complete relying great to her reason

Hypnos Magen

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

telepathic and use their power of suggestion to control others. Their creators use them to force enemies to withdraw or surrender. A hypnos magen carries no weapons, relying entirely on its psychic

itself and its creator, and it follows its creator’s instructions without hesitation. When its task is complete, a magen stands immobile and silent until its creator gives it new orders.Poison

Githzerai Enlightened

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hours in meditation to transcend the limits of their forms and to apprehend the nature of reality. githzerai zerth;Zerths who complete the next tier of their training become known as the enlightened

. Githzerai Githzerai are otherworldly folk with psionic powers who share an ancestral link to githyanki. The githzerai followers of the great leader Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith are an ascetic people who

Vargouille

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

complete can end the curse. Doing so undoes the changes made to the target by the curse. Stunning Shriek (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Stunning Shriek

or a dretch, fears vargouilles only if they appear in great numbers. In the Lower Planes, vargouilles rarely get the chance to eat live prey other than vermin. More often, they lap up the ichor left

Phantom Warrior

Monsters Curse of Strahd

phantom warrior isn't bound by a yearning to complete some unresolved goal. It can choose to end its undead existence at any time. Its spirit lingers willingly, either out of loyalty to its former

impenetrable fog. Forceful Presence. Although they are incorporeal, phantom warriors can harness the energy around them to deflect incoming attacks and strike with great force. An invisible sheath of

Tlincalli

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

and the lower body of an enormous scorpion, complete with a stinger at the end of a long tail. These desert creatures range across arid lands, hunting at dawn and dusk. In the hours between, they wait

sun sets, the newly hatched young emerge from the lair to eat the captives alive. These predators see themselves as great hunters, and respect others with such skills. If a tlincalli encounters a more

Waterdhavian Noble

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

You are a scion of one of the great noble families of Waterdeep. Human families who jealously guard their privilege and place in the City of Splendors, Waterdhavian nobles have a reputation across

Faerûn for being eccentric, spoiled, venal, and, above all else, rich. Whether you are a shining example of the reason for this reputation or one who proves the rule by being an exception, people

Warforged Colossus

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

otherwise intact. “Karrnslayer” (Colossus WX-31) lost its legs but crawls through the Mournland, using its arms to drag its great bulk across the ground. It is always prone and can’t

is built to carry wizards, artificers, magewrights, and elite troops. For this reason, these constructs are largely hollow on the inside, with tunnels, ladders, storage areas, and observation decks

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

themselves at odds with a sapphire dragon if they cross into the dragon’s territory. But sapphire dragons sometimes forge peaceful relationships with rock gnomes or deep gnomes, relying on these folk

tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good) Sapphire Dragon Adventures The Sapphire

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

of evil. Having one horn is most common, but a particularly fierce ki-rin might have two horns or a set of antlers like those of a great stag. In many lands, common folk view ki-rins as heralds of

coronation, everyone present understands that the creature is telling them the person so honored could become a great force for good. Ki-rins have also been known to appear at the sites of great battles

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

hundreds of miles of the Great Glacier and the Great Ice Sea. No one from your nation makes the effort to cross such colossal barriers without a convincing reason. You must fear something truly

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

Cloistered Scholar

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

As a child, you were inquisitive when your playmates were possessive or raucous. In your formative years, you found your way to one of Faerûn’s great institutes of learning , where you

of knowledge. The most well known of Faerûn’s fonts of knowledge is Candlekeep. The great library is always in need of workers and attendants, some of whom rise through the ranks to

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

. Great Purpose Aarakocra enjoy peace and solitude. Most of them have little interest in dealing with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an

brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

using her magic. Casting such great magic night after night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined

time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is incapable of showing mercy or compassion. Play her as a supremely cold and

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

realm in the far north and, after a time, plunged it into frigid darkness using her magic. Casting such great magic night after night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril

can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals’ demands. As the embodiment of winter’s cruelty, she is

Sapphire Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

sapphire dragons sometimes forge peaceful relationships with rock gnomes or deep gnomes, relying on these folk to help protect the territory surrounding their lairs. Martial Hoards Sapphire dragons&rsquo

unhappy. (Lawful) 5 Preparation. Justice and righteousness do not guarantee victory. Planning and tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

they cross into the dragon’s territory. But sapphire dragons sometimes forge peaceful relationships with rock gnomes or deep gnomes, relying on these folk to help protect the territory

, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good) Sapphire Dragon Adventures The Sapphire Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers suggestions for

Young Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

or deep gnomes, relying on these folk to help protect the territory surrounding their lairs. Martial Hoards Sapphire dragons’ favorite prizes are weapons and armor, records of military

not guarantee victory. Planning and tactics do. (Lawful) 6 Companionship. Sure, my hoard brings me great joy. But the real treasures are the guests who stop by to see it. (Good

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Frostmaiden could not stay away for long. Auril returned to her icy realm in the far north and, after a time, plunged it into frigid darkness using her magic. Casting such great magic night after

might prove helpful: So long as she has mortal worshipers, Auril can’t truly die (although the characters can rid the world of her for a time). Thus, she has no reason to capitulate to mortals

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

hermitage gave you access to a unique and powerful discovery. The exact nature of this revelation depends on the nature of your seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the

past that could rewrite history. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and hence the reason for your return to society. Work with your DM to

