Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, demons are the most widespread race of fiends
. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss
. Demons have no true rulers, though powerful demon lords
are able to gain enough power and influence to gain control over sizable armies of demonic creatures.
supplement (1976). This booklet introduced the type I demon
, the type II demon
, the type III demon
, the type IV demon
, the succubus
, the type V demon, and the type VI demon
, as well as two of their lords
, Orcus
and Demogorgon
.
(1977), which includes the manes
(sub-demon), the succubus, the type I demon (vrock
), the type II demon (hezrou
), the type III demon (glabrezu
), the type IV demon (nalfeshnee
, etc.), the type V demon (marilith, etc.), the type VI demon (balor
, etc.), and demon lords Demogorgon (Prince of Demons), Juiblex
(The Faceless Lord), Orcus (Prince of the Undead), and Yeenoghu
(Demon Lord of Gnolls). The quasit
, a frequent servant of demons, also first appeared in the original Monster Manual.
Lolth
, the Demon Queen of Spiders is described under the demon entry in the Fiend Folio
(1981)
Several new demons debuted in the module Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
(1982), including the alu-demon
(demi-demon), the bar-lgura
(minor demon), the chasme, the dretch, and the rutterkin
(minor demon), and new demon lords Baphomet
, Fraz-Urb'luu
(Prince of Deception), Graz'zt
(demon prince), and Kostchtchie
(demon lord). The alu-demon (semi-demon), babau
(minor demon), bar-lgura (minor demon), cambion
baron/marquis and cambion major (semi-demon), chasme (minor demon), dretch (minor demon), nabassu
(major demon), and rutterkin (minor demon) appeared in the first edition Monster Manual II (1983), along with demon lords Baphomet (demon lord), Fraz-Urb'luu (Prince of Deception), Graz'zt (demon prince), Kostchtchie (demon lord), and Pazuzu
(Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms).
The goristro
(major demon) first appeared in Dragon
#91 (November 1984); the article's author, Gary Gygax
, explained that he had intended to put the creature into Monster Manual II along with the other demons.
The demoness Zuggtmoy
first appeared and played a major role in the Temple of Elemental Evil module (1985). Orcus was a central antagonist for The Throne of Bloodstone
series of adventures, appearing in The Throne of Bloodstone (1988), along with Baphomet, the Dire Whiner, Klavikus the type IV demon guardian, and Glyphimor, Lord of Orcusgate.
, the groaning demon
, the hissing demon, the howling demon
, the roaring demon
, the sceaming demon
, and the whispering demon
, as well as two unique demons, Orcus and Demogorgon, appeared in the Immortal Rules
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The croaking lesser fiend, the groaning lesser fiend, the hissing lesser fiend, the howling lesser fiend, the roaring lesser fiend, the screaming lesser fiend, and the whispering lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
The Planescape
campaign setting
utilized demons, known exclusively as tanar'ri under 2nd edition rules, extensively. The alu-fiend (lesser tanar'ri), the babau (greater tanar'ri), the balor (true tanar'ri), the bar-lgura (lesser tanar'ri), the cambion (lesser tanar'ri), the chasme (greater tanar'ri), the dretch (least tanar'ri), the glabrezu (true tanar'ri), the hezrou (true tanar'ri), the manes (least tanar'ri), the marilith (true tanar'ri), the molydeus (guardian tanar'ri), the nabassu (greater tanar'ri), the nalfeshnee (true tanar'ri), the rutterkin (least tanar'ri), the succubus (lesser tanar'ri), the vrock (true tanar'ri), and the wastrilith greater tanar'ri are detailed in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994). The armanite (lesser tanar'ri), the goristro (greater tanar'ri), and the Abyssal lords Graz'zt and Pazrael
appear in the Planes of Chaos boxed set (1994). The alkilith (true tanar'ri), the bulezau
(lesser tanar'ri), the maurezhi (lesser tanar'ri), and the yochlol
(lesser tanar'ri) appeared in Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (1995). Monstrous Compendium Annual Three (1996) featured the armanite and the goristro again.
The Rod of Seven Parts boxed set (1996), in "Book IV: Monsters", featured statistics for Miska the Wolf-Spider
and the Queen of Chaos
, along with the spyder-fiends: the kakkuu, the lycosidilith, the phisarazu, the raklupis, and the spithriku. The spyder-fiends later appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Four (1998), along with the uridezu (rat-fiend) lesser tanar'ri.
, the dretch (tanar'ri), the glabrezu (tanar'ri), the hezrou (tanar'ri), the marilith (tanar'ri), the nalfeshnee (tanar'ri), the quasit, the retriever, the succubus (tanar'ri), and the vrock (tanar'ri).
The ghour demon and the yochlol demon for the Forgotten Realms
setting appear in Monsters of Faerûn (2000).
The cerebrilith appeared in the Psionics Handbook (2001). The uridezu (tanar'ri), the armanite (tanar'ri), and the goristro (tanar'ri) appear in this edition's Manual of the Planes
(2001). The mane (tanar'ri), the rutterkin (tanar'ri), the bar-lgura (tanar'ri), the babau (tanar'ri), the shadow demon, and the chasme (tanar'ri), as well as the demon lords Demogorgon, Prince of Demons; Graz'zt, the Dark Prince; Juiblex, the Faceless Lord; Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead; and Yeenoghu, Demon Prince of Gnolls appear in the Book of Vile Darkness
(2002). The abyssal maw, the abyssal skulker, the abyssal ravager, the jovoc (tanar'ri), the palrethee (tanar'ri), the zovvut, the jariltih (tanar'ri), and the kelvezu (tanar'ri) appear in this edition's Monster Manual II (2002). The alkilith (tanar'ri), the blood fiend, the klurichir (tanar'ri), the maurezhi (tanar'ri), the myrmyxicus (tanar'ri), the skulvyn, and the wastrilith appear in this edition's Fiend Folio
(2003).
