Adaptable Encounters 2021-09-30
Adaptable Encounters 2021-09-30
TABBLLEE
EENNCCOOUUNNTTEERRSS
AAA collection
collection of
collection of Fantastic
of Fantastic and
Fantastic and Adaptable
and Adaptable Encounters
Adaptable Encounters for
Encounters for the
for the 5th
the 5th edition
5th edition of
edition of the
of the
the
World's
World's most
World's most popular
most popular Role
popular Role Playing
Role Playing Game
Playing Game
Game
Thank you for reading
this supplement
Greetings fellow GM, in the following pages
you will find encounters that were especially
fun for us authors to write, it is our intention
to offer you with these pages a tool to enrich
your campaigns or simply serve as
inspiration for that campaign you have in
mind for your party.
We hope that your sessions will be full of
laughter and fun and that each of these
encounters will be to your liking.
Thank you for allowing us to participate in
your adventure as GM.
ND Hobbies
Micro Dungeons
AADDAAPPTA
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EENNCCOOUUNNTTEERRSS
A collection of Fantastic and Adaptable Encounters for the 5th edition of the World's most
popular Role Playing Game
By ND Hobbies
Adaptable Encounters 4
Arcane Tailor 5
Bazaar Predicament 7
Elemental Staircase 8
Entangled 9
Nameless Tomb 10
Not what it seems 11
Rock On 12
The King’s curse 13
The Old Stone Bridge 14
Wilderness Ghost 15
Scalable Monsters 18
Introduction
T
he encounters in this document are designed (natural armor, type of armor, shield, etc.) However, this is
to be played quickly in the middle of a larger almost never necessary, often it’s obvious, and if it were
adventure. Although some are a bit longer, really necessary it could be specified in the attributes
perhaps as a short adventure. Also, with the section.
intention of making the encounters adaptable
HP. The hit points of the monster, as in a statblock, it’s
for adventures of any level, the monsters
shown in the format Maximum hitpoints (hit dice +
were designed in a scalable way, so the the
Constitution Bonus).
difficulty of the enemies can be adjusted as the GM sees fit
for the adventure. Prof./PP (Proficiency Bonus / Passive Perception). The
number before the slash (/) is the proficiency bonus of the
creature. You might need it to calculate Difficulty Classes,
How to read a scalable statistics etc. The number after the slash is the passive perception.
We are not using the classic 5th edition statblocks in this Attack/DC. (Attack bonus / Difficulty Class). Attacks in
document (except for a couple monsters in the end). the text don’t show the attack bonus, instead, use the
Instead, the monsters’ stats are divided into two parts, one number on this column. When an ability asks for a Saving
is a table that shows its most important numerical Throw, if the ability doesn’t state a DC, than use the
statistics at different Challenge Ratings. And the other is number in this column.
the text that describes the Attributes, Features and
Actions.
Attributes
The table This part is very similar to that of a statblock. Another
difference, and the only disadvantage, is that the Skills
I believe the table is self explanatory, but here’s a entry doesn’t state the modifier, you need to calculate it,
description of each column, in case there is any doubt. but it is simple, just add the ability bonus and the
CR. This is the monster’s challenge rating, sometimes it proficiency bonus.
is the same as the age category number, but they are
almost always different. They are two different things. Features, Actions, etc.
Size. It is the initial of the monster size: M = Medium, L = The rest of the inputs are very similar, they work the same
Large, H = Huge, G = Gargantuan. as their respective statblock entry, with the exception that
STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA: These six columns are the the features or actions are divided by age. The titles “At all
ability scores of the monster (Strength, Dexterity, levels”, or “From CR 10”, etc. divide the features monsters
Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma). Just as you have, or action it can do at these or bigger challenge
would find them in a statblock, these are in the format ratings.
Score (Modifier).
AC. The armor class of the monster. The only
disadvantage compared to a statblock is that it doesn’t
include specified here what is granting the armor class
Introduction
Adaptable
Encounters
Adaptable Encounters
Arcane Tailor
By Xacur
D
uring their travels, the adventurers will find a At the distance, the adventurers see a small village built on
village they have not seen before and which is the road. On both sides of the road there are colorful
not in the map. This is a magical village houses with strange, crooked shapes.
inhabited by little brownies who always have a
As they get closer they realize that the village is closer
favor to ask the adventurers. That favor will be
than they thought, but the houses are very small. In the
the fastest way to leave the village, and the
streets of this little village there are little brownies. Some
reward offered for fulfilling the task could be
of these creatures look at travelers with interest, others do
of importance in their future adventures.
not even notice them because they are busy with their
daily chores. But one of them comes running to greet and
Adding this encounter to your campaign welcome them, his name is Feartinn, the tailor, and he’s in
a predicament.
This might not be the adventure for every party. For some
players, having a village appearing our of nothing from The brownie knows the adventurers’ names and has
time to time, forcing them to fulfill a task, might be a heard of their adventures, so he’s confident they will be
burden they did not ask for. Others can see it as a chance able to help. In return he offers them a surprise reward. He
to rest and meeting familiar faces between adventures, or takes them to his workshop.
even as a comic relief. Blanket of Invisibility
This blanket has 20 charges. It regains 10 + 1d10 expended
Otherworldly Recognition charges every day at dawn.
