might study

Diviner Wizard

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

they might be know-it-alls, spilling insights to advance their own status. Wizards Wizards pursue magical power through the study of arcane texts. Some travel the world searching for esoteric tomes, while others train lesser wizards or collaborate with colleagues to create new spells.

the d20 rolled for the attack roll, saving throw, or ability check.Diviners peer into the future and know that knowledge is power. They might act aloof and mysterious, hinting at omens and secrets, or

Lorehold Pledgemage

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Lorehold College draw their magical might from the flow of time and fate and the way those forces shape the course of history. Scholars of this broad mystical study divide between those who see history as

Lorehold apprentice;apprentices and then as pledgemages—study the magic of the past, searching for arcane artifacts and speaking with long-dead adventurers to uncover secrets lost to time. Though

Lorehold Professor of Chaos

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

College draw their magical might from the flow of time and fate and the way those forces shape the course of history. Scholars of this broad mystical study divide between those who see history as an unpredictable jumble of chance and those who believe events form a perfect—and predictable—pattern.

effect on itself on a success.Professors of chaos wield magic inspired by the ebb and flow of chance. They study the course history has taken, looking for breaking points in the flow of events, and focus

Lorehold Professor of Order

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

using the spell’s spellcasting ability, or the spell fails and is wasted.Lorehold’s professors of order search for evidence of patterns and predictable outcomes in history. They study the

magic. Lorehold Scholars The archaeomancers of Lorehold College draw their magical might from the flow of time and fate and the way those forces shape the course of history. Scholars of this broad

Lorehold Apprentice

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

new roll.Deep in crumbling ruins and piles of dusty scrolls, Lorehold students—first as apprentices and then as Lorehold pledgemage;pledgemages—study the magic of the past, searching for

sometimes just bashing things with a glowing scroll. Lorehold Scholars The archaeomancers of Lorehold College draw their magical might from the flow of time and fate and the way those forces shape the

Fire Hellion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

", "rollAction":"Infernal Orb", "rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.Fire giants study war in its many forms across the multiverse, which

sometimes leads the giants to a fascination with the Blood War—the endless conflict between demons and devils across the Lower Planes. Such a giant might enter into a pact with a powerful devil

Mark of Detection Half-Elf

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

bearer to draw connections and interpret clues others might miss. By actively drawing on its powers, the bearer can detect poisons and study the energies of magic. House Medani Leader: Baron Trelib

Mind Drinker Vampire

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

target’s general emotional state but not its thoughts.When vampires join House Dimir, they can learn to siphon mental energy and memories along with the blood of their victims. They also study

. They rarely trust their own agents, though, and often follow their cell members to make sure those members carry out missions as ordered. The most suspicious vampires might even siphon thoughts from their subordinates to detect any hint of betrayal.Necrotic

Cloistered Scholar

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

assume roles of greater responsibility and prominence. You might be one of Candlekeep’s own, dedicated to the curatorship of what is likely the most complete body of lore and history in all the

to help those in other places who seek your expertise. You might be one of the few who aid Herald’s Holdfast, helping to catalogue and maintain records of the information that arrives daily from

Allip

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, months, and sometimes years after their fateful encounter. Insidious Lore An allip might attempt to share its lore to escape its curse and enter the afterlife. It can transfer knowledge from its

mind by guiding another creature to write down what it knows. This process takes days or possibly weeks. An allip can accomplish this task by lurking in the study or workplace of a scholar. If the allip

Hermit - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

fortunately, maintaining that deception might require you to stay in hiding until you actually are. 3 You study the puzzles of mortal natures. You’ve seen followers of evil deities perform

While some might think it strange to find hermits in a bustling city, others know that sometimes the most profound solitude exists in the midst of a crowd. Baldur’s Gate holds a handful of

Ki-rin

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

pledging service to the creature. They study under its tutelage in its lair and serve as its agents in the world. These followers might travel incognito across the land, seeking news of growing evil and

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

Verdan

Species Acquisitions Incorporated

who study this entity claim that it is clearly evil and destructive. Others call it simply a necessary part of the cycle of death and rebirth. In the end, though, That-Which-Endures shows precious

the character of the different cultures these folk have encountered since coming out into the sunlight. When a group of verdan live near dwarves, they might take on more dwarven-sounding names, only

Alhoon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

a highly intelligent mind. Most mind flayers who find a spellbook react with abhorrence or indifference, but for some, a spellbook is a gateway to a new way of thinking. For a time, the study of

difference is the lack of a mind flayer’s ever-present mucus coating. Without that protection, an alhoon’s skin becomes dry and cracked, and its eyes might appear shriveled and sunken. Both of

Sage - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

with opportunities for arcane study, although its masters are dispersed across individual wizards’ abodes and lack concentrated communities. You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse

. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a master in your fields of study. Skill

Crystal Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night sky and tracking the signs written in starlight

decades unexpectedly retires to the Elemental Plane of Air. Monstrous forces immediately move into the area—and might take control of the pass unless the dragon can be convinced to return. 6