Savage Species (2003) presented the succubus/incubus and the vrock both as races and as playable classes.
The celebrilith appeared in the Expanded Psionics Handbook (2004). The arrow demon and the sorrowsworn demon appeared in Monster Manual III (2004).
The "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" features in Dragon
each presented a highly detailed description of a single demon lord, as well as at least one new type of demon associated with that demon lord. Pazuzu, Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms and the anzu appear in Dragon #329 (March 2005). Fraz-Urb’luu, Prince of Deception and the skurchur appear in Dragon #333 (July 2005). Zuggtmoy, Queen of Fungi and the vathugu appear in Dragon #337 (November 2005). Baphomet, Prince of Beasts and the ankshar and the bulezau appear in Dragon #341 (March 2006). Kostchtchie, Prince of Wrath and the mavawhan appear in Dragon #345 (July 2006). Dagon
, Prince of the Darkened Depths and the uzollru appear in Dragon #349 (November 2006). Malcanthet
, Queen of the Succubi and the incubus appear in Dragon #353 (March 2007). Demogorgon, Prince of Demons and the verakia appear in Dragon #357 (July 2007). The demon lords Ardat, the Unavowed, Dwiergus, the Chrysalis Prince, Lascer, Lord of the Shadow Shoal, Shaktari, Queen of the Mariliths, and Ugudenk the Squirming King, and the manitou appear in Dragon #359 (September 2007). Graz'zt and the caligrosto appeared in Dragon #360 (October 2007), in the magazine's first online edition.
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006) includes new content for demons and inhabitants of the Abyss, including the armanite, the bar-lgura, the broodswarm, the bulezau, the chasme, the dybbuk, the ekolid, the goristro, the guecubu, the lilitu, the mane, the molydeus, the juvenile nabassu and the mature nabassu, the rutterkin, the sibriex
, and the yochlol. The book also contains statistics for 14 demon lords, including Baphomet, Dagon, Demogorgon, Fraz-Urb'luu, Graz'zt, Juiblex, Kostchtchie, Malcanthet, Obox-ob
, Orcus, Pale Night
, Pazuzu, Yeenoghu, and Zuggtmoy.
The Lolth-touched bebilith, the deathdrinker demon, the nashrou demon, the kastighur, and the whisper demon appeared in Monster Manual IV (2006). The carnage demon, the dradnu, the adaru, the gadacro, and the solamith appeared in Monster Manual V (2007).
The oculus demon, the cambion and the baron or marquis cambion appeared in Expedition to the Demonweb Pits
(2007). The cambion was also presented as a player character race in this book.
Yeenoghu is fully detailed in the online version of Dragon, in issue #364 (June 2008) in the "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" feature, which includes his exarch Nezrebe, gnoll
pack leader Zaiden, and the crocotta.
Baphomet and Graz'zt appear in the 4th edition Manual of the Planes
(2009).
The dretch and several other demons appeared in the fourth edition Monster Manual 2, which also featured Demogorgon and Dagon (2009).
The Demonomicon supplement, released in 2010, includes the armanite, bulezau, ferrolith, incubus (succubi are devils in this edition), nabassu, piscodemon, sibiriex, and many others. The demon lords Kostchtchie
, Oublivae, Pazuzu
, Phraxas and Zuggtmoy
are also covered in detail.
and Demogorgon
) first appeared in the game's Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry
in 1976. Some types of demons were not given species names, but were rather referred to as "Type I" through "Type VI" demons, although the succubus
was named.
s, Hezrou
, Glabrezu
, Nalfeshnee
, Mariliths, and Balors
, respectively.
from all the rulebooks. The names previously given as suggestions in the previous edition's Monster Manual now became each type of demon's official name.
In Third Edition there were three known subtypes of demon:
s are so ancient that they predate mortal life, and even the gods. They rarely have a humanoid shape, and some say that just looking at an obyrith can drive a mortal insane. Their great age and apparent ability to instill insanity at a glance are strong hints at some relation with the Great Old Ones created by H. P. Lovecraft
. A few types of remaining obyriths are draudnu, ekolids, laghathti, sibriex
es, & uzollru. Some obyrith lords have evolved over time to take on more recognizable shapes, such as Pazuzu
or Pale Night
. Other known obyrith demon lords include Obox-ob
, Dagon
, the Queen of Chaos
, the Malgoth, Ugudenk, Bechard, Vroth-Khun, Ubothar, and Cabiri (imprisoned in the Wells of Darkness). Asima and numerous other obyrith lords whose names were lost to time have been destroyed, either slain by each other, or slaughtered by the Tanar'ri. Several others were slain by the Queen of Chaos
for refusing to join her army when she attempted genocide against the Wind Dukes of Aaqa
.
The tanar'ri are essentially "classic" demons; reflections of cruelty, evil and sin. Although there are several exceptions, they usually have a basic humanoid form.
There are many known types of tanar'ri, including: Adaru, alkilith, alu-fiend, anzu, armanite, arrow demon, babau
, balor
, bar-lgura
, bulezau
, cambion
, cerebrilith, chasme, dretch, gadacro, glabrezu
, goristro
, hezrou
, jarilith, jovoc, kastighur, kelvezu, klurichir, mane
, marilith, maurezhi, molydeus, myrmyxicus, nabassu
, nalfeshnee
, orlath, palrethee, rutterkin
, skurchur, solamith, sorrowsworn, succubus
, turagathshnee, uridezu, vathugu, vrock
, and yochlol
.
Loumara are usually immaterial or invisible demons that are more like ghosts or undead
than demons. All loumara can possess living creatures.
