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Giff Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

. Mercenaries Extraordinaire. Giff are in high demand as warriors for hire, but they insist on serving in units composed entirely of giff; a giff hiring itself out individually is unheard of. Giff

refuse to fight other giff, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its

Returned Sentry

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

easily manipulated into serving their more forceful brethren. Having purpose forced upon them, these Returned perform simple, artless tasks with middling efficiency. Their one virtue is their

. Returned Masks. Adventurers who defeat Returned foes might marvel at their fortune in claiming such rich spoils after a battle. The mask of a Returned is worth approximately 100 gp, based on its

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

bound to their fey lord and unable to bargain away their souls. So rather than claim them, Fierna warped and twisted them before returning them to the Feywild, content that the corruption of the satyrs

. Unfortunately, when it reaches that breaking point, its diabolical nature asserts itself, and it remains in this scheming, dominating mindset until its plans are foiled and it faces defeat. Then, overwhelmed

City Watch / Investigator

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you’re more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter. Variant: Investigator Rarer

Investigation rather than Athletics. Suggested Characteristics Use the tables for the soldier background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to

Soldier Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. 5 Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. 6 I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves

mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. 4 My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. 5 I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. 6 I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.

Courtier

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather than the

organization that gave you your start in life. In any event, the abilities that you honed while serving as a courtier will stand you in good stead as an adventurer. Skill Proficiencies:

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. Goliaths love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their

away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

aggression toward creatures that they could defeat in a fight and that can’t be dealt with in some other manner. They are aggressive toward prey they want to eat, creatures that want to harm them, and

pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome. Cold and Calculating Most humanoids describe cold-blooded people as lacking in

Priest of Osybus (Blazing)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

one of the Dark Powers, and he and the other Dark Powers had conjured up a misty prison to contain the newly immortal Strahd, thereby preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the

so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon 1 Priest of Osybus (Dread);Dread. Eerie whispers can now be

Priest of Osybus (Deathly)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world; thus they were denied their reward of immortality. To this day, the priests of Osybus seek to unleash Strahd from

before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon 1 Priest of

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

never leave a friend behind. 3 My honor is my life. 4 I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. 5 Those who fight beside me are those

enemies is blind and unreasoning. 5 I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. 6 I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.

Priest of Osybus (Ectoplasmic)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

other Dark Powers had conjured up a misty prison to contain the newly immortal Strahd, thereby preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world

revive with a benefit from the Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than

Priest of Osybus (Spectral)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

conjured up a misty prison to contain the newly immortal Strahd, thereby preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world; thus they were denied

the Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest

Priest of Osybus (Vampiric)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, thereby preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world; thus they were denied their reward of immortality. To this day, the priests of Osybus

these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon

The Hauntings of Halvhrest House

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

The Hauntings of Halvhrest House The House of Lament is a catastrophically haunted structure. It doesn’t rush to reveal its terrors, though. Rather, its history, threats, and phantasmal inhabitants

reveal themselves gradually and in a variety of ways. Before leading your adventurers into the house, familiarize yourself with the varied ways the house’s hauntings manifest.

Soldier - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. 3 My honor is my life. 4 I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it

keep that mistake secret. 4 My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. 5 I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. 6 I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.

Priest of Osybus (Dread)

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

a misty prison to contain the newly immortal Strahd, thereby preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world; thus they were denied their

Boons of Undeath table. You can give a priest one or more of these boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can

Priest of Osybus Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

preventing the count from serving as the conquering force that the priests sought to loose upon the world; thus they were denied their reward of immortality. To this day, the priests of Osybus seek to

boons of your choice before the priest faces adventurers. If you do so, the priest is Undead, rather than Humanoid, and a priest can receive each boon only once. Boons of Undeath d6 Boon

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

of evil that calls for them to butcher or eradicate all who oppose them. In keeping with their goal of domination, the yuan-ti would rather capture potentially useful opponents than kill them. They use

get into places their normal forms couldn’t enter. Their immunity to poison gives all yuan-ti a tactical advantage in dealing with other creatures. A pureblood serving as a food taster for a

Reaching the Tower

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Reaching the Tower Lolth’s forces surround the tower, but they are focused on the spyder-fiends below rather than on defense. Hundreds of driders, Humanoids, and demons surround the tower, but the

driders, 1d6 giant spiders, and 1d4 assassins. Characters who defeat the squad can try again to infiltrate the tower.

