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Snapping Hydra

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

, the hydra dies. At the end of its turn, the hydra grows two heads for each of its heads that died since its last turn, unless it has taken cold damage since its last turn. The hydra regains 10 hit

strong instincts of self-preservation. When a snapping hydra feels a battle's odds tipping out of its favor, the hydra lets out a raspy screech and retracts into its shell. In the wilds of Eldraine

Female Steeder

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals. Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider

begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts. Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.

Male Steeder

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals. Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider even

begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts. Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.

Dhergoloth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, dhergoloths rush into battle like whirlwinds of destruction, lashing out with the five sets of claws that extend from their squat, barrel-shaped bodies. They take contracts to put down uprisings, clear out

rabble, and eliminate scouts and skirmishers, and they revel in the butchery they create, their gleeful laughter rising above their victims’ screams. Since dhergoloths are little more than

Wereraven

monsters

, wereravens flock together to battle such threats. They congregate in hard-to-reach aeries within or just outside urban settlements, such as atop bell towers, lighthouses, or ancient trees. Wereraven

groups tend to be loosely organized, since members understand the importance of anonymity. The Keepers of the Feather (described in Ravenloft Adventures) is one example of a secret society of evil

Viari

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

quickly rising in the ranks of Acquisitions Incorporated since joining that august team, Viari has come to head what's known as the organization's Stabbing Department. A potent threat in both dueling

adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost

Vampiric Mist

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

. In battle, a mist focuses its attacks on injured targets, since open wounds are a more ready source of blood.PoisonAcid, Cold, Lightning, Necrotic, Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Asteria

Monsters The Book of Many Things

discovery. She’s as likely to be found climbing trees or poring over arcane texts as she is brandishing her sword in battle. Anyone who engages Asteria in conversation about her interests finds

her an overflowing font of information. But she also retains her stubborn streak and quickly repudiates anyone who tries to order her around. Asteria hasn’t aged since Istus drew her future from

Minotaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

The minotaurs of Ravnica are strong in body, dedication, and courage. They are at home on the battlefield, willing to fight for their various causes. They combine a burning fury in battle with keen

tail in the way. Strength and Zeal Minotaurs are zealous and love battle. They are found among the Gruul Clans, but the minotaurs of the Ordruun family line, long associated with the Boros Legion

Mercenary Veteran

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way. MERCENARIES OF THE NORTH Countless mercenary companies

-states in the North are willing to field an army alongside the Chill, but several are happy to quietly pay the Chill to battle the Uthgardt, orcs, trolls of the Evermoors, and other threats to

Leucrotta

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

agree to carry the leader into battle and offer advice during the fight. Followers of Yeenoghu also see leucrottas as a form of entertainment. They enjoy watching a leucrotta work almost as much as they

like doing their own killing, since leucrottas are meticulous in their cruelty and able to draw out kills for better and longer sport. And when there are no victims to be had, a leucrotta can mimic the

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

. Shiftless, Savage Layabouts When they’re not in battle, bugbears spend much of their time resting or dozing. They don’t engage in crafting or agriculture to any great extent, or

. Gang Mentality Since bugbears aren’t a particularly fecund race, their overall population is small and spread over a wide area. Bugbears live in family groups that operate much like gangs. The

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

warriors, since he had a strong streak of human blood in him, and he found the daylight less bothersome than most of his tribe did. Among the Bloody Skulls, a warrior was judged by his strength, his

shared elements among these folk. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced

Red Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

abishais when it comes to leadership ability and raw power. Red abishais lead other devils into battle or take charge of troublesome cults to ensure that they continue to carry out Tiamat’s commands

to Tiamat (and Asmodeus, when he chooses to use them). Other archdevils can command abishais to work for them, but most archdevils do so rarely, since it is never clear whether an abishai follows

Giant Foundling

Backgrounds Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

lived with them underground ever since. 3 You were lost or abandoned as a child in a jungle that teemed with ravenous dinosaurs. There, you found an equally lost frost giant; together, you survived

. 4 Your farm was crushed and your family killed in a battle between warring groups of giants. Racked with guilt over the destruction, a sympathetic giant soldier promised to care for you

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

who’ve known each other for over a decade might consider each other friends or enemies, but the strength of this sentiment is much fainter than any comparable human emotion. Since most of their

populated areas, practice cannibalism, believing it is foolish to waste good meat. In any case, kobolds that eat humanoids don’t simply start consuming corpses or prisoners right after a battle

Snapping Hydra

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume Four

and strong instincts of self-preservation. When a snapping hydra feels a battle’s odds tipping out of its favor, the hydra lets out a raspy screech and retracts into its shell. In the wilds of

Eldraine, it’s never long before a hungry or curious creature arrives to investigate, leaping into battle with the hydra’s foes while the hydra makes an opportune exit. Snapping Hydra Huge Monstrosity

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

important than the gear and fighting style of its members, and so most of these orders aren’t limited to fighting types, but are open to all sorts of folk who are willing to battle and die for the

themselves to put a proper heir on the throne of Tethyr and reestablish order in that kingdom. Since then they have grown to be the most popular knighthood in Tethyr, a nation that has hosted many knighthoods in fealty to the crown.

