monsters some with once aid folk for led

Folk Horror Monsters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Folk Horror Monsters Eerie traditions and unnatural alliances with monsters fill folk horror tales. When something’s been normalized over generations, even the strangest practices and most dangerous

beings might be accepted as part of society. Does the community in your folk horror domain live alongside deadly monsters? Does a regional faith consider an obvious abomination their god? Does a group

Bandit Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

sometimes led by thugs, veterans, or spellcasters. Not all bandits are evil. Oppression, drought, disease, or famine can often drive otherwise honest folk to a life of banditry. Pirates are bandits of the

Girallon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

of several individuals and their offspring, usually led by a dominant adult that also tends to be the oldest member of the group. When on the hunt away from their lair, girallons use roars and body

out across the world. Numerous creatures have tried to tame, subjugate, or cooperate with the monsters. For instance, some forest-dwelling peoples capture girallons and train them to serve as sentinels

Battle Smith Legacy

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

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

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

Grim Champion of Pestilence

Monsters The Book of Many Things

, Aleron came to his ally’s aid. A second avatar of death appeared, and Aleron was slain; soon after, his Undead corpse crawled from Withered Vineyard, tainted with plague. Aleron resents his fellow

. Aleron rides a warhorse skeleton with flies buzzing in its gaping eye sockets. The Grim Champions The Grim Harrow is led by three powerful entities with the title of grim champion. Each champion

Vegepygmy Scavenger

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

evade foes and pelt them with slings from the cover of leafy foliage. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant

indefinitely so long as the climate remains hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, PiercingNimble Escape. The vegepygmy takes the Disengage or Hide action.

Vegepygmy Thorny Hunter

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

their master’s orders to hunt prey with deadly ferocity. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed by

long as the climate remains hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, Piercing

Draconian Mage

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

across the battlefield or aid their allies’ incursions and attacks. They have wings that allow them to glide during a fall. When draconian mages die, their flesh shrivels away before their bones

bipedal monsters born from dragon eggs that have been corrupted or warped by powerful magic. Most often, this corruption is a deliberate act, the work of an aspiring tyrant seeking to transform stolen eggs

Bozak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

DC 12): 1/day each: enlarge/reduce, invisibility, stinking cloud, webBozak draconians are born from bronze dragon eggs and wield magic to aid their allies in battle. Their wings aren’t strong

. Draconians Draconians are bipedal monsters born from metallic dragon eggs that have been corrupted by a combination of warped alchemy and the Dragon Queen’s foul magic. The Dragon Armies

Vegepygmy Moldmaker

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

of lichen to denote their status. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed by russet mold, a poisonous

hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, Piercing

Folk Hero Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere. Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools, vehicles (land

disaster. 3 I stood alone against a terrible monster. 4 I stole from a corrupt merchant to help the poor. 5 I led a militia to fight off an invading army. 6 I broke into a tyrant

Naiad

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

belief, and certainly numerous reports tell of charmed nymphs leading lost seafarers home. Yet, if tales of naiad-led galleys appearing amid the headwaters of mountain rivers are true, only the nymphs

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

Black Viper

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

of her station. In her younger days, Esvele openly rebelled, but that behavior led to locked doors at night and house guards watching her every move during the day. So she taught herself how to pick

. When she throws back her cloak to reveal the costume she has put together, most folk toss their purses and flee. If that doesn't work, she usually needs only to draw her dagger. Of course, some of the

Path of the Ancestral Guardian (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid. Barbarians who draw on their ancestral guardians can better fight to protect

. These tattoos tell sagas of victories against terrible monsters and other fearsome rivals. Path of the Ancestral Guardian Features Barbarian Level Feature 3rd Ancestral Protectors

Inquisitor of the Sword

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, Ulmed was heartbroken at his friend’s transformation and changed the inquisition’s mission. Instead of focusing on hunting monsters, it would also hunt the seeds of evil that can corrupt a

folk fear that an overzealous inquisitor might be as great a monster as the fiends the inquisitors originally hunted.Blink Step. The inquisitor teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

Inquisitor of the Mind Fire

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

osybus;priests of Osybus. When Strahd fell into darkness, Ulmed was heartbroken at his friend’s transformation and changed the inquisition’s mission. Instead of focusing on hunting monsters

them to be a source of terror in many communities, where folk fear that an overzealous inquisitor might be as great a monster as the fiends the inquisitors originally hunted.

Hobgoblin Iron Shadow

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

monsters, both to conceal their identities and to strike fear into their foes. An iron shadow is usually recruited from the ranks of the Feywild’s hobgoblin armies or from among the hobgoblins who

centuries, and over time, those lineages have become Humanoid. Fey goblinoids, who still bear the magic of the Feywild, are rare on the Material Plane but not unheard of. hobgoblin devastator;Hobgoblin devastators are examples of such Fey folk, as are hobgoblin iron shadows and nilbog;nilbogs.

