Scientific Secrets of Avernus - 27 New Science-Inspired Monsters for Infernal Adventures

Oct 5, 2026

Scientific Secrets of Avernus is a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition supplement presenting 30 infernal monsters designed for the Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus campaign. The creatures blend scientific inspiration from real-world animals with fantasy reinterpretations, and each monster includes APA 6th Edition citations to relevant scientific literature for further reading. Guidance covers adapting monsters to player groups and planning encounters by reviewing stat blocks, spells, attacks, and abilities. The work also credits creators and acknowledges D&D IP and rights.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Tips for the DM

About the Creators

Scientific Secrets of Avernus

Agrasi

Cranium Crab

Crokekspawn

Daubentonia

Echo

False Cleric Fish

Ferroform

Flesh-Eating Splendor Swarm

Fortress Devil

Gatebinder Ooze

Hadalloth

Kathar’s Bird

Magnetaur

Malebranch

Mindkiller Nettle

Myrmexleon

Screaming Ash Elemental

Styx River Dolphin

Styxglider

Terminator Pig

Terryesil

Volcanitherium

Appendix A: Monsters by CR

Scientific SecretS of AvernuS 27 New ScieNce-iNSpired MoNSterS for iNferNal adveNtureS Scientific SecretS of AvernuS creditS Authors: Chris Parsons, Christopher Harding, Daniel Scheltema,Gabrielle Bleu, Greg Quinnell, Iam Pace, Jacky Leung, Joe Raso, Kai Linder, Marco Michelutto, Maxine Henry, Teos Abadía, Willy Abeel, Wyatt Trull, Zeke Gonzalez Production: Zeke Gonzalez Editor: Leon Barillaro Interior Art: Dana Braga, Erin Anderson, DMs Guild Creator Resources Layout: Anja Svare citAtionS The concept of Scientific Secrets ofAvernus is a bestiary of infernal monsters inspired by scientific literature on real-world animals; each of these writers interpreted that concept in a unique way. Some of the monsters within these pages take inspiration in their form or abilities while others are a direct translation of our planet’s strangest and deadliest animals into 5th Edition D&D. Regardless of the writer’s approach, each of these monsters include a citation of the scientific literature which inspired them. These citations are in APA 6th Edition format and I recommend them as further reading on the strange and wondrous world of biology. It is instinctive for many people to separate science and fantasy, but when we incorporate the two together, we create richer worlds, dynamic encounters, and powerful motivations for characters, monsters, and NPCs alike. These monsters are a terrifying menagerie ripe for inclusion in your Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus campaign and I hope you find these readings as fascinating as I do! cover Art Modified from an engraving by Gustave Doré illustrating Canto XXXIV of Divine Comedy, Inferno, by Dante Alighieri (available for reuse with modification under Creative Commons) DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast. ©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK. 2 Scientific SecretS of AvernuS tAble of contentS introduction 3 Tips for the DM 3 About the Creators 4 Scientific SecretS of AvernuS 6 Agrasi 6 Cranium Crab 8 Crokekspawn 9 Daubentonia 10 Echo 12 False Cleric Fish 14 Ferroform 15 Flesh-Eating Splendor Swarm 18 Fortress Devil 19 Gatebinder Ooze 21 Hadalloth 22 Kathar’s Bird 23 Magnetaur 25 Malebranch 27 Mindkiller Nettle 28 Myrmexleon 29 Screaming Ash Elemental 30 Styx River Dolphin 34 Styxglider 35 Terminator Pig 36 Terryesil 37 Volcanitherium 39 Appendix A: MonSterS by cr 40 toAhheuncf A-hasecovever!yfonoSlodtousesbhavein mone it!dythLveredp andastsupon thiwayss gtuhdefoanulseeesideotw manys of Hell can rend, tear, and destroy you. Stay far from these mnoonstestertosbrnyouo helwpisfindyouthesemeet your vicious end! -The Cartographer introduction Scientific Secrets ofAvernus is a supplement containing 30 monsters designed for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. These monsters use rules, spells, and concepts from the Wizards of the Coast’s D&D 5th Edition and are intended to supplement the Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus campaign. These creatures are perfect for inclusion in the adventures within Chapter 3 of that book or you can simply use them to replace other creatures which appear in Avernus. Spells referenced in t

FAQs

What is Scientific Secrets of Avernus and what does it provide for D&D 5e?

It is a D&D 5th Edition supplement that includes monsters designed to supplement Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus. It presents creatures intended for use in Chapter 3 of that campaign or as replacements for other Avernus creatures.

How are the monsters created in this supplement?

The monsters are inspired by scientific literature on real-world animals. Writers interpret the concept uniquely, sometimes translating form or abilities directly, and each monster includes citations to the source literature.

How should a DM prepare to run these monsters?

The DM should adapt monsters to their group, adjust hit points, damage, abilities, spells, and lore as needed, and read the full stat blocks in advance. Understanding relevant spells, attacks, and abilities ahead of time helps deliver effective encounters.

Oct 5, 2026

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