build before despite calling rivals

Aruk Thundercaller Thuunlakalaga

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Mountain Born. Aruk is acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. Powerful Build. Aruk counts as one size larger when determining his carrying capacity and the weight he can

, ice troll;ice trolls, young white dragon;young white dragons, the treacherous mountain terrain, and the cruel indifference of nature. Bitter Rivals. Skytower Shelter and Wyrmdoom Crag are two

Goliath Warrior

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Mountain Born. The goliath is acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. Powerful Build. The goliath counts as one size larger when determining its carrying capacity and

giant;frost giants, remorhaz;remorhazes, ice troll;ice trolls, young white dragon;young white dragons, the treacherous mountain terrain, and the cruel indifference of nature. Bitter Rivals. Skytower

Omin Dran

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

adventure. But adventure of the wrong kind came calling for the trio one day, when an underground ruin they had often explored — actually a creature called the Wandering Crypt — took Auspicia from the

world. Omin Dran built the organization called Acquisitions Incorporated to facilitate and expand his quest to find his true sister, at least in part. For despite his unprecedented success in

Dunbarrow Witch

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

or otters scurrying through the undergrowth, to deliver messages to allies or rivals across the marsh. Some witches animate bundles of sticks and roots to do their errands about the marsh for them

, 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.

Returned Drifter

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

. Despite this, even the most languorous Returned defend themselves if threatened and might be pressed into the service of their more willful brethren. Returned have escaped the Underworld and dwell among

long-term memories, they generally can’t build meaningful relationships or establish new lives. Instead, most experience fleeting emotions and follow hollow routines, their existences reduced to

Fog Giant

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

down the gate of a backwater duke’s castle, slaying a dozen or more guards, then calling for parley is a typical fog giant strategy—followed by an offer to leave the duke alive in return

roof of a merchant’s home, seizing what they seek, and stalking away before the town watch can rally. Intricate Networks. Clever, ambitious, and greedy, many fog giants build up whole networks of

Vellynne Harpell

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

—a nervous disorder that manifests as trembling. It can affect her balance and her stride, but she has learned to cast her spells unimpeded by it. Despite her firm grasp of the dark arts, she

Reghed Glacier. The orb was recently stolen by Nass Lantomir, one of Vellynne’s rivals in the Arcane Brotherhood. Vellynne intends to get it back before resuming her quest to find Ythryn

Mark of Sentinel Human

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Protection is my purpose. I defend the innocent from those who would do them harm. For my siblings, this is a job; for me, it’s a calling. —Harric d’Deneith, Sentinel Marshal

Khorvaire. The Sentinel Marshals hold the honor of the house in their hands. Being a Marshal is a privilege, and it comes with high expectations. Despite its might and the desire of some house members

Bael

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

constantly stymied by politically shrewd rivals. Bael prefers to make servants out of his adversaries, and mortals bound to his service earn their wretched place by falling victim to his superior

interests at Mammon’s court, which leaves him free to pursue his battle lust. Despite his lack of interest in affairs outside battle, or perhaps because of it, Bael has gained a small

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

his axe in wide swaths to cut through the ranks of orcs arrayed against him, shouting praise to the gods with every foe’s fall. Calling down a curse upon the forces of undeath, a human lifts

to those chosen to fulfill a high calling. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on study or training. A cleric might learn formulaic prayers and ancient rites, but the ability to cast cleric

Changeling Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Long ago there was a woman named Jes, and she had one hundred children. Her rivals conspired against her and swore to kill her children. Jes begged the Sovereigns for help, but their only answer

specific purpose and then might never be used again. However, many changelings develop identities that have more depth. They build an identity over time, crafting a persona with a history and beliefs. This

Bugbear

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

lurking just out of sight, and many of them have sneaked away from that god’s influence. They are long of limb and covered in coarse hair, with wedge-shaped ears and pointed teeth. Despite their

formidable build, bugbears are quiet skulkers, thanks to a fey magic that allows them to hide in spaces seemingly too small for them. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your

Emerald Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragons’ preference for volcanic lairs often puts them in conflict with fire giant;fire giants. Despite their reluctance to reveal themselves to strangers, emerald dragons might approach experienced

adventurers in the hopes of pitting them against fire giant rivals. Hoarded Histories Emerald dragons prize knowledge, particularly local histories that focus on magical events and individuals

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

communities are threatened. Pastoral Pleasantries Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much

despite the rise and fall of empires. Many halflings live among other races, where the halflings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

Clad in plate armor that gleams in the sunlight despite the dust and grime of long travel, a human lays down her sword and shield and places her hands on a mortally wounded man. Divine radiance

of the world, but even fewer people can claim the true calling of a paladin. When they do receive the call, these warriors turn from their former occupations and take up arms to fight evil. Sometimes

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

the latest challenger to her authority over their tribe, ready to break his neck with her bare hands as she did to the last six rivals. Frothing at the mouth, a dwarf slams his helmet into the face

violated, or a coup that removed you from a position of authority. QUICK BUILD You can make a barbarian quickly by following these suggestions. First, put your highest ability score in Strength

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

whistles to the hawk that circles high above him, calling the bird back to his side. Whispering instructions in Elvish, he points to the owlbear he’s been tracking and sends the hawk to distract

ranger’s true calling is to defend the outskirts of civilization from the ravages of monsters that press in from the wild. In some places, rangers gather in secretive orders or join forces with

