dead instincts are battle

Female Steeder

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals. Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider

begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts. Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.

Male Steeder

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals. Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider even

begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts. Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.

Snapping Hydra

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

strong instincts of self-preservation. When a snapping hydra feels a battle's odds tipping out of its favor, the hydra lets out a raspy screech and retracts into its shell. In the wilds of Eldraine

, it’s never long before a hungry or curious creature arrives to investigate, leaping into battle with the hydra’s foes while the hydra makes an opportune exit.

Necromite of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten lore. They seek out arcane secrets in ancient ruins, and attempt to steal

are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat abilities. The

Velomachus Lorehold

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

"} slashing damage. If the target is a Huge or smaller creature, it is knocked prone. Battle Tide Breath (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"recharge","rollAction":"Battle Tide Breath

":"damage","rollAction":"Battle Tide Breath","rollDamageType":"force"} force damage and 45 (7d12);{"diceNotation":"7d12","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Battle Tide Breath","rollDamageType":"thunder

Arkhan the Cruel

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

many allies as possible. Should one or more of his comrades fall in battle, Arkhan uses revivify and raise dead spells to bring them back to life as soon as possible. If Arkhan finds himself overwhelmed

teleport (3 charges). Innate Spellcasting. Arkhan's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). He can cast the following spells, requiring no material components: 3/day each: animate dead

Witherbloom Professor of Decay

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Essence Transfer (1/Day). The professor can cast the animate dead spell, using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability.Multiattack. The professor makes two Mortality Spear attacks. It can replace one of

; subjects. The professors use the gathered essence to feed their magic, snuffing the life and decaying the bodies of the living, entreating and commanding the dead and Undead, and twisting curses around

Skull Lasher of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

master the necromantic arts. Delvers into Lore. Cultists of Myrkul study rituals that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten

replacing the normal flail’s striking head. Necromite of Myrkul;Necromites are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull

Master of Souls

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

): darkness, misty step, scorching ray (see “Actions” below) 3rd level (2 slots): animate dead, fireballMultiattack. The master of souls attacks twice with its flail. Silvered Skull Flail. Melee

Myrkul study rituals that allow them to force the souls of the dead into service, compelling them to answer questions and share forgotten lore. They seek out arcane secrets in ancient ruins, and

Returned Kakomantis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Bolt","rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage.Although the dead typically recall little of their lives, some have an obsession with magic that survives both death and rebirth as a Returned. These

. Returned Masks. Adventurers who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth approximately 100 gp, based on its

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth approximately 100 gp, based on its composition and craftsmanship

. They think and speak and even feel emotions based on their new experiences, but given their circumstances, those emotions tend to be muted. VARIANT: RETURNED KAKOMANTIS Although the dead typically

Astral Elf Commander

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

spellcasting ability: 2/day: teleportAn astral elf commander leads warriors into battle and usually has one or more spelljamming ships under their command. A commander channels the radiant energy of

Astral Adventurer’s Guide) and other vessels. The elves also reshape the petrified bodies of dead gods found adrift in the Silver Void, transforming them into floating cities and citadels. Although

Priest of Osybus (Deathly)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Deathly Boon. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability. Tattoo of Osybus. If the priest drops to 0 hit points, roll on the Boons

faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s disciples hadn’t betrayed him. Fearing that their master would eventually consume their souls, the disciples

Priest of Osybus (Ectoplasmic)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

raised alarms far and wide. In response, the Ulmist Inquisition and the then-mortal Count Strahd von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s

challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell

Priest of Osybus (Spectral)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

wide. In response, the Ulmist Inquisition and the then-mortal Count Strahd von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s disciples hadn’t

1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6

Priest of Osybus (Vampiric)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Strahd von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s disciples hadn’t betrayed him. Fearing that their master would eventually consume their

object. 6 Priest of Osybus (Deathly);Deathly. The priest’s visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

seeks adventurers to lead into battle against the mind flayer;mind flayers that usurped the dragon’s lair. 4 Powerful infernal creatures have opened a portal in the middle of a city square

their army in battle centuries ago. 3 An ancient sapphire dragon guards the phylactery of a lich who helped the dragon establish a lair centuries before becoming Undead. 4 Lolth the Spider

Priest of Osybus (Blazing)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

threat posed by Osybus and his disciples raised alarms far and wide. In response, the Ulmist Inquisition and the then-mortal Count Strahd von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have

visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the

Priest of Osybus (Dread)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

response, the Ulmist Inquisition and the then-mortal Count Strahd von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s disciples hadn’t betrayed him

can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability, and it gains the following action: Circle of Death (Spell; Recharge 5–6;{"diceNotation":"1d6

