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Returning 35 results for 'both before directly clever reason'.
Kobold
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
strong social structure that stresses devotion to the tribe, are clever with their hands, and viciously work together in order to overcome their physical limitations.
In the kobolds’ version of
undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and
Kenku
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
a talent for learning and memorizing details. Thus, ambitious kenku can excel as superb spies and scouts. A kenku who learns of clever schemes and plans devised by other creatures can put them to use
. The kenku lack the talent to improvise or alter a plan, but a wise Master sets multiple plans in motion at once, confident that underlings can follow orders to the letter.
For this reason, many
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
heads are trophies from the hobgoblins’ recent victory over an elf hunting party. Clever characters might try to reason with Targor by urging him to think of himself as Grol’s successor rather than
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
. Contests A contest is a kind of ability check that matches two creatures against each other. Use a contest if a character attempts something that either directly foils or is directly opposed by another
Constitution Stamina and health Endure a marathon, grasp hot metal without flinching, win a drinking contest Intelligence Memory and reason Recall a bit of lore, recognize a clue’s significance
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
create new things, they have a talent for learning and memorizing details. Thus, ambitious kenku can excel as superb spies and scouts. A kenku who learns of clever schemes and plans devised by other
. For this reason, many kenku make an easy living serving as messengers, spies, and lookouts for thieves’ guilds, bandits, and other criminal cartels. A network of kenku can relay a bird call or similar
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
problems. He doesn’t tolerate the company (or the worship) of fools, and he despises vapidity and indecision. Keranos rarely appears directly to mortals, preferring to communicate through an epiphany or a
a clasp in the form of a dragon’s skull. His bearing is upright and stern, with a clipped, brusque way of speaking. Particularly clever plans and observations bring a hint of a smile to his face
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
clever but hasty, and prone to sulking when things do not go his way. The fortress and the forthcoming sahuagin invasion on the coastal area represent his opportunity to make history. High Priestess
priestesses have summoned an avatar of their god, who swims inside the temple. Blademaster Makaht Makaht is a hulking brute responsible for leading the sahuagin army in the impending campaign. He takes orders directly from the baroness and the baron, though he prefers the former over the latter.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
produced by the nearby elemental node. Unlike the members of the other three cults, the Black Earth cultists have easy access to the surface. This quarter of the temple complex lies almost directly
Urnrayle, the Prophet of Earth, chose the long-wrecked fortifications of Tyar-Besil as the headquarters of his cult for this very reason.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
their presence makes nearby brigands reluctant to raid the village directly. Because so many big-city folk settled here, rumors persist of cached treasure buried or otherwise hidden all over Beliard, but
aside from a sack of gold coins found walled away behind stones in a chimney, nothing has yet been found — nothing that has become public knowledge, at least. Reason to Visit. Beliard was the last place anyone saw the missing delegation from Mirabar (described in chapter 3).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
shoals. The waves crashing and splashing over the jagged rocks make it obvious, even to landlubbers, that any attempt to navigate the shoals can only end in disaster. In fact, there is no reason to pass
through the dangerous rocks, because the granite cliffs beyond them rise directly out of the water, offering no place to land or come ashore. Only the sandy area at the southernmost tip of the island
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
to mirror the dragon’s mood.
Clever Concealment
The shyest of the gem dragons, emerald dragons are also the most curious. They love to observe local settlements and peoples, using their psionic
issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one creature it can see within its lair. That creature must succeed on a DC
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
dragon’s mood.
Clever Concealment
The shyest of the gem dragons, emerald dragons are also the most curious. They love to observe local settlements and peoples, using their psionic abilities to
this way obeys to the best of its ability any command the dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
legend of the creatures’ origin is passed down from elder to hatchling, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to
don’t worship Tiamat directly, they recognize her as the dragon-goddess of all chromatic dragons, and as the master of their racial god, Kurtulmak. KURTULMAK: GOD OF KOBOLDS
The god of kobolds was
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
the blasted landscape and flows directly beneath the city. Floating on the river are demonic barges being assailed by squadrons of winged devils under the command of a terrifying pit fiend wearing an
themselves off as fiends of a sort. Particularly clever plans should be allowed to automatically succeed. Otherwise, you can call for ability checks to determine how well a plan is executed; use the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
other orcs and its intelligence to surprise enemies on the battlefield. Many an overconfident elf, human, or dwarf commander has watched a “simple” orc warlord execute a clever maneuver to outflank and
foremost — because they believe that the gods have strength beyond reason, and physical might is all they respect. Servants of Darkness. Mistrusted by orcs, some orogs form independent mercenary war
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
contact other plane spells or similar magic. Bel Bel rankles at Zariel’s rulership of the layer of the Nine Hells that was once his, but he won’t challenge her directly as long as he thinks Asmodeus
to tear the adventurers limb from limb. Clever adventurers can subvert the pit fiend’s betrayal by ensuring Zariel’s capture, banishment, or some other nonlethal defeat. In that event, though
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and other useful items, but if they
hatred of gnomes, city kobolds often go out of their way to target gnomes’ houses and shops. Even in such cases, the kobolds’ fear of retaliation usually prevents them from trying to directly harm
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
little reason to pay attention to what is spoken there. Gods can speak directly to their oracles. They can appear in the dreams of mortals or manipulate natural phenomena to create omens. They can
on an enormous scale. They often seem to be walking across the dome of the sky, with their feet disappearing just below the horizon. Any part of a god’s body that isn’t directly lit takes on the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
fight in the war, how and why did they remain on the sidelines? Did they oppose the war? Did they do something to avoid conscription, or was there a reason they were considered unsuitable for service
comrade and work out the details with the player on the spot. The Personal Impact table provides ideas for plot hooks that could directly involve a player character in a scenario. Personal Impact d6
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
(Silver Flame)
7 A clever doppelganger (Tyrants)
8 A vengeful warforged (Lord of Blades)
9 A possessed innocent (Dreaming Dark)
10 An oni mastermind (Daask)
11 An enigmatic
.
