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Lorwyn-Shadowmoor Elf

Species Lorwyn: First Light

fallen empire to support their claims. These elves blame the fall of their empire on outside threats, especially the Phyrexian invasion (see Lorwyn: First Light). Though the invasion was the empire

heroism and self-sacrifice the highest forms of beauty. Bloomseekers are Shadowmoor elves who study and explore Lorwyn. Each one carries a Reliquary of Twilight (see Lorwyn: First Light). Alongside

Clockwork Dragon

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

dragons. Plated in brass, bronze, copper, or faux gold and silver, they are often taken for fine draconic statues at first glance. A clockwork dragon makes a formidable guardian or defender, with its

advanced intellect allowing it to be programmed with a wide range of orders, as well as being capable of wholly independent reactions to potential threats. Though most clockwork dragons have a breath weapon

Firbolg Primeval Warden

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

. Primeval wardens who patrol the borders of firbolg communities are fierce hunters who guard against external threats and incursions. Firbolgs Distant cousins of giants, the first firbolgs wandered the

Assassin Bug

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

of druids (possibly in service to Malar or Talos) who cultivated the first of these creatures. However, it remains unknown whether their intent was to create a benign means of breaking down monstrous

limited language ability suggests that the druids might have engaged in self-sacrifice to achieve their creation. Horrific Egg Layers. An assassin bug attacks with a paralytic bite to first

Inquisitor of the Mind Fire Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

days before Count Strahd von Zarovich became the first vampire, Strahd thundered across the lands with Ulmed. Their mission was clear: to destroy the infernal powers that had corrupted the world and to

ensure that those powers never rose again. Strahd, Ulmed, and their companions hunted Fiends, Undead, Aberrations, and other supernatural threats and were tireless foes of cults like the priest of

Deep Crow

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

, echoing from the darkness like a death knell. For by the time those glowing red eyes fix on you, it's far too late to run … Some adventurers and sages whisper that deep crows were first spawned as

live alone for an unknown length of years, emerging from the lair only to hunt, to look for potential threats, and to mate. Mating is a once-in-a-lifetime urge that sees each deep crow involved in the

Inquisitor of the Sword Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

founded the Ulmist Inquisition, an order of psionic inquisitors that seeks to discover the wickedness hiding in people’s souls. In the days before Count Strahd von Zarovich became the first

, and their companions hunted Fiends, Undead, Aberrations, and other supernatural threats and were tireless foes of cults like the priest of osybus;priests of Osybus. When Strahd fell into darkness

Cradle of the Cloud Scion

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

feet tall and wields a morningstar made from magically dense clouds. It tends to regard other creatures as toys rather than serious threats, and it uses its illusion magic to manipulate creatures into

, creating one or more of the following effects: Compulsory Offering. The first time a sapient creature comes within 6 miles of the scion, the creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or feel

Scion of Memnor

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

made from magically dense clouds. It tends to regard other creatures as toys rather than serious threats, and it uses its illusion magic to manipulate creatures into fighting each other. If seriously

following effects: Compulsory Offering. The first time a sapient creature comes within 6 miles of the scion, the creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or feel an overwhelming compulsion to

Lord Soth of Sithicus

monsters

cares nothing for his domain. But should noteworthy threats or remarkable individuals appear, he seeks to crush or enlist them. The only exception is the spirit of his treacherous former ally, Caradoc

are closed, purple flames fill the Mists surrounding Sithicus. A creature that enters the Mists for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there takes 5 (1d10) Fire damage plus 5 (1d10) Necrotic

Inquisitor of the Tome Legacy

monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

;s souls. In the days before Count Strahd von Zarovich became the first vampire, Strahd thundered across the lands with Ulmed. Their mission was clear: to destroy the infernal powers that had

corrupted the world and to ensure that those powers never rose again. Strahd, Ulmed, and their companions hunted Fiends, Undead, Aberrations, and other supernatural threats and were tireless foes of cults

