both before death contain risk

Iron Flask

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

commands even if it doesn’t know the language in which the commands are given. If you issue no commands or give the creature a command that is likely to result in its death or imprisonment, it

creature, but the only way to determine the type of creature is to open the flask. A newly discovered Iron Flask might already contain a creature chosen by the DM or determined randomly by rolling on

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

Death Flash. When the darkling dies, nonmagical light flashes out from it in a 10-foot radius as its body and possessions, other than metal or magic objects, burn to ash. Any creature in that area

, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

Death Burn. When the darkling elder dies, magical light flashes out from it in a 10-foot radius as its body and possessions, other than metal or magic objects, burn to ash. Any creature in that area

must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Death Burn","rollDamageType":"radiant"} radiant damage and

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

whether an abishai follows Tiamat’s orders or Asmodeus’s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by Tiamat, but interfering with Asmodeus’s plans invites certain

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

;s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by Tiamat, but interfering with Asmodeus’s plans invites certain destruction.Fire, Lightning, PoisonCold; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and

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

work for them, but most archdevils do so rarely, since it is never clear whether an abishai follows Tiamat’s orders or Asmodeus’s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by

Khargra

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

tasty, refined metal their victim carries, they quickly flee—and will flee before that rather than risk death. Stealthy Couriers. A number of clans among the dwarves, duergar, and azers have trained

Mizzium Apparatus

Magic Items Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Innovation is a dangerous pursuit, at least the way the mages of the Izzet League engage in it. As protection against the risk of an experiment going awry, they have developed a device to help

acid arrow 5 scorching ray 6 shatter 3rd-Level Spells d6 Spell 1 fear 2 feign death 3 fireball 4 gaseous form 5 sleet storm 6

Prisoner 237

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

his criminal ventures by capturing him. Rather than put Gant to death for his crimes in Icewind Dale, the Council of Speakers in Ten-Towns made a deal with representatives of the Lords' Alliance to have

release, and that the Lords' Alliance would acquiesce to the brotherhood's demands rather than risk an all-out attack on Revel's End. But by now, Gant has been incarcerated long enough to reasonably

Iron Flask Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

duration. If you give no commands or give it a command that is likely to result in its death, it defends itself but otherwise takes no actions. At the end of the duration, the creature acts in

discovered bottle might already contain a creature chosen by the GM or determined randomly. d100 Contents d100 Contents 1-50 Empty 77-78 Elemental (any) 51 Arcanaloth 79

Priest of Osybus (Deathly)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

priest’s next turn. Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"recharge","rollAction":"Circle of Death"}). Each creature in a 60-foot-radius sphere centered on a point

the priest can see within 150 feet of it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6);{"diceNotation":"8d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Circle of Death","rollDamageType":"necrotic

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

do so rarely, since it is never clear whether an abishai follows Tiamat’s orders or Asmodeus’s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by Tiamat, but interfering with

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

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

century old. Suggested Characteristics Few archaeologists can resist the lure of an unexplored ruin or dungeon, particularly if such a site is the source of legends or is rumored to contain

Priest of Osybus (Dread)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

priests of Osybus steal the souls of others to fuel the priests’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the grave over

their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis. As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship. In time

Priest of Osybus

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

; malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the grave over and over. This unholy order of priests was founded centuries ago

attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship. In time, his goal was achieved: he became a lich of almost godly power

Priest of Osybus (Ectoplasmic)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

points.Necromancers of deep evil, the priests of Osybus steal the souls of others to fuel the priests’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature

Dark Powers and tapped into their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis. As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and

Priest of Osybus (Spectral)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, the priests of Osybus steal the souls of others to fuel the priests’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the

into their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis. As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship

Priest of Osybus (Vampiric)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

’ malevolent magic. Using this soul power, each priest can defy death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the grave over and over. This unholy order of priests was founded

grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He shared his dread secrets with them and demanded their worship. In time, his goal was achieved: he became a lich of almost godly