Norker

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

and his followers the initial, unwilling recruits into his crusade. Today, hobgoblins chafe at the suggestion that creatures as lazy and untamed as norkers could claim such an honor. For that reason

' strength and ferocity.. For this reason, norkers are likely encountered away from their brethren. Their natural armor and weapons make them dangerous foes even when relegated to menial labor. Only

Norker War Leader

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

norkers could claim such an honor. For that reason alone, hobgoblin warlords are loath to use these creatures, preferring to keep them around as disposable labor in mines and quarries. Nasty, Brutish

defeat goblinoids that underestimate the norkers' strength and ferocity.. For this reason, norkers are likely encountered away from their brethren. Their natural armor and weapons make them dangerous

Darkling Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

speak of a seelie fey who betrayed the Summer Queen. His true name has been stricken from history, but the stories call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath

, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling

Darkling Elder Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

call him Dubh Catha ("Dark Crow" in Common). So great was the Summer Queen's wrath that she cursed every member of his house. Other fey refer to the descendants of Dubh Catha's house as the dubh sith-or

. The Killing Light. The Summer Queen's curse causes a darkling's body to absorb light, and doing so wizens the creature, much like the effect of rapid aging. For this reason, darklings cover every

Hermit Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp Life of Seclusion What was the reason for your isolation, and what

changed to allow you to end your solitude? You can work with your DM to determine the exact nature of your seclusion, or you can choose or roll on the table below to determine the reason behind your

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

complete their quests and return home as quickly as possible. The Firbolg Adventurers table can serve as inspiration for determining why a firbolg character leaves home. Firbolg Adventurers d8

Reason for Adventuring 1 Outcast for murder 2 Outcast for severely damaging home territory 3 Clan slain by invading humanoids 4 Clan slain by a dragon or demon 5

Dimensional Shambler

monsters

survived these horrors. They are capable of walking between the realms of the universe, and they constantly move, spending little time at a location. These entities occasionally serve a god or a Great

quarry with its nominal allies, but, other times, it carries off its victim to an unknown destination for an unknown reason. Cosmic Detritus. Before her disappearance, the sage Lemetra of the

Flying Polyp

monsters

complete mysteries. What is known is that the flying polyps, similar to the elder things and other Mythos entities, are ancient creatures that perhaps existed before the gods. These creatures waged war

the stars, driven by some unknowable urge to leave the terrestrial realms behind. Abandoned Domains. The flying polyps once gathered in great cities. They constructed vaults deep within the earth

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

its existence. Few liches seek to become demiliches, for it means an end to the existence they hoped to preserve by becoming undead. However, time can erode the lich’s reason and memory, causing

Nature. A demilich doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep. So great is a demilich’s will to survive that it always has the maximum number of hit points for its Hit Dice, instead of average

Shub-Niggurath

monsters

expend a use to take one of the following actions. Shub-Niggurath regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns. If Shub-Niggurath is unable to use legendary actions for any reason, it

great numbers, tapping into the magic of this Mythos entity to multiply and thrive. Twisted Promises. Cults of Shub-Niggurath begin innocently enough. A village deep in a primal forest, or a group

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

to escape so easily. A great conclave of tritons chose volunteers skilled in weapons and magic as part of an expeditionary force to enter the Material Plane and seek out their enemies. Those tritons

arrogant. They see themselves as caretakers of the sea, and they expect other creatures to pay them deep respect, if not complete deference. This attitude might grate on others, but it arises from a seed

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

undetected and don’t give their targets reason to harm them. For example, a group of city kobolds might sneak into a cobbler’s house at night to loot it of knives, leather bits, nails, and

, giving each individual and every generation a reason to feel pride and self-respect. The kobolds prefer to run away than fight, to live off the scraps of others, and they are often dominated by larger

Finding the Books

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

Finding the Books Alkazaar was an adventurer of great renown. Tales proliferate about his daring and incredible discoveries across Faerûn. Knowing that the definitive collection of Alkazaar’s

adventures rests within the walls of Candlekeep is reason enough for an adventurer to seek out this legendary book and claim a cozy corner to read about the escapades of Alkazaar and his dungeon-delving

Finding the Books

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

Finding the Books Alkazaar was an adventurer of great renown. Tales proliferate about his daring and incredible discoveries across Faerûn. Knowing that the definitive collection of Alkazaar’s

adventures rests within the walls of Candlekeep is reason enough for an adventurer to seek out this legendary book and claim a cozy corner to read about the escapades of Alkazaar and his dungeon-delving

Orog

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

destroy an opposing force, not realizing the orc is an orog. When encountered in great numbers, orogs form their own detachments within much larger orc hordes, and they are always at the forefront of

any attack, relying on their superior strength and tactical insight to overcome anything that stands in their way. Few orc tribes actively seek out orogs to bolster their ranks. The orogs’ superiority

How to Play

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

might be locked, the floor might hide a deadly trap, or some other circumstance might make it challenging for an adventurer to complete a task. In those cases, the DM decides what happens, often

relying on the roll of a die to determine the results of an action. The DM narrates the results of the adventurers’ actions. Describing the results often leads to another decision point, which brings

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