Known types of loumara include:
Guecubus believe that killings form some sort of pattern, and enough spilled blood will eventually reveal the meaning of creation in this pattern. They rarely form groups with other guecubus, preferring to remain hidden and anonymous. However, many of them can be found in the Dreaming Gulf (230th layer of the Abyss), where they are created spontaneously from the raw, churning chaos of dreams.
Abyssal eviscerator, abyssal maw, abyssal ravager, abyssal skulker, ankashar, artaaglith, bebelith, blood fiend, carnage demon, deathdrinker, ghour, lilitu, nashrou, ostego ("death demon"), quasit
, retriever
, shadow demon, skulvyn, soul demon, wastrilith, whisper demon, and zovvut.
Elemental demons also exist, beings spawned from the broken souls of Blood War casualties and resembling the elemental material that spawned them. Known types include: air, ash, earth, fire, ice, and water.
Demons seem to be the evil antithesis of devils. Where devils are endlessly ambitious, sneaky, and set in a highly structured hierarchy of the Nine Hells, demons care for nothing but destruction of the entire universe and live in a chaotic realm known as The Abyss. All demons are classified as elementals, albeit ones corrupted by The Abyss. Many of the demon lords were formerly god-like elementals known as primordials.
The obyriths were introduced into Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition in the Demonomicon supplement as refugees from a reality that they themselves brought to an end. They are twelve in number, and only the demon lords Obox-Ob, Dagon, and the Queen of Chaos are explicitly stated as being obyriths. Other demon lords are mentioned as possibly being among their number, including Pazuzu.
The Demonomicon supplement greatly expands upon this story, revealing that the twelve obyriths were the ones who created the shard that Tharizdun found. They used the shard to create a portal from their doomed reality to the newly formed Abyss. Once there, the obyriths fought the new demon lords born along with The Abyss for possession of the shard. This battle took place in the first layer of The Abyss, the Plain of a Thousand Portals, but during the battle a massive fissure appeared in the ground. The shard eventually fell into this fissure, called the Blood Rift, and began its work of creating the endless layers of The Abyss as the Rift grows perpetually deeper.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, demons are the most widespread race of fiends
Fiend (Dungeons & Dragons)
Fiends is a term used in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game to refer to any malicious otherworldly creatures within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. These include various races of demons and devils that are of an evil alignment and hail from the Lower Planes...
. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss
Abyss (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Abyss or more fully, the Infinite Layers of the Abyss, is a chaotic evil-aligned plane of existence. It is one of a number of alignment-based Outer Planes that form part of the standard Dungeons & Dragons cosmology, used in the Planescape...
. Demons have no true rulers, though powerful demon lords
Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
are able to gain enough power and influence to gain control over sizable armies of demonic creatures.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
Demons were among the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Eldritch WizardryEldritch Wizardry
Eldritch Wizardry is a supplementary rulebook by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume, written for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which included a number of significant additions to the core game.-Contents:...
supplement (1976). This booklet introduced the type I demon
Vrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
, the type II demon
Hezrou
A hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
, the type III demon
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
, the type IV demon
Nalfeshnee
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
, the succubus
Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a succubus is a female demon. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil.-Publication history:The succubus is based on the succubi from Western medieval legend.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, the type V demon, and the type VI demon
Balor (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
, as well as two of their lords
Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
, Orcus
Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons)
Orcus is the fictional demon prince, and lord of the undead in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is named after Orcus of Roman mythology. His symbol is a mace with a human skull as the head...
and Demogorgon
Demogorgon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Demogorgon is a powerful demon prince. He is known as the Prince of Demons, a self-proclaimed title he holds by virtue of his power and influence; which in turn, is a title acknowledged by both mortals and his fellow demons...
.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Demons appear in the first edition Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(1977), which includes the manes
Mane (Dungeons & Dragons)
A mane is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is the lowest rank of demon in the Abyss.Manes resemble little fat deformed men, and have no will of their own...
(sub-demon), the succubus, the type I demon (vrock
Vrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
), the type II demon (hezrou
Hezrou
A hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
), the type III demon (glabrezu
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
), the type IV demon (nalfeshnee
Nalfeshnee
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
, etc.), the type V demon (marilith, etc.), the type VI demon (balor
Balor (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
, etc.), and demon lords Demogorgon (Prince of Demons), Juiblex
Juiblex
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Juiblex, also called The Faceless Lord, is the demon lord of Slimes and Oozes. Juiblex's lair is on the 222nd layer of the Abyss, which he shares with Zuggtmoy, the Demoness Lady of Fungi. In Gary Gygax's Gord novels, Juiblex is alternately called Szhublox...
(The Faceless Lord), Orcus (Prince of the Undead), and Yeenoghu
Yeenoghu
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yeenoghu is a Demon Prince, the Demon Lord of Gnolls, and the bestial embodiment of savage butchery. His personal weapon is his dreaded triple flail, created from the bones and skin of a slain god. Yeenoghu commands the obedience of ghouls and ghasts...
(Demon Lord of Gnolls). The quasit
Quasit
A quasit is a demonic creature in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The quasit first appeared in the first edition in the original Monster Manual ....
, a frequent servant of demons, also first appeared in the original Monster Manual.
Lolth
Lolth
Lolth is a fictional goddess in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Lolth , the Demon Queen of Spiders, is the chief goddess of drow elves...
, the Demon Queen of Spiders is described under the demon entry in the Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(1981)
Several new demons debuted in the module Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was written by Gary Gygax and published by TSR in 1982 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules. The 64-page adventure bears the code "S4" and is set in the World of...
(1982), including the alu-demon
Alu-demon
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the alu-demon is a female demon, the result of a succubus mating with a human.-References:*Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth *TSR 2016 - Monster Manual II...
(demi-demon), the bar-lgura
Bar-lgura
A bar-lgura is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The bar-lgura was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
(minor demon), the chasme, the dretch, and the rutterkin
Rutterkin
Rutterkin are fictional demons in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.Rutterkin are deformed demons created by the union of manes. Disdained by other demons, they serve as infantry in the armies of the Abyss...
