Monsters and Creatures - Jim Zub & Stacy King & Andrew Wheeler

by Dungeons

  SKELETON

  Animated by dark magic, skeletons are bony warriors summoned forth by spellcasters or who arise of their own accord from graves steeped in necromantic energy and ancient evils. In whatever fashion they are created, these relentless foes fight without mercy and attack until destroyed—for the evil energy that made them also drives them to kill all living creatures.

  Obedient servants, skeletons are capable of complex tasks, like firing a catapult or dropping boiling oil on enemies below, provided each step is carefully explained. They move and fight in a simple manner, pursuing their goals with mindless determination, and make excellent guards.

  While most skeletons are humanoid, bones of all types can be brought back to life with powerful enough magic, and adventurers may find themselves facing down all manner of strange and deadly skeletal forms!

  LAIR Skeletons may be found in the graveyards or ancient battlegrounds where their bones once laid at rest. They can also be found guarding castles and estates for necromancers and other powerful sorcerers.

  SIZE A skeleton’s size changes based on the bones used to create it. While standard races such as humans and elves are most common, powerful mages have managed to revive the bones of huge creatures, like dragons and giants—not to mention cobbling together unique creations from a mix of different bones!

  PAST LIVES Skeletons have no conscious memory of their past selves, but many retain habits from their former lives. These habits sometimes emerge when a skeleton is left without specific orders to follow. For instance, a skeleton of a farmer might start hoeing the ground, or the skeletons of nobles might carry out an eternal dance in an abandoned ballroom.

  Lacking memory of language, skeletons cannot speak, so they communicate only with basic gestures.

  DO THIS

  Fight like your life depends on it. Skeletons never give up, so you can’t either!

  Take advantage of obstacles. Skeletons’ limited mental capacity means they are easily slowed by doors, furniture, and other hindrances.

  Call upon your party’s clerics. Divine magic allows clerics to turn the undead, the only power that can stop a skeleton’s relentless attacks.

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  Don’t try to reason with them. They won’t be swayed, no matter how charismatic you are.

  Don’t underestimate how they’ll attack. Most skeletons fight in a simple, straightforward manner, but they’re capable of complex battle moves if orders are given carefully enough.

  SKELETON

  It was an easy gig. That’s what the thieves’ guild had promised Shandie when she took the assignment. Ride in, grab the goblet, ride back out.

  Nobody mentioned the curse, or the skeletons that came with it.

  Shandie had seen the green light when she lifted the goblet from its pedestal, and had felt the flow of some malevolent energy rattle across her fingertips before it dispersed into the night. There had been silence for a moment, broken only by the sound of wind through the spruce trees outside and the buzz of a persistent mosquito that’d been tailing her since her last river crossing. Then there came a dreadful grinding, like old bones being rubbed together, and the damp thump of moving dirt.

  The halfling whirled around, unsheathing her trusty short sword. One skeleton she could handle, but she’d spotted a graveyard on her way in. Who knows how many of these things would be summoned by the curse? Shandie considered putting the goblet back where she’d found it, which might be enough to calm them down and disperse the evil magic that summoned them. Then again, the payout for this job was pretty sweet. Maybe she could fight her way through them all…if she was fast enough. She weighed the goblet in one hand and her sword in the other, trying to make a choice in the scant seconds left before the skeleton attacked.

  What should Shandie do next? If she does defeat the skeleton in front of her, how many more will be waiting outside? If she puts the goblet back in its place, will that be enough to break the spell? Can she find a way to escape that uses her wits and speed more than her sword? It’s up to you!

  VAMPIRES

  Vampires are the risen dead, hungering for the life they have lost—a yearning only satisfied by drinking the blood of the living! Undeath twists what few emotions vampires retain: love becomes sick obsession; friendship warps to bitter jealousy. They replace feelings with physical objects that stand in for lost emotions, collecting art and treasures that soothe—momentarily—their eternal emptiness.

  Lands infested by one of these creatures see an increase in the numbers of vermin. Plants wither, or grow in twisted knots, while shadows move of their own accord and a creeping fog clings to the earth. Only slaying the vampire can lift the blight.

  Vampire spawn are created when a vampire feeds on a living creature and allows its victim to expire without tasting the vampire’s blood in return. The spawn gain some of the vampire’s powers, including regeneration, which allows the monster to slowly restore its health during combat (unless it is unconscious), and spider climbing, which allows the creature to easily scale difficult surfaces, such as vertical walls and upside down on ceilings!

  Although mighty, vampires and their spawn have their weaknesses. Sunlight burns them, and they cannot cross running water, such as a stream or river. Their curse prevents them from entering a home unless invited inside by a resident. Their forms cast neither shadows nor reflections, and many a mortal has been saved by noticing a missing reflection before the vampire’s fangs find their throat. Finally, a wooden stake driven through their heart instantly paralyzes a vampire, leaving them vulnerable to death by decapitation.