After a few successful adventures, the adventurers might At first glance, this item is an elegant white blanket large
gain some fame in the mortal world, but it will not go enough to cover a king size bed, four medium-sized
unnoticed by the inhabitants of Silentbell Village. They creatures or one large.
have been traveling for several days now, and although the As an action, you can use the command word, to turn the
journey has been uneventful, a soft bed to spend a night blanket and all the creatures covered by the blaket, as well
would not hurt. as the objects they carry, invisible to other creatures. This
causes the blanket to lose an amount of charges equal to the
number of creatures that turned invisible.
After that, the blanket loses 1 charge for every creature still
hidden under it.
As a bonus action you can use the command word to end the
blanket’s effect. If the blanket would lose a charge to turn or
keep invisible a creature hidden under it, and it has no
charges on it, it instead stops working.
Arcane Tailor
If the adventurers feel they are in a hurry, Feartinn will
explain they are no longer in their world, and time passes
differently in this fairy world. When they return it will be
as if no time has passed. In addition, the reward that the
brownie will give them can help them during their trip.
This is a fairly short adventure, it is not really much of a
challenge, and its solution is pretty straightforward, but it
does serve as an introduction. Furthermore, each
encounter in Silentbell Village should help the adventurers
discover something new about this magical world. In this
one they learn that in this world, the feys’ invisibility does
not work against them.
Arcane Tailor
Bazaar Predicament
By Guillermo Buenfil
T
he governor of a merchant city enlists the Going for it
adventurers’ help to find a gang of thieves
who have started a series of robberies and With this information the players must decide how they
scams in the bazaar. Local merchants have will enter the business district.
complained about child thieves they have
failed to catch. if the city is not secured, the Reward with Inspiration any player who decides to
merchant travelers wont come as much to the change the characters appearance to act as patrons or
city and the locals will lose their businesses. Adventurers merchants. In this way they will soon find one of the
will go into the market, chase down thieves, and discover thieves and he will flee as soon as the adventurers
that what the locals thought were children are actually a discover him.
gang of thieving kobolds. If they decide to go investigate immediately in their
adventurer outfits, the thieves will be more cautious.
Adventure Hook The adventurers will need to succeed a Wisdom
perception check to be able to find a thief who is
This encounter can be inserted into an adventure in which robbing them.
the party is traveling from one city to another. If they need When chasing after the young man, the adventurers soon
an intermediate point to stock up or make purchases they notice that they are actually following three different
can arrive here. Upon reaching the city the guards will small creatures, and they take different paths. The
notify the ruler and summon them. As a reward, the adventurers will have to decide which of the creatures to
governor can supply them with the equipment and food follow, or if they prefer to split up.
they need.
These are the possible encounters depending on the
paths they take.
Meeting the governor
Bazaar predicament complication
In front of the adventurers, the governor explains the
reasons to ask help from the party. No one knows for sure
who these thieves are or where they come from. Some D6 Complication
merchants have described children, others report that
1-3 One of them reaches a dead end alley where 6
young people pretended to be customers but paid with
thieving Kobolds await them in the shadows. Kobold
counterfeit coins. Also some patrons have lost their
Bandit
purchases while walking through the streets of the market.
4-5 As they run through the crowd, a pair of orcs take
advantage of their distraction to tackle one or more
adventurers. Alongside these two there are four
Kobold thieves. Orc Bandit
Bazaar Predicaments
Elemental Staircase
By David Caamal
T
he adventurers descend into a deep and wide Combat Strategy
well by a metal stairs attached to the walls. At
one point during the descent, a segment of The Steel Elemental will take actions in this order of
the stairs come to life and attack the players. priority.
It is a Steel Elemental that they must defeat
or escape. Attacks a pinned opponent
The pit has four walls 30 feet wide. Attacks and grapple a prone opponent
The metal stairs are 10 feet wide. Use its Summon Earth Elemental action
A 30-foot segment of the stairs separates from the Attacks and grapple an opponent
rest, turning into a Steel Elemental and preventing
players from easily escaping. Resolución
The highest point of the elemental is 10 feet below the If the players defeat the elemental, it becomes part of the
rest of the stairs and the lowest point is 10 feet above staircase again. If they escape without defeating it, the
the rest. elemental could attack them again appearing in another
The elemental will try to surprise them. segment of the stairs, at discretion of the GM.
Attacking the rest of the stairs doesn’t harm the
elemental.
The elemental can attack any target on it.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Steel
If the elemental takes lightning damage, it will
Elemental takes a lair action to cause one of the
distribute the damage among all creatures on it.
following effects:
The elemental can use an action to merge again with the
Irregularity: The steps below a target creature
stairs, and reform in some other segment of it. It can use
become difficult terrain and follow it wherever it
this action three times a day.
moves within the area. At the beginning of each of
its turns, the creature must succeed on a DC 12
Dexterity saving throw or it will have
disadvantage on strength and dexterity based
attack rolls and saving throws until the beginning
of its next turn, freeing itself from the effect on a
success.
Collapsible Steps: The steps of the staircase are
momentarily collapse and turn into a steep ramp.
Each creature in the area must make a DC 11
Dexterity saving throw or fall prone and descend 5
feet down the stairs. Immediately afterwards the
steps return to normal.
Shaking: During this round, every creature in the
area has disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity
based attacks and saving throws. An affected
creature needs to succeed a DC 13 check to keep
concentration. Creatures affected by Irregularity
that fail their saving throw will also fall prone.
