both before direct cunning receive

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

financial recompense. These cunning serial killers and mass murderers remain a step ahead of investigators, at least until the cultists’ zealous bloodlust overwhelms their senses. Cultists The

ways. Cultists who receive orders from their patron god directly are often the most ambitious and most dangerous.

Oracle

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

directly, be it with dramatic manifestations or direct possession of their servant. Although a deity’s words might be steeped in metaphors, should a god wish to make their intentions clear, they

often find dramatic ways to make their thoughts known. Interpreters of Signs. Oracles possess unparalleled experience in divining godly whims from cryptic visions and mundane forces. Those who receive

Those Who Rule

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Those Who Rule The following sahuagin rule the fortress, oversee its armed forces, and direct its worship of Sekolah. Baroness Seklaz The initial attack against the lizardfolk and the subsequent

occupation of the fortress were the baroness’s doing. She is a cunning war strategist and has a measure of patience that serves her well. She has an excellent relationship with the high priestess, with

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

the fringes of a society first test its defenses by stealing objects, and if these crimes go unpunished, they begin stealing people. Enslaved creatures receive the worst treatment the goblins can dish

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

4. Elf Quarters

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

, the elves are hesitant to attack possible guests of Neronvain or Chuth, but they remain suspicious. The elves are terrified of Chuth, and the cunning dragon has convinced them that he will free them

shrine. Characters who pray for her assistance in fighting the dragon can receive a boon at your discretion, including water breathing, bless, or other useful spells.

4. Elf Quarters

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

, the elves are hesitant to attack possible guests of Neronvain or Chuth, but they remain suspicious. The elves are terrified of Chuth, and the cunning dragon has convinced them that he will free them in

shrine. Characters who pray for her assistance in fighting the dragon can receive a boon at your discretion, including water breathing, bless, or other useful spells.

Oozes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

have no sense of tactics or self-preservation. They are direct and predictable, attacking and eating without cunning. Under the control of Juiblex, they exhibit glimmers of sentience and malevolent intent. Ooze Nature. An ooze doesn’t require sleep.

Sora Kell, the Queen of the Night

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

knowledge by force and cunning. A mighty wizard with magic worthy of epic tales, she is a monster whose adamantine claws can flense whole armies before any soldier can land a blow on her plated hide

either direct agents of her will or have trapped her and pursue their own goals. One fact is indisputable: Sora Kell is an immortal being who employs mortals to do her bidding. In exchange, she trades

Inside the House

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

Inside the House House Dimir has a clandestine aspect hidden from all but its most important members. The guildmaster, Lazav, and his direct contacts guide and manipulate the covert operations of the

guild. Members of House Dimir ultimately receive their orders from this source without having any idea of who issued the order or why. Messages to agents are funneled through thought strands (see

Taxes and Fees

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

receive a writ exempting them for twelve months, but the writ must be produced every month when the Guard calls, or a new payment is required. If the Guard knocks at a door and receives no answer, a notice

trouble, direct taxes can also be imposed: A fire tax (usually 1 dragon per household), levied whenever a fire destroys a large portion of the city A wall tax or harbor tax (usually 1 dragon per

Build Your Group

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

characters in your group might have different relationships with your patron, though; consider some or all of these roles for your characters: Agent. The Agent doesn’t receive direct communications

Oracle

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

manifestations or direct possession of their servant. Although a deity’s words might be steeped in metaphors, should a god wish to make their intentions clear, they often find dramatic ways to make their thoughts

known. Interpreters of Signs. Oracles possess unparalleled experience in divining godly whims from cryptic visions and mundane forces. Those who receive divine omens (such as those presented in

The Three Packs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

can direct the characters to the nearby wildernesses where these groups dwell. Heart Delta Heart Delta lies a few miles away from Camp Greenbriar. When the characters visit there, read or paraphrase

cunning, but he is nursing his wounded pride after a clash with Ophelia. He seeks to create a Faunel where the residents embrace their skills, becoming proud and powerful. Ebonclaw is suspicious of

Gnomes of Zilargo

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

goals, you may still prefer to use trickery and cunning instead of relying on honesty or brute force. Zil gnomes typically use the forest gnome subrace. The natural illusionist trait is a part of

. 2 You have a mysterious contact who sends you missions via sending; when you follow their instructions, you invariably receive a reward. 3 You’ve acquired a plot of land in Xen’drik. You’ve

Hill Giant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

obeyed. A hill giant tribe’s chief is usually the biggest giant that can still move about. Only on rare occasion does a hill giant with more brains than bulk use its cunning to gain the favor of giants

. Direct and Deadly. Hill giants’ ability to digest nearly anything has allowed them to survive for eons without needing to adapt and change. With no culture of their own, hill giants ape the

