continuing risk great to have response

Deathlock Mastermind

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

lesser creatures to help them carry out their missions, becoming the masterminds behind vast conspiracies and intrigues that culminate in the accomplishment of great acts of evil. Deathlocks The

to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul Undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron. An powerful necromancer might also discover

Deathlock

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

a good god, while one that serves a Great Old One might hunt for the materials needed to call forth a horrifying entity into the world. To accomplish a difficult goal, the deathlock might be forced

warlock. The consequences of breaking that pact can be dire and, in some cases, lethal. A warlock who fails to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock

White Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

(1d10 + 3);{"diceNotation":"1d10+3", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Longsword", "rollDamageType":"force"} force damage if used with two hands.Vicious Reprisal. In response to taking damage, the

do so rarely, since it is never clear whether an abishai follows Tiamat’s orders or Asmodeus’s. There is inherent risk in countermanding an order given by Tiamat, but interfering with

War Magic (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

their defensive skills foil their opponents’ attempts to counterattack. War mages are also adept at turning other spellcasters’ magical energy against them. In great battles, a war mage

response: “What good is being able to throw a mighty fireball if I die before I can cast it?” War Magic Features Wizard Level Feature 3rd Arcane Deflection, Tactical Wit 6th Power Surge 10th Durable Magic 14th Deflecting Shroud

War Magic

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

their defensive skills foil their opponents’ attempts to counterattack. War mages are also adept at turning other spellcasters’ magical energy against them. In great battles, a war mage

response: “What good is being able to throw a mighty fireball if I die before I can cast it?” War Magic Features Wizard Level Feature 2nd Arcane Deflection, Tactical Wit 6th Power Surge 10th Durable Magic 14th Deflecting Shroud

Nilbog

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Spellcasting. The nilbog casts one of the following spells, using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12): At will: mage hand, Tasha's hideous laughterReversal of Fortune. In response to

possess another goblin. The only way to keep a nilbog from wreaking havoc is to treat it well and give it respect and praise. Among fey courts, the risk of attracting a nilbog has given rise to the

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

self-assurance in one genasi and as arrogance in another. Such self- confidence can sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Too much failure can

of savage humanoids and weird cults in untamed lands. Others gain positions of great influence, especially where elemental beings are revered. A few genasi leave the Material Plane to find refuge in

Inquisitor of the Tome

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

;t being worn or carried in the sphere automatically take the damage and are similarly moved.Telekinetic Deflection. In response to being hit by an attack roll, the inquisitor increases its AC by 4

work has caused them to be a source of terror in many communities, where folk fear that an overzealous inquisitor might be as great a monster as the fiends the inquisitors originally hunted.

Archaeologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

and ruins. Though you managed to sell a few of your discoveries and earn enough coin to buy proper adventuring gear, you have held onto an item that has great emotional value to you. Roll on the

Preservation. That artifact belongs in a museum. (Good) 2 Greed. I won’t risk my life for nothing. I expect some kind of payment. (Any) 3 Death Wish. Nothing is more

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

unfeeling entity. Have Auril speak only when necessary. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words

Titivilus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

travels farther than the sprawling city that lies outside his palace. Dispater is correct to fear, but the true threat comes not from without. The lord’s great error was allowing himself to be

plots are being hatched against him and that Asmodeus himself seeks to remove Dispater from power. In response, Dispater has withdrawn to his palace and left day-to-day decisions to Titivilus, even

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great

give up their lives as their physical skills decay. Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. They hope for innate

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

incapable of showing mercy or compassion. Play her as a supremely cold and unfeeling entity. Have Auril speak only when necessary. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally

Arasta

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

paraphrase the following text when Arasta uses her Armor of Spiders trait: The nightmarish arachnid unleashes a shriek that sounds like a thousand spider carapaces scarring slate. In response, the

it a risk, though, for those who Klothys finds unworthy might be driven mad. There, within Enorasi’s hollow trunk, Arasta awaits the next would-be prophet to make her meal. Her webs stretch

Satyr Legacy

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

all, and the proper response to such a gift, as far as most satyrs are concerned, is to accept it with relish. Born of the Wild In their physical forms, satyrs embody a fusion of humanoid

Xenagos as a satyr who lived life to the fullest and who played tricks that stirred up even the gods. Yet, he’s also an example of how bitterness can turn a great trick nasty and how schemes that

Gruul Anarch

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

ruins. You are part of a savage society that clings desperately to the Old Ways — attuned to nature, full of primal rage, and given short shrift by a world consumed with continuing civilization

