RJD20’s

VILLAIN BACKGROUNDS VOLUME I

Introduction: Every adventure needs a villain. With Villain Backgrounds Volume I, Dungeon Masters can
craft a unique foil or dastardly duo to thwart their party’s actions at every turn. Choose from six different
backgrounds to build your villain, gifting them devilish personality traits, bonds, & more.

A supplement for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

by RICHARD COMPTON

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 CREDITS
Lead Designer: Richard Compton

Editors: Andrew Becker, Ian Clink, Natalie Compton, Jessie Stanley

First Printing: September 2020

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D
Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.

All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of
America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the
Coast.

This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content
Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

All other original material in this work is copyright © 2020 by Richard Compton and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

Special Thanks to Guy Compton for introducing me to the world of D&D, Natalie Compton for helping me see
this project through, Chris Perkins for inspiring me to write about my world, and all my friends, family, and
players who continue to create worlds and build stories in this stellar hobby of ours.

Disclaimer: Richard is not responsible for any mishaps the villains created using this book may incur on your
players. Mishaps include untimely character death, unforeseen emotional bonds to vile villains, absolute
derailment of a campaign, and the maniacal voice you are forced to use for a mad researcher. Good luck!

Visit rjd20.com for more D&D content for everyone

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About This Book
In Dungeons & Dragons, player characters are the
protagonists of a campaign or adventure. They roam the
world, explore dungeons, slay monsters, and interact with
diverse characters. Driving them forward or instigating
reactions from them are villains, the antagonists of the
campaign or adventure. Most player characters are well-
thought out and have interesting personalities. Their
menacing mirrors should be the same.
Villain Backgrounds Volume I is a supplement for D&D 5e
designed to help Dungeon Masters build compelling villains
who are just as layered as the player characters. Like the
backgrounds initially included in the Player’s Handbook, the
heinous backgrounds found herein include in-depth
descriptions of villain types, various inspiration tables, and
example villains created with them.
Whether you want to create an intriguing villain in a few
minutes or spend an evening constructing the perfect foil to
your party, you will find what you need inside this
supplement for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
Personality Traits
Villains need bombastic personalities. Unlike the player
characters, they are not appearing in every session, but they
need to make a lasting impact. A villain’s personality traits
need to be flamboyant and memorable. These roll tables give
examples of impactful personality traits for each background.
Ideals
Most villains need to be consistent. Ideals give them a
profound truth that they will always follow. Each of their
actions should reinforce this ideal. These roll tables give
ideals suited to each background.
Bonds
Even villains have connections that cannot be broken. Villains
might form bonds with people, places, objects, ideas, or even
themselves. Some bonds might make a villain more
sympathetic; others can drive home their abhorrence. These
roll tables provide bonds related to each background.

What You Need
All you need is the Monster Manual, Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, or Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes to attach your
villainous creation to a set of statistics. Armed with that, you
are ready to forge a memorable villain!
Flaws
All villains have flaws, of course, but some of them are more
important than others. Flaws expose weaknesses in a villain,
providing opportunities for player characters to manipulate
and counter them in interesting ways. These roll tables point
out a variety of flaws for each background.

Chapter 1: Backgrounds The Six Villain Backgrounds

At the least, each villain background is comprised of six parts: d6 Background Description
a definition, creatures, personality traits, ideals, bonds, and
1 Boorish thug Bullies minions and enemies
flaws. Some contain extra roll tables unique to that using brute force.
background. This chapter contains six backgrounds to create
riveting villains. 2 Elder entity Manipulates everything it can
with alien methods.
Definition
Every villain has a foundation. These sections provide the 3 Fallen angel Blazes a trail of darkness after
falling from grace.
pillars for the potential villain, defining them and exploring
their main characteristics. 4 Mad researcher Pursues maniacal desires in
unimaginable ways.
Creatures
Every villainous soul needs a body to inhabit, from the 5 Misguided fool Follows direction from a false
lowliest goblin to the mightiest fiend. These roll tables inspire force.
what type of monster each villain might be.
6 Psychopath Inexplicably commits vile deeds.

