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Returning 35 results for 'both before defend could read'.
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Turn Resistance. The Returned has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its
. Despite this, even the most languorous Returned defend themselves if threatened and might be pressed into the service of their more willful brethren.
Returned have escaped the Underworld and dwell among
Magic Items
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Forged by the archwizard Ahghairon, this intelligent battleaxe was crafted to defend Waterdeep. Its current wielder is a former member of Force Grey named Meloon Wardragon (see appendix B), but the
out to a range of 120 feet.
The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Common. It has a calm, delicate voice. The weapon can sense the presence of non
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
dangerous those dragons can be and help others defend against draconic destruction.
Whatever their relationship to dragons, kobold scales tend to be rust colored, although the occasional kobold sports
can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
, they encounter a caravan being raided. Read or paraphrase the following description: The road weaves through a stretch of rain forest that flanks a deep valley, drawing near the town of Etizalan. Past a
fire snakes and two salamanders have ambushed three travelers from Etizalan. The three travelers use the priest stat block and fight to defend a wagon full of food, flowers, and colorful crafts. If
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
the villagers. After learning the scout’s news, Mayor Raven orders the evacuation to begin. Read the following description: The villagers remain eerily quiet as they begin lowering themselves into the
, slowing their descent into the village.
As invaders sweep over the cliff into Vogler, Darrett draws his sword and asks the characters to help him defend the escaping villagers.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
), though not very well. The wolves are huddled behind him and go where he goes. Though well past his prime, he fights to the death to defend the den, and he takes umbrage at anyone who kills any of his
, read: The old man cackles. “When Kiril returns,” he says to you with his last breath, “he’ll skin you alive.” Treasure Skennis’s electrum flute is nonmagical and worth 250 gp. Skennis also carries a pouch containing four 50 gp gemstones.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Exit, Pursued by an Owlbear After the characters have all had a chance to take part in the performance, read or paraphrase the following: The crowd roars with laughter and the festival appears to be
. Assume the owlbear is on whichever side of the stage is closest to the most characters. The player characters must jump into action quickly to defend the other students. When they do, if a character
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
characters sight the vessel, read the following boxed text aloud: An armored dreadnaught made from metal and bones ploughs through the fog, driven by banks of bonelike oars. Flames leap from a brazier
to defend it. However, the storm god Talos has his own plans for them. When the time seems right, he makes his presence known (see “Rise of the Storm Lord”).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
power of every other god in the multiverse and scattered the dead gods’ bones across the Astral Sea. Read aloud the following when the characters arrive: You float amid a vast void speckled with
contaminate the dreadnought and induce its certain death. Arekanz is suffering the effects of the curse. It is so wracked with pain that it doesn’t defend itself except to use its Donjon Visit legendary
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
Approaching Rigus As the characters approach Rigus, read or paraphrase the following description: From a flat, dusty plain rises a seven-tiered hill girded by ring after ring of iron battlements
. When the captain is close enough to be heard, read or paraphrase the following boxed text: A human solider wearing rust-red plate armor flies through the air. He comes to a halt, hovering several dozen
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
tablet marked with a mysterious string of numbers
2 An illustrated tome titled Hrgold’s Bestiary, which falls open to an oft-read entry on faerie dragons
3 A majestic military jacket featuring
harmless pranks and absurdities, such as making an enemy’s buttocks glow red and appear to sing folk tunes. When necessary, however, Nathair doesn’t shy away from fighting to defend their beloved faerie
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
1. Main Gate If characters approach this area from the north, read: A wide passage slopes down to a set of bronze doors. Coiled serpents decorate the metal, with a sliding hatch at head height. Four
yuan-ti malison named Nahth (pronounced NAWTH) and four yuan-ti broodguards (see appendix D) defend the main gate. Strangers are denied entry unless they are accompanied by one or more yuan-ti. Nahth
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
, inherited the magic required to read these books from the line of sages who came before him—but this magic prevents him from turning more than one new page per day, allowing only a peek at the future
defend the sages and obey their every order—to meet with Derwyth, a fellow star-watcher near the star’s estimated point of impact. In the tower hands’ absence, Shalfey’s power-hungry successor, the sage
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
Audience with Neverember After the ships arrive in Neverwinter, the ship captains waste no time leading the characters to an audience with Lord Dagult Neverember in Castle Never. Read the following
toward you.