Iymrith

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

North. The Lords’ Alliance represents one of the greatest threats to dragons in Faerûn, so Iymrith is keen to bring about its end.Blue dragons make their lairs in barren places, using

with glassy sand ventilate the lair, all the while avoiding the deadly sinkholes that are the dragon’s first line of defense. A blue dragon will collapse the caverns that make up its lair if

Orc Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

and tenacity that can’t be matched, and the god equipped his children to be able to live above or below ground. On some worlds, such as Eberron, orcs were among the first defenders of the natural

order from the encroachments of Fiends and other extraplanar threats. Gruumsh’s blessings have made orcs tireless guardians and mighty allies wherever they are found, even when they turn their

Nafas

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

. When the vortex enters a creature’s space for the first time on a turn, the creature must make the same saving throw as when the vortex first appeared. Creatures restrained by the vortex move

typically reserves the Wish spell for creatures he deems worthy of its gifts, he isn’t above leveraging that power against formidable threats, rewriting reality to forcibly tilt the scales in his

Crook of Rao

Magic Items Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

existential threats, and the crook was largely forgotten. In recent ages, though, the Crook of Rao was rediscovered and leveraged against the rising power of the Witch Queen Iggwilv (one of the names of the

years to complete, at the end of which the gate becomes a permanent portal to Pazunia, the first layer of the Abyss. Destroying or Repairing the Crook. The Crook of Rao can either be destroyed or

Triton Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

of truth. Few know of the tritons’ great victories over dreadful undersea threats. The tritons make little allowance for such ignorance and are delighted to expound upon the great debt others owe

deserve their protection. Their attitude might grate, but when pirate fleets prowl the waves or a kraken awakens from its slumber, they are among the first to take up arms to protect others. Tritons

Lord Soth of Sithicus (DMR)

monsters

cares nothing for his domain. But should noteworthy threats or remarkable individuals appear, he seeks to crush or enlist them. The only exception is the spirit of his treacherous former ally, Caradoc

Sithicus. While the borders are closed, purple flames fill the Mists surrounding Sithicus. A creature that enters the Mists for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there takes 5 (1d10

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

all life except for kobolds. He especially hates Garl Glittergold, gnomes, and fey creatures that enjoy playing pranks. He taught the first kobolds how to mine, tunnel, hide, and ambush. He is

abandon this careful approach. First, because of their hatred of gnomes, city kobolds often go out of their way to target gnomes’ houses and shops. Even in such cases, the kobolds’ fear of

Resting

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

Resting Threats abound within the caves. The characters can take only Short Rests within them. To take a Long Rest, they must first exit any cave they’re in. For more on resting, see the D&D Beyond Basic Rules.

Barbarian

classes Basic Rules (2014)

sufficient to defeat whatever threats arise. A Life of Danger A barbarian plays an important role as a protector of their people and a leader in times of war. Life in the wild places of the world is

violated, or a coup that removed you from a position of authority. QUICK BUILD You can make a barbarian quickly by following these suggestions. First, put your highest ability score in Strength

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

one city-state were killed and eaten to create the first yuan-ti, and once the news of how to perform these rituals spread to other leaders, the call for slaves to fuel the process increased. As the

others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats. As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

, a mission of vengeance, or a catastrophe typically lies at the heart of the aarakocra adventurer’s chosen path. Two other circumstances might call an aarakocra to adventure. First, aarakocra

than a few dozen aarakocra live away from the nests of their families. Those that do are usually rangers or fighters, constantly patrolling for outside threats.

Orc

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

toughness and tenacity that can’t be matched, and the god equipped his children to be able to live above or below ground. On some worlds, such as Eberron, orcs were among the first defenders of the natural

order from the encroachments of Fiends and other extraplanar threats. Gruumsh’s blessings have made orcs tireless guardians and mighty allies wherever they are found, even when they turn their devotion to other gods.

Into the Badlands

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

location might be dangerous. Although Dean Tullus didn’t run into any problems there, it’s likely that Murgaxor led her to the orb and removed any threats that might impede his plan to manipulate her

. Indeed, the Fortress Badlands have become a haven for acolytes of Murgaxor’s teachings and their thralls. As the faculty suspects, the badlands contain information that can lead the characters to Murgaxor’s location. However, the party must first bypass or defeat the current residents.