Barbarian

classes Basic Rules (2014)

fierce animal spirits. Others draw from a roiling reservoir of anger at a world full of pain. For every barbarian, rage is a power that fuels not just a battle frenzy but also uncanny reflexes

, though, a settled life is no virtue, but a sign of weakness. The strong embrace nature—valuing keen instincts, primal physicality, and ferocious rage. Barbarians are uncomfortable when hedged in

Fight or Flight

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

Fight or Flight Few creatures fight to the death. Nearly all creatures have survival instincts that cause them to reevaluate their tactics in the face of their own destruction. Sapient creatures

confronted by obviously more numerous or powerful opponents usually try to avoid battle. But brave, desperate, or devoted creatures might never retreat from a battle. If you can’t decide whether a

Spirits of the Past

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

your life as they lived theirs, letting their instincts guide you. Treasure our past and the stories of our people. You are the vessel through which new legends will arise. Voice of BRELAND The

of age, the Keepers of the Past read the signs to determine which of these ancestors chose you to be their vessel. Since that day, it has been your duty to emulate your patron ancestor. If you’re a

The Lords of Dust and the War

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

good, or a battle averted that spared hundreds from death was ultimately the first step in an overlord’s release. (For instance, a soldier who was otherwise fated to die in the battle that was avoided

goes on to tempt a good-hearted priest into becoming corrupted.) In the years since the Thronehold Accords, the Lords of Dust continue on as they ever have, advancing one small step at a time.

Running This Chapter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Running This Chapter Be sure to review the “Auril the Frostmaiden” section in appendix C before running this chapter, since Auril is no ordinary villain. The characters can locate and obtain both The

slaying Iskra, the Frostmaiden’s roc (without which Auril can’t cast her nightly spell that keeps the sun at bay), or by facing Auril in battle and defeating all three of the Frostmaiden’s forms sequentially.

Rage

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

Rage In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you can enter a rage as a bonus action. While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren’t wearing heavy armor: You have

raging. Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

climactic battle with Graz’zt broke her power. The Witch Queen then vanished. As her evil influence waned, Iggwilv’s realm was sundered, and her lair was lost. This lost lair purportedly lies deep in a

series of caverns somewhere in the Yatil Mountains. In the decades since Iggwilv’s disappearance, adventurers and treasure hunters have sought the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth and the treasures within

Rage

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

Rage In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you can enter a rage as a bonus action. While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren’t wearing heavy armor: You have

raging. Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can

Ruins of Caerdoon

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

Ruins of Caerdoon Murgaxor learned that his ritual must take place in a location where a massacre has occurred. The Ruins of Caerdoon is the perfect location since an ancient battle once took place

Avoiding the War

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

teleport into the redoubt directly, since it’s warded with a Forbiddance spell. Flight Camlash’s citadel spiders (see appendix A) function as artillery, but the skies are predominantly under Miska’s

control thanks to powerful flying demons pledged to his service. If the characters fly around or above the battle, three hazvongels (see appendix A) soar down from the wispy cloud cover to attack. The

Task List

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

other ideas that might help, such as asking for aid from the stone giants of Gracklstugh or stealing magic weapons from the drow. Some quests might take time to complete, since they require travel

through the Underdark. See the “Benefits for Completing Tasks” sidebar for benefits that the characters gain during the Battle of Blingdenstone if they complete certain tasks.

The Tower Falls

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

fortification is destroyed, throw down their banners and retreat across Pandesmos. Spyder-Fiends Falter. The spyder-fiends can’t capitalize on this sudden victory, since their raklupis battle-leaders (see

appendix A) immediately devolve into infighting to seize control. The spyder-fiend battle lines break into violent packs. The Vampire Notices. Kas arrives at the tower’s broken base within a few minutes to

Trial by Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

Trial by Combat Xedalli asks the characters to serve as her champions. If the characters accept, read: Xeleth sneers. “Very well, sister, since you won’t face me yourself, I, too, name a champion

armor is the creature. The priest turns to face you. “The zodar has served the imperial family since the dawn of the empire. Its knowledge is vast, and its will is absolute. To the death!” The

Recent Events in Phandalin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

, they spoke with Harbin Wester about acquiring the ruined Tresendar Manor, since the banker held the property’s title. Wester worked out terms with Head Office and the deal was signed. The members of the

commotion of a battle. No one was really keen to investigate, wanting to avoid any trouble that the Fellowship of the Golden Mongoose had brought on themselves. (Adventurers, right?) But after a few days

The Dessarin Road

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

because it’s off the road. Only in the last day or two have natural scavengers returned to the area, since the lingering aura of elemental magic kept them away until now. The Dessarin Road leads south

investigate, they find the remains of a pitched battle between the earth cult and the delegation from Mirabar. In a small dell a mile off the road, you find the remains of a battle. A dozen dead soldiers lie

Recent Events

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

Recent Events The pirate attack on the abbey came as a complete surprise to the clerics, since the pirates and clerics were previously in league with each other. The pirates fenced much of their

for the cellars being buried by the burning debris. After the battle, the pirates gathered what loot they could and abandoned the ruins, unaware that they were leaving survivors behind. When the smoldering wreckage cooled, the survivors made their way out through the rubble.

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