coming respectively grim to have rather

Gray Dwarf (Duergar) Legacy

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

obliterated by Moradin’s betrayal. The duergar lead bleak, grim lives devoid of happiness or satisfaction, but they see that as their defining strength — the root of duergar pride, as it were — rather than a drawback to be corrected.

grim, ashen-skinned dwarves now take slaves of their own and are as tyrannical as their former masters. Physically similar to other dwarves in some ways, duergar are wiry and lean, with black eyes and

Vampirate Mage

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from another creature by touching it or by siphoning off its energy from a

they’re not sleeping or marauding, a crew of vampirates whiles away the hours by drinking rum and singing grim chanteys. A ship crewed by vampirates usually has one or more Shadow;shadows aboard—the Undead remains of some of the vampirates’ victims.Cold, Necrotic, PoisonRadiant

Vampirate

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

vampire’s but doesn’t use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from another creature by touching it or by

coffin and sleep amid their cargo. When they’re not sleeping or marauding, a crew of vampirates whiles away the hours by drinking rum and singing grim chanteys. A ship crewed by vampirates usually

Mercion

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

natural leader and a protective caregiver. She has a direct manner that reassures and inspires those around her. Mercion does not worship a deity, but rather an ideal: that truth gives life to artistry

coming for you.” Flaw. “My friends would say I’m inflexible. The truth is, I like things done a certain way.” Combat Notes Mercion counts on her armor to protect her as she

Vampirate Captain

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

parchment. A vampirate has fangs like a vampire’s but doesn’t use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from

ship’s hold as one big coffin and sleep amid their cargo. When they’re not sleeping or marauding, a crew of vampirates whiles away the hours by drinking rum and singing grim chanteys. A ship

Way of Mercy Legacy

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

bring a swift end as an act of mercy. Those who follow the Way of Mercy might be members of a religious order, administering to the needy and making grim choices rooted in reality rather than idealism

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

. Reality is a descent into chaos punctuated by brief flashes of order, whence we arose and so imagine it to be the norm rather than a distant outlier. That-Which-Endures held entropy back for a mere instant

the character of the different cultures these folk have encountered since coming out into the sunlight. When a group of verdan live near dwarves, they might take on more dwarven-sounding names, only

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

Accursed

races

of the other typical senses of “curse” in the game. Rather, accursed reflects the grim sense of how most other folk in the campaign will view such a character, especially those who don

’s a sort of “catch-all” for unique characters who don’t fit into another heritage, but can still fit into Grim Hollow. Accursed typically don’t represent a people or a

Arisen

races

unique construct created by magic, mysterious science, or both. Arisen are never born in their current form. They are not undead, nor have they been raised from death by divine magic. Rather, each

. Their rarity among the peoples of Etharis and the grim rumors that swirl around them most often leave arisen socially isolated. But not all arisen are driven to nihilism by the bleakness of their

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups. Human Names and Ethnicities Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents

, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

of nature itself or from a nature deity. Many druids pursue a mystic spirituality of transcendent union with nature rather than devotion to a divine entity, while others serve gods of wild nature

nature, coming face to face with a giant eagle or dire wolf and surviving the experience. Maybe your character was born during an epic storm or a volcanic eruption, which was interpreted as a sign that

Quest for the Sword

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

are flowcharts that show the two paths characters can take through Avernus to reach the Bleeding Citadel: the Path of Demons and the Path of Devils, respectively. Neither is literally a “path,” but

rather a sequence of locations that the characters must visit in order. If the characters wander off these paths, use optional encounters to pull them back (see “Other Locations,” and “Roaming

Grim Champion of Bloodshed

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

have the frightened condition until the end of its next turn. Domenico Cava Wynemar Brack Well, that’s not quite correct, either. Rather, I fear the sheer destruction those three grim champions

Grim Champion of Bloodshed Wynemar Brack was once a farmer, but mercenaries in a local war razed her fields and sacked her village. In desperation, she yielded to the clever patter of a traveling

Survival of the Fittest

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

themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in battle, at the peak of strength and skill, than endure the slow decay of old age. Few folk

Vampirates

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Boo’s Astral Menagerie

use them to draw vital fluids from prey, which vampirates consider an unsavory act. Rather, a vampirate drains life energy from another creature by touching it or by siphoning off its energy from a

not sleeping or marauding, a crew of vampirates whiles away the hours by drinking rum and singing grim chanteys. A ship crewed by vampirates usually has one or more shadows aboard—the Undead remains of some of the vampirates’ victims.

Approaching Death House

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Approaching Death House As the characters come within sight of Death House, read or paraphrase the following: A boy and a girl stand in the middle of the dirt road outside a grim house. The boy is

screams inside the house, followed by terrible howls coming from the basement. Recently, a group of robed adults (priests of Osybus) arrived and entered the house without a word. If calmed with a

Goals

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

the Grim Harrow’s attention (the Grim Harrow is detailed in chapter 19). Research the Deck of Many Things. When they aren’t actively pursuing copies of the Deck of Many Things, knights of the Solar

of Many Things in their possession. Warn of the Grim Harrow. The Solar Bastion is on the lookout for the Grim Harrow: Undead that pursue Decks of Many Things across the multiverse (see chapter 19

Siege Weapon Sabotage

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hold Back The Dead

characters’ Short Rest if they take one). Corlie strides from the door of one of the fortress’s interior buildings. Three grim-looking soldiers fall in behind her. She gives you a wide grin. “My friends

. It’s immediately clear that they are destroying the siege weapon rather than taking it apart, which should alert the characters that something is wrong. Once the siege weapon is destroyed, or if the

Appendix B: Character Names

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

Appendix B: Character Names Some players and DMs have a knack for coming up with character names on the fly, while others find that task more of a challenge. The tables in this appendix are designed

have a dwarven name. Or, as DM, you might decide that dragonborn in your campaign have a culture reminiscent of ancient Rome and therefore use Roman names, rather than the dragonborn names suggested here.