(minor demon), and new demon lords Baphomet
Baphomet (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Baphomet is a demon lord who rules a layer of the Abyss called the Endless Maze. He is the Prince of Beasts and the Demon Lord of Minotaurs.-Publication history:...
, Fraz-Urb'luu
Fraz-Urb'luu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Fraz-Urb'luu is a demon lord, sometimes known as the "Prince of Deception." In Gary Gygax's Gord novels, Fraz-Urb'luu is alternately called Var-Az-Hloo.-Publication history:...
(Prince of Deception), Graz'zt
Graz'zt
Graz'zt is a demon lord in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and one of the most powerful demons in the Abyss. Graz'zt, one of the earliest and most famous demons created for Dungeons and Dragons, was named as one of the greatest villains in D&D history by the final print issue of...
(demon prince), and Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie is a demon lord from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Publication history:Kostchtchie made his first appearance in the first edition module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
(demon lord). The alu-demon (semi-demon), babau
Babau
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Babau is a Demon . They belong to the category of Demon known as Tanar'ri.-Physical description:...
(minor demon), bar-lgura (minor demon), cambion
Cambion (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons the cambion is a creature descended from a fiend.-Publication history:The cambion was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
baron/marquis and cambion major (semi-demon), chasme (minor demon), dretch (minor demon), nabassu
Nabassu
A nabassu is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Description:Nabassus are demons very close to undead creatures. Nabassus resemble dark horned demons with bat wings, evil glowing eyes, sharp teeth and long talons...
(major demon), and rutterkin (minor demon) appeared in the first edition Monster Manual II (1983), along with demon lords Baphomet (demon lord), Fraz-Urb'luu (Prince of Deception), Graz'zt (demon prince), Kostchtchie (demon lord), and Pazuzu
Pazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
(Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms).
The goristro
Goristro
A goristro is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The goristro was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
(major demon) first appeared in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#91 (November 1984); the article's author, Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
, explained that he had intended to put the creature into Monster Manual II along with the other demons.
The demoness Zuggtmoy
Zuggtmoy
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Zuggtmoy is the Demon Queen of Fungi. Her symbol is a jawless human skull with fungi blooming from within, though some of her false cults use other symbols...
first appeared and played a major role in the Temple of Elemental Evil module (1985). Orcus was a central antagonist for The Throne of Bloodstone
The Throne of Bloodstone
H4 - The Throne of Bloodstone is an Official Game Adventure or "module" for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.-Plot summary:In The Throne of Bloodstone, the player characters take a trip to the Abyss to steal the wand of the demon prince Orcus....
series of adventures, appearing in The Throne of Bloodstone (1988), along with Baphomet, the Dire Whiner, Klavikus the type IV demon guardian, and Glyphimor, Lord of Orcusgate.
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the demons. The croaking demonHezrou
A hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
, the groaning demon
Nalfeshnee
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
, the hissing demon, the howling demon
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
, the roaring demon
Balor (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
, the sceaming demon
Vrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
, and the whispering demon
Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a succubus is a female demon. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil.-Publication history:The succubus is based on the succubi from Western medieval legend.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, as well as two unique demons, Orcus and Demogorgon, appeared in the Immortal Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1986 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The croaking lesser fiend, the groaning lesser fiend, the hissing lesser fiend, the howling lesser fiend, the roaring lesser fiend, the screaming lesser fiend, and the whispering lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The babau (greater tanar'ri), the chasme (greater tanar'ri), the nabassu (greater tanar'ri), the molydeus (guardian tanar'ri), the dretch (least tanar'ri), the manes (least tanar'ri), the rutterkin (least tanar'ri), the alu-fiend (lesser tanar'ri), the bar-lgura (lesser tanar'ri), the cambion baron/marquis and cambion major (lesser tanar'ri), the succubus (lesser tanar'ri), the balor (true tanar'ri), the glabrezu (true tanar'ri), the hezrou (true tanar'ri), the marilith (true tanar'ri), the nalfeshnee (true tanar'ri), and the vrock (true tanar'ri) appear in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix (1991). The balor (tanar'ri) and the marilith (tanar'ri) next appear in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
utilized demons, known exclusively as tanar'ri under 2nd edition rules, extensively. The alu-fiend (lesser tanar'ri), the babau (greater tanar'ri), the balor (true tanar'ri), the bar-lgura (lesser tanar'ri), the cambion (lesser tanar'ri), the chasme (greater tanar'ri), the dretch (least tanar'ri), the glabrezu (true tanar'ri), the hezrou (true tanar'ri), the manes (least tanar'ri), the marilith (true tanar'ri), the molydeus (guardian tanar'ri), the nabassu (greater tanar'ri), the nalfeshnee (true tanar'ri), the rutterkin (least tanar'ri), the succubus (lesser tanar'ri), the vrock (true tanar'ri), and the wastrilith greater tanar'ri are detailed in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994). The armanite (lesser tanar'ri), the goristro (greater tanar'ri), and the Abyssal lords Graz'zt and Pazrael
Pazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
appear in the Planes of Chaos boxed set (1994). The alkilith (true tanar'ri), the bulezau
Bulezau
A bulezau is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The bulezau first appeared second edition for the Planescape setting in Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II ....
(lesser tanar'ri), the maurezhi (lesser tanar'ri), and the yochlol
Yochlol
Yochlols are fictional demonic creatures in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. These lesser tanar'ri are handmaidens of Lolth, the drow goddess of Spiders, dwelling amongst the outer planes and being regularly summoned by the Queen of Spider's priestesses to witness sacrifices in the name of...
(lesser tanar'ri) appeared in Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (1995). Monstrous Compendium Annual Three (1996) featured the armanite and the goristro again.