Elemental Stair
Entangled
By Guillermo Buenfil
W
hile traveling through a swamp, which seems The encounter against the ants should not be a problem
normal at first, the adventurers start for the party, but shortly after them, a few giant
noticing changes in the vegetation and fauna mosquitoes arrive.
of the place. Then the adventurers are
The noise of battle and the blood of the ants attracts the
attacked by giant insects that are quite
largest predator in the swamp, the Jungle Creeper, a giant
harmless, but after defeating them is when
carnivorous plant with endless vines. During the battle
the real threat appears, a swamp monster.
with the mosquitoes, the adventurers will notice that the
carcasses of the ants are dragged by long vines, and before
Setting up the combat is over, the monster will attack both the player
characters and the mosquitoes.
This encounter can be inserted to the adventure at any
time when the party is crossing a swamp, or a region with
abundant vegetation and with access to water.
Lair Actions
As they walk through the swamp they notice the large
number of vines hanging from the tree branches, they On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Jungle
seem to be everywhere. The mud on the floor rises slightly Creeper takes a lair action to cause one of the following
above the adventurers’ ankles, making it difficult to walk effects:
quickly. Tangling. Target creature must succeed on a DC 11
Strength saving throw or become restrained. The
Food Chain target can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
In this swamp any visitor can be food for the giant insects. success.
The peculiar aroma of the party as well as the noise they Ants. Ants start crawling over each creature
make, has alerted a couple of giant ants that rapidly go affected by Tangling, making an attack as swarm
after the party. each turn until the creature frees itself from the
Tangling.
Tanglevine. The Jungle Creeper makes an attack
against target creature in the area. On a hit, the
creature becomes grappled and if it’s wielding a
weapon, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength
saving throw or drop it.
Entangled
Nameless Tomb
By Guillermo Buenfil
L
ost deep into the wilderness, lies what once A mournful melody
was a graveyard for warriors, fallen in war, a
stark monument to the memory of those who A successful Wisdom perception check will tell a character
lost their life for a cause people forgot long where the melody is coming from. The sound will take
ago. While resting in the forest, a melody will them to the cemetery. As the adventurers approach, they
attract the adventurers towards the tombs notice that the vegetation seems withered in that area and
where they’ll face creatures from the afterlife. the noises of insects and other animals gradually
This encounter could also be the beginning of further disappear.
adventures.
The player characters find in a clearing, a rudimentary
fence that delimits a rectangular area in which there are
Encounter Hook mounds of stone and earth. There are many tombstones,
improvised either with shields, swords, spears, broken
This encounter can be used while the party is camping in a wood, etc. The melody sounds clear and loud in one of the
clearing in the forest, or near a large town. On the way, as corners of the old rudimentary cemetery.
they entered the forest at night, the party saw old signs
indicating the existence of a nearby cemetery. Roll on the following table or choose what the
adventurers find during their exploration.
As the party rests during the night, a faint melody is
heard from deep in the forest, the sound seems to come
from a single stringed instrument. 1d6 Complication
The melody can mean something important to one of 1-3 As they head towards the source of the sound, a
the player characters. Choose one of the following options group of 2d4 Graveyard Imps attempt to surprise the
or some other that you think will hook the players. party, emerging from the mounds around them.
The battle chant of the kingdom of one of the After defeating the imps, they’ll find a few
characters signaculums of soldiers. Players can deduce from the
information carved in the metal pieces that these
A song that someone taught one of the characters soldiers came from a distant kingdom, and since they
when he was little. didn’t have a proper burial, they family probably
The sad song that the bard of the town was singing never knew what became of them.
the day the adventure party left the town.
4-5 Approaching the source of the melody, the sould
under the party opens to a 30 feet deep pit. Inside
the pit four warrior specters are ready to increase
the population of the graveyard. A DC 15 Dexterity
saving throw will prevent a character from falling
into the pit.
Nameless Tomb
Not what it seems
By Guillermo Buenfil
T
he adventurers will meet a group of The jongleurs are friendly and cooperative, they seem to
adventurers along the way who offer to move naturally, a couple offer to prepare food and leave,
accompany them to their campfire. They those who stay are very skilled at focusing the
appear to be a group of friendly jongleurs conversation on the members of the party, diverting the
who travel on the road, but at night they hear topic about who they are, what they do there and where
strange sounds coming from the cart they are they are going.
traveling in. When the adventurers believe
that they are in front of kidnappers, they will discover the
reality that the wagon is a giant Caravan Mimic willing to
Surprise Attack
eat them. The adventurers are invited to spend the night with the
travelers. If a player character asks why they trust them so
On the side of the Road much, they will answer the classic “we prefer to trust
people, besides, if you were armed bandits, you would have
Adventurers are not the only ones risking their lives in the already attacked us and we can’t do anything about it
wasteland traveling from city to city, there are also anyway”.
caravans of jongleurs, which often offer all kinds of
During the night or, if the adventurers do not agree to
entertainment, from dramatic performances, sleight-of-
stay, when they are leaving, noises are heard from the
hand acts, and upbeat musical compositions.
back of the cart. Clearly people are gagged. If the
As the party travel the road, they spot a carriage just a adventurers try to rescue the trapped people, the
few steps from the stone path. Adventurers see the bonfire jongleurs will approach and attack them with their hands
light coming from the other side of the vehicle. As they get and in slightly more monstrous and disfigured forms. And
closer, they can hear people speaking in the Common only until combat causes the adventurers to let their guard
language. One of the jongleurs notices the adventurers and down completely, will the wagon reveal its true nature and
greets them in a friendly manner, inviting them to rest attack the party by surprise.
near the campfire.
