mechanics simply with only are from for like

Deathless Rider

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

disadvantage if it can see the rider, ending the condition on itself on a success.Legends told in the courts of Eldraine suggest that the deathless riders serve a warlock-queen, known simply as the Shadow

Queen, who rules from a castle called Dynnistan. It isn’t known whether these legends are based on any true experience or are simply the result of imagination trying to account for a terrifying and

Constructed Commoner

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

makes them look like flesh-and-blood people, and the constructs conduct themselves as convincingly real humanoids who are simply living their lives in Wisteria Vale. Detect magic spells do not reveal

regardless of their apparent origin. Constructed commoners don’t bleed or feel pain like flesh-and-blood humanoids. If a villager’s hit points drop to 0, its true form is revealed: that of

Rot Troll

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

rot troll becomes unable to regenerate, though the troll still heals normally. The creature courses with necrotic energy; simply standing near a rot troll exposes other creatures to lethal emanations

. Trolls Trolls that are nearly obliterated but survive and regenerate from mere scraps of flesh can display bizarre features. Radically transformed trolls like the rot trolls, spirit troll;spirit

Prophetess Dran

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

strange creature that had seized his sister, then created a false Auspicia in her stead. Having long attempted to simply make her peace with the loss, she was overwhelmed by the real Auspicia's dramatic

people have a responsibility to their community. A practical sort who prefers to do things on her own, she doesn't like to fuss with prayer if she doesn't need to, as if bothering Tymora with trifles might seem rude.

Undercity Medusa

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

around Ravnica, and at least one medusa is thought to be angling for control of the entire guild at the moment. Not all gorgons are so ambitious; some prefer to simply stalk the endless shadows of the

undercity like hungry predators. LUDMILLA, THE TUNNEL VIPER Ludmilla is the last surviving member of the Sisters of Stone Death, the trio of power-hungry medusas who slew Svogthir, the original

Boneclaw

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

appearing before that individual to receive orders and other times simply seeking to fulfill its master’s desires. A boneclaw can serve only an evil creature. If its master finds redemption or

re-forms within hours. In service to its master, a boneclaw delights in causing horrific pain. It lurks like a spider in shadowy recesses, waiting for victims to approach within reach of its long

Star Spawn Mangler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

inextricably bound to their home realities, and others simply can’t find any way out. The creatures known as star spawn are the heralds, servants, and soldiers of the Elder Evils, capable of

of Haask, the Voice of Hargut Haask’s Presence (1/Day). The cultist transforms into a Tiny, slug-like being and teleports onto the shoulder of a Humanoid that it can see within 30 feet of it

Star Spawn Grue

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

unable or unwilling to leave their realms. Some are imprisoned in their dimensions by external forces, some are inextricably bound to their home realities, and others simply can’t find any way

transforms into a Tiny, slug-like being and teleports onto the shoulder of a Humanoid that it can see within 30 feet of it. The targeted Humanoid must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be charmed by

Star Spawn Hulk

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

are inextricably bound to their home realities, and others simply can’t find any way out. The creatures known as star spawn are the heralds, servants, and soldiers of the Elder Evils, capable

. Cult of Haask, the Voice of Hargut Haask’s Presence (1/Day). The cultist transforms into a Tiny, slug-like being and teleports onto the shoulder of a Humanoid that it can see within 30

Star Spawn Larva Mage

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

are inextricably bound to their home realities, and others simply can’t find any way out. The creatures known as star spawn are the heralds, servants, and soldiers of the Elder Evils, capable

. Cult of Haask, the Voice of Hargut Haask’s Presence (1/Day). The cultist transforms into a Tiny, slug-like being and teleports onto the shoulder of a Humanoid that it can see within 30 feet

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, guardians of the sacred, and counterbalances to the forces of evil. Ki-rins are an embodiment of good, and simply beholding one can evoke fear or awe in an observer. A typical ki-rin looks like a

of evil. Having one horn is most common, but a particularly fierce ki-rin might have two horns or a set of antlers like those of a great stag. In many lands, common folk view ki-rins as heralds of

