build before death cautious reading

Book of Vile Darkness

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

book must spend 80 hours reading and studying it to digest its contents and use its Adjusted Ability Scores, Tireless Form, Spells, Vile Lore, and Vile Speech properties. The Book of Vile Darkness

attuned to the book, you can cast the following spells (save DC 18) from it: Animate Dead Circle of Death Dominate Monster Finger of Death Once you use the book to cast a spell, you can’t

Valindra Shadowmantle

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

, Prestidigitation 2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Plane Shift 1/Day Each: Cone of Cold (level 8 version), Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, ScryingProtective Magic. Valindra casts Counterspell or Shield in response

disastrous confrontations with enemies of her temporary allies, she’s elected to keep her personal lair secret. Deep within her lair is a hidden reading room where she usually keeps her spirit gem

Occultant Abacus

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

finish a long rest. Ways to Read the Kill d6 Reading 1 Using a tiny bellows to pump one last breath into a corpse. 2 Reading the entrails with special reading-the-entrails

glasses. 3 Burning a small piece of the body and looking for shapes in the smoke. 4 A cautious, reasoned, professional guesstimate. 5 Careful measurements. The distance between nostrils

Dunbarrow Witch

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

/day each: animal messenger, charm person, Tasha's hideous laughter 1/day each: bestow curse, dispel magic “Taste the sweetness, breath for breath. Keep the balance, death for death.&rdquo

, while others animate furniture, weapons, or other objects. Feel free to build encounters with witches that include additional creatures such as animated armor, a flying sword, a rug of smothering, or a Tiny Beast acting as a spy.

Book of Vile Darkness Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

powder if the book rests on it long enough. A creature attuned to the book must spend 80 hours reading and studying it to digest its contents and reap its benefits. The creature can then freely modify

reading and studying the book, one ability score of your choice increases by 2, to a maximum of 24. Another ability score of your choice decreases by 2, to a minimum of 3. The book can’t adjust your

Returned Kakomantis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Bolt","rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage.Although the dead typically recall little of their lives, some have an obsession with magic that survives both death and rebirth as a Returned. These

’t build meaningful relationships or establish new lives. Instead, most experience fleeting emotions and follow hollow routines, their existences reduced to shadow plays without weight or substance

Tlincalli

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

powerful hunter, such as a blue dragon, they carefully weigh whether to serve the superior hunter, move on, or fight to the death to remove it as competition. Tlincallis rarely build cities, make

Book of Vile Darkness (Variant)

Magic Items Keys from the Golden Vault

powder if the book rests on it long enough. A creature attuned to the book must spend 80 hours reading and studying it to digest its contents and reap its benefits. The creature can then freely modify

great evil claims your soul. You can’t be restored to life by any means while your soul remains imprisoned. The Book of Vile Darkness has the following properties: Circle of Death. While attuned

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

(3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Shortsword","rollDamageType":"poison"} poison damage.Even death and the loss of their identities can’t erase the rage that inspires

they cover with distinctive golden masks. Returned reenter the world blank and undead. No longer possessing the ability to form long-term memories, they generally can’t build meaningful

Symbol Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

common triggers are opening the object, approaching within a certain distance of it, or seeing or reading the glyph. You can further refine the trigger so the spell is activated only under certain

sphere for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. Death. Each target must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 10d10 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Rak Tulkhesh

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

death until the children of Eberron and Siberys rose up against them. Armies of dragons fought against the fiends of Khyber. And though the overlords couldn't be destroyed, the couatl sacrificed

their lives to build a prison of celestial light: a silver flame that bound the overlords in Khyber once more. These bonds have held for countless generations, but the overlords still yearn to break free

Sul Khatesh

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

children of Khyber rose from the darkness to reign over Eberron. The greatest among them were the overlords, who held dominion over a world of fear, war, and death until the children of Eberron and Siberys

rose up against them. Armies of dragons fought against the fiends of Khyber. And though the overlords couldn't be destroyed, the couatl sacrificed their lives to build a prison of celestial light: a

Fighter Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

them. Your armaments are now among your most important possessions—the only things that stand between you and death’s embrace. QUICK BUILD You can make a fighter quickly by following

mastery with weapons and armor, and a thorough knowledge of the skills of combat. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and staring it defiantly in the face. Well-Rounded

Shadar-kai

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Material Plane to forge their own destinies. Once shadar-kai were Fey like the rest of their elven kin; now they exist in a state between life and death, thanks to being transformed by the Shadowfell

by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your

Moloch

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

conspiracy nearly succeeded, but was ultimately thwarted. Moloch was stripped of his station and sentenced to death—only the timely use of a planar portal allowed him to escape. Moloch wasted no

him win back his title. Rumors suggest that he can often be found in Sigil, where he bargains with yugoloths to build yet another army with which he might invade Malbolge and wrest the throne from

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty

build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

death becomes a hero eternal. Young hobgoblins start soldiering when they can walk and heed the mustering call as soon as they can wield their weapons capably. Every legion in the hobgoblins&rsquo

to keep the knowledge fresh for new generations. When hobgoblins aren’t waging war, they farm, they build, and they practice both martial and arcane arts. These trappings of civil society do

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Although the class features related to your oath don’t appear until you reach 3rd level, plan ahead for that choice by reading the oath descriptions at the end of the class. Are you a devoted

angel of death by the gods or driven by your need for revenge? The Gods of the Multiverse section lists many deities worshiped by paladins throughout the multiverse, such as Torm, Tyr, Heironeous

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

sewer tunnels, paying them with food and tools the kobolds wouldn’t have access to on their own. If they are treated well and left alone to do the job, the kobolds work industriously and build a

, 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

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

her to explode and die. A mephit that dies in this way does not use its Death Burst. Instead, each creature within 10 feet of the exploding mephit must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking

night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures

Bronze Shrine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

Bronze Shrine “Bronze Shrine” is balanced for characters of 10th level, though characters of 9th level can survive this quest if they are cautious and rest between encounters. Characters of any level that attempt to fight Lhammaruntosz to the death will likely meet their demise.

