mdash survive with only about from for lone

Shadowmoor Expert

Backgrounds Lorwyn: First Light

, chaotic place perpetually lit by pale moonlight. You might survive Shadowmoor’s merciless conditions thanks to your wit and cunning, or you might keep threats at bay with your brawn and bravery

. Regardless of where you tread, you keenly understand that friendship is a rare commodity. You believe that knowing who to trust and who to keep at arm’s length isn’t just practical— it’s often a matter of life or death.

Triton Master of Waves

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

offerings to Thassa might defuse the tritons’ ire—that is, if they survive the deadly winds and waves that typically herald these sea guardians’ appearance. Clever, far-ranging people

environment, but those who do and survive often learn that the tritons’ wrath doesn’t end at the shore.Cold, Fire

Dragonflesh Grafter

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

collect dragon parts—scales, teeth, skin, flesh, wings, and bones—that they scavenge from around dragon lairs, take from dragon corpses, or buy from merchants and adventurers. They stitch on

scarred or dead, a few survive as wretched horrors. Their minds become twisted by magical malevolence, with only a shadow of their former selves remaining. In the most extreme cases, the resulting

Barghest

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

ago, the god Maglubiyet—conqueror and then lord of early goblinoids—bargained with the General of Gehenna for aid. The General provided yugoloths, which then died in service to Maglubiyet

goblinoid leaders and other powerful individuals, a barghest earns elevated status in the afterlife. Barghests typically keep their true nature secret, preying on the occasional lone goblin when the

Dragonflesh Abomination

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

abomination is the final stage of a grafter’s transformation—a hulking monster whose corrupted brain is ablaze with desire for treasure. Its abhorrent transformation erases the last

their bodies and minds to emulate the dragons they revere. They collect dragon parts—scales, teeth, skin, flesh, wings, and bones—that they scavenge from around dragon lairs, take from

Duergar Kavalrachni

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

community-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to survive. Among the duergar of the Forgotten Realms, creation is a fiercely passionate process. They tend to favor works that are sturdy

their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even

Kelubar Demodand

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

;shators. They are squat, and their skin drips with a foul-smelling, acidic slime. Kelubars revel in the subservience of others, and they prefer to do battle with words—or at least to send in their

farastu minions—rather than fight directly. Demodands Demodands, also called gehreleths, are Fiends from the Tarterian Depths of Carceri. Cast into the prison plane long ago for forgotten

Smiler the Defiler

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

has an unnerving smile — hence his name. A more apt name for this eladrin would be Smiler the Beguiler, as he’s constantly trying to intoxicate others with his relentless optimism and

companions abandoned him. He has spent the past seventy years roaming Avernus, making deals with fiends to survive. Smiler eventually sold his soul to a pit fiend, who gave him the means to topple a

Duergar Stone Guard

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

outbursts of frustration and despair is not always easy. Similarly, duergar tend to be very community-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to survive. Among the duergar of the Forgotten

some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if that passion rarely manifests as mirth. They bring an emotional intensity to their lives, whether they&rsquo

Duergar Soulblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if that passion rarely

. The bonds of friendship and kinship are strong, though navigating the inevitable outbursts of frustration and despair is not always easy. Similarly, duergar tend to be very community-minded—in

Duergar Xarrorn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if that passion rarely manifests as mirth. They bring an

are strong, though navigating the inevitable outbursts of frustration and despair is not always easy. Similarly, duergar tend to be very community-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to

Duergar Despot

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

community-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to survive. Among the duergar of the Forgotten Realms, creation is a fiercely passionate process. They tend to favor works that are sturdy

fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if

Spirit Troll

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

creature still moves and attacks with teeth and claws as ever—but now the troll strikes at victims’ minds. Trolls Trolls that are nearly obliterated but survive and regenerate from mere

psychic energy can take a nonphysical form upon regenerating. The troll’s psyche survives, but the body is as insubstantial as shadow. The troll might be unaware of the transition—the

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

the glassy surface of Maer Dualdon. — R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard The comforts of home are the goals of most halflings’ lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from

might be a wagon jostling along a dirt road or a raft floating downriver. Small and Practical The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring

Dire Troll

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

on a successful one.Trolls kill and eat almost anything—including, in rare cases, other trolls. This cannibalism has the effect of causing a troll to grow to an unusually large size. The

, claws, and organs that dire trolls tear from their victims and graft onto themselves in this manner. Trolls Trolls that are nearly obliterated but survive and regenerate from mere scraps of flesh can

Nagpa

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

to please and thereby escape further attention from her cold gaze. All the original thirteen remain alive, thanks to their cunning and their willingness to do whatever is necessary to survive

. They then revel in the grand devastation their plotting brought about—looting libraries, plundering vaults, and prying secrets of arcane lore and power from the wreckage.Corruption. The nagpa

Pirate Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

board—boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run? You spent your youth

under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and lawlessness. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more than one

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

evolution. The lich Acererak — a powerful wizard and demonologist and the infamous master of the Tomb of Horrors — anticipated his own transformation, preparing for it by setting enchanted

its skull remains. This “demilich” contains only a fragment of the lich’s malevolent life force — just enough so that if it is disturbed, these remains rise into the air and

