the main villains, the characters might come to their villa if their search for the Stone of Golorr or the Vault of Dragons hits a dead end. Victoro

Cassalanter keeps information related to his own search for the stone and the Vault of Dragons in his office (area C6).

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

considered an adult. Most succumb to violence, accidents, or disease by age 20, but a kobold can live for up to 120 years — a longevity they attribute to being distantly related to dragons. A female can

Zodiac Associations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

the twelve signs. The Ability Score column suggests individuals born under a specific sign are believed to have characteristics related to this attribute. People born under the Balance, for example

, might be referred to as shrewd or cunning, a sign of their high Intelligence score. Common Zodiac Associations Sign Nickname Prominence Birthstone Creature Color Ability Score Skull The

Advantage and Disadvantage

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

Consider granting Advantage when... Circumstances not related to a creature’s own capabilities provide it with an edge. Some aspect of the environment improves the character’s chance of success. A

player shows exceptional creativity or cunning in attempting or describing a task. Previous actions (whether taken by the character making the attempt or some other creature) improve the chances of

Heralds of Dust Roles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

Heralds of Dust Roles Eulogists, gravediggers, and morticians, the Heralds of Dust serve Sigil in all things related to death. The faction attracts the grief stricken, the undead, and those with a

Ward. Exorcists. When evil spirits and other wicked apparitions rear their ugly heads, the Heralds of Dust deploys exorcists to expel those spirits so the dead may rest in peace. See this supplement’s

Features

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

honored dead. People. The inhabitants of San Citlán typically have skin of light to medium brown, black hair, and dark eyes. Humans and dwarves are the most common folk in the city. A small number of

intelligent Undead known as olvidados (detailed below) also reside here and are fully accepted as citizens. Languages. The language of San Citlán is Citlanés, which is related to Tletlahtolli (the

Vampires

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

the youngest vampires might be little more than bloodthirsty servants of their creators, the eldest possess incredible cunning and control over supernatural forces of the night. Undead vampires lie

. Vampire Resting Places 1d6 The Vampire’s Resting Place Is... 1 Among the roots of a dead tree. 2 At the bottom of a stagnant pool. 3 A coffin filled with grave dirt. 4

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

made from dead darkmantles 20 Cloaks made of scraps from an elven tapestry Booyahgs Spellcasters of any sort among the goblins are rare. Goblins typically lack the intelligence and

Undead

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

evil remnant of a dead explorer has become a specter that attacks the party. The explorer’s body can be found with a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Survival) check. If the characters locate the body, see

“Explorer, Dead” earlier in this section to determine what they find. Wight The characters encounter a wight that has lurked in the Chultan jungle since before the Spellplague. It harbors an eternal

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all

until my enemies are dead, no matter the cost. 4 I understand the value of civilization and the order that society brings. 5 I don’t trust anyone. 6 I believe in living to

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

, sleep 2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, gust of wind, mirror image 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, fireball, nondetection 4th level (3 slots): blight, greater invisibility, polymorph 5th level

intelligently and do everything you can to make him a terrifying and cunning adversary for the player characters. When you run an encounter with Strahd, keep the following facts in mind: Strahd

Yeonido Customs

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

Yeonido Customs A character who wants to understand more about Yeonido’s customs related to gwishin and the dead can learn the following by asking the city’s residents or by succeeding on a DC 12

Phenax

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

cloak of Athreos, the River Guide, who ushers the dead to their final rest. Hidden by illusion as he was, neither Athreos nor Erebos could find Phenax and bring him back. Able to play whatever role

the situation calls for, Phenax is a consummate actor. His incisive wit and cunning enable him to read the desires of his marks, adjusting his approach to suit the moment. In his rare moments of candor

Advantage and Disadvantage

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

disadvantage as a result. Consider granting advantage when… Circumstances not related to a creature’s inherent capabilities provide it with an edge. Some aspect of the environment contributes to the

character’s chance of success. A player shows exceptional creativity or cunning in attempting or describing a task. Previous actions (whether taken by the character making the attempt or some other

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