dead involved are better

Wand of Orcus

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

some fell goal. The wand is topped with a skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the grip of its user. All Holy Water

from it (save DC 18). The table indicates how many charges you must expend to cast the spell. Spell Charge Cost Animate Dead 1 Blight 2 Circle of Death 3 Finger of

Oblex Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, 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

plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their prey to use as lures, which helps them harvest even more victims for their mind flayer masters.

Vecna the Archlich

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 22): At will: Animate Dead (as an action), Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Fly, Lightning Bolt

scribe. He spent the better part of his childhood secretly educating himself in his masters’ arts. Once Vecna learned all he could, he massacred the wizards. He then recorded his every foul thought

Princess Serissa

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

thrust into power. Unable to find her father and fearing that he might be dead, Serissa can imagine her political influence evaporating quickly. Several giant lords previously under her father’s

her that they were involved in their mother’s death or their father’s kidnapping. Other than Iymrith and her Uncle Uthor, there are few giants Serissa feels she can trust. Hekaton left

Môrgæn

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

the person you've shot first is already dead? Still, when the situation calls for it, this protector of the woodlands is equally at home on missions of subterfuge and social interaction in the big city, provided her well-known love of ale, wine, and other intoxicants doesn't get the better of her.

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.” 61–80 “I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.” 81–00 “I am awash in

Wand of Orcus. The wand has 7 charges, and any of its properties that require a saving throw have a save DC of 18. While holding it, Orcus can use an action to cast animate dead, blight, or speak

Skabatha Nightshade

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited

key between her hunched shoulders that rotates quickly when she’s in a good mood and slows down as her mood sours. When she is furious, the key comes to a dead stop. Alignment. Neutral evil

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

her divine spark vanishes. She is dead until the next winter solstice, when she reappears at full health in a cold, remote location of her choosing. Frigid Aura. So long as Auril has at least 1 hit

heart of the diamond. If Auril is killed in her third and final form, she is dead until the next winter solstice. While she is dead, her mortal worshipers lose their god-granted spells and abilities

Occultant Abacus

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

throw. If it’s not clear who administered the killing blow, you grant this benefit to a random creature involved in the fight. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you

within 5 feet of a creature killed within the past 24 hours, you can cast the augury spell. The course of action you inquire about with the spell does not need to have any connection to the dead creature

Adult Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

sharper the mind, the better the meal, so oblexes hunt targets more likely to be intelligent, such as wizards and other spellcasters. When suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to

engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When oblexes feed on thoughts, they can form weird copies of their

Elder Oblex

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

suitable fare comes within reach, an oblex draws its body up to engulf its victim. As it withdraws, it plunders the creature’s mind, leaving its prey befuddled and confused—or dead. When

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

, command, inflict wounds, ray of sickness 2nd level (3 slots): blindness/deafness, ray of enfeeblement, spiritual weapon 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, bestow curse, dispel magic, spirit guardians

stranger to hardship. Hoping to make a better life for herself, she became an adventurer and sought fame and fortune in Undermountain. Keresta met her end in the lair of a vampire and became a vampire spawn

Ancient Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your

avoid interacting with other intelligent creatures. However, their interest in history and culture occasionally gets the better of them, prompting them to seek some engagement with the folk of the world

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

. Made from bones as hard as iron, the wand is topped with a magically enlarged skull that once belonged to a human hero slain by Orcus. The wand can magically change in size to better conform to the

or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: animate dead (1 charge), blight (2 charges), circle of death (3 charges), finger of death (3 charges), power word kill

Charlatan Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and title from those who

there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Proficiencies: Arcana, History Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have not yet been able to

published in Baldur’s Mouth, you can surmise a great deal about Baldurians’ secrets — who’s practicing necromancy, who’s involved in spying or smuggling, who would purchase or

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

beauty have little meaning for them. A sharp sword serves a useful and good purpose, while a dull sword is a dead weight without a whetstone. Lizardfolk see little need to plan more than a season or so

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

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

successfully prevented a murder, and the would-be perpetrator wants me dead. 5 One of my parents was prominent in the guild, and I resent constantly being compared to that standard. 6 I’ve

modeled my career after a highly respected lawmage or arrester, but I fear that my role model might be involved in something illegal. Flaws d6 Flaw 1 I’m

Plaintiff

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

sometimes one casualty is left a little less than dead, just waiting to discover what a lucky break that accident actually was. You were a victim of a legal incident that was ostensibly the fault of

’re talking about. With common folks who don’t know any better, you might be able to intimidate or deceive to get favors or special treatment.

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. 3 Somewhere out there, I have a child who doesn’t know me. I’m making the world better for him or her. 4 I come from a noble family, and one day I’ll reclaim my lands and

resist taking a risk if there’s money involved. 5 I can’t resist swindling people who are more powerful than me. 6 I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I’ll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough.

