Not every entry in the Monster Manual is meant to be fought and forgotten. The Warrior NPCs—Infantry, Veteran, and Commander—offer more than just stats; they’re narrative tools for telling stories of war, hierarchy, and survival. This post explores how to use these martial archetypes not just in battle, but to deepen your worldbuilding and make your campaigns feel truly lived-in.
Tactical Pests
Flight, Fury, and Fangs: Adventuring With Wyverns
After an adventure, players camp but are interrupted by a wyvern attack. These fierce predators are territorial and pose a significant threat with high stats and quick attacks. Such encounters highlight the world's dangers while serving story purposes. Introducing a wyvern can also catalyze deeper narratives or mysteries for players to explore.
Masters of Monsters: The Ghasts
In D&D campaigns, undead foes like Ghasts create significant challenges. Ghasts, particularly the Ghast Gravecaller, are intelligent, controller monsters that can paralyze players and manipulate encounters. Their presence adds complexity when employed in combat and social scenarios, enabling creative storytelling and strategic gameplay that enhances the overall adventure experience for players.
Meet the Blink Dog: Your New Favorite Fey
The Blink Dog is a fey creature capable of many things in your campaign. If you need a quirky companion or a frustrating enemy, the Blink Dog might be the creature for you!
Encounter Every Enemy 