The roles of these examples of creatures and people are to be a boss, aide, companion, or servant to the players that will play a campaign. They might be challenging to people depending on their strengths but as an adventurer once said, “If it bleeds, it can be killed.” But… Good luck! Because not all of them bleed.
20. Iron Golem
No, this is not the T-800 series!
The Iron Golems are creations of Metal and Magic. Their body heights and weights varied from large to colossal. They lack any kind of empathy or soul and that makes them immune to charm-like spells as well. They do not have a heart but have a core, usually a magical gem as a source of power.
Iron Golems are quite powerful. Having one is a symbol of authority amongst the mages. The presence of Iron Golems shows how powerful they are to create such a thing.
Iron Golems are the ultimate guardians for many mages because they lack any kind of mindset other than to obey their masters' orders. It is almost impossible to distract one or trick. They can also be muscle forces or battering ram for a mage's army.
Powers and Abilities:
They have skin made of iron armor and are immune to many spells. Due to lacking any organs, the only place where the group can score a critical hit is the magical gem heart. They don’t rust due to having magical energy go through their body.
19. Purple Worm
“The sleeper has awakened!” Wait, wrong setting, this is not Dune!
Did you really think you could chill in the setting sun on a desert and watch the twin sunsets like Luke Skywalker? Bad idea, here comes the Purple Worm! They are extremely long, strong, and durable. They can swallow multiple people even large creatures such as minotaurs or ogres.
Purple Worms love to eat and crush their opponents' bodies, making it easier to swallow. They prefer to body-slam their prey, pull them inside the weak sand making them sink, and swallow them.
Purple Worms are Predators. Do not make that mistake. They are not creatures of evil or servants of evil. They are predators and carnivores. That makes them extra dangerous. They can sense people walking on the sand and the vibrations show they are the targets.
Powers and Abilities:
Purple Worms have acidic blood. So, if you are swallowed and decide to cut them from the inside, good luck! The Purple Worm has a huge mouth and it is filled with hundreds of razor-sharp mandibles. They weigh in tons so they attempt to body-slam, you have little chance of surviving.
18. Dragons
Question: What is worse than an angry dragon? Answer: Many angry dragons!
Dragons are dangerous no matter their kind. While in Dungeons and Dragons, there are many kind and nice dragons, there are many mean-spirited ones. Dragons have 2 arms and 4 legs, wyverns have 2 legs and winged arms.
All Dragons are deadly to mortals. And many of them have adventurers in their favorite snack list. Dragons have many magical abilities and powers. In some settings, they can become full spellcasters.
While most of the Good-natured Dragons are less aggressive, that doesn’t mean they won’t attack you. If you annoy them, you might end up in their belly. Evil Dragons rarely give you a chance to repent for your mistakes.
Powers and Abilities:
They are highly intelligent and wise also, they are stronger and have thick armor-like skin and scales. They also can fly and breathe elemental attacks. Many are spellcasters and are immune to their types of elements. So yeah, if you are going to play an evocation wizard with a fireball specialty, don’t mess with a Red Dragon.
17. Nightwalkers
As if we needed more Lovecraftian-like nightmarish horror creatures…
The Nightwalkers are from the Plane of Shadows which are very long, incorporeal beings. They are one single huge shadow being that takes special delight in terrorizing people and watching them suffer.
A Nightwalker is extremely powerful and incredibly smart. It can cast many shadow-plane-specific spells that bring torment and fear to its victims. They can manipulate darkness and shadows around it to create lesser shadows to attack. As if these are not bad enough, their touch drains the life energies from the victims.
Nightwalkers are extremely aggressive wherever they go. But they are patient. They will wait for the night so their prey to fall asleep before attacking. They may torment them for days before actually attacking by entering their minds while they sleep and causing nightmares.
Powers and Abilities:
If you are in the Shadowfell AKA Plane of Shadows, Nightwalkers don’t just kill you, they can transform you into a Bodak, a creature with no soul or personality. They have telepathic abilities to support themselves. Their bodies are created by malice and pure evilness.
16. Revenant
I don’t think Neo will like this woman in a red dress…
Revenants are people who have a very strong will to defy death and return back to life. They are usually driven by a purpose. So, if you play your cards well, they might become your most trusted friends. If you are targeting someone or something they have sworn to protect, may the gods show mercy on your soul.
Revenants are quite powerful but their strength varies from one to another. They are relentless when it comes to their purpose. And they will try to do everything in their power to achieve that goal.
Revenants are spirits that return back to their original body for one singular purpose. Usually, the reason is to avenge their deaths or an unjust that happened. But they might be people who have sworn to protect someone and died in the process. Some Paladins, even in death, still serve their oath.