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Boorish Thug
You are an imbecile, a being incapable of thinking beyond a d6 Ideal
step or two ahead. Your vices are many and your ambitions
are few. Simple desires like wealth, pleasure, and murder 1 Greed. I want as much coin and luxury as I can
drive you forward. Of course, you do not pursue any of them possibly own.
intelligently. Most people despise you, but some tolerate you 2 Passion. I revel in my lifestyle and no one can change
because your stupidity makes them laugh, they think they can that.
manipulate you, or maybe they are even dumber than you.
Boorish thugs are simple creatures with little intellect. 3 Destruction. Seeing objects and others break and
tremble before me brings a smile to my face.
Commonly bumbling foes like goblinoids and giants are good
examples, as well as primitive entities like white dragons. 4 Abuse. I was born to hurt people.
d10 Creature
5 Jealousy. What others have that I want shall be mine,
1 A chubby goblin boss. no matter the cost.

2 An angry bullywug queen. 6 Confusion. The world is a jumbled mess and I’m just
stumbling along.
3 A renowned bandit lord.

4 A powerful ogre chieftain. d6 Bond

5 A spoiled noble. 1 I live in my parent’s cellar; they tolerate everything I

do.
6 A ferocious troll freak.
2 I commissioned a painting of my first crime and I’ll
7 A bumbling hill giant chieftain. always remember it.
8 A primitive white dragon. 3 I make all my decisions after consulting my pet rat.
9 A vile balor lord. 4 No one can enter my room.
10 Orcus, Prince of Undeath. 5 I’m searching for my perfect mate, they’re out
there...somewhere.

d8 Personality Trait 6 Eventually, I’ll show my childhood bully that I’m a

force to be reckoned with.
1 I never waste the opportunity to make a crude joke.

2 If given the chance, I’d always knock someone down d6 Flaw

rather than help them up.
1 I have a soft spot for beautiful animals.
3 I constantly boast about my intelligence.
2 I can’t resist stealing shiny objects.
4 I make others uncomfortable when I eat.
3 I try to insult my enemies and end up insulting
5 I rarely wash myself, change my clothes, or get rid of myself.
excess waste.
4 I consume far too much food and drink and often go
6 I repeat the same phrase over and over. into wild “food frenzies.”
7 I never let my companions talk over me. 5 I take everything literally.
8 Any criticism toward me ends in violence. 6 I can be manipulated by a pretty face.

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Elder Entity century ago to my last betrayal.
Some creatures are unfathomable by common mortals, and
you are one of them. Your goals are mysterious, your 8 Some of my kind have a semblance of emotion, I
thoughts inexplicable, and you often clash with those who have none.
wish to keep their world the same or prevent outsiders from
interfering with it. Others are below you, of that you are sure. d6 Ideal
It is only a matter of time before all life accepts your
presence. Heroic mortals die eventually — you never will. 1 Domination. All beings that live must submit to me,
Elder entities are creatures from beyond or creatures by choice or by force.
that should not be. Aberrations from the Far Realm, Limbo, or 2 Arrogance. I am the greatest creature to ever exist in
the Underdark are perfect candidates, as well as entirely the multiverse.
unnatural beings like undead and monstrosities.
3 Hunger. Every living creature will meet the same
d10 Creature fate: they will be consumed by me.
1 A ravenous wight warrior. 4 Delirium. Madness spurs creativity in all things, I will
make insanity eternal.
2 An inquisitive nothic wizard.
5 Unhuman. Good and evil are rules of mortals; to me,
3 An alien grell.
they are one and the same.
4 A death-defying death knight.
6 Manipulation. The puppet master need not be seen
5 A rebel mindflayer arcanist. if the show goes as planned.

6 A maniacal beholder.
d6 Bond
7 An ancient aboleth.
1 I deeply enjoy a certain type of mortal flesh, and I
8 A scheming elder brain. can’t go a day without consuming it.

9 A barbaric lich lord. 2 I follow the path of the elder entity that taught me
but was killed by a respected hero.
10 Ygorl, Slaad Lord of Entropy.
3 I eagerly await the day I can return to my home
plane.
d8 Personality Trait
4 There is a single mortal I am fond of, perhaps there is
1 I let my minions speak for me, mortals not in my hope for them after all.
service are below me.
5 The history of my old world matches this on. I seek to
2 Every inch of my home is cleared of natural life. diverge their paths.

