build before desire creating rival

Creating a Rival

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of

created for themselves. Example Rivals d20 Rival 1 Tax collector who is convinced the characters are dodging fees 2 Politician who is concerned that the characters are causing more trouble than they

Zlan

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

liches, creating an amalgamated form. Zlan is the foremost mind among the liches and controls the body, The other liches rage and scheme about being subsidiary to someone they once considered both a

rival and an equal. The Zlan Liches table gives a brief description of each component. Zlan Liches Name History Argent Black Emerged from the Negative Plane, fed on hate and

Valenar High Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

is why your people constantly seek out conflict; you need to find challenges worthy of a hero. In creating a Valenar, think about your patron ancestor. Your class should reflect their class; if you

particular rival who channels the same ancestor, or one who channels a rival of your ancestor? It’s also important to think about why you are traveling with a group of player characters

Slithering Tracker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the same time, a slithering tracker flows into places where a normal creature can’t go and brings its own brand of watery death down on its quarry. The ritual for creating a slithering tracker

driven by the desire for blood; after fulfilling its duty, the overwhelmed creature attacks indiscriminately until it is destroyed.Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical AttacksCold

Banderhobb

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

shape resembling a bipedal toad. In this form, a banderhobb temporarily serves its creator as a thug, a thief, and a kidnapper that swallows the unwary. Hags have devised a ritual for creating

brief existence, a banderhobb attempts to carry out its creator’s bidding. It accomplishes its mission with no concern for the harm it suffers or causes. Its only desire is to serve and succeed. A

Valenar Wood Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

is why your people constantly seek out conflict; you need to find challenges worthy of a hero. In creating a Valenar, think about your patron ancestor. Your class should reflect their class; if you

particular rival who channels the same ancestor, or one who channels a rival of your ancestor? It’s also important to think about why you are traveling with a group of player characters

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

fraught with peril: rival tribes, deadly weather, and terrifying monsters. Barbarians charge headlong into that danger so that their people don’t have to. Their courage in the face of danger makes

the closeknit family structures of the tribe, but eventually find them replaced by the bonds formed among the members of their adventuring parties. Creating a Barbarian When creating a barbarian

Wizard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Creating a Wizard Creating a wizard character demands a backstory dominated by at least one extraordinary event. How did your character first come into contact with magic? How did you discover you had

other wizard? Perhaps you’re simply eager to put your newfound magical skills to the test in the face of danger. QUICK BUILD You can make a wizard quickly by following these suggestions. First

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

energy. And they are particularly intrigued by Undead, sometimes keeping them in their hoards as curios. Creating a Topaz Dragon Use the Topaz Dragon Personality Traits and Topaz Dragon Ideals tables

Reborn

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, silent stretches. Occasionally, though, in a moment of peace, stress, or excitement, a reborn gains a glimpse of what came before. When you desire to have such a dreamlike vision, roll on the Lost

itchy straw stuffing inside you. Reborn in the Domains of Dread When creating a reborn, consult with your DM to see if it’s appropriate to tie your origins to one of the following Domains

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

seriously, approaching their adventures as personal tests of their physical and spiritual growth. As a rule, monks care little for material wealth and are driven by a desire to accomplish a greater

mission than merely slaying monsters and plundering their treasure. Creating a Monk As you make your monk character, think about your connection to the monastery where you learned your skills and spent

Rogue Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

treasure. Creating a Rogue As you create your rogue character, consider the character’s relationship to the law. Do you have a criminal past—or present? Are you on the run from the law or from

an angry thieves’ guild master? Or did you leave your guild in search of bigger risks and bigger rewards? Is it greed that drives you in your adventures, or some other desire or ideal? What

Adult Time Dragon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

their utmost to preserve these historical sites. A time dragon’s insatiable desire for knowledge means it’s likely to have more than one such lair. The challenge rating of an ancient time

the dragon’s magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Time Dilations. Time fluctuates within 3 miles of the lair. Short rests taken within this area take 10 minutes or 2 hours

Geryon (Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

use this opportunity to replace his hated rival. Among the archdevils, Geryon is known for his martial prowess. He is a ferocious hunter and a relentless tracker. He often joins his troops in battle

Effects The region containing Geryon’s lair is warped by his magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Chilling Wind. Freezing strong winds howl around the area within 1 mile of

Owlin

Species Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

character might be nocturnal. Or perhaps your character is simply prone to rise later, embodying the common nickname of night owl. Creating Your Character If you create an owlin character, follow these

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

Adult Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

positive energy for healing and nurturing. Creating a Crystal Dragon Use the Crystal Dragon Personality Traits and Crystal Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive crystal

crystal dragon has ripped open holes to the Elemental Planes of Air and Water, creating flash glaciation that encroaches upon inhabited lands. Connected Creatures Crystal dragons are among the

