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Returning 35 results for 'both better death cunning rather'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
, 20 Arrows, Quiver, Thieves' Tools, Burglar's Pack, and 8 GP; or (B) 100 GP
Rogues rely on cunning, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation. They
skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks.
In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make
Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide
some fell goal.
The wand is topped with a skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the grip of its user. All Holy Water
from it (save DC 18). The table indicates how many charges you must expend to cast the spell.
Spell
Charge Cost
Animate Dead
1
Blight
2
Circle of Death
3
Finger of
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
. Cultists of Bhaal sometimes form cabals of assassins or mercenaries, but they perform their brutal slaughter for the perverse love of bloodshed and honor to their sinister god rather than for
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
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.
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
a cunning mind. Biha Babir is politically savvy and prefers to outsmart her opponents rather than battle them, though she doesn’t shy from combat if necessary.
Biha Babir covets opulence, but
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
, Wall of Force
1/Day Each: Befuddlement, Clone, Finger of Death, Mind Blank (cast before combat), SimulacrumProtective Magic. Manshoon casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s
. That Manshoon is dead, and the current Manshoon is one of the original’s many clones. Being a magical copy rather than an original doesn’t make Manshoon any less of a threat, as he’s
Spy
Legacy
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Monsters
Basic Rules (2014)
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The spy deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType
cutthroat politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Halfling Nimbleness. Samara can move through the space of a Medium or larger creature.
Brave. Samara has advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the
gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so
Monsters
Tomb of Annihilation
Cunning Action. On each of his turns, Orvex can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Orvex deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType
politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Urchin
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each.
You begin your adventuring career with enough money to live modestly but
securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life?
Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Halfling
trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
.
Death Bolt (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Death Bolt"}. The spirit hurls a magical lightning bolt in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in
that area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 27 (6d8);{"diceNotation":"6d8", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Bolt", "rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage plus 16 (3d10
Monsters
Out of the Abyss
Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Khalessa can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Khalessa deals an extra 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6
individuals use spies to gain the upper hand in a world of cutthroat politics. A spy is trained to secretly gather information. Loyal spies would rather die than divulge information that could compromise them or their employers.
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
elements, and endured sickness without the advantage of medicine or a place to recuperate. You’ve survived despite all odds, and did so through cunning, strength, speed, or some combination of each
circumstances and embark on a better life?
Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, StealthTool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thieves’ toolsEquipment: A small knife, a map of the city you grew up
Monsters
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
his criminal ventures by capturing him.
Rather than put Gant to death for his crimes in Icewind Dale, the Council of Speakers in Ten-Towns made a deal with representatives of the Lords' Alliance to have
Brotherhood but rather hatched by Gant himself, who intended to impress his superiors by pulling it off.
For a long time, Gant held out hope that the Arcane Brotherhood would apply pressure to secure his
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Spellcasting.Aleron was once a tiefling adventurer, but unlike so many victims of the Deck of Many Things, he never drew the Skull card. Instead, when one of his allies drew the card and faced the avatar of death
, Aleron came to his ally’s aid. A second avatar of death appeared, and Aleron was slain; soon after, his Undead corpse crawled from Withered Vineyard, tainted with plague. Aleron resents his fellow
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, it dissolves into acid that splashes on those around it. Each creature within 5 feet of the draconian must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw or be covered in acid for 1 minute. A creature covered in the acid takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"acid"} acid
Monsters
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
cause terrible pain and bleeding.
Killers from the Shadows. Bhaal’s followers are cunning murderers who kill to strike fear and thrive on sowing terror in the cities they inhabit. They can call
rank are the death’s heads, who can take on the skull-faced guise of their deity to terrify their prey. In combat, they intimidate foes by shrugging off the deadliest attacks with ease, showing that resisting Bhaal’s schemes is futile.
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
hibernation that can last for months, though it is still aware when prey comes near. A trapper on the verge of starvation might defy its instincts and abandon its old territory in search of better hunting.
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited
.
Personality Trait. “When dealing with outsiders, I present myself as a kindly old grandmother.”