T
raveling through a mountain, the As the party moves forward through the paths within the
adventurers face a group of Molefolks, with mountain, suddenly one of the player characters gets
whom they can ally, confront them. This attacked by a stone on the back of the neck, not strong
encounter can be incorporated anytime the enough to damage, just to call the adventurers’ attention.
party is crossing a mountainous region of A DC 18 Wisdom (perception) check will reveal to a player
winding roads at considerable altitudes. the position of the molefolk who threw the stone. On fail,
the character will take a second attack (+6 attack roll, 1d6
Setting up bludgeoning damage) before 2d4 molefolks appear on the
scene.
At the foot of the mountain there is a monument to the
deity of the mountain that warns: “If you wish to use the Resolution
mountain pass you must pay a tribute to the deity and be
humble to receive its blessing, otherwise you will be Depending on the decisions of the players, these are some
judged by the guardians of the Mountain”. In front of this of the possible resolutions for this match.
statue there is a stone bowl on which there are a few coins
Diplomacy. The Molefolks are not really violent, but
and personal items.
they fear that the adventurers are looking for the location
As the adventurers enter the mountain trail, the roads of their village and they do not want that, so they
get narrow at times, at times the mountain opens into intimidate them. If the adventurers convince them that
cliffs that can only be crossed using the natural they just want to cross the mountain, without disturbing
formations, or improvised bridges. anyone, they will let them pass, but will continue to guard
them on the way.
Effects of the mountain deity Violence. If the adventurers show themselves aggresive,
the molefolks will not hesitate to attack. In their strategy
The following effects occur from time to time as the they will prefer to attack an opponent who they know can
adventurers cross the mountain. One can occur every 10 cast magic first.
minutes or every hour while traveling, but during combat,
one will occur every round. Mountain help. If the adventurers left a token with a
certain value in front of the statue, the spirit of the
mountain will favor them and the effects of the table
1d6 Effect “mountain effects” wont affect them.
1-3 The floor shakes, each creature must make a DC 11
Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. Molefolks are
immune to this effect.
4-5 Small stones fall from both sides of the mountain. Each
creature must successfully make a DC 13 Dexterity saving
throw or take 1d4 bludgeoning damage.
Rock On
The King’s curse
By Guillermo Buenfil
W
hen investigating the folklore and history of Redemption and final rest
the place, the party is struck by the myth of
the King’s curse. The inhabitants of this city
1d6 Complication
tell the story of a time of glory and wealth
like there has been no other, unfortunately 1-3 Inside the mausoleum they notice that the floor tiles form
the abundance attracted the envy of a nearby a grid, within each square a vowel letter and only 2
kingdom, with the promise of peace the king consonants, the party must move carefully stepping on
was lured into a fatal trap, his queen obeying his last will, the letters in the order of the king’s name. Stepping on
and ordered to build a mausoleum in his memory. Therein the wrong tiles causes a bright light to shine over all the
lies the secret to restore glory of the kingdom, protected creature. It must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw,
by a riddle that will keep the treasure safe from unworthy taking 3d6 radiant damage on a fail, and only half that
hands. damage on a success. A creature that fails this save also
This encounter can be used while the party is traveling becomes blinded. The creature can repeat this saving
to a place where an even greater challenge awaits. throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success.
T
he adventurers are hired to stop a group of First Night
orcs who intend to destroy the old stone
bridge that connects two cities divided by a That night a group of 3d4 Orc Bandits arrive. This night,
large river. The orcs will arrive at night with the orcs are not expecting to find anyone. In addition to
tools to destroy the bridge. If they are their regular weapons, they bring construction tools like
defeated, the next night they will return with mallets and pickaxes to destroy the old bridge.
a troll capable of destroying the bridge with
its giant mallet. Only after losing their troll will the orcs
give up, at least for the moment.
Second Night
Although the monsters for this encounter (or mini If the orcs are defeated, the governor will thank them for
adventure) are scalable, it is not recommended for low the help, but will tell them that his spies discovered that
levels due to the amount of opponents, unless they have the orcs will return again the next night.
help from NPCs fighting by their side. And so it happens, another 3d4 orcs appear that night,
but accompanied by a Stonebreaker Troll.
Encounter Hook If the troll is defeated, the orcs will run and wont com
The governor of one of the cities will ask the adventurers back for a while.
and offer them a reward for helping to protect the bridge. Breaking the Bridge
His spies discovered the orcs’ plan to destroy the bridge.
The reason is because the two allied cities are more In addition to its combat stats, the troll can use its action to
powerful than the orcs. hit the bridge with its giant mallet. This action has a
Recharge 6, and causes the following effects.
Without the bridge, not only the cities are more
unprotected, but the businesses, goods and services, that
► The first time this action is used, the bridge trembles, each
depend from one city to the other, will be affected. creature on it must succeed on a DC 11 Dexterity saving
throw or fall prone.
With or without the help of the neighboring city, the
► The second time this action is used, the sides of the bridge
governor does not want a war with the orcs, that is why he
star falling. Each creature between 10 feet from the edges
watches over them with his spies, that is why he asks the
of the bridge must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving
adventurers to do this work as quietly as possible, and
throw or fall to the river. The creature can return to
without the people noticing.
combat if it survives the fall, if it can swim, and it runs
back to the bridge quick before the battle ends.
