current race guardians to have rarely

Undercity Medusa

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

medusas of Ravnica, often called gorgons, are a monstrous race of creatures that appear superficially similar to human women. In place of hair, a gorgon has a writhing mass of black, serpentine

dreams of one day reclaiming control of the Golgari Swarm, or at least causing pain to its current guildmaster, Jarad Vod Savo (whose own sister displaced the medusas from their position).

Lampad

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Lampads guard the shadowed paths of the world, depths typically trod by souls destined for the Underworld. These rarely seen nymphs assist Athreos in guiding the dead, moving among the spirits that

of special need, deities tied to facets of nature might employ nymphs as messengers, guardians, or scouts. Immortal Nature. A nymph doesn't require food, drink, or sleep. PoisonNecrotic

Doric

Monsters Thieves’ Gallery

child, and she guards her adoptive community with nature’s ferocity. The Circle of the Moon has taught her to heed her primal instincts, which rarely lead her astray. She can be brusque, but

, except she keeps her current hit points, her hit point maximum, this bonus action, her alignment, and her Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores.

Oread

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

volcanoes, where they caper among the forces of dissolution and rebirth. During avalanches and volcanic eruptions, groups of oreads might race ahead of the destruction, dancing, singing, and doing what

times of special need, deities tied to facets of nature might employ nymphs as messengers, guardians, or scouts. Immortal Nature. A nymph doesn't require food, drink, or sleep. Fire, Poison

Treefolk

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

/day: commune with nature (as an action)The wise and ancient treefolk thrive in the depths of Eldraine’s forested wilds. Though many treefolk rival members of the high fae in age, they rarely

interfere with the goings-on of the faerie court. Instead, treefolk serve as guardians and shepherds of their wild groves, dispensing wisdom and blessings to travelers who wander under their branches

Catoblepas

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Degenerate creatures are likely to take up residence near a catoblepas’s territory, as are those seeking to avoid notice. Catoblepases in Folklore Ordinary folk rarely see a catoblepas, but

, drinking the monsters’ milk and using them as guardians or pets. Other legends say that those of impure heart can tame a catoblepas and whisper of malevolent warlocks and wicked knights who ride them into battle.

Giff

Species Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

divine beings who created giff have likewise been forgotten. Their titanic petrified bodies drift on the Astral Sea, isolated and unrecognizable in their current forms. Although they don’t realize

blossom into hard feelings, loud arguments, and head-butting contests, but they rarely escalate beyond that. Creating Your Character When you create your D&D character, you decide whether your

Factol Skall

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

being hit by an attack, Skall teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.Skall is the current factol of the Heralds of Dust and the

, rasping to himself. Skall appears as little more than a floating, disembodied head and two hands, his tattered cloak fluttering behind them. Notorious among the factols of Sigil but rarely seen in the

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, guardians of the sacred, and counterbalances to the forces of evil. Ki-rins are an embodiment of good, and simply beholding one can evoke fear or awe in an observer. A typical ki-rin looks like a

reveres and the function each typically performs in service to that god. Some resemble gigantic unicorns; these are often used as guardians. Others have draconic features and tend to be aggressive foes

Shapechange Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

hit points, you aren't knocked unconscious. You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them, provided that your new form is physically capable of doing

rules for the original form, with one exception: if your new form has more hit points than your current one, your hit points remain at their current value.

Water Genasi

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

scales. Their hair can resemble seaweed, waving as if in a current, or it can even be like water itself. Genasi Tracing their ancestry to the genies of the Elemental Planes, each genasi can tap into

whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation. Ability Score Increases When

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

coloration and features lie somewhere between their human and elf parents, and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race. They tend to have the eyes of their elven

, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

The ghastly Wand of Orcus rarely leaves Orcus’s side. The device, as evil as its creator, shares the demon lord’s aims to snuff out the lives of all living things and bind the Material

’s desire to slay everything in the multiverse. The wand is cold, cruel, nihilistic, and bereft of humor. In order to further its master’s goals, the wand feigns devotion to its current

Orc Legacy

races Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

order from the encroachments of Fiends and other extraplanar threats. Gruumsh’s blessings have made orcs tireless guardians and mighty allies wherever they are found, even when they turn their

devotion to other gods. 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 race, follow these

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

elemental planes, and other dangerous spots far from the eyes of land-bound folk. Long-established guardians of the deep ocean floor, in recent years the noble tritons have become increasingly active in

remote even merfolk and sea elves rarely encounter them. Haughty Nobles As a result of their isolation and limited understanding of the Material Plane, tritons can come across as haughty and

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as

communities are threatened. Pastoral Pleasantries Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much

Chapter 2: Character Races

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Chapter 2: Character Races Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. This chapter presents character races that are some of the more distinctive race options in the D&D multiverse. They supplement the

consider the implications for their world before adding a new race. Your DM may say yes or no to you using a race or may modifiy it in some way. The following races are detailed in this chapter: Aasimar

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century. Variety in All Things Humans are the most

seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other people

Chapter 2: Character Races

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Chapter 2: Character Races Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. This chapter presents character races that are some of the more distinctive race options in the D&D multiverse. They supplement the

consider the implications for their world before adding a new race. Your DM may say yes or no to you using a race or may modifiy it in some way. The following races are detailed in this chapter: Aasimar

Nagas

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

Nagas Nagas are intelligent serpents that inhabit the ruins of the past, amassing arcane treasures and knowledge. The first nagas were created as immortal guardians by a humanoid race long lost to

history. When this race died out, the nagas deemed themselves the rightful inheritors of their masters’ treasures and magical lore. Industrious and driven, nagas occasionally venture out from their