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

One useful trick: if ye face bugbears who have severed heads on spikes as trophies, cast a spell to make the heads speak. After that, ye can cozen the bugbears into doing almost anything. &mdash

; Elminster Bugbears feature in the nightmare tales of many races — great, hairy beasts that creep through the shadows as quiet as cats. If you walk alone in the woods, a bugbear will reach out

Nightwalker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

ends. Most individuals prove unequal to the task. Those not destroyed outright are sometimes drawn inside the plane and replaced by nightwalkers—terrifying Undead creatures that devour all life

sucks the life and soul from creatures, annihilating most at once. The few who survive by sheer luck or by harnessing some rare form of protective magic soon discover that they can’t leave as easily

Duergar Mind Master

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

of frustration and despair is not always easy. Similarly, duergar tend to be very community-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to survive. Among the duergar of the Forgotten Realms

as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if that passion rarely manifests as mirth. They bring an emotional intensity to their lives, whether they’re

Duergar Warlord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

-minded—in the Underdark, all must cooperate to survive. Among the duergar of the Forgotten Realms, creation is a fiercely passionate process. They tend to favor works that are sturdy and grand

battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some as joyless, duergar are in fact deeply passionate in all that they do—even if that

Sailor Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

board—boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your fellows, or on the run? Skill

You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

living, as these aimless killers know only suffering and seek to spread it whenever the opportunity arises. While palamnites might wander the world as dangerous, lone murderers, many gravitate to Odunos

expected—not that they remember what it was they expected. As a result of having followed the Path of Phenax (see chapter 4), the Returned lose their identities, which manifest as separate beings

Demogorgon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

disadvantage, and all Charisma (Deception) and Charisma (Intimidation) checks have advantage. Frenzied Animals. Beasts within 1 mile of the lair become frenzied and violent—even creatures that are

Demogorgon’s followers are typically lone killers driven by the whispering voice of their master. His most blessed followers gain the Two Minds of Chaos trait. Two Minds of Chaos. This creature

Artus Cimber

Monsters Tomb of Annihilation

Chult, where he also met his wife, Alisanda. The ring halts its wearer’s natural aging and has allowed Artus to survive well beyond his natural lifespan. The ring also defies magical attempts to

divine its location and that of its wearer. On his fingers above the knuckles, Artus has tattooed the names of his dearly departed animal companions — a pair of talking wombats named Byrt and

Dullahan

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

target dies if it can’t survive without the lost head. A creature that doesn’t have or need a head, or has legendary actions, instead takes an extra 27 (6d8);{"diceNotation":"6d8

"} necrotic damage.Dullahans are headless undead warriors—the remains of villains who let vengeance consume them. These decapitated hunters haunt the areas where they were slain, butchering innocents in

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

freshly grilled steak. — Tordek, dwarf fighter and adventurer Only a fool looks at the lizardfolk and sees nothing more than scaly humanoids. Their physical shape notwithstanding, lizardfolk

in the other humanoids and makes them less helpful in battle. Utility and Survival The lizardfolk mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. The

Tiefling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

jolted her. “What is it they say?” he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s a conspiracy—” “Three’s a curse,” she finished. “You think I

eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just sharpens your claws.” — Erin M. Evans, Brimstone Angels To be greeted with

Fractine

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures

surfaces substituting for the mirror needed to cast certain divination spells. While being used in this way, the fractine siphons magical energy from the spellcaster—not enough to cause harm

, but enough to make the caster take notice. A fractine needs light and magical energy to survive. It can draw sustenance from a nearby light source, spellcaster, magic item, or magical effect without

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

with all hands? What were your duties on board—boatswain, captain, navigator, cook, or some other position? Who were the captain and first mate? Did you leave your ship on good terms with your

the Gray Wavers—the Flaming Fist harbor guards—and have a sense of how to operate the city’s mechanized cranes. Variant Sailor: Pirate You spent your youth under the sway of a

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

dance to any tune. — Volo To feel the thunder of orcish war drums outside the gate and to hear a chorus of voices growling, “Gruumsh!” is the nightmare of every civilized place in

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

At the highest mountain peaks — far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds howl — dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to have seen a

mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. Survival of the Fittest Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has

Hierophant Medusa

Monsters The Book of Many Things

attack roll, the target is decapitated and dies if it fails a DC 20 Constitution saving throw and can’t survive without that head. A target is immune to this effect if it takes none of the damage

with advantage.Sometimes deeply devout people, usually either Humanoids or medusas, dedicate themselves to a cause and are transformed by a deity or magic into hierophant medusas—beings with

Gruul Anarch

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

The entire world of Ravnica is a sprawling metropolis, but you are a native of the wild areas that still exist — the abandoned districts, the rubblebelts, the overgrown parks, and the crumbling

ruins. You are part of a savage society that clings desperately to the Old Ways — attuned to nature, full of primal rage, and given short shrift by a world consumed with continuing civilization

D&D Beyond

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