Involving the Characters

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

Involving the Characters Once you’ve identified what your campaign is about, let the players help tell the story by deciding how their characters are involved. This is their opportunity to tie their

a recent arrival? Where did you come from? Why did you come to this area? Are you tied to any of the organizations or people involved in the events that kick off the campaign? Are they friends or

Quentillius Antiphiun Melentor III

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

presence on stage—especially in romantic roles—critics have called his performances histrionic. To better perform his future roles in ancient plays, Quentillius has joined the Dead Languages Society. He

lines or who miss cues. Backstage crew members fare better, as Quentillius regards them as crucial and often brings them and the director flowers or notes of thanks. While Quentillius is a powerful

Dread in Darkon

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

. 2 The characters were involved in the Hour of Ascension and share a Dark Gift (see chapter 1). 3 One of the characters is the perfect vessel for a new Darklord or Azalin’s rebirth. 4

The party is forced to work with an evil being, one from the Darkon Rivals table or another Darklord. 5 The dead of Darkon wish to aid the characters, flocking to them in a growing legion

Evernight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

place of Neverwinter River, choking the city. While Neverwinter is filled with living creatures trying to build a better future, Evernight is populated by Undead—primarily vampires and ghouls—who

prey on each other and on travelers. Evernight is a crossroads of trade in the Shadowfell and hosts numerous markets, including the lively Corpse Market. There, undead merchants trade in the bodies and blood of the dead—sometimes, the very recently dead.

Signature Case

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

secrets that might have better remained hidden, causing untold harm in the process. Whether true or false, stories like these tend to cling to inquisitive agencies and color their reputations. What

case that cemented your reputation. Signature Case d6 Case 1 Case of the Century. You uncovered key evidence in a sensational case. You made headlines, but some parties involved carry grudges

Reporting Repercussions

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

Reporting Repercussions Your reporting changes lives—you like to think for the better. Sometimes, though, your work has drawn some fairly pointed criticism and earned you an enemy. Reference the

conspiracy. Most involved were arrested, but a few crooks remain free. 4 Politician. You ended a politician’s career, and they’ve sworn to return the favor. 5 Rival Newspaper. You got the scoop of a

Memorable Mission

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

. Things went wrong, and you had to make the terrible decision to abandon an ally. They might be dead, or they might be looking for revenge. 3 The Perfect Operation. Your actions made headlines across

Khorvaire, shaping history for the next decade. Nobody knows you were involved, and sometimes you wish you could have a little credit for your work. 4 The Standoff. You met your match during a tense

Re-created by the Doctor

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

such possibilities. It’s better to tip your hand about the plot than to lose a player’s investment in the game. When delivering characters into the Darklord’s clutches, employ scenarios where the

party is actively involved, not merely abducted in their sleep. Consider using any of the following events that might lead to plots involving Dr. Mordenheim. Overwhelmed. Constructs created by Dr

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat. In a couple of situations, kobolds might

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

With Friends Like These

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

. “We’re looking for an old friend of ours,” says the dead-eyed man. He sniffs the air. “Goes by the name ‘Tarina,’ or so I’m told. Loves to cheat at Baldur’s Bones.” Captain Murosko Sessprin was

killed during a mutiny six months ago, leaving his ship — the Uncivil Serpent — under the command of Sessprin’s treacherous first mate, a scoundrel named Lekard “Dead-Eye” Cadavrus. Dead-Eye is a

Kolyan Indirovich's Letter (version 2)

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

. He has become too powerful to conquer. So I say to you, give us up for dead and encircle this land with the symbols of good. Let holy men call upon their power that the devil may be contained within

the walls of weeping Barovia. Leave our sorrows to our graves, and save the world from this evil fate of ours. There is much wealth entrapped in this community. Return for your reward after we are all departed for a better life. Kolyan Indirovich Burgomaster

Death Scenes

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

involved in the game is to prompt some roleplaying along with each Death Save. You might ask the player to describe a memory that surfaces in the character’s mind while hovering near death. Consider

childhood memory. On a Failed Death Save. A memory that stirs up shame or grief. A beloved person who is already dead, beckoning the character to join them. An experience of weariness or despair. You

Adventure Hooks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

day, yet another citizen was found dead from foul play when the sun rose today. The adventure hooks described below represent three different ways of getting the characters involved in the story. All

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

new leader can act as the real boss. If the creature brushes aside such manipulation, the tribe falls into line behind the new tyrant—better to abide the new rule than conspire against it and be

made from dead darkmantles 20 Cloaks made of scraps from an elven tapestry Booyahgs Spellcasters of any sort among the goblins are rare. Goblins typically lack the intelligence and

D&D Beyond

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