Ideal. “Children are better off working for me than picking up lots of bad habits
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points by a creature that is Large or smaller, the draconian crumbles into dust that then forms a spectral, shrieking image of the creature that
. Sivaks can magically change their features to mimic the appearance of those they’ve slain. This allows these cunning soldiers to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When sivaks are
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
art objects—the more beautiful, the better. The arms hanging below their wolf heads are physically frail but useful for employing tools of destruction or sabotage.
Spyder-Fiends
Demonic
brutal killing is their favorite pursuit. They spin durable webs and are ingenious in how they employ their webs against prey.
Spyder-fiends are organized into a hierarchy based on might and cunning
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
bound to their fey lord and unable to bargain away their souls. So rather than claim them, Fierna warped and twisted them before returning them to the Feywild, content that the corruption of the satyrs
, 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
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
deep in the Underworld. Terrifying and cunning, they guard portals between the wards of the Underworld, Erebos’s greatest treasures, and noteworthy souls who might attempt to escape the realm of
life and death. Most cerberi have a boundless hunger for fresh meat, especially the flesh of humanoids. Villains have been known to exploit that hunger by luring cerberi away from the river and setting them loose on mortal settlements.Fire, Necrotic
Species
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Thuranni, Regalport (Lhazaar Principalities)
Elves have carried the Mark of Shadow for thousands of years. The mark’s bearers left Aerenal after the conflict that wiped out the Mark of Death
espionage in the lands west of the Mournland, while Thuranni operates in the eastern lands. As a rule, Phiarlan elves are the better spies and Thuranni agents are superior assassins. Thuranni and Phiarlan
Young Deep Dragon
Legacy
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
seeing the deepest places in the ocean.
8
I find I rather enjoy the company of people—as long as they remain unaware of my true nature.
Deep Dragon Ideals
d6;{"diceNotation
":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"}
Ideal
1
Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours
Orcus
Legacy
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Monsters
Out of the Abyss
tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.”
61–80
“I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.”
81–00
“I am awash in
with dead. Alternatively, he can expend 1 or more of the wand’s charges to cast one of the following spells from it: circle of death (1 charge), finger of death (1 charge), or power word kill (2
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
, wall of forceSeekers of forgotten lore and lost relics, blue abishais are the most cunning and learned of their kind. Their research into occult subjects gleaned from tomes plundered from across the
before death and, as a reward, found its soul transformed into a draconic devil to serve at her pleasure in the Nine Hells. Each type of abishai is associated with one of Tiamat’s five dragon
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
, Strahd takes 20 radiant damage at the start of his turn, has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, and can’t use his Change Shape bonus action.Multiattack. Strahd makes two Death Strike
attacks. He can replace one of these attacks with Blighted Fire if available.
Death Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +9;{"diceNotation":"1d20+9", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Death Strike"} to hit
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
cover up the stink of death.
The first leucrottas came into being alongside some gnolls during the rampages of Yeenoghu on the Material Plane. While many of the hyenas that ate Yeenoghu’s
like doing their own killing, since leucrottas are meticulous in their cruelty and able to draw out kills for better and longer sport. And when there are no victims to be had, a leucrotta can mimic the
Wand of Orcus
Legacy
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
.
Made from bones as hard as iron, the wand is topped with a magically enlarged skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the
or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: animate dead (1 charge), blight (2 charges), circle of death (3 charges), finger of death (3 charges), power word kill
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Emerald Claw, but her motives for founding the order are buried in her past. Lady Illmarrow has no interest in ruling the living. Rather, she seeks to become Queen of the Dead.
The Mark of Death
, polymorph
5th level (3 slots): cloudkill, cone of cold, hold monster, scrying
6th level (2 slot): chain lightning, circle of death, create undead
7th level (2 slot): finger of death, forcecage
Monsters
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
priest’s next turn.
Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"recharge","rollAction":"Circle of Death"}). Each creature in a 60-foot-radius sphere centered on a point
the priest can see within 150 feet of it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6);{"diceNotation":"8d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Circle of Death","rollDamageType":"necrotic