compared readily game to her reveal

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs

-shattering revelations and cascading apocalypses. Only when truly threatened, or when their foes have lost all hope, do emissaries reveal their actual, impossible forms. Forms of the Emissary Star spawn

Crown of Lies

Magic Items Vecna: Eve of Ruin

chosen creature’s appearance exactly, including its voice. Your size and speed are replaced by the chosen creature’s. You otherwise retain your own game statistics. While in this new form

form. Interactions with you while you are transformed by the crown reveal no illusory magic, nor do they reveal anything other than details about the creature you’re disguised as. You count as

Living Portent

Monsters The Book of Many Things

minions to avert its own demise. Khirad, the Star of Secrets. A blue-white star whose gifts grant insight but also reveal terrible truths. Zhudun, the Corpse Star. A dead star that whispers of the

power to defy death. RadiantChange Shape. The living portent magically transforms into a Humanoid while retaining its game statistics (other than its size and Brilliance trait). The transformation ends if the living portent is reduced to 0 hit points or uses a bonus action to end it.

Leonin

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

. Noble and Fierce Leonin tend to be tall compared to humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Tawny fur covers leonin bodies, and some grow thick manes ranging in shades from

-shaking roars, gives most leonin an air that readily shifts between regal and fearsome. Leonin often act with confidence, which can come off as imperiousness. While this can reassure their allies, it can

Black Viper

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

. When she throws back her cloak to reveal the costume she has put together, most folk toss their purses and flee. If that doesn't work, she usually needs only to draw her dagger. Of course, some of the

nobles she targets are made of sterner stuff, so Esvele has learned how to fight as well. She knows she's playing a dangerous game, but is satisfied that at least one member of the Rosznar family is earning the respect of Waterdeep's nobility.

Kas the Betrayer

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

well-muscled, raven-haired, human man in his thirties, though he is far older. His fangs reveal his vampiric nature. Personality Kas is cruel, spiteful, and unrelenting in his pursuit of vengeance

against Vecna. He readily lies, breaks promises, betrays allies, and taunts those who fall for his ruses. Kas has little use for those who can’t validate his superiority or help advance his goals

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

Abbot retains its game statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement modes, Strength, Dexterity, and special senses are replaced by those of the new form, and it gains any statistics and

insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich. Somehow the deva realized that any attempt to slay Strahd would be futile—that the ancient curse upon the land meant that the

Aasimar Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

celestial heritage. These often begin subtle and become more obvious when the aasimar gains the ability to reveal their full celestial nature. The Aasimar Celestial Features table has examples you can

character’s creature type is. Here’s a list of the game’s creature types in alphabetical order: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

. Beak and Feather From below, aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing

miles on a side, with each tribe hunting in the lands nearest to their colony, ranging farther should game become scarce. A typical colony consists of one large, open-roofed nest made of woven vines

Adult Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of 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

Shape. The dragon magically transforms into any creature that is Medium or Small, while retaining its game statistics (other than its size). This transformation ends if the dragon is reduced to 0 hit

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

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

, but new ones form at a normal rate.Fire, PsychicChange Shape. The dragon magically transforms into any creature that is Medium or Small, while retaining its game statistics (other than its size). This

Pyramid Melon

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 2 2 2 Some druids claim that the pyramid melon gets its shape from the forces that form the cosmos, and to contemplate the melon will reveal secrets

beyond space and time. Most children, however, simply enjoy the tart fruit and make a game of spitting the seeds.

Crimson Aspirant

backgrounds

Characters who value study and learning, as well as those with a capacity to heal the injuries and illnesses of others, readily become crimson aspirants. More physically inclined characters can be

Your studies reveal a spate of anemia cases, some ending in death, as the predations of blood-drinking monsters. 6 A loved one, such as a paramour or sibling, has died, and your studies hint at a

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats

xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands. Exemplars of Ambition Humans who

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

have been known to retreat from intrusions into their woodland homes, confident that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side, demonstrating

skill with sword, bow, and strategy. Hidden Woodland Realms Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow vegetables, and their skill and

Changeling

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

other changelings, a new face may reveal an aspect of their soul. The first changelings in the multiverse appeared in the Feywild, and the wondrous, mutable essence of that plane lingers in

character’s creature type is. Here’s a list of the game’s creature types in alphabetical order: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid

37. Secret Room

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

37. Secret Room This unlit chamber connects areas 30a and 38c by way of secret doors. The secret doors are readily identifiable and easily opened from inside the room. Xunderbrok If the word

is 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide at the base. Close examination reveals that the top of the cone unscrews to reveal a hollow compartment under the cap. Treasure. The cone’s compartment contains a potion of giant strength (cloud) in a stoppered, J-shaped crystal flask worth 25 gp.

A Magical World

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

. Artisans called magewrights provide much of this magic. Compared to a wizard or an artificer, a magewright’s knowledge of magic is narrow: a locksmith might master the arcane lock and knock spells to

expensive: they typically cast their spells as rituals. They are artisans, not adventurers, and the prosperity of the Five Nations was built on their foundation. Game statistics are given for magewrights

Monstrous Tactics

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

enemies, even if they’re not strategically optimal choices. For example, creatures known as “goblyns” in Kartakass and other domains are ordinary hobgoblins in terms of their game statistics, but they’re

2 damage, compared to the average of 5 it deals with a longsword), but the face-biting is much more shocking to the victim and onlookers. Monsters become more fearsome if they use tactics like

True Motives

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

True Motives Be sure not to prematurely reveal to the characters that the lizardfolk do not constitute a real threat to Saltmarsh or its inhabitants, or that the newly purchased weaponry is not for

Oceanus is with the party, on the other hand, he recognizes any sahuagin on sight. He has general (biased) knowledge as to their nature, and he readily identifies such creatures to the characters.