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

kenku make an easy living serving as messengers, spies, and lookouts for thieves’ guilds, bandits, and other criminal cartels. A network of kenku can relay a bird call or similar noise across the

kenku, constant attempts to mimic noises can come across as confusing or irritating rather than entertaining. You can just as easily describe the sounds your character makes and what they mean. Be clear

Jacqueline's Torment

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

mostly of commoners once more. Rather than ruling a land dominated by her wererat peers, Renier now endures various torments: Renier has no taste for ruling, yet feels obligated to keep up appearances to

maintain her power. Her decrees are rash and self-serving. Renier’s schemes killed most of the finer aspects of Richemulot’s society. She endlessly craves the decadence she once took for granted. The

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

cruel in victory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat, just as in their own society lower castes must scrape before those of greater status and as goblin tribes bow before other goblinoids

serving as the tribe’s boss, a fiend that has made its way into the world, or an undying lord such as a lich or a vampire. (For more information on undying lord patrons, see the Sword Coast

Meletis

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

progressive thinkers, pious thaumaturges, and wise oracles. Born from the defeat of tyranny, to this day it pursues the ideals of free thought, societal betterment, and reinvention over stagnation and

the polis, with the sage Elpidios serving as the senior member. The sea wall and statues of the polis’s founders guard Meletis Bay (ADAM PAQUETTE)

Khur Joins

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

Khur Joins Early 349 AC The Green Dragon Army was dispatched to the steppes of Khur to subdue the tribes there. Rather than fight a protracted campaign, Ariakas allowed the cunning Khur leader Salah

-Khan to defeat the Green Dragon Army’s original highlord in battle, then offered to make Salah-Khan highlord in his place. In exchange for control over Khur and the surrounding lands, Salah-Khan

Returning War Band

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

heads are trophies from the hobgoblins’ recent victory over an elf hunting party. Clever characters might try to reason with Targor by urging him to think of himself as Grol’s successor rather than

) check. Awarding Experience Points Divide 500 XP equally among the characters if they defeat the hobgoblin war band or come to terms with Targor.

Flumph

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

to strangers. These tentacled, telepathic creatures jet through the air in short bursts, venting gases with a sound that gives them their name. Rather than speaking, flumphs communicate

Performing a psychic song or “smell poem.” 3 Recovering and nursing fallen adventurers. 4 Revealing the location of helpful magic items. 5 Serving as a guide to a foe’s hidden lair. 6 Sharing excessive encouragement and praise.

Something in Between

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

. Even in a dungeon setting, you can present NPCs that aren’t meant to be fought but rather helped out, negotiated with, or just talked to. Think about your preferred style of play by considering these

action key, or do the players need to be thoughtful and cautious? Do you like to plan thoroughly in advance, or do you prefer improvising on the spot? Is the game full of varied D&D elements, or does it

Courtier

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Courtier In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather

organization that gave you your start in life. In any event, the abilities that you honed while serving as a courtier will stand you in good stead as an adventurer. Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion Languages: Two of your choice Equipment: A set of fine clothes and a pouch containing 5 gp

Secret

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

punishment for some unknown transgression. 6 In times of despair, you feel that you are but a plaything of the gods, and you resent their remoteness. SERVING A PANTHEON, PHILOSOPHY, OR FORCE The typical

holy symbol that represents that divinity. Some clerics, especially in a world like Eberron, serve a whole pantheon, rather than a single deity. In certain campaigns, a cleric might instead serve a

Falkovnia

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

upon Lekar’s walls. The people might want to abandon their homes, but Vladeska Drakov will not know defeat. FALKOVNIAN CHARACTERS Characters from Falkovnia have good reason to be in other domains

, having fled their homeland’s zombie plague. Such individuals have likely seen horrors and know tragedy. Falkovnia’s residents often have brown hair and varied skin tones with warm undertones. Their names

Serving an Immortal

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

Serving an Immortal The tasks you perform for your immortal patron can be mysterious, even trivial seeming, but they always have implications within the immortal’s larger plans. Often it’s hard to

out another part of your patron’s plan. 5 Plant a magical seed in a remote location to ensure it grows into a mighty tree and bears fruit that will give power to future heroes. 6 Defeat a dragon-blooded

Lord Soth

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

them to defeat. Rather than presenting him as a foe to be challenged in combat, portray Soth as a terrifying example of the villains in the Dragon Queen’s service—a lurking threat to be avoided. By the

Alien Minds

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

understand that a troll is a fearsome, dangerous creature and react accordingly. Lizardfolk never become angry in the way others do, but they act with aggression toward creatures that they could defeat in a

for lizardfolk. Pleasurable things should be preserved and protected, sometimes at the cost of the lizardfolk’s own safety. The most pleasurable creatures and things are ones that allow lizardfolk to assess more situations as benign rather than fearsome.

Darkon Campaign Arc

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ravenloft: The Horrors Within

allies and learn of these villains’ methods. Levels 4–15. The characters confront the region’s villain. Rather than fighting the characters, the villain entreats the group to help them establish control

over the domain, which they believe will reunite Darkon’s regions and end the threat of the Shroud. To do so, they must defeat the domain’s other villains or recover the scattered remnants of Azalin’s

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