branches before defenses come race

Gadabout

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

. The gadabout enters the space of a willing Medium or Small creature within 5 feet of itself and gently wraps its branches around the target. The target is grappled (escape DC 0). Any attempt by the

Wildspace. A gadabout wraps its branches around a Humanoid creature, spreads its butterfly wings, and allows its wearer to fly through space in a continuously refreshed air envelope. The gadabout

Girallon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

forests and jungles, seem to attract girallons. They see a city’s buildings as a superior sort of forest whose uppermost “branches” can safely support them. The creatures can easily

ravines or shallow caves, or hide in ruined sites while waiting for prey to come near. A girallon is surprisingly stealthy, considering its size and its lack of camouflage. Girallons form loose bands

Yggdrasti

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

Tree, yggdrasti look like gigantic, dead trees covered with barnacles. They fly through Wildspace and the Astral Sea with their topmost branches leading the way and their withered roots trailing behind

inside its trunk in which Medium or smaller creatures can lurk. Yggdrasti attack any settlements or spelljamming ships they come across without provocation. By using a speak with plants spell or

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. 3 I secretly look forward to adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses? 4 Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day. 5 No

creature can outsmart my defenses—if they do, they obviously cheated. 6 Any creature that can hold their own against me must teach me how—whether they want to or not. 7 I

Lizardfolk

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

have lived on the worlds of the Material Plane since the worlds’ creation. Gifted by the gods with remarkable physical defenses and a mystical connection to the natural world, lizardfolk can

level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score

Arasta

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

beyond the branches of the tree and carpet the forest floor of her realm. Path to the Underworld. Tales are told of forlorn souls who, because of grief or madness over the loss of a loved one, have

touching her webs. Each creature restrained by a web or Arasta’s Web of Hair must make a DC 21 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, Arasta gains knowledge of a creature’s name, race

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses? 4 Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day. 5 No creature can outsmart my defenses—if

who will undoubtedly terrorize the area if they win. 8 A sapphire dragon’s lair is so well protected that its inner defenses have never been tested. The dragon spreads rumors of the

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Gang Mentality Since bugbears aren’t a particularly fecund race, their overall population is small and spread over a wide area. Bugbears live in family groups that operate much like gangs. The

remove opposition or exile weaker or unpopular members to keep the rest of the gang strong. Fortunately for the race as a whole, even young and elderly bugbears have the ability to survive alone in the

Fairy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

a special physical characteristic that sets the fairy apart. For your fairy, roll on the Fey Characteristics table or choose an option from it. You’re also free to come up with your own

member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race such as the fairy or the harengon in this section, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

good that even if some people you meet have heard of your homeland, they know merely the name and perhaps a few outrageous stories. You have come to this part of Faerûn for your own reasons, which

of those who emigrate from Evermeet are either exiles, forced out for committing some infraction of elven law, or emissaries who come to Faerûn for a purpose that benefits elven culture or

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

. The Journey Yet to Come Shifters have a strong presence in the Eldeen Reaches but can be found in rural areas across Khorvaire, where they often live among humans. While they form powerful bonds

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, the kobolds are usually put to work enlarging their masters’ living area and protecting vital areas of the lair with traps and other defenses. Some human communities hire kobolds to dig their

magical power than a potion, but they all believe that the tribal sorcerer can figure out how to use any such item they come across. When kobolds sense an opportunity to separate a magic item from its

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

a dwarf saying that might be hyperbole, but certainly points to how difficult it can be for a member of a short-lived race like humans to earn a dwarf’s trust. Elves. “It’s not wise

frivolous. Two things to be said for them, though: They don’t have many smiths, but the ones they have do very fine work. And when orcs or goblins come streaming down out of the mountains, an elf

Conyberry and Agatha's Lair

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

deeper into the trees. Heavy vines and thick layers of moss drape the branches, and the air is noticeably colder than it was in the ruined village. After rounding a bend in the trail, you come upon a

domed shelter made from the warped, bowing branches of nearby trees. A low doorway leads inside. This 10-foot-by-10-foot shelter is the lair of Agatha the banshee. If the characters exercise caution

Preparing for the Drowned Ones

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

to decide on a course of action for when the drowned ones breach the defenses. The survivors do not participate in combat against the drowned ones. Even if they aid in the defensive preparations, come nightfall they retreat to area 25.

7. Troglodyte Outpost

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

always on alert. One of them carries a horn that it sounds in the event of an attack. If the horn is blown, eight of the troglodytes in area 2 come through area 5 and into this cave to investigate and shore up the defenses.

Kalashtar Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

I am kalashtar, born of two worlds. Over a thousand years ago, my ancestor bound her bloodline to the spirit Kashtai, and I am a child of that union. Kashtai moves within me. Her memories come to

-Lashtavar. —Lakashtai, servant of the light The kalashtar are a compound race created from the union of humanity and renegade spirits from the plane of dreams — spirits called quori

Snail Racing

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

shells scrubbed by pixies. Above the circular course, a wooden gantry hangs from the branches of a central tree, where two goblins officiate the proceedings. Snail racing is a highly competitive

, fast-paced sport that draws a lively crowd. Characters can participate in the race as snail jockeys, but it costs 1 ticket punch to enter. On the Story Tracker, jot down the names of any characters who

Conyberry and Agatha's Lair

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

they’ve come for, they will be able to speak with the banshee. When the characters enter the shelter, read the following: A home of sorts is sheltered within the dome of woven branches. It is

trail winds deeper into the trees. Heavy vines and thick layers of moss drape the branches, and the air is noticeably colder than it was in the ruined village. Rounding a bend in the trail, you see a