  VAMPIRE LORD

  Alone, a vampire is a formidable enemy. Clever and cunning, they may use charm to sway mortals to their service, or spy unseen in one of their shape-changing forms. They are fierce fighters, moving with alarming speed and delivering a deadly bite with their sharp fangs. Even when your weapons land solid blows, the vampire’s ability to regenerate pulls victory further from your grasp!

  But worse, these fearsome creatures surround themselves with loyal servants, both their own spawn and other undead, who protect their master at any cost. Vampires can exist forever, draining the blood of the living and infesting the surrounding lands with the aura of their evil presence. Their eternal scourge can only be ended by the courage and strength of a mighty adventurer!

  LAIR Vampires choose majestic yet defendable lairs, often castles or manors. Their coffins are typically hidden in underground crypts or guarded vaults. They are forced to lie within their coffins during the day, but can move this location by transporting the coffin or a large amount of grave dirt to a new resting spot.

  SIZE Vampires are transformed humanoids and have the same size as a typical member of their mortal species.

  SPECIAL POWERS

  CHARM

  A living victim influenced by this power sees the vampire as a trusted friend, making them open to the creature’s suggestions and willing to receive its bite!

  SHAPESHIFTING

  Vampires can transform into a bat, letting them fly while retaining all their mystical powers.

  MIST

  When injured, a vampire converts into a cloud of mist that flees toward its resting place. If a misted vampire reaches its coffin, it can regenerate its physical body!

  SUMMONING

  During the night, a vampire may call a horde of bats or rats to do their bidding; when outside, they can also command a pack of wolves in the same way!

  DO THIS

  Call upon nature’s power. Sunlight and running water are among the greatest weaknesses of a vampire, so find ways to bring those into your battle!

  Bring along a holy spellcaster. If your party doesn’t already have a cleric, now is a good time to ask the local churches if anyone is willing to join you on your quest. Their ability to turn the undead is crucial when fighting vampires.

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  Don’t ignore the warning signs. If the locals are worried about an increase in rats or creepy mist that rolls in at sunset, a vampire may be taking up residence. Root it out before it can establish a formidable lair!

  Don’t forget to look up. A vampire’s climbing powers mean it can attack from several directions, including overhead.

  VAMPIRE SPAWN

  Vampire spawn are ravenous creatures under the control of their creator, loyal and obedient to all commands. They share the vampire’s endless thirst, and seek out fresh victims whenever their master allows. Their lack of free will means they cannot access the most powerful of the vampire’s abilities, but their feral cunning and relentless hunger have still been the downfall of many adventurers.

  Some vampires create spawn specifically to function as servants or guards, devoted during the night and hiding in their coffins during the day. Other spawn may be used to prey upon the living residents of the vampire’s realm, spreading fear and death wherever they go. Either way, the eternal loyalty of vampire spawn can only be broken by the death of their creator—which gives them back their free will.

  LAIR You’ll find vampire spawn within the grand castles and mansions of their vampire master. A rare few may haunt lonely graveyards or other remote sites, chained to their burial place by their undead curse.

  SIZE Vampire spawn are transformed humanoids and have the same size as a typical member of their mortal species. However, their physical size does not always reflect the cursed strength they possess!

  SPECIAL POWERS As creatures weaker than their makers, vampire spawn do not possess the full range of undead powers. They can call upon only regeneration and spider climb (see this page). Vampire spawn may also use their claws and teeth for dangerous attacks!

  DO THIS

  Stock up on stakes. The paralysis wears off once the stake is removed, so you’ll need one for every vampire spawn you’re up against.

  Keep a mirror near your front door. That way, you can be sure any strangers seeking help in the night have a reflection before you let them in.

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  Don’t negotiate. The bond between a vampire spawn and its master is mystical in nature and cannot be broken, even by threats of death.

  Don’t delay in dealing with them. Once their master is killed, vampire spawn regain their free will—which means they may come after you looking for revenge.

  COUNT STRAHD VON ZAROVICH

  In life, Count Strahd was a prince, a soldier, a conqueror, and a student of dark magics. Hundreds of years into his vampiric reign over Barovia, a vast valley filled with dark forests and surrounded by looming mountains, he is all this and more, a terrifying creature of remorseless evil and cold brilliance. Detached from all human emotion, Strahd takes joy in the conquest of mortal souls, corrupting where he can and destroying where he cannot. His vampire powers are enhanced by powerful spellcasting, including the ability to animate the dead!

  The doors of Ravenloft Castle, Strahd’s realm, are always unlocked; those who enter must prepare themselves to face a remorseless enemy who delights in testing his opponents with both brute force and treachery. Is your party up to the task?

  LAIR Count Strahd dwells within the mighty castle of Ravenloft, an opulent gothic structure protected by hordes of undead creatures. His mystical connection with his lair allows him to pass through its walls without resistance or open and lock doors with just a thought. Strahd’s evil influence has spread eternal night not only over the castle but across the entire land of Barovia—a darkness only you can dispel by defeating the count himself.

  STRAHD’S MINIONS To really fight Strahd, you’ll need to get through the dangerous creatures who guard him first. Within the halls of Ravenloft, you’ll find wolves and bats, ghosts and ghouls, even skeletons and vampire spawn.