3 I enunciate every word as if it was my last. 6 I dream the same dream every moment of every day
and spread it to unknowing victims.
4 I often phase out for long periods of time.

5 Nothing can frighten or surprise me, for I am fearless

d6 Flaw
and omniscient.
1 I constantly betray my allies, knowing they will
6 I commonly allow the mistakes of the past to dictate
inevitably backstab me.
my future.
2 My genius is sometimes viewed as pure insanity, an
7 I remember everything, from the insect I quashed a

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 observation that’s completely correct.
3 I can’t help but enslave those who wish to kill,
slaughtering them would be too simple.
4 I’ve foreseen my doom at the hands of an
unremarkable mortal but not all dreams come to
fruition.
5 I’m incapable of communicating with lesser beings
and am cursed to dwell alone.
6 The lore of my origin is also the path to my
destruction.
Fallen Angel
Villainy was not your first path in life. You were a good
creature with noble intentions who succumbed to darkness
for one reason or another. You had a great life: friends,
family, a respected reputation, but all of that vanished.
Friends are now enemies and even your closest family
members fear what you have become. Your reputation is
destroyed, but you are convinced the new trail you are
blazing will lead you to victory with previously impossible to
achieve goals. You might not think you are a villain on the
surface, but deep down, you know it to be true.
Fallen angels are creatures who were once good-natured
but embraced the power of evil. Many of the common races
such as humans, elves, and dwarves make great fallen angels,
as well as entities like celestials or metallic dragons.
d10 Creature
1 A disgraced veteran.
2 A traitorous priest.
3 A corrupted coatl.
4 A furious flumph.
5 A rampaging werebear.
d8 Personality Trait
1 I will always spare the weak or innocent.
2 I trust my allies with my life—and they trust me with
theirs.
3 I see even the slightest betrayal as a massive breach
of trust and respect.
4 I relate everything to the grand scheme of the
cosmos, to the battle between good and evil.
5 I concretely understand the tenets of morality and
can substantiate valid reasons for my actions.
6 I often masquerade as a being of light and grace to
deceive my enemies.
7 I’m a utilitarian. All that matters is the maximum
happiness for the deserved peoples of this world.
8 I often reminisce about where and when my life went
wrong.
d6 Ideal
1 Regret. I miss the days among friends and good folk.
2 Faith. After I finish my necessary quest, I shall return
to the path of light.
3 Compassion. I do what I must for the sake of the
destitute and disenfranchised.
4 Avarice. Coin is all I care about now.
5 Persistence. No matter the boulders in my path, I
shall prevail in my ultimate goal.
6 Rage. Anger turned me to darkness, and it shall keep
me there.

6 An evil unicorn. d6 Bond

7 A haughty cloud giant king. 1 I know my deity is displeased with me. Eventually, I
will earn back a spot in its afterlife.
8 A betrayed solar.
2 History will remember me fondly, despite the crimes
9 A godless gold dragon. I have committed.

10 Zariel, Archduchess of Avernus. 3 Whatever corrupted me guides my actions, and I look

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 to it as the inception of my luck or strength. 3 A blabbering deep gnome.

4 I took this undesirable path to save someone I loved. 4 An emotionless githzerai.

I am still on it to keep them safe.
5 An arrogant storm giant.
5 I don’t know why I became villainous. I’m determined
to find out the catalyst. 6 A devilish efreeti.

6 Falling from grace gave me the insight and power to 7 A terrifying mind flayer.
defeat a terrible entity.
8 A senseless lich queen.

9 A dastardly green dragon.

d6 Flaw
10 Gruumsh, God of Slaughter.
1 I will fight to the death for what I believe in.

2 I think all creatures are inherently evil and worthy of

destruction. d8 Personality Trait

3 I am blind to the evil actions of those I care about. 1 I tend to go on jargon-laced rants at inopportune
times.
4 I believe I can turn anyone to my side, no matter
their previous beliefs. 2 I blink frenetically.

5 If any of my ideals are challenged, I fly into a rabid 3 People who do not know what they are talking about
furor. are the ultimate annoyance.

