could reason get to have really

Splugoth the Returned

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

you get taken prisoner by a group of sociopathic adventurers who end up letting you die after you save their sorry lives. One minute, you’re a dead goblin named Splug. And then you’re alive

again, and it seems like a really good idea to play up the drama of resurrection with a cool new name — and a master plan for cold, cold revenge against those who betrayed you. Every once in a

Smiler the Defiler

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

can bend the multiverse to his whims if he tries hard enough. He’s really quite insane. One of Smiler’s favorite antics is to use a hallucinatory terrain spell to create a little bit of

. Smiler escaped and tears around Avernus on a Devil's Ride, looking for adventurers willing to help him get revenge on the warlords who ganged up on him. Mad Maggie remains his only ally, though he refuses to join her gang. Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Stone Giant Dreamwalker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

themselves become lost in the dream. Other stone giants are banished to the surface as punishment. Regardless of the reason they ended up on the surface, if they don’t take shelter under stone

surroundings, and this delirium leaches out into the world around them, affecting other creatures that get too close. Believing that they’re living in a dream and that their actions have no real

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

guildless masses of the city. Consider why you’re embedded in the secondary guild. Create a story with your DM, inspired by rolling on the following table or choosing a reason that suits you

. d8 Reason for Infiltration 1 My parents belong to this guild, and I let them think I’m following in their footsteps. 2 I’ve been assigned to track this guild&rsquo

Mark of Hospitality Halfling

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Welcome, welcome! So good to see you again. Let me get your drink—blackroot tal with honey, yes? And then you have to listen to this story I’ve heard about the strange things going on

lies in charm and connections. A Ghallanda innkeeper hears many things—if you want to know what’s really going on in a community, talk to the halfling bartender. The leaders of House

Satyr Legacy

Species Mythic Odysseys of Theros

importantly—it feels really good. Driven by instinct and intuition, most satyrs prove unpredictable, following their sense of wonder wherever it leads. Very Odd Indeed Satyrs are known for their

jolly dance. 4 Sometimes talking to a plant really helps. 5 If stumped, I smoke a pipe. And if I’m going to smoke a pipe, it’s going to be a splendid pipe. 6 I imagine

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

; did I mention focus? 2 I get really excited about my ideas and I can’t wait to talk about them and start putting them into practice and tinkering with them and I want to tell you about how

exciting it all is! 3 It’s not magic — or anything, really — if you do it only halfway. Whatever I do, I give it all I’ve got. 4 I do what my gut tells me. 5

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Everybody’s always trying to get a leg up on somebody in Baldur’s Gate. One group’s con artist might be another’s revolutionary. Or maybe you’re just in it for yourself

want. 4 I’m a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

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

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

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

thin cloak of mist forms around her. Blades of ice grow out of her body at odd angles, breaking off before they get too long. When she moves, her body crackles. In this form, Auril creates weapons of

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

Waterdhavian Noble

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

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

masses. 4 I take great pains to always look my best and follow the latest fashions. 5 I don’t like to get my hands dirty, and I won’t be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

to draw your anger or ridicule. You can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a restaurant or breaking down a door at a local shop, if no legal authorities witness

throw my weight around to make sure I get my way. 8 I enjoy breaking delicate works of art. And fingers, which are sort of the same. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, since I can defuse any amount of tension. 5 I love a good insult, even one directed at me. 6 I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing

Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) d6 Bond 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds

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

memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. 3 I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. 4 I’m full of inspiring and cautionary

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

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

homeless and unfortunate. You know where to go in the Lower City and Outer City for anonymity. In these slums and alley camps, you can get a damp bed and a bad meal, but also a degree of privacy and no

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Stoicism. All of us are part of the cyclical march of nature, which will continue with

affairs of other guilds is a great way to get squashed like a bug. (Neutral) Bonds d6 Bond 1 I cherish the finger of a family member who was petrified by a

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

(though it might cause more problems than it solves when you’re dealing with incorrigible lawbreakers). If you abuse this privilege, though, you can get in serious trouble with your superiors and