Priest of Osybus

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

von Zarovich faced the lich in battle. Their bravery would have been for naught if Osybus’s disciples hadn’t betrayed him. Fearing that their master would eventually consume their souls

. 6 Priest of Osybus (Deathly);Deathly. The priest’s visage becomes bone white, and its challenge rating increases by 1. It can cast animate dead and create undead once per day each, using

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

ancient pact to advise a monarchy on matters of defense—until someone bests the dragon’s security measures. 3 A sapphire dragon seeks adventurers to lead into battle against the mind

trespassers who do find their way inside must then contend with a maze of corridors, dead ends, and steep inclines. Sapphire Dragon Lair Features The sapphire dragon lair shown in map 5.12 is a series

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

doesn’t want to be found or identified. 2 An emerald dragon seeks heroes to participate in a dramatic reenactment of a legendary battle involving dragon riders. 3 An emerald dragon

emerald dragon. 3 Two balor;balors act as jailers for an ancient emerald dragon imprisoned by a long-dead enemy. 4 An ancient emerald dragon works to summon a solar to get a firsthand account

Cadaver Collector Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

back to Acheron, but if a summoner comes to a bad end, a cadaver collector might wander the Material Plane for centuries, collecting corpses while searching for a way to return home. Sweeping the Dead

. Cadaver collectors respond to a summons from a mortal only when they are called to the scene of a great battle — either where one is in progress, where one is imminent, or where one once took place

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Shiftless, Savage Layabouts When they’re not in battle, bugbears spend much of their time resting or dozing. They don’t engage in crafting or agriculture to any great extent, or

deities who are brothers, Hruggek and Grankhul. Hruggek is the fearsome elder sibling, possessed of legendary might and prowess in battle. Bugbears believe their strength and bravery come from him

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Golgari, no fear of death or taboo about the dead, just a fierce affirmation of the cycle. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s kit Languages

animate dead, plant growth 4th giant insect, grasping vine 5th cloudkill, insect plague Golgari magic is often accompanied by a sickly green glow and a rotting

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

utility and importance. Nowhere does this come through as strongly as when lizardfolk deal with the dead. To a lizardfolk, a comrade who dies becomes a potential source of food. That companion might have

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

“Yer late, elf!” came the rough edge of a familiar voice. Bruenor Battlehammer walked up the back of his dead foe, disregarding the fact that the heavy monster lay on top of his elven

industrious labor, skill in battle, and devotion to the forge. Individual dwarves are determined and loyal, true to their word and decisive in action, sometimes to the point of stubbornness. Many dwarves

Marine

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

You were trained for battle on sandy beaches and rocky shores. You have launched midnight raids from swift ships whose names evoke terror in the hearts of your adversaries. The water is your second

home, the rain your shelter, and the crashing waves your battle cry. Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (water, land) Equipment: A dagger that

Needle Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

wrap around the corpse to animate it, causing it to rise and lurch about like a zombie. Invasive Species. When a great battle is fought in a fey woodland, the plants of the wood sometimes take on the

implacable foe. Driven only by a desire to conquer and rule, it wages endless war with its army of mobile dead against all creatures it views as a threat to its domination. It might even forge treaties with

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

monsters

, Speak with Dead 1/Day Each: Create Undead (level 8 version), Power Word KillLegendary Action Uses: 3. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Sammaster can expend a use to take one of the

rule Faerûn. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition. Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies

Sammaster (Lich Form)

monsters

, Prestidigitation 2/Day Each: Speak with Dead, Wall of Force 1/Day Each: Create Undead (level 8 version), Disintegrate, Power Word KillProtective Magic. Sammaster casts Counterspell or Shield in

. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition. Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies for his demise

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

appreciation for the finer things! — Volo Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully. Cunning in battle and

goblin tribe has to nobility is the caste of lashers — families of goblins trained in the ways of battle, and also possessed of key skills such as strategy, trap-building, beast taming, mining

Fight or Flight

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

Fight or Flight Few creatures fight to the death. Nearly all creatures have survival instincts that cause them to reevaluate their tactics in the face of their own destruction. Sapient creatures

confronted by obviously more numerous or powerful opponents usually try to avoid battle. But brave, desperate, or devoted creatures might never retreat from a battle. If you can’t decide whether a

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

lay up to six eggs per year, and an egg matures for two to three months before it hatches. Kobolds don’t engage in funeral ceremonies; a dead kobold’s body is burned or disposed of in

populated areas, practice cannibalism, believing it is foolish to waste good meat. In any case, kobolds that eat humanoids don’t simply start consuming corpses or prisoners right after a battle

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