.] 3 I’m as stubborn as a batterboar. 4 I’m so convinced of my superiority over soft, civilized people that I’ll take great risks to prove it. 5 I’m easily

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

. The less she talks, the less risk you have of unintentionally demystifying her in the eyes of your players. Let her actions, not her words, define her. Lesser gods in the D&D multiverse are

Inheritor

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

You are the heir to something of great value — not mere coin or wealth, but an object that has been entrusted to you and you alone. Your inheritance might have come directly to you from a

blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure. 3 The people who knew me when I was young know my shameful secret, so I can never go home again. 4 I have a weakness for the vices of the

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

a patriar’s scion in an illegal duel. The family swore revenge, and you fled to the slums rather than risk bringing their wrath down on your kin. 6 You aren’t originally from Baldur

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

Orzhov Representative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

convinced that everyone I know is plotting against me. 3 I’ll brave any risk if the monetary reward is great enough. 4 I am convinced that I am far more important than anyone else is

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

part of their body with clothing when exposure to light is a risk. The light a darkling absorbs over the course of its lifetime explodes outward when the darkling dies, incinerating the creature and

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the world above. Aquatic Crusaders Centuries ago, tritons entered the world in response to the growing threat of evil elementals. Tritons waged many wars against their enemies on the Plane of Water

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

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

for the achievement to mean anything, a hobgoblin must abide by the race’s code of honor in doing so. Glory can be earned by discovery of great resources (such as finding a new vein of iron or

a powerful magic item), by fine performances (writing and performing a great ballad about the legion), by designing and constructing a great defense or monument, and through other means. But the

Continuing or Episodic Campaigns

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

the campaign. A continuing campaign designed with a theme and a story arc in mind can feel like a great fantasy epic. The players derive the satisfaction of knowing the actions they take during one

Continuing or Episodic Campaigns The backbone of a campaign is a connected series of adventures, but you can connect them in two different ways. In a continuing campaign, the connected adventures

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, they might build a warren and make a permanent home there, while continuing to expand the town’s sewers as the community grows. These so-called “city kobolds” live underground but

other useful items, but if they are at risk of discovery, they run away rather than attack anyone in the house. By fleeing before they can be seen or identified, they avoid getting into a situation

Rooting Out Evil

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

Rooting Out Evil The characters might want to assault the four elemental temples as quickly as possible, but they also need to deal with the cults’ continuing efforts to corrupt and terrorize the

people of the Dessarin Valley. While the characters are busy smashing one temple, the other three cults can do great harm in the area. Between expeditions to Tyar-Besil, the characters would be well

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

great unknown. NISHREK AND THE ETERNAL WAR Orcs believe that if they die with honor, their spirits go to the plane of Acheron, the Infinite Battlefield — specifically the layer of Nishrek

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

Wild and Confident

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

arrogance in another. Such self-confidence can sometimes blind genasi to risk, and their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Too much failure can chip away at even a genasi’s sense of self, so they constantly push themselves to improve, honing their talents and perfecting their craft.

Falling

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

Falling Falling from a great height is a significant risk for adventurers and their foes. The rule given in the Player’s Handbook is simple: at the end of a fall, you take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for

Traveler

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

as a danger. Such groups will hide you from the law or anyone searching for you, though they won’t risk their lives for you. Additionally, you can tell whether an object you can see and touch is from

might have impacted your new character, throwing them into action or danger. Whatever details you and your DM decide upon, such connections can forge the continuing legend of a whole family of heroes

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

people who became yuan-ti were one of the original human civilizations. Their society built great temples of stone and forged metal into armor, tools, and weapons. In their ceremonies they paid homage to

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

Companion Creatures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

Companion Creatures A companion is a wild ally who adventures with characters. Each companion has unique traits and actions that make them a great ally. But beware! These creatures can be difficult

to control in the heat of battle and just might bite the hand that feeds. Don’t fret too much, though! A companion gelatinous cube or owlbear is worth the risk of an occasional wild rampage.

Campaign Events

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

, a D&D campaign runs the risk of retreading the same ground long after the enjoyment’s gone. Just as actors or writers drift away from those other mediums, so can players — the actors and writers of a

around the characters and in response to their actions. World-shaking events force conflict. They set new events and power groups in motion. Their outcomes change the world by altering the tone of the

By Land

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

when the mist inhibits visibility. As long as the characters move at this rate, the route is easily followed — there is no risk of straying in a wrong direction. From the ford, the characters can see in

Transients. The bullywugs are a roving band but they have set up a defensive camp here because they have happened upon a considerable treasure. Rather than risk traveling through the swamp with their

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