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Boss Monsters

It’s Just a Chicken: The Cockatrice Ecosystem

January 22, 2026January 17, 2026 / Chris Gladis / Leave a comment

Statues litter the approach to the old abbey. Some new, some worn by time. All screaming. The Cockatrice Regent and its flock have turned this place into a hunting ground, and your players just walked into the middle of it. This entry explores petrification as ecosystem engineering and gives you the tools to make "just a chicken" into something terrifying.

The Architect of Ruin: a Pit Fiend at the Center of All Things

December 29, 2025December 23, 2025 / Chris Gladis / Leave a comment

The Pit Fiend isn't just a monster; it’s an administrator of apocalypse. While petty devils target souls, the Pit Fiend targets nations. This entry explores how to build a campaign around a fiendish conspiracy of "intentional decay," and why defeating a CR 20 general is the ultimate act of heroic escapism.

The Aboleth’s Gift: Secrets, Slime, and Self-Destruction

August 25, 2025September 26, 2025 / Chris Gladis / 2 Comments

The Aboleth is one of the oldest and most alien monsters in D&D—and one of the most dangerous, not because it can kill your party, but because it knows them. Memory-eating, truth-hoarding, and cosmically bitter, the Aboleth isn’t just a monster. It’s the mind behind the curtain.

No Rest for the Wicked: Rethinking the Wight

August 21, 2025August 14, 2025 / Chris Gladis / 1 Comment

Some ambitions are too strong to die. A Wight isn’t just another undead—it's what happens when hatred outlives the grave. Whether you're running a crypt crawl or a city-wide conspiracy, here's how to make your Wights unforgettable.

Forever Hungry: The Power and Terror of Dracoliches

August 18, 2025September 26, 2025 / Chris Gladis / Leave a comment

A dragon that feared death so much it chose undeath. A creature so patient it can wait centuries for the perfect moment to strike. A presence so foul it withers the land itself. The Dracolich is more than a monster. It's a campaign-ending nightmare waiting to happen. Here’s how to use it well.

Making Empyreans Matter: Beyond the Boss Fight

May 12, 2025May 6, 2025 / Chris Gladis / 2 Comments

Empyreans are powerful celestial and fiendish beings serving as potential campaign-ending adversaries or cosmic gatekeepers in Dungeons & Dragons. They wield nearly divine power, reshaping battles and providing access to higher knowledge. Their roles can vary greatly, influencing player interactions significantly.

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