6 A true follower of my previous self might be able to 4 I think of myself as a god.

convince me to reconcile and repent.
5 I hear and see objects and persons that no one else
can.
Mad Researcher 6 I constantly forget where I am and why I’m there.
You are driven to discover the unknown, to blaze new trails
into the natural and magical world. You venture into 7 I need to hear compliments constantly. To not
uncharted territory for professors and wizards, performing compliment me is to invoke my wrath.
cruel experiments on living subjects, constructing 8 I know everyone is envious of my ingenuity.
abominations of malice and hate, and analyzing the effects of
new diseases on the world’s populace. Many perceive you as
evil, a blight of civilization, but you do not see it as such. d6 Ideal
Quite the contrary: you are driving the world forward, one
1 Insanity. The abominations I create have no true root
creation or discovery at a time.
in reality.
Mad researchers are creatures whose pursuit of
knowledge is unrestricted by laws or sanity. Intelligent 2 Beauty. Everything I create is beautiful. Ugly things
aberrations make excellent villains of this background, as well have no place in this world.
as ambitious, evil mortals such as drow and duergar.
3 Determination. I am unstoppable in my pursuit of
d10 Creature knowledge.

1 A pitiless mage. 4 Brilliant. I remember everything I learn.

2 A raving kuo-toa shaman. 5 Recognition. Far in the future, they will write lore
books about my contribution to society.

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 6 Wisdom. Once I witness a mistake, I will never make know that to be the case. Your manipulator is beside you with
it. an invisible hand, handling you like a foolish puppet.
Misguided fools are creatures with feeble minds, gullible
personalities, or are looking for guidance from a greater
d6 Bond power. Weak-willed mortal creatures like humans and
halflings are candidates for this background, but you can
1 Only the perfect recreation of my lost love will
quench my thirst for knowledge. always subvert expectations and use a usually solitary,
strong-willed monster such as a celestial or sphinx.
2 My first experiment will be my last, for I build on it
d10 Manipulator
every day, adding to its strength.
1 A cowardly priest.
3 The academy that threw me out will meet its
explosive end, and it will be my doing. 2 A passionate vampire.
4 I accidentally unleashed a plague upon a lonely 3 A disturbed archmage.
village and wiped it out. It has become my testing
ground for new ideas. 4 A despicable black dragon.
5 One day, I will converge the Material Plane with its 5 A weary lich.
otherworldly reflections.
6 An elated arcanaloth.
6 Beast and man were created to be spliced together.
The ultimate lycanthrope will be engineered by my 7 An enchanting archfey.
designs.
8 A determined archdevil.

d6 Flaw 9 A sadistic demon lord.

10 Tharizdun, the Chained Oblivion.

1 My theories, while grand in scope, are ultimately
pointless.
d10 Creature
2 I rely too much on others to do my bidding.
1 A driven aarakocra.
3 I readily submit to creatures who know more about
my specialty than me. 2 A disrespected gladiator.

4 I would willingly sacrifice the entire world to finish 3 A faithful dryad.

my life’s work.
4 A blathering ettin.
5 I require a certain substance to inspire me. I can’t go
without it for more than a few hours. 5 A misunderstood werewolf.

6 Sometimes I become too attached to my specimens. 6 A weird myconid sovereign.

7 A gluttonous androsphinx.
Misguided Fool
8 A plotting death knight.
Your mind is tainted, and your thoughts are not your own.
Long ago, you were an independent being with private 9 A thunderous blue dragon.
thoughts, but someone managed to corrupt your mind. Their
subtle teachings steered you to the side of darkness, and you 10 An unstoppable marut.
have never been able to return to the light. Now, your actions
carry out their wants and desires, even though you do not

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 d8 Personality Trait 4 The voice in my head is me and I am it; we are one.

1 I am fervent in my beliefs. 5 I can’t travel more than a few miles from my home,
something strange draws me to it.
2 Instead of outright agreeing to a plan, I always give
my two copper pieces. 6 I am the chosen of my favored deity.