Star Spawn Seer

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hands become bulky, flipper-like appendages able to grasp the seer’s strange staff formed of a blend of flesh, bone, and star stuff. A star spawn seer is almost always accompanied by one or more

Elder Evils are unable or unwilling to leave their realms. Some are imprisoned in their dimensions by external forces, some are inextricably bound to their home realities, and others simply can’t

Sword of Zariel

Magic Items Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

misquote) religious texts. 6 I anger quickly when I witness cruelty or injustice. 7 My praise and trust are earned and never given freely. 8 I like everything clean and organized

sword simply by grasping it. She couldn’t bring herself to do so when she was an angel, but as an archdevil she has no compunction about ridding the multiverse of the weapon. The sword is also

Ancient Dragon Turtle

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

kindred spirits and like to rub affectionately against their keels. 4 I like to show visitors the vastness of my domain, so they appreciate how insignificant they are. 5 I attack anyone I

constructing a dragon turtle’s lair, you can simply take a coastal map and translate it to an underwater environment or use the map as-is if the dragon turtle is content to lair near the surface

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

spring sky to the rich, crystalline azure of sapphire gems and compressed glacial ice. In the light, the scales glitter and shine like luminous starbursts. The dragons’ psionic nature is evident

without excavation or magic, as the dragon can simply open doorways in walls whenever necessary. The lair has the following features: Disguised Entrances. An otherwise unremarkable cave (shown at the

Adult Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

azure of sapphire gems and compressed glacial ice. In the light, the scales glitter and shine like luminous starbursts. The dragons’ psionic nature is evident in the horn and bone structures of

of natural tunnels and chambers the dragon has adapted to serve as a lair. The lair has few natural entrances, so whole sections are inaccessible without excavation or magic, as the dragon can simply

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign. Suggested

world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. 3 I’m used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

motivation behind another strike performed in a different part of the city, or simply to spread fear. As part of your covert work for House Dimir, you maintain a false identity as a member of another guild

guild. 5 I was a member of this guild before the Dimir recruited me. 6 I don’t like what this guild stands for and want to destroy it from within. 7 I secretly wish I could

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot

convey the impression of great erudition. 2 I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries—or I like to boast that I have. 3 I’m used to helping out those who

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

offer bribes, favors, or other incentives to induce people to reveal their secrets. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an inaccessible place, or that it simply can

1 I helped create a krasis that I love like a pet and would carry with me everywhere … except it’s the size of a building, and it might eat me. 2 In my laboratory, I

Endless Void Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

unpleasant odor, like scorched metal. Cardinal Directions Like the rest of the Far Realm, the Endless Void has no cardinal directions. Compass roses appear on the maps for your convenience, to help you

orient the characters as they navigate each location Movement Creatures in the Endless Void can move by simply thinking about the direction they wish to travel. Creatures gain a flying speed equal to

Far Traveler

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

Mulhorand’s sweltering deserts and ancient pyramids for a glimpse at a different life do so for many reasons. You might be in the North simply to see the strangeness this wet land has to offer, or

of them stray as far from home as you have. You might be traveling to discover what wonders are to be found outside the deserts and sword-like mountains of your homeland, or perhaps you are on a

Crime Syndicate

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

entrusted with more important tasks than simply roughing up local merchants or breaking into empty apartments. If you’re anything like a typical adventuring party, you bring a combination of powerful

magic, physical might, and a broad selection of skills to your work, making you well suited to missions like grand heists, high-profile assassinations, and epic cons. Crime syndicates thrived during

SHA'SAL KHOU

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rrakkma

Khou work secretly within their respective societies, subtly discouraging attacks on the other gith race while carefully recruiting like-minded individuals. They maintain a secret redoubt on the Sword

objectives or even simply as training to pursue them, they find themselves participating in all sorts of expeditions and adventures alongside the factions. As a general note, the Sha’sal Khou isn’t a