Adventure Background

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

threats of the surrounding wilderness. Two forces of evil are on the rise nearby, eager to control the region around Leilon and eventually the Sword Coast for themselves. The first is a cult of Talos

, known also as Ebondeath, has recently allied with Ularan Mortus to steal a mythical artifact called the ruinstone from a tower inside Leilon. The people of Leilon have just begun to uncover the threats

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

Adventure Background As the settlers of Leilon bend their backs to the arduous task of creating a defensible settlement in the dangerous wilds of the Sword Coast, even larger threats loom all around

them. Two forces of evil rise nearby, eager to control the region around Leilon and eventually the Sword Coast. The first is a cult of Talos, god of storms, led by the priestess Fheralai Stormsworn

Ephara

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

Ephara God of the Polis As god of the polis, Ephara sees herself as the founder of civilization. She watches over cities, protecting them from outside threats. She is credited with establishing the

first code of law, which Meletis has preserved and the other poleis have imitated. Even more important, she helps cities reach their highest potential, becoming centers of scholarship, industry, and

Volcanic Threats

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

Volcanic Threats Volcanic activity increases as the awakening of the tlexolotl Izel affects the region. While the characters travel, the earth occasionally shakes anew. During the journey, roll on

of the characters. 4 The earth cracks, revealing magma flowing below. A fire snake rises from the crack and attacks the first creature it sees before retreating after 1 round.

Duergar Despot

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

gathering on the fringes of Icewind Dale. Adventurers are much better equipped to deal with such threats, particularly in the dead of winter. One recent arrival in the area is Xardorok Sunblight, a

duergar warlock formerly of the Underdark. His patron, Deep Duerra, has urged Xardorok to fulfill his destiny and become the first duergar to rule a kingdom on the surface. Icewind Dale is cold, dark

Atagua Gazetteer

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

threats and engineered by the ancient Flood People who first settled these lands. Yet danger remains. In some years, the rains that end the dry season are late, increasing the risk of wildfires. Bulettes

Scouting

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

also lag behind, serving as a rearguard watching for threats coming up behind the characters as they travel. NPCs can serve as scouts or members of a rearguard as the players wish. Some of the

first and can choose whether to avoid or deal with the encounter. If characters in the scouting party notice the encounter without being seen themselves, they can retreat back to the main force to

Chapter 6: Friends and Foes

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

Chapter 6: Friends and Foes Even as the Five Nations slowly recover from the Last War, rumors spread of the alien daelkyr, the Emerald Claw, the Lord of Blades, and other threats growing in power

Khorvaire, and NPCs that can serve as either friends or foes. The chapter’s monsters appear first in a bestiary. They’re followed by a collection of generic NPCs—various people who can populate your

Activity While Traveling

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

. Forage The character casts fishing lines, keeping an eye out for sources of food, making a Wisdom (Survival) check when the DM calls for it. Raise Morale (First Mate Only) The first mate can manage the

crew’s time to grant extended breaks, provide instruction, and generally improve the quality of life on the ship. Once every 24 hours, if the crew’s quality score is 3 or lower, the first mate can

Gith Tables

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

githzerai and githyanki will align to rule the multiverse. 3 I respond to even minor threats with overwhelming displays of force. 4 The next time I laugh will be the first. The sound of merriment takes me to the edge of violence.

they keep. 2 Power. The weak rule the strong. 3 Duty. It is by Vlaakith’s will alone that I act. 4 Freedom. No strong soul should be enslaved. Better to die first than live as another’s puppet

Using an Overarching Story

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

Using an Overarching Story This section presents a couple of examples of overarching stories which have, over the years, fueled many classic D&D campaigns. The adventurers’ goal in the first example

overarching goal that can be fulfilled only by first completing a series of related quests. For example, you could create a villain who can’t be defeated until the characters explore nine dungeons in which the

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