3 My mind wanders more and more as the day

progresses. d6 Flaw

4 I’m not afraid to call out those greater in power than
me.
5 I use my surmised aloofness as a weapon against
others.
6 I tend to hide in the background during tense
moments.
7 I walk with a limp. I don’t have a limp.
8 I know I am being manipulated, but I don’t care.
1 I only trust one person. Everyone else is lying to me.
2 If a voice in my head tells me to do something, I
readily commit the action.
3 I always take orders to the next level.
4 I claim someone is guiding me, but it’s truly my
despicable mind.
5 Me and my manipulator’s souls are intertwined: if
they die, I die with them.

6 Hard evidence can dissuade me from my path, but it

d6 Ideal must be true and unbending.

1 Gullibility. I am quick to trust others, no matter how

outrageous their claims. Psychopath
Other creatures do not think or feel the way you do. You are
2 Impulsive. I regularly act without thinking if it feels
obsessed: over a person, an object, an action, or a place. Your
right!
connection to it is special, a bond no one else can understand
3 Cowardice. I am the first one to flee from a battle. or break. You can try to explain it, but you have learned mere
Blood makes my skin cold. words cannot describe what you feel or think—only actions
can. So that’s what you’ve learned to do: repeat these actions
4 Imaginative. I conjure up the grandest plans, though
they rarely come to fruition. over and over, so many times that they’re ingrained into your
brain and you can readily recite every sense you feel when
5 Volatile. Once I’m angry, I set fire to everything I you’re with your muse. Others do not understand that. They
touch. think it is strange or unholy, as if they have a say in how to
6 Stupidity. Mistakes are something I’m accustomed describe it. Mere words are okay most of the time, but if they
to. act against you, their time on this world is limited.
Psychopaths are creatures of cold, calculated passion.
They tend to obsess over one thing and are egotistical,
d6 Bond antisocial, and remorseless. Members of the common races
and wicked monsters like hags, undead, and fiends can make
1 My manipulator and I have a close friendship. I rely
on them; they rely on me. haunting psychopathic villains.
d10 Creature
2 The day when my grand goal is met is the day I finally
return to a life of normalcy. 1 A bitter bandit.
3 The cult that took me in is my chosen family. I’d do 2 A crazy kenku.
anything for any one of them.

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 3 A prickly green hag.
d6 Bond
4 A gorgeous succubus/incubus.
1 I keep a secret chest of all my trophies.
5 A nasty black abishai.
2 I shield my family from my darkness. They can never
6 A petite vampire. find out.
7 An envious death tyrant. 3 The source of my personality is an artifact that
shaped my mind and body.
8 A fierce black dragon.
4 I am what I am out of necessity, I needed to be this
9 A repulsive marilith.
way to survive my harsh life.
10 Graz’zt, the Dark Prince.
5 There’s a place I know down the street...it must
remain still and untouched, frozen in time.
d8 Personality Trait 6 An ominous shadow follows me everywhere I go, and
we have remorseless conversations.
1 I repeat the same process every morning.

2 I can charm any living creature, man, woman, or

thing. d6 Flaw

3 I experience no remorse for any of my actions. 1 If someone wrongs me, I must take their life,
instantly.
4 Everything I do is correct and there’s nothing others
can do to convince me otherwise. 2 A certain smell irks me to no end.

5 I will risk my life for the smallest thrill or gain. 3 I don’t stop tearing apart someone when their soul
leaves their body.
6 I manipulate people without them ever noticing.
4 If my plan fails, I go off the rails.
7 I break the rules just do it.
5 I know the one thing I can’t force myself to kill will be
8 I am the victim in every situation, others are always my undoing.
out to take me down.
6 Magic terrifies me.

d6 Ideal
1 Pleasure. I revel in everything I do. It makes my toes
curl.
2 Reputation. If people know and fear my name, I’m
happy.
3 Hubris. I can outwit anyone at any time.
4 Perilous. Death’s door is where I live.
5 Manipulation. Pitting people against each other is
the epitome of a good time.
6 Insanity. Who am I? What am I doing? I don’t know!
Chapter 2: Example Villains
This chapter contains six ready-to-go villains created using
the villain backgrounds in this book. Each villain has a name,
its background, the rolls used to make the villain, and a
description of it designed with the results of the roll tables (in
order) in mind.
Drop these villains directly into your campaigns or use
them to inspire antagonists of your own creation. Don’t be
afraid to use them as a baseline and expand; all of these
villains contain open-ended bits and pieces to them. They are
ordered just like to the book: starting with the Boorish Thug
and ending with the Psychopath.

