branch before dark caste retreat

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

with that of snakes, producing a caste-based society of hybrids in which the most snakelike are the leaders and the most humanlike are spies and agents in foreign lands. Humans Transformed The

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:At will: expeditious retreat, false life, minor illusion, prestidigitation3/day each: aid, misty step, Tasha's hideous

Hells—courted a mighty fey in hopes of luring him into trading away his soul. The attempt failed, but not before a troop of satyrs were corrupted by the dark delights of Phlegethos. The satyrs were

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

curse on a success.The transformation into a demilich isn’t a bitter end for all liches that experience it. Made as a conscious choice, the path of the demilich becomes the next step in a dark

it to retreat into its ancient tomb and forget to feed on souls. The spells it once knew fade from its mind, and it no longer channels the arcane energy it wielded as a lich. However, even as a mere

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating

(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal) Subrace Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves, and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose one of

Yuan-ti: Snake People

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

Yuan-ti: Snake People 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 with that of snakes, producing a caste-based society of hybrids in which the most snakelike are the leaders and the most humanlike are spies and agents in foreign lands. Ye cannot goad one of

Approaching the Vineyard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden

Approaching the Vineyard A branch of the Old Svalich Road leads to the vineyard. If the characters approach along this path, read: After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

out of sight on a high tree branch in the form of a leopard, a human peers out of the jungle at the strange construction of a temple of Evil Elemental Air, keeping a close eye on the cultists&rsquo

druids count them all (even the violent ones) as worthy of veneration. The druids of Eberron hold animistic beliefs completely unconnected to the Sovereign Host, the Dark Six, or any of the other

Shadow Crossings

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

battlefields, graveyards, and tombs. They manifest only in darkness, closing as soon as they feel light’s kiss. EVERNIGHT The city of Neverwinter in the world of the Forgotten Realms has a dark reflection

bulk of the population consists of the shambling dead. Zombies, wights, vampires, and other undead make the city their home, all under the watchful eyes of the ruling caste: intelligent, flesh-eating ghouls. Rumors abound that this foul place mirrors one city on every world.

Strahd von Zarovich

Monsters Curse of Strahd

(Costs 2 Actions). Strahd makes one bite attack.With his mind sharp and his heart dark, Strahd von Zarovich is a formidable foe. Courage and lives beyond measure have been lost to him. Reread chapter 1

the reach of melee combatants and spellcasters, or he flies away (using summoned wolf;wolves or swarm of bats;swarms of bats or swarm of rats;rats to guard his retreat). Strahd observes the characters

Approaching the Mansion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Approaching the Mansion A winding branch of the Old Svalich Road meanders up the forested slope of a mountain spur to the old mansion, which is perched on high ground overlooking the Svalich Woods

capped with fairytale cones, its towers lined with sculpted battlements. A third of the structure has collapsed, as has part of the roof, but the rest appears intact. A dark, octagonal tower rises above

Noteworthy Features

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

. Borcan noble families include a dominant main family and lesser branch lineages. Branch noble families (sometimes with different surnames) are subservient to the main family. Each noble family

populace possesses dark hair and varied skin tones with cool undertones. Names often take inspiration from German, Slavic, and more fantastical conventions. When players create characters from Borca

The Way of the Lion

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

The Way of the Lion Read the following boxed text to describe the characters’ final day of travel to Candlekeep: Over the past four days, the weather on the Coast Way has gradually worsened. Dark

clouds release heavy rain until the road runs thick with mud, yet you trudge on, passing by friendly merchant caravans heading north. On the morning of the fifth day, the rain subsides but the dark

King's Dark Lanterns

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

leader of the Dark Lanterns, with four subordinate knights marshal leading branch offices across Breland, in Sharn, Starilaskur, and Xandrar. A much smaller branch office keeps an eye on Brelish

King’s Dark Lanterns The King’s Dark Lanterns is the intelligence division of the King’s Citadel, an organization sworn to defend Breland from its enemies and dispense justice in the name of King

