monsters spur with openly allows for for lashers

Sivak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

. Sivaks can magically change their features to mimic the appearance of those they’ve slain. This allows these cunning soldiers to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When sivaks are

killed, their crumbling bodies mimic the form of their killers and shriek in agony. Draconians Draconians are bipedal monsters born from metallic dragon eggs that have been corrupted by a

Black Viper

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Cunning Action. On each of her turns, the Black Viper can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Evasion. If the Black Viper is subjected to an effect that allows her to make

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

Draconian Dreadnought

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Their magical ability to change their appearance to mimic those they’ve slain allows them to sow confusion and despair among their enemies. When dreadnoughts are killed, their bodies burst into

flames, scorching everything around them. On the world of Krynn, draconian dreadnoughts formed from silver dragon eggs are called sivak draconians. Draconians Draconians are bipedal monsters born

Demilich Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

Avoidance. If the demilich is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half

turns, ending the curse on a success.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

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

Mark of Handling allows Vadalis to work with more exotic creatures as well. Griffons, hippogriffs, and even bulettes can be bred and trained. Even with the Mark of Handling, this is dangerous work

Changeling Legacy

Species Eberron: Rising from the Last War

in stable communities where changelings are true to their nature and deal openly with the people around them. Some are orphans, raised by other races, who find their way in the world without ever

others might change clothes. A casual shape — one created on the spur of the moment, with no depth or history — is called a mask. A mask can be used to express a mood or to serve a

Halaster Blackcloak

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

sight, and allows him to see invisible creatures and objects, as well as into the Ethereal Plane, out to a range of 120 feet. Halaster wields a blast scepter (a very rare magic item that requires

(save DC 16) without expending a spell slot. Halaster also wears a horned ring (a very rare magic item that requires attunement), which allows an attuned wearer to ignore Undermountain’s magical

Demilich (Variant) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

Avoidance. If the demilich is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half

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

Rakdos Cultist

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

standard circus-style acrobatics with fire, wrought-iron spikes and hooks, and monsters. You can roll a d8 or choose from the options in the Performance Options table to determine your preferred

in different troupes, which allows for the possibility of a widespread network of contacts. Roll twice on the Rakdos Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Rakdos Contacts table

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

-tiered caste system made up of lashers, hunters, gatherers, and pariahs. The status of every family in the tribe is based on its importance to the tribe’s survival. Families that belong to the

Aasimar Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

Belashyrra

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from Belashyrra. Rend Reality (Costs 3 Actions). Belashyrra rips at the bonds of reality in its immediate area. Each creature within 10 feet of

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

Hidden Wanderers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

, all of whom would be eager to strike down a celestial champion if they had 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 secrecy they desire is never worth endangering the innocent.

Saving Throws Legacy

Rules

bonus to saving throws made using a particular ability score. Some monsters have saving throw proficiencies as well. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it

detailed in the effect that allows the save. Usually, a successful save means that a creature suffers no harm, or reduced harm, from an effect.

Published Adventures

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

adventure includes a pregenerated scenario with the maps, NPCs, monsters, and treasures you need to run it. An example of a published adventure appears in the D&D Starter Set. You can make adjustments

campaign that the adventure can’t address. Published adventures also provide inspiration. You might not use an adventure as written, but it might spur ideas, or you can pull out one part of it and

Proficiency Bonus Legacy

Rules

Characters have a proficiency bonus determined by level, as detailed in chapter 1. Monsters also have this bonus, which is incorporated in their stat blocks. The bonus is used in the rules on ability

more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and multiply or divide it only once. By the same token, if a feature or effect allows you to multiply your proficiency bonus when making an

Background

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

Background Elemental Evil is not a new threat in the world of Greyhawk. The Temple of Elemental Evil was built long ago and spawned hordes of bloodthirsty monsters that ravaged the lands between

sprawling surface ruins of the temple. Rivergard Keep lies on the bank of the nearby Imeryds Run. The missing delegation that serves as the adventure’s initial spur to action instead hails from 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

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

, as are its attacks. A crumbling fortress on the northeast spur of Icespire Peak serves as the dragon’s lair. Cryovain seized the icy fortress from a tribe of savage orcs, killing the orc war chief and

manticore driven from its mountaintop nest by the roaming white dragon has migrated to the foothills and begun terrorizing folk living on the outskirts of the mining town of Phandalin. Other monsters in the region have been similarly displaced.

