Gug

Of the many varied aberrations in the first Bestiary, the Gug is one of the most unsettling, I think. While this creature bears a striking resemblance to a certain antagonist monster of Netflix fame, I think it does have some other interesting narrative options to offer.

Firstly, the gug is scared of ghouls but not ghasts. Given its ability to quickly squeeze through spaces and its darkvision, the gug can make a very interesting part of a subterranean ecosystem ranging from long-forgotten ruins to thriving cities of undead.

The gug's statblock is quite straightforward and is somewhat flexible given its high AC to remain a threat against parties of up to level 12-14. As stated in its descriptive text, granting a higher-level gug otherworldly powers for it to deploy against its prey is a good way to subvert the expectations your players may have for its behavior and tactics. A witch-like gug empowered by its aberrant patron that is worshipped by lowly gugs? That could serve as a perfect opportunity for a simple, yet varied, dungeon crawl.

- Reece

Hook 1 (Max) - A Chug from the Gug Jug

Worship takes many forms. Even amongst man-eating horrors from the deep. A community of gugs performs an... unconventional ritual. They are looking for a worthy champion for their dark god, bringing many people from above to test them.

What is this great trial?

The leader of the beasts found a black chalice etched with ancient runes. Alongside his brethren, he has filled the curio with a plethora of foul things scavenged from their intermittent surface raids. The monstrosities believe that the one to survive a single chug from the jug will lead them to glory, victory, and a great many meals.

So far no one managed to do so, mind you.

Hook 2 (Nemanja) - Star Folly

In the faraway land of Starfall, there's an ancient order of magi with a sacred purpose. Known as the White Necromancers to some, or Death's Druids to others, these reclusive mages have been tasked with keeping Those That Spew Forth From Fallen Stars at bay for centuries, maybe even millennia.

Unfortunately, as Goldhorn's crusade rages on, history is lost as anything dubbed "black magic" is put to the sword or torch.

As necromancy becomes a dying art and ghouls are executed on sight, the beings that arrived from outer space might have an opening...

Hook 3 (TJ) - Anatomical Anomaly

Anatomists have long clamored for a chance to study the gug. A large creature capable of squeezing itself through tight spaces, bony protrusions to protect its eyes from its prey, arms that split at the elbow to grant extra hands, all of these features make this aberration of particular interest. Luckily for the sciences department at the University of An'zar, a gug skeleton has recently been donated for study.

While it does lack its original musculature, the skeleton is still an impressive addition for study. Some days ago, the staff began to notice the specimen was being repositioned each morning when they arrived in the building. Strangely, this morning it was found as if it was roaring in triumph over some invisible foe. The blood dripping from its skeletal maw and claws, however, is anything but invisible.