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Egigg, a Boorish Thug
Table Rolls: 7-7-3-3-4
The hill giant brute Egigg leads a ten-strong giant tribe in a
range of rolling hills and green forests just off a busy road. He
ripped control of the tribe from a bulky female a few years
ago by winning a screaming match, cooking her, and
demanding silence and respect from the rest of his tribe. Ever
since the previous chief’s cannibalization, Egigg has led,
tearing out the tongues of those who speak over him.
Aptly named the Tongueless tribe, feeble goblins, a few
ogres, and ten hill giants serve Egigg. He deeply enjoys
watching his minions battle and die in front of him, especially
against wild animals and defiant prisoners. During these
battles, Egigg feasts on any rewards found during raids,
becoming frenzied; he sometimes joins the fights. Always on
his shoulder is his pet rat, Silence, who eats Egigg’s leftovers
once the giant has tumbled to the ground.
The locals would love to see Egigg killed so the land could
be rid of his gluttony. Members of the Tongueless tribe,
especially scheming goblins, might seek out help to topple
the fat hill giant.
Uurskaduun, an Elder Entity
Table Rolls: 8-6-6-2-5
Deep below the world’s surface lurks the solitary elder brain
Uurskaduun. Following the teachings of one of the greatest
minds in illithid history, the elder brain separated himself
from its mind flayer colony, maneuvered into the well of a
great city, and began enacting its tale of revenge.
Uurskaduun plots alone, filling the minds of citizens of
the city with murderous and foul thoughts about their heroes
and protectors. As time goes on, their love of them turns to
hate, respect to jealousy, and thanks to fury. The elder brain
does not seek to kill — at first — it only wants to dampen the
legend of the heroes who killed its abominable master.
Strangely outcast from their home, the former heroes
are suspicious and curious why those that praised them so
quickly came to despise them. They would become stout
allies of any willing to help investigate this peculiarity.
Ilyr Nymstae, a Fallen Angel
Table Rolls: 1-2-5-4-6
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When a band of dark elves slaughtered and pillaged an
isolated high elf enclave, the veteran Ilyr Nymstae was left for
dead as their partner was whisked away to the Underdark.
Ilyr called out to the multiverse for a way to retrieve their
love. They were answered by an opportunistic devil, who
imbued Ilyr with unholy but dominating strength. Ilyr traveled
to the Underdark, eviscerated the raiders, saved their love,
and vowed to continue hunting those who steal from the
sunlit world to keep their folk safe.
They have a host of allies at their side: duergar & deep
gnomes, grimlocks & grells. Ilyr, using their infernal power,
keeps hold of them and therefore trusts them fully.
Unbeknownst to Ilyr, every dark elf they kill contributes to
the ranks of the Nine Hells. They are building a devil army.
Ilyr’s former order of paladins discovers the truth of the
high elf’s situation. They need a band of adventurers to escort
one of their kind to the depths of the Underdark and find Ilyr,
hoping to usher them to the path of redemption.
Queen Wezreta, a Mad Researcher
Table Rolls: 8-2-4-2-5
The lich Queen Wezreta is a longtime resident of the
Shadowfell. For centuries, she has gathered zombies,
skeletons, wraiths, and death knights to serve her and help
construct her ultimate artifact: The Cathedral of Dark Flame.
Upon its construction, Wezret believes the walls between the
Material Plane and the Plane of Shadow will shatter, allowing
the Dark Flame to rampage across any world she wishes.
Though she is powerful, her servants do not know if she
is insane or genius. She never stops blinking her cold, dead
eyes, driving visitors to her dark domain mad. In addition, she
constantly feeds on the Dark Flame like other liches feed on
souls, though this Dark Flame instantly empowers her body
and inspires her mind like a weird drug. Without it, her plan
and experiment would surely falter and collapse.
Queen Wezreta is nearing the completion of her first and
final experiment. Many have laughed off the lich queen or
disregarded her progress, but a rival undead intellectual
believes her contraption just might work. He seeks others to
help him stop Queen Wezreta, though he truly wants the
Cathedral of the Dark Flame for himself.
VILLAIN BACKGROUNDS VOLUME I 11
Rakdeppi, a Misguided Fool Her strange questions might rouse suspicion. If she cannot
Table Rolls: 5-6-4-6-4-5 find a cure, the fate of her daughters is unclear.