Powers and Abilities:
Revenants don’t care about their body which is a corpse. So, they endure a lot of damage to it. They are obviously immune to many kinds of threats. Their bodies are usually rotting, pale, and lifeless and they have glowing eyes. If they are vengeful, they might have necrotic abilities.
15. Mad Wizards
The only thing madder than him is his own hat.
Mad and insane wizards are interesting concepts, but they can be extremely problematic. Their spells caused them to lose their mental capacities and they lust for power. Their minds might be rotten because of the powers they acquired when they were “doing experiments”.
Mad Wizards are usually quite strong in magic due to them not controlling the magic they create properly. They might randomly start casting spells that are beyond their mental limits.
They can even cast spells from the ancient times.
Their behavior is completely complicated. They can be completely sane one second and cry a river at another. They are usually randomly creating and destroying things. Unless stopped, they become a force of nature and a big problem for everyone.
Powers and Abilities:
They can cast any kind of spells randomly. And their powers might be unmatchable. One second they just give a rose to a pretty lady, next they can start summoning demons or devils.
14. Dinosaurs
Famous Last Words: “Hey! I thought we were playing a medieval game, not a Jurassic Park game!”
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, we have magical and flying dragons, demons, and angels, so why not Dinosaurs? I guess this was what they were thinking when they added Dinosaurs in Dungeons and Dragons.
Many dinosaurs are considered to be extremely deadly to low and mid-level adventurers. Many of them kill so many adventurers who wander into the wilderness without a good escort or a ranger to keep them away from dangers.
As there are so many different types of dinosaurs their behavior changes as well. If they are carnivores, you might have a hard time avoiding them but if they are herbivores, they might just ignore you or only attack if you threaten their eggs or babies.
Powers and Abilities:
So many different types of dinosaurs to count. Some stab you with their long sword-like horns, some spikes and some just want to eat you as a whole. Dinosaurs usually have thick skin, high durability, and speed that can outrun many good runners.
13. Pirates!
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Did you honestly think the only dangers in the seas are weird creatures and aberrations? Think again! These men and women hunt at these seas as well and they know how to avoid those creatures. They are criminals who hunt their prey with viciousness and without remorse.
The strength of the Pirates comes from their intimidation tactics. They are usually so brutal nobody wants to fight them. And they build their reputation with this. Pirates usually leave people alive who surrender, and punish the ones who decided to fight with extreme brutality.
Pirates are very aggressive. They want riches, rations, and alcohol. And they don’t take “no” as an answer. They will chase your ship around till you can’t outrun them. They might even lead your ships to where dangerous creatures reside to force the ship to submission or fight to death.
Powers and Abilities:
Pirates are a group so they can be wizards, clerics, and lots of other kinds of classes from various races. Their biggest asset is a fast and durable ship and lots of weapons. In some settings, they might even have cannons.
12. Basilisk
A Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets? What is that?
The Basilisk are carnivore reptilian creatures that terrorize the dune seas. They are very dangerous and powerful creatures due to their deadly attacks with their petrifying gaze and poisons.
While they are not extremely dangerous physically, they have 8 legs which makes them hard to prone. Basilisks usually move quite slowly and are considered clumsy, but their petrification terrifies even the strongest adventurers.
Basilisks prefer solidarity because they are mostly cowards. That’s why they prefer to live underground where their prey has to come to them instead of them actively hunting. They are like sloths.
Powers and Abilities:
Petrification is its worst ability. If one is close to the basilisk and they lock eyes, they will be petrified unless they pass the required to save dice. Also, this can not be turned back in lesser spells, they need to be returned back to life with a Greater Restoration spell.
11. Mimic
Wait, ANOTHER Mimic? Seriously? Wait my sword is also a Mimic? I AM A MIMIC? WHAAAAAAT?
Mimics are one of the most troublesome creatures. They can disguise themselves as anything, a spoon, a table, a chair, a chest, a bed… Anything. In some settings, even ships or other types of transportation can be mimics.
Mimics are deadly in close range and especially deadly for low-level adventurers. They might be considered problematic in higher levels but they all cause problems for everyone.
Mimics rarely move or change shape, they prefer to stay dormant till their prey approaches them. They have no agenda, no reason, no religion or anything. All they care about are eating and surviving.
Powers and Abilities:
Their Shapechanging ability is their most important ability and they can change to anything. They prefer to use this ability to ambush their prey.
10. Hydra
Hail Hydra! Wait wrong game!
Hydra are huge creatures with many heads. They look like serpents or sometimes different kinds of beings. They have impressive regeneration abilities. They are strong and ferocious.
