monsters some with only arise free for leader

Ruin Spider

Monsters The Book of Many Things

remains in one place for a long time. Ruin spiders arise when the magic of the deck transforms giant spiders into even more dangerous monsters whose acidic venom disintegrates everything it touches

Skeletal Knight

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

damage.Skeletal knights are powerful Undead that arise to serve even more wicked beings—often death knight;death knights. Those who become skeletal knights were typically virtuous in life but betrayed

free to pursue its own ends. Skeletal knights are relentless in battle and difficult to destroy. They cling to the sins that curse them, and they fight until their skulls are reduced to shards. Their

Girallon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

language to communicate with one another over distance. Each individual typically hunts alone and widely separated from the others to ensure that everyone gets adequate fodder. The leader might

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

Nightmare Shepherd

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Sunlight Weakness; see the Monster Manual) arise in unoccupied spaces within 20 feet of the shepherd. The shadows act right after the shepherd on the same initiative count and fight until they’re

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

Kolyarut

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

melee weapon.Created by Primus, the leader of the modrons, the Kolyarut is a wondrous machine capable of forging binding contracts between parties. From the Hall of Concordance in Sigil, the Kolyarut

: Monsters of the Multiverse) and punished in brutally decisive fashion. In cases where the terms of a contract or a foundational truth of an agreement come into question, the Kolyarut sends a component part

Mite

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

quickly become a brawl. Heralds of Frustration. Mites are natives of the Feywild that arise when a creature becomes so irritated with a situation or event that it lashes out in violence. That

that wrap around existing passages and chambers. They use these hiding spots to watch the comings and goings of monsters and adventurers, setting traps to vex and annoy whenever possible. A trip wire

Sailor Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the

’s Passage When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship you served on, or another ship you have good

Mark of Handling Human

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

purely natural animals; the mark allows its bearer to guide a hippogriff as easily as a horse. House Vadalis Leader: Dalin d’Vadalis Headquarters: Foalswood (near Varna, Eldeen Reaches

rumors claim that Vadalis has crafted monsters of its own. Some rumors even insist that Vadalis is trying to magebreed better humans.

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

souls of the insolent intruders to his tomb, magically transferring them to his phylactery. Liches who follow Acererak’s path believe that by becoming free of their bodies, they can continue

hit points.A Demilich’s Lair A demilich hides its earthly remains and treasures in a labyrinthine tomb guarded by monsters and traps. At the heart of this labyrinth rests the demilich’s

Dhampir

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

. Their reasons are often deeply personal. Some seek danger, imagining monsters as personifications of their own hungers. Others pursue revenge against whatever turned them into a dhampir. And still

or raw meat 3 Cerebral spinal fluid 4 Psychic energy 5 Dreams 6 Life energy Dhampir Origins Dhampirs often arise from encounters with vampires, but all manner of

Aasimar Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

wounds, and unleash the fury of the heavens. Aasimar can arise among any population of mortals. They resemble their parents, but they live for up to 160 years and often have features that hint at their

your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign. Creature Type Every creature

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, characters with this background are common. You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to

, and a pouch containing 10 gp Feature: Ship’s Passage When you need to, you can secure free passage on a sailing ship for yourself and your adventuring companions. You might sail on the ship

Heliod's Villains

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

tyrant. The Heliod’s Villains table suggests a variety of foes that might arise from among the god’s followers. Heliod’s Villains d6 Villain 1 A local noble imposes overwhelming

punishments for even minor infractions of law. 2 A leader persecutes an entire population of people because of a crime committed by a single member. 3 An assassin starts killing everyone connected

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

one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign

Acolyte Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure, or even an occult group that served a fiendish master that you now deny

the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you

Klothys's Villains

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

free one of those ancient terrors. Klothys’s Monsters A variety of monstrous creatures might arise in an area as a result of Klothys’s influence, particularly those presented on the Klothys’s

god or her agents if they stand in opposition to destiny. Various monsters rose from the Underworld when Klothys entered the mortal realm, and her most zealous followers often see them as

Orc Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Orcs trace their creation to the one-eyed god Gruumsh, an unstoppable warrior and powerful leader. The divine qualities of Gruumsh resonate within orcs, granting them a reflection of his toughness

, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify

Mournland Villains

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

arise in connection with the Mournland. Mournland Villains d6 Villain 1 The Lord of Blades maintains a detention center where experiments are performed on adventurers and scavengers that his forces

capture in the Mournland. 2 The leader of a cult devoted to Belashyrra, the Lord of Eyes, uses daelkyr-made tentacles to tear out the eyes of victims and attaches them to members of the cult. 3 A

Keranos's Villains

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

Keranos’s Villains Inspiration, unguided by morals and ethics, is a dangerous force, but Keranos isn’t usually concerned with matters of good or evil. As such, a charismatic leader, acting on

followers would work admirably. The Keranos’s Villains table suggests a variety of foes that might arise from among the god’s followers. Keranos’s Villains d6 Villain 1 An oracle (see chapter 6