The Rod of Seven Parts boxed set (1996), in "Book IV: Monsters", featured statistics for Miska the Wolf-Spider
Miska the Wolf-Spider
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Miska the Wolf-Spider is a demon lord, and former holder of the title "Prince of Demons."-Publishing history :...
and the Queen of Chaos
Queen of Chaos
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Queen of Chaos is a demon lord of obyrith origins.- Publishing history :The Queen of Chaos was first mentioned briefly in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide under the description for the Rod of Seven Parts artifact...
, along with the spyder-fiends: the kakkuu, the lycosidilith, the phisarazu, the raklupis, and the spithriku. The spyder-fiends later appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Four (1998), along with the uridezu (rat-fiend) lesser tanar'ri.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
Demons appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000), including the balor (tanar'ri), the bebilithBebilith
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the bebilith is a type of fictional monster for player characters to encounter.-Publication history:...
, the dretch (tanar'ri), the glabrezu (tanar'ri), the hezrou (tanar'ri), the marilith (tanar'ri), the nalfeshnee (tanar'ri), the quasit, the retriever, the succubus (tanar'ri), and the vrock (tanar'ri).
The ghour demon and the yochlol demon for the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting appear in Monsters of Faerûn (2000).
The cerebrilith appeared in the Psionics Handbook (2001). The uridezu (tanar'ri), the armanite (tanar'ri), and the goristro (tanar'ri) appear in this edition's Manual of the Planes
Manual of the Planes
The Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
(2001). The mane (tanar'ri), the rutterkin (tanar'ri), the bar-lgura (tanar'ri), the babau (tanar'ri), the shadow demon, and the chasme (tanar'ri), as well as the demon lords Demogorgon, Prince of Demons; Graz'zt, the Dark Prince; Juiblex, the Faceless Lord; Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead; and Yeenoghu, Demon Prince of Gnolls appear in the Book of Vile Darkness
Book of Vile Darkness
Book of Vile Darkness is an optional supplemental sourcebook for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The book was written by Monte Cook and published by Wizards of the Coast in October 2002. Described as a "detailed look at the nature of evil," it was the first Dungeons &...
(2002). The abyssal maw, the abyssal skulker, the abyssal ravager, the jovoc (tanar'ri), the palrethee (tanar'ri), the zovvut, the jariltih (tanar'ri), and the kelvezu (tanar'ri) appear in this edition's Monster Manual II (2002). The alkilith (tanar'ri), the blood fiend, the klurichir (tanar'ri), the maurezhi (tanar'ri), the myrmyxicus (tanar'ri), the skulvyn, and the wastrilith appear in this edition's Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003).
Savage Species (2003) presented the succubus/incubus and the vrock both as races and as playable classes.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003–2007)
Demons appear in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), including the babau, the balor, the bebelith, the dretch, the glabrezu, the hezrou, the marilith, the nalfeshnee, the quasit, the retriever, the succubus, and the vrock.The celebrilith appeared in the Expanded Psionics Handbook (2004). The arrow demon and the sorrowsworn demon appeared in Monster Manual III (2004).
The "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" features in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
each presented a highly detailed description of a single demon lord, as well as at least one new type of demon associated with that demon lord. Pazuzu, Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms and the anzu appear in Dragon #329 (March 2005). Fraz-Urb’luu, Prince of Deception and the skurchur appear in Dragon #333 (July 2005). Zuggtmoy, Queen of Fungi and the vathugu appear in Dragon #337 (November 2005). Baphomet, Prince of Beasts and the ankshar and the bulezau appear in Dragon #341 (March 2006). Kostchtchie, Prince of Wrath and the mavawhan appear in Dragon #345 (July 2006). Dagon
Dagon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dagon is a obyrith demon lord, also called Prince of the Depths. His realm is the 89th layer of the Abyss, and is known as Shadowsea...
, Prince of the Darkened Depths and the uzollru appear in Dragon #349 (November 2006). Malcanthet
Malcanthet
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Malcanthet is a demon lord. She is also called Queen of Succubi.-Creative origins:...
, Queen of the Succubi and the incubus appear in Dragon #353 (March 2007). Demogorgon, Prince of Demons and the verakia appear in Dragon #357 (July 2007). The demon lords Ardat, the Unavowed, Dwiergus, the Chrysalis Prince, Lascer, Lord of the Shadow Shoal, Shaktari, Queen of the Mariliths, and Ugudenk the Squirming King, and the manitou appear in Dragon #359 (September 2007). Graz'zt and the caligrosto appeared in Dragon #360 (October 2007), in the magazine's first online edition.
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006) includes new content for demons and inhabitants of the Abyss, including the armanite, the bar-lgura, the broodswarm, the bulezau, the chasme, the dybbuk, the ekolid, the goristro, the guecubu, the lilitu, the mane, the molydeus, the juvenile nabassu and the mature nabassu, the rutterkin, the sibriex
Sibriex
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sibriex is a type of demon.-Publication history:The sibriex first appeared in third edition in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss ....
, and the yochlol. The book also contains statistics for 14 demon lords, including Baphomet, Dagon, Demogorgon, Fraz-Urb'luu, Graz'zt, Juiblex, Kostchtchie, Malcanthet, Obox-ob
Obox-ob
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Obox-ob is a demon lord, also called the Prince of Vermin...
, Orcus, Pale Night
Pale Night
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pale Night, the so-called "Mother of Demons," is an Abyssal Lord, both enigmatic and unbelievably ancient...
, Pazuzu, Yeenoghu, and Zuggtmoy.
The Lolth-touched bebilith, the deathdrinker demon, the nashrou demon, the kastighur, and the whisper demon appeared in Monster Manual IV (2006). The carnage demon, the dradnu, the adaru, the gadacro, and the solamith appeared in Monster Manual V (2007).
