clutching ways reason

Kasimir Velikov

Monsters Curse of Strahd

a return to the old ways. Dreams of the Damned. Kasimir's sister, Patrina Velikovna, is sealed in the catacombs below Castle Ravenloft. Convinced that she was the concubine of the devil Strahd

led her down a path of evil and deceit. For that reason, Kasimir wants to see the vampire destroyed so that his sister can be rescued from her eternal damnation. Secrets of the Amber Temple. Patrina

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

you might or might not choose to share. Although you will undoubtedly find some of this land’s ways to be strange and discomfiting, you can also be sure that some things its people take for

provided. The following section, discussing possible homelands, includes some suggested reasons that are appropriate for each location. d6 Reason d6 Reason 1 Emissary 4 Pilgrim

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

discover new customs and new ways of doing things. The urge to procreate doesn’t kick in until the end of a tortle’s life, and a tortle can spend decades away from its native land without

prefer simple, non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables. If a tortle doesn’t like its name for whatever reason, it can change it. A tortle might change its name a dozen

Caught in the Middle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

cries out, “Give it back, you little thief!” “No, you’re the thief!” replies a youngster with a panicked squeak. An instant later, a frantic kobold bursts from the crowd clutching a sizable bunch of

mother. At the moment, neither is interested in listening to reason. Gammon clumsily collides with a random character, bounces off them, and falls to the ground. A moment later, Lamai catches up and

Aberrant Dragonmarks

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

produce a child, and for this reason such unions are forbidden by the Twelve. But aberrant dragonmarks can appear on members of any race, at any age, regardless of bloodline. No two aberrant

dragonmarks are exactly alike—even if they grant the same power, they might manifest in different ways. It usually takes time for a character to learn to control an aberrant mark, and in time, people might be

Vellynne's Help

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

, especially those of a wizardly bent (such as Iriolarthas’s staff of power). Vellynne’s Fall If the characters part ways with Vellynne for any reason, she tries to explore Ythryn alone and contracts the

Beginning the Adventure

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

foodstuffs to puddles of ooze. Humanoids infected with the plague drone the word “Xanthoria” over and over for no discernible reason before death finally claims them. You have determined that there’s a

phylacteries, but Xanthoria discovered a way to house her soul in a living sprite named Thunderwing. Though initially concerned with ways to end the unnatural life of the undead, Xanthoria’s research took a dark turn, as chronicled in her journal, titled Xanthoria.

Temple of Black Earth

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

stopped in their tracks by the daunting defenses of the gate quarter. More than one reckless attack by orcs, trolls, or giants was driven back from the gate. In time, those savage foes found other ways

Urnrayle, the Prophet of Earth, chose the long-wrecked fortifications of Tyar-Besil as the headquarters of his cult for this very reason.

The Dark Powers

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

villains to add to their terrifying menagerie. To what end, no one knows. The Dark Powers don’t move in the shadows of Ravenloft; they are the shadows. They’re the Mists and the darkness. They’re the reason

hint at ways to escape the Domains of Dread. Consider the following possibilities when developing your perspective on the Dark Powers: Amoral Guardians. The Dark Powers are a group of powerful beings

Occult Detective Stories

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

prepared to end its threat. Of course, there are ways to create threats distinct to this genre, such as when villains view detectives as rivals or targets. When creating an occult detective adventure

? What crime is it committing, or how is it a problem? Who wants the villain stopped? Do they have a personal reason for this? What evidence has the villain left behind? How is the evidence initially

Phenax's Influence

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

prefer to hear instead of the truth, and Phenax is happy to give them what they want. He takes pleasure in finding ways to subvert or corrupt champions of law, order, and justice, turning them to his cause

metaphorical progenitor of the Returned, Phenax also takes time to provide shelter and opportunities for his children to disrupt the mortal world. Divine Relationships It stands to reason that the god of

Aberrant Dragonmarks

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

dragonmarked families produce a child, and for this reason such unions are absolutely forbidden by the Twelve. But aberrant dragonmarks can appear on members of any race, at any age, regardless of bloodline

