What happens when a Dryad’s devotion meets a Wight’s hunger? You get a guardian who keeps protecting long after death — a tragic fusion of life, decay, and desperate purpose. This Dark Dryad offers DMs a haunting encounter about corruption, consequence, and what we cling to even as we fall apart.
Undead
Dead But Not Done: Ghosts in D&D
Ghosts are everywhere — in stories, in stat blocks, and in our collective fears. But what happens when we look past the usual tropes? In this entry, we explore four ghostly twists that challenge your players' assumptions about death, memory, identity, and control. Haunting has never been so personal.
Vampires: What Lurks Behind the Fangs
Vampires are one of the most famous monsters in the Monster Manual — but what if they’re not the villain? Or not even alive? This week’s entry offers four fresh takes on D&D vampires: as cursed companions, beloved emotional parasites, immortal bureaucrats, or long-vanquished apex predators whose absence has only made things worse.
Monthly Monster Mashup 5: Death Dogs + Bone Naga
What do a jumbled undead serpent and a two-headed feral beast have in common? More than you’d think. This month’s Monster Mashup explores the Bone Naga and the Death Dog — both cursed to serve, both hungry for more — and introduces a terrifying fusion: the Ossuary Hound.
Justice Undone: Storytelling with the Banshee
A Banshee is more than a shrieking ghost — she’s a story left unfinished, a memory too furious to fade. Whether she haunts a bloodline that cast her out or seeks justice for ancient wrongs, the Banshee is a CR 4 encounter with real emotional weight. This post explores how to use the Banshee not just as a combat challenge, but as a thematic force: a ghost story wrapped in grief, vengeance, and moral ambiguity. From ancestral reckoning to desecrated god-spirits, you’ll find story hooks, encounter tips, and fresh ways to bring this undead scream to life — or unlife.
No Rest for the Wicked: Rethinking the Wight
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
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.
Wraiths: When Death Is Only the Beginning
More than just another ghost in a dungeon, the Wraith is an encounter that can scar your players—strategically and emotionally. With mechanics that turn fallen party members into enemies and lore that demands thematic weight, Wraiths are the perfect blend of horror, heartbreak, and battlefield control.
Dust and Memory: The Bone Naga
Ancient creatures with perfect memories that shouldn't die... but sometimes do. The Bone Naga is a corruption of divine creatures, and an excellent addition to your game.
Encounter Every Enemy 