Hydras are very powerful, many of them can cast water-type spells as well. They have very tough scales which makes them very dangerous. Due to having many limbs and heads, they can move very fast in sea and swamps.
They are carnivorous predators. They hunt their prey and they don’t like to share their meal. They are always hungry for more.
Powers and Abilities:
Hydras have many abilities that make them deadly. They can slam their heads, squeeze their bodies, and eat people whole. They have impressive regeneration. If you cut one head off, 2 other replaces it. They can see underwater as clear as day. Due to having multiple heads, it can attack many opponents at the same time.
9. Lord Loren Soth of Dargaard Keep, Knight of the Black Rose
The worst husband award in D&D goes to… Lord Soth!
Death Knights are people who are cursed for their heinous sins, but Lord Loren Soth takes the cake on this subject. He used to be a Knight of the Rose of Solamnia who protected the weak and fought the evil. But he ended up committing so many crimes, that people were even scared to say his name.
Lord Soth is insanely powerful almost impossible to kill as a person. He is a great mastermind, a skilled tactician, and one of the best sword masters. Also, he can cast many high-level necromancy spells such as Finger of Death.
While Lord Soth is one of the most deadly forces of Krynn, he is not the most aggressive one. He might be there to watch something unfold or to test new adventurers. If he is treated with respect and dignity, he might even offer to turn the players into undead to serve him. But he will not tolerate weakness or fear. He might challenge someone to fight to the death.
Powers and Abilities:
Lord Soth is a very high-level character so encountering him as a low-level adventuring team is most unlikely. So he has all the advantages of being an undead, undying, and Death Knight abilities. Plus he is extremely good with his blade. He also has all the curses to power him up.
8. Klauth, The Old Snarl
This is not the Red Dragon I ordered, I just wanted some noodles!
Klauth is one of the oldest and strongest dragons of all time which is not a deity. But due to his power levels, he might even considered be one. He is presumed to be the oldest living Red Dragon of Faerun.
Klauth is an extremely old Red Dragon. Dragons gain powers and abilities due to their age so an older dragon means a more dangerous dragon. And him being one of the Red Dragons, he is extremely strong.
Klauth can have many different behaviors. He is selfish to the core and only cares about his agenda. If he meets with the young mortal races, he might just have a little laugh with them, insult their inferiority, or just straight-up bully them. He has a superiority complex and he would challenge anyone who treats him any lesser than he deserves. And remember, he survived this long not just because of his luck but his powers.
Powers and Abilities:
Klauth is immensely huge, he is a colossal being. His body can withstand a lot of attacks and because he is a magical being, he can cast many spells. His Spells include fire-based spells as well as non-elemental spells such as Wish. If he is provoked he might just wish you to not be able to use your strongest spell.
7. Count Strahd von Zarovich
Bring out the garlic, Strahd is here!
Count Strahd von Zarovic of Barovia… He is the sole ruler of the lands called Barovia and he resides in the realm known as Ravenloft within the Castle Ravenloft. He is well known for his politeness and welcoming new adventurers for their terrible fates of being in Barovia. Strahd is a very powerful being and he is cursed for killing his brother Sergei out of jealousy and his obsession for Sergei’s Fiancee Tatiana. After Sergei dies, Tatiana takes her own life and Strahd is cursed with the immortality of a Vampire.
Strahd as a Vampire is very old and powerful. He is a necromancer and has lots of undead servants. He is realm is alive itself and keeps him and the people there.
Strahd is a nobleman and therefore acts like one. He is a very well-behaved, polite individual and if people come to his lands, he welcomes them. He lets them visit his castle and is interested in hearing their stories.
Powers and Abilities:
Make no mistake as Strahd is a very powerful Vampire but the curse that was placed upon him is even stronger. The curse will keep him alive and the people who attack him to perish. He is damned for eternity to suffer. He is also able to defend himself with various servants and spells.
6. Tiamat
Right… Somehow Tiamat’s back… Again…
Tiamat is a unique being as well as her brother Bahamut. She is the Queen of Evil Dragons and she was said to be born from pure evilness. She has many Dragon heads and each of them has a mind of their own. This sometimes causes problems as not every time the heads can agree with each other.
Tiamat was born as an Arch-devil power level but was raised to the lesser deity power after she became the Queen. Her presence in the material realm is often considered the end of civilizations.
Tiamat is paranoid, greedy, arrogant, spiteful, and full of hatred. She hates the lesser races and sees the Chromatic Dragons as the ultimate race on Toril and works to make sure it becomes a reality. She sees mortals as merely disposable tools. She has many consorts which many Chromatic Dragons fight to become one, they shower her with riches and treasures.