► The third time this action is used, the bridge falls. Each
creature on the bridge, including the troll, must make a DC
15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 6d6 bludgeoning damage
from the bridge stones falling on a fail, and half that
damage on a success.
I
n this short adventure, the adventurers will chase Yesterday morning, animals were also missing from the
a white wolf that the townspeople believe to be a farms. Worse still, two of the town’s loggers didn’t return
ghost attacking their cattle and kidnapping their from their work in the forest.
lumberjacks. But soon they’ll find out that a
What’s actually happening: Possession of the Cockatrice
specter in the forest is trying to possess the white
began four days ago and is now completely possessed.
wolf and wants to combine it with a Cockatrice to
Possession of the wolf began the night before and it still
create a new monster through a ritual that takes
has two days before it’s possessed by the specter.
several days. The adventurers must find and eliminate the
specter before the ritual ends.
Investigación
The Evil Specter The clues in the corrals will lead the players into the forest
to the Dragon Waterfall, which is the Possessed
The evil specter put a curse on the forest, making the
Cockatrice‘s lair.
creatures that live in it more violent. Furthermore, with a
ritual it plans to possess the Wolf and the Cockatrice, The tracks of the loggers will lead them from the part of
creating a new monster by combining their powers, and the forest where they worked to the cave of the gray wolf.
killing them in the process. For that purpose the specter
placed a mark on the beasts lairs. When a beast spends Into the Ancient Forest
three nights in its lair with the mark, the mark will light
up and the specter will possess the beast. Every time the group goes into the forest to go from one
Any character who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence point to another on the Ancient Forest, they will need to
(arcana) check knows the ritual and its process. make a Survival or Investigation check. Depending on the
result is how fast they reach their destination and what
complications they encounter along the way.
The Town
Four days ago something started stealing animals from the
farms, leaving claw marks, but the villagers had not found
any other clues. Until yesterday, when some people saw a
ghostly figure quickly moving away from the town.
Wilderness Ghost
Result of the Investigation Even failing this check, adventurers can try again each
time they find another new symbol.
Wisdom (Survival) or Intelligence (Investigation)
2d12 Encounters
Wilderness Ghost
Even if the group faces the gray wolf, the battle will only Resolution
last a few rounds, after that the wolf will ignore them and
run to chase the ghost to the Devil’s Cavern. Anyway, the Depending on whether the adventurers managed to stop
wolf is too strong for the adventurers level. the Specter ritual or if the Specter managed to finish it, the
last battle may be against the Specter of the Forest or
Echoes of the Devil’s Cavern against the Hybrid Devil.
After the final battle, the souls of the creatures and
The devil’s cave is dark and gloomy. On the way inside the people that the specter had possessed and killed are
adventurers will find corpses of animals and human released and a priest from the town performs a ritual to
beings, with bites and claws. The party will be able to purify the forest and send the souls to rest.
recognize the clothes of some of the humans, as they dress
in the same way as the other people in the town they come
from.
While adventurers are in the cave, they can be victims of
the following effects. Each character makes a Wisdom
saving throw when enter the cave and again when the
battle against the Specter starts.
17 or Success. No effect.
more
Wilderness Ghost
Scalable Monsters
Scalable Monsters
Redcap
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
11 S 20 (+5) 22 (+6) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 115 (21d6 +42) +4 / 16 +10 / 14
13 S 21 (+5) 23 (+6) 15 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 19 132 (24d6 +48) +5 / 18 +11 / 15
Scalable Monsters
Orc Bandit
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack
Attributes From CR 8
Whip Disarm When the orc bandit hits with a Whip attack,
Alignment Any Alignment if the target is wielding a weapon, it must succeed on a
Type Humanoid Strength saving throw or drop it 5 feet from it, to the orc
bandit‘s direction. The DC for this effect is equal to 8 + the
Speed: 30 ft. orc bandit‘s Proficiency bonus + it’s Strength modifier.
Skills: (cha) Intimidation, (dex) Stealth, (wis)
Perception Actions
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Multiattack. The orc bandit makes two attacks, one with its
Languages Common, Orc scimitar and one with its whip. From CR 5 it can make two
Scimitar attacks and one Whip attack.
Features
At all levels
At all levels Whip Melee Weapon Attack: reach 10 ft., one target. Hit:
Aggressive As a bonus action, the orc bandit can move up 1d4 +STR modifier slashing damage
to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see. Scimitar Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
Ambusher The orc bandit has advantage on attack rolls 1d6 +STR modifier slashing damage
against any creature it has surprised.
Reactions
From CR 4
Blood Frenzy The orc bandit has advantage on melee From CR 8
attack rolls against any creature that doesn’t have all its Retaliation When the orc bandit takes damage from a
hit points. creature that is within 5 feet of it, it can use its reaction to
make a melee weapon attack against that creature.
From CR 7
Whip Trip When the orc bandit hits with a Whip attack, if
the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Dexterity
saving throw or fall prone. The DC for this effect is equal to
8 + the orc bandit‘s Proficiency bonus + it’s Strength
modifier.
Scalable Monsters
Kobold Bandit
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack
Features
At all levels
Pack Tactics The kobold bandit has advantage on an attack
roll against a creature if at least one of the kobold bandit‘s
allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t
incapacitated.
