cunning rule giving to have require

Fist of Bane

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as needed to ensure loyalty. They enslave those too weak to resist them and shower the strong with

gifts and promises of power to turn them into loyal vassals. Cruel Tyrants. Whenever Bane’s followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They

Iron Consul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

immediately use its reaction to make one melee attack.Bane’s devoted followers are warriors who seek to rule through martial strength and intimidation, cruel tyrants who use threats and gifts as

followers gain power, they institute draconian measures to ensure that their rule is unquestioned. They stamp out all opposition while richly rewarding those who swear fealty. Warrior Cult. Cultists of

Derro

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarf-kin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more powerful. A

some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers’ psionic

Oblex Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

until the end of its next turn. Unusual Nature. The oblex doesn’t require sleep.Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +5;{"diceNotation":"1d20+5","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Pseudopod"} to hit

, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so

Raezil

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Raezil can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Fey Ancestry. Raezil has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic

on the politics of Prismeer. Once she is no longer petrified, Raezil is bound by the rule of reciprocity (see “Rules of Conduct” in chapter 2) to help the characters complete any

Mind Drinker Vampire

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

the magic favored by Dimir mind mages, giving them a powerful combination of abilities ideal for espionage and infiltration. Szadek’s Heirs. The founder of House Dimir, Szadek, was the first of

the so-called mind drinkers. His secrets are passed on only to other members of his guild, and mind drinkers who leave House Dimir become enemies of the guild — the only exceptions to a rule

Headless Iron Golem

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Headless. It is blinded and deafened, giving it disadvantage on all its attack rolls, and it can't use its Poison Breath.Multiattack. The golem makes two melee attacks. Slam. Melee Weapon Attack

grasp of language beyond that understanding, and can't be reasoned with or tricked with words. Constructed Nature. A golem doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.Fire, Poison, Psychic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Adamantine

Derro Savant

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

safe from the perils of the Underdark. Equal parts fearful and vicious, bands of these dwarf-kin prey on those weaker than themselves, while giving simpering obeisance to any creatures they deem more

histories of some duergar, derro are descended from a dwarven community that was left behind when the others escaped the rule of mind flayers. These remnants were so distorted by the mind flayers

Gallows Speaker

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

it turn inside an object. Unusual Nature. The gallows speaker doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.Foretelling Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +7;{"diceNotation":"1d20+7","rollType":"to hit

being entirely obsessed with their memories of death. These undead endlessly mutter to themselves, giving voice to final curses, regrets, pleas, and apologies. Those who linger and listen to a

Gem Stalker

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Spider Climb. The gem stalker can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Unusual Nature. The gem stalker doesn’t require food or

that amount.When a gem dragon kills an aberrant creature from the Far Realm, the dragon sometimes reshapes the alien corpse into a gem stalker—a cunning predator capable of traversing the

Baba Lysaga's Creeping Hut

Monsters Curse of Strahd

to fulfill simple instructions. Some animated objects might converse fluently or adopt a persona, but most are simple automatons. Constructed Nature. An animated object doesn't require air, food

Wizard of Wines vineyard. The gem was one of three imbued with life-giving magic that made the grapevines in the vineyard healthier, guaranteeing the finest wines. Baba Lysaga stole one of the gems and

Stone Cursed

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Cunning Opportunist. The stone cursed has advantage on the attack rolls of opportunity attack;opportunity attacks. False Appearance. If the stone cursed is motionless at the start of combat, it has

the stone cursed isn’t a statue. Unusual Nature. The stone cursed doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.Petrifying Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5;{"diceNotation":"1d20+5", "rollType

Mark of Shadow Elf

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

and established House Phiarlan in Khorvaire. These elves are expert entertainers, giving them access to all manner of places and secrets. Known to few, there has always been an elite force of spies and

espionage in the lands west of the Mournland, while Thuranni operates in the eastern lands. As a rule, Phiarlan elves are the better spies and Thuranni agents are superior assassins. Thuranni and Phiarlan

Boss Augustus

Monsters The Book of Many Things

cursed with lycanthropy. While cursed in this way, the target retains its alignment, languages, and equipment but otherwise uses the werewolf stat block, excluding actions that require equipment the

transformed. He reverts to his humanoid form if he dies. Cunning Action. Augustus takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Boss Delour

Monsters The Book of Many Things

but otherwise uses the wererat stat block, excluding actions that require equipment the target doesn’t have. During any night when there’s a full moon in the sky, the target becomes an NPC

hybrid, a Medium giant rat, or his humanoid form. His statistics, other than his size and speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. He reverts to his humanoid form if he dies. Cunning Action. Delour takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Dullahan

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

the dullahan after it uses Headless Summoning. Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If the dullahan fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual Nature. The dullahan doesn’t require

, like warhorse skeleton;warhorse skeletons or nightmare;nightmares. Headless Hunts Dullahans are known for seeking their lost heads, giving rise to regional legends of headless hunters and endless