Powers and Abilities:
Tiamat is a lesser deity but she is still a very powerful god. She has lots of abilities and strengths due to that. She can create magical items herself, destroy them, and recreate them. She can corrupt many holy places with her presence. All of her heads can fight individually so they can all cast dragon breath. Her large tail has poison so beware.
5. Myrkul Bey al-Kursi
Thanks for the Wall of Faithless, Myrkul!
Myrkul, the Reaper was once a mortal and he became a god alongside Bhaal the God of Murder, and Bane the God of Tyranny therefore creating the Dead Trio. He created the Wall of Faithless to torment people and enjoy their sufferings in the afterlife. It is also used as a reminder to everyone that as long as the Wall exists, it feeds him energy even in death.
While for many years, death has weakened his soul and abilities, he was once a greater deity. He has a lot of believers even after death to torment others and remind them of their mortality.
He has a sick sense of humor. He always reminds people of their mortality, that’s why he usually is seen as a rotting corpse or skeleton. He is an extremely smart and capable necromancer. He is sinister and vengeful.
Powers and Abilities:
Myrkul created the Mask of the Betrayer to prolong his life and remind everyone that he is somehow still alive. His body in the Astral Plane is protected by many Death Knights. While he might have lost most of his powers, he is still very powerful as a dead god. He can create and destroy life and he is a very powerful necromancer.
4. Baphomet
Uhh, I thought we were supposed to go to the Baphomet concert, not a cultist activity.
Baphomet, Prince of Beasts, and the Ruler of the Endless Maze is probably the most savage and destructive force of the Abyss. He is ruthless and without mercy. He doesn’t care about the weak, he wants to destroy the weak to make room for the strong.
Baphomet is one of the Demon Lords who rules the 600th layer of the Abyss. He is huge, strong and durable. Having many horns makes him extremely dangerous.
Baphomet is aggressive in everything and everyone that he considers weak. He loves to crush the spirits of the people foolish enough to enter his maze. He doesn’t care about conversations much with those whom he sees as physically weak.
Powers and Abilities:
He has a great bardiche called Heartcleaver which he loves to use and he can spit unholy water. He can also use his physical body to crush the opponents.
3. Tarrasque
What is worse than a T-rex? A Tarrasque!
Tarrasque is probably the largest abomination out there in the material realm. He is absolutely huge, terrifying, and the natural force of destruction. Some claim that the presence of Tarrasque is the end of civilization.
The Tarrasque are gargantuan in size so they are sometimes as big as a castle while standing. They have magical protection and physical strength that is only matched by gods.
Tarrasque is very aggressive and destroys everything in its path. But it doesn’t do it for good or evil, nor because it cares for laws or chaos. It just exists to destroy everything and anything. It has the mind of a Chihuahua.
Powers and Abilities:
The Tarrasque is well known as the Devourer. It devours whole people, even giants easily. It has a large body mass and has razor-sharp claws and fangs. It is rumored to be created by alchemy or pure magic to be the ultimate destruction.
2. Angels
The Angel of Music is here in your mind!
Angels are the main forces of the Celestial realms of Good Gods. They are very powerful and strong, some just do the bidding of the gods, and others mind their businesses. Angels are beautiful and charming.
Angels are very powerful, some are even as powerful as lesser gods. Their powers come from the gods they serve so some of them are extremely powerful. Their presence might be the first indication that an Aasimar will be born.
Angels have very different personalities, some like to spend time with the mortals. Some just want to ignore the material realm completely. Some are just protective guardians of people with good hearts.
Powers and Abilities:
Smite Evil is their most common ability. The ones the party will meet will most likely won’t show mercy to the evil-hearted individuals. They can fly, heal, destroy basically can do anything their gods order.
1. Asmodeus
He sure is the king! All hail the king!
The Archduke of the Nine Hells, King of Abyss is no other than Asmodeus himself. He is the one who won hundreds of years of war in the Abyss and placed himself at the top of all devils and demons. He is ruthless, smart, cunning, strong, and charming.
Asmodeus is a greater deity and is the one who oversees all evil done in the planes. His main power comes from contracts he makes and he always wins in the end. He is the ultimate evil.
Asmodeus can be met in a lot of different paths. He is a chess master, he uses many pawns. If you are chosen to be a pawn, you might gain a lot of power by doing what he wants, or you can be punished for defying him. But he will always play by the book. But you can never fully trust him.
Powers and Abilities:
As he is the ultimate evil, he has the ultimate capabilities as a greater god. His word is his order and his orders are always carried out.