“Each of you make your case. Why should I send my troops to Leilon? By all accounts it should be able to defend itself now. I’ve already poured many resources into the town and it has yet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
Adrift If the Second Wind is intact and its spelljamming helm is functional, skip ahead to “Topolah’s Tower.” If the Second Wind was destroyed or its spelljamming helm was disabled, read the
. Kindori Pod An hour after the events of the previous chapter, the characters encounter a pod of six kindori (see Boo’s Astral Menagerie) flying across space along a migration route. The kindori defend
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Ghost of Amun Sa Eventually, the characters come across the ghost of Amun Sa. Read or paraphrase the following text: A solitary man dressed in tattered clothing appears over the crest of a nearby
turns to them and relates his sorrowful tale, as if in a trance. Read or paraphrase the following text: “I am Amun Sa, son of the house of Mo-Pelar. My spirit has walked these sands for time uncounted
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
caved in or blocked with heaps of furniture. As the characters make their way through the cellars, read: Guttering torches cast dim light under the arches of a wine cellar roughly 20 feet square. The
of treasure. Two kobold inventors and ten kobolds are also present. Statistics for the kobold scale sorcerer and kobold inventor appear in appendix D. The kobolds rally to defend Kakarol. While they
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
how it communicates or roll on the following table. d100 Communication 01-60 The item communicates by transmitting emotion to the creature carrying or wielding it. 61-90 The item can speak, read
, and understand one or more languages. 91-00 The item can speak, read, and understand one or more languages. In addition, the item can communicate telepathically with any character that carries or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
Right into the Action When everyone is ready to begin, roll for initiative. Then read or paraphrase the following aloud: You stand on the deck of your spelljamming ship, Moonraider, even as
repel the reavers. The characters know and trust each other. Moonraider is their ship, and they are bound to defend it! “Forecastle Map” shows the layout of the area that the characters are defending. They are the only sailors still alive in this section of the ship. Forecastle Map
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
minutes to find Major Kalar’s white tent amid the bustle of officers and messengers. When the characters enter the tent, read the following: A stony-faced hobgoblin woman in a sharp-looking uniform
deadly attacks from the gate’s far side. Assaults from Acheron are common, but these attacks have been highly effective and have caught Rigus’s defenders off guard each time. Extra troops now defend the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
Smoke on the Horizon This encounter occurs early in the day. As the party travels, they spot smoke. Read the following text: The trail emerges from a dry gulch. A column of thick, black smoke rises
at a slight angle over the trees. It looks like something is burning just over the next ridge.
The burning farm is within five minutes’ travel. Once the characters approach within sight, read the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
citizens and peaceful visitors.
Summary. The beginning of each location summarizes its function in the keep and the NPCs who can be found at it. Don’t read this aloud.
When the characters
arrive at the outer gatehouse, read the following boxed text aloud:
Two stone towers flank an archway that leads into the keep. A sturdy-looking gatehouse spans the archway and connects the towers
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
characters enter the temple, read: Pushing your way into the temple through the crowd of onlookers, you see an elf priest presiding over the figure of the late emperor, whose body floats in an azure
, but Princess Xedalli stands accused of treason. Are there any who would defend her claim?”