Astral Plane

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

sky, anchored in ends so distant she couldn’t perceive them, their middle parts revolving angrily like pieces of string rolled between a child’s fingertips. She glanced down, wondering what supported

great silvery sea, the same above and below, with swirling wisps of white and gray streaking among motes of light like distant stars. Most of the Astral Sea is a vast, empty expanse. Visitors occasionally

Never Alone

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

patrolling the laboratory section (areas 1 to 23). On a 3–4, it patrols the temple section (areas 24 to 39). There are no fixed mechanics for encounters with the thessalhydra, but feel free to have

thessalheart construct is a strange magical-mechanical device that struts about like a chicken, and which features a human heart beating madly behind its glass front. The construct always wanders the zone

Tieflings

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

demon?” “I don’t think so. The Ghaash’kala call him a sak’vanarrak — it translates as something like ‘fiend-touched.’ A Karrn scholar coined the word tiefling. I think he’s some mixture of fiend and

mortal, more like a savior than a god.” Thuel frowned. “Their savior, our damnation.” — James Wyatt, Dragon Forge Tieflings rarely appear in the cities and towns of Khorvaire, with most dwelling

Mythic Monsters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

greatest myths arise from storied terrors—like the hydra Polukranos or the dreaded titans—the monsters in this section have a feature that sets them apart: mythic traits. Mythic traits transform battles

monsters. If you so choose, you may simply ignore a monster’s mythic trait and mythic actions. If you wish to increase a battle’s stakes, though, using a monster’s mythic trait results in some mid-battle

Delerium Chip Legacy

Equipment

tones, and glow brightly at night or when exposed to magic. Deposits are found throughout Drakkenheim, often fused into stone streets and buildings like crystalline moss. A typical delerium fragment is

simply wrong. Creatures incapacitated by the spell weep uncontrollably. 15 A black tentacles spell appears in the area for 1 hour (Escape DC 15). 16 Objects within 60 feet come to life for the

Delerium Geode Legacy

Equipment

tones, and glow brightly at night or when exposed to magic. Deposits are found throughout Drakkenheim, often fused into stone streets and buildings like crystalline moss. A typical delerium fragment is

simply wrong. Creatures incapacitated by the spell weep uncontrollably. 15 A black tentacles spell appears in the area for 1 hour (Escape DC 15). 16 Objects within 60 feet come to life for the

Delerium Massive Cluster Legacy

Equipment

tones, and glow brightly at night or when exposed to magic. Deposits are found throughout Drakkenheim, often fused into stone streets and buildings like crystalline moss. A typical delerium fragment is

simply wrong. Creatures incapacitated by the spell weep uncontrollably. 15 A black tentacles spell appears in the area for 1 hour (Escape DC 15). 16 Objects within 60 feet come to life for the

Step 5: Add Flavor

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

flesh out your encounter in these ways, go right ahead and finish your creation. Otherwise, take a look at the following sections for some basic advice on adding flavor elements to the simple mechanics

simply jot down a few notes based on a creature’s Monster Manual description. During the battle, you can use these ideas to inform how you portray the monsters and their actions. To keep things simple

Planar Travel

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

. Some portals are like doorways, a clear window, or a fog-shrouded passage, and simply stepping through it effects the interplanar travel. Others are locations-- circles of standing stones, soaring

Meeting Atiba-Pa

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

our way to simply treat guests with kindness. It is our way to welcome guests as family.” Ideal. “The nobility of each person’s essence can never be sullied by the actions of others.” Bond. “It is my

honor to serve my homeland. I will not pass beyond our borders for any reason.” Flaw. “I can’t let them see me when I’m like this. The melancholy in my bones is mine alone to bear.”

Absent Players

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

Absent Players When one of your players is absent, what do you do with that player’s character? Consider the following options: Fading into the Background. Have the character simply fade into the

same XP that the other characters earned each session, keeping the group at the same level. Some groups like to work out a policy regarding how many missing players is too many to proceed. For example

D&D Beyond

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