several of race defining variants - Search

Gray Dwarf (Duergar) Legacy

Species Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

artistic value. Few duergar become adventurers, fewer still on the surface world, because they are a hidebound and suspicious race. Those who leave their subterranean cities are usually exiles. Check

thus made them into the superior race. Duergar have no appreciation for beauty, that ability having been erased from their minds by the mind flayers long ago and any thought of recapturing it

Gnome Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

enjoy a mix of serious learning and delighted enjoyment. A gnome might tutor several generations of a single human family over the course of his or her long life. Gnome Names Gnomes love names, and

over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about

Zombies

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Zombies Several new zombie variants are presented below. For more information on zombies, see the Monster Manual.

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

coloration and features lie somewhere between their human and elf parents, and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race. They tend to have the eyes of their elven

. EXCELLENT AMBASSADORS Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race, Many Forms The bodies of all

advisor in human society. The very rare offspring of such a union are always purebloods, although they may appear fully human at birth and for several years afterward. The yuan-ti know rituals that

Folk Hero

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

prompted your rise to heroic status or use the table below to tie your background to events in Saltmarsh. Use this table in place of the Defining Event table in the Player’s Handbook. Saltmarsh Defining

Event d4 Defining Event 1 You snuck aboard a Sea Princes raiding ship and freed a number of captured fishers doomed to slavery in that realm. Anders Solmor, a prominent person in town, has been a

Halfling Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as

Monastic Icon

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

Monastic Icon Even in the monastic lifestyle, which eschews materialism and personal possessions, symbolism plays an important part in defining the identity of an order. Some monastic orders treat

monastery revere a family of owlbears and have coexisted with them for generations. 5 Hydra. Your order singles out the hydra for its ability to unleash several attacks simultaneously. 6 Dragon. A dragon once laired within your monastery. Its influence remains long after its departure.

Creating a Race or Subrace

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

with the story behind the race or subrace you wish to create. Having a firm idea of a race’s story in your campaign will help you make decisions during the creation process. Ask yourself several

Creating a Race or Subrace This section teaches you how to modify existing races, as well as create new ones. The most important step in customizing or designing races for your campaign is to start

Humanoids and the Gods

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

another and found several competing religions. In comparison, religion in dwarven society is set in stone. The dwarves of the Forgotten Realms identify Moradin as their creator. While individual dwarves

cataclysmic shift to replace him. With that in mind, consider the role of the gods in your world and their ties to different humanoid races. Does each race have a creator god? How does that god shape that

The Map

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

temple called Talhundereth, the crypt beneath it, and a subterranean trading nexus called Gibbet Crossing. These locations are in the Starmetal Hills, several days northeast of Phandalin. In the previous

more obelisk pieces the mind flayers acquire, the more difficult it will be to stop their ritual. The characters must race against the clock to keep the mind flayers and their lackeys from recovering more of the shattered obelisk.

Halfling

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

was short, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or

several, as the opportunities presented themselves. The crooked stick that served as his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched between two of his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake, mirrored

Languages and Dialects

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

Player’s Handbook with new ones, or split languages up into several different dialects. In some worlds, regional differences might be much more important than racial ones. Perhaps all the dwarves, elves

. In a region where one race has subjugated another, the language of the conquerors can become a mark of social status. Similarly, reading and writing might be restricted by law to the upper classes of a society.

Halfling

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

was short, even by the standards of his diminutive race, with the fluff of his curly brown locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or

several, as the opportunities presented themselves. The crooked stick that served as his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched between two of his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake, mirrored

Adventure Summary

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

hungry elder octopus. This creature first assaulted the ship several days before the characters arrive. Its previous rampage failed to scuttle the ship, though the octopus succeeded in devouring or

monstrosities. The climax of the adventure is a race against time as the octopus returns for a final onslaught, with decks flooding, the ship sinking, and characters scrambling through the

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Hoard of the Dragon Queen

explores some of the behind-the-scenes development that went into creating Tyranny of Dragons, as well as defining a spectrum of monsters, allies, and enemies that would feature in Dungeons & Dragons

Queen. Several other locations and characters also feature prominently in this collection, many being aspects of the Forgotten Realms or underpinning the wider D&D multiverse that have seen artistic

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

explores some of the behind-the-scenes development that went into creating Tyranny of Dragons, as well as defining a spectrum of monsters, allies, and enemies that would feature in Dungeons & Dragons

Queen. Several other locations and characters also feature prominently in this collection, many being aspects of the Forgotten Realms or underpinning the wider D&D multiverse that have seen artistic

Appendix E: Concept Gallery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

explores some of the behind-the-scenes development that went into creating Tyranny of Dragons, as well as defining a spectrum of monsters, allies, and enemies that would feature in Dungeons & Dragons

Queen. Several other locations and characters also feature prominently in this collection, many being aspects of the Forgotten Realms or underpinning the wider D&D multiverse that have seen artistic

Family and Friends

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

. You can roll on the Relationship table to determine how your family members or other important figures in your life feel about you. You can also use the Race, Occupation, and Alignment tables to

, uncle, or both; or extended family such as a tribe or clan 16–25 Paternal or maternal grandparent(s) 26–35 Adoptive family (same or different race) 36–55 Single father or stepfather 56–75 Single mother

