both before death cities ready

Corrupted Rat

Monsters Stranger Things: Welcome to the Hellfire Club

Agile. The rat doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks when it moves out of an enemy’s reach. Death Burst. The rat explodes when it dies. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 9, each creature in a

damage.Slinking Vermin Befouled by Magic Corrupted by a malevolent ex-adventurer’s magic, the rats of Elmshire are mottled and sickly. Their organs glow and bubble beneath their scabby hides as if ready to pop. These pests sometimes gather in squeaking tides, devouring everything in their path.

Night Blade

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

cause terrible pain and bleeding. Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal’s followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call

rank are the death’s heads, who can take on the skull-faced guise of their deity to terrify their prey. In combat, they intimidate foes by shrugging off the deadliest attacks with ease, showing that resisting Bhaal’s schemes is futile.

Green Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

ensure they can manipulate even the shrewdest opponents. Abishais Each abishai was once a mortal who somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a

responsibilities, such as leading large groups, assassinating targets, and serving in armies. In all cases, abishais are fanatically loyal to Tiamat, ready to lay down their lives if needed. Abishais stand

Black Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

abishai was once a mortal who somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of

armies. In all cases, abishais are fanatically loyal to Tiamat, ready to lay down their lives if needed. Abishais stand outside the normal hierarchy of the Nine Hells, having their own chain of command

Blue Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of abishai is associated with one of Tiamat’s five dragon

, ready to lay down their lives if needed. Abishais stand outside the normal hierarchy of the Nine Hells, having their own chain of command and ultimately answering to Tiamat (and Asmodeus, when he

Tlincalli

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

powerful hunter, such as a blue dragon, they carefully weigh whether to serve the superior hunter, move on, or fight to the death to remove it as competition. Tlincallis rarely build cities, make

White Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

destruction on the battlefield. Abishais Each abishai was once a mortal who somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her

groups, assassinating targets, and serving in armies. In all cases, abishais are fanatically loyal to Tiamat, ready to lay down their lives if needed. Abishais stand outside the normal hierarchy of the

Ulitharid

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, taking a group of mind flayers with it, and moves to another location to form a new colony. After the death of the ulitharid’s body, a special process transforms its brain into a new elder brain for

the colony. This process doesn’t work on the brain of an ulitharid that dies a natural death, as such brains are too decrepit to be used. Instead, each ulitharid carries a psionically enhanced

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

, and a pouch containing 10 gp FEATURE: CITY SECRETS You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you

. (Lawful) 3 Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic) 4 Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death

Rak Tulkhesh

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

death until the children of Eberron and Siberys rose up against them. Armies of dragons fought against the fiends of Khyber. And though the overlords couldn't be destroyed, the couatl sacrificed

can't die permanently. Upon its death, it reforms elsewhere in the multiverse and becomes active again at a time set by the DM. Rak Tulkhesh Called the Rage of War, Rak Tulkhesh is the incarnation of

Red Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of abishai is associated with

, abishais are fanatically loyal to Tiamat, ready to lay down their lives if needed. Abishais stand outside the normal hierarchy of the Nine Hells, having their own chain of command and ultimately answering

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

in, a pet mouse, a token to remember your parents by, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp FEATURE: CITY SECRETS You know the secret patterns and flow to cities and

) 3 Change. The low are lifted up, and the high and mighty are brought down. Change is the nature of things. (Chaotic) 4 Retribution. The rich need to be shown what life and death are like in

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

the latest challenger to her authority over their tribe, ready to break his neck with her bare hands as she did to the last six rivals. Frothing at the mouth, a dwarf slams his helmet into the face

, resilience, and feats of strength. Primal Instinct People of towns and cities take pride in their settled ways, as if denying one’s connection to nature were a mark of superiority. To a barbarian

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ serpent gods into their religions. These victories sent a constant influx of food, ore, and slaves back to the home cities. The wealth of the empire allowed the ruling elite plenty of time to

some of their conquered enemies finally loosened the yuan-ti’s hold over nearby lands. The serpent people withdrew to their fortified cities and underground temples, ceding the rest of their

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

practice archaeology travel to the far corners of the world to root through crumbled cities and lost dungeons, digging in search of artifacts that might tell the stories of monarchs and high priests, wars

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves

(except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone. Although some humans can be

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the area patrolled by the guard did she explain that the noises indicated that the wingless folk had claimed that area, and that to trespass would be to court death. — Gimble, Notes from a

. They settle in places that accept them, usually bleak cities that have fallen on hard times and are overrun with crime. Dreams of Flight Above all else, kenku wish to regain their ability to fly

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

, injury, or age) often join these cults instead of facing daily humiliation, exile, or death. Serving as the bridge between the two parts of the tribe are the priestesses of Luthic, the orc goddess who

Welcome to Phandalin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin. The new settlement is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by

stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains. The arrival of a white dragon threatens to destroy all that they’ve worked to rebuild. When you are ready for the adventure to

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

might make occasional nighttime forays up to the surface. Roughly one quarter of the towns and cities in the world have kobold communities living under them, but the kobolds are so good at staying

room to dig, and ready sources of food. Although lairing in these locations puts kobolds in competition with surface-dwelling humanoids, their ability to avoid detection often means their warrens go