Tracking Initiative

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

of paper behind a DM screen or a spreadsheet on a tablet computer. This method allows you to keep track of combatants who haven’t been revealed yet, and you can use the initiative list as a place to

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

Tracking Initiative

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

monsters, placed in Initiative order in a stack you cycle through A hidden list allows you to track combatants who haven’t been revealed yet, and you can use the list as a place to record the current

Hit Points of monsters, as well as other useful notes. If you use this approach, you tell the players when it’s their characters’ turn. When you call out the character whose turn is starting, consider

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

Chamber Contents

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

Chamber Contents Once you have a sense of the purpose of the various dungeon chambers, you can think about the contents of those areas. The Dungeon Chamber Contents table allows you to randomly roll

controls an area. Pets and allied creatures are subservient to the dominant inhabitant. “Random creatures” are scavengers or nuisances, usually lone monsters or small groups passing through the area. They

Goblins

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

the slaves. But humanoids and monsters that are especially capable or that provide unusual services find themselves treated like favored (though occasionally abused) pets. Virtually any kind of

such a whip is enough to elevate a goblin to the master caste of lashers. Often the secret is guarded by one family in a tribe, which enjoys prestige and influence because it controls the supply of whips

Set Expectations

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

. 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

genres of horror from chapter 2 interest you. Being transparent with your players allows them to decide if this is a game they want to play, which is best to know before play begins.

Proficiency Bonus

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

Proficiency Bonus Characters have a proficiency bonus determined by level, as detailed in "Step-By-Step Characters." Monsters also have this bonus, which is incorporated in their stat blocks. The

proficiency bonus applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and multiply or divide it only once. By the same token, if a feature or effect allows you to multiply your proficiency

Proficiency Bonus

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

Proficiency Bonus Characters have a proficiency bonus determined by level, as detailed in chapter 1. Monsters also have this bonus, which is incorporated in their stat blocks. The bonus is used in

applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and multiply or divide it only once. By the same token, if a feature or effect allows you to multiply your proficiency bonus when making

Monsters as NPCs

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

Monsters as NPCs Named monsters that play a significant role in an adventure deserve the same attention you would give to a humanoid NPC, with mannerisms as well as ideals, bonds, flaws, and secrets

information allows you to play the Xanathar as more than an ordinary beholder. The complexities of the creature’s characterization create more memorable interaction and interesting story possibilities.

Chapter 9: Dungeon Master's Workshop

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

Chapter 9: Dungeon Master’s Workshop As the Dungeon Master, you aren’t limited by the rules in the Player’s Handbook, the guidelines in these rules, or the selection of monsters in the Monster Manual

. You can let your imagination run wild. This chapter contains optional rules that you can use to customize your campaign, as well as guidelines on creating your own material, such as monsters and

Canyon Shrine

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

Canyon Shrine Aside from the other dangers of the twisting canyons of Phoberos, followers of Mogis openly worship and offer sacrifices to their dark god in these places. Twisting cave systems run

through the canyon walls, offering shelter to both fugitives and monsters, and the darkness within the caverns provides a suitable environment for the bloodthirsty deeds of the god’s most depraved

Step-by-Step Adventures

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

Adventures A published adventure includes a pregenerated scenario with the maps, NPCs, monsters, and treasures you need to run it. This allows you to focus your preparation time on plot developments

a map of a temple but repopulate it with monsters of your choice, or you might use a chase sequence as a model for a pursuit scene in your campaign.

Arriving at Blingdenstone

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

Arriving at Blingdenstone Blingdenstone has a reputation for being a dangerous ruin inhabited only by monsters and other undesirables. Others think of it as a budding settlement well on its way to

characters help the svirfneblin openly (see “Social Interaction” in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Some deeds in Blingdenstone reward the characters with an automatic attitude shift, while others

Narration in Combat

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

badly!” As the characters fight monsters, you can reveal information to help the players make good choices, as described in the sections that follow. Awarding Heroic Inspiration As discussed in the

. For example, if the creature is Bloodied, you might say the creature has visible wounds and appears beaten down. Such information gives the players a sense of progress and might spur them to press the

House Vadalis

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

. While the house maintains vast cattle ranches and trains horses and hounds, the Mark of Handling allows Vadalis to work with more exotic creatures as well. Griffons, hippogriffs, and even bulettes can

creature—an animal that is stronger, faster, and smarter. But rumors claim that Vadalis has crafted monsters of its own. Some rumors even insist that Vadalis is trying to magebreed better humans.

D&D Beyond

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