Dragonborn Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Her father stood on the first of the three stairs that led down from the portal, unmoving. The scales of his face had grown paler around the edges, but Clanless Mehen still looked as if he could

to another dragonborn clan before seeking aid from other races—or even from the gods. Dragonborn Names Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they put their clan names first as a

Space Clown

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

first spelljamming helm;spelljamming helms from dohwar merchants (see “Dohwar”). Subsequent visits to other Wildspace systems led to contact with a multitude of other folk. In the wake of

Circle of the Shepherd

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Druids of the Circle of the Shepherd commune with the spirits of nature, especially the spirits of beasts and the fey, and call to those spirits for aid. These druids recognize that all living things

. They ward off monsters that threaten them, rebuke hunters who kill more prey than necessary, and prevent civilization from encroaching on rare animal habitats and on sites sacred to the fey. Many of

Catoblepas

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. Degenerate creatures are likely to take up residence near a catoblepas’s territory, as are those seeking to avoid notice. Catoblepases in Folklore Ordinary folk rarely see a catoblepas, but

, drinking the monsters’ milk and using them as guardians or pets. Other legends say that those of impure heart can tame a catoblepas and whisper of malevolent warlocks and wicked knights who ride them into battle.

Path of the Ancestral Guardian

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid. Barbarians who draw on their ancestral guardians can better fight to protect

. These tattoos tell sagas of victories against terrible monsters and other fearsome rivals. Path of the Ancestral Guardian Features Barbarian Level Feature 3rd Ancestral Protectors

Donaar Blit'zen

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

with spell attacks). He has the following paladin spells prepared: 1st level (4 slots): command, compelled duel, cure wounds, wrathful smite 2nd level (2 slots): aid, branding smite, lesser restoration

. When the young dragonborn left his clan and family to adventure in foreign climes, he realized that doing so provided the perfect opportunity to reinvent himself for folk who had no idea what he was

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

Relentless killers come into being and undertake their terrifying sprees for a spectrum of reasons. When creating a relentless killer, consider what circumstances led to their transformation and

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

or were defeated by those who fought against their cannibalism and slavery, and the serpent folk were left in the ruins of their great capitals, far removed from other races. Cold of Heart. Humanoid

, 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

Circle of the Shepherd (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Druids of the Circle of the Shepherd commune with the spirits of nature, especially the spirits of beasts and the fey, and call to those spirits for aid. These druids recognize that all living things

. They ward off monsters that threaten them, rebuke hunters who kill more prey than necessary, and prevent civilization from encroaching on rare animal habitats and on sites sacred to the fey. Many of

Choldrith

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

chitines, she watched as her followers used arcane magic and demonic powers and invoked her aid for the divine spark needed to ensure the subjects’ survival, expecting to see these new abominations

and soul. Choldriths whispered to the chitines of their adoration of the Spider Queen and their enmity against their creators, and led them in a successful revolt. Choldriths are born with a mystical

Rictavio

Monsters Curse of Strahd

hunting evil monsters. The Waiting Game. Van Richten isn’t a young man anymore. He knows his road is coming to an end, but his work isn't done. He has come to Barovia to kill Strahd von Zarovich

the aid of a hat of disguise, his thoughts protected by a ring of mind shielding. He is trying to learn more about the Keepers of the Feather—a society of wereravens that oppose Strahd&mdash

Moloch

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

time in preparing for his return. He amassed an army of devils and monsters and left them to make final preparations for invading the Nine Hells, while he ventured to the Material Plane in search of an

Glasya. Bereft as he is, he has little to offer in exchange, so he might bargain with mortals to gain their aid in acquiring coin, jewels, and other riches in return for knowledge about the Nine Hells

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

fraught with peril: rival tribes, deadly weather, and terrifying monsters. Barbarians charge headlong into that danger so that their people don’t have to. Their courage in the face of danger makes

stranger in the area of the campaign? Or is the campaign set in a rough-and-tumble frontier where barbarians are common? What led you to take up the adventuring life? Were you lured to settled lands

Inquisitor of the Tome

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

hunting monsters, it would also hunt the seeds of evil that can corrupt a person. Ulmed and his friends Cosima, Ansel, and Tristian organized the inquisition into three orders, with each one

work has caused them to be a source of terror in many communities, where folk fear that an overzealous inquisitor might be as great a monster as the fiends the inquisitors originally hunted.

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation. Though some halflings live out their days in remote agricultural communities, others form

, go talk to the farmers and herders and you’ll find good, solid folk. Not that there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—you have to admire their conviction. And by

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

. 3 An emerald dragon’s assault on a fire giant has attracted the attention of the giant’s clan, and now the dragon seeks aid. 4 Villagers have been going missing, and then are

Yuan-ti

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Yuan-ti were originally humans who transformed themselves into serpent folk through ancient rituals. Most yuan-ti were corrupted into monsters by those rites, but some yuan-ti instead became a new

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

member of the Selesnya Conclave, you can count on your guild mates to provide shelter and aid. You and your companions can find a place to hide or rest in any Selesnya enclave in the city, unless you have

are added to all of them.) Selesnya Guild Spells Spell Level Spells Cantrip druidcraft, friends 1st aid, animal friendship, charm person 2nd animal

D&D Beyond

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