Children of Winter

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

Children of Winter The Children of Winter believe that death and decay are vital aspects of the natural cycle of life. They believe that if the cycle falls out of balance, it will trigger a

devastating cataclysm as the world resets this balance. They battle undead, but they also engage in actions that cull the weak. Extremists have been known to spread plagues in cities. The Children of Winter

Noteworthy Features

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

Casques Silencieux, enacts martial law and quarantines whole cities. The government organizes no food or medical aid for quarantined communities, leaving residents to contend as best they can. Richemulot’s

cities contain an inexplicably large number of buildings, an amount greater than their highest populations would have ever warranted. Rat swarms prowl city streets like packs of dogs. RICHEMULOISE

Abishais

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

Abishais Each abishai was once a mortal who somehow won Tiamat’s favor before death. As a reward, the dragon god transformed the mortal into a draconic devil to serve at Tiamat’s pleasure in the Nine

as leading large groups, assassinating targets, and serving in armies. In all cases, abishais are fanatically loyal and ready to lay down their lives for Tiamat.

Borca

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

bejeweled playgrounds of the land’s elite, Borca’s common folk struggle against crime, poverty, and starvation. In scattered villages and tenement-filled cities, locals view nobles as celebrities, and

their idealized vision of noble life leads them to mimic the aristocrats’ callousness and appetite for empty fads. These starry-eyed innocents provide ready pawns for corruption. And those who don’t bend to the whims of Borca’s rulers face humiliation before they’re inevitably crushed.

Realms of the Returned

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

Realms of the Returned Death and life are two sides of the same coin. Opposite, but eternally connected. One cannot exist without the other. —Slighos the Body-binder Before becoming a god, Phenax

find themselves separate from the living, their memories lost and their unnatural states striking fear in most mortals. As a result, most Returned come to follow certain paths of behavior and gravitate toward two city-states, known as the necropoleis—cities of the dead.

Chapter 5: Equipment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

shape, size, and color drawn from a spectrum of nations and cultures. In the largest cities, almost anything imaginable is offered for sale, from exotic spices and luxurious clothing to wicker

life and death in a dungeon or the untamed wilds. This chapter details the mundane and exotic merchandise that adventurers commonly find useful in the face of the threats that the worlds of D&D present.

Adventure Background

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

Adventure Background The ruined town of Leilon was once a fortified settlement on the High Road midway between the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep. The Lord Protector of Neverwinter, Dagult

, god of storms, led by their champion Fheralai Stormsworm. The cult’s headquarters are inside a death knight dreadnaught, an undead galleon, which prowls the coast looking for trade ships to plunder

Remarkable Villains

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

Remarkable Villains Eberron is rich in villains, from two-bit hoods to continental masterminds. It might be a long time before you’re ready to face the sinister leader behind the Order of the Emerald

, when a pulp villain appears to die, they can devise remarkable escapes from death. Perhaps Halas had a ring that cast an illusion of his death while stabilizing him or cast feather fall when he leapt

Athreos's Villains

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

result, Athreos’s followers make grim opponents when they prioritize the needs of the dead over the living. Their mission also makes them ready foes of the Returned and their allies. Some seek to achieve

greater efficiency in the transition of the doomed into death, such as by impeding medical treatment or wrecking warships destined for hopeless wars. Athreos doesn’t approve of utter cruelty, but

Ending the Adventure

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

adventurers are not quite ready to move to 9th level and start the next adventure in the series, Sleeping Dragon’s Wake. This is a good opportunity to create your own encounters or short adventures

her situation, repair the damage, and find new staff. She might hire the party to travel to one of the larger cities to recruit talent. This could be an interesting side quest with lots of roleplaying

Welcome to Leilon

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

ships cannot traverse the town’s shallow mud flats) to be transported to cities all over the Sword Coast. Two hundred years ago, the wizard Thalivar made his home here and raised a tower at the town

ghosts bound to Leilon’s ruins. They now watch the rebuilding of the town with caution, hoping that the reconstructed tower does not bring similar disaster. When you are ready for the adventure to

Lore of Lurue

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

Mage of Silverymoon, at the behest of the lesser deity Lurue the Unicorn. It was later added to Ecamane’s personal library, where it collected dust long after Ecamane’s death in 712 DR. Eventually

being accepted, the book was stored in the library’s archives. The book offers a look into the history behind the founding of one of the most prominent cities in Faerûn, Silverymoon. In actuality, Lore

Battle Begins

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Wall table. These encounters are described below. Once you’re ready for the characters to begin their infiltration of the flying citadel, proceed with the “Dragonnel Reinforcements” section. Defending

the Wall d4 Encounter 1 Ballista Breakers 2 Daring Riders 3 Death Dragon Attack 4 Draconian Assassins Ballista Breakers A flight of dozens of sivak draconians soars from the flying citadel toward

Small Groups

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

can be a good idea in a game that features nonstop peril and a high rate of character death. If your group agrees to the premise, have each player keep one or two additional characters on hand, ready

Environment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

, and ready sources of food. Although lairing in these locations puts kobolds in competition with surface-dwelling humanoids, their ability to avoid detection often means their warrens go unnoticed by

invaders and in return providing services such as excavating new living spaces and disposing of trash. If it’s unlucky, the tribe is enslaved by the other humanoids, and the kobolds serve similar roles but under threat of death.

D&D Beyond

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