Thri-kreen

Species Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

. Although thri-kreen don’t sleep, they do require periods of inactivity to revitalize themselves. During these periods, they are fully aware of what’s happening around them. Thri-kreen

Score Increases When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one of those scores by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot

be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. BALDUR’S GATE FEATURE: RUMOR MONGER Via your personal rumor mill and articles

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

until the end of its next turn. Unusual Nature. The oblex doesn’t require sleep.Multiattack. The oblex makes two Pseudopod attacks, and it uses Eat Memories. Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +7

flayers created a special breed of Ooze, the oblex—a slime capable of assaulting the minds of other creatures. These pools of jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

until the end of its next turn. Unusual Nature. The oblex doesn’t require sleep.Multiattack. The elder oblex makes two Pseudopod attacks, and it uses Eat Memories. Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack

jelly are cunning hunters that feed on thoughts and memories. The sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

offer bribes, favors, or other incentives to induce people to reveal their secrets. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an inaccessible place, or that it simply can

’t be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. Simic Guild Spells Prerequisite: Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature For you

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

here as part of some such delegation, then decided to stay when the mission was over. Mulhorand. From the terrain to the architecture to the god-kings who rule over these lands, nearly everything

and wonderful! (Chaotic) 4 Cunning. Though I may not know their ways, neither do they know mine, which can be to my advantage. (Evil) 5 Inquisitive. Everything is new, but I have a thirst

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

instead. Unusual Nature. The dragon turtle doesn't require food or drink.Multiattack. The dragon turtle makes one Bite or Tail attack and two Claw attacks. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16

) 3 Curiosity. I want to know about everything that enters my domain, especially oddities from the surface world. (Any) 4 Supremacy. Creatures who refuse to recognize my rule over these waters

Planar Ally Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

protect us during our foray into the dungeon). You must be able to communicate with the creature to bargain for its services. Payment can take a variety of forms. A celestial might require a sizable

rule of thumb, a task that can be measured in minutes requires a payment worth 100 gp per minute. A task measured in hours requires 1,000 gp per hour. And a task measured in days (up to 10 days) requires

Crooked Hare

monsters

’s limbs sporadically twist and move in unnatural ways, giving the creature Disadvantage on attack rolls and on ability checks that rely on Charisma.Crooked hares look like rabbits at first glance

, but their true nature is given away by the antlers and wings they grow and the cunning gleam in their eyes. They are mischievous tricksters that delight in stealing things from unsuspecting

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

impossible to manipulate, influence, or control by nonmagical means, even as it seeks to control other creatures through terror, pleasure, and awe. Yuan-ti know that the world they hope to rule can

are cunning and ruthless tacticians who readily sacrifice lesser yuan-ti if potential victory justifies such losses. They have no sense of honorable combat and strike first in decisive ambush if they

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in

an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. Suggested

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way

, set itself up as a petty lord, and rule over all those who fall into its grasp. A Sinister Cycle. A forlarren in its fey aspect demonstrates self-destructive urges that reflect the inherent tension in

Rogue Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat abilities, giving them a broad expertise that few other characters can match. Many rogues focus on stealth and deception, while others refine the

skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks. When it comes to combat, rogues prioritize cunning over brute strength. A rogue

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Cunning Grankhul is the younger one, and in the stories bugbears tell, he gifted them with stealth but in return he sapped their vigor, so that bugbears sleep in his stead while he remains eternally alert

bugbears recognize two other gods, both of which they disdain and fear: Maglubiyet and Skiggaret. Maglubiyet, the leader of the goblinoid pantheon, forced both brothers to submit to his rule, but

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

creatures wouldn’t feel safe. Kobolds take advantage of their size by creating small-diameter tunnels that they can easily pass through, but that require larger creatures to hunch over or even

, 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

Skill and Precision

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

Skill and Precision Rogues devote as much effort to mastering the use of a variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat abilities, giving them a broad expertise that few other characters

comes to combat, rogues prioritize cunning over brute strength. A rogue would rather make one precise strike, placing it exactly where the attack will hurt the target most, than wear an opponent down

Skill and Precision

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

Skill and Precision Rogues devote as much effort to mastering the use of a variety of skills as they do to perfecting their combat abilities, giving them a broad expertise that few other characters

comes to combat, rogues prioritize cunning over brute strength. A rogue would rather make one precise strike, placing it exactly where the attack will hurt the target most, than wear an opponent down

Metagame Thinking

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

wouldn’t throw such a powerful monster at us!” or you might hear, “The read-aloud text spent a lot of time describing that door — let’s search it again!” Discourage metagame thinking by giving players a

gentle reminder: “What do your characters think?” You can curb metagame thinking by setting up situations that will be difficult for the characters and that might require negotiation or retreat to survive.

Metagame Thinking

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

wouldn’t throw such a powerful monster at us!” or you might hear, “The read-aloud text spent a lot of time describing that door — let’s search it again!” Discourage metagame thinking by giving players a

gentle reminder: “What do your characters think?” You can curb metagame thinking by setting up situations that will be difficult for the characters and that might require negotiation or retreat to survive.

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