monsters some with openly acts for for led

Derro Raider

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

indiscriminately raid settlements and rob travelers regardless of the apparent value of any goods they steal. These derro believe such acts are sanctioned by their despicable god, Diirinka, who delights in

others escaped the rule of mind flayer;mind flayers. The mind flayers’ psionic power eventually transformed these forsaken dwarves into Aberrations. You can learn more about derro in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.

Bag of Tricks Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

bag's color. See the Monsters Listing for the creature's statistics. The creature vanishes at the next dawn or when it is reduced to 0 hit points. The creature is friendly to you and your companions

, and it acts on your turn. You can use a bonus action to command how the creature moves and what action it takes on its next turn, or to give it general orders, such as to attack your enemies. In the

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

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

Jiangshi

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

can hover. A Humanoid slain by this necrotic damage rises as a wight (see its entry in the Monster Manual) at the end of the jiangshi’s turn. The wight acts immediately after the jiangshi in

their descendants and the communities they knew in life, sowing terror and taking retribution for the slights or neglected burial rites that led to their cursed resurrections. Rigor mortis notoriously

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

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

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

acts for bugbears. Garroting an unsuspecting creature and defeating foes in open battle are seen as acts of worship, in the same way that dwarves consider metalsmithing to be sacred to Moradin. The

. Bugbears understand that by venerating Hruggek and Grankhul, they also give tribute to Maglubiyet, even though they don’t openly pay homage to their overlord. When bugbears are called to join a

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

operated openly or secretly, depending on the faction and its goals, as well as how those goals mesh with your own. Becoming an adventurer doesn’t necessarily require you to relinquish membership

: Founded more than a millennium ago, disbanded and reorganized several times, the Harpers remain a powerful, behind-the-scenes agency, which acts to thwart evil and promote fairness through

Drow Matron Mother

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Spell (Costs 2 Actions). The drow uses Spellcasting.Among drow followers of Lolth, each noble house is led by a matron mother, an influential priestess of Lolth charged with carrying out the god

Manual). The summoned creature appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of its summoner, acts as an ally of its summoner, and can’t summon other demons. It remains for 10 minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action.

Kalashtar Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

kalashtar communities focus on acts of devotion known as the Path of Light. But the dark powers of Dal Quor have their own plans for Eberron. Through the force known as the Dreaming Dark, these monsters

Aasimar Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

celestial agent of the gods as a guide. This entity is typically a deva, an angel who acts as a messenger to the mortal world. Hidden Wanderers While aasimar are strident foes of evil, they typically

the chance. When traveling, aasimar prefer hoods, closed helms, and other gear that allows them to conceal their identities. They nevertheless have no compunction about striking openly at evil. The

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the dreams that inspire them. Its horrors don’t feature in their nightmares. Cowardice is more terrible to hobgoblins than dying, for they carry their living acts into the afterlife. A hero in

necessarily commensurate from one legion to another or even between banners in the same legion. A phalanx of foot soldiers led by a captain in one legion might be two hundred strong, while in another such

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

stronger than members of other guilds, isolated as they are from the realities of life and death. RYAN PANCOAST Contacts To the extent that the Golgari Swarm acts like a single organism

me for turning the tide. 6 An Izzet scientist resents that I sold a scrapped invention I found in the sewer. 7 My undercity explorations led me into an Orzhov vault, and a spirit thinks I

Cycle of Dread

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

Cycle of Dread Monsters and wild beasts mysteriously appear to menace the people of Yeonido A bitter spirit and strict local traditions trap Yeonido in a cycle of quiet suffering. While spirits

called gwishin are well known among the city’s populace, social mores prevent people from speaking openly about their dead ancestors. One vengeful gwishin takes advantage of this custom to torment the city.

Belashyrra

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

successful one. If this damage reduces a creature to 0 hit points, it dies and transforms into a spectator under Belashyrra’s control and acts immediately after Belashyrra in the initiative order

“I perceive certain types of people — vocations or entire societies — as hideous monsters.” 3 “Someone is watching everything I do.” 4 “When I

Notorious Monsters

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

Notorious Monsters Every monster tells a story. The more you treat monsters as unique individuals and foreshadow their threat, the larger they’ll loom in characters’ minds. Build dread by giving

monsters reputations that suggests their form, deeds, or peculiarities while letting players’ imaginations embellish details. For example, tales describe a horrifying skeletal figure that corrupts the

Politics Among the Lizardfolk

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Politics Among the Lizardfolk Two political groups operate in the social structure of the lizardfolk lair. On the one hand are the dominant progressives led by the queen, Othokent, who is supported

, for the rule of the queen remains absolute) are the traditionalists, led by the shamans. The shamans believe that allying and intermingling with other races is contrary to the divine will of their god

Knowledge of Kalaman

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

province of Nightlund. Ancient Bastion. Kalaman is a thriving trade city known for its strong walls, castle, and harbor beacons, all of which predate the Cataclysm. Rulers. The city is led by a

governor, a council of prominent guild leaders, and a military marshal. Military. Kalaman maintains a significant military force to deter raiders from Estwilde and monsters from the Dargaard Mountains. Vingaard Port. The city sits at the mouth of the Vingaard River, about thirty miles downriver from Vogler.

