dread instance are best

Autognome

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

: defend gnomes who are being attacked by non-gnomes, defend yourself if you are attacked, and protect infants and youngsters from harm. The last directive arose from the best intentions, but it doesn't

distinguish between species; if an autognome sees a group of adults battling a lunar dragon wyrmling, for instance, it would come to the wyrmling's defense.Poison

Girallon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

organize members to work together to make a big kill, however. If they succeed, everyone in the group shares the spoils, with the best parts going to those caring for their young. Girallons’ strange

out across the world. Numerous creatures have tried to tame, subjugate, or cooperate with the monsters. For instance, some forest-dwelling peoples capture girallons and train them to serve as sentinels

Strahd, Master of Death House

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

his speed without provoking opportunity attack;opportunity attacks. Strike (Costs 2 Actions). Strahd makes one Death Strike attack.Strahd von Zarovich is the Darklord of Barovia, a Domain of Dread

. He had become a vampire, and Barovia became a Domain of Dread. Now the Dark Powers keep Strahd trapped in his realm, tormenting him with his inability to escape for all eternity. He spends his days

Lineages

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

In the Land of the Mists, power and dread lie in the simple question “What happened to me?” The following lineages are races that characters might gain through remarkable events. These

’ve changed in significant ways that might overwrite your once physical or magical capabilities. A dragonborn who becomes a dhampir, for instance, loses their connection to their draconic ancestry

Shadar-kai

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Shadar-kai are the elves of the Shadowfell, originally drawn to that dread realm by the Raven Queen. Over the centuries, some of them have continued to serve her, while others have ventured into the

weight that humans have in our world. If you’d like to determine your character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.

Clan Crafter

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

as a clan crafter. (For instance, consider the words “guild” and “clan” to be interchangeable.) Your bond is almost certainly related to the master or the clan that taught

tirelessly to get the best deal possible. 8 I’m well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me

Urban Bounty Hunter

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

criminal background below as the basis for your bounty hunter’s traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a bounty hunter. For instance, your

in a situation. Never tell me the odds. 7 The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. 8 I blow up at the slightest insult. d6 Ideal 1

Domains of Dread

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

Domains of Dread In remote corners of the Shadowfell, it is easy to reach horrific demiplanes ruled over by accursed beings of terrible evil. The best known of these is the valley of Barovia

Lineages

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

Lineages In the Land of the Mists, power and dread lie in the simple question “What happened to me?” The following lineages are races that characters might gain through remarkable events. These

significant ways that might overwrite your once physical or magical capabilities. A dragonborn who becomes a dhampir, for instance, loses their connection to their draconic ancestry as the deathless

Random Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

. Statistics for entries marked with (B) on the tables are found in appendix B of this book. Encounter Type 2d4 Type 2–3 None 4–5 Minor encounter 6–7 Dread Legion patrol 8 Thayan patrol 9–10 Sector

encounter 11+ Special encounter Minor Encounter d4 Encounter 1 1 Thayan apprentice (B), 4 Thayan warriors (B), and 2d4 prisoners (commoners) 2–3 1 wight 4 1 wight and 2d4 skeletons or zombies Dread

Rudolph van Richten

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

Rudolph van Richten A scholar and monster hunter, Rudolph van Richten has traveled to dozens of Domains of Dread in the Shadowfell (see chapter 6), investigating reports of monstrous beings and

documenting them in a series of published guides, the best known of which is Van Richten’s Guide to Vampires. In kinder days, Rudolph lived with his wife, Ingrid, and son, Erasmus, but he lost them both to

The Dark Powers

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

The Dark Powers Unfathomable, hidden forces manipulate life, death, and reality within Ravenloft. These mysterious, deathless beings are the architects of the Domains of Dread, and have secreted

hint at ways to escape the Domains of Dread. Consider the following possibilities when developing your perspective on the Dark Powers: Amoral Guardians. The Dark Powers are a group of powerful beings

Devils: Archdevils

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

betters. Many dread names are included in the rolls of the archdevils; the few described here are among those that adventurers are most likely to encounter. Wish Fulfillment. All devils seek control

, Moloch — they are pawns. Even the lords of layers such as Zariel and Mammon are merely more powerful pieces. Archdevils may make dramatic moves, but it is Asmodeus who plays the game best.

