Been reading Kull of Atlantis and one enemy faction are snake people who shapeshifts into human to keep ruling the world, like you know the usual reptile conspiracy they aren't even stronger than humans.

The less usual though is when Kull get attacked by a ghost in their lair.
"Yes, I remember the tale now. Gods, Kull! that is another sign of the frightful and foul power of the snake priests—that king was slain by snake-people and thus his soul became their slave, to do their bidding throughout eternity! For the sages have ever maintained that if a man is slain by a snake-man his ghost becomes their slave."

This changes the situation a bit. Any other stories where the monster is not that imposing but they dish out fate worse than death? Preferrably not the goblins way.