Emotionless Evil

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

well enough to know that they can get away with this casual disregard for life almost anytime. Furthermore, in the yuan-ti caste system, a greater yuan-ti’s life is worth far more than a lesser one’s

First Yuan-ti are likely to retreat or flee from conflict if they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality — yuan-ti value their

When Elves Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

it looks like the characters are about to lose. The astral elves are confident they can conquer the Moondancer, but if two of the warriors fall, the third tries to retreat to the Dark Star. After

that attempt succeeds or fails, the star moth beats a hasty retreat. The star priest, Altura, remains aboard the Dark Star and uses a sending spell to relay what has happened to Helix, an astral elf on

Yuan-ti Abomination

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

Yuan-ti Abomination Monstrous serpents with burly humanoid torsos and arms, abominations form the highest caste of yuan-ti society, and they most closely resemble the race as the serpent gods

intended it. They mastermind elaborate schemes and perform dark rites in the hope of one day ruling the world. Yuan-ti Abomination Large monstrosity (shapechanger, yuan-ti), neutral evil Armor Class 15

Features of Zorzula's Rest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

grooves allow lava to flow through and illuminate the outpost’s interior with dim blue light. The mining tunnels are dark unless otherwise noted. Tunnels Galore! Map 5.5 and the corresponding location

descriptions detail the main areas of the mining tunnels. However, several smaller, splinter tunnels branch off these areas. These tunnels were once used in the ancient duergar’s mining operations, but

Adamantine Tower

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

floors. Moving through a narrow passage, you enter a cavern dimly lit by phosphorescent fungi — and are met by the sight of a dark metal tower perched on the edge of a cliff that drops away into

the wall facing you is a sturdy-looking door made of the same dark metal as the rest of the tower. No ordinary structure, the tower is a Daern’s instant fortress (see chapter 7, “Treasure,” of the

Approaching the Windmill

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

town near the shores of a great mountain lake, its waters dark and still. A branch in the road leads west to a promontory, atop which is perched a dilapidated stone windmill, its warped wooden vanes

Questioning Corlie

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hold Back The Dead

—that’s not clear. I’ve had conflicting reports about the horde’s leader, but it’s some kind of ghost or creature made of dark mist.” Who’s Defending the Other Wall Sections? “We have a few soldiers

Will You Be? “The soldiers will need my support more than you will. I’ll be coordinating defenses on the other wall sections. You won’t see me again until the danger has passed.” Should We Retreat

Rip Tide Priest

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

Rip Tide Priest Priests of the Rip Tide cult gather in secret cabals to perform dark rituals that glorify Olhydra, the elemental Princess of Evil Water, as the embodiment of water’s destructiveness

): expeditious retreat, magic missile, shield 2nd level (3 slots): blur, hold person 3rd level (2 slots): sleet storm Actions Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Snapping Turtle Bay

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Snapping Turtle Bay This bay is beautiful beyond compare. Though the sky is dark with clouds of smoke and ash streaked with lightning, the white sand beaches, lush forests, bright coral reefs, and

colorful wildlife make this a restful retreat from the horrors of Chult. The shore is not without its dangers, but even they are inviting and wondrous to behold. Tri-flower fronds, mantraps, and jaculis

Wight

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

Wight The word “wight” meant “person” in days of yore, but the name now refers to evil undead who were once mortals driven by dark desire and great vanity. When death stills such a creature’s heart

and snuffs its living breath, its spirit cries out to the demon lord Orcus or some vile god of the underworld for a reprieve: undeath in return for eternal war on the living. If a dark power answers

Final Confrontations

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

berserker, they make a fighting retreat through the pastures to steal sheep and ponies. Nettlebees in Hiding. Once the barbarians make it to the ranch, Javor bursts into the house’s cellar. The Nettlebees

halfling pluck and dark devotion make the wicked Nettlebees unlikely to back down easily. In fact, Wiggan tries to bribe the characters into defending Bertram and him “against these savages.” He also uses

