Page 54 - D&D Bestiary

GORISTRO
Figures of ancient and terrible evil, balors rule as The goristro resembles a fiendish minotaur t0wering1
generals over demonic armies, yearning to seize power more than twenty feet tall. When controlled by a demon
while destroying any creatures that oppose them. lord, goristros make formidable living siege engines and
Wielding a flaming whip and a longsword that prized pets. Goristros possess preternatural cunning
channels the power of the storm, a balor's battle when navigating labyrinthine passages and shifting
prowess is fueled by hatred and rage. It channels this corridors, pursuing foes in a terrifying hunt.
demonic fury in its death throes, falling within a blast of A hulking goristro sometimes bears a palanquin,.
fire that can destroy even the hardiest foes. carrying smaller demons on its broad shoulders, m~ch
like an elephant carries riders on its back: r
BARLGURA
HEZROU
The barlgura represents the savagery and brutality
of t'he Abyss. Barlguras gather in packs to take down Hezrous serve as foot soldiers in the demoniG h~f1des of
tougher foes, keep gruesome trophies from their the Abyss. Although physically powerful, they are weak-
victories, and decorate their territory with such objects. minded and hezrous can easily be duped into sacrificing
,A barlgura looks like a hulking orangutan with a themselves by more powerful demons. As they press
gruesome, drooping visage and tusks jutting from their attacks into the heart of an enemy's forces, their
its jaw. Standing just under 8 feet tall, it has broad foul stench can sicken even the toughest foes.
shoulders and weighs 650 pounds. It moves apishly
along the ground, but it climbs with great speed MANES
and agility.
Souls of evil creatures that descend to the Lower
Planes are transformed into manes-the lowest form
CHASME
of demonkind. These wretched fiends attack any non-
This loathsome demon resembles an unspeakable demon they see, and they are called to the Material
crossing of humanoid and fly. A chasme shuffles about Plane by those seeking to sow death and chaos.
on four spindly legs that can find purchase on walls Orcus, the Prince of Undeath, has the power to
and ceilings. A droning sound precedes the approach transform manes into undead monsters, most often
of a chasme, inflicting foes with a terrible lethargy that ghouls and shadows. Other demon lords feed on manes,
leaves them open to attack. destroying them utterly. Otherwise, killing a manes
The lowly chasmes serve more powerful masters as causes it to dissipate into a cloud of reeking vapor that
interrogators or taskmasters. A chasme lives to dole reforms into another manes after one day.
out torture as punishment, and has a knack for spotting
demons that have deserted their lords. Capturing and MARILITH
returning such traitors allows a chasme to torment the
Terrible to behold, a marilith has the lower body of a
victim without fear of reprisal.
great serpent and the upper torso of a humanoid female
with six arms.
DRETCH
Wielding a wicked blade in each of its six hands, a
Dretches are among the weakest of demons- repulsive, marilith is a devastating foe that few can match in battle.
self-loathing creatures doomed to spend eternity in a These demons possess keen minds and a finely honed
state of perpetual discontent. Their low intelligence sense of tactics, and they are able to lead and unite
makes dretches unsuitable for anything but the simplest other demons in common cause. Mariliths are often
tasks. However, what they lack in potential, they make encountered as captains at the head of a demonic horde,
up for in sheer malice. Dretches mill about in mobs, where they embrace any opportunity to rush headlong
voicing their displeasure as an unsettling din of hoots, into battle.
snarls, and grunts.
DEMON TRUE NAMES
GLABREZU Though demons all have common names, every demon lord
A glabrezu takes great pleasure in destroying mortals and every demon of type 1 through 6 has a true name that
through temptation, and these creatures are among the it keeps secret. A demon can be forced to disclose its true
name if charmed, and ancient scrolls and tomes are said to
few demons to offer their service to creatures foolish
exist that list the true names of the most powerful demons.
enough to summon them.
A mortal who learns a demon's true name can use
Although glabrezus are devastating in combat, they
powerful summoning magic to call the demon from the
prefer to tempt victims into ruin, using power or wealth Abyss and exercise some measure of control over it.
as a lure. Engaging in guile, trickery, and evil bargains, However, most demons brought to the Material Plane in this
a glabrezu hoards riches that it uses to fulfill promises , manner do everything in their power to wreak havoc or sow
to shortsighted summoners and weak-willed mortals. discord and strife.
However,. if its attempts to entice or deceive fail, a
glabrezu has the strength to fight and win.

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