defeated instead are birth

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.

Oculorb

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

;beholders. The Far Realm’s strange power can pervade a beholder’s dreams, resulting in the birth of an oculorb. Oculorbs resemble a slimy conglomeration of eyes in many sizes and shapes

. They are dreaded even by the beholders that birth them. An oculorb is a tangle of negative emotions—the fury, melancholy, and obsession of its creator, all given gruesome, corporeal form. Like

Skitterwidget

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

Lightning Absorption. Whenever the skitterwidget is subjected to lightning damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the lightning damage dealt. Unusual Nature

. Skitterwidgets have the ability to mate and breed, producing kiddywidget;kiddywidgets that are even cuter than their parents. A skitterwidget strives to protect nearby kiddywidgets, whether it gave birth to them

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

Relentless Slasher

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the slasher fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Shrouded Presence. The slasher is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its

’s bargain with sinister forces. 3 It was marked by a fiend before its birth, and its wicked nature emerged over time. 4 A wicked place or magic relic seeped into its being, turning it

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

Relentless Juggernaut

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the juggernaut fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Regeneration. The juggernaut regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn. If the juggernaut

its birth, and its wicked nature emerged over time. 4 A wicked place or magic relic seeped into its being, turning it into a monster. 5 The killer used its body to contain an evil entity

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

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

can choose to succeed instead. Misty Escape. When she drops to 0 hit points outside her resting place, Keresta transforms into a cloud of mist (as in the Shapechanger trait) instead of falling

);{"diceNotation":"1d8+4","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Unarmed Strike","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, Keresta can grapple the target (escape DC 18). Bite

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the ki-rin fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. The ki-rin has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical

good fortune. They consider seeing a ki-rin fly overhead a blessing and events that happen on such a day especially auspicious. If a ki-rin alights during a ceremony such as a birth announcement or a

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

Red Slaad (control gem variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

acquire the gem. If the slaad fails its saving throw against imprisonment, the spell can transfer the gem to the spellcaster's open hand, instead of imprisoning the slaad. A wish spell, if cast in

egg. A humanoid host can carry only one slaad egg to term at a time. Over three months, the egg moves to the chest cavity, gestates, and forms a slaad tadpole. In the 24-hour period before giving birth

Noble Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

Privelege 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

"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

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

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

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

advisor in human society. The very rare offspring of such a union are always purebloods, although they may appear fully human at birth and for several years afterward. The yuan-ti know rituals that

the blood, as it once did. Because their population is so small, the yuan-ti are aware they are vulnerable in open warfare. Instead, their current plans assume they will never rule outwardly in

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

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

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

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

Childhood

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

to usher a child into the world. They cannot understand how a birth is both a joy and a sorrow, a reunion and a parting. Each birth represents an elf soul that has been to Arvandor and returned

numbers of elves will be needed to withstand. In contrast, if an elven community goes a century or longer without a new birth, members take this as a sign that the community has stagnated and must disband

15. Nursemaid's Suite

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

(area 15C) overlooking the front of the house. The bedroom once belonged to the family’s nursemaid. The master of the house and the nursemaid had an affair, which led to the birth of a stillborn baby

named Walter. The cult slew the nursemaid shortly thereafter. Unless the characters already defeated it in area 18, the nursemaid’s spirit haunts the bedroom as a specter. The specter manifests and

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.

Jacqueline Renier

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

boulevards of Pont-a-Museau. As wealth trickled into the merchants’ coffers, those of low birth began to taste the benefits of nobility. Renier saw how the city was changing and tried to convince her

lowborn turned instead toward non-wererats. Her first major act consisted of conferring the gift of lycanthropy upon her family. Only her twin, Louise, resisted, for which Jacqueline disfigured her and cast

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.

Living in Reverie

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

vulnerable. Some linger like scars, not always visible but ever-present. Perhaps more so than any other race, elves are familiar with all aspects of memory. From birth, elves don’t sleep but instead

Souls and Shells

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

, soulless or not, can give birth. A child born in Barovia might have a soul even if one or both parents do not. Conversely, the child of two parents with souls isn’t certain to have a soul of its own

soul or is merely a shell. If Strahd is defeated, the fog that surrounds Barovia fades away, allowing the inhabitants of the valley to leave if they wish. Only those who have souls, however, can truly leave this place. Soulless Barovians cease to exist as soon as they exit the valley.

D&D Beyond

Search Results