Elves

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

kingdoms lasting three thousand years. These battles devastated much of the world and resulted in the dark elves’ flight into the Underdark. Reeling from these calamities, the elven empires went into a

long, slow decline, and many of their kind took part in the great Retreat to their refuge on Evermeet. As the elves increasingly withdrew from the world, other races and civilizations rose to prominence

Torch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

blood-red marsh. Formed from hardened molten rock, the pillars alternate in spewing blazing streams of pyrophoric gas, providing light and heat to the town. Clustered buildings retreat from the

rotten, waterlogged planks. Bank of Abbathor Headquartered in the city of Sigil, the Bank of Abbathor (detailed in chapter 2) services customers across the planes. Account holders can visit a branch of

Humans Transformed

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

serpent gods of the primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods

quickly coalesced into a caste system based on how complete a person’s transformation was. The vast majority of yuan-ti fall into three categories — abominations, malisons, and purebloods — while the

The Temple of Elemental Evil

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

surface. Knifepoint Gully near Feathergale Spire leads to the Temple of Howling Hatred. The Dark Stream flows under Rivergard Keep, leading to the Temple of the Crushing Wave. The Ancient Stair

. At least two cultists from any group the characters interact with serve as escorts. Driving the Cults into Retreat The cultists learn and adapt as the characters attack their strongholds. The four

9. Contested Caves

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Freth. They have been watching the invisible troll but aren’t sure what to make of it. They retreat to area 12 (through areas 9b, 10a, and 10b) if threatened. Zaztorrl’s loyalty to House Freth is shaky

planning to soften up the troglodytes in area 7a and are not expecting to face adventurers. If four of the drow fall, the survivors use darkness spells to cover their retreat to area 13. 9c. Roper

Kraken Attack!

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

following sections), the archaeologists use the commoner stat block. If the characters join the battle, the kraken focuses on them while the archaeologists retreat. If the characters don’t join the

longer a threat, the leader of the archaeologists approaches the characters. A stout human woman with bronze skin and curly dark hair held back with a colorful scarf runs toward you. Her expression is a

The Caller

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

, and truths hinting at the nature of the Dark Powers. Consider the following plots when featuring the Caller in an adventure: One of the characters’ allies requests they check in on the ally’s brother

. This pious or artistic soul has been convinced by a charming peer (the Caller in disguise) to attend a retreat that is secretly a meeting of the priests of Osybus. An old friend reappears in a

The Dark Dominion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

The Dark Dominion The rock surrounding the city is honeycombed with tunnels and passageways forming the Dark Dominion, a territory claimed by the drow but not part of the city proper. Home to all

manner of Underdark denizens, this maze forms part of Menzoberranzan’s defenses as well as its underworld — a dangerous place for dark dealings and clandestine meetings. The Dark Dominion is a great

Platinum Mine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

, and anything beyond 30 feet is in darkness. Cart wheels have carved shallow ruts in the dirt floor leading to the back of the mine, where the cave-in was never fully excavated. Smaller tunnels branch

Version M1. Main Tunnel The mine is dark and damp, and you hear the sound of dripping water echoing from deep within. The light fades faster than it should as you move deeper, until you’re wrapped in

The Dark Seldarine

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

The Dark Seldarine Lolth demands the lion’s share of worship from the drow, according to her wishes and by the command of her priestesses. The Spider Queen isn’t, however, the only entity venerated

by drow. They revere a host of divine entities, which they refer to as the Dark Seldarine in mockery of the surface elves’ deities. The Dark Seldarine are mighty, immortal beings, survivors from the

Adventure Summary

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

to Tharizdun, where they are attacked by chuuls that dwell there. At the climax of this battle, the Whisperer appears from the polluted sea to attack the heroes — hoping to enslave them to its own dark

. Alternatively, you could set the Styes up as a small, stand-alone port town. This approach has the advantage of limiting characters to the Styes’ squalid confines. They can’t retreat to a nicer part of the

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