. No two aberrant dragonmarks are exactly alike — even if they grant the same power, they may appear and manifest in different ways. If two aberrant marks might grant fire bolt, one mark may be formed

Ice Devil

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

maliciously, disguising their whims as reason and strategy. In the service of evil masters, these insectile devils patiently plot the movements of infernal armies and scheme ways to fulfill wicked goals. They

reason. Ice devils usually lurk in frozen realms, particularly the frigid layer of Cania in the Nine Hells. Part of the charm of ice devils is that they always think they’re smarter than you. Mmm

The Lords of Dust

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

. Every fiend spawned from Khyber owes fealty to one of these overlords. In many ways the Lords of Dust are a reflection of the Chamber. Each group is trying to steer the fulfillment of the Prophecy to

to conquer the world already. The reason is that they have no interest in ruling this world; they want to return it to the state of unnatural glory that existed before. Their only interest in humanoids

The Mourning

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

The Mourning No one knows the reason for what happened on 20 Olarune 994 YK. Though it had been battered, Cyre stood defiant; Cyran soldiers had recently driven deep into Karrnathi territory and were

some explanation for the disaster. Few of these explorers have returned, and those survivors all tell tales of a land twisted in unpredictable and inexplicable ways. Mutated Worgs in the Mournland

NPC Support

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

one of the following ways: The NPC uses the Help action to assist the character. If the character is dying, the NPC stabilizes them or carries them to a safer location. The NPC moves close enough to

buried under the Reghed Glacier (see “Vellynne’s Quest” at the end of the chapter). If you’re unable to save Vellynne for whatever reason, have the characters discover a journal in her belongings that

Druids of Khorvaire

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

help each understand the other. All druids look after the natural world, but they act in different ways. Five well-established paths define most of Khorvaire’s druids. In creating a druid character

, consider whether you have ties to one of these traditions, and what led you to leave your order. Are you on a mission? Are you exploring the world? Have you been banished, with good reason or otherwise?

Travelers in the Mists

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

inquisitive individuals simply vanish, the Mists delivering them to deadly domains from which they never return. But others manage to band together, learning the ways of the Mists, how to travel through them

likewise be remarkable or have a desperate reason to have braved the Mists. Learning about such wanderers can drive the characters from a single adventure into a larger campaign that explores other

Death

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

be reunited with the other adventurers in a later chapter of the adventure when the drow catch up to them. If a player character is permanently slain, think about the ways a player might introduce a

defeated, a former captive might join the group. Characters might meet up with new party members in any of the Underdark settlements they visit during the adventure, particularly visitors or locals with a strong reason to leave in a hurry.

Campaign Characters

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

directly sharing what they want to see in a campaign. You can learn about your players’ preferences in two ways: Direct Input. Ask your players what they want to do in a campaign. Regularly inquire about how

opportunities for subtlety or skulduggery, while a Barbarian player likely craves combat. Take note of what encounters players are enthusiastic about, and seek ways to help the players’ characters

Membership

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

take in orphaned children and people in similarly desperate situations. These people might become squires to the knights, accompanying them on adventures and learning the order’s ways, although Hilarion

, the angel chose to establish the Solar Bastion rather than return to his god’s service. A powerful and immortal Celestial, Hilarion sees no reason for additional tiers of leadership in the organization

Kasimir Velikov

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

return to the old ways. Dreams of the Damned. Kasimir’s sister, Patrina Velikovna, is sealed in the catacombs below Castle Ravenloft. Convinced that she was the concubine of the devil Strahd, Kasimir and

down a path of evil and deceit. For that reason, Kasimir wants to see the vampire destroyed so that his sister can be rescued from her eternal damnation. Secrets of the Amber Temple. Patrina has told

13. Giants' Living Quarters

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

. Of all the giants in here, Obsidia and Rhodos are the least set in their ways and the most likely to tolerate small folk. Characters who bribe them with at least 500 gp worth of precious metals

from the piles around the room, instructs Obsidia and Rhodos (see area 13a) to do the same, and sets out to destroy the invaders. Attempting to reason with Speleosa while she’s hurling rocks is no

