building before desire concern remain

Banderhobb

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Slithering Tracker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

revenge against its target doesn’t end a slithering tracker’s existence or its hunger for blood. Some slithering trackers remain aware of their purpose and extend their quest for vengeance to

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

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

tabaxi rarely stay in one place for long. Their innate nature pushes them to leave no secrets uncovered, no treasures or legends lost. Wandering Outcasts Most tabaxi remain in their distant

stories, artifacts, and lore. Those who survive this period of wanderlust return home in their elder years to share news of the outside world. In this manner, the tabaxi remain isolated but never ignorant

Madam Eva

Monsters Curse of Strahd

her ability to locate such an individual. None of Madam Eva’s Vistani kin know her true identity or purpose. They puzzle over her desire to remain in Barovia. Madam Eva’s Traits Ideal

Isolde

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Isolde place her devotion to the carnival above her desire to leave it. When Isolde’s fey carnival crossed paths with another carnival from the Shadowfell, the eladrin found the escape she

become the masters of hers. To appease Zybilna, this arrangement would remain in place only until the two carnivals crossed paths again. Zybilna was intrigued enough by the shadar-kai to let Isolde go

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

heart of the world and monuments to the durability of life. In their role as caretakers, firbolgs live off the land while striving to remain in balance with nature. Their methods reflect common

Shepherds As caretakers of the land, firbolgs prefer to remain out of sight and out of mind. They don’t try to dominate nature, but rather seek to ensure that it prospers and survives according to its

Eladrin Legacy

Species Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

, a time of unfettered energy. Some eladrin remain associated with a particular season for their entire lives, whereas other eladrin transform, adopting characteristics of a new season. When

Everything dies eventually. Why bother building anything that is supposedly meant to last? 2 Nothing matters to you, and you allow others to guide your actions. 3 Your needs come first. In

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

. Master of Undeath. When Orcus casts animate dead or create undead, he chooses the level at which the spell is cast, and the creatures created by the spells remain under his control indefinitely

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

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Master of Undeath. Orcus can cast animate dead (at will) and create undead (3/day). He chooses the level at which the spells are cast, and the creatures created by them remain under his control

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

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

for survival in the material world, but to keep Maglubiyet at bay in the conflict on the planes. Her children will remain in her care, and if need be she wouldn’t hesitate to take to the field

diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order to replenish the casualties of their endless warring

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

and worse, so you know you can count on them in a fight. — Brego Stoneheart, sea captain Tritons guard the ocean depths, building small settlements beside deep trenches, portals to the

variety of social institutions, kingdoms, and other customs bewildering. For all their proud culture, they remain innocent of the surface world. The typical triton protectorate is tightly regimented

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

at the burned-out building, a sudden cacophony erupted around us. Birds squawked, cats hissed, and dogs growled. Lidda hustled us back to the city’s safer avenues. Only when we were back within

. Every kenku is born with a desire to take to the air, and those who learn spellcasting do so in hope of mastering spells that will allow them to fly. Rumors of magic items such as flying carpets, brooms

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

from the sea, but the dragon is too proud to ask for help getting home. 6 A topaz dragon is building a tableau of desiccated creatures and has grown obsessed with catching one treasure hunter

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

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

suffer my displeasure. (Lawful or Evil) 5 Preservation. I am the ocean’s steward, tending reefs and waters to ensure that they remain unspoiled. (Lawful) 6 Eradication. The peoples of

, including deep-sea trenches or underwater volcanoes. Dragon turtles are largely unconcerned with the design of their lairs and seldom work to improve them. A dragon turtle’s primary concern when

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

rather enjoy the company of people—as long as they remain unaware of my true nature. Deep Dragon Ideals d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal

, they use local settlements—and any competent visitors—as pawns in their struggle. 4 An ancient deep dragon has put the folk of a city to work building the dragon a metropolis to rule

Dinev's Rest

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

Dinev’s Rest Closed inn At the south end of town is Caer-Dineval’s inn, a drafty old building with boarded-up windows and a crooked weathervane shaped like a rearing dragon. The place has been out of

business for almost a year. Six duergar hide inside the ramshackle inn and remain out of sight until Xardorok’s chardalyn dragon attacks the town (see chapter 4).

Fleeting Fancies

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

Fleeting Fancies Wandering tabaxi are mercurial creatures, trading one obsession or passion for the next as the whim strikes. A tabaxi’s desire burns bright, but once met it disappears to be replaced

with a new obsession. Objects remain intriguing only as long as they still hold secrets. A tabaxi rogue could happily spend months plotting to steal a strange gem from a noble, only to trade it for

Trading Post

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

Trading Post As the coastal mist clears, you get your first good look at the grippli trading post. Ramshackle shelters are clustered around a large permanent building. The low rumble of many voices

large building. Assuming the characters are cooperative, the grippli guards take the visitors directly to her. If the party seems trustworthy, she speaks to them. She prefers Primordial (it’s easier on

Half-Elves and Dragonmarks

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

families among the Khoravar by the time their dragonmarks appeared, and they remain pillars of the Khoravar’s diverse culture. The Khoravar ideal of building bridges supports the work of both houses. With

Approaching the Lodge

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

and width of any building found in Ten-Towns. The lodge has three tall openings on the east side. On the southern side of the building is a tunnel left behind by a remorhaz that raided the lodge’s

characters, but in case that doesn’t happen, they remain outside to attack any characters who try to flee. (Specifically, the wolves wait in area L1, east of the lodge’s main entrance.) If one wolf is slain, the other flees to avoid a similar fate.