Darklord's Shadows

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

Darklord’s Shadows A Darklord lurks at the heart of every Domain of Dread. Everything in their realm is inspired by or personalized to them in some way. Some domains might be dismal ruins reflective

committed. Consider selecting those that best complement the players’ characters and that don’t conflict with any boundaries discussed in your group’s session zero (see “Preparing for Horror” in chapter 4

General Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

adventure location in its entirety but also shows secret doors, hidden traps, and other elements the players aren’t meant to see—hence the need for secrecy. Maps are best used to show multiroom lairs and

either 5 feet on a side or 10 feet on a side. Compass Rose. A compass rose comes in handy when you’re describing locations. For instance, you might need to tell players about “barrels along the north wall” or “the staircase descending to the west.”

The Rank and File

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

allow for variations. A pit fiend, for instance, might take the form of an imp in order to personally infiltrate a kingdom on the Material Plane. The hierarchy of the Nine Hells has thirteen tiers or

(rank 3), bearded devils and merregons (rank 4), barbed devils (rank 5), chain devils (rank 6), and bone devils (rank 7). These devils are specialists, typically assigned to tasks that best suit their

Other Groups

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

the Shadowlands (detailed in “Other Domains of Dread”) in search of evil to vanquish. Bold and proud, many members of the Circle inadvertently race toward dramatic tragedies. The more successful

struggle to contain. Guardian monasteries are hidden in multiple domains, with the best known being Watchers’ Stronghold in Darkon. Power-hungry groups and unscrupulous lore seekers, such as the Kargat and

The Quest Board

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

section of this adventure that describes that location in detail. For instance, if the players choose to undertake the Dumathoin’s Gulch Quest, go to the “Dumathoin’s Gulch” section. Each location

, and then return to Neverwinter to collect a reward of 8,000 gp.” If the characters undertake this quest, see “Storm Lord’s Hideout.” Ebondeath’s Mausoleum Quest “The dread mage Ularan Mortus, leader

Eidolon

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

instance. Eidolon Medium undead, any alignment Armor Class 9 Hit Points 63 (18d8 − 18) Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover) STR 7(−2) DEX 8(−1) CON 9(−1) INT 14(+2

throws against any effect that turns undead. Actions Divine Dread. Each creature within 60 feet of the eidolon that can see it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of it

Types of Cultists

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

. Response: The cultist gives itself Resistance to that instance of damage and gains 10 Temporary Hit Points. Dread Tharizdun, power of the Elder Elemental Eye and master of all destructive forces, I am

. The cultist makes three attacks, using Dread Scythe or Deathly Ray in any combination. Dread Scythe. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 10 ft. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) Slashing damage plus 11 (2d10) Necrotic

Battle Tactics

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

are always a good distraction. Rival beholders are the best one. — Volo Best of all, if ye can learn what schemes a beholder holds dearest, threaten those schemes. Its lured attention will at

demon bound to it) that it can bypass. Use Eye Rays to Best Effect A beholder can fire multiple eye rays on its turn, and it might use all of them in succession on its most dangerous foe. Even a very

Roleplaying

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

roleplaying your character: the descriptive approach and the active approach. Most players use a combination of the two styles. Use whichever mix of the two works best for you. Descriptive Approach to

and how he or she does it. For instance, Chris plays Tordek the dwarf. Tordek has a quick temper and blames the elves of the Cloakwood for his family’s misfortune. At a tavern, an obnoxious elf minstrel

Twenty-Two Riddles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

! Jester I’m the grim orb atop one’s neck. Your own you wish whole; your enemy’s wrecked. My form inspires dread, yet without me you’re dead. Click to see the answer! Skull I arrive every day and

all, I’m only as strong as whoever calls me their own. Click to see the answer! Throne Upon my head a serpent’s nest, my friend and sister loved me best. Istus made the deck for us, and all its

