concept reason granting to have recently

Ulder Ravengard

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

struggled in performing his duties, finding his hands tied at every turn by both overt and invisible bureaucracy. Despite this, he's been a voice of reason and common sense on the Council of Four — if

politically. One of his only obvious pleasures remains the surprise inspections he regularly visits upon the troops at Wyrm's Rock. Ravengard was recently tricked into attending a diplomatic summit in

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

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

night while also granting spells to her devoted followers leaves Auril weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures

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

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

you need to determine your noble title, but you should also work with the DM to describe your family and their influence on you. Is your family old and established, or was your title only recently

visit prosperous Bloomridge to try a fashionable restaurant or boutique, or watch a spectacle at the Oasis Theater, the patriars have little reason to venture into the dirtier, more dangerous parts of the

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

possibilities.) Now you’re looking for something else, perhaps greater reward for the risks you take, or the freedom to choose your own activities. For whatever reason, you’re leaving

company, including the names and reputations of its commanders and leaders, and who has hired them recently. You can find the taverns and festhalls where mercenaries abide in any area, as long as you speak

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

lies on the slopes of the Star Mounts’ southernmost mountains. At the headwaters of the Unicorn Run, the Last Aerie is home to several dozen aarakocra. Recently, aarakocra elders detected

. 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

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes them as strange. They know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the

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

Creating a Monster

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

new monsters and customizing existing ones, if for no other reason than to surprise and delight your players with something they’ve never faced before. The first step in the process is coming up with

the concept for your monster. What makes it unique? Where does it live? What role do you want it to serve in your adventure, your campaign, or your world? What does it look like? Does it have any

Evil Inchoate

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

absolute evil, demons have no concept of empathy. Each demon believes that only its needs and desires matter. This self-centeredness applies even with regard to other demons. These fiends have no

particular affinity for their own kind, which is the biggest reason why they seldom cooperate with one another unless they are forced to submit to a demon lord or other leader. Going even farther, every

Westwood

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

for a season or a few months at a time by bandits, and a few overgrown ruins of the ancient elven kingdom of Rilithar. Recently, a roving band of Elk tribe barbarians (see “The Uthgardt Tribes” below

) have come to Westwood. They forcibly evicted bandits from the innermost woodcutters’ camps, then camped there themselves to explore and hunt in Westwood. Reason to Visit. The Elk tribe and the

Lake Monster

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

discover that it’s an awakened plesiosaurus. A frost druid (see appendix C) recently cast an awaken spell on the creature, granting it an Intelligence of 10 and the ability to communicate in the Common

The Long Road

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

The Long Road This side trek begins when the characters learn from worried Zhentarim shopkeepers of Bargewright Inn that they’ve been having supply problems recently. This side trek happens only if

Zhentarim believes intrigue in Yartar is to blame: someone wants to harm the Black Network’s profits. Zhentarim agents first suspected the Harpers, but trusted spies recently reported back that an

Laleh's Plea

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

Laleh’s Plea Regardless of the characters’ reason for coming to the theater, Laleh commends the characters for finding her, saying their industriousness makes it clear that they’re the best suited to

help her. She’s recently learned that Afsoun is still in Brightguard custody, being kept at a magical holding facility known as the Pedestal of Judgment, several miles outside the city. Laleh is

General Features

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

shoals. The waves crashing and splashing over the jagged rocks make it obvious, even to landlubbers, that any attempt to navigate the shoals can only end in disaster. In fact, there is no reason to pass

there are on the island were imported by the clerics, either deliberately or accidentally, when they arrived and built the abbey. Some other more dangerous creatures have also come ashore recently.

Caves Overview

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

waste from the cloister, which nourished the fungi in the caves. Recently, though, the myconids have rejected Tarak’s visits and placed a monstrous guardian at the entrance to their caves that keeps

all visitors away. The reason for this sudden shift in the myconids’ behavior is that a blight has spread through the caves and is poisoning the myconids, twisting their gardens, and even laying low

Adventure Background

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

speculated to maintain covert ties with occult or nefarious organizations. Serious academics often write off the Cognoscenti Esoterica as charlatans or pranksters, and with good reason: the

Cognoscenti rarely collect enough evidence to support their outlandish claims. Still, the organization occasionally stumbles upon something of true significance. Recently the group acquired a magical painting

The Returned

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

. There’s no rhyme or reason to what the Gray Merchants seek, and the merchants themselves never speak. They conduct business through gestures, making their unusual trades and plodding off into the shadows

, pseudammas turn tragedy into horror by snatching mortal children and attempting to raise them. However, the Returned have forgotten the needs of the living and they have no concept of how to care for a child.