Gnomes of Zilargo

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

goals — of which there are many — often still prefers to use trickery and cunning rather than the unreliable tools of honesty or brute force. Most Zil gnomes belong to the forest gnome subrace. Their

asked, you receive handsome rewards. 3 You’ve inherited a plot of land in Q’barra. If you don’t visit within a year, you’ll lose the claim. 4 Due to an unusual twist of Triumvirate law, you share the

Bladesinging

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

, a bladesinger uses a series of intricate, elegant maneuvers that fend off harm and allow the bladesinger to channel magic into devastating attacks and a cunning defense. Many who have observed a

the Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks. Song of Defense 10th-level Bladesinging feature You can direct your magic to absorb damage

Introduction

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

you receive a cancer diagnosis or a similar health news, you probably appreciate that concept a little more than other people. Watching someone you love waste away is a terrible thing. You want a

for Extra Life, whether through a product like this or direct donations, slowly fills the XP bar that gets us to the next breakthrough. That day is coming, if we just keep going. Thanks for your

Roleplaying

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

that the characters can’t use the information they receive until they interpret those obscure facts. Or the NPC refuses to give a direct answer, speaking only in vague hints that the characters must

Finding Iymrith

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

, or they can use some other method of conveyance — it’s up to them. Storm giants aren’t stealthy and would prefer to stage a direct assault on Iymrith’s lair, but they will adjust their tactics based

among the players in your group. If your group includes more than four players, not every player will receive a storm giant NPC to play, and that’s okay. Accompanying the giants’ stat blocks are

Decisionist

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

. You might primarily attempt to convince others through charismatic arguments, or through force of will or intellectual cunning. You might lead by example, or by extolling the examples of other people

franchise party. Noteworthy Decisionists: Donaar Blit’zen (“C” Team), Kelshi Annab Essential Functions: Receive one extra vote on franchise matters; resolve interparty conflicts Position Proficiencies: In

Enemies All Around

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

workers and now seek to capture them rather than devour them. Giants don’t launch direct attacks on dwarven strongholds except under extraordinary circumstances. Their size is a great disadvantage in

war wagon laden with gold, gems, stout armor, and sharp weapons. Given the orcs’ propensity to rely on brute force rather than cunning, they can overcome only severely weakened dwarven strongholds

People of Meletis

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

live as the gods demand. Rich fields and the bounty of the sea support most people throughout Meletis. The people have reputations for being accomplished weavers, skilled sailors, and cunning

of magic can’t earn the title without such a sign of divine approval. One mage might receive the gift of a spear from Heliod, another could receive a clockwork owl from Ephara, and still another might

Bladesinging

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

bladesinger uses a series of intricate, elegant maneuvers that fend off harm and allow the bladesinger to channel magic into devastating attacks and a cunning defense. Training in War and Song When you adopt

Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks. Song of Defense Beginning at 10th level, you can direct your magic to absorb damage while your

Molydeus

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

demon lord through ferocity, cunning, or an act of surprising devotion, the demon lord might reward such service by snatching up the fiend and subjecting it to excruciating torments to remake it into a

molydeus. Voice of the Master. A demon lord has a direct link to its molydeus and uses the serpent head to communicate its wishes. A molydeus is, therefore, said to utter its master’s will

Harpy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

most direct route. It doesn’t avoid opportunity attacks, but before moving into damaging terrain, such as lava or a pit, and whenever it takes damage from a source other than the harpy, a target can

have no interest in a fair fight, and they never attack unless they have a clear advantage. If a fight turns against a harpy, it lacks the cunning to adapt and will flee and go hungry rather than risk

The Guild

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

their local kingpin. A kingpin might receive requests for help from citizens, asking for loans or dealing with unauthorized crime, such as a thieving neighbor. A kingpin tracks these favors and debts

, thieves’ cant Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Cunning Action. On each of her turns in combat, Nine-Fingers can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Dagger Thrower. Nine-Fingers adds

Dragon Factions

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

in direct conflict with the other two factions, but that doesn’t always inspire cooperation. For example, the Chromatic Circle might focus on self-aggrandizement, as each member of the faction tries

, the fang, the claw, the wing, and the eye, representing endurance, ruthlessness, savagery, speed, and cunning, respectively. You could also create factions based around the damage types dealt by

The Guild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

their local kingpin. A kingpin might receive requests for help from citizens, asking for loans or dealing with unauthorized crime, such as a thieving neighbor. A kingpin tracks these favors and debts

: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. Bonus Actions Cunning Action. Nine-Fingers takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Reactions Uncanny Dodge. Nine-Fingers halves the

Mephistopheles

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

souls of skilled wizards and cunning sages, exactly the sort of folk he needs to further his research. Curiosity and ambition are motivating factors that entice such souls into his service — often, a mage

the Nine Hells forces him to relinquish direct oversight of a project. When he returns to his research, a new mystery might capture his fancy, while the older project continues to move forward

Boromar Clan

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

Boromars and the halfling healers of Sharn. Members of the Boromar family can secure healing for free, and other members of the syndicate receive a 10 percent discount at Jorasco houses of healing. Sharn

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

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