Attitudes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

Attitudes Each dragon councilor has one of four attitudes in this chapter, ranging from unfriendly to cautious, neutral, and friendly. To secure the cooperation of the metallic dragons as a whole

dragon, they gain a two-step improvement in the attitude of that dragon (for example, from unfriendly to neutral, or from cautious to friendly). A general concession grants a one-step improvement to a

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

? Perhaps your homeland was befouled by evil, and you took up an adventuring life in hopes of finding a new home or purpose. QUICK BUILD You can make a druid quickly by following these suggestions

. Similarly, a druid uses such woods to make other objects, such as weapons and shields. Yew is associated with death and rebirth, so weapon handles for scimitars or sickles might be fashioned from it

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

creations are ultimately doomed to death and decomposition, and the dragons’ demeanor is typically morbid and curmudgeonly as a result. Gleaming Gold Upon hatching, topaz dragon wyrmling;topaz

sun and have no desire to get wet, beyond enjoying a bit of sea spray in the air. But they love being able to see the water, so they build their lairs on the heights of seaside cliffs or near perfect

Occultant

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

living and the dead Position Proficiency: In addition to the proficiencies noted below, you can add your proficiency bonus to an ability check to intimidate a creature close to death, assess what disease

enemy of every enterprise. Ways to Read the Kill d6 Reading 1 Using a tiny bellows to pump one last breath into a corpse. 2 Reading the entrails with special reading-the-entrails

Adventure Structure

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

that are represented by a special card reading detailed in chapter 1, “Into the Mists.” Before you run the adventure, you need to conduct that reading to determine the location of several items that

realm of Barovia. If the characters are 1st level, the character background in appendix A is available to them, and consider starting their time in Barovia with the mini-adventure “Death House” in

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

test, and make new acquaintances. Life of a Tortle A tortle hatches from a thick-shelled egg and spends the first few weeks of its life crawling on all fours. Its parents, old and near death, spend

dozen) in a fortified compound enclosed by stone walls that are easily defensible. If no such compound exists, they build one. The parents spend the remainder of their lives guarding the compound

17. War Wizards

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

. A female githyanki gish (see appendix A) named Vheza sits in one chair, reading a tome. If Vheza sees intruders, she flees to area 17b with her book and makes her stand there. Treasure. The book

that Vheza is reading is written in Gith and titled The Ascension of Vlaakith. It chronicles Vlaakith the Lich-Queen’s rise to power in githyanki society and postulates that her absolute rulership

Supernatural Hooks

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

patron. 3 A fortune teller’s reading for one of the characters points to a quest and offers hints about challenges that lie ahead. 4 Flames, clouds, smoke, or huge flocks of birds take distinct shapes

that portend the adventure situation. 5 Animals or animated objects speak clearly to direct the adventurers toward the situation. 6 Someone who died returns as a ghost and haunts the characters. The ghost prompts the characters to investigate the cause of the ghost’s death and put it to rest.

Recurring NPCs

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

Recurring NPCs NPCs who keep showing up over the course of a campaign build the sense that the world of the game is a living, breathing place. Whether these NPCs are allies, patrons, friends, or

at least coming up with a plausible way for the villain to return from death. After all, death is rarely the final word for adventurers, so it needn’t be for their opponents. Don’t Go Overboard

A Hasty Retreat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

chapter as the characters join them by reading the following text: Kalaman’s surviving soldiers made camp on a bluff east of the City of Lost Names—or what remains of it. In the distance, a

citadel and the Dragon Army aren’t immediate threats so long as the characters and Kalaman’s forces keep their distance. If the characters draw near, they attract the attention of one or more lesser death dragons (see appendix B) that attack until the characters retreat.

Deck of Many More Things

Magic Items The Book of Many Things

draw the same card multiple times. The DM can use the physical cards provided in The Deck of Many Things card set to build a combined Deck of Many Things and Deck of Many More Things, including

unconscious condition, and must begin making death saving throws. Spells and other magical effects that restore hit points have no effect on you until you are stabilized. If you fail three death saving throws

Encounter Pace and Tension

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

that structure in an adventure where the players control their characters’ actions, but you can use the encounters you plan to build tension toward a climax. Each encounter in an adventure is an

limited resources. Variety also contributes to a sense of escalating tension. Build variety into your encounters in three ways: Vary Encounter Type. Use a mix of social interaction, exploration, and

What Sarah Knows

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

occluded her memories of the details of the ritual and of her own death.) The book that Sarah observed Viallis reading was the source of the ritual, and a work of evil. The souls of Lady Maria, Malik

Creating a Paladin

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

, plan ahead for that choice by reading the oath descriptions at the end of the class. Are you a devoted servant of good, loyal to the gods of justice and honor, a holy knight in shining armor venturing

? Or are you an embittered loner sworn to take vengeance on those who have done great evil, sent as an angel of death by the gods or driven by your need for revenge? Appendix B lists many deities

D&D Beyond

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