Sunlight Sensitivity While in sunlight, the kobold bandit
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Multiattack. From CR 2 the kobold bandit can make two
crossbow attacks. From CR 4 it can make three crossbow
attacks.
Scalable Monsters
Steel Elemental
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
11 H 22 (+6) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 19 220 (21d12 +84) +4 / 15 +10 / 18
13 H 24 (+7) 17 (+3) 20 (+5) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 19 276 (24d12 +120) +5 / 16 +12 / 20
15 H 25 (+7) 18 (+4) 21 (+5) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 19 310 (27d12 +135) +5 / 16 +12 / 20
17 H 27 (+8) 19 (+4) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 20 375 (30d12 +180) +6 / 17 +14 / 22
Scalable Monsters
Jungle Creeper
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack
14 H 22 (+6) 17 (+3) 17 (+3) 6 (-2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 180 (19d12 +57) +5 / 17 +11
16 H 23 (+6) 17 (+3) 17 (+3) 6 (-2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 17 199 (21d12 +63) +5 / 17 +11
18 H 24 (+7) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 6 (-2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 17 252 (24d12 +96) +6 / 18 +13
20 H 25 (+7) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 6 (-2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 17 273 (26d12 +104) +6 / 18 +13
Actions
Multiattack. The jungle creeper can make a number of
Vine attacks equal to its Proficiency bonus. Then it uses
Reel, and finally it makes
Scalable Monsters
Graveyard Imp
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack
11 T 7 (-2) 22 (+6) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 19 (+4) 14 103 (23d4 +46) +4 / 16 +10
Attributes Actions
Alignment Lawful Evil Multiattack. From CR 5 The graveyard imp makes two
Type Fiend melee attacks. From CR 9 The graveyard imp makes three
malee attacks.
Speed: 20 ft., Fly 40 ft.
Skills: (cha) Deception, (wis) Insight, (cha) Persuasion, At all levels
(dex) Stealth Sting (Bite in Beast Form) Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5
Damage Resistances Cold, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and ft., one target. Hit: 1d4 +DEX modifier piercing damage,
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving
throw, taking 2d6 plus 1d6 per CR poison damage on a
Damage Immunities Fire, Poison failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Condition Immunities Poisoned Invisibility The graveyard imp magically turns invisible
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 11 until it attacks or casts a spell, or until its concentration
ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the
Languages Common, Infernal graveyard imp wears or carries is invisible with it.
Features From CR 3
Fire Breath (Recharge 5–6) The devil exhales fire in a 15-
At all levels feet cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 11
Devil’s Sight Magical darkness doesn’t impede the devil‘s Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d6 plus 1d6 per CR fire
darkvision. damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
Magic Resistance The devil has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Shapechanger The graveyard imp can use its action to
polymorph into a beast form that resembles a rat (speed 20
ft.), a raven (20 ft., fly 60 ft.), or a spider (20 ft., climb 20
ft.), or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in
each form, except for the speed changes noted. Any
equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It
reverts to its true form if it dies.
From CR 7
Fire Absorption Whenever the graveyard imp is subjected
to fire damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a
number of hit points equal to the fire damage dealt
Scalable Monsters
Warrior Specter
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP DC
Attributes From CR 14
Legendary Resistance (3/Day) If the warrior specter fails a
Alignment Chaotic Evil saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Type Undead
Speed: 40 ft. Actions
Skills: (dex) Stealth Multiattack. From CR 6 The warrior specter makes two
Damage Vulnerabilities Radiant Spectral Slash attacks. From CR 14 The warrior specter
makes three Spectral Slash attacks.
Damage Resistances Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning,
Thunder, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from At all levels
Nonmagical Attacks
Spectral Slash One living intelligent creature that the
Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison warrior specter can see within 30 feet of it must make a
Condition Immunities Exhaustion, Frightened, Charisma saving throw. The target takes an amount of
Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Prone, psychic damage equal to 1d10 × the warrior specter‘s
Restrained proficiency bonus on a failed save, or half as much damage
on a successful one.
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 9
Languages -- From CR 6
Life Drain Melee Spell Attack: reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
Features 2d10 +CHA modifier necrotic damage. The target must
succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or its hit
At all levels point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the
damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature
Amorphous The warrior specter can move through a space finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its
as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. hit point maximum to 0.
Ethereal Sight The warrior specter can see 60 feet into the
Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice
versa.
Scalable Monsters
From CR 10 Legendary Actions
Etherealness The warrior specter enters the Ethereal Plane
from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the From CR 14
Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice Detect The undead makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
versa, yet it can’t affect or be affected by anything on the
Move The warrior specter moves up to its speed without
other plane.
provoking opportunity attacks.
From CR 18 Life Drain (Costs 2 Actions) The undead uses its life drain
attack.
Necrotic Breath (Recharge 5-6) The undead exhales
necrotic fire in a 15-feet cone. Each creature in that area
must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 plus
1d6 per CR necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.