Amidst the grim glow of a massive mushroom forest, the

weird myconid sovereign Rakdeppi expands its domain. The
Appendix A: Referenced
spores it spreads are unlike any other myconid: they twist Monsters
and transform the dead in horrifying ways, causing them to Use this index to find a specific monster stat block in the
seek out other dead and combine their rotted corpses. From following fifth edition books. Each list is organized
cavern to cavern, Rakdeppi commands powerful forces like alphabetically.
drow and mind flayers to stand down, only to betray and
corrupt them like the others.
Monster Manual
Rakdeppi believes it has innovated the culture of
myconids. That is not the case. In truth, an old and weary lich
is influencing Rakdeppi’s actions and corruption process. The A:
Aarakocra, 12
lich’s necromantic magic, mixed with the spores of the
Aboleth, 13
myconid sovereign, causes the unprecedented carnage and
Androsphinx, 281
construction of undead abominations. Sadly, for the lich, he
Arcanaloth, 313
and Rakdeppi are one, and if the lich’s phylactery is
Archmage, 342
destroyed, Rakdeppi will perish with the lich.
As the myconid sovereign’s conquest continues across
the Underdark, folk of the surface fear the worst. Rakdeppi is B:
nearing an entrance to a wondrous fey forest and he must be Balor, 55
stopped. If his foul corruption breaks into the overworld, it Bandit, 343
might be too infectious to defeat. Beholder, 28
Black Dragon, 88
Mother Ola, a Psychopath Blue Dragon, 91
Table Rolls: 3-1-5-2-1 Bullywug, 35

The psychotic and prickly green hag Mother Ola is a creature C:

of contradictions. Every morning, she begins her day peering Cloud Giant, 154
into her beautiful daughters’ room, slaughtering a fey Couatl, 43
prisoner in her barn, and spreading a rumor into the nearby
town by bird. She lives for conflict between families, yet she D:
shields her lovely daughters from her evil and the evil of Death Knight, 47
others. Death Tyrant, 29
If insulted by anyone besides her family, Mother Ola Deep Gnome, 164
instantly sends her daughters away and deals the insulter a Dryad, 121
fatal blow, then hides their corpse in a dark place. She will
preserve her children’s innocence at all costs, but an ultimate E:
confrontation is fast approaching. Her daughters, on their Efreeti, 145
13th birthday, will lose their beauty and become hags, like Ettin, 132
her. That cannot happen.
Posed as a worried mother, Mother Ola searches for
F:
wizards, druids, or clerics to try and help prevent her
Flumph, 135
daughters from undergoing the disfiguring transformation.

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G: U:
Githzerai, 160 Unicorn, 294
Gladiator, 346
Goblin, 166 V:
Gold Dragon, 115 Vampire, 297
Green Dragon, 95 Veteran, 350
Green Hag, 177
Grell, 172
W:
Werebear, 208
Werewolf, 211
H: White Dragon, 102
Hill Giant, 155 Wight, 300

K: Volo’s Guide to Monsters

Kenku, 194 Elder Brain, 174
Kuo-toa, 199
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
L: Black Abishai, 160
Lich, 202 Graz’zt, the Dark Prince, 149
Orcus, Prince of Undeath, 153
M: Zariel, Archduchess of Avernus, 180
Mage, 347
Marilith, 61
Mind Flayer, 222
Myconid Sovereign, 232

N:
Noble, 348
Nothic, 236

O:
Ogre, 237

P:
Priest, 348

S:
Solar, 18
Storm Giant, 156
Succubus, 285
Monsters with No Stat Blocks
Gruumsh, God of Slaughter
T:
Tharizdun, the Chained Oblivion
Troll, 291
Ygorl, Slaad Lord of Entropy

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