The Demonweb Connection

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

more potent ways of striking fear in an enemy’s heart. Demons are also sometimes sought after as house guests. The occasion of a major sacrifice, the dedication of a newborn daughter to Lolth, or even

actually yochlols in disguise, spying for Lolth. The higher a drow’s standing, the more worrisome this prospect becomes. After all, Lolth has little reason to care about those at the bottom of society

Forest Gnomes

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

community — designing longer-lasting or larger-scale illusions that help the community stay hidden from the world. Gnomes use illusions for practically any reason — as a game, for defense, or for

communication — and sometimes for no reason other than artistic considerations. A simple illusion can often express a complex idea, such as when the memory of a location is triggered by the illusory sound of a

Inside the League

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

throughout the guild, he values results over success, accepting and even anticipating that Izzet experiments will end in gloriously unpredictable ways. However, the dragon rarely concerns himself with the

analysis to intuitive leap seemingly for no reason, always thinking outside the proverbial box. As the Izzet see it, unpredictable action, far from being antithetical to methodical research, has

Heliod's Influence

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

himself the ruler of the pantheon, they reason, but his dictates can’t alter the rhythms of the sea and the cycles of nature. Thassa and Nylea will continue as they are, as they always have been

, whatever squabbles their brothers might have. Ephara, Karametra, and Iroas are closely aligned with Heliod in attitude and philosophy. In some ways, these three gods represent the principles and the

Eyes of Blood

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

characters do the same, the attackers target them. Only one local holds their ground: a surprised woman named Aunt Dellie (commoner). She clearly recognizes some of the strange farmers and tries to reason

are confused and remember nothing helpful. Strange Parchment. As the characters investigate the situation, Aunt Dellie notices that one of the farmers was clutching a crumpled sheet of parchment. She

Patron Benefits

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

, it’s up to the characters to decide what they mean. The Prophecy is notoriously difficult to interpret, and a given passage might be fulfilled in different ways (or, possibly, in multiple ways over the

the anniversary of the Mourning, the tallest tree in the domain he claimed (the Crown of his nation) will fall. If that is the characters’ goal, for whatever reason, they might try to bring those

Lost Spire Locations (P1-P8)

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

. Across from the statues are sconces with upside-down flames burning in them. The statues, which merge seamlessly with the ceiling, depict a long-faced human dressed in wizard’s robes and clutching a

illusion magic was required reading in many Netherese classrooms. It describes clever ways to use common illusion spells. The Unfettered Mind. This lunatic text discusses how one might exist solely as a

Occultant

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

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

ways to reverse or mitigate events resulting from that death. As an action, make a DC 15 Intelligence (Religion) check. On a success, you learn the relevant information based on the nature of the

Meazel

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

and their willingness to do whatever is necessary to survive. Looters of Civilization. The curse the Raven Queen placed on the nagpas restricts the ways in which they can acquire new lore and magical

power, barring them from any source except for the ruins left behind from fallen civilizations and great calamities. For this reason, nagpas turn their efforts to bringing about such ends, so they

Personal Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

your imagination. You’re not bound to those options, but they’re a good starting point. Personality Traits Give your character two personality traits. Personality traits are small, simple ways to help

very personal reason to hate them with a fiery passion. Her bond might be phrased as “I will do whatever it takes to punish the dragonarmies for the destruction of the Inn of the Last Home.” Artemis

Creating a Rival

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

methods the rival can bring to bear against the characters. Goals. An effective rival has a clear reason for interfering with the characters’ lives. Think about what the rival wants, how and why the

you resolve one or more workweeks of downtime, pick one of the ways a rival’s plans might be advanced and introduce it into play. Think about how a rival might operate in order to bring specific

Index of Stat Blocks — Monsters and NPCs

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

Lich Druid of the Old Ways Felidar Firefist Firemane Angel Flux Blastseeker Fluxcharger Flying Horror Frontline Medic Galvanic Blastseeker Galvanice Weird Gloamwing Goblin Gang

, and other peoples, as some of them rise to greet the morning and others retire after a hard night of work or play. They are the reason she is here: sworn to protect them, she leads a flight of roc

D&D Beyond

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