defeated instead are baron

Izek Strazni

Monsters Curse of Strahd

trouble killing them and disposing of their bodies. He was eventually caught in the act and brought to the burgomaster. Instead of punishing the boy for his crimes, Baron Vallakovich pardoned Izek and

burgomaster’s will, Izek drinks copious amounts of wine. Fiendish Gift. After years of doing Baron Vallakovich’s dirty work, Izek awakened from a drunken stupor one morning to find that he had

Fleecemane Lion

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

succeeds and the spell is of 4th level or lower, the spell has no effect on the lion and instead targets the caster.Multiattack. The lion makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claw

these massive lions' connection to Nyx is unclear, many myths tell of the deadly predators stalking mortals and spreading fear until they're ultimately defeated by a brave hunter. As a result, overcoming a fleecemane lion is widely considered an early step on the road to becoming a true hero.

Dolgaunt

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Evasion. If the dolgaunt is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the dolgaunt instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw

into intelligent, cold, and efficient killers. When the daelkyr were defeated, the dolgaunts descended into the depths of Khyber with their masters. There, they study in cavernous monasteries, forging

Nightmare Haunt

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

must repeat the saving throw. On a failed save, it has the unconscious condition instead of the restrained condition caused by the tendrils. On a successful save, the effect ends on the creature. An

curse. Even with the Phyrexians defeated, the curse remains and spreads unchecked through Eldraine due to interference from the planeswalker Ashiok and Eriette, one of the witches who helped create the

Archduke Zariel of Avernus

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Zariel has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Regeneration. Zariel regains 20 hit points at the start of

. Matalotok. Zariel recently defeated the demon lord Kostchtchie and took his hammer, Matalotok, which grants Zariel immunity to cold damage. Without this hammer, Zariel has resistance to cold damage

Greater Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual Nature. The emissary doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.Multiattack. The

in its lesser form. When this form is destroyed, the emissary’s body collapses into a gory slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

weather, detect thoughts, ice storm Legendary Resistance (2/Day in This Form). If Auril fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws

current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Unusual Nature. Auril doesn’t require air, food, drink, or

, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however

Vladimir Horngaard

Monsters Curse of Strahd

","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, Vladimir can grapple the target (escape DC 14) provided the target is Large or smaller. +2 Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack

memory shrouded by his hate. Were Vladimir to let go of his hatred, his spirit would find peace and could remember the warmth of love. Were Strahd to be defeated, even temporarily, the mists surrounding

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

disappeared. The greater emissary uses the lesser emissary’s initiative count. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual

slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater form does the star spawn die. After finishing a long rest, a greater star spawn emissary regains

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Legendary Resistance (2/Day in This Form). If Auril fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical

her to explode and die. A mephit that dies in this way does not use its Death Burst. Instead, each creature within 10 feet of the exploding mephit must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking

Crook of Rao

Magic Items Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

wizard Tasha). Although she was defeated, Iggwilv managed to damage the crook during the battle, infecting it with an insidious curse—and the potential for future victory. In the aftermath, the

1 balor and 1 pit fiend appear. At the DM’s discretion, a portal opens into the presence of an archdevil or demon lord instead, then closes after 5 minutes. 91–00 Iggwilv’s

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Spider Climb. The dragon can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without

discuss how they might reunite and restore Sardior, the Ruby Dragon. 2 A horde of revenant;revenants led by a death knight has one goal—destroying the ancient sapphire dragon who defeated

"The Demogorgon"

Monsters Infernal Machine Rebuild

Demogorgon’s heads. Much like the true Demogorgon, the ettin’s two heads constantly clash and refuse to speak directly with one another, instead relaying messages through their assigned

stewards. If the ettin is defeated, examining the pouches around his necks reveals a collection of eyeballs and still-beating dragon hearts. The silver wires connect those living tissues to the ettin

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

spells and other magical effects. Malison Type. The yuan-ti malison (type 3) has a Human head and upper body with a serpentine lower body instead of legs.Multiattack (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti makes

or were defeated by those who fought against their cannibalism and slavery, and the serpent folk were left in the ruins of their great capitals, far removed from other races. Cold of Heart. Humanoid

Fog Giant

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

giant’s desires. Instead, they seek out grand works of art, wondrous jewelry, and beautiful sculptures. Reasonable Offers. Fog giants are powerful warriors, but they prefer to use threats and

such organizations think of themselves as exiled nobles, and often take on such fanciful titles as Duke of Robbery, Baron of Bandits, or Lord of Larceny.

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren

’t scared of a troll; instead, they understand that a troll is a fearsome, dangerous creature and react accordingly. Lizardfolk never become angry in the way others do, but they act with

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

instead of killing them, he showed mercy and even honored them in a way by setting them free — under his control — so that bugbears could continue to employ their talents against his enemies

heads of defeated foes, cut away or stitch open the eyelids, and leave the mouths hanging open. The heads are then placed on spikes or hung from cords around a bugbear den. The heads themselves are

Gate to Carceri

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

Watch. These guards are under orders from the town’s leader, Baron Villigus Bazengar, to prevent anyone from leaving. Two neutral evil veterans and a maelephant (see Morte’s Planar Parade) guard Curst’s

characters attack and are defeated by Curst’s guards, the characters’ bodies are thrown in the gate-town’s dump. Leaving Curst The Wall Watch prevents characters from leaving Curst, using either threats or

Scaling Lethality

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

your players agree to avoid character death in your game, you might consider an alternative: a character who would otherwise die is instead “defeated.” The following rules apply to a defeated character