Young Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Emerald dragons’ preference for volcanic lairs often puts them in conflict with fire giant;fire giants. Despite their reluctance to reveal themselves to strangers, emerald dragons might approach

experienced adventurers in the hopes of pitting them against fire giant rivals. Hoarded Histories Emerald dragons prize knowledge, particularly local histories that focus on magical events and

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

rivals made a good pair. Vidorant was skilled with picking locks and deftly getting into tough places, and Goldenbeard used his connections and quick thinking to research targets and talk the pair’s way

—until thirty guards suddenly surrounded the pair of thieves. Vidorant nimbly escaped via the roof with the diadem in hand, but Goldenbeard was caught. He avoided imprisonment by calling in favors

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Whether calling on the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, druids are an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning, and fury. They claim no mastery over

becoming a druid was part of your character’s destiny. Have you always been an adventurer as part of your druidic calling, or did you first spend time as a caretaker of a sacred grove or spring

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

beyond the horizon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling. Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discover lost works of magic

, making a bargain for a musical gift in addition to your life and freedom, but at what cost? QUICK BUILD You can make a bard quickly by following these suggestions. First, Charisma should be your

Lizardfolk

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

The saurian lizardfolk are thought by some sages to be distant cousins of dragonborn and kobolds. Despite their resemblance to those other scaled folk, however, lizardfolk are their own people and

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 increase. You can

Downtime Activities

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

Downtime Activities Saltmarsh provides a haven for adventurers between expeditions, and the characters can spend that time engaged in various tasks around town. The following options build on the

the ones presented in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. If you have that supplement, consider using the guidelines for rivals and the complications attached to some of the activities given in that book. You can also offer other activities as you see fit. The ones detailed below are specific to Saltmarsh.

Ivana's Torment

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

Ivana’s Torment Ivana conquered her rivals, yet still suffers. The following circumstances endlessly torment the Darklord: Ivana has not aged since the Mists claimed Borca, and her youthful

appearance leads many to underestimate her. Ivana rules her family’s business and political empire brilliantly. Despite this, she is endlessly doubted and second guessed. Many believe she is a typical, vacant

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

protocols will lead us toward progress more surely than any belief system. (Lawful) 5 Fun. I love my job! Despite the dangerous working conditions, there’s nothing I’d rather do

it was sabotage that destroyed my first laboratory and killed many of my friends, and I seek revenge against whoever did it. 4 I have the schematics for an invention that I hope to build one day

Roleplaying Lorinda

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

Roleplaying Lorinda Lorinda loves the trappings of motherhood and is off-puttingly maternal toward all those she encounters. She’s quick to dote on others, calling them unsettling pet names like

only to slaughter them as she wills. In her Mother guise, she maintains an air of benevolence, claiming to ask for little despite her followers’ supposed sloth and ingratitude. She will do anything

Pastoral Pleasantries

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

Pastoral Pleasantries Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond their quiet

shires. They typically don’t recognize any sort of halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to family elders to guide them. Families preserve their traditional ways despite the rise and fall of

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

diseased plants to dust, clearing the way for new growth and construction. Despite being competent swimmers and making their lairs on seacoasts and in brackish marshes, topaz dragons hate the water

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

Ghost Story Adventure Sites

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

rivals 6 A swanky inn where, for years, nobles killed the staff to prevent word of their affairs getting out 7 A picturesque cliff that’s a popular destination for lovers, despite the fact

Harkon Lukas's Torment

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

, styling, or inspiration to finally cement him in the hearts of Kartakass’s people—and from there, take control of the nation. Although Harkon is unable to build his own fame, he has a peerless eye for

talent. His protégés swiftly attain stardom, and with it, Harkon’s resentment. Harkon’s frustration eventually gives way to indulgences of his lycanthropic hungers. Bloody slaughters of his students and rivals often precede him moving on to another town.

Morgrave University

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

rivals. Despite the friendly ties among academic institutions, Morgrave occupies the low end of the prestige scale among academic bodies, so its faculty tends to look for opportunities to steal glory

founding: Lord Morgrave himself is said to have made his fortune selling Dhakaani artifacts on the black market, and some have claimed that the true purpose of the university was to help him build his

Selesnya NPCs

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

civilization and untamed nature. But the guild’s drive isn’t only to draw people into a peaceable community: the Selesnya aim to build an army. They aren’t naive; they realize that the ambitions of other guilds

will lead to violence, and they plan to be prepared for it. Despite the guild’s atmosphere of peaceful quietude, many of its members have military roles. The Selesnya NPCs table summarizes key roles

Bugbear

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

for lurking just out of sight, and many of them have sneaked away from that god’s influence. They are long of limb and covered in coarse hair, with wedge-shaped ears and pointed teeth. Despite their

formidable build, bugbears are quiet skulkers, thanks to a fey magic that allows them to hide in spaces seemingly too small for them.

Story Overview

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

, Castle Laventz, as his own. Months later, the relentless knight Mara Silvra received word of her father’s defeat. Calling in debts and intimidating mercenaries, Mara forged a small army during her grueling

march home. Upon arriving, she expected to find her homeland’s nobility ready to rise to her cause, but they’d been cowed and terrified by reports of Dranzorg entombing captives and rivals in his

Clever Concealment

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

conflict with fire giants. Despite their reluctance to reveal themselves to strangers, emerald dragons might approach experienced adventurers in the hopes of pitting them against fire giant rivals.

D&D Beyond

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