branch before derived called readily

Vegepygmy Thorny Hunter

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

saving throw or have the prone condition.Thorny hunters are bestial vegepygmies derived from the corpses of bears, dogs, and other quadrupedal Beasts. Thorny hunters act like bloodhounds, following

their master’s orders to hunt prey with deadly ferocity. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed by

Aarakocra

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

;and were imbued with a measure of their masters’ power over winds. Their descendants still command echoes of that power. From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called

birdfolk. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke fear and wonder. Many aarakocra aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world

. Beak and Feather From below, aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing

Iggwilv's Cauldron

Magic Items The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

can’t be used again until the next dawn. Tying a dead frog or toad to the end of an ordinary branch and dipping it in the water-filled cauldron transforms the branch into a wand of polymorph

minute touching the cauldron with a unicorn’s horn while reciting the poem called “The Witch Queen’s Cauldron” (see the accompanying sidebar), all creatures within 1,000 feet of

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

, animals, or elemental forces. The ancient druidic traditions are sometimes called the Old Faith, in contrast to the worship of gods in temples and shrines. Druid spells are oriented toward nature and

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

commoner’s clothes, a book of research notes, an ink pen, a bottle of squid ink, a flask of oil (made from blubber), a vial of acid (derived from digestive juices), a vial of fish scales, a vial

abundant connections among the Simic. The guild members live in watery sinkholes called zonots, and their isolation shelters them from much contact with outsiders. Nonetheless, a fair number of Simic

The D20

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

, Wisdom, and Charisma, and they typically range from 3 to 18 for most adventurers. (Monsters might have scores as low as 1 or as high as 30.) These ability scores, and the ability modifiers derived from

the core of the rules of the game. All three follow these simple steps. Roll the die and add a modifier. Roll a d20 and add the relevant modifier. This is typically the modifier derived from one of

Aarakocra

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

were imbued with a measure of their masters’ power over winds. Their descendants still command echoes of that power. From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called birdfolk

. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to

The Companion

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

offered him a deal, which Thavius readily accepted. In the sky over Elturel, a radiant sphere called the Companion appeared, blazing like a second sun. Powered by a planetar imprisoned within it, the

Using the Maps

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

rendered. You can omit details that are not readily visible (such as secret doors and other hidden features) until the characters are able to detect and interact with them. Slopes and Staircases. On all

Icewind Dale, including Ten-Towns and other sites and features in the region that are common knowledge. The reverse side has player-friendly maps of the ten settlements that comprise Ten-Towns, with prominent locations called out in each town for the players’ benefit.

Zhentarim

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

receive aid from the Zhents who are opposed to him. The leaders of this branch of the Black Network are retired adventurers who have become business entrepreneurs. Their adventuring party was called

the Doom Raiders because their specialty was plundering lich lairs (which are called “dooms”). They are desperately trying to gain a legitimate economic foothold in Waterdeep, which requires making

11. Office of the Warden

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

readily converses with the characters even if their initial appearance is suspicious, asking them friendly questions with the aim of discovering if Moghadam sent them. If asked about his unusual appearance

, Stolos angrily admits that he and Andras derived from a singular human subject and his giant snowy owl companion years before. The two hybrid creatures now have an intense hatred for one another

Gnome Adventurers

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

of them take readily to life in the outside world and don’t come back on schedule, returning to the burrow only after spending years or decades away as a member of an adventuring party. The Pull of

of better understanding the workings of the multiverse. A Gnome’s Role Gnomes are valuable members of an adventuring party for a number of reasons, derived from both their innate abilities and their

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

called out as a traitor. Status Symbols Goblins love symbols of authority, and thus the tribe’s boss often has such trappings wherever he or she goes. Such a symbol can take a typical form

Khurgorbaeyag seems to dislike sharing his divine power with his followers. And although many goblins would readily offer anything to have the abilities of a warlock, the patrons that grant such power

Netherese Necropolis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Kessel found an artifact suffused with demonic magic called Crenshinibon (better known as the Crystal Shard) and used it to erect a great black tower in Icewind Dale. When this tower was destroyed

that has become suffused with demonic magic can warp a creature’s mind, causing madness that usually fades away once the contact is broken. Chardalyn is cold to the touch and readily accepts

Chapter 2: The Lands of Barovia

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

escape the shadow of his father’s legacy, Strahd made the valley his home and named it Barovia after the late King Barov, his father. The land now called Barovia is no longer part of the world that

, a secret society of wereravens. Not powerful enough to defeat Strahd on their own, the Keepers readily assist adventurers who find themselves drawn into Strahd’s domain. My army settled in the valley

Lorinda's Powers and Dominion

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

figure wearing a cloak of moth wings and bearing a branch burning with torches. Using her control of the land as Tepest’s Darklord, Mother brings bounty to fields and flocks, or curses farms with

art, and small sacrifices. The most devout, called Mother’s Minders, each undertake a ritual in which they pluck out their left eye, gifting its sight to Mother. Lorinda can see through her followers

Setup

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

new Sembian-sponsored merchant coster called the Rolling Wheel. Shopkeepers affiliated with the Black Network approach the characters. They are prepared to do so several times, with each potential

wagons, each pulled by two oxen and equipped with an axe, a shovel, two buckets, and a three-pointed-iron-rod fire spit that can readily be used as three improvised spears. Each wagon carries two Black

City of Guilds

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

branch under the leadership of Isperia, the sphinx Supreme Judge. Boros Legion. Led by the angel Aurelia, the Boros Legion pursues the cause of justice, not merely law enforcement. Boros serves as

spirits often called the Ghost Council. Cult of Rakdos. The demonic Cult of Rakdos is the jester in Ravnica’s culture, using satire and performance to skewer the powerful and embolden the weak. But it is

