At first glance, the Games Master appears to be nothing more than a man wearing a dark hooded cloak and a mask. On closer observation, he seems to be made from smoke and shadows. He calls adventurers to him from across time and the void. He tasks them with a mission, willing them to succeed and further is shadowy plans. Then he patiently waits for the heroes to rise or to be vanquished by their enemies. He seems emotionless, passionless, but yet he cares. When the heroes are successful, they become his tools to carry out his will and his plan for Dungeon World. Instinct: To send adventurers off on errands

• Teleport adventurers to a crossroads from across space and time
• Create illusions of smoke and shadows
• Cast flashy spells
• Command the tides of chance and fortune

The hermit elephant is a close relative of the more commonly known elephant. However, the Hermit elephant has an uncommonly thin and vulnerable skin by comparison to these. In order to protect itself, the hermit elephant will walk into a village, enter a house or hut and lift it upon its back, carrying it away. As it grows, the elephant will periodically shed its house in favor of a new, larger one, much like hermit crabs. Hermit elephants frequently travel in herds, and these can easily be mistaken for villages if found while the animals are resting. Instinct: To protect the herd

• Curl up inside its building
• Stampede