General Features

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

General Features Many of Thundertree’s buildings have crumbled in the years since the town was abandoned, and nature threatens to swallow what remains. Buildings A building in Thundertree is either

any intact building are 2 feet wide and covered by wooden shutters containing 6-inch-wide arrow slits. Creatures on one side of an arrow slit gain three-quarters cover against attacks from the other

General Features

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

General Features Many of Thundertree’s buildings have crumbled in the years since the town was abandoned, even as nature threatens to swallow what remains. Buildings. A building in Thundertree is

DC 10 Strength check to force open. The windows of any intact building are 2 feet wide and covered by wooden shutters containing 6-inch wide arrow slits. Creatures on one side of an arrow slit gain

2. Northern Terraces

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

seldom seen in myconids. It asks for exasperatingly minor details such as the precise dimensions of bricks or the density of lumber. Gasbide reveals through the rapport that it dreams of building a

of the growers doesn’t care much for Phylo’s new ideas. But though it misses mass meldings, Hebopbe doesn’t see Basidia’s protests as worthy of concern. Hebopbe is infected by Zuggtmoy’s spores, but isn’t yet under her control.

Arrival in Hither

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

leading to and from the Palace of Heart’s Desire. Since Zybilna became frozen in time, the Queen’s Way has gradually fallen apart so that only sections of it now remain standing. The highway is 20

is built from pale stones that glow faintly from within, towers over the surrounding landscape, but large sections of it have crumbled away. The parts that remain in place are separated by large gaps

Ileuthra

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

of aid, and more about deciding whether these adventurer ambassadors can be trusted to properly lead the factions. Desire. Ileuthra has no preconceived sense of what might be the best course, and he

to remain in the world if the humanoid races are aware of where they are. If the characters agree that all dragon masks will be handed over to the metallic dragons as soon as they are found—including any masks captured after the final battle—his attitude can be improved.

Ancient Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

injured and stranded far from the sea, but the dragon is too proud to ask for help getting home. 6 A topaz dragon is building a tableau of desiccated creatures and has grown obsessed with catching

threatens shipping and caravans around a major city. Topaz Dragon Lairs Topaz dragons are happiest by the sea. They spend most of their time basking in the sun and have no desire to get wet

Ileuthra

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

of aid, and more about deciding whether these adventurer ambassadors can be trusted to properly lead the factions. Desire. Ileuthra has no preconceived sense of what might be the best course, and he

to remain in the worldin the world if the humanoid races are aware of where they are. If the characters agree that all dragon masks will be handed over to the metallic dragons as soon as they are found — including any masks captured after the final battle — his attitude can be improved.

Roleplaying Gnolls and Cultists of Yeenoghu

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

Ideal 1 Strength. I must remain strong to survive. (Any) 2 Slaughter. If I destroy the weak, I please Yeenoghu. (Evil) 3 Destruction. Yeenoghu will return when only those worthy of his fury remain

anywhere and gladly sacrifice myself to protect him or her. 3 I cull the weak from our war band, so that we remain strong. 4 Yeenoghu’s omens guide my every choice. 5 If I die in battle, I was simply too

Hidden Shepherds

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

Hidden Shepherds As caretakers of the land, firbolgs prefer to remain out of sight and out of mind. They don’t try to dominate nature, but rather seek to ensure that it prospers and survives

according to its own laws. Firbolgs use their magic to keep their presence in a forest secret. This approach allows them to avoid the politics and struggles of elves, humans, and orcs. Such events concern the

V6: Elysian Springs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

V6: Elysian Springs Beside a small alpine lake, an elegant mansion stands untouched by wildfire. A handful of armed people patrol around the building, keeping a nervous watch on the fires to the

evacuated. Those who remain are staff members attempting to protect the property from looters and, if possible, from the spreading fires. These staff members consist of eleven human Guards who are

Play Style

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

Play Style By building a new world (or adopting an existing one) and creating the key events that launch your campaign, you determined what your campaign is about. Next, you have to decide how you

bugbear lair. Don’t track money or time spent in town. Once they’ve completed a task, send the adventurers back into the action as quickly as possible. Character motivation need be no more developed than a desire to kill monsters and acquire treasure.

Vault Guards

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

interior guards, the party has the run of the building until the next shift’s guards show up. However, the three guards outside the building remain alert to loud noises inside the vault and enter the

Vault Guards Vidorant employs a dozen guards (use the veteran stat block) to protect her treasures—three guards outside and nine inside the vault. Guards remain alert for noises elsewhere in the

Starting Location

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

Free City of Greyhawk, described later in this chapter, is an ideal starting location and illustrates the kinds of things to consider as you detail a starting location. If you’re building your own

setting, start small by detailing only this starting area. The rest of your setting can remain undeveloped for now. Don’t spend too much time fleshing out the geopolitical landscape of your world or

Sumber Hills

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

hear “Sumber Hills,” because it’s there that once had rich quarries and good hunting. Some hunting lodges and keeps owned by wealthy Waterdhavians or adventurers remain — and in recent times have

become homes to bandits and monsters. Those who quarry the Sumber Hills for building stones and gravel often trade tales of finding gemstones and rich veins of ore in the hills — but for the most part

Demonic Boons

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

organization, they are united in their desire to draw power from the bottomless evil of the Abyss. The following entries outline boons that a DM can grant to monsters and NPCs dedicated to a particular demon

of creatures that can receive their boons. Boons from demons are fickle gifts. They remain in place only as long as the demon is pleased. Accepting such a boon is a damning act that corrupts the soul

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