creating realms grim to her reason

The Fathomless (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

learn about terrestrial realms, or does it want you to open cosmic floodgates and drown the world? Perhaps you were born into a generational cult that venerates the Fathomless and its spawn. Or you

might have been shipwrecked and on the brink of drowning when your patron’s grasp offered you a chance at life. Whatever the reason for your pact, the sea and its unknown depths call to you

The Fathomless

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

learn about terrestrial realms, or does it want you to open cosmic floodgates and drown the world? Perhaps you were born into a generational cult that venerates the Fathomless and its spawn. Or you

might have been shipwrecked and on the brink of drowning when your patron’s grasp offered you a chance at life. Whatever the reason for your pact, the sea and its unknown depths call to you

Phantom

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

spies. Many shadar-kai of the Shadowfell are masters of these macabre techniques, and some are willing to teach this path. In places like Thay in the Forgotten Realms and Karrnath in Eberron, where many

death and to recover knowledge that might otherwise be lost to the grave. How did you discover this grim power? Did you sleep in a graveyard and awaken to your new abilities? Or did you cultivate them in a temple or thieves’ guild dedicated to a deity of death?

Phantom (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

spies. Many shadar-kai of the Shadowfell are masters of these macabre techniques, and some are willing to teach this path. In places like Thay in the Forgotten Realms and Karrnath in Eberron, where many

death and to recover knowledge that might otherwise be lost to the grave. How did you discover this grim power? Did you sleep in a graveyard and awaken to your new abilities? Or did you cultivate them in a temple or thieves’ guild dedicated to a deity of death?

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

2 Exile 5 Sightseer 3 Fugitive 6 Wanderer Where Are You From? The most important decision in creating a far traveler background is determining your homeland. The places

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

. The eldest acts as leader with the support of a shaman. AARAKOCRA IN THE FORGOTTEN REALMS Never well established in Faerûn, aarakocra have only four major colonies: in the Star Mounts

changes in the prevailing winds that they regarded as a bad omen. Unlike the aarakocra of other worlds on the Material Plane, the aarakocra of the Realms rarely travel to the Elemental Plane of Air

Klauth

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

of abandoned mines and dwarven strongholds. Caves with volcanic or geothermal activity are the most highly prized red dragon lairs, creating hazards that hinder intruders and letting searing heat and

dragon’s power, telling the grim story of its life, the enemies it has slain, and the nations it has conquered. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a

Unspeakable Horror (Malleable Mass)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

vaporous visions amid the fog, mysterious eddies in the Mists sometimes gather such evils, forcing them into unique, misshapen bodies untethered from the laws of reason or reality. Such unspeakable

horrors might continue to haunt the misty netherworld between the Domains of Dread, or they might slink forth into other realms to slake unnameable hungers. Customizing a Horror An unspeakable horror

Unspeakable Horror

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

into unique, misshapen bodies untethered from the laws of reason or reality. Such unspeakable horrors might continue to haunt the misty netherworld between the Domains of Dread, or they might slink

forth into other realms to slake unnameable hungers. Customizing a Horror An unspeakable horror has one of four body compositions, determined by rolling on the Body Composition table. You can roll on

Young Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

dragon turtle’s defenses, magical storms manifest to shield the dragon turtle and strike at foes. Creating a Dragon Turtle Use the Dragon Turtle Personality Traits and Dragon Turtle Ideals tables

out of arrow range, so they know I am watching. 8 I am fascinated by the politics of surface realms and talk endlessly with sailors and adventurers to stay current on the latest happenings on

Dragon Turtle Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

shield the dragon turtle and strike at foes. Creating a Dragon Turtle Use the Dragon Turtle Personality Traits and Dragon Turtle Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive dragon turtle

fascinated by the politics of surface realms and talk endlessly with sailors and adventurers to stay current on the latest happenings on land. Dragon Turtle Ideals d6;{"diceNotation

Unspeakable Horror (Aberrant Armor)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

unique, misshapen bodies untethered from the laws of reason or reality. Such unspeakable horrors might continue to haunt the misty netherworld between the Domains of Dread, or they might slink forth into

other realms to slake unnameable hungers. Customizing a Horror An unspeakable horror has one of four body compositions, determined by rolling on the Body Composition table. You can roll on the Limbs

Unspeakable Horror (Loathsome Limbs)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

eddies in the Mists sometimes gather such evils, forcing them into unique, misshapen bodies untethered from the laws of reason or reality. Such unspeakable horrors might continue to haunt the misty

netherworld between the Domains of Dread, or they might slink forth into other realms to slake unnameable hungers. Customizing a Horror An unspeakable horror has one of four body compositions

Unspeakable Horror (Oozing Organs)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, forcing them into unique, misshapen bodies untethered from the laws of reason or reality. Such unspeakable horrors might continue to haunt the misty netherworld between the Domains of Dread, or they

might slink forth into other realms to slake unnameable hungers. Customizing a Horror An unspeakable horror has one of four body compositions, determined by rolling on the Body Composition table. You

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Creating a Dragon Turtle Use the Dragon Turtle Personality Traits and Dragon Turtle Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive dragon turtle characters, and use the Dragon Turtle Spellcasting

snippets of tunes I have overheard. 7 I swim alongside ships sailing through my domain, just out of arrow range, so they know I am watching. 8 I am fascinated by the politics of surface realms

Artificer

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

destruction unleashed by certain artificers’ creations. In the Forgotten Realms, the island of Lantan is home to many artificers, and in the world of Dragonlance, tinker gnomes are often

result of the wondrous ingenuity of artificers. Creating an Artificer To create an artificer, consult the following subsections, which give you hit points, proficiencies, and starting equipment. Then