Orog

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

terrifying presence on the battlefield. They form no attachments, even to their parents and siblings, and have no concept of love or dedication. They worship the orc pantheon of gods — Gruumsh and Luthic

foremost — because they believe that the gods have strength beyond reason, and physical might is all they respect. Servants of Darkness. Mistrusted by orcs, some orogs form independent mercenary war

Klothys's Influence

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

Klothys’s Influence Klothys is the embodiment and enforcer of destiny. Largely forgotten after ages spent in the Underworld, Klothys has only recently emerged, brimming with silent frustration at the

, granting them understanding of cosmic truths and insights into how the future should unfold. Klothys withdrew to the Underworld ages ago to keep watch over the imprisoned titans and ensure they couldn’t

Bargewright Inn

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

largest inn, The Old Bargewright, was recently rebuilt as a substantial stone structure with thick walls, secret passages, and private chambers separated from nearby rooms by sealed-off passages

, poisons, and certain magic. Reason to Visit. Thaelond is the local leader among the Zhentarim and a key contact for characters with a connection to that faction. It’s also where two side treks, “The Long Road” and “New Management,” start (see chapter 6).

Triboar

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

know the North well. A half-elf adventurer named Gervor and his companions went missing recently. The adventurers were staying in town, and locals expected them to return tendays ago. In addition

cultists on the Long Road. They are currently held in area W6 of the Weeping Colossus.) Reason to Visit. Any Harper can readily find refuge and aid in the Home of the Boars, a lodge on the outskirts

Vaeve's Offer

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

battle to steal back a magic cloak—a family heirloom, Vaeve says—recently taken to Miska’s treasure vault somewhere in the stone citadel on the beach below. But Vaeve and Naxa became separated in the

the battlefield for some reason. Vaeve asks the characters to escort Naxa from the citadel back to Carapace Ridge. There’s significant treasure in the citadel, Vaeve says, and Vaeve would be grateful

Shipwreck Overview

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragons of Stormwreck Isle

island’s shore. Fortunately, wrecks are rare—or they were, until recently. Not long ago, a harpy settled into the wreck of Compass Rose. With its magically entrancing voice, the harpy has been luring

in the wrecks who were animated by the talisman in Compass Rose’s hold but couldn’t get off their ships for some reason. They might also find giant octopuses (you can use the spore servant octopus

Prismari Faculty

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

professor of expression) is the current Dean of Expression. Nazzari always want to see art that is bigger, more radical in concept, and more emotionally powerful. For their final project as a mage

professor of expression) is a newly hired instructor teaching a few courses in choreography and dance ensembles. He recently graduated from Strixhaven himself, and he bubbles with excitement at the

Circles

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

average of twenty myconids — the Circle of Hunters, the Circle of Explorers, the Circle of Sowers, the Circle of Builders, the Circle of Growers, plus the recently formed Inner Circle and Circle of

with this new and unusual concept, swayed by Phylo’s claims that a higher level of communal harmony will be achieved. Basidia believes that Phylo’s separation of the circles is contrary to the unity and

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

Traversing Wreck Segments

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

between the segments contain a multitude of hungry astral predators. The creatures trapped in the segments don’t traverse the wreck for this reason. When the characters enter one of these areas, roll on

mate, Figaro, are encamped on this segment. A death slaad recently infiltrated the camp, sowing chaos and magically manipulating Figaro’s mind. This drove Figaro into a paranoid state, causing him to

The Zhentarim

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

rewards ambition, granting its members autonomy to pursue their own interests and gain some measure of personal power or influence. In this way, the organization is a meritocracy. The Zhentarim welcomes

buy. Zhentarim agents traveling to and from Mantol-Derith have recently passed on information and rumors concerning demonic activity in the Underdark. The organization’s members have yet to realize the

Council of Four

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

voice of reason and common sense on the Council of Four — if not the egalitarianism some hoped. He’s also proven largely resistant to scandal and corruption, though many of his fellow dukes and those

. Ravengard was recently tricked into attending a diplomatic summit in Elturel, unaware that his political enemies in Baldur’s Gate orchestrated this meeting in a fiendish plot to remove him from power. In his

Old Tower: Summer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Old Tower: Summer The old tower, formerly owned by a wizard, was recently bought by Esvele Rosznar, a young noblewoman with a fascinating alter ego (see “The Black Viper” in appendix B). House

any reason other than to break into the Vault of Dragons. Esvele is willing to bring them on as business partners, allowing them access to the vault (preferably when there aren’t guild

Haunted Keeps

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

outside their walls — or to make sure visitors who learn the truth either join the cult or never return from their visit. Reason to Visit. These four sites are central to the adventure (see chapter 3

actually an old stone temple built in a rocky vale at the southern edge of the Sumber Hills. It was recently reborn as the Sacred Stone Monastery, home to reclusive monks dedicated to a mysterious “Way

Personal Characteristics

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

against your best interests. More significant than negative personality traits, a flaw might answer any of these questions: What enrages you? What’s the one person, concept, or event that you are terrified

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

The Cult of the Dragon

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

them to his closest allies in the Cult of the Dragon, granting each the power of a wyrmspeaker. Using the magic of the dragon masks, this Inner Circle of Wyrmspeakers helps Severin prepare the way

Dragon, and all are able to marshal the cult’s resources. Only Severin’s inner circle can promote a dragonsoul to a Wearer of Purple, granting that character a base of operations and funds. Most new

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