Nylea's Villains

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

table suggests a variety of foes that might arise from among the god’s followers. Nylea’s Villains d6 Villain 1 A Setessan hunt-leader (Setessan hoplite; see chapter 6) swears vengeance on a

turn? 6 Those who follow a mysterious green unicorn inevitably turn up dead, their bodies entangled in strangling vines. Nylea’s Monsters Nylea’s forests are home to many dangerous

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

a perfect world, the creatures would be left alone to dig their tunnels and raise the next generation of kobolds, all the while seeking the magic that will free their imprisoned god (see the &ldquo

other creatures, because such objects are more likely to be in good condition and thus more useful or valuable. When they go after items that aren’t free for the taking, kobolds try to remain

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

out while still getting decent performance out of the slaves. But humanoids and monsters that are especially capable or that provide unusual services find themselves treated like favored (though

, and thus each group has one leader that exerts autocratic control. But as with many tyrannies, the passing of a leader often results in a chaotic transition to the next. Sometimes a goblin boss has

Ephara's Villains

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

Ephara’s Villains table suggests a variety of foes that might arise from among the god’s followers. Ephara’s Villains d6 Villain 1 A neighborhood leader enacts punitive laws, preventing

work that they deem antithetical to proper society. Ephara’s Monsters Ephara isn’t often associated with monsters. Even so, a few monsters common in urban settings might be involved with the

Grapple

Actions

A creature can grapple another creature. Characters typically grapple by using an Unarmed Strike. Many monsters have special attacks that allow them to quickly grapple prey. However a grapple is

attempts equals 8 plus your Strength modifier and Proficiency Bonus. This grapple is possible only if the target is no more than one size larger than you and if you have a hand free to grab

Acolyte - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

the sacred rites? Or were you a high priest who suddenly experienced a call to serve your god in a different way? Perhaps you were the leader of a small cult outside of any established temple structure

an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing

Smuggler

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

similarly sized community (DM’s discretion), you and your companions can stay for free in safe houses. Safe houses provide a poor lifestyle. While staying at a safe house, you can choose to keep your

recover it. 2 I intend to become the leader of the network of smugglers that I belong to. 3 I owe a debt that cannot be repaid in gold. 4 After one last job, I will retire from the

Important NPCs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

thrall to Zuggtmoy Sovereign Basidia The other ruler of Neverlight Grove, free of Zuggtmoy’s influence and suspicious of Phylo Loobamub Leader of the Circle of Hunters, loyal to Basidia, with tasks for

the party Rasharoo Leader of the Circle of Explorers and loyal to Basidia; knows of routes to the surface world Yestabrod Mutated leader of the Circle of Masters and Zuggtmoy’s monstrous servant Xinaya Drow scout trapped in a horrible fate

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

Mythic Monsters This section describes three of Theros’s most infamous terrors, beings whose might and dreadful deeds set them apart as menaces of legendary proportions. While many of Theros’s

Set Expectations

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

Set Expectations Well before you assemble a group around a game table, pitch the adventures you’re thinking about running to your prospective players. Note the types of conflicts that might arise

. You don’t need to reveal the major plot points or twists in your story, but share the kinds of monsters and general themes you’re interested in using, other horror stories you’re inspired by, and which

School Is in Session

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

. In these adventures, the player characters are students attending the university, and they become heroes in their own right as they navigate plots, overcome monsters, and thwart dangers that arise

K: Shrine of Evil Chaos

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

K: Shrine of Evil Chaos The Cult of Chaos performs evil rites in this cave, subtly drawing monsters to inhabit the Caves of Chaos and bring strife to the Borderlands. The current cult leader is Ivlis

foul magic—at the shrine’s heart. You can add monsters, such as Cultists, to the cave to make this scenario longer and more difficult, or you can reduce the number of Skeletons or Zombies to make the scenario easier and shorter. Dario Jelusic

Karametra's Villains

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

nearby population in order to “civilize” them. 3 A local leader (Setessan hoplite; see chapter 6) imposes harsh penalties on the poor, claiming their poverty is a sign they have invited the gods

’ wrath. 4 The head of a prominent family (noble) continues to exert abusive control over their adult children, citing their role as matriarch or patriarch to justify it. 5 A local leader

Kruphix's Villains

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

that might arise from among the god’s followers. Kruphix’s Villains d6 Villain 1 An oracle (see chapter 6) seeks to erase the memories of an entire community, reducing them to a simpler

discovered knowledge mortals were not meant to know and works to silence them. Kruphix’s Monsters Kruphix is rarely associated with monsters, but those most likely to serve him appear on the

Returning to the Silent Roar

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

Returning to the Silent Roar If the characters free Afsoun, the rebel leader accompanies them to the city to reunite with her sister. Though the Silent Roar has little money to offer, Laleh and

free treats from the Ghorbani Bakery. Afsoun must lie low now that she has defied the Brightguard, but the Silent Roar as a whole is invigorated by their leader’s recovery. The group redoubles its efforts to oppose the Brightguard and Atash.

Character Advancement

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

Character Advancement If you want to use story-based level advancement, the characters receive experience points for achieving the following milestones rather than defeating monsters: Encountering a

Faction. After the characters first encounter the leader of one of Cynidicea’s three factions (detailed in the following section), everyone in the party who survives the encounter gains 1 level. This

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