mechanics some with only are former for like

Aruk Thundercaller Thuunlakalaga

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

mountain strongholds inhabited by goliaths. The former is home to the Skytower (Akannathi) clan, the latter to the Wyrmdoom (Thuunlakalaga) clan. The two groups refuse to get along, and competition between

them is fierce and often violent. They stare at each other across mountain peaks and fight over everything from necessities to territory. The likelihood of peace between them is remote, because goliaths like to hold grudges.Cold

Aartuk Elder

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

Wildspace, including aboard spelljamming ships whose former crews were either murdered or forcibly ejected by a band of aartuks. An aartuk’s body is shaped like a five-pointed star and is

covered with thick, flexible bark. The tips of its branch-like extremities end in suction cups that allow the creature to climb on vertical surfaces and along ceilings. Each suction cup houses three

Goliath Warrior

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Shelter and Wyrmdoom Crag are two mountain strongholds inhabited by goliaths. The former is home to the Skytower (Akannathi) clan, the latter to the Wyrmdoom (Thuunlakalaga) clan. The two groups refuse

to get along, and competition between them is fierce and often violent. They stare at each other across mountain peaks and fight over everything from necessities to territory. The likelihood of peace between them is remote, because goliaths like to hold grudges.Cold

Aartuk Weedling

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

. Aartuk cells can be found throughout Wildspace, including aboard spelljamming ships whose former crews were either murdered or forcibly ejected by a band of aartuks. An aartuk’s body is shaped

like a five-pointed star and is covered with thick, flexible bark. The tips of its branch-like extremities end in suction cups that allow the creature to climb on vertical surfaces and along ceilings

Chwinga Astronaut

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

glittering spores, a statuette resembling its former self, a chunk of ice, or a sponge shaped like a dodecahedron (DM’s choice).Magical Gift (1/Day). The chwinga targets a Humanoid it can see

, animated dolls with mask-like faces, spindly limbs, and wild hair. They don’t have names and can’t speak. Chwingas normally avoid other creatures, but they find the trappings of civilization

Vargouille

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

all vargouilles for 1 hour.Shrieking, flapping, and hideous to behold—with a body like a severed head and wings in place of ears—vargouilles boil out of the Abyss to infest other planes

vargouille along for the ride, attached like a tick. The precautions a mortal takes to control a summoned demon rarely account for a stowaway, enabling the vargouille to escape into the world. Vargouilles

Barrowghast

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

a barrowghast. Though it looks like little more than an animated corpse, a barrowghast is filled with necrotic energy and driven by spite and malice. Its blood is a thick and toxic ichor that gives

the barrowghast a noxious stench. Barrowghasts no longer hunger for physical food and instead crave life energy drained from living creatures. They often target former family members and allies, but

Aartuk Starhorror

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

found throughout Wildspace, including aboard spelljamming ships whose former crews were either murdered or forcibly ejected by a band of aartuks. An aartuk’s body is shaped like a five-pointed

star and is covered with thick, flexible bark. The tips of its branch-like extremities end in suction cups that allow the creature to climb on vertical surfaces and along ceilings. Each suction cup

Wood Woad

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, just as does the body of its former self, buried in the earth. Those who become wood woads trade their free will and all sense of sentiment for supernatural strength and a deathless duty. They exist

, and when not called on to take action, they root themselves in the earth and silently take sustenance from it. Like trees, wood woads need only sunlight, air, and nutrients from the earth to go on

Starlight Apparition

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

until the body drops to 0 hit points, the apparition ends it as a bonus action, the body leaves the Astral Plane, or the apparition is forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good spell. When

the Astral Sea are known as starlight apparitions. Each one has a luminous, incorporeal appearance that resembles its former self, but with eyes that glow. A starlight apparition is different from a

Caradoc

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

drops to 0 hit points, Caradoc ends it as a bonus action, or he is turned or forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good spell. When the possession ends, Caradoc reappears in an unoccupied

space within 5 feet of the body. The target is immune to Caradoc’s Possession for 24 hours after succeeding on the saving throw or after the possession ends.Seneschal of Lord Soth and a former

Phantom Warrior

Monsters Curse of Strahd

soldier or knight who perished on the battlefield or died performing its sworn duty. It appears like a translucent version of its living self. Task Driven. Although one is often mistaken for a ghost, a

phantom warrior isn't bound by a yearning to complete some unresolved goal. It can choose to end its undead existence at any time. Its spirit lingers willingly, either out of loyalty to its former

Crown of Lies

Magic Items Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Dark Powers released Kas. From there, Kas set out to ruin his former master. Should Kas fail, the Dark Powers will reclaim him. The crown is made of burnished and entwined metal rods. To attune to it

use an action to transform yourself to look and feel like any creature you’ve seen at least once and whose size is no more than one size smaller or larger than yours. The new form mimics the

Sea Spawn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

recounted in dockside taverns tell of people lost to the sea—but not merely drowned and gone. Some unfortunates taken by the ocean live on as sea spawn, haunting the waves like tortured reflections

of their former selves. Coral encrusts them. Barnacles cling to their cold skin. Lungs that once filled with air can now breathe in water as well. Tales provide myriad reasons for these strange

Bak Mei

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

recruit new members. Under Bak Mei’s cruel tutelage and eccentric training methods, the order has grown in power and numbers, living in seclusion while he planned his revenge on his former

knowledge. Bak Mei is an old man with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows. Like the other members of his order, Bak Mei is clad in snow-white robes secured by a black sash over a form-fitting black

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

. Great bat wings sprout from his shoulders, and his head is like the skull of a goat, the flesh nearly rotted from it. In one hand, he wields the legendary Wand of Orcus, which is described in

effects: Dead beasts periodically animate as undead mockeries of their former selves. Skeletal and zombie versions of local wildlife are commonly seen in the area. The air becomes filled with the