Roleplaying

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

roleplaying your character: the descriptive approach and the active approach. Most players use a combination of the two styles. Use whichever mix of the two works best for you. Descriptive Approach to

and how he or she does it. For instance, Chris plays Tordek the dwarf. Tordek has a quick temper and blames the elves of the Cloakwood for his family’s misfortune. At a tavern, an obnoxious elf minstrel

Girallon

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

to work together to make a big kill, however. If they succeed, everyone in the group shares the spoils, with the best parts going to those caring for their young. Girallons’ strange appearance and

. Numerous creatures have tried to tame, subjugate, or cooperate with the monsters. For instance, some forest-dwelling peoples capture girallons and train them to serve as sentinels. Recognizing that

Autognome

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Boo’s Astral Menagerie

you are attacked, and protect infants and youngsters from harm. The last directive arose from the best intentions, but it doesn’t distinguish between species; if an autognome sees a group of adults

battling a lunar dragon wyrmling, for instance, it would come to the wyrmling’s defense. Autognome Small Construct, Any Alignment Armor Class 16 (natural armor) Hit Points 39 (6d6 + 18) Speed 20

Wandering Outsiders

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

committed to causing trouble. Kettlesteam uses disguise self to assume whatever form best enables her to mingle in crowds. Characters can encounter Kettlesteam in more than one location; if they corner her

thieves as you please to add an undercurrent of dread or mystery to the carnival’s frivolities. The three thieves are fiercely loyal to their hag mistresses and won’t willingly reveal anything if

Using Survivors

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

Domains of Dread. They don’t always claim their victims bodily, though. Rather, the Mists might steal characters’ minds, placing them into survivors involved in specific terrifying scenarios. Perhaps

adventureDwindling resources contribute to terrifying situations. When a group runs out of hit points, spells, food, or other vital reserves, tension and dread increase. High-level characters, though, have such

Roleplaying

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

life. Experiment with different speech patterns. For instance, a barmaid and a city magistrate probably use their words differently. Similarly, peasants could speak in earthy dialects, while rich folk

talk in haughty drawls. Let a pirate NPC say, “Arrrr, maties!” in your best Long John Silver voice. Let intelligent monsters unfamiliar with Common stumble along with awkward grammar. Let drunkards

All for One: The Clan

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

, many dwarves support the clan by working at an occupation that sustains the community — brewing ale, tending crops, and preparing food, for instance. Not everyone can be a master artisan or a

carts and learning to pick out the best ore samples from a lode. Slowly but surely, a dwarf masters every aspect of a task or an occupation from start to finish. Leadership and Government A clan is

The Dead Three

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

place in Baldurians’ fears, their faiths currently have only the shallowest roots in the city. Followers of the Dead Three have done more to incite dread than faith. As a result, their numbers remain

rages, and a propensity for biting off the fingers of those who disappoint him. Behind his viciousness, though, Goblin Behnie has a keen eye, making him and his forgers the city’s best source of illicit

Sports and Games

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

you’ll be invited to raise a glass to the Griffon; if you’re dressed in white and gold, the colors of the Hippogriff, you’d best be prepared to defend yourself. If you’re new to Sharn, you might

is divided into eight regions for the race, each of which is represented by a different creature. If you’re going to spend time in Dura, it’s best that you know your mounts! The beasts of Upper Dura

Designing Simple Traps

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

case, pick two spells, or combine the effects of a spell cast using a 9th-level and a 5th-level slot. For instance, a fireball spell of this sort would deal 24d6 fire damage on a failed saving throw

starting point for most simple traps that deal damage. For traps with more complex effects, your best starting point is to use the Spell Equivalent by Level table to find the best match for your trap’s

The Dead Three

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

place in Baldurians’ fears, their faiths currently have only the shallowest roots in the city. Followers of the Dead Three have done more to incite dread than faith. As a result, their numbers remain

rages, and a propensity for biting off the fingers of those who disappoint him. Behind his viciousness, though, Goblin Behnie has a keen eye, making him and his forgers the city’s best source of illicit

Bandit Plans

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble

is the best option, because you can then adjust their personalities and actions to tell the best story. If a player asks the other players about potentially manipulating them, for example, you might

interpret information. Noticing a tripwire would be a Search action, while figuring out that the wire would pull down the stones is a Study action. In this instance, you don’t want to require both

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