measure stories with only aid from for life

Bard

Classes Player’s Handbook

, including performing music, working magic, and making jests. A Bard’s life is spent traveling, gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the gratitude of audiences, much like any other entertainer

Cultist (Knights of the Black Sword)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

have perished in the wilderness had Levistus not intervened on their behalf. The cultists’ stories are all the same: the archdevil reached out to them in their minds as they were freezing to death

, offering a second chance at life in exchange for their absolute devotion. After they agreed to follow Levistus, a pale glow caught their eye in the snow nearby, leading to the discovery of a sword

Cult Fanatic (Knights of the Black Sword)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

’ stories are all the same: the archdevil reached out to them in their minds as they were freezing to death, offering a second chance at life in exchange for their absolute devotion. After they

warmth and aid, protecting its wearer against the cold while guiding them safely back to civilization. Once its wearer reaches Ten-Towns, the talisman loses its inner radiance, yet the cultists keep their

Foresworn

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

weaponry, a foresworn maintains the martial prowess it had in life and can call on magic and its fallen brethren for aid. Like revenant;revenants, foresworn fixate on a singular purpose, and they

Duty-Bound. The foresworn is bound to enacting a singular duty it pledged itself to in life. While this duty is incomplete, whenever the foresworn is destroyed, it re-forms at its previous location

Battle Smith Legacy

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

material and personnel. To aid in their work, Battle Smiths are usually accompanied by a steel defender, a protective companion of their own creation. Many soldiers tell stories of nearly dying

the Last War, these artificers led efforts to aid those who were injured in the war’s horrific battles.

Emerald Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

least get close without arousing suspicion. Once in a position to observe, the dragon studies the day-to-day life of local folk, with a keen interest in any magical phenomena. Emerald dragons&rsquo

is a magic in the retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any) 4 Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on. (Any

Dragon Blessed

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

they give life energy to save those they deem important to their masters’ work. Dragon Followers Dragons boast many minions, students, employees, acolytes, and thralls. Dragon followers are

their behavior and beliefs reflect the ethos of the dragon they follow. Many dragon followers have personal stories of benevolent dragons sharing great knowledge, protecting their towns, or sparing their

Oath of Devotion Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods’ tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels—the perfect servants of good

this oath share these tenets. Honesty. Don’t lie or cheat. Let your word be your promise. Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise. Compassion. Aid others, protect the weak, and

Dragon Speaker

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

return. Dragon followers might serve and revere any kind of dragon, and their behavior and beliefs reflect the ethos of the dragon they follow. Many dragon followers have personal stories of

benevolent dragons sharing great knowledge, protecting their towns, or sparing their lives during some foolhardy adventure. Other followers seek to uncover the mysteries of draconic nature and live a life

Nafik

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14): At will: Thaumaturgy 2/day each: Command, Silence 1/day: Insect PlagueIn life, Nafik was the high priest of Amun Sa, the last pharaoh of the land of Bakar

, seeking forbidden rituals he hoped could teach him the secrets of everlasting life. When the lands of Bakar dried up, the faithful stopped bringing offerings to Amun Sa’s tomb. The threat of

Young Emerald Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, or at least get close without arousing suspicion. Once in a position to observe, the dragon studies the day-to-day life of local folk, with a keen interest in any magical phenomena. Emerald dragons

. There is a magic in the retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any) 4 Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on

Giant Foundling

Backgrounds Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

magic inherent in the site of your home, or some verdant blessing of growth placed on you—caused you to grow to a remarkable size for your kind. With the aid of this magic, you have learned how to

embody the might of giants. You are used to moving through a world much bigger than you, and that is reflected in your skills, attitude, and perspective on life. Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation

Dragon Chosen

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

reflect the ethos of the dragon they follow. Many dragon followers have personal stories of benevolent dragons sharing great knowledge, protecting their towns, or sparing their lives during some

foolhardy adventure. Other followers seek to uncover the mysteries of draconic nature and live a life worthy of their dragon’s reward, and they dream of a world where dragons can live among them as their rulers.

Naiad

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

all others. Over time, such a resident nymph often becomes connected with their aquatic home through sightings and stories, becoming a guardian of the place and, in effect, a manifestation of its

and aid those who live off the land, while others embody violent aspects of nature. In either case, nymphs generally avoid other sapient creatures, preferring to mind the cycles of nature, the daily

Jingle Jangle

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

undo what she thought was a terrible curse: wherever Jingle Jangle went, she felt a tormenting fear of being caught on the wrong side of a locked door. When she appealed to Bavlorna for aid, the hag

her collection. She also gives keys as gifts to those who need them. Jingle Jangle seeks a quiet life far away from locked doors and the intrigues of the fey courts. She moved to Telemy Hill to enjoy

Catoblepas

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

of carrion, and wallowing in mire. A catoblepas might be found with the one mate it chooses for life and, on occasion, with a calf. A catoblepas attacks anyone that moves too close, especially if

the creature has such a feared reputation that stories about it are ingrained in the popular culture. Any rumor of a catoblepas taking up residence nearby is taken to be a bad omen, even if the rumor is

Jammer Leech

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

":"force"} force damage and be stunned until the end of its next turn.A jammer leech is a barnacle-like creature that begins life as a space-dwelling spore that attaches to the hull of a spelljamming ship

defensive measure. If the crew of a ship becomes aware of leeches that have become attached, it’s customary for them to try to scrape the leeches off the hull rather than attack them with weapons