Prince Xeleth is a chaotic evil astral elf aristocrat with a ring of shooting stars. Princess Xedalli is a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
that something has happened to the bariaurs. Bkol shares his concern with the characters and asks them to come with him to meet Tyrza Bonebreaker, Glorium’s leader. Hero among Heroes Read the following
and a loose poet’s shirt. He sails a swift sailboat called the Allure. Both heroes are respectful toward the characters but defend themselves if attacked. Off to Adventure Sytri and Tol want to be the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Azuredge Weapon (battleaxe), legendary (requires attunement) Forged by the archwizard Ahghairon, this intelligent battleaxe was crafted to defend Waterdeep. Its current wielder is a former member of
a Charisma of 15. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Common. It has a calm, delicate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
, give one NPC to each player and put the extra NPCs aside. These leftover NPCs don’t participate in the battle. After giving out the NPCs, read the following explanatory text to the players: In addition
’ own characters, and the NPCs help bring the location to life. The players will be far more inclined to defend the location knowing that its inhabitants are more than just faceless figures with hit
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
going door to door or by ringing the village circle’s bell. When the villagers have gathered, Mayor Raven addresses the crowd. Read the following text: Colorful Kingfisher Festival decorations still cover
mince words: “A dangerous army is headed for Vogler. The Ironclad Regiment will do what it can to defend Vogler, but we must be ready to flee.”
Following the mayor’s report, the locals stand in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
gatehouse, read the following boxed text aloud:
This gatehouse consists of a broad stone archway framed by a squat building constructed along the keep’s inner wall. Battlements line its flat roof, atop
service:
Requisition Uniforms. Characters who pledge to defend the keep can requisition uniforms from Andrella free of charge. Give those players one Borderlands Tabard each.
Alejandro Pacheco A Rack of Standard-Issue Spears
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis
was tasked by a previous emperor to help bring about the empire’s destruction if ever someone of corrupt heart ascended to the throne. The zodar believes that time has finally come. Read the following
at least Xeleth has his ring of shooting stars. Twelve astral elf honor guards (see Boo’s Astral Menagerie for their stat blocks) stand ready to defend whichever sibling was named emperor in the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
to warn them of intruders. If the characters attack, the myconids defend themselves. To convince a hostile myconid to converse or to allow the characters to do anything other than leave the caves, a
of communication that the spores allow. Myconids’ facial expressions might be difficult to read, but their telepathic communication might carry a direct expression of the myconids’ emotional state
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
40-foot-high, 1-inch-thick dome of opaque necrotic energy erupts from the middle of the moat to enclose the ruined fortress (area N6). When the dome appears, read the following: A wall of writhing
. When the wights appear, read: A half dozen long-dead soldiers crawl out from underneath the wreckage and get to their feet, their faces grim with determination as they unsheathe their rusty swords
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
gate. When the party arrives on the scene, the battle is already underway. Read the following boxed text aloud: The din of battle echoes from the palisade as you approach. Through the rain, you see
the line, alarm bells ring out across town! Read the following boxed text aloud: A man stumbles through the mud, his eyes wide with terror. You recognize him as Jack Torver, the owner of Leilon’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
pottery lead up to the coffin, whose painted lid shows a leopard with serpents sprouting from its shoulders.
If intruders are heard within the tomb, the terracotta warriors rise to defend it (see
perfectly still and pose no threat as long as the tomb remains relatively quiet. If any character talks loudly, steps on a piece of broken pottery, or makes any other equivalent noise while in the tomb, read
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
go through half-hearted parodies of life, impeded by distraction and ennui. Despite this, even the most languorous Returned defend themselves if threatened and might be pressed into the service of
any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the Returned’s intentions or sincerity are made with disadvantage.
Actions
Scimitar. Melee
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
whose tusks have been set with gems (see “Treasure” below). The inscriptions on the statue are written in Old Omuan. They read as follows: Let your bones watch over my treasure, brave Ghom. As you
carried me from the inferno, so shall I rise from death to defend my riches.
Scratches on the floor beneath the stone cog indicate that it can rotate, yet no amount of pressure budges it. Any search of