Eldritch Lich

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

","rollAction":"Far Realm Parasite (Miles)"} miles of where it died. If the lich died inside a magic circle cast to contain Undead, the lich instead reappears as an otyugh with all the lich’s memories

becoming an eldritch lich. Like other liches, eldritch liches are spellcasters who have cheated death, but an eldritch lich does so by allowing a Great Old One to implant a Far Realm parasite in the lich

Priest of Osybus (Blazing)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

death and become an undead creature, potentially cheating the grave over and over. This unholy order of priests was founded centuries ago by Osybus, a mysterious figure of unfathomable ambition and evil

his life. He became a devotee of the Dark Powers and tapped into their immortal malice to fuel his apotheosis. As his power grew, he attracted disciples who also wished to defy life and death. He

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

Tiamat’s orders or Asmodeus’s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by Tiamat, but interfering with Asmodeus’s plans invites certain destruction.Fire, PoisonCold; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered

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

convinced that everyone I know is plotting against me. 3 I’ll brave any risk if the monetary reward is great enough. 4 I am convinced that I am far more important than anyone else is

Rictavio

Monsters Curse of Strahd

): augury, lesser restoration, protection from poison 3rd level (3 slots): magic circle, remove curse, speak with dead 4th level (3 slots): death ward, freedom of movement 5th level (1 slot): dispel

, he will do so. Van Richten works alone. A curse placed on him long ago by a Vistani seer brings doom to those he befriends. Furthermore, he believes too much is at stake to risk exposure. Consequently

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

give up their lives as their physical skills decay. Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. They hope for innate

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

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

earth are strong or weak, are bearing a load or are safe to excavate, or are likely to contain minerals or offer access to water. This ability enables them to fashion secure homes in places where other

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

test, and make new acquaintances. Life of a Tortle A tortle hatches from a thick-shelled egg and spends the first few weeks of its life crawling on all fours. Its parents, old and near death, spend

put to use when building forts to contain their offspring. Although they spend a considerable portion of their lives in isolation, tortles are social creatures that like to form meaningful

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

creations are ultimately doomed to death and decomposition, and the dragons’ demeanor is typically morbid and curmudgeonly as a result. Gleaming Gold Upon hatching, topaz dragon wyrmlings&rsquo

love gazing upon it, but I abhor being wet. 4 Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind? 5 I am predictable only in my unpredictability

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the necrotic energy of the Negative Plane that suffuses them. Their psionic power manifests the fundamental entropic principle that mortal beings and their creations are ultimately doomed to death and

abhor being wet. 4 Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind? 5 I am predictable only in my unpredictability. 6 It takes true

Death

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

Death Adventures involve risk, with consequences that can be as catastrophic as the death of a single character or an entire group. Given the degree to which players get attached to their characters

, character death can be an emotionally charged situation. It might even be a hard limit for some players (see “Ensuring Fun for All” in chapter 1), so it’s worth having a conversation about how to handle character death at the start of a new game.

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

her to explode and die. A mephit that dies in this way does not use its Death Burst. Instead, each creature within 10 feet of the exploding mephit must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking

. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words, define her. Lesser gods in the D&D multiverse are

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I will not risk injury at the hands of weaker creatures—especially while I can turn

treasures with significant financial or sentimental value to the host dragon are stored away in the protected hoard, these tastefully appointed visitors’ chambers contain lesser treasures from

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

you’re roleplaying a yuan-ti, the following tables contain possible inspiration. They suggest characteristics that a yuan-ti might possess. Yuan-ti Personality Traits d8 Personality

Damage and Healing

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

Damage and Healing Injury and the risk of death are constant companions of those who explore fantasy gaming worlds. The thrust of a sword, a well-placed arrow, or a blast of flame from a fireball spell all have the potential to damage, or even kill, the hardiest of creatures.

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Personality Traits d8;{"diceNotation":"1d8","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Trait"} Trait 1 I will not risk injury at the hands of weaker creatures—especially while I can turn

financial or sentimental value to the host dragon are stored away in the protected hoard, these tastefully appointed visitors’ chambers contain lesser treasures from inaccessible or storied locales

D&D Beyond

Search Results