The oculus demon, the cambion and the baron or marquis cambion appeared in Expedition to the Demonweb Pits
Expedition to the Demonweb Pits
Expedition to the Demonweb Pits is a super-adventure module for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The adventure is designed for characters of levels 9–12...
(2007). The cambion was also presented as a player character race in this book.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
Demons appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the balor, the barlgura, the evistro (carnage demon), the glabrezu, the goristro, the hezrou, the immolith, the marilith, the mezzodemon, and the vrock. Orcus is the only demon lord detailed in the Monster Manual. A thematic change to demons in this edition is that many demons were originally elementals of some sort, warped and corrupted by the Abyss. All demons have the "elemental" creature origin, as the Abyss is located within the Elemental Chaos.Yeenoghu is fully detailed in the online version of Dragon, in issue #364 (June 2008) in the "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" feature, which includes his exarch Nezrebe, gnoll
Gnoll
A gnoll or gnole is a fictional humanoid creature - a cross between a gnome and a troll. They first appeared in Lord Dunsany's story in The Book of Wonder: How Nuth Would Have Practised His Art upon the Gnoles and subsequently reappeared in Margaret St. Clair's, The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles...
pack leader Zaiden, and the crocotta.
Baphomet and Graz'zt appear in the 4th edition Manual of the Planes
Manual of the Planes
The Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
(2009).
The dretch and several other demons appeared in the fourth edition Monster Manual 2, which also featured Demogorgon and Dagon (2009).
The Demonomicon supplement, released in 2010, includes the armanite, bulezau, ferrolith, incubus (succubi are devils in this edition), nabassu, piscodemon, sibiriex, and many others. The demon lords Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie is a demon lord from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Publication history:Kostchtchie made his first appearance in the first edition module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
, Oublivae, Pazuzu
Pazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
, Phraxas and Zuggtmoy
Zuggtmoy
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Zuggtmoy is the Demon Queen of Fungi. Her symbol is a jawless human skull with fungi blooming from within, though some of her false cults use other symbols...
are also covered in detail.
Original Dungeons & Dragons
Demons (and their lords OrcusOrcus (Dungeons & Dragons)
Orcus is the fictional demon prince, and lord of the undead in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is named after Orcus of Roman mythology. His symbol is a mace with a human skull as the head...
and Demogorgon
Demogorgon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Demogorgon is a powerful demon prince. He is known as the Prince of Demons, a self-proclaimed title he holds by virtue of his power and influence; which in turn, is a title acknowledged by both mortals and his fellow demons...
) first appeared in the game's Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry
Eldritch Wizardry
Eldritch Wizardry is a supplementary rulebook by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume, written for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which included a number of significant additions to the core game.-Contents:...
in 1976. Some types of demons were not given species names, but were rather referred to as "Type I" through "Type VI" demons, although the succubus
Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a succubus is a female demon. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil.-Publication history:The succubus is based on the succubi from Western medieval legend.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
was named.
First Edition
In First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the naming convention of "Type I" through "Type VI" was retained, although in the First Edition Monster Manual example names of specific demons of that type were given, being VrockVrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
s, Hezrou
Hezrou
A hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
, Glabrezu
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
, Nalfeshnee
Nalfeshnee
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
, Mariliths, and Balors
Balor (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
, respectively.
Second Edition
The term "tanar'ri" originated with the 2nd Edition AD&D rules, when the words "devil" and "demon" were dropped by TSRTSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
from all the rulebooks. The names previously given as suggestions in the previous edition's Monster Manual now became each type of demon's official name.
Third Edition
The terms "devil" and "demon" were restored with the release of Dungeons and Dragons' 3rd Edition ruleset. The term "tanar'ri" was also retained, but applied specifically to the predominant subset of demons.In Third Edition there were three known subtypes of demon:
Obyrith
The obyrithObyrith
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an obyrith is a member of an ancient race of demons that predate the tanar'ri. All obyriths have monstrous forms which can drive mad anyone who dares look at them.-Publication history:...
s are so ancient that they predate mortal life, and even the gods. They rarely have a humanoid shape, and some say that just looking at an obyrith can drive a mortal insane. Their great age and apparent ability to instill insanity at a glance are strong hints at some relation with the Great Old Ones created by H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
. A few types of remaining obyriths are draudnu, ekolids, laghathti, sibriex
Sibriex
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sibriex is a type of demon.-Publication history:The sibriex first appeared in third edition in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss ....
es, & uzollru. Some obyrith lords have evolved over time to take on more recognizable shapes, such as Pazuzu
Pazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
or Pale Night
Pale Night
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pale Night, the so-called "Mother of Demons," is an Abyssal Lord, both enigmatic and unbelievably ancient...
. Other known obyrith demon lords include Obox-ob
Obox-ob
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Obox-ob is a demon lord, also called the Prince of Vermin...
, Dagon
Dagon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dagon is a obyrith demon lord, also called Prince of the Depths. His realm is the 89th layer of the Abyss, and is known as Shadowsea...
, the Queen of Chaos
Queen of Chaos
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Queen of Chaos is a demon lord of obyrith origins.- Publishing history :The Queen of Chaos was first mentioned briefly in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide under the description for the Rod of Seven Parts artifact...
, the Malgoth, Ugudenk, Bechard, Vroth-Khun, Ubothar, and Cabiri (imprisoned in the Wells of Darkness). Asima and numerous other obyrith lords whose names were lost to time have been destroyed, either slain by each other, or slaughtered by the Tanar'ri. Several others were slain by the Queen of Chaos
Queen of Chaos
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Queen of Chaos is a demon lord of obyrith origins.- Publishing history :The Queen of Chaos was first mentioned briefly in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide under the description for the Rod of Seven Parts artifact...
for refusing to join her army when she attempted genocide against the Wind Dukes of Aaqa
Wind Dukes of Aaqa
The Wind Dukes of Aaqa, also known as the Vaati, are fictional characters of legend in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. They were powerful lords of the elemental plane of air.-Ecology:...