Orcus

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

rot. Great bat wings sprout from his shoulders, and his head is like the skull of a goat, the flesh nearly rotted from it. In one hand, he wields the legendary Wand of Orcus, which is described in the

Undead mockeries of their former selves. Skeletal and zombie versions of local wildlife are commonly seen in the area. If Orcus dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10;{"diceNotation":"1d10

Juiblex Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

red eyes floating and shifting within it. It can rise up like a 20-foot hill, lashing out with dripping pseudopods to drag victims into its bulk. Those consumed by Juiblex are obliterated. Only the

truly insane worship Juiblex and tend to its slimes and oozes. Those who offer themselves up to the demon lord are engulfed by it and become vaguely humanoid, sentient oozes. The bodies of these former

Grung

Species One Grung Above

THIS IS NONCORE D&D MATERIAL These game mechanics are usable in your campaign if your DM allows them but not refined by final game design and editing. Grungs are aggressive froglike

lookout for creatures they can capture and enslave. Grungs use slaves for all manner of menial tasks, but mostly they just like bossing them around. Slaves are fed mildly poisoned food to keep them

Soldier Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

bearer 8 Support staff (cook, blacksmith, or the like) FEATURE: MILITARY RANK You have a military rank from your career as a soldier. Soldiers loyal to your former military

I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. 6 I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. 7 I have a crude sense of humor. 8 I face problems head-on. A simple, direct

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

shared elements among these folk. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced

stings like acid, and sadness saps their strength. But they laugh loudly and heartily, and simple pleasures — feasting, drinking, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing — fill their hearts

Simic Scientist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

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

members are former members of other guilds. Roll twice on the Simic Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Simic Contacts table. Simic Contacts d8 Contact 1

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

voices and actions aligned in common purpose. (Good) 3 Order. Like a well-pruned tree, society thrives when everything is kept in good order. (Lawful) 4 Life. Preserving life and

guilds, and often these new guild members maintain friendships with former guild mates. Roll twice on the Selesnya Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Selesnya Contacts table

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

pursuits, and others just like explosions. Personality Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I have a hard time staying focused on … oh, and my brain tends to jump from one &hellip

Life’s an experiment, and I can’t wait to see what happens. 6 I pepper my speech with the incomprehensible jargon of my trade, like mizzium droplets inserted into a weird-field

Plaintiff

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

and realms of magic and mystery just a dungeon away, you left your old life behind. Now a world of adventure is yours. Just initial here and sign here and here. Absolve Acq Inc of all former claims, and

of that system. Even when the law is not on your side, you can use complex terms like ex injuria jus non oritur and cogitationis poenam nemo patitur to frighten people into thinking you know what you

Soldier - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, blacksmith, or the like) FEATURE: MILITARY RANK You have a military rank from your career as a soldier. Soldiers loyal to your former military organization still recognize your authority and

strong and like breaking things. 7 I have a crude sense of humor. 8 I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. d6 Ideal 1

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

of harmless flame and shadowy shapes. When you manipulate an opponent’s mind, a flaming symbol of Rakdos might momentarily appear like a mask over the target’s face. Suggested

the pain of others. 5 I enjoy testing other people’s patience. 6 I can’t stand it when things are predictable, so I like to add a little chaos to every situation. 7 I

Noble - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

unfamiliar with work or discomfort, a former merchant just elevated to the nobility, or a disinherited scoundrel with a disproportionate sense of entitlement. Or you could be an honest, hard-working

nuances of royal courts half a continent away and shockingly ignorant of what life is like for the poor outside their own doorsteps. This combination of worldly savvy and local blindness characterizes

Courtier

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

life, your relationships with your former fellows can be an advantage for you and your adventuring comrades. You might undertake missions with your new companions that further the interest of the

. 5 I’m rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. 6 I like to talk at length about my profession. 7 I don’t part with my money easily and will haggle

Marine

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

, marines tend to operate best in groups, valuing camaraderie and the companionship of like-minded individuals. D8 PERSONALITY TRAIT 1 I speak rarely but mean every word I say

innocent people are hurt. 6 I sometimes stay up all night listening to the ghosts of my fallen enemies. Saltmarsh Ties As a former member of Saltmarsh’s elite marine contingent

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

only breaking knees when it can plausibly be claimed as an act of personal revenge. Others join up with crews for protection, or with the Guild itself. A few former Guild members have been cast out of

Characteristics Criminals might seem like villains on the surface, and many of them are villainous to the core. But some have an abundance of endearing, if not redeeming, characteristics. There might be honor

Azorius Functionary

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

. 3 When I give an order, I expect it to be obeyed. 4 I just want things the way I like them: neat, orderly, and clean. 5 No wrongdoing can escape my watchful gaze. 6 I always say

unable to distinguish between the letter and the spirit of the law. 2 I seem like a harsh judge to others, but I judge myself most harshly of all. 3 I have a secret, illegal vice. 4 I

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

cannibalizing their victims, and then performed a sorcerous ritual while writhing in pools filled with living snakes that enabled them to mix their flesh with that of serpents, becoming like the gods in

— yuan-ti make perfect courtiers. And, worse for the rest of us, rulers. — Elminster The physical and magical prowess of the yuan-ti empire allowed the former humans to retain their

City Watch / Investigator

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you’re more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter. Variant: Investigator Rarer

hell hound without flinching. 6 I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. 7 I have a crude sense of humor. 8 I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to

26. Apprentice's Quarters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

26. Apprentice’s Quarters Like her former master Halaster, Arcturia takes on apprentices of her own from time to time, but they seldom survive for long. This room contains a moldy quilt draped over a

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