both before direct could rival

Zlan

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

rival and an equal. The Zlan Liches table gives a brief description of each component. Zlan Liches Name History Argent Black Emerged from the Negative Plane, fed on hate and

direct action when an oblique or hidden action will suffice. Its plans always contain fallbacks and contingencies. One of these contingencies—one the other liches who constitute its new form failed

Creating a Rival

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

often efforts that are specific to the rival. A rival’s action might be a direct attack, such as an assassination attempt, that you play out during a session. Or it might be a background activity that

Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

keen intellect and magic to discover the secrets of making steel. Its military shattered rival tribes and developed advanced tactics for fighting in forests and open plains. The civilization grew into a

yuan-ti know they can’t resort to direct attacks in order to reclaim their rightful place in the world. Operating out of the subterranean ruins of their buildings in foreign lands, yuan-ti

Ralzala the Dao

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Ralzala the Dao A dao named Ralzala defends the demon zapper. Ralzala swore loyalty to Zariel to gain revenge against a rival dao who tried to ruin her. The dao regrets the arrangement and wants to

. She reveals that the deposed archdevil Bel would gladly aid the characters in overthrowing Zariel. If the characters help Ralzala break her pact with Zariel, the dao promises to direct them to Bel’s

Complications and Rivals

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

time the characters engage in downtime or direct their staff in a franchise task, the players and the DM can think about how those tasks and activities might complicate the ongoing campaign narrative

, and how the franchise’s enemies — or potential enemies — might get caught up in those complications. When a complication or a rival comes into play during downtime or franchise activities, the DM

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

rival orcs first and foremost as competitors for food and victims. On some occasions, though, tribes that have a common concern band together. The result is an orc horde — a sea of slavering

Watchtower

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

direct it against Mekkalath might regret their decision. For example, the death tyrant might agree to attack the dragon, then start by slaying the peaceful minotaurs and turning them into its zombie

minions. Mekkalath is aware of the death tyrant, and if it escapes, Mekkalath soon moves to destroy this potential rival and secure his dominance over the hill. Such a battle might last long enough for

Undercover Empire

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

secrets of making steel. Its military shattered rival tribes and developed advanced tactics for fighting in forests and open plains. The civilization grew into a cluster of allied city-states

can’t resort to direct attacks in order to reclaim their rightful place in the world. Operating out of the subterranean ruins of their buildings in foreign lands, yuan-ti agents infiltrate enemy

Enemies All Around

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

by creatures it can catch in the open, including the travelers that enter and exit the place. On occasion, this state of (relatively) peaceful coexistence is shattered when a devious rival dragon with

designs on a white dragon’s territory enters the picture. Taking advantage of the dragon’s limited mental faculties, the rival secretly sends its minions out to harass the dragon. Convinced that the

Campaign Characters

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

directly sharing what they want to see in a campaign. You can learn about your players’ preferences in two ways: Direct Input. Ask your players what they want to do in a campaign. Regularly inquire about how

rival midcampaign should be handled carefully to avoid straining credulity. Make sure a player is comfortable with new developments about their character before introducing them. Character-Focused

Guild

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

for a guild project or for a paying client. Your group must gather the missing components from a dangerous location or a recalcitrant owner while outpacing a rival to the prize. 3 Eliminate a Rival

. A competitor has humiliated the guild one too many times, and it’s time for that to stop. Your group is charged with ensuring the rival never besmirches the guild’s reputation again. Can you trick

Ancient Being

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

perhaps you work as its direct agents, enacting its will. Whether you chose this arrangement or were tricked into it, you can count on the strange resources of your benefactor as long as you serve its

scroll. Research. Relying on an ancient being’s network of contacts, the being’s vast collection of lore, or perhaps the being’s direct teaching helps you unearth hidden secrets. If you can contact

Religious Order

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

deity. Religious Order Contact d6 Contact 1 Shadow Tongue. A mysterious speaker for your order advises your next steps but fears being discovered by a powerful rival faith. 2 Inspired Creator. A

, even if their reasons are unclear until you arrive. 6 Divinity’s Voice. Otherworldly messages direct you to undertake divine quests. Religious Order Member Your primary duty to a religious order is

