dark interest are birth

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began to corrupt him. Imperfections. The Abbot's fall from grace started when the Belviews—a family of sickly

present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor Belviews of their lingering imperfections. The Belview family, however, had strange ideas of what it

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Elminster The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire. Ages ago their dark gods taught them profane, cannibalistic rituals to mix their flesh

primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods, debased their flesh by

Courtier

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

circumstances of your birth, could have secured you this position. You might have been one of the many functionaries, attendants, and other hangers-on in the Court of Silverymoon, or perhaps you

life, your relationships with your former fellows can be an advantage for you and your adventuring comrades. You might undertake missions with your new companions that further the interest of the

Genasi Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

Those who think of other planes at all consider them remote, distant realms, but planar influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth

hands and feet from a halfling, exceedingly large eyes from a gnome, and so on). Genasi almost never have contact with their elemental parents. Genies seldom have interest in their mortal offspring

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

skills. This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might

wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age. Goliath Names Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every

effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to. Baldur

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

very amusing dark side. 2 A Boros captain really wants to “redeem” me. 3 I think a member of my troupe is a Dimir agent. 4 I once convinced a Golgari medusa to participate

Orzhov oligarch has taken an interest in my career, like a patron of the arts. 8 Roll an additional Rakdos contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 9 A Selesnya healer

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

usually limited, though a few elves make a good living by trading crafted items for metals (which they have no interest in mining). Elves encountered outside their own lands are commonly traveling

(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal) Subrace Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves, and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose one of

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

, rot, and rebirth. You have spent your life in the slow churn of that ecosystem, in the dark places of the city where the messy parts of existence are on display. There is little squeamishness among the

stole something valuable. 8 I found a baby beast and sold it to a Rakdos wrangler who remains grateful to me. 9 A Selesnya druid and I share an interest in the same garden, and we have

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

granted will be to you new wonders that you’ve never laid eyes on before. By the same token, you’re a person of interest, for good or ill, to those around you almost anywhere you go.

course, you followed an equally long route when you came north from your place of birth. Though it isn’t unusual for Zakharans to visit the southern extremes of Faerûn for trading purposes, few

Birth of a Darklord

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

Birth of a Darklord Upon the completion of the Darklord’s greatest irredeemable act, the Mists drag them—and perhaps the lands around them—into the Domains of Dread. At this point, you should have an

idea of who your Darklord is, what they did, what form their evil takes, and how they came to the attention of the Dark Powers. Flesh out these details, referring back to how the Darklord reflects

Genasi Names

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

. GENASI ON ATHAS Although any world that includes one or more elemental planes can feature genasi, on Athas, the world of the Dark Sun campaign setting, elemental forces hold greater sway than they do

on other worlds. As a people touched by elemental power, genasi are viewed as seers, prophets, and chosen ones. The birth of a genasi, whether a slave, a noble, or a member of a desert tribe, is an auspicious event. Most Athasians believe a given genasi is destined for greatness — or infamy.

Background

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

Background As the adventure begins, Eberron’s sages note with interest that four planes will become coterminous with Eberron within the next several months — a rare occurrence even in the annals of

astronomers and diviners. For them, it’s a matter of academic interest. But for Imix, Ogrémoch, Olhydra, and Yan-C-Bin, it’s the chance they’ve been waiting for. Under direction of the nameless entity

Courtier

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

than the circumstances of your birth, could have secured you this position. You might have been one of the many functionaries, attendants, and other hangers-on in the Court of Silverymoon, or perhaps

, your relationships with your former fellows can be an advantage for you and your adventuring comrades. You might undertake missions with your new companions that further the interest of the

Dark Sun

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

Dark Sun The dying planet of Athas is a world that is already deeply scarred by elemental power. Long ago the gods of Athas fought a terrible war against the mighty primordial powers of the elemental

planes — and they lost. The gods were slain or driven into exile, leaving Athas under the dominion of elemental beings who took little interest in the affairs of mortals. In the grim age that

Rundreth Manor

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

Rundreth Manor One of the most powerful creatures in the Dessarin Valley is a shadow dragon named Nurvureem, who dwells in caverns under Rundreth Manor. Nurvureem has no interest in allying with the

cults. After emissaries failed to return from Rundreth Manor, the elemental cults have learned to give Nurvureem a wide berth. The Harpers, the Zhentarim, and the Lords’ Alliance believe the elemental cults are courting the Dark Lady, so they send the characters to investigate.

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order to replenish the casualties of their endless warring

, orcs breed prodigiously (and they aren’t choosy about what they breed with, which is why such creatures as half-orcs and ogrillons are found in the world). Females that are about to give birth are

Golgari Swarm

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

, its Devkarin founder, was to maintain Ravnica’s agriculture and manage its waste. But Svogthir’s interest in necromancy, and his eventual transformation into a lich, shaped the course of the guild’s activities and gave birth to its philosophy of embracing death as part of nature’s cycle.

