defeated instead are bitter

Frostmourn

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

target to 0 hit points, the target drops to 1 hit point instead and has the petrified condition, turning into a frozen statue. If the statue takes bludgeoning damage, it shatters, killing the frozen

creature. If the statue would take fire damage, it instead takes no damage and thaws, ending the petrification. Icy Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +10;{"diceNotation":"1d20+10", "rollType":"to hit

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

battled Strahd's armies to the bitter end. Deadly Vengeance. Unwilling to accept his failure, Vladimir returned as a revenant. So great was his hatred of Strahd and his thirst for vengeance that those

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

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

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

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

damage if it fails. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the demilich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Turn Immunity. The demilich is immune to effects that turn undead.Howl (Recharge

Fog Giant

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

wealth and power with a bitter mix of longing, regret, and shame, seeking always to replace the grandest treasures they once possessed. Simple coins, gems, or trade goods do nothing to satisfy the

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

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

Back to Promise

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

Dellie is overjoyed if Kianna is safe and tearful if her goddaughter met a bitter end. Either way, she’s grateful to the characters for uncovering the truth and ending the soul shaker’s threat. If the

characters defeated the soul shaker, she relates that the enchanted farmers in town have regained awareness. Aunt Dellie rewards the characters with her promised payment and offers them free passage on her boat whenever they please.

Bitter Breath

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

-hardened hobgoblin warlord named High Graj Karkajuk. Bitter Breath drives a Tormentor that has an Infernal Screamer (see "Infernal Screamer") instead of a Harpoon Flinger. Hobgoblins round out the

Bitter Breath Bitter Breath is a resentful, vindictive warlord that fell prey to the cutthroat politics of Avernus. Formerly a pit fiend named L’zeth, it strove to undermine Zariel while courting Bel

Githzerai

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

sooner had the gith defeated their sworn enemies than they were plunged into a bitter civil war. In the ensuing conflict, Zerthimon was killed and his followers, naming themselves githzerai

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

Warlords of the Avernian Wastelands

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

horned devil named Bitter Breath, a human necromancer named Feonor, and a chain devil named Princeps Kovik. These warlords are as cruel and merciless as the hell they inhabit. All share a “survival of

inevitably rises to take its place. Bitter Breath, Feonor, and Princeps Kovik are merely the latest in a long series of warlords to plague the Avernian expanse. If Zariel wasn’t so busy fighting the Blood War

Espionage Agency Contacts

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

receive. Agency Contacts d8 Contact 1 A condescending career desk agent who views you as expendable tools 2 A bitter former field agent, now confined to a field office, who envies your work 3 A

those in the “good old days” 5 A hotheaded former soldier who would prefer a return to open warfare instead of this so-called “Shadow War” 6 A battle-scarred field agent who would do almost anything to

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.

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

Frostmourn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

hatred and loathing of the living is sufficient to keep them roaming the wilds for years after their murderers are slain. A frostmourn looks like a desiccated corpse mummified by exposure to bitter cold

1 hit point instead and has the petrified condition, turning into a frozen statue. If the statue takes bludgeoning damage, it shatters, killing the frozen creature. If the statue would take fire

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.

Lockbury Henge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

stones were transparent instead of opaque. Characters who examine the campfire and succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Survival) check notice two sets of small, sooty hoofprints leading up to the stones where

Granite, Myzelda of Slate, Yanna of Basalt, Noll of Obsidian, and Malo of Marble. The korreds of Yon despise Endelyn Moongrave, whom they commonly refer to as Bitter End. If the characters convince

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.

Chapter 1: What Is Eberron?

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

of the dead against the people of Khorvaire… In the city of Sharn, a brilliant team of spies pull off an impossible scheme — breaking into the impenetrable vaults of House Kundarak. But instead of

adventure and adds a layer of neo-noir intrigue. Stories don’t always end well and there isn’t a perfect answer to every problem. The Last War turned old allies into bitter enemies and destroyed an

The Revered Queen

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

the planes and in particular advised her to seek counsel with Tiamat. Gith agreed to venture into the Nine Hells to forge an alliance with the Queen of Dragons. She didn’t return. Instead, the great red

never known anything other than a martial existence. They needed a clear purpose and a forceful commander to spur them on, and Vlaakith provided both. Vlaakith decreed that, having defeated the mind

D&D Beyond

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