.
- Ekolid: Ekolids belong to the ancient race of demon called obyrith. Being obyriths, ekolids have monstrous forms, which can drive mad anyone who dares look at them. At first, they resemble the union of an ant, a scorpion and a spider, but their real fiendish shape cannot be compared to any other creature. Ekolids are driven by the need to reproduce. During any battle, using their supernatural speed, they constantly try to implant eggs in their enemies. Ekolids are rarely found in groups, except on Zionyn (663rd layer of the Abyss), where they live at the service of Obox-obObox-obIn many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Obox-ob is a demon lord, also called the Prince of Vermin...
.
Tanar'ri
The tanar'ri are a race of numerous demons originally created by the obyriths as slaves. The tanar'ri eventually revolted against the obyriths, killing most of them, and taking over as the dominant race of demons in the Abyss. Most known demon lords are tanar'ri, with the exceptions being listed above.The tanar'ri are essentially "classic" demons; reflections of cruelty, evil and sin. Although there are several exceptions, they usually have a basic humanoid form.
There are many known types of tanar'ri, including: Adaru, alkilith, alu-fiend, anzu, armanite, arrow demon, babau
Babau
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Babau is a Demon . They belong to the category of Demon known as Tanar'ri.-Physical description:...
, balor
Balor (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
, bar-lgura
Bar-lgura
A bar-lgura is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The bar-lgura was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
, bulezau
Bulezau
A bulezau is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The bulezau first appeared second edition for the Planescape setting in Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II ....
, cambion
Cambion (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons the cambion is a creature descended from a fiend.-Publication history:The cambion was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
, cerebrilith, chasme, dretch, gadacro, glabrezu
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
, goristro
Goristro
A goristro is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The goristro was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
, hezrou
Hezrou
A hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
, jarilith, jovoc, kastighur, kelvezu, klurichir, mane
Mane (Dungeons & Dragons)
A mane is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is the lowest rank of demon in the Abyss.Manes resemble little fat deformed men, and have no will of their own...
, marilith, maurezhi, molydeus, myrmyxicus, nabassu
Nabassu
A nabassu is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Description:Nabassus are demons very close to undead creatures. Nabassus resemble dark horned demons with bat wings, evil glowing eyes, sharp teeth and long talons...
, nalfeshnee
Nalfeshnee
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the nalfeshnee is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, nalfeshnees were known as type IV demons...
, orlath, palrethee, rutterkin
Rutterkin
Rutterkin are fictional demons in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.Rutterkin are deformed demons created by the union of manes. Disdained by other demons, they serve as infantry in the armies of the Abyss...
, skurchur, solamith, sorrowsworn, succubus
Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a succubus is a female demon. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil.-Publication history:The succubus is based on the succubi from Western medieval legend.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, turagathshnee, uridezu, vathugu, vrock
Vrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
, and yochlol
Yochlol
Yochlols are fictional demonic creatures in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. These lesser tanar'ri are handmaidens of Lolth, the drow goddess of Spiders, dwelling amongst the outer planes and being regularly summoned by the Queen of Spider's priestesses to witness sacrifices in the name of...
.
- Armanite: Armanites compose the heavy cavalry of the army of The Abyss. They resemble fiendish centaurs covered by a full plate armor. They are fierce enemies in battle and their charges are deeply feared. On the layers of the Abyss they usually wander in groups guided by a chief called knecht or pathwarden. Because of their unusual discipline, they are often employed by powerful abyssal lords as mercenaries. Most of armanites come from the Plains of Gallenshu (377th layer of the Abyss); on this layer there are 24 cities of armanites, each ruled by an armanite called konsul.
- Chasmes: Chasmes are merciless demons resembling great flies. They enjoy torturing and tormenting other beings, also demons, especially if they are sure of their impunity. Because of their cruelty, chasmes are often charged with torturing enemies and deserters. Sometimes chasmes can be found in group acting as patrols; they fly in the skies of The Abyss looking for intruders.
Loumara
The loumara are a relatively new demonic race, much younger than the tanar'ri. They are still centuries old, but this is still recent in a place like the Abyss, where time doesn't mean the same thing it does on the Material Plane. As a result, no loumara has become powerful enough to be recognized as a demon lord.Loumara are usually immaterial or invisible demons that are more like ghosts or undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
than demons. All loumara can possess living creatures.
Known types of loumara include:
- A Dybbuk resembles a jellyfish with a simply sketched human face. Dybbuks are incorporeal creatures and so they do not have a specific physical form. Dybbuks can possess and control dead bodies, so they spend a lot of time looking for a 'perfect' host body to animate – one that died without violence or major injury, and preferably one that is handsome or beautiful. After taking the control of a 'perfect' body, dybbuks try to insert themselves into the society of the victim, plunging into depravity and hedonism until their possessed body is broken down and ruined. When a 'perfect' body is not available, a dybbuk will take a less desirable body and continue to search for a better host. Dybbuks are lonely creatures, and can be found in groups only where there are many corpses to possess, such as on a recent battlefield. They tend to avoid undead, because already-animated bodies are of no use to them.
- A Guecubu resembles a mass of vapor, and is born from dreamstuff tainted by evil. Guecubus can possess and control the body of sleeping humanoids. Once they are in control, they 'ride' silently, letting their victim go about his or her business. At some point they take control and lash out, trying to spread death and murder – particularly on the victim's family and friends. Sometimes the guecubu will conceal its actions even from the victim, letting them believe that they are cursed or jinxed.