Scalable Monsters
Caravan Mimic
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
12 H 22 (+6) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 5 (-3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 16 195 (17d12 +85) +4 / 15 +10 / 17
14 H 23 (+6) 13 (+1) 21 (+5) 5 (-3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 17 218 (19d12 +95) +5 / 16 +11 / 18
16 H 24 (+7) 14 (+2) 22 (+6) 5 (-3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 17 262 (21d12 +126) +5 / 16 +12 / 19
18 H 25 (+7) 14 (+2) 23 (+6) 5 (-3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 18 287 (23d12 +138) +6 / 17 +13 / 20
20 H 26 (+8) 14 (+2) 24 (+7) 5 (-3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 19 337 (25d12 +175) +6 / 17 +14 / 21
Languages --
Actions
Features Multiattack. The caravan mimic makes a number of
Pseudopod attacks equal to its proficiency bonus. It can
At all levels exchange one of its Pseudopod attacks for a Bite attack.
Scalable Monsters
From CR 6 Reactions
Confusion (Recharge 4-6) The caravan mimic points to a
target creature at sight within 30 feet. The creature must From CR 18
succeed a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 11). On a failed save, Retaliation When the caravan mimic takes damage from a
during the creature’s next turn it uses all its Movement to creature that is within 5 feet of it, it can use its reaction to
move in a random direction. To determine the direction, make a melee weapon attack against that creature.
roll a d8 and assign a direction to each die face. The
creature doesn’t take an action that turn.
Legendary Actions
From CR 10
From CR 14
Swallow Whole The caravan mimic makes one bite attack
against a Large or smaller target it is grappling. If the Detect The shapechanger makes a Wisdom (Perception)
attack hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. check.
The swallowed target is blinded and restrained, it has total Pseudopod Makes a Pseudopod attack.
cover against attacks and other effects outside the caravan
mimic, and it takes 1d6 acid damage at the start of each of Confusion (Costs 2 Actions) The caravan mimic uses her
the caravan mimic‘s turns. The caravan mimic can have Confusion action.
only one target swallowed at a time, but it can still attack
with its bite. If the caravan mimic dies, a swallowed
creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from
the corpse using 5 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Scalable Monsters
Molefolk
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack
Attributes Actions
Alignment Any Alignment Multiattack. From CR 3, the molefolk makes two attacks,
Type Humanoid one Spiked Shield and one Spiked Chain. From CR 5, it
makes three attacks, two Spiked Shield and one Spiked
Speed: 30 ft., Burrow 10 ft., Fly 60 ft. (hover) Chain.
Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
Tremorsense 60 ft., Passive Perception 10 At all levels
Languages Common, Terran Spiked Shield Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6 +STR modifier piercing damage
Features From CR 3
Spiked Chain Melee Weapon Attack: reach 10 ft., one
At all levels target. Hit: 1d6 +STR modifier piercing damage. The target
Tunneler The molefolk can burrow through solid rock at is grappled (escape DC 11) if the molefolk isn’t already
half its burrow speed and leaves a 10-foot-diameter tunnel grappling a creature. Until this grapple ends, the target is
in its wake. restrained and takes 1d6 piercing damage at the start of
each of its turns.
Keen Hearing and Sight The molefolk has advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Scalable Monsters
Stonebreaker Troll
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
9 L 23 (+6) 13 (+1) 24 (+7) 6 (-2) 9 (-1) 7 (-2) 17 150 (12d10 +84) +4 / 13 +10 / 18
11 L 24 (+7) 13 (+1) 25 (+7) 6 (-2) 9 (-1) 7 (-2) 17 175 (14d10 +98) +4 / 13 +11 / 19
13 L 25 (+7) 13 (+1) 26 (+8) 6 (-2) 9 (-1) 7 (-2) 18 216 (16d10 +128) +5 / 14 +12 / 20
15 H 26 (+8) 13 (+1) 27 (+8) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 18 261 (18d12 +144) +5 / 15 +13 / 21
17 H 27 (+8) 13 (+1) 28 (+9) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 19 310 (20d12 +180) +6 / 16 +14 / 22
Attributes From CR 15
Legendary Resistance (3/Day) If the stonebreaker troll fails
Alignment Chaotic Evil a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Type Giant
Speed: 30 ft. Actions
Skills: (wis) Perception Multiattack. The stonebreaker troll makes two mace
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning attacks. From CR 9, it makes three mace attacks.
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12 At all levels
Languages Giant Mace Melee Weapon Attack: reach 10 ft., one target. Hit:
3d6 +STR modifier bludgeoning damage
Features
Legendary Actions
At all levels
Keen Smell The stonebreaker troll has advantage on From CR 15
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. Detect The giant makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Regeneration The stonebreaker troll regains 10 hit points Move The stonebreaker troll moves up to its speed without
at the start of its turn. If the giant takes acid or fire provoking opportunity attacks.
damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the
giant‘s next turn. The stonebreaker troll dies only if it Melee Weapon (Costs 2 Actions) The stonebreaker troll
starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate. makes one melee weapon attack.
Scalable Monsters
Dire Gray Wolf
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
10 L 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 7 (-2) 19 190 (20d10 +80) +4 / 16 +10 / 16
11 L 23 (+6) 20 (+5) 19 (+4) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 19 209 (22d10 +88) +4 / 16 +10 / 16
13 L 24 (+7) 21 (+5) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 20 252 (24d10 +120) +5 / 17 +12 / 18
14 L 25 (+7) 21 (+5) 21 (+5) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 21 273 (26d10 +130) +5 / 17 +12 / 18
16 H 26 (+8) 22 (+6) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 22 350 (28d12 +168) +5 / 18 +13 / 19
17 H 26 (+8) 22 (+6) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 22 375 (30d12 +180) +6 / 19 +14 / 20
Attributes From CR 12
Pounce If the dire gray wolf moves at least 20 feet straight
Alignment Unaligned toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on
Type Beast the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is
Speed: 40 ft. prone, the dire gray wolf can make one bite attack against
Skills: (dex) Stealth, (wis) Perception it as a bonus action.