. Conversely, using only low-difficulty encounters is less likely to lead to character death, especially if characters have ample opportunity to rest during the adventure. Defeated, Not Dead If you and

Izek Strazni

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

brought to the burgomaster. Instead of punishing the boy for his crimes, Baron Vallakovich pardoned Izek and took him into his home. Izek has been loyal to the burgomaster ever since, enjoying the power

of his position and the comforts of his master’s mansion. When he isn’t enforcing the burgomaster’s will, Izek drinks copious amounts of wine. Fiendish Gift. After years of doing Baron Vallakovich’s

Final Approach

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

break for the citadel. If the characters surrender to the astral elves or are defeated, read: You watch as your allies lay down their arms and surrender. Now prisoners of the Xaryxian Empire, you are

for the citadel, read the following text instead: The imperial citadel looms large, its crystal spires reflecting the light of Xaryxis. It is here, in the heart of the Xaryxian Empire, that you will decide the fate of your world. Here ends chapter 10.

Clandestine Hags

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

free the dryads to set the woods back to order. Instead of the hags being disguised as goodly dryads, you might instead choose to reverse the scenario. The Three Mothers might really be dryads in need

of help, with Banrion the unicorn an evil creature that must be defeated to save the woods. The unicorn might even be using its dark magic to cause the dryads to appear as hags.

The Assault

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

scope of the destruction. Victory Points Defender Point Value Sahuagin 1 Sahuagin champion 3 Sahuagin coral smasher 5 Blademaster Makaht 10 Opening the gate at area 1 15 Baron Kepmak 25 Raising no

victory points meets or exceeds 75, “The Baron’s Counterattack” occurs (see below). The party has unlimited time to face Baron Kepmak, but at the end of this encounter, the characters’ allies appear and

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, injury, or age) often join these cults instead of facing daily humiliation, exile, or death. Serving as the bridge between the two parts of the tribe are the priestesses of Luthic, the orc goddess who

; their loyalty by turning them into slaves. If a tribe is defeated and driven from its lair, the survivors might come under the sway of a strong but dimwitted creature, such as a hill giant or an ogre

Customizing the Puzzle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

convey your puzzle. When an elemental is defeated, it might leave behind a valuable gemstone, a map fragment, a clue to some other puzzle, or something similar. Raising the Difficulty To increase the

difficulty by having statues depict genies instead of elementals. In this case, replace the four elementals with a dao, a djinni, an efreeti, and a marid. These genies are compelled to attack the characters and can’t be reasoned with.

Inhabitants

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

occupants are defeated. 25 3 sahuagin hatchling swarms* If the swarms emerge, 5 sahuagin and 1 coral smasher come here from 24. 26 2 sahuagin priestesses, 2 sahuagin hatchling swarms* The swarms emerge if

* These creatures remain here until encountered. 42 Kepmak (sahuagin baron), Thadrah (sahuagin high priestess*), 2 sahuagin champions,* 1 sahuagin, 2 shell sharks* These creatures remain here until

T6. Guard Tower Rooftop

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

damage instead of necrotic damage. The snow maidens don’t speak, nor are they interested in hearing what the characters have to say. If the characters don’t leave at once, the snow maidens attack. When

the last snow maiden is defeated, the treasure that the characters seek magically appears in the swirling snow on the rooftop.

Death House Encounters

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

would be difficult to resolve in the location, choose an unencountered result instead. Death House Encounters d12 Encounter 1–4 Meeting with Sarusanda (see below)* 5–8 Three priests of Osybus

. †If the characters don’t face this encounter before leaving Death House, assume that Sarusanda defeated these three priests on her own.

New Characters

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

character fought the cultists and defeated the cult’s archmage leader. 2 As a bodyguard for a high-ranking political or business figure, the character has staved off attacks from assassins and demons. 3

Neverwinter. The emergency involving the missing nobles is the character’s most recent assignment. 2 After a long struggle, the character defeated a powerful sorcerer. In the throes of death, the sorcerer’s

Despotic Perspective

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

might be merciful and pacify the creature with a charm ray or a sleep ray instead of killing it outright. Of course, this mercy has a purpose; the defeated opponent is interrogated, subjugated, and

Moving on the Train

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

14 Dexterity saving throw. On a success, the creature instead falls prone in the nearest unoccupied space on the train. On a failure, the creature is sucked into the train’s undercarriage, taking 33

of pentadrones stationed there is defeated (see area E8 for details). Guard Patrols d6 Encounter 1–3 No encounter 4–5 Three tridrones and one quadrone leader 6 Four quadrones and one pentadrone

Weakening the Dragon Queen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

her immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons becomes resistance instead. Tiamat loses Limited Spell Immunity, and her hit point maximum is reduced by 75. Tiamat

Dragon Queen’s return, and heroes sometimes die for the greater good. Certainly, fallen characters can be raised again if Tiamat is defeated. And if she’s not defeated, dying might not be the worst option.

Weakening the Dragon Queen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons becomes resistance instead. Tiamat loses Limited Spell Immunity, and her hit point maximum is reduced by 75. Tiamat takes

can be raised again if Tiamat is defeated. And if she’s not defeated, dying might not be the worst option.

Trial by Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

begins. This uplifting tribute grants 20 temporary hit points to each of her champions. Running the Zodar The zodar tries to knock characters unconscious instead of killing them. A character reduced to 0

chapter’s cliffhanger ending depends on who wins the trial by combat. All Hail Emperor Xeleth! If the characters are defeated by the zodar (as described earlier in the chapter) or fail to come to

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