both believe diffusing cunning remains

Book of Vile Darkness

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

The contents of this foul manuscript are the meat and drink of the wicked. It contains knowledge so horrid that to even glimpse the scrawled pages invites doom. Most believe the lich-god Vecna the

remains with you only as long as you strive to work evil in the world. If you fail to perform at least one evil act within the span of 10 days, or if you willingly perform a good act, the book

Shadowmoor Expert

Backgrounds Lorwyn: First Light

, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoor’s merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and bravery

. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length isn’t just practical— it’s often a matter of life or death.

Mev Flintknapper

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Stone Camouflage. The gnome has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky terrain. Gnome Cunning. The gnome has advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws

professional fighters that take up arms for pay or to protect something they believe in or value. Their ranks include soldiers retired from long service and warriors who never served anyone but themselves.

Stone Cursed Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

Cunning Opportunist. The stone cursed has advantage on the attack rolls of opportunity attacks. False Appearance. While the stone cursed remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the histories of

varies, depending on whatever foe the savants want to lead their people against, yet the essence of the story remains the same: a lesson of survival at any price and an example of how deceitfulness and cruelty can be virtues.

Cairnwight

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

instead of the restrained condition.Stone giants believe the god Skoraeus Stonebones inspires artists to create their finest stone carvings. Sometimes a giant pursues this divine inspiration to the

while creating art might rise as a cairnwight and continue the work. Once the artwork is completed, the cairnwight remains as its undying guardian. A cairnwight looks much like an emaciated stone

Tarandus

races

For millennia, the tarandus have been known as a society of explorers devoted to charting and understanding the world. Their culture prizes discovery, and they believe that their lives are best spent

couriers, ensuring that their knowledge of routes and geography remains current. Tarandus herds are large and communal, sharing duties such as child-rearing and foraging. They maintain strong ties between

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

speed. Cloud of Dust. The demilich magically swirls its dusty remains. Each creature within 10 feet of the demilich, including around a corner, must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be

, accepting that it would molder and dissolve to dust while he traveled the planes as a disembodied consciousness. If the skull that was his last physical remains was ever disturbed, its gems would claim the

Sewer King

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

remains until it dies, the sewer king dies, or until the sewer king dismisses it as an action.Sewer kings are hulking, monstrous rats empowered by fiendish blood. This unholy influence gives sewer kings

their enormous size, supernatural strength, wicked cunning, and ability to speak. Deep in the bowels of towns and cities, sewer kings reign over underground vermin, dreaming of the day when rats will

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

deities who are brothers, Hruggek and Grankhul. Hruggek is the fearsome elder sibling, possessed of legendary might and prowess in battle. Bugbears believe their strength and bravery come from him

Trapper

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

cunning enough to change its color to match and then conceal itself under a thin layer of vegetation or actual snow. A trapper that lurks on the floor of its hunting grounds can cover any remains there

territory. It remains motionless as it waits for prey to come close. When a target is within its reach, it peels itself away from the surface and wraps around its prey, crushing, smothering, and then

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, even among themselves. Most dwarves don’t recognize derro as kin, but the legends that derro tell about their people and the story that duergar believe share a grain of truth. According to the

this legend varies, depending on whatever foe the savants want to lead their people against, yet the essence of the story remains the same: a lesson of survival at any price and an example of how deceitfulness and cruelty can be virtues.

Axe of the Dwarvish Lords Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

Seeing the peril his people faced, a young dwarf prince came to believe that his people needed something to unite them. Thus, he set out to forge a weapon that would be such a symbol. Venturing deep

attunement ends, the curse remains. With each passing day, the creature’s physical appearance and stature become more dwarflike. After seven days, the creature looks like a typical dwarf, but

Book of Vile Darkness Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

even glimpse the scrawled pages invites madness. Most believe the lich-god Vecna authored the Book of Vile Darkness. He recorded in its pages every diseased idea, every unhinged thought, and every

must make a DC 17 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the creature’s alignment changes to neutral evil. The Book of Vile Darkness remains with you only as long as you strive to work evil

Boss Augustus

Monsters The Book of Many Things

target doesn’t have. During any night when there’s a full moon in the sky, the target becomes an NPC under the DM’s control and remains so until the night ends. A Remove Curse spell

transformed. He reverts to his humanoid form if he dies. Cunning Action. Augustus takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Boss Delour

Monsters The Book of Many Things

under the DM’s control and remains so until the night ends. A Remove Curse spell or similar magic ends this curse. Shortsword (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +8

hybrid, a Medium giant rat, or his humanoid form. His statistics, other than his size and speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. He reverts to his humanoid form if he dies. Cunning Action. Delour takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Shifter Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they

body and mind. Some shifters believe that these spirits are independent entities, and they may speak of Bear or Wolf as ancestors or guides. Most just see the beast within as a formidable expression

Mahadi the Rakshasa

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of him, acts as his ally, and can’t summon other devils. The erinyes remains for 10 minutes or until Mahadi dismisses it as an action. If the erinyes dies