3 A third party shows up with their own agenda.
4 There’s a hostage, or an ally of the PCs is directly at risk.
5 A manifest zone or planar conjunction has an unexpected effect
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
. Charismatic and clever, she is an accomplished illusionist and shapeshifter who rarely wears the same face twice. Stories say that she weaves curses on her loom, and that she loves to match wits with heroes
the whole thing and still be hungry. She binds the souls of her victims to their skulls, which she keeps in her lair. Though many stories depict her as merely a brute, she is a clever strategist and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
stop them. In Eberron, the gods are distant and don’t directly intervene. The Silver Flame is a divine force of light, but it can only act through mortal champions. The few powerful benevolent NPCs
match for every story. Remarkable Villains. One reason the world needs heroes is because it already has villains. It may be a long time before you’re ready to face the archlich Erandis Vol in battle. But
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Should They or Shouldn’t They? The characters must proceed carefully, since they have no evidence that directly implicates the Gralhunds in the attack in Trollskull Alley. Their two basic choices are
learned to the constables there. Shortly thereafter, the characters receive a visit from Barnibus Blastwind and Saeth Cromley (see appendix B), who have no reason to suspect the characters are lying
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
ceiling dotted with stalactites 10 to 15 feet long. A 60-foot-long stalactite hangs directly above the stalagmite tower, its tip 10 feet above the brightly glowing Runestone.
Stalagmites. The
main cavern. If he sees the characters and has any reason to want them dead, Halaster casts spells with a suitably long range at them through the Runestone, including Bigby’s hand, chain lightning
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
large building. Assuming the characters are cooperative, the grippli guards take the visitors directly to her. If the party seems trustworthy, she speaks to them. She prefers Primordial (it’s easier on
expressed interest in excavating and restoring the previous site of the grippli village, a mile from its present location. Pond Mother saw no reason to refuse them, since their motives were seemingly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
, the angel chose to establish the Solar Bastion rather than return to his god’s service. A powerful and immortal Celestial, Hilarion sees no reason for additional tiers of leadership in the organization
. All members of the Solar Bastion report directly to him, and the knights are largely self-directed in choosing missions. Hilarion and the rest of the organization represent a pool of resources
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
methods the rival can bring to bear against the characters. Goals. An effective rival has a clear reason for interfering with the characters’ lives. Think about what the rival wants, how and why the
characters stand in the way, and how the conflict could be resolved. Ideally, a rival’s goal directly involves the characters or something they care about. Assets. Think about the resources the rival can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
evil serpentfolk are here for a particular purpose, and as a rule they have no quarrel with anyone who doesn’t directly threaten their plan or try to impede what they’re doing.) The ground throughout
by far the largest structure in the community. The ground level contains a pool of water in the center, directly beneath an opening in the roof of the same size. The marshy ground around the pool
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
. Poison, magic, or anything else that would directly interfere with beast or rider is strictly forbidden—though over the years we’ve certainly seen imaginative attempts to stretch the rules!
Dura
race is fair.
The beasts of Middle Dura are versatile. The Eagle represents Broken Arch and Stormhold in Middle Dura, and its supporters wear brown and gold. The clever Owl flies for Rattlestone and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
outside their walls — or to make sure visitors who learn the truth either join the cult or never return from their visit. Reason to Visit. These four sites are central to the adventure (see chapter 3
) and places where characters confront the Elemental Evil cults directly. Feathergale Spire Home to the flamboyant Feathergale Society, this tall stone tower stands on a height commanding splendid views
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
that became trapped in Lolth’s web? Or do they spring directly from the queen herself? Regardless of their origin, yochlols respond to the will of Lolth alone. No other demon or demon lord can command
actually yochlols in disguise, spying for Lolth. The higher a drow’s standing, the more worrisome this prospect becomes. After all, Lolth has little reason to care about those at the bottom of society
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Bardic Inspiration or the Enhance Ability spell, don’t directly tamper with the game and aren’t considered cheating; however, casting an illusion on your hand of cards or invisibly moving dice draws the
extremely clever and observant. See the “Cerulean Hall” section later in this chapter for more information about gaining favor with her. Rezran “Snake Eyes” Agrodro Master of the Viridian Den Rezran, a greedy
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
captained by Ortimay Swift and Dark (CG female rock gnome bandit captain with darkvision out to a range of 60 feet), who is both clever and calm. The first mate is Grig Ruddell (N male Illuskan human
dinosaurs directly to the desired warehouse for easier loading and unloading. A large ship can easily block a canal, so good traffic management is required; that’s one of the harbormaster’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
balls of cast iron through the air at destructive speeds. In a campaign without gunpowder, a cannon might be an arcane device built by clever gnomes or wizardly engineers. A cannon is usually
pours boiling oil onto a 10-foot-square area directly below it. Any creature in the area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
from the earth — directly or indirectly. In areas where the influence of Elemental Evil takes hold, animals and monsters that live or burrow in the ground accept the cultists as allies. Creatures
takes pleasure in mocking others, especially if he can do so in a clever or elegant way. Marlos’s previous life had been a constant search for pleasure, but the only thing that now stirs his loveless