  HEART OF SORROW Hidden deep within the walls of Ravenloft is a giant crystal called the Heart of Sorrow. Any damage that Count Strahd takes during combat is magically transferred to this gem, allowing him to shrug off the mightiest of blows. You’ll need to find and destroy this magical crystal before you can take Count Strahd down for good!

  SIZE In his normal form, Count Strahd is a tall, muscular humanoid, clad in expensive robes and armor. His shapeshifting powers allow him to transform into a small bat, a medium-size wolf, and an untouchable cloud of mist.

  SPECIAL POWERS As if being a vampire wasn’t enough, Strahd has used his centuries of existence to hone his magical abilities. He can cast a wide range of spells, including ones to detect thoughts, animate the dead, create illusions, and even throw fireballs.

  OCEANS, LAKES & WATERWAYS

  Water is the source of life. We came from that primordial swirl, it sustains every growing thing around us, and we return to it all the time, to drink, to bathe, and to experience tranquility.

  Don’t be fooled. Water brings life, but it can also take it. There are plenty of creatures lurking beneath the waves that might wish you harm…and many of them have teeth!

  Out in the depths, something great and terrible may be swimming toward an unsuspecting fisherman. Closer to the shoreline, an unwary explorer may cross an unseen boundary, entering the territory of a fierce and merciless foe. Even in lakes and rivers, a charming stranger could lure you to your doom.

  If you thought it was safe to drink from a stream or soak in the sea, think again. Deadly creatures may be lurking just beneath the surface.

  ABOLETH

  With eyes as dark as the deepest ocean, mouths with more deadly teeth than any shark, and long, writhing, powerful tentacles that exude toxic mucus, you may imagine that aboleths are some of the most terrifying predators under the sea. They are, and even worse than you can envision!

  These huge and terrible creatures are the fallen masters of lost civilizations, and their most potent weapons are their minds. Aboleths have the power to psychically enslave mortal creatures, and they once abused this power to make people worship them, forcing the compelled masses to build temples in their honor.

  The true gods took offense at this sacrilege and destroyed the aboleths’ empire. The aboleths have lurked in darkness ever since, vowing to one day have their revenge.

  Aboleths never forget an enemy. In fact, aboleths never forget anything. Even worse, aboleths never truly die, so if you ever destroy one, it will eventually come back…and then it will come for you.

  LAIR Ruins of ancient aboleth civilizations still survive to this day, deep in the dark recesses of the ocean or in flooded caverns far beneath our feet. Proud and bitter aboleths still swim among these ruins, where their magic is at its strongest. Aboleths can control the foul water flowing through their lairs and use it to drown unwary visitors or as a channel for their psychic rage.

  SIZE Aboleths usually grow to about twenty feet in length, which makes them about a third bigger than a female great white shark. However, there are reports that some of the most ancient and powerful aboleths can grow to twice that size.

  SPECIAL POWERS An aboleth can strike you with its tail or tentacles or contaminate you with its mucus; but that’s not even the worst. Their psychic attacks allow them to enslave your mind, controlling your actions and draining your energy to heal itself.

  DO THIS

  Stay in the shallows. Steer clear of deep water that contains ancient ruins or clouds of mucus.

  Guard your thoughts. Before you meet an aboleth, find a spell or artifact that can protect you against mind attacks.

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  Don’t believe your eyes. Aboleths can get inside your head and cast illusions.

  Don’t trust anyone who tells you aboleths are okay. They’re probably being mind-controlled.

  DRAGON TURTLE

  Dragon turtles are among the most fearsome of all ocean dwellers, capable of taking down ships with their crushing jaws, st
eaming breath, and smashing tails. Their enormous shells are a deep green color, the same shade as the ocean depths where they reside. Silver patterns on their shells mimic light bouncing off the waves, making them hard to spot by even the most diligent lookout.

  Although not true dragons (see this page), these creatures share their namesake’s love of treasure. Clever sailors will bribe dragon turtles with jewels and other glittering goodies in exchange for safe passage through watery realms. Unlucky mariners will find their ship capsized by an attack, during which the dragon turtle swallows all the treasure it can find for transport back to its underwater cave.

  LAIR Dragon turtles live in caves hidden among coral reefs, below the sea floor, or along a rugged coastline. Their lairs glitter with stolen treasure, and they tolerate no intruders.

  SIZE An adult dragon turtle is between thirty-five and sixty feet long and can weigh up to 250,000 pounds. That’s about the size of an old-fashioned sailing ship, and the same weight as a space shuttle.

  SPECIAL POWERS

  AMPHIBIOUS

  Dragon turtles can breathe both air and water, allowing them to move swiftly between environments.

  BASHING ATTACK

  With a single smash of their mighty tails, dragon turtles can knock their opponents off their feet and push them ten feet away, making it impossible to fight back.

  STEAM BREATH

  Dragon turtles can shoot out a sixty-foot blast of boiling-hot steam that injures everyone in its path.