Glabrezu
Encyclopedia
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. From second edition AD&D, the name "type III demon" was revised to "glabrezu".
Dungeons & Dragons (1974–1976)
The type III demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch Wizardry
supplement (1976).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977–1988)
The type III demon (glabrezu) appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977–1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the type III demon, which is known as the howling demon, first appearing in the Immortal Rules
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The howling 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)
In this edition, demons became known as tanar'ri, and this creature officially became known as the glabrezu, a "true tanar'ri", appearing first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix (1991), and then reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The glabrezu true tanar'ri also appeared for the Planescape
campaign setting
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000–2002)
The glabrezu (tanar'ri) appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000); in this edition, the name demon is resumed, and tanar'ri are now considered a sub-type of demon.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003–2007)
The glabrezu appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The glabrezu appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), again under the demon entry.
in terms of demons that tempt and corrupt mortals. Unlike them, the glabrezu does not offer pleasures of the flesh but offers power, wealth, and respect undreamed of by even the most ambitious person. Strangely, glabrezus are unable to change (or polymorph
) their frightening appearance, so they usually visit mortals in secret. They are most commonly summoned directly by a mortal (such as ambitious human wizards or drow priestesses) who hopes to make bargains. Sometimes they find a potential victim on their own, presenting their "gift" to this person whether or not they want it. In some cases, glabrezus never reveal themselves to a person, relying on their telepathy
to speak directly in the victim's mind. They may be direct about their nature or make the person believe he is going insane.
The unholy union between an ascending high priestess of the drow goddess Lolth
and a glabrezu results in a draegloth.
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...
, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
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...
. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons. From second edition AD&D, the name "type III demon" was revised to "glabrezu".
Publication history
The glabrezu was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.Dungeons & Dragons (1974–1976)
The type III demon appeared under the demon entry in the 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:...
supplement (1976).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977–1988)
The type III demon (glabrezu) appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977–1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the type III demon, which is known as the howling demon, first appearing 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 howling 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)
In this edition, demons became known as tanar'ri, and this creature officially became known as the glabrezu, a "true tanar'ri", appearing first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix (1991), and then reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The glabrezu true tanar'ri also appeared for 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...
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000–2002)
The glabrezu (tanar'ri) appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000); in this edition, the name demon is resumed, and tanar'ri are now considered a sub-type of demon.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003–2007)
The glabrezu appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The glabrezu appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), again under the demon entry.
Nature
Glabrezu tempt their victims into ruin by luring them with power or wealth. These demons are as tall as giants, with broad, muscular bodies. Two of its four arms end in clawed hands and two end in powerful pincers. Its doglike head is horned and its muzzle is full of sharp teeth. Glabrezus rank second behind the succubusSuccubus (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 :...
in terms of demons that tempt and corrupt mortals. Unlike them, the glabrezu does not offer pleasures of the flesh but offers power, wealth, and respect undreamed of by even the most ambitious person. Strangely, glabrezus are unable to change (or polymorph
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
) their frightening appearance, so they usually visit mortals in secret. They are most commonly summoned directly by a mortal (such as ambitious human wizards or drow priestesses) who hopes to make bargains. Sometimes they find a potential victim on their own, presenting their "gift" to this person whether or not they want it. In some cases, glabrezus never reveal themselves to a person, relying on their telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
to speak directly in the victim's mind. They may be direct about their nature or make the person believe he is going insane.
The unholy union between an ascending high priestess of the drow goddess 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...
and a glabrezu results in a draegloth.
Known Glabrezus
- Belshazu: Summoned by Triel Baenre, and coupled with her so that Triel bore the demon's seed, and produced a half-drow/half-demon child, Jeggred the draegloth. When Belshazu and Jeggred later confronted, there was no fatherly recognition between, and the former taunted the latter. Jeggred would have attacked were it not for his masters' command. Belshazu was finally killed (possibly permanently) by Pharaun Mizzyrm, while on the plane of infinite portals. He was utterly destroyed by a combination of spells ending in a high-level casting of banshee wail.
- G'oud'neejh
- Mizferac: A glabrezu summoned by the goodly priest Cadderly for information concerning CrenshinibonCrenshinibonCrenshinibon is an evil, sentient artifact in the Forgotten Realms setting based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The item was featured primarily in the novels The Crystal Shard, Passage to Dawn, The Silent Blade, and Servant of the Shard by R.A...
. For threatening to harm the cleric's children, Cadderly dispelled the ward surrounding Mizferac's summon circle, killed the demon, and summoned it back the next day.
- Bizmatec :A glabrezu summoned by ErrtuErrtuErrtu is a balor, a true tanar'ri in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, chiefly in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Errtu was featured as a villain of the first book in the Icewind Dale trilogy, The Crystal Shard by R. A...
the balor for the purpose of dealing with DrizztDrizzt Do'UrdenDrizzt Do'Urden is a fictional character in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Drizzt was created by author R. A. Salvatore as a supporting character in the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Salvatore created him on a whim when his publisher needed to...
, and was later killed by Catti-brie.
- Nabthatoron: This glabrezu and his retinue were a part of an invasion force defeated at Redgorge by Surabar Spellmason and his allies. Held responsible by an unknown demon lord, Nabthatoron was banished to the prime material plane for as long as Redgorge remained unconquered. He remains as lord of the Demonskar.
- Sinmaker
- Tanetal: BaneBane (god)Bane , is the god of hatred, fear, and tyranny and one of the main evil gods in the fictional Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, Forgotten Realms....
's servant, residing in then sleeping MoanderMoanderMoander is the god of rot and corruption in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
's body in the astral plane.
- Ykkandri
External links
- known glabrezus at the d20 NPC Wiki