. 8 I never change my mind once it’s made up. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Order. The law is meant to ensure

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

in my communication. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 Guild. My guild is all that really matters. (Any) 2 Change. All life is meant to progress toward perfection, and

. 4 The laboratory where I did my research contains everything that is precious to me. 5 I will get revenge on the shortsighted fool who killed my precious krasis creation. 6

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. 5 I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. 6 Sarcasm and insults are my

Charity. I distribute the money I acquire to the people who really need it. (Good) 4 Creativity. I never run the same con twice. (Chaotic) 5 Friendship. Material goods come and go. Bonds of

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, half-elves raised among humans are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take human names

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

communities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no permanent home. AFFABLE AND POSITIVE Halflings try to get along with everyone else and are

;s going on behind their smiling faces—surely more than they ever let on.” Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. At least some of them are. Step out of the castles and keeps

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

; Elves. “It’s best not to wander into elven woods. They don’t like intruders, and you’ll as likely be bewitched as peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection. 8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song

smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral) 6 Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

defuse any amount of tension. 5 I love a good insult, even one directed at me. 6 I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing less than

. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) D6 BOND 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

wilderness in which to hunt, catch fish, and get by. With each passing year, a tortle hones its survival skills. It forms friendships with its neighbors while also respecting their privacy. At some

prefer simple, non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables. If a tortle doesn’t like its name for whatever reason, it can change it. A tortle might change its name a dozen

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

Roleplaying Sergeant Vilroy

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

sellswords can get away with atrocities, including murder, but only if such crimes are committed in the pursuit of their contracts. Should one of these ruffians steal from or harm you or your loved ones

for no reason other than their barbaric attitudes, report them to the Watch and this publication immediately. The Sharn Watch is bound by law to arrest these hooligans when they show their criminal

What Really Happened

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

What Really Happened Five years ago, Lord Viallis murdered his family, Sarah, and three other servants as part of a ritual to contact an otherworldly entity. The ritual was successful, and with the

dedicated to Gaernoo. Lord Viallis, empowered by Gaernoo’s otherworldly magic and wanting to get away from talk of his family’s death, moved to the village of Greenfast, a day’s travel southeast of

Traversing the Astral Sea

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

creatures into thinking they’re breathing? In the Astral Sea, one can never be certain. All that really matters is that a creature can survive indefinitely in the Astral Sea, never aging and never feeling

most of their time on the Astral Plane. For this reason, astral travelers avoid using years as a measurement of time. Travel by Thought Alone A creature doesn’t need a vessel to travel through the

What Happens Next?

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

of Sharn have trained themselves to do. Maybe they rush to get involved, or poke around delicately to learn more. An event like one of these doesn't have to be the start of an adventure, but it can be

—particularly if it really catches your players' imagination. When the players decide to learn more, it's up to you to figure out what they can discover. Ask yourself these questions: How did the

Exemplars of Ambition

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds. Dwarves

you’ll as likely be bewitched as peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned racial pride and actually treat you like an equal, you can learn a lot from them.” Halflings. “It’s hard

Factions and Rivals

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

Incorporated, you inquire — and we acquire™. For more than a decade, other people have had things you’ve really wanted, and we’ve gone over there to get those things even if they didn’t want us to do that

Barbarian

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

all others; see the following sections for some ideas. Rawr! I’m really angry! Funny, I don’t feel any stronger. Maybe because I’m always angry, I’m always in top condition. Stands to reason.

Exemplars of Ambition

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

of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds. Dwarves

you’ll as likely be bewitched as peppered with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned racial pride and actually treat you like an equal, you can learn a lot from them.” Halflings. “It’s hard

Investigating Rivergard

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

depends on why the characters are here and how they approach. Peaceful Approach If the characters approach openly and politely ask for admittance for almost any plausible reason, the cultists welcome

the characters to find out who they really are. Aggressive Approach Grimjaw and his cutthroats aren’t expecting an attack. Characters who sneak in are challenged by anyone they meet inside. It’s up to you whether fast-talking characters can stave off conflict at such a meeting.

D&D Beyond

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