Githzerai Traits

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

this race). None of these spells require spell components when you cast them with this trait. Mental Discipline. Your innate psychic defenses grant you advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or

Hadozee Traits

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

Hadozee Traits As a hadozee player character, you have the following traits. Creature Type. You are a Humanoid. Size. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race. Speed

to your walking speed, and you take 0 damage from the fall. You determine the direction of the glide. Hadozee Dodge. The magic that runs in your veins heightens your natural defenses. When you take

Githzerai Zerths

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

githyanki and githzerai who seek to reunify the gith races. By helping the githyanki defeat a common foe, Yrlakka hopes to demonstrate the merits of a single unified gith race — not only to the evil

githyanki, but also to the younger githzerai zerths who follow him. Yrlakka is concerned because his most headstrong pupil, a githzerai named Ezria, has disappeared. He fears (correctly) that Ezria was captured by the githyanki on level 16 while trying to find weak spots in their defenses.

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

advancing civilization, nature needs some help from biomancers and terraformers. If, along the way, you happen to create super-soldiers and mutant monsters that can bolster the combine’s defenses

very different. 7 I borrowed a lot of money from an Orzhov syndic to help finance my research. 8 A Rakdos ringmaster has taken an interest in my research which, come to think of it, might

Fortress Cities

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

largest concentration of githzerai. It serves as both the capital of the civilization and the headquarters of the githzerai military forces. The greatest generals, spellcasters, and zerths of the race

city or its inhabitants. Teleportation circles are barred except on the fringes of the place, at always-guarded locations beyond the city’s outermost defenses. Those who use plane-shifting magic to

Gauntlgrym

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

the city’s defenses, and to remain vigilant for new threats gathering in the dark depths of the world. King Bruenor might offer the triumphant heroes noble titles and positions of power in his kingdom

in the hope of enlisting their aid against the troubles to come. The adventurers might get the opportunity to earn those titles all over again when an Underdark army marches on the dwarf kingdom, determined to claim Gauntlgrym and the power of the primordial bound within its Great Forge.

Domain Theme

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

cast. Tree branches look like skeletal fingers, night creatures slink and flutter about, and skull-like faces appear on plants, stones, and sprites’ wings. 4 Inquisitive. Creatures in this domain are

nosy and hungry for gossip. Animated trees use their branches to pick through backpacks when travelers aren’t looking; pixies spy on strangers; and birds eavesdrop on conversations, repeating what

Chapter 2: Character Races

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

Chapter 2: Character Races Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. This chapter presents character races that are some of the more distinctive race options in the D&D multiverse. They supplement the

consider the implications for their world before adding a new race. Your DM may say yes or no to you using a race or may modifiy it in some way. The following races are detailed in this chapter: Aasimar

Chapter 3: Sunblight

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

Chapter 3: Sunblight Adventurers race against time to stop Xardorok Sunblight from unleashing terror upon Ten-Towns. Sequestered among the crags of the Spine of the World is a grim fortress hewn out

is Deep Duerra (the duergar god of conquest). Unknown to Xardorok, his warlock powers come from Asmodeus, the Lord of the Nine Hells, who enjoys impersonating other gods. It is Asmodeus, not Deep

Dark Elves (Drow)

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

Sildëyuir near the Feywild. A conflict with the nilshai, a race of wormlike sorcerers from the Ethereal Plane, forced some star elves to leave their home and come to Faerûn. Wild Elves. These

of these few heroic drow have tempered some people’s opinions toward the race, although the appearance of a dark elf on the surface remains a rare event and a cause for alarm. Many drow in Faerûn hail

Berserker

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

Berserker Unpredictable berserkers come together in war parties and seek conflict wherever they can find it. Berserker Medium humanoid (any race), any chaotic alignment Armor Class 13 (hide armor

Celebrate

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

, this day is especially important for Cyran survivors. It is a time when Cyrans come together to remember their lost kingdom. Some tell stories or sing traditional songs, ensuring their culture isn’t

martyred while exposing hidden lycanthropes in Sharn. It is a time when followers of the Flame come together, but often causes tensions with the shifter community. The Hunt (4 Barrakas). In honor of the

Kalashtar

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

come to me in dreams, and at times her voice whispers in the silence of my mind. As long as at least one of my sisters is alive, Kashtai will survive—and as long as she lives, she will fight il

-Lashtavar. —Lakashtai, servant of the light The kalashtar are a compound race created from the union of humanity and renegade spirits from the plane of dreams—spirits called quori. Kalashtar are often

Approaching Loomlurch

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

Approaching Loomlurch Describe Loomlurch to the players as their characters come within view of the site: The forest is at its darkest here. Up ahead, a colossal dead oak lies on its side. Three

living trees grow naturally out of its fallen remains. Their shapes resemble towers, with candlelit windows twinkling in the gloom and wooden balconies encircling gnarled branches. On one side of the

Running the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a6

treasures as you see fit, with an eye towards your home campaign and your particular players. If time permits, the giants organize traps, ambushes, and last-ditch defenses against continuing forays into

their stronghold. Adventure Start It is assumed that the party has safely arrived at a spot near the giants’ stronghold—a small cave, well hidden, where they can hide mounts and equipment. They come to

Extras

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

no importance becomes a central figure in an improvised roleplaying scene. Whenever extras are present, be prepared to come up with names and mannerisms on the fly. In a pinch, you can plunder the race-specific character names found in chapter 2 of the Player’s Handbook.

D&D Beyond

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