both before directly colors rival

Star Spawn Grue

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

chittering and shrieking produce discordant psychic energy that disrupts thought patterns in other creatures, which experience flashing colors, hallucinations, disorientation, and waves of

feet of it and returns to its normal form. The cultist can’t be targeted directly by any attack or other effect while it’s in the slug-like form, but it is subject to areas of effect as

Orzhov Representative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

draw the blood of your enemies, or even directly touch their souls. Suggested Characteristics Members of the Orzhov Syndicate range from the decadent nobility at the top of the oligarchy to the debt

activities in crime, banking, or debt collection could tie you to members of other guilds. Roll twice on the Orzhov Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Orzhov Contacts table

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

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

Rival Princes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

Rival Princes When the characters arrive at the square, read or paraphrase the following: Locals crowd a shaded square, listening to a fervent argument between two well-dressed human men wearing dark

colors and gold jewelry. “This isn’t your place, Prince Kirina!” one man shouts. “This isn’t your city! The trapped miners are my responsibility. As soon as the entrance is cleared—” “But these

Creating a Rival

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

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

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

Rival Explorers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

research grant or an academic award. Or they might be conspicuously spending ill-gotten wealth, boasting of their accomplishments, or directly taunting the characters. (A rival group at these levels might

Rival Explorers Morgrave University teems with unscrupulous adventurers and researchers driven by avarice. Additionally, the university itself has academic rivals—the University of Wynarn in Aundair

Healthy Competition

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

enhanced medusa for Lynx, or the brains in iron for Sir Ursas (see below for more information on both). Each expedition also has its own mechanical guide. You might use the members of the rival expedition

missing components, whether they steal them out from under the characters or take them directly in combat. Any stolen components will be delivered to their respective agents before the characters return from the past.

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

eternal honor directly caused the destruction of Manivarsha. Having lived a cursed life as a pride-obsessed fiend in the depths of the swamps for centuries, Jijibisha has recently heard of a rival that

Adult Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

convinced to defend the school in a contest against a rival college. 7 An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond

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

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the school in a contest against a rival college. 7 An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond. 8 An

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

Thessalar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

piercing or slashing weapon. Several of Thessalar’s prized sculptors have been lured away from the temple by Moghadam, his rival artificer, with promises of false payment to help construct the Tomb of

‘Gygax,’ and for her role in crafting Queen Ehlissa’s Marvelous Nightingale, one of the artifacts appearing in the first edition Dungeon Masters Guide. When operated, this magical-mechanical marvel would shoot eye rays of different colors and effects, and produce songs able to work magical wonders.

Factions in Athas

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

important common values and work toward the same end: the destruction of slavery. They fulfill something like the role of the Order of the Gauntlet in Athas. The Free are not directly concerned with

Alluvial Sand Wastes is Tyr, struggling to find its way after the death of King Kalak. The templars of Tyr can’t allow a new threat to grow on their doorstep — or allow the templars of a rival city such

Baphomet

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

of Spiders and her brood rarely take part directly in the Blood War; rather, her agents in the Abyss contrive to lure her enemies into throwing themselves into the struggle. Her servitors spy on both

sides, playing demon and devil against each other. Lolth’s plan, as far as those who study the Abyss understand it, is to tempt her rival demon lords into venturing onto other planes or to send them

Sports and Games

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

you’ll be invited to raise a glass to the Griffon; if you’re dressed in white and gold, the colors of the Hippogriff, you’d best be prepared to defend yourself. If you’re new to Sharn, you might

. 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

Deep Dragon Treasures

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

, dark colors, as well as those with an iridescent sheen, and they favor keeping their treasures in frames and on stands made of precious woods and set with even more gems. It is rare to find a deep

that, when addressed directly, answers every question with a question referencing forgotten civilizations 4 A set of filigreed gold claw covers set with gems that change color according to the

The Corpse Market

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

The Corpse Market The wall around Evernight’s graveyard is riddled with gaps, and the ground near it is covered in fallen rubble, so leaving the graveyard is easy. Directly east of the graveyard, a

day. Everything in the market exhibits pale, subdued colors, but the atmosphere is lively as ghouls, skeletons, and vampires meander from stall to stall. The Market’s Goods Goods for sale in the

Sea Elf Traits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

damage. Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray. Fey

that place of splendors that elves fled after they were exiled from Corellon’s presence for plotting with their god’s rival, Lolth. And it was there that they transformed from Fey creatures into

A Quick Sharn Story

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

magical weapon. 4 Defeat a rival. 5 Open a planar portal. 6 Summon fiends or undead. 7 Overthrow a peer or superior. 8 Cause a riot in the Cogs. 9 Start a war