Nagas

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

Nagas Nagas are intelligent serpents that inhabit the ruins of the past, amassing arcane treasures and knowledge. The first nagas were created as immortal guardians by a humanoid race long lost to

history. When this race died out, the nagas deemed themselves the rightful inheritors of their masters’ treasures and magical lore. Industrious and driven, nagas occasionally venture out from their

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Beast Masters and Slave Drivers Goblins know they are a weak, unsophisticated race that can be easily dominated by bigger, smarter, more organized, more ferocious, or more magical creatures. Their god

lucky if their only punishment is demotion to the pariah caste. Sometimes another creature assumes control of a goblin tribe, by killing or subjugating the current boss and cowing most of the rest of

K: Shrine of Evil Chaos

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

K: Shrine of Evil Chaos The Cult of Chaos performs evil rites in this cave, subtly drawing monsters to inhabit the Caves of Chaos and bring strife to the Borderlands. The current cult leader is Ivlis

, the keep’s former priest. Her cruel assistant, Narthus, is always here, and other cultists dwell close by (see cave G). Undead guardians defend the shrine and the Chaos Bell—the source of the cult’s

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

earliest memories that the paladin’s life was your calling, almost as if you had been sent into the world with that purpose stamped on your soul. As guardians against the forces of wickedness

, paladins are rarely of any evil alignment. Most of them walk the paths of charity and justice. Consider how your alignment colors the way you pursue your holy quest and the manner in which you conduct

Connection to Strahd

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

Connection to Strahd Once you know what form Tatyana’s current incarnation takes, consider how the character feels toward Barovia’s Darklord. If your version of Tatyana wants to stay away from Strahd

Strahd d8 Concealment 1 The incarnation pretends to be a religious zealot who took a vow of silence. 2 The incarnation (or their guardians) made a bargain with Madam Eva or the

Connection to Strahd

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

Connection to Strahd Once you know what form Tatyana’s current incarnation takes, consider how the character feels toward Barovia’s Darklord. If your version of Tatyana wants to stay away from Strahd

Strahd d8 Concealment 1 The incarnation pretends to be a religious zealot who took a vow of silence. 2 The incarnation (or their guardians) made a bargain with Madam Eva or the

Allies, Minions, and Pets

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Allies, Minions, and Pets Thanks to their lack of physical prowess and their small size, kobolds are rarely in a position to dominate other creatures, so they usually don’t have minions. Even when

, these animals help the kobolds with pest control and are occasionally used as food. Giant rats and similarly sized lizards are also used as pack animals and guardians. Some tribes train giant weasels to

Allies, Minions, and Pets

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Allies, Minions, and Pets Thanks to their lack of physical prowess and their small size, kobolds are rarely in a position to dominate other creatures, so they usually don’t have minions. Even when

, these animals help the kobolds with pest control and are occasionally used as food. Giant rats and similarly sized lizards are also used as pack animals and guardians. Some tribes train giant weasels to

Extras

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

Extras Extras are the characters and creatures in the background that the main characters rarely, if ever, interact with. Extras might be elevated to more important roles by virtue of adventurers

no importance becomes a central figure in an improvised roleplaying scene. Whenever extras are present, be prepared to come up with names and mannerisms on the fly. In a pinch, you can plunder the race-specific character names found in chapter 2 of the Player’s Handbook.

Extras

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

Extras Extras are the characters and creatures in the background that the main characters rarely, if ever, interact with. Extras might be elevated to more important roles by virtue of adventurers

no importance becomes a central figure in an improvised roleplaying scene. Whenever extras are present, be prepared to come up with names and mannerisms on the fly. In a pinch, you can plunder the race-specific character names found in chapter 2 of the Player’s Handbook.

War Priest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

War Priest War Priest Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 18 (plate) Hit Points 117 (18d8 + 36) Speed 30 ft. STR 16(+3) DEX 10(+0) CON 14(+2) INT

, prayer of healing, silence, spiritual weapon 3rd level (3 slots): beacon of hope, crusader’s mantle, dispel magic, revivify, spirit guardians, water walk 4th level (3 slots): banishment, freedom of

Languages in Eberron

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

regions or cultures. The DM may change the languages assigned to a monster or NPC to reflect this. Giant is the common tongue of Xen’drik. It is rarely encountered on Khorvaire. Monsters in Khorvaire

language granted by your race for a different standard language. Your DM must approve the language you select. This is a way to reflect a character with no ties to the culture of their race. Halfling is

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Gang Mentality Since bugbears aren’t a particularly fecund race, their overall population is small and spread over a wide area. Bugbears live in family groups that operate much like gangs. The

remove opposition or exile weaker or unpopular members to keep the rest of the gang strong. Fortunately for the race as a whole, even young and elderly bugbears have the ability to survive alone in the

War Priest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

War Priest War Priest Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 18 (plate) Hit Points 117 (18d8 + 36) Speed 30 ft. STR 16(+3) DEX 10(+0) CON 14(+2) INT

, prayer of healing, silence, spiritual weapon 3rd level (3 slots): beacon of hope, crusader’s mantle, dispel magic, revivify, spirit guardians, water walk 4th level (3 slots): banishment, freedom of

Languages in Eberron

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

regions or cultures. The DM may change the languages assigned to a monster or NPC to reflect this. Giant is the common tongue of Xen’drik. It is rarely encountered on Khorvaire. Monsters in Khorvaire

language granted by your race for a different standard language. Your DM must approve the language you select. This is a way to reflect a character with no ties to the culture of their race. Halfling is

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