Guecubus believe that killings form some sort of pattern, and enough spilled blood will eventually reveal the meaning of creation in this pattern. They rarely form groups with other guecubus, preferring to remain hidden and anonymous. However, many of them can be found in the Dreaming Gulf (230th layer of the Abyss), where they are created spontaneously from the raw, churning chaos of dreams.
Other demons
Not all known demons fit into one of the above races. Such non-typed demons include:Abyssal eviscerator, abyssal maw, abyssal ravager, abyssal skulker, ankashar, artaaglith, bebelith, blood fiend, carnage demon, deathdrinker, ghour, lilitu, nashrou, ostego ("death demon"), quasit
Quasit
A quasit is a demonic creature in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The quasit first appeared in the first edition in the original Monster Manual ....
, retriever
Retriever (Dungeons & Dragons)
The retriever is a type of fictional monster for player characters to encounter, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The retriever first appeared in first edition in the original Fiend Folio ....
, shadow demon, skulvyn, soul demon, wastrilith, whisper demon, and zovvut.
Elemental demons also exist, beings spawned from the broken souls of Blood War casualties and resembling the elemental material that spawned them. Known types include: air, ash, earth, fire, ice, and water.
Fourth Edition
In the Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Roleplaying Game, the Monster Manual describes demons as completely chaotic forces bent on destruction. They are described as "living engines of destruction" and said to have no desire for structure or order (unlike Devils who live a very ordered, though evil, existence). Demons harbor no secret goals and have no need for subterfuge. They live for the express purpose of destroying everything, until they die and are reborn once again in The Abyss, a maelstrom of elemental evil harbored deep within the Elemental Chaos.Demons seem to be the evil antithesis of devils. Where devils are endlessly ambitious, sneaky, and set in a highly structured hierarchy of the Nine Hells, demons care for nothing but destruction of the entire universe and live in a chaotic realm known as The Abyss. All demons are classified as elementals, albeit ones corrupted by The Abyss. Many of the demon lords were formerly god-like elementals known as primordials.
The obyriths were introduced into Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition in the Demonomicon supplement as refugees from a reality that they themselves brought to an end. They are twelve in number, and only the demon lords Obox-Ob, Dagon, and the Queen of Chaos are explicitly stated as being obyriths. Other demon lords are mentioned as possibly being among their number, including Pazuzu.
Birth of the Abyss
The Abyss was created by the god Tharizdun as he sought a source of great power. What he found was a small shard of pure evil. Touching the shard drove him mad and he planted it in the deepest reaches of the Elemental Chaos where it warped into a realm of malevolence that separates it from the normally untamed Elemental Chaos.The Demonomicon supplement greatly expands upon this story, revealing that the twelve obyriths were the ones who created the shard that Tharizdun found. They used the shard to create a portal from their doomed reality to the newly formed Abyss. Once there, the obyriths fought the new demon lords born along with The Abyss for possession of the shard. This battle took place in the first layer of The Abyss, the Plain of a Thousand Portals, but during the battle a massive fissure appeared in the ground. The shard eventually fell into this fissure, called the Blood Rift, and began its work of creating the endless layers of The Abyss as the Rift grows perpetually deeper.
Types of Demons
These are the types of Demons listed in the 4th Edition Monster Manual.- BalorBalor (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, a balor is one of the most powerful types of tanar'ri demons. Of all the inhabitants of the Abyss, balors are second in power only to the demon lords, klurichirs, and myrmyxicus...
: Balors are powerful demons. They answer only to Demon Lords or other creature with tremendous power and only ally themselves with creatures equal to their own power. This means they rarely team up with other demons, or even other Balors. - BarlguraBar-lguraA bar-lgura is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The bar-lgura was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
: Barlguras are vicious, blood thirsty Demons that like to fight with the hand, ripping their victims apart. Balgura are also favored by The Demon Prince, Demogorgon. - Evistro: Evistros band together in hordes and rampage across worlds leaving nothing but devastation.
- GlabrezuGlabrezuIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
: Glabrezus are magic wielding, huge demons. If a Glabrezu lingers in the world too long, it will begin to disease and corrupt the land around it. - GoristroGoristroA goristro is a fictional demon in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The goristro was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
: Goristros are huge Demons described as "living siege engines". They are also the favored servitors of the Demon Lord Baphomet, The Horned Lord. - HezrouHezrouA hezrou is a humanoid demon in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Dungeons & Dragons :The type II demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement ....
: Hezrous are obedient demons who are eager to serve more powerful demons and summoners.
See also
- DevilsDevil (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...
- List of species in fantasy fiction
- Major planar racesMajor planar racesIn the standard cosmology of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and the 3rd and 3.5 editions of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, there are seventeen Outer Planes of existence...
Additional reading
- Grubb, Jeff. Manual of the PlanesManual of the PlanesThe Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
(TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1987). ISBN 0-7869-1850-0 - Larme, John. Dangerous Games? Censorship and "Child Protection" http://www.members.tripod.com/anthonylarme/gc/gamesthesis.pdf (2000).
- Jacobs, James, Erik MonaErik Mona-Career:Erik Mona served as the editor-in-chief of Dragon magazine since 2004 and Dungeon magazine from 2004 to 2006; at the time, both magazines were published by Paizo Publishing, until the license through Wizards of the Coast expired in September 2007...
, and Ed Stark. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the AbyssFiendish Codex I: Hordes of the AbyssFiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Chapter 1: Demonic Lore:...
(Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2006). - Marmell, Ari. "The Ebon Maw: Beware the Waking Hunger." Dragon #312 (Paizo Publishing, 2003).
- McArtor, Mike, ed. Dragon Compendium, Volume 1 (Paizo Publishing, 2005).
- McComb, Colin. Faces of Evil: The Fiends (TSR, 1997). ISBN 0-7869-0684-7
External links
- Known bulezaus at the d20 NPC Wiki
- Known armanites at the d20 NPC Wiki
- Known chasmes at the d20 NPC Wiki