, Mahadi loses this action option.Mahadi appears as a wealthy merchant lord. Though extremely powerful, Mahadi doesn’t believe in taking unnecessary risks, particularly in the Nine Hells where he

Kasimir Velikov

Monsters Curse of Strahd

guilt and regret have dispelled all evil thoughts from her mind and cleansed her tortured soul. But Kasimir remains unconvinced by her assertions, because he knows that Strahd has corrupted Patrina and

, to life—even at the cost of my own life.” Flaw. “I believe my sister can be redeemed.” Treasure. Kasimir wears a ring of warmth and has a leather-bound spellbook containing all the spells he has

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way

. Unfortunately, when it reaches that breaking point, its diabolical nature asserts itself, and it remains in this scheming, dominating mindset until its plans are foiled and it faces defeat. Then, overwhelmed

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

Aurnozci

Monsters The Book of Many Things

leader, a masked archmage called the Eye of Aurnozci. Aurnozci’s followers believe the demon lord’s imprisonment is coming to an end, and soon the Caged Worm will shed its current form and

within 300 feet of itself. The sphere spreads around corners. The sphere remains for 10 minutes or until Aurnozci uses this lair action again. The sphere’s area is heavily obscured and is

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

wood survive until springtime. In a firbolg’s eyes, there is no greater fault than greed. The firbolgs believe that the world remains healthiest when each creature takes only what it needs

Book of Vile Darkness (Variant)

Magic Items Keys from the Golden Vault

even glimpse the scrawled pages invites madness. Most believe the lich-god Vecna authored the Book of Vile Darkness. He recorded in its pages every diseased idea, every unhinged thought, and every

must make a DC 17 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the creature’s alignment changes to neutral evil. The Book of Vile Darkness remains with you only as long as you strive to work evil

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Whether calling on the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, druids are an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning, and fury. They claim no mastery over

religions of the world. They believe that every living thing and every natural phenomenon—sun, moon, wind, fire, and the world itself—has a spirit. Their spells, then, are a means to

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

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

Shadowmoor Expert

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lorwyn: First Light

a gloomy, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoor’s merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and

bravery. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length isn’t just practical—it’s often a matter of life or death. AURORE FOLNY

Aundair

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

vineyards of Bluevine, Aundairians value wit and wisdom. Aundairians prefer finesse to brute force and appreciate cunning wordplay and fine fashions. The Sovereign Host is the dominant faith of Aundair, with

, but she has never abandoned the dream of a Galifar reunited under her rule. While Aundair is a small nation, its arcane superiority allowed it to hold its own during the Last War. Many believe

Chapter 8: The Styes

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

Lantern Ghost killer is caught and executed, some in the district believe that the true killer is still out there. It’s left to the adventurers to follow the clues that the local militia ignores

treated to perhaps the most memorable depiction of both a cunning aboleth plot and a sinister cult of Tharizdun. Many adventures are set aboard a ship at sea. Can you name another that challenges you to infiltrate a moldering ship held aloft by a crane, above the streets of a slowly dying city?

Mimic

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

Mimic Mimics are shapeshifting predators able to take on the form of inanimate objects to lure creatures to their doom. In dungeons, these cunning creatures most often take the form of doors and

assumes its amorphous form and on parts the mimic uses to move itself. Cunning Hunters. Mimics live and hunt alone, though they occasionally share their feeding grounds with other creatures. Although most

Horror Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

or to inspire those of your own design. Horror Character Personality Traits d12 Personality Trait 1 I had an encounter that I believe gives me a special affinity with a supernatural

. No door remains unopened in my presence. 5 I let people underestimate me, revealing my full competency only to those close to me. 6 I compulsively seek to collect trophies of my travels and

Orog

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

Orog Orogs are orcs blessed with a surprisingly keen intellect that ordinary orcs believe is a gift from the orc goddess Luthic. Like Luthic, orogs prefer to live underground, although the scarcity

of food often brings them to the surface to hunt. Orcs respect an orog’s strength and cunning, and a lone orog might command an orc war band. Stronger and Smarter. An orog uses its strength to bully

Humble Guardians

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

eyes, there is no greater fault than greed. The firbolgs believe that the world remains healthiest when each creature takes only what it needs. Material goods, especially precious gems and gold, have little appeal to them. What use are such things when winter lingers and food runs short?

The Beast Within

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

The Beast Within Wildhunt Shifter Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their body and mind. Some shifters believe that these spirits are

traits and prefer to run with a pack. Swiftstride are often predatory and feline, but a swiftstride could also be a cunning rat who darts through the shadows. Wildhunt shifters are born from any creature

Death Tyrant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

remains of its magical eyes—orbit its floating, cyclopean skull, while the hateful gaze of its central eye socket stifles life and raises the dead. Beholders typically transform into death tyrants over

magic or Underdark radiation. Sometimes beholders purposefully pursue this undead state, just as depraved magic-users pursue lichdom, although it is rare, as most beholders already believe themselves to

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