What If Everyone Dies?

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

—rather, it presents an opportunity to take the game in a new direction. Consider these possibilities. A Fresh Start Everyone makes new characters, and the campaign starts anew. This might be the most

characters must convince the council to return them to life. Escape from the Underworld The dead characters wake up in Hades (see chapter 6) and must find a way to escape the grim underworld and return

Past and Present

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

there. One of the pirate captains, Cozar, sensed that times were changing on the Rock—that the days of lawlessness were coming to an end. Through a series of strategic alliances and shrewd business

, attracting profit-seekers, adventurers, and other more respectable types. Upon Cozar’s death, the rule of Bral passed to Frun, his son and heir. Frun was far from an able politician. Rather, he was a hedonist

Glorium

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

Grim. Loyal and tempestuous, she leaps into the fray with a thunderous cry. The one-armed warrior’s face and body bear the scars of countless duels, and the gnarled haft of her trusty battleaxe is

patron deities of fire and frost giants, respectively—regularly send hulking subjects to pillage the wintry camp, darkening its skies with ash and snow. Meanwhile, nomadic groups of mountain bariaurs hold

Communication and Disposition

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

refusal to do so automatically prompts an attack. In such an attack, the lizardfolk’s first priority is the expulsion, rather than the death, of the intruders, but they fight to the death if provoked. Once

communicate with the lizardfolk, even during battle, consider halting the combat and allowing the characters to exercise their social skills. The queen needs allies in the coming war and prefers to avoid

Warduke

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

beneath it is that of a grim, hideously scarred gladiator. Alignment. Chaotic evil. Personality Trait. “I speak with the flames and razor-sharp edges of my sword. They beat words to hell.” Ideal. “I expect

to be paid well for my handiwork.” Bond. “The League of Malevolence is a convenient arrangement—until something better comes along.” Flaw. “I would rather die than surrender.” Combat Notes Warduke

Welcome to Ravenloft

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

Ravenloft in Barovia—home of the notorious Strahd von Zarovich. In this mysterious setting, the land, the passage of time, the tides, and every other reliable truth can shift unpredictably. Rather than

hidden within these supernatural mists, and of these secret realms, the most terrifying are those born of your nightmares and given grim life through your adventures. Although Ravenloft is a setting of

The Scarlet Sash

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

hunters. Personality Trait. “Words fail me often, so I’m happy to let others speak on my behalf.” Ideal. “I would rather eat a snake than fall prey to the trappings of the civilized world.” Bond. “Birds

use their powers of mimicry to frighten strangers. They can also throw their voices to make it seem like the sounds are coming from other parts of the chalet. If you’re not sure how to handle this

Saga of the Whirlwyrm

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

impressive collection of tattoos covering her copper-colored skin. She notices Bkol as he approaches and gives a friendly shout: “Bkol! Back from the land of legends! Glad to see we keep you coming back

, respectively. The characters can travel to Grakenok however they like. It would take their walking castle days to circle the bay and reach Grakenok, so Bkol offers them use of the Courier. As with all places

Hazlik

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

impress his people’s rulers and gain their patronage. Instead, the zulkirs revealed that Indreficus had not betrayed him. Rather, the zulkirs had watched the pair’s ascent and, wary of their potential

had been Indreficus. To his surprise, Hazlik emerged in a grim netherworld of fog and hateful visions where Indreficus’s condemning voice hounded him mercilessly. Eventually, he escaped those nightmare

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

protuberance, Zargon devoured the workers and slew the garrisons that followed, drowning them in torrents of slime. Rather than face the grim reality confronting them, some Cynidiceans began to view

Going in Style

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

have plenty to do on board, as seen in the next section. Appendix C provides combat statistics for the battle balloon (because you know that’s coming), so assume that a suitable number of crew are

available to operate the balloon and its weapons alongside the characters. STICKING WITH WHAT THEY’VE GOT If the characters’ mobile headquarters is something cool enough that they would rather use it

Setessa's Surroundings

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

, grim Returned, or worse. Hunter’s Crossing. Setessa once extended its claim over more of the Nessian Wood, establishing military outposts like those of Akros. At the western end of the forest, along

lilacs growing along the riverbank and silver fish darting in startlingly clear water, it is abandoned by Setessa and favored by travelers as a resting point on the road before coming under the eaves of

Mercion

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

Mercion Mercion strikes the balance of a natural leader and a protective caregiver. She has a direct manner that reassures and inspires those around her. Mercion does not worship a deity, but rather

coming for you.” Flaw. “My friends would say I’m inflexible. The truth is, I like things done a certain way.” Combat Notes Mercion counts on her armor to protect her as she administers healing. She uses

Sir Vecken of the Broken Horn

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

forgotten about during his earlier days. When the characters make the reason for their visit known, he grows visibly grim but invites them into his home for tea. In the living room, Vecken’s old

would rather let the past fade. In truth, he won’t join the characters because their unexpected news has inspired thoughts of vengeance that he wants to undertake on his own. As soon as the characters

Way of Mercy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

needy and making grim choices rooted in reality rather than idealism. Some might be gentle-voiced healers, beloved by their communities, while others might be masked bringers of macabre mercies. The

D&D Beyond

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