Sovereign

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

increases or decreases depending on the sovereign’s nature, the type of work you perform, and the length of your employment. Sovereign Contact You might benefit from direct contact with your group patron

Rival. You seek to weaken or remove a rival to the regent’s rule—perhaps a general, an archdruid, or a noble with a claim to the throne. 3 Expel Corruption. You help the sovereign reform their

The Xanathar Guild

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

, the Xanathar is able to efficiently supervise and direct the efforts of many creatures at the same time. It holds sway over a dozen specialized lieutenants. Each lieutenant is responsible for operating

their boss’s sometimes erratic behavior. Each lieutenant is allowed to manage its part of the guild operation as desired. Some use a direct, hands-on approach, and some establish a chain of command

Boromar Clan

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

a bloc to ensure that the council doesn’t take direct action against the Boromars, while enough of the other council members fear the syndicate that they tend to carry the vote. A member of the

Boromar Clan has several enemies as well. At least three councilors oppose the Boromars because of genuine concern for their constituents; two more oppose the syndicate because they’re part of rival

Guild Membership

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

with three contacts: an ally in their guild, a rival in their guild, and an ally or rival in another guild. (House Dimir is an exception.) Tables in each guild section help you determine who these

Contacts table for your guild, unless you’re in House Dimir (as explained in that guild’s section). Your first roll gives you an ally. Your second roll gives you a rival, who might be friendly

Franchise Tasks as Narrative

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

out for a mission on the mainland, they direct the ship’s staff-member captain to surprise other vessels and liberate goods from them. The DM decides that such acts of piracy fit the shady business

franchise, the ship that fought off the franchise’s pirates might remember a few details about the franchise crew. Or perhaps the plundered vessel belongs to a franchise rival, or even a foreign dignitary

7. Pain and Pleasure

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

another female drow, and she means to learn the identity of this rival for Narizmar’s affections. Narizmar actually spread rumors of the affair himself, so that Sylkress would torture him and thereby

the following information in exchange for her freedom: House Auvryndar’s main stronghold in Undermountain is in Muiral’s Gauntlet (level 10) and is under the direct command of her mother, Vlonwelv

Yartar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

, carts, or full wagons, or the replenishment of tack and other accessories. Because Yartar has so few industries, and fewer close neighbors, its merchants are often in direct competition with one

merchant trying to get the upper hand on a rival, either through damage of goods, intimidation of workers, or theft of patrons and customers. To curb and control rowdiness, the Waterbaron employs the

The Dark Seldarine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

raid on the surface, the matron of a rival house being struck down by an inexplicable illness, or an heiress to the house being born under propitious omens. DROW TRANCE: ENTERING THE VOID Drow enter

him. Some succeed admirably and achieve great things beyond the reach of most males, but many more succumb to excesses of the flesh, dissipation, and disease, or they are ruined or murdered by a rival

The Morkoth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

, grinning with the satisfaction that he dealt the fatal blow to his hated rival. 3. Hekaton in Chains Two Kraken Society cultists stand watch on the decks fore and aft of King Hekaton, who lies on his

, Rool articulately spells out why he would like to kill Captain Daggerdark and take command. The writing reveals that the captain claims to have a direct line of communication to the kraken

Maglubiyet's Will Be Done

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

other legions when a host forms. The warlords of rival legions don’t seek to depose the leader of the host unless the fortunes of war create the opportunity. Each legion records all the insults directed

on each head that direct the beast by controlling the view of its blinkered eyes. Former slaves, often soldiers who once fought against the host, who now fight alongside the host to gain better

Locations I - L

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

. There is a 50 percent chance that they’re heading home with 2d6 animal pelts worth 5 gp each. They know the wilderness well and can direct or guide characters to the nearest settlement. If the

away and never grown back. He brutally attacks other dragons, seeking to slay any wyrm that might rival him in power, in a fighting style marked by sudden attacks and just as sudden disappearances

Eternal Garden Locations

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

stretch of woods. Sonna and Yvra were once knights in service to rival Fey courts who fell in love. As punishment for defying their rulers to pursue a relationship, they were bound to oak trees and

at its starting point. Groups that enter the maze together make this check as a group check. A creature can create a more direct route by pushing through the walls, but it risks running afoul of the

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