. 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

Dalannan Tower

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

(Medium Noble Prodigy) descends directly from Lareth ir’Morgrave, founder of the university, and serves as its current master. Though his job involves more administration than scholarship, he

nevertheless finds time to publish more papers on giant-made pottery than any other scholar, past or present. If you use rival explorers in your campaign who are connected to Morgrave University, they work

Strange Riders

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

flying over the city toward the spires of Castle Kalaman. At a glance, the character doesn’t see any Dragon Army colors on the distant figures. The characters can learn more about these visitors by

ideas, Darrett makes the following suggestions: Facing the Undead dragons and the Dragon Army troops directly on the surface of the flying citadel would end in disaster. The citadel is surrounded by

Enemies All Around

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

particularly sapphires. Green Dragons. Dwarves and green dragons don’t often interact, and when they do, the dragon doesn’t usually threaten them directly. A typical green dragon has no burning desire

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

Guild

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

their knowledge, they seem genuinely eager to shepherd your work. 3 Hidden Benefactor. Whoever your contact is, they don’t communicate directly. They send messages via couriers or letters. No one in

a professional who works directly toward the guild’s specialty or whose fortunes align with the guild’s interests. Alternatively, you could provide the guild with services to which their members

Religious Order

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

resources, goals, and leaders—directly sponsors and guides your adventures. Types of Religious Orders Not every religious order represents an alliance of worshipers devoted to godly ideals. Perhaps your

your group as the adventuring arm of the organization, or perhaps a legion of paladins who call on your group’s finesse where swords and shields fail. You might receive orders directly from the immortal

Sovereign

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

sovereign. Roll or pick from the Sovereign Contact table to determine who manages the relationship between you and the throne, if not the sovereign directly. Sovereign Contact d6 Contact 1 Intimate

embroil you directly in political intrigues, court maneuverings, or threats from national foes. It’s up to you and the sovereign to determine whether your work is publicly acknowledged or top secret

Boromar Clan

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

directly for the them or pay tribute in exchange for independence. The Boromars control a vast network of extortion, blackmail, and graft that extends throughout the city, and their influence reaches

Council. Of the seventeen members of Sharn’s city council, four have close ties to the Boromar Clan—including one, Ilyra Boromar, who reports directly to the head of the syndicate. These four vote as

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

Battle Tactics

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

see its opponents before 60-foot darkvision sees it. A beholder always has several backup plans ready. When dealing with one, I have three plans of my own: run, hide, and distract. Rival adventurers

are always a good distraction. Rival beholders are the best one. — Volo Best of all, if ye can learn what schemes a beholder holds dearest, threaten those schemes. Its lured attention will at

Feywild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

fireflies buzzing through groves and fields. The sky is alight with the faded colors of an ever-setting sun, which never truly sets (or rises for that matter); it remains stationary, dusky and low in the sky

of the Gloaming Court, leads the unseelie fey. Seelie and unseelie do not directly correlate with good and evil, though many mortals make that equation. Many seelie fey are good, and many unseelie

Blue Dragon Adventures

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

another in protecting it. 3 Feeling unappreciated and disrespected in one family, an adult blue dragon offers allegiance to a rival dragon family, setting off a blood feud. 4 A pair of

test the younger dragons and determine which, if any, might be a worthy heir. 2 An ancient blue dragon without offspring has adopted wyrmlings of various colors—including a number stolen from

Luskan

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

symbol and colors. Members of a Ship often wear their colors, decorate their round shields with the symbol and colors, and tattoo themselves with the symbol. Like their Northlander relations, Luskar Ship

an advantageous decision from the Magistrates, or having a business rival or undesired suitor arrested, accosted, or roughed up. Given its status as the harbor that feeds the goods of Mirabar to the

Patrons in the Realms

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

and Darkness is an invisible presence around it, her voice thundering from the Night Diamond or whispering secrets directly in the ears of her courtiers, and sometimes both at once. The Prince of Frost

struck directly with the power in question, however. Often a weaker fiend serves as an intermediary, and the warlock might not know whom he or she serves. Notable fiendish patrons peculiar to the

Shadow Dragon Adventures

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

the Underdark. The only path back to the surface goes directly through a shadow dragon’s lair. 3 A young woman seeks heroes to retrieve a family heirloom stolen from her. The woman is actually a

fomorian army for some mysterious purpose. 6 A recently transformed adult shadow dragon uses the new power of shadow to terrorize the adult silver dragon who has been a rival for centuries. 7 An

Oracular Conflux

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

strikes the rod, magical iron plates in the floor temporarily glow in the colors of the rainbow. Oracles use this display to predict the future. Another section contains living areas for priests and oracles

issued it. 4 A cult fanatic from a rival shrine gets the temple’s animals drunk on fermented fruit, throwing off their predictions. 5 An angry athlete (gladiator) takes the conflux’s

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