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent

wandering across the land gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the gratitude of audiences, much like any other entertainer. But a depth of knowledge, a level of musical skill, and a touch of magic

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful) 3 Creativity. The world is in need of new ideas and bold action. (Chaotic) 4

I love. 2 Someone stole my precious instrument, and someday I’ll get it back. 3 I want to be famous, whatever it takes. 4 I idolize a hero of the old tales and measure my deeds

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

anger. Your music raises their spirits or captures their sorrow. Your dance steps captivate, your humor cuts to the quick. Whatever techniques you use, your art is your life. Skill

. d6 Ideal 1 Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good) 2 Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us

Eater of Hope

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

of life and joy. Although these demons can strike down most foes, they prefer to let terror and despair overtake their victims first, letting their victims marinate in fear before the fiend devours

’ greed to turn them against one another and their own best interests. Some foul souls can’t let go of the miserable lives they had. Having been despicable in life, these spirits fester in

Death's Head

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

or animal swoops down to rip apart victims with its gnashing teeth. One with the head of monster like a nothic or medusa, though, retains a measure of the power it had in life and can befuddle the

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

emotions are foreign to most yuan-ti, which understand sentiment only as an exploitable weakness. A yuan-ti views the world and the events of its own life with such extreme pragmatism that it is nearly

, humanoid cultures make the fatal mistake of trusting the yuan-ti. They forget that a yuan-ti that acts honorably or lends aid in a time of trouble does so only as part of a grander design. Yuan-ti leaders

Whisper Jar

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

Also at rank 1, you are the beneficiary of a whisper jar — a common magic item resembling an ether-filled jar with a long tap hose. The jar is used to record others’ stories and your own

;Tabaxi on a Hot Tin Roof 2 The life’s work of the loremonger who owned the jar before you 3 Every courageous thought you’ve ever had, to cover for how scared you are most of

Berbalang Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

gathering secrets, both from the gods they inhabit and from the bones of dead creatures, they call forth the spirits of the dead and force them to divulge what they learned in life. Speakers of the Dead

. Berbalangs prefer to speak only to dead things, and specifically only to the spirits they call forth in the hope of learning secrets. They record their stories on the bones that once belonged to

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:At will: expeditious retreat, false life, minor illusion, prestidigitation3/day each: aid, misty step, Tasha's hideous

into earning trust from those it encounters, casting itself as a helpless creature pleading for aid even as it looks for the opportunity to betray and overpower. Or it might seek to dominate the weak

Barghest

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

is trapped in the barghest, any magic that tries to restore the soul to life has a 50 percent chance of failing and being wasted.Multiattack. The barghest makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack

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

Abhorrent Overlord

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

continue to flock around the demon, offering fealty and squabbling for scraps. Some foul souls can't let go of the miserable lives they had. Having been despicable in life, these spirits fester in death

, while a balor meeting a Theros demon on some other plane might consider it a rarity from some undiscovered Abyssal layer. In general, feel free to use whatever fiends you wish when telling stories

Nightmare Shepherd

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

miserable lives they had. Having been despicable in life, these spirits fester in death. The worst of these hateful dead, through ages of bitterness, gradually transform into fiends, the tormentors of

plane might consider it a rarity from some undiscovered Abyssal layer. In general, feel free to use whatever fiends you wish when telling stories in Theros—the Underworld’s a big place with room for all the incarnate wickedness you desire. PoisonCold, Necrotic

Berbalang

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

life. Berbalangs prefer to speak only to dead things, and specifically only to the spirits they call forth in the hope of learning secrets. They record their stories on the bones that once belonged

Crystal Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

life, crystal dragons enjoy an innate psionic connection to the Positive Plane that suffuses their bodies as well as their personalities with light. Though they prefer to live in desolate, frigid regions

) 6 Control. Everyone is welcome, as long as they follow my rules. (Lawful) Crystal Dragon Adventures The Crystal Dragon Adventure Hooks table offers suggestions for stories and adventures

Way of Mercy Legacy

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Monks of the Way of Mercy learn to manipulate the life force of others to bring aid to those in need. They are wandering physicians to the poor and hurt. However, to those beyond their help, they

. Some might be gentle-voiced healers, beloved by their communities, while others might be masked bringers of macabre mercies. The walkers of this way usually don robes with deep cowls, and they often conceal their faces with masks, presenting themselves as the faceless bringers of life and death.

Relentless Juggernaut

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

weapons with which they can slaughter prey. Sharp iron fences, crushing stalagmites and blades of glass all conveniently appear in order to aid a juggernaut’s brutality. Every juggernaut considers

. Their bargains transform them into vicious butchers that exist only to indulge their endless bloodlust. While some who become relentless killers began life as innocents, any semblance of who they were

Dragonborn Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

foreign house. The sword at his back was the same, though, the one he had carried since even before he had found the twins left in swaddling at the gates of Arush Vayem. For all her life, Farideh had

calling in life. Proud Dragon Kin Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail. The first dragonborn had scales of vibrant hues matching the

Baba Lysaga

Monsters Curse of Strahd

feet of Baba Lysaga and acts as her ally. It remains until it dies or until Baba Lysaga dismisses it as an action.Two women gave life to Strahd von Zarovich. The first was Queen Ravenovia van Roeyen

her life that matters to her. Mother Nearest. During her exile, Baba Lysaga made countless sacrifices to Mother Night, pleading with the goddess to afflict Queen Ravenovia with ill health and visit

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