Ancient Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

light, or channel positive energy for healing and nurturing. Creating a Crystal Dragon Use the Crystal Dragon Personality Traits and Crystal Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of

. 8 A crystal dragon has ripped open holes to the Elemental Planes of Air and Water, creating flash glaciation that encroaches upon inhabited lands. Connected Creatures Crystal dragons

Klauth

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

might rival him in power, in a fighting style marked by sudden attacks and just as sudden disappearances. Klauth spends many waking hours scrying Faerûn with his spells, and he probably knows more

of abandoned mines and dwarven strongholds. Caves with volcanic or geothermal activity are the most highly prized red dragon lairs, creating hazards that hinder intruders and letting searing heat and

Fighter Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

left behind. There are greater risks, perhaps, but also much greater rewards—few fighters in the city watch have the opportunity to discover a magic flame tongue sword, for example. Creating a

Fighter As you build your fighter, think about two related elements of your character’s background: Where did you get your combat training, and what set you apart from the mundane warriors

Emerald Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

create illusions, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals

must be convinced to defend the school in a contest against a rival college. 7 An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

opportunity to replace his hated rival. Among the archdevils, Geryon is known for his martial prowess. He is a ferocious hunter and a relentless tracker. He often joins his troops in battle; he loves

The region containing Geryon’s lair is warped by his magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Chilling Wind. Freezing strong winds howl around the area within 1 mile of the lair

Zuggtmoy

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Queen of Fungi, Lady of Rot and Decay, Zuggtmoy is an alien creature whose only desire is to infect the living with spores, transforming them into her mindless servants and, eventually, into

herself. Regional Effects The region containing Zuggtmoy’s lair is warped by her magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Corrupted Nature. Within 6 miles of the lair, all Wisdom

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

fervent desire to share the joy you have experienced with Ravnica. Along with the rest of the conclave, you are committed to resisting the ambitions of the other guilds — with military force if

guilds, and often these new guild members maintain friendships with former guild mates. Roll twice on the Selesnya Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Selesnya Contacts table

Graz'zt Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Dark Prince is a warning that not all beautiful things are good. Standing nearly nine feet tall, Graz’zt strikes the perfect figure of untamed desire, every plane and curve of his body, every

(Stealth) checks made to hide. Regional Effects The region containing Graz’zt’s lair is warped by his magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Flat surfaces within 1 mile of

Zuggtmoy Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

attack against a target that she designates.The Demon Queen of Fungi, Lady of Rot and Decay, Zuggtmoy is an alien creature whose only desire is to infect the living with spores, transforming them into her

lair, instead of on herself. Regional Effects The region containing Zuggtmoy’s lair is warped by her magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Molds and fungi grow on surfaces

Ancient Time Dragon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

civilizations or temples to dead gods and do their utmost to preserve these historical sites. A time dragon’s insatiable desire for knowledge means it’s likely to have more than one such lair. The

dragon’s lair is altered by the dragon’s magic, creating one or more of the following effects: Time Dilations. Time fluctuates within 3 miles of the lair. Short rests taken within this

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

. Creating a Bard Bards thrive on stories, whether those stories are true or not. Your character’s background and motivations are not as important as the stories that he or she tells about them

Hexblood

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Where wishing fails, ancient magic can offer a heart’s desire—at least, for a time. Hexbloods are individuals infused with eldritch magic, fey energy, or mysterious witchcraft. Some who

creating a hexblood, consult with your DM to see if it’s appropriate to tie your origins to one of the following Domains of Dread (detailed in chapter 3): Hazlan. The bizarre magic of this crumbling

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Prince of Undeath, known as the Blood Lord. He takes some pleasure in the sufferings of the living, but far prefers the company and service of the undead. His desire is to see all life quenched and the

disappear or until Orcus releases their grasp (no action required). Regional Effects The region containing Orcus’s lair is warped by the Orcus’s magic, creating one or more of the following

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

known as the Blood Lord. While he takes pleasure in the sufferings of the living, he far prefers the company and service of Undead. His desire is to see all life quenched and the multiverse transformed

Monster Manual). These Undead obey his telepathic commands, which can reach anywhere in the lair. Regional Effects The region containing Orcus’s lair is warped by his magic, creating one or more

Harengon

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

dangers during adventures. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race such as the

Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores

Aarakocra

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

taper to sharp talons. Feathers cover their bodies—usually red, orange, yellow, brown, or gray. Their heads are also avian, often resembling those of parrots or eagles. Creating Your Character

regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to

Satyr

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

existence, most often to the Material Plane. There they seek to bring a bit of their home plane’s splendor to other worlds. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a

, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them

Shadar-kai

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, shadar-kai can live to be over 750 years old. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical

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

Water Genasi

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

others were born to non-genasi parents who lived near a place suffused by a genie’s magic. A typical genasi has a life span of 120 years. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose

determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those

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