Adult Red Dracolich Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

strongholds. Caves with volcanic or geothermal activity are the most highly prized red dracolich lairs, creating hazards that hinder intruders and letting searing heat and volcanic gases wash over a

, telling the grim story of its life, the enemies it has slain, and the nations it has conquered. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dracolich takes a lair action to cause

Ancient Red Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

lairs, creating hazards that hinder intruders and letting searing heat and volcanic gases wash over a dragon as it sleeps. With its hoard well protected deep within the lair, a red dragon spends as

control. Throughout the lair complex, servants erect monuments to the dragon’s power, telling the grim story of its life, the enemies it has slain, and the nations it has conquered. Lair

Adult Red Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

, creating hazards that hinder intruders and letting searing heat and volcanic gases wash over a dragon as it sleeps. With its hoard well protected deep within the lair, a red dragon spends as much of its

. Throughout the lair complex, servants erect monuments to the dragon’s power, telling the grim story of its life, the enemies it has slain, and the nations it has conquered. Lair Actions On

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

naming traditions of their ancestors. The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture

. In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups are widely recognized, though over a dozen others are found in more localized areas of Faerûn. These groups, and the typical names of their

Tiefling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny. Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos

tieflings, assuming that their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality and morality, not just their appearance. The reality is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect their personality. They are gifted with magic from the infernal realms but chart their own course in life.

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

related to a god and choose to worship that deity. In the Forgotten Realms, tortles are especially fond of Eldath, Gond, Lathander, Savras, Selûne, and Tymora. In the Greyhawk setting, they

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

Disembodied

races

sanctuary within its walls. The Great College dedicated to magical study in the city quickly became a sanctum for mages of all disciplines from across Etharis, creating a golden age of magic within its

two realms, often haunted by memories of the city’s destruction, of which they rarely if ever speak. Disembodied Traits Creature Type: HumanoidSize: Your size is Small or Medium, as you

Hobgoblin

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

creates a mystical bond between the giver and the receiver of a gift. On some worlds, such bonds lead hobgoblins to form communities with deep ties to one another. In Eberron and the Forgotten Realms, vast

, pointed ears and noses that turn bright red or blue during displays of emotion. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a

Shadar-kai

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’s grim energy. Shadar-kai have ashen skin tones, and while they’re in the Shadowfell, they also become wizened, reflecting the somber nature of that gloomy plane. Like other elves

, shadar-kai can live to be over 750 years old. Creating Your Character At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

Adventure Background A deadly heat wave bakes an unprepared pastoral land. Crops have failed, rivers have run dry, and prospects are grim. While the reason for the unprecedented heat is unclear, the

The Material Realms

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

The Material Realms The philosophical and elemental forces of reality converge to create the following planes of existence: Material Plane. Most D&D adventures take place on the Material Plane, which

holds the worlds of settings like Dragonlance, Eberron, the Forgotten Realms, and Greyhawk. There’s also room for any world your group creates. Magic and physical laws shape this plane’s diverse

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

talents and abilities are honed with deadly focus on the grim task of protecting the borderlands. Independent Adventurers Though a ranger might make a living as a hunter, a guide, or a tracker, a

in a fight against monstrous foes are worth any extra burden. Coddled city folk might not know how to feed themselves or find fresh water in the wild, but they make up for it in other ways. Creating a

Creating a Domain

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

Creating a Domain The guidelines in this section help you create your own unique Domain of Dread. This setting’s details should reflect the Darklord of the domain, being a reflection of that

villain’s evil and torment. Use the “Genres of Horror” section later in this chapter or your own grim imaginings to inspire the details of your nightmare domain.

Material Realms

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

Plane and these other realms is sometimes effortless, even accidental. Adventurers might enter a grove of trees on the Material Plane and suddenly find themselves in a lush, colorful forest on the Feywild or a grim wood of dead trees on the Shadowfell.

Material Realms The Material Plane is where the philosophical and elemental forces of the other planes of existence collide in the jumbled existence of mortal life and matter. It is a thoroughly

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

, druids take on a more active role in combating the threat, as adventurers. Creating a Druid When making a druid, consider why your character has such a close bond with nature. Perhaps your

of Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms, druidic circles are not usually connected to the faith of a single nature deity. Any given circle in the Forgotten Realms, for example, might include druids who

Creating Domains of Dread

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

Creating Domains of Dread Ravenloft is a place where your nightmares can run wild, where anything you can imagine in moments of dread or despair can come to frightful life among the Mists. The

setting as a whole is made up of countless isolated domains, each one a perfect expression of a particular flavor of the macabre. Creating your own domain allows you to blend legendary evils, unexpected

Haunted Traps

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

. Such traps provide a way to theme the dangers and monsters of a haunted place to reveal a grim history or frightening tale. When creating haunted traps, consider what events brought them into being and how the trap’s effects suggest those origins.

Visitors to Avernus

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

latest spells, clerics on missions from their gods, treasure hunters searching for lost artifacts, grim-faced merchants who deal in slaves, smugglers of soul coins, and scholars seeking firsthand

knowledge of the machinations of the diabolical realms. Adventurers come here to negotiate with powerful fiends, meddle in the Blood War, and free poor souls trapped in the Nine Hells.

Character Creation

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

nightmares. This chapter explores how to create a character prepared to face the horrors of Ravenloft, while also forging ties to the haunted pedigrees and grim fates common to the Domains of Dread

. This chapter offers you, the player, the following tools and choices: Haunted Heroes. Explore your role in creating a tale of terror and how you might design a character that contributes to frightful

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