Vajra Safahr

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

resources at her disposal to defend the city against threats. She was handpicked for the job by Khelben Arunsun, and wields the Blackstaff from which Khelben derived his name and the title of the

Grey, an order of highly skilled adventurers who are called upon to defend the city in times of need. Vajra is always looking for new adventurers to fill the ranks of Force Grey, and she is

Tabaxi

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

on all the world’s wonders. This curiosity pushes them to leave no secrets uncovered, and no treasures or legends lost. They revere a fickle deity called the Cat Lord, who is said to wander the world

tabaxi use the same names, and most use nicknames derived from or inspired by their full names. Tabaxi clan names are usually based on a geographical feature located in or near a clan’s territory

Wandslingers

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

to see a warrior with a sword on one hip and a wand on the other. Within the army, such a soldier is referred to as an arcaneer. On the streets, they are called wandslingers. A wandslinger is defined

penalty associated with this; it’s just something to consider when describing your actions. As long as your DM approves, you could justify the abilities of an arcane class as being derived from

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, they might build a warren and make a permanent home there, while continuing to expand the town’s sewers as the community grows. These so-called “city kobolds” live underground but

this traitor onto their winged kin. Kobold Names Kobold names are derived from the Draconic tongue and usually relate to a characteristic of the owner, such as scale color, distinctive body parts

Torch

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

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

crime. Fraud, money laundering, and forgery run rampant within the once-shining branch, whose crumbling roof collapsed long ago. Pummeled and melted by fiery rockslides, the statue of Abbathor in the

Adventures in Tepest

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

cottage exudes a warm glow. Smiles come readily but last too long. Wildflowers grow from the carcasses of mutated lambs. The Mists deposit visitors to Tepest near Viktal, whose folk encourage

people’s holy site from an ancient, evil treant called Blightroot. The druid doesn’t mention that the surrounding forests are a clonal colony of the villainous plant. 7 A grieving villager begs

Nightspider Dead Ahead

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

Nightspider Dead Ahead The neogi ship bearing down on the Moondancer at the end of chapter 3 is a nightspider called the Ebonsnare. See chapter 2 of the Astral Adventurer’s Guide for more information

—an offer Sartell readily accepts in the wake of the nightspider’s ambush. If the Moondancer appears to be under the control of someone other than Captain Sartell (such as Traevus, the astral elves, or

Using the Maps

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

to keep track of where the characters are in the carnival at any given time. The reverse side of the poster map shows the Feywild domain of Prismeer, now divided into three splinter-realms called

originals, and you can alter a map’s features as you see fit. Nor do your maps need to be painstakingly rendered. You can omit details that are not readily visible (such as secret doors and other hidden

How to Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

high as 30.) These ability scores, and the ability modifiers derived from them, are the basis for almost every d20 roll that a player makes on a character’s or monster’s behalf. Ability checks

add the relevant modifier. This is typically the modifier derived from one of the six ability scores, and it sometimes includes a proficiency bonus to reflect a character’s particular skill. (See

Outside the City Proper

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

obliges them to help you reach the city proper in safety. THE WONDERS OF THE WAYMOOT The place where the High Road and the Way of the Dragon meet in the south of the city is called the Waymoot. At the

or gain by doing so will also readily set you on the right course if you’re simply polite. Undercliff This area of rolling grassland and small wooded areas east of the city is a rural community

Middle City

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

behind the walls of the High City. Elmandar’s Star Charts is run by a retired elf adventurer who once served as the spelljammer aboard a space galleon called the Eclipse (shown here as a model) The

gaudily decorated building tucked away in a cluster of residences is a branch office of the Sindiath Line, a charter service that ferries passengers from Bral to destinations throughout Wildspace

Iggwilv's Cauldron

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

someone uses an action to shake or slap it. Once used, this property of the cauldron can’t be used again until the next dawn. Tying a dead frog or toad to the end of an ordinary branch and dipping it in

the water-filled cauldron transforms the branch into a wand of polymorph with 3 charges. This wand can’t recharge and crumbles to ashes when its final charge is expended. Once used, this property of

Patrons in the Realms

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

attuned to every bough of each tree and each branch of every stream in the forests of the Feywild. If Oberon has a weakness, it is the wild nature of his heart. His mood swings like a weather vane in

, seeking revenge. Errtu the balor has plagued Drizzt Do’Urden for more than a century, largely over possession of an artifact called the Crenshinibon. Having lost the last battle and been banished

Classes

compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

classes in this way, called multiclassing, appear in chapter 6. Twelve classes — listed in the Classes table — are found in almost every D&D world and define the spectrum of typical adventurers

, quarterstaffs, light crossbows Warlock A wielder of magic that is derived from a bargain with an extraplanar entity d8 Charisma Wisdom & Charisma Light armor, simple weapons

Nettlebee Ranch

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

take to the adventurers a little too readily for Jayne’s liking. Bertram’s and Jayne’s only daughter, Elisa (a commoner), is nineteen. She’s like her mother and very open about disliking her “old goat

of the way unless he is called upon to speak. Then, he makes a blustering speech about how confident he is the characters can make the fire witch pay for what she has done. Jayne, Darrow, Elisa, and

Miniatures

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

online. The most common unit for tactical maps is the 5-foot square, and maps with grids are readily available and easy to create. However, you don’t have to use a grid at all. You can track distances

with a tape measure, string, rulers, or pipe cleaners cut to specific lengths. Another option is a play surface covered by 1-inch hexagons (often called hexes), which makes movement more flexible

D&D Beyond

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