Framing Events

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

Framing Events You can base an entire adventure on a framing event or use such an event to grab the players’ interest. The Framing Events table presents several ideas, or you can use it to inspire

of a circus 11–12 Arrival of an important NPC 13–14 Arrival of marching modrons 15–16 Artistic performance 17–18 Athletic event 19–20 Birth of a child 21–22 Birthday of an important NPC 23–24 Civic

The Carnival

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

The Carnival Wandering Domain of Wonders Darklord: Nepenthe Genres: Body horror and dark fantasy Hallmarks: Entertainment, fey bargains, misfits, wandering exiles Mist Talismans: Carnival flier

. Visibly marked as outsiders by birth, circumstance, intention, or talent, the Carnival’s troupers trade their unique performances for coin and whatever else they need to survive. Although these

Hag Names

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

Hag Names Hags have whimsical names, often with a dark twist. A hag gives her newborn daughter a name that the girl keeps during her childhood, but upon gaining her full hag powers the daughter

chooses her own name, which might or might not relate to her birth name. Some hags use different names in different guises, but still prefer their original name as their favorite. The Hag Names table

Cities and Sites

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

Cities and Sites The Talenta Plains have been described as an ocean of grasslands. The nomadic halflings have little interest in building towns; most shelter in the Talenta Plains is temporary

fortunate enough to cross its path. When times are dark and travelers are weary, one can always hope that the Wandering Inn is just beyond the horizon.

The Amber Temple

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

The Amber Temple Once a haven of virtuous wizards, the Amber Temple was long ago corrupted by evil. It was here that Strahd made his pact with the Dark Powers to become a vampire, with the blessing

, viewing it as a nexus of secrets underpinning the nature of the Domains of Dread. The priests of Osybus (detailed in the “Other Groups” section later in this chapter) have particular interest in this site.

Tragic Flaws

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

flaw can also be supernatural in nature. A hermit who harbors “dark, bloodthirsty thoughts that my isolation and meditation failed to quell” might have a sinister connection to the vicious god Mogis

. NATAL OMENS The birth of a hero is often accompanied by signs in Nyx and Theros alike. You can use the Omens table in chapter 4 to randomly determine an omen that appeared when you were born. It’s up to you and your DM to determine the omen’s meaning.

Humans Transformed

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

serpent gods of the primordial world heeded the prayers of these people and hissed dark demands into their ears. The people tainted their souls by performing human sacrifices in the name of the gods

interest of maintaining the strength of their personal bloodline. The yuan-ti have abandoned their humanity and consider non-serpentine humanoids to be lesser creatures, barely more civilized than

Sword and Sorcery

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

roots of the game. Here you’ll find a dark, gritty world of evil sorcerers and decadent cities, where the protagonists are motivated more by greed and self-interest than by altruistic virtue. Fighter

-sorcery novels. The world of Athas (as featured in numerous Dark Sun novels and game products), with its heroic gladiators and tyrannical sorcerer-kings, belongs squarely in this genre.

The Abbot

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

reopened the abbey and began tending to the physically and mentally ill. In so doing, he hoped to bring some much-needed light to Barovia. His efforts worked for a while, but then the Dark Powers began

for which they were eternally grateful, but could not cure them of certain human defects that had been present since birth. The Abbot became consumed with a prideful, obsessive desire to rid the poor

Gods, Celestials, and Fiends

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

invested in their own affairs and have little interest in Eberron. Demons and angels battle one another in Shavarath, but they’ve been doing this since before humanity existed, and they dare not leave

their posts to fool around elsewhere. Exceptions do exist, such as the daelkyr and the Dreaming Dark, but by and large these natives of other planes are exclusively concerned with where they live. As

Journey down Esker Brook

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Dargaard Mountains, constantly cloaked in dark clouds that often spread their gloom across the surrounding land. A character who succeeds on a DC 12 Intelligence (History) check knows the Solamnic

1 Light rain falls for an hour, and distant lightning is visible over the Dargaard Mountains. 2 A band of 2d4 bandits heads northwest, paying the characters no mind. The bandits have no interest in

House Freth

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

House Freth From their dark bastion, the leaders of the house strive to keep their enemies, House Auvryndar (see level 10), from conquering the Troglodyte Warrens (level 11). Leading the effort is

interest in an alliance, and Tendra and Maleen have come to the Maze Level on a secret mission. Beholden to Halaster Blackcloak, the Shadowdusks have been ordered to convince Drivvin Freth to accept an

Undercroft

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

devastation orbs, the Dark Lady expresses a keen interest in them. The Dark Lady wants the characters to attack the elemental cults and leave her alone. Nurvureem tries her utmost to manipulate the characters

without exposing herself to danger. The Dark Lady’s image opens conversation by saying, “Welcome to Rundreth Manor.” The image ignores any attacks the characters make against it, although such interaction

Touch of Death

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

deliver death to your enemies with your touch. Roll on or choose an option from the Deadly Touch table to determine how this Dark Gift presents itself. Additionally, you gain the traits that follow

interest in you. 4 You survived a near-death experience—but shouldn’t have. Ever since, death and ill omens follow you. 5 You are out of sync with time or reality. Anything you touch is

History

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

ranks of the cult thinned as members began to lose interest in the debacle. Then Strahd von Zarovich arrived. The cultists regarded Strahd as a messiah sent to them by the Dark Powers. Drawn to Strahd

dark arts. Through seduction and indoctrination, they expanded their cult to include a small yet nefarious circle of friends. When word got out, the rest of the village turned a blind eye to the

Yellowcrest Lore

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

. The details of the murders at Yellowcrest Manor can be learned from a few hours’ research into recent Waterdeep history, or by consulting any scholar at the library who has an interest in that

history or the noble families of Waterdeep. The public details of the dark event are well known: Lord Yellowcrest was away from Waterdeep on business, then returned to find his wife, his sons and daughter

Lone Faithful

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

accident of their birth as a kind of cruel joke they have chosen to embrace. Equally intriguing and disturbing to followers of some faiths in Faerûn are stories spread by tieflings who claim to have

visions in which the gods of Faerûn appear to them modeled in the tieflings’ own image. One such is the entity they call the “pale horned goddess of the moon” (Selûne); another is the “dark, devilish

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