both before death cities really

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.

Splugoth the Returned

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

trust Omin Dran. Wait, that’s two pieces of advice. You owe me. Sometimes a goblin can’t catch a break. First, you fall in with a cult that works for the release of a death god. Then

again, and it seems like a really good idea to play up the drama of resurrection with a cool new name — and a master plan for cold, cold revenge against those who betrayed you. Every once in a

Smiler the Defiler

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

shocking recklessness. Smiler thinks he can accomplish anything with a positive attitude and some death-defying stunt. Although he admits others might end up getting killed by his actions, he believes he

can bend the multiverse to his whims if he tries hard enough. He’s really quite insane. One of Smiler’s favorite antics is to use a hallucinatory terrain spell to create a little bit of

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

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

parents. Diplomats or Wanderers Half-elves have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in human cities and somewhat less welcome in elven forests. In large cities in regions where elves and

naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, half-elves raised among humans are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take human names

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

You are a member of a teeming horde — one small part of a sprawling organism. Just as you are part of the swarm, the swarm is part of a larger ecosystem, a never-ending cycle of life, death

Golgari, no fear of death or taboo about the dead, just a fierce affirmation of the cycle. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s kit Languages

Orzhov Representative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

command, illusory script 2nd enthrall, ray of enfeeblement, zone of truth 3rd bestow curse, speak with dead, spirit guardians 4th blight, death ward

’t think of anything to look forward to. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Wealth. I will do whatever it takes to

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

head on the ceiling—good food and good stories in front of a nice, warm fire. If halflings had a shred of ambition, they might really amount to something.” Lasting Institutions Where a

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

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

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Hedonism. Death comes for everyone, so take as much pleasure as you can from every moment of life. (Neutral) 3 Creativity. I strive to

very amusing dark side. 2 A Boros captain really wants to “redeem” me. 3 I think a member of my troupe is a Dimir agent. 4 I once convinced a Golgari medusa to participate

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

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

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

Boros Legionnaire

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

;sacred flame 1st guiding bolt, heroism 2nd aid, scorching ray 3rd beacon of hope, blinding smite 4th death ward, wall of fire 5th flame strike

are gifts of the angels. 8 I pace when standing and fidget incessantly when forced to sit. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any

Gruul Anarch

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

.] Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Clan. My clan is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Anarchy. No person or law or custom can tell another what to do. (Chaotic) 3 Nature.

siblings or ancestors.] Flaws d6 Flaw 1 If you question my courage, I will never back down. 2 HrrrGGGAAAARRuuuh! [My anger in battle led to the death of a loved one

What Really Happened

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

What Really Happened Five years ago, Lord Viallis murdered his family, Sarah, and three other servants as part of a ritual to contact an otherworldly entity. The ritual was successful, and with the

dedicated to Gaernoo. Lord Viallis, empowered by Gaernoo’s otherworldly magic and wanting to get away from talk of his family’s death, moved to the village of Greenfast, a day’s travel southeast of

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

3. Hungry Gnome

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

one of the corpses. (The gnome is really a troll named Xlorp, transformed by the runes in area 11b.) In its current form, the troll has the statistics of an unarmored (AC 12), chaotic evil deep gnome

character who examines the bodies and succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals that four drow are covered in burn marks consistent with lightning strikes, three were torn to pieces by large claws, and one was crushed to death (a victim of the behir’s coils).

Draconic Gifts

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

Draconic Gifts You know the proverb: don’t look a draconic gift in the mouth. Some say it’s because of the breath weapon. But really it’s the smell. -Fizban As described in chapter 3, the death

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

Volothamp “Volo” Geddarm

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

wish to explore jungles, lost cities, and dungeons. Friendly taverns and bawdy festhalls are more my style.” Bond. “Planning an expedition? You really should buy a copy of my latest book, Volo’s Guide

Cult of Rakdos

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

ridiculous. Members of the Cult of Rakdos have witnessed the grandiose speeches and self-important plans of other guilds and concluded that their rivals take themselves far too seriously. Since death comes for

socialites who come to the Rakdos for illicit amusements, most of Ravnica’s people don’t really want the Rakdos to go away, as much as they might publicly protest otherwise.

Creating a Bronze Dragon

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

preserve their dignity. It’s really for your benefit. 3 I have no time for chitchat or insinuation. I get to the point and expect others to do the same. 4 I respect law and order, but it’s no

strategy. A quick death in combat is its own kind of courtesy. 6 I trust my gut. I’d rather act on incomplete information than be hamstrung by indecision. 7 I’m fascinated by other species

Developments

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

permanent home. The Ice Hunters are elated over the dragon’s death. When the characters emerge from the iceberg, the normally reserved villagers greet them with cheers and offers of the choicest fermented

to come between a dragon and its hoard. They don’t really care if someone else plunders items from the dragon’s hoard, and they’re too stupid to think they might be blamed for any such thefts.

Developments

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

permanent home. The Ice Hunters are elated over the dragon’s death. When the characters emerge from the iceberg, the normally reserved villagers greet them with cheers and offers of the choicest fermented

to come between a dragon and its hoard. They don’t really care if someone else plunders items from the dragon’s hoard, and they’re too stupid to think they might be blamed for any such thefts.

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

Rumors and Legends

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

keep a brain alive long after a creature’s death. 46–50 Kwalish never really existed. The inventor who went by that name was really a construct, created by Ioun to walk among mortals and study our

Occultant

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

living and the dead Position Proficiency: In addition to the proficiencies noted below, you can add your proficiency bonus to an ability check to intimidate a creature close to death, assess what disease

a creature you can see that is below its hit point maximum and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check. On a success, you determine whether this creature’s immediate death would have neutral, negative

The Ruin of Bakar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

. The riverbed dried up within days, and without its waters, Bakar quickly collapsed. Over the years that followed, Bakar’s cities were overtaken by the dunes, and its people fled to neighboring lands. A

Curse on the Pharaoh After his death, Amun Sa’s spirit began its journey to the afterlife, but he was stopped by a god of death. The disapproving god chastised the pharaoh’s spirit: “Your legacy was

Chapter 5: Adventure Environments

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

Chapter 5: Adventure Environments Many D&D adventures revolve around a dungeon setting. Dungeons in D&D include great halls and tombs, subterranean monster lairs, labyrinths riddled with death traps

easier to predict where the adventuring party might go in the dungeon because the options are limited — less so in the wilderness. Villages, towns, and cities are cradles of civilization in a

D&D Beyond

Search Results