Using the Maps

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

rendered. You can omit details that are not readily visible (such as secret doors and other hidden features) until the characters are able to detect and interact with them. Poster Map The double-sided poster

don’t recognize these names yet, that’s good! Once they learn in the game where they’re headed, they’ll realize they’ve heard of the location and can head in the right direction at will. The reverse side

Set Expectations

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

Set Expectations Well before you assemble a group around a game table, pitch the adventures you’re thinking about running to your prospective players. Note the types of conflicts that might arise

. You don’t need to reveal the major plot points or twists in your story, but share the kinds of monsters and general themes you’re interested in using, other horror stories you’re inspired by, and which

Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

Sidekicks On your adventures, the DM might reveal that you’ve befriended a special character called a sidekick, who joins your party. This appendix presents the game statistics for sidekicks, of

Questioning the Halflings

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

, although neither of them knows how to play the game. The halflings have no idea their foray into grave robbing has awakened an undead creature; the thought of Froderic Dartwild exacting revenge from

beyond the grave is enough to make them confess everything. In fact, any serious questioning or threat of harm earns the pair’s cooperation. The halflings readily share the following information: Sythian

Chamber Campaign Themes

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

anything shady or villainous, but maneuvering pieces into position so they can play their designated parts. As the campaign unfolds, the dragons of the Chamber might reveal that the adventurers have their

or cooperate with demons in order to escape the clutches of the dragons. Throughout the campaign, the goals of the Chamber might not be readily apparent. Locations such as the planar observatory

Viridian Den

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

auction cards have been sold, all participants reveal their hands, and the highest-ranking hand wins the whole pot. To simulate play of this game, have each participant roll 2d12 in secret. Then, roll

Viridian Den The walls and ceilings of this cozy den are made of luminescent jade. Rowdy patrons gather around game tables, scowling at dice and cards as they test their luck. A green-scaled draconic

Wizard Gizzard!

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

participant has disadvantage on their Dexterity (Arcana) check. After setting the scene and explaining the rules, reveal that a bag of tricks (gray) will be awarded to the winner of the next game. The bag

unpredictable for classroom use and then use the wizard gizzards in the game of the same name. This night at Bow’s End Tavern is the first such event of the term, and enthusiasm is running high. Playing the

Arriving at Blingdenstone

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

characters win the gnomes’ trust, they are welcomed into Inner Blingdenstone, and to what food and comfort the locals can readily provide. ROLEPLAYING THE SVIRFNEBLIN Deep gnomes are a dour lot

surface cousins. They reveal these aspects most easily among their own kind, and to those they come to trust. The svirfneblin assign defined roles to each gender but hold females and males in equal

Social Structures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

Social Structures Though giants are not numerous on most worlds (at least compared to various Humanoid peoples), they are generally social creatures who prefer to live with others of their own kind

abundant moral questions for good-aligned characters. At minimum, make sure all your players are comfortable with that kind of quandary before presenting it in your game. If you need a stat block

The Role of Rules

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

doesn’t replace a DM’s adjudication. Just as the rules do, the column is meant to give DMs, as well as players, tools for tuning the game according to their tastes. The column should also reveal some

The Role of Rules Why even have a column like Sage Advice when a DM can just make a ruling? Rules are a big part of what makes D&D a game, rather than simply improvised storytelling. The game’s rules

Angels in the Outlands

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

. “Greetings! It appears you’ve stumbled on our ballgame,” reports the modron. “Care to participate?” The quadrone, G041, is an impartial umpire appointed to observe the ball-and-stick game, which

field. Three low pedestals at each of the triangle’s points serve as bases. The last of these, where batters take their swings, is known as home plate. During the game, batters navigate these bases in

Leonin

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

and Fierce Leonin tend to be tall compared to humans and move with a boldness that suggests their physical might. Tawny fur covers leonin bodies, and some grow thick manes ranging in shades from gold

roars, gives most leonin an air that readily shifts between regal and fearsome. Leonin often act with confidence, which can come off as imperiousness. While this can reassure their allies, it can also

Spirit Board

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

features séances employing a spirit board. When making use of this game prop, you take the role of the forces guiding the planchette. Move the planchette subtly to reveal mysterious messages appropriate to your adventures.

Notes to Myself (as Dungeon Master)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Stranger Things

environment (like traps) — and the dice reveal how things turn out! All creatures written with an underline can be found in the Monsters section of the rulebook. Don’t worry too much about getting the rules

right or being perfect as a DM (that’s short for Dungeon Master). Just relax, let things happen naturally, and enjoy playing the game. If things get confusing — especially in combat — do what seems

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

and know the most about the territory farthest from the tribe’s lair. These individuals hunt game in peaceful times, and in combat they serve as scouts, foot soldiers, and cavalry. Gatherers

Khurgorbaeyag seems to dislike sharing his divine power with his followers. And although many goblins would readily offer anything to have the abilities of a warlock, the patrons that grant such power

D&D Beyond

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