Location Overview

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Location Overview The wizard Thalivar built a tower at the heart of Leilon as a laboratory to study the monsters of the cosmos. Using a device called a planar beacon, Thalivar lured his prey into the

the town, and the monsters lurking within the tower were released. A local adventuring party, the Swords of Leilon, died trying to stop them from spilling out into the town below. Since then, the

Gothic Horror Villains

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

creating the perfect poison, machine, or lifeform 4 A beloved magnate who abducts commoners to steal their blood for his beauty rituals 5 A celebrity who openly murders innocents but uses

terrible deeds 8 A poisoner who seeks to manipulate history through targeted killings 9 An artist who manufactures terrible accidents to provide inspiration and reference for her art 10 A monster hunter who accuses those they consider sinful of being monsters

Tracking Initiative

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

of the character whose turn it is, also mention who’s next, prompting that player to start thinking ahead. After each character or group of monsters acts, the top card is moved to the bottom of the

record the current hit points of monsters, as well as other useful notes. A downside of this approach is that you have to remind the players round after round when their turns come up. Visible List You

Entering the Citadel

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel

acts like a beacon for the lost and hopeless, and many who seek the Radiant Citadel within the Deep Ethereal find their way there within a few days of searching. There is only one official entrance to

guards are stationed at the Passage of Respite. They are led by a mage responsible for accepting tolls. These guards often employ magic items, such as helms of telepathy, when suspicious of the motives

Shown the Door

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Shown the Door When the characters are ready to enter Little Lockford, they’re led to the town’s fortified entrance by Sergeant Yombad Cragknuckle (neutral good deep gnome), the highest ranked of the

presence of monsters there. (Normally kept at bay by the clockwork automatons, monsters are likely to have ventured from their hidey-holes and into the streets. Gricks are a particular nuisance.) Healing

Initiative

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

roll for an entire group of identical creatures, so each member of the group acts at the same time. The DM ranks the combatants in order from the one with the highest Dexterity check total to the one

can have the tied characters and monsters each roll a d20 to determine the order, highest roll going first.

Initiative

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

roll for an entire group of identical creatures, so each member of the group acts at the same time. The DM ranks the combatants in order from the one with the highest Dexterity check total to the one

can have the tied characters and monsters each roll a d20 to determine the order, highest roll going first.

Wyvern Tor

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

vicinity of Conyberry catch glimpses of Wyvern Tor to the south as they go. The tor was formerly the home of a large and dangerous nest of wyverns, but a band of bold adventurers dealt with the monsters

years ago. Though the wyverns never returned, other creatures lair here from time to time—including a band of orc raiders that set up camp a couple of months ago. Led by an orc named Brughor Axe-Biter

Para-elemental Queen

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Scions of Elemental Evil

Para-elemental Queen Ulsedra Vox recently learned from the Elder Elemental Eye how to activate the portal in the Temple of Elemental Evil’s high altar. The portal led to the buried Primordial Nexus

500 feet underground. Vox excavated the nexus; now, she uses its power to summon evil elemental monsters to do her destructive bidding. By the time the characters confront her, Vox has called forth her

Nora Ann Wu

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

Nora Ann Wu Neutral Good Human Second Year (Prismari) Rarely without a smile on her face, Nora is a kind person who is generous with her time and attention. This has led her to gain employment

within the university’s dormitories, where she acts as a resident assistant. Nora offers confidential support to any student and is especially passionate about counseling other transgender students. She

Entering the Citadel

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

acts like a beacon for the lost and hopeless, and many who seek the Radiant Citadel within the Deep Ethereal find their way there within a few days of searching. There is only one official entrance to

guards are stationed at the Passage of Respite. They are led by a mage responsible for accepting tolls. These guards often employ magic items, such as helms of telepathy, when suspicious of the motives

Splitting Loyalties

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

agent of the Sunweaver—deemed service in the Brightguard a holy calling, the group’s ranks swelled. Most members have unshakable resolve, but recent revolutionary acts have the order on edge. The

Brightguard obeys Atash and, through him, the Sunweaver (see the “Akharin Sangar Gazetteer” section for details). Motto. “All good acts take place under the sun.” Beliefs. The Sunweaver sets my path. Goals

Cavern Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

, which use it to attack any potential threats. Use the statistics for the oaken bolter (from Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes) and the kobold inventor (from Volo’s Guide to Monsters). 3 The characters’ tunnel

between passageways. Negotiating with it successfully allows access to a secret tunnel that cuts days off the characters’ journey. 5 Roving outlaws (five to ten thugs led by a bandit captain) heading to

Investigating Rivergard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

recruit thugs and monsters to join the Cult of the Crushing Wave. When the characters arrive at Rivergard, read the following text: A small castle overlooks the mighty Dessarin River, which is a good half

depends on why the characters are here and how they approach. Peaceful Approach If the characters approach openly and politely ask for admittance for almost any plausible reason, the cultists welcome

The Aurum

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

resources of the Aurum and a greater voice in society meetings. The Aurum isn’t a secret society, and its meeting halls can be found in most major cities. Many powerful people openly wear the eight

rings — one on each finger, with the metal indicating the rank of the wearer — that label them as Aurum members. The Aurum frequently engages in acts of philanthropy, and thus some members might be

Corrupt Beyond Redemption

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

corruption: Evil Acts. The Dark Powers consider an act to be evil if it is intentional, unnecessary, and successful, and most importantly, if it causes significant harm. Accidents, self-defense, deeds

they take genuine responsibility, heal the harm caused, and reform to prevent future harm. Once an evildoer becomes a Darklord, it is far too late. Consider whether your Darklord had a chance to redeem themself and the decision that led to their current fate.

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