Giant Foundling

Backgrounds Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

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

. 5 After you had a series of strange dreams as a child, your superstitious parents sent you to study with a powerful but aloof storm giant oracle. 6 While playing hide-and-seek with your friends

Adult Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

with fear or suspicion, and rippling in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night sky and tracking

has guarded a mountain pass for decades unexpectedly retires to the Elemental Plane of Air. Monstrous forces immediately move into the area—and might take control of the pass unless the dragon

Ancient Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

anger, lying back with fear or suspicion, and rippling in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night

crystal dragon who has guarded a mountain pass for decades unexpectedly retires to the Elemental Plane of Air. Monstrous forces immediately move into the area—and might take control of the pass

Acolyte - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies affect their mannerisms and ideals. Their flaws might

background might aspire to greater things, not for themselves, but for their faith. You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary

Young Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

suspicion, and rippling in side-to-side waves with amusement or joy. Visions in Starlight Many crystal dragons study the stars, recording their observations of the night sky and tracking the signs written

mountain pass for decades unexpectedly retires to the Elemental Plane of Air. Monstrous forces immediately move into the area—and might take control of the pass unless the dragon can be convinced to

Faceless

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

; literally or otherwise — as they adventure. This persona might be dramatic or subtle. In a way, though, many characters have such larger than life personalities. Therefore, this background largely

often as you wish, using one to hide the other or serve as convenient camouflage. However, should someone realize the connection between your persona and your true self, your deception might lose its

Insightful Collector

feats

following benefits. Object Intuition. You can take a Study action to examine one magical object and learn its properties and how to use it without Attunement;attuning to it or taking a Short Rest in

physical contact with it, but you don’t learn any curse the item might bear. There is a cumulative 5 percent chance for every rarity above Common that you misunderstand the nature and the power

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

master in your fields of study. Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead

can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a 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

Wrin Sivinxi

monsters

studying the night sky, Wrin can attempt to read the future in the stars. Wrin can’t use this trait during the day, on an overcast night, or when she otherwise can’t study the stars. The

’t take into account uncertain intervening circumstances that might change the outcome, such as the casting of additional spells or the loss of a companion. If the check succeeds by 5 or more, the

Acolyte Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle. You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to

Characteristics Acolytes are shaped by their experience in temples or other religious communities. Their study of the history and tenets of their faith and their relationships to temples, shrines, or hierarchies

Hermit Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

seclusion. It might be a great truth about the cosmos, the deities, the powerful beings of the outer planes, or the forces of nature. It could be a site that no one else has ever seen. You might have

uncovered a fact that has long been forgotten, or unearthed some relic of the past that could rewrite history. It might be information that would be damaging to the people who consigned you to exile, and

Crimson Aspirant

backgrounds

sustain life and transmit vital essence, binding the soul to the flesh. You might have apprenticed under a sly-hearted mentor or a secret cabal focused on understanding or even manipulating life and

Characters who value study and learning, as well as those with a capacity to heal the injuries and illnesses of others, readily become crimson aspirants. More physically inclined characters can be

Chapter Knight

backgrounds

virtues that maintain peace and prosperity in the realm. Through training and study, you’ve dedicated your life to upholding noble ideals such as strength, bravery, charity, temperance, and

quest, your shield is blank. You might receive many honors during your journeys, though much will be expected of you. Folk may look to you as a protector, leader, or keeper of traditions—or you

Cleric Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

to those chosen to fulfill a high calling. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on study or training. A cleric might learn formulaic prayers and ancient rites, but the ability to cast cleric

. Most adventuring clerics maintain some connection to established temples and orders of their faiths. A temple might ask for a cleric’s aid, or a high priest might be in a position to demand it

Warlock Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon

warlock’s thirst for knowledge and power can’t be slaked with mere study and research. No one makes a pact with such a mighty patron if he or she doesn’t intend to use the power thus

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

from Experience True bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires hard study

. Perhaps you had a secure and mundane childhood. There’s no good story to be told about that, so you might paint yourself as an orphan raised by a hag in a dismal swamp. Or your childhood might be

Sorcerer Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

otherworldly influence, or exposure to unknown cosmic forces. One can’t study sorcery as one learns a language, any more than one can learn to live a legendary life. No one chooses sorcery; the power

birth, or a taste of the water from a mysterious spring might spark the gift of sorcery. So too might the gift of a deity of magic, exposure to the elemental forces of the Inner Planes or the maddening

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

defensive ability and speed, this energy infuses all that a monk does. The Magic of Ki Monks make careful study of a magical energy that most monastic traditions call ki. This energy is an element of

for their families. Some monks live entirely apart from the surrounding population, secluded from anything that might impede their spiritual progress. Others are sworn to isolation, emerging only to

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

who study its ebb and flow to expect the stalemate to continue. A different view is put forth by the archmage Tzunk, who notes that Maglubiyet has never faced a foe as ferocious and protective as

they are more interested in grabbing plunder and food rather than in wanton slaughter. The elderly, children, and any who seem weak or meek enough might escape death. If they leave the population more

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