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, kobold females aren’t exempted from war or work. Furthermore, kobolds can slowly change sex. If most males or females of a tribe are killed, some survivors change over several months until the

at the actions or deeds of other races. They aren’t forgiving of other races, and they enjoy nursing their hatred until they get a chance to wreak revenge on a creature or a race that has wronged

Emotionless Evil

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

been encountered before, it is likely that the yuan-ti have prepared a special ambush at the end of the pursuit. Capture, Not Kill The objective of the yuan-ti as a race is to conquer and enslave

food taster for a royal family could poison a meal and declare it “safe” after taking a bite. YUAN-TI MALISON VARIANTS: TYPES 4 AND 5 A malison is a yuan-ti that has a blend of human and serpentine

Personal Characteristics

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

your goals and ambitions? What is the single most important thing you strive for? You can choose any ideals you like, but your character’s alignment is a good place to start defining them. Each

to your class, your background, your race, or some other aspect of your character’s history or personality. You might also gain new bonds over the course of your adventures. Flaws Finally, choose a

Random Encounters

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

discovers a homestead. Roll a d6 to determine the race of the people there: 1–3, Tethyrian human; 4, Illuskan human; 5–6, halfling. A homestead consists of 1d6 adult commoners and 1d6 − 1 noncombatant

!” to the characters. Mephits. Several mephits travel in a pack. Roll a d6 to determine the mephit type: 1, dust; 2, ice; 3, magma; 4, mud; 5, smoke; 6, steam. Pilgrims. A group of pilgrims includes

Humans Transformed

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

, becoming like the gods in body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race

advisor in human society. The very rare offspring of such a union are always purebloods, although they may appear fully human at birth and for several years afterward. The yuan-ti know rituals that

Elves

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

Elves Several distinct elven cultures inhabit Ansalon, including the Qualinesti and Silvanesti high elves, the Kagonesti wood elves, and the Dargonesti and Dimernesti sea elves. Over two thousand

possible to find individual members—or even small enclaves—of folk like dragonborn, halflings, tieflings, or any other race in Ansalon. Perhaps such individuals stepped through a portal and found

Tools

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

Tools A tool helps you to do something you couldn't otherwise do, such as craft or repair an item, forge a document, or pick a lock. Your race, class, background, or feats give you proficiency with

potions of healing. Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your

Alignment

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

adventurers cause problems in groups alongside others who don’t share their interests and objectives. Generally, evil alignments are for villains and monsters. Languages Your race indicates the languages

place to start defining them. Each background in this chapter includes six suggested ideals. Five of them are linked to aspects of alignment: law, chaos, good, evil, and neutrality. The last one has

Gala at the Cerulean Lyceum

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

vessel above Janya began several days ago. Zisatta remembers the name Girscamen and says the Billowing Patrol knows the location of its wreckage. Unexpected Interruption Before the characters can share

its own realm.” Bond. “We serve Janya by defining the future instead of dwelling on the past.” Flaw. “Cross me and you’ll regret it more than you can imagine.” Caught in the Middle Both Zisatta and

Dwarves of the Multiverse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

Dwarves of the Multiverse Like any race, dwarves display a wide array of skin tones, hair colors, and other physical traits. Adding to this diversity, they have a variety of cultural identities from

form bonds with neighbors. Mountain Dwarves. As tough and strong as the natural stoneworks they dwell among, mountain dwarves see themselves as the true progenitors of their race and the exemplars of

Dark Bargains and Cursed Paintings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

score for that ability increases by 2, as does the character’s maximum for that score. Physical Transformation. A character bargaining with the hags can choose to change their race, sex, or appearance

one year older than the standard for adulthood (as noted in the traits for the character’s race). All such benefits last no longer than a year, and they end immediately if the painting of the

World-Shaking Events

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

begins a new era in the selected region. How does this person or this era begin to affect the world? Here are several things to consider when determining the leader’s impact on the world: Name one

, or even an adversary to the characters. How does the death of this person affect those formerly under his or her influence? Here are several things to consider when determining the effects of a

Adventure Hooks

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

that he stays near Aerisi. The character earns inspiration for reaching the air temple and again for defeating Windharrow. Dangerous Information It’s a race against time — the character overheard

have laid waste to several small hamlets and merchant caravans, and the character has sworn to stop them. Clearing the Howling Hatred cultists out of Feathergale Spire earns the character inspiration

The Xanathar Guild

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

to flee (or “retire”) than to confront the beholder. The petrified heads of several traitorous lieutenants decorate the Xanathar’s lair as testimony to how it deals with challengers. In addition to

guild is run by a beholder. Most of the guild’s low-ranking members have an idea that the boss isn’t human, especially given how long the Xanathar has been in power (they aren’t aware that several

Orc Lairs

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

and one that is wholly or partly underground, an orc chieftain typically opts for the latter. If the surface location happens to be a ruin left behind by another race, orcs are more likely to use it

of prey. The orc stronghold depicted and described here is an example of such a place, which could suit the needs of a tribe for several years or even decades. It has several subterranean chambers

NPCs by Guild

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

. Chaos can only destroy, and her visions are a tool to ensure that society can live in safety in all variants of the future. Precognitive Mage Medium humanoid (any race), lawful neutral Armor

additional direction for roleplaying these individuals. Several other named guild members are highlighted in sidebars. Soldier Soldiers are found in many of Ravnica’s guilds. The soldier stat block

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