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and From CR 16
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Legendary Resistance (3/Day) If the dire gray wolf fails a
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Languages Sylvan
Actions
Features
Multiattack. From CR 4, the dire gray wolf makes two
At all levels attacks, one Bit and one Claw. From CR 15 the dire gray
wolf makes three attacks, one Bit and two Claws.
Aggressive As a bonus action, the dire gray wolf can move
up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see. At all levels
From CR 7 Bite Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d10
+STR modifier piercing damage
Phantom Attacks Once each round, when the dire gray
wolf hits with a melee weapon attack, it can choose Claw Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6
another target creature within 20 feet. A phantasmal +STR modifier slashing damage
shadow of the dire gray wolf makes the same attack
against the target except it deals Necrotic damage.
Scalable Monsters
make a melee weapon attack against that creature.
From CR 6
Teleport The dire gray wolf magically teleports, along with Legendary Actions
any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 60 feet to an
unoccupied space it can see. From CR 13
Claw The beast makes a Claw attack.
Reactions
Move The dire gray wolf moves up to its speed without
provoking opportunity attacks.
From CR 7
Ghostly Evasion If the dire gray wolf would take damage From CR 16
from a melee attack, it can instead choose to evade the hit
Teleport (Costs 2 Actions) The beast magically teleports,
and move 5 feet to an unoccupied space. The dire gray wolf
along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to
can only use this reaction if there is any unoccupied space
120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.
available, and can’t use it again until it finishes a short or
long rest. Phantom Attack The beast chooses a creature it can see see
within 60 feet of it, a spectral creature makes an attack
From CR 18 against that creature, that is a copy of a melee weapon
attack of the dire gray wolf, except it deals necrotic
Retaliation When the dire gray wolf takes damage from a
damage.
creature that is within 5 feet of it, it can use its reaction to
Scalable Monsters
Possessed Cockatrice
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
17 L 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 5 (-3) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 17 228 (24d10 +96) +6 / 19 +10 / 18
Actions
Multiattack. From CR 7, the possessed cockatrice makes
two Bite attacks. From CR 15 it makes three Bite attacks.
Scalable Monsters
Hybrid Devil
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
14 M 16 (+3) 22 (+6) 22 (+6) 6 (-2) 17 (+3) 9 (-1) 17 241 (23d8 +138) +5 / 18 +11 / 19
16 M 17 (+3) 23 (+6) 23 (+6) 6 (-2) 17 (+3) 9 (-1) 18 262 (25d8 +150) +5 / 18 +11 / 19
18 M 18 (+4) 24 (+7) 24 (+7) 6 (-2) 17 (+3) 9 (-1) 18 322 (28d8 +196) +6 / 19 +13 / 21
Actions
Scalable Monsters
Specter of the Forest
CR Size STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA AC HP Prof. / PP Attack/DC
14 M 5 (-3) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 22 (+6) 13 142 (19d8 +57) +5 / 17 +11 / 19
16 M 5 (-3) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 23 (+6) 14 157 (21d8 +63) +5 / 17 +11 / 19
18 M 5 (-3) 19 (+4) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 25 (+7) 14 195 (23d8 +92) +6 / 19 +13 / 21
From CR 14
Legendary Resistance (3/Day) If the specter of the forest
fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Scalable Monsters
Ancient Golem Lightning Deer
Large elemental, neutral Medium beast, unaligned
Armor Class:
15 (Natural) Armor Class:
16 (Natural)
Hit Point: 92 (8d10 +48) Hit Point: 88 (16d8 +16)
Speed: 20 ft., Burrow 20 ft. Speed: 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 10 (+0) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 13 (+1) 4 (-3) 16 (+3) 7 (-2)
Monster Stats
Credits and Licenses
Art Credits On page 13, Mausoleum with Stone Elephants by Francis
Swain Ward (1729 – 1799)
All art used in this document is under the public domain. On page 14, Le pont sur le torrent by Hubert Robert
Here’s the list of authors that could be found. (1733 – 1808)
The cover art is a photography by Francesco Ungaro. Illustration on page 15 and 17, Cascade by zonked
Illustrations on pages 4, 5, 6, 9 and 18, are by Arthur https://www.patreon.com/zonked
Rackham (1867 – 1939)
Rules
Illustration on page 7, Carpet Bazaar, Cairo, 1887 by
Charles Robertson (1844 – 1891) Referenced rules from the 5th edition SRD are used under
the OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a. You can find a copy
On page 8, a 19th century sketch of the interior of the of this license on the next page or at Wizards of the Coast’s
Colosseum by Rodolfo Lanciani (1845 – 1929) website.
On page 10, The Cemetery Entrance, by Caspar David All new gaming content is written by Xacur for ND
Friedrich (1774 – 1840) Hobbies, and published under the Open Game License.
On page 11, Campfire by Albert Bierstadt (1830 – 1902) If you find any errors on the rules of this document, you
On page 12, A Mountainous Landscape with a Waterfall can contact ND Hobbies at this email:
by Kerstiaen de Keuninck (1560 – 1632) [email protected]. Ans we will correct it in a future
updated version.