Page 29 - Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes

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FRAZ- URB'LUU GRAZ ZT
The most deceptive of all demons, Fraz-Urb'luu is a mas- The lord of pleasure and limitless indulgence, Graz'zt is
ter illusionist and weaver of lies. He thrives by luring his the ultimate hedonist. He incites lust and uncontrollable
cultists and his enemies alike into lives of self-delusion. urges in both his cultists and his enemies.
He can take on nearly any form, usually appearing in In Graz'zt's eyes, the universe is a great plaything, and
whatever shape is most pleasing to a potential cultist. one day he will be its master. All other creatures and
Fraz-Urb'luu considers himself the smartest entity things will be allowed to exist only if they give him plea-
in the cosmos, the only one who can see through all of sure. When he ascends to dominate the cosmos, all who
reality's lies and understand the truth that lies beyond are left will love and worship him.
them. Yet the truth that he sees remains known only to Despite his extreme self-indulgence, Graz'zt isn't blind
him. He utters cryptic remarks about a grand design to what goes on around him. He can curb his lust when
that guides the cosmos toward some unknown end, he needs to plot against an enemy or counter an attack.
but none can say whether these statements are another When he must contend with an enemy, he fights with a
layer of deception or evidence of a true insight.
Cultists. Those who worship Fraz-Urb'luu fall into GRAZ'ZT'S MURKY PAST
two camps. Most of his so-called "cultists," rather than
Sages have put forth ideas for why demons consider the
being true volunteers, are unfortunates duped into hon- denizens of the Nine Hells as the greatest threat to their
oring him because they listened to his lies. Fraz-Urb'luu designs for the cosmos. Some researchers claim to have
might appear to a desperate paladin and claim to be a uncovered evidence that the animosity between demons
saintly figure, or contact a wizard while in the guise of and devils has its roots in a primeval time when Graz'zt,
a wise sage. He tells these folk whatever stories and now a demon lord, was a member of the devils' hierarchy.
promises they want to hear, playing to their needs and As the hypothesis goes, Graz'zt wasn't satisfied with the
prospect of being eternally subservient to Asmodeus in the
slowly drawing them into his circle of influence. He es-
Hells, where only one devil can claim absolute rulership.
pecially enjoys using the arrogance and vanity of good
The Abyss offers greater freedom to those who are pow·
folk against them, helping to bring about their downfall.
erful enough to carve out a realm for themselves-and,
A few of his followers are illusionists, deceivers, and
after forsaking his status in the Hells, that's exactly what
con artists who seek him out. Fraz-Urb'luu makes use Graz'zt did.
of their talents, and rewards these supplicants appropri- Those who find this idea plausible hope that Graz'zt's
ately, as long as they follow his example in the campaign defection is a unique event, never to be repeated. If that
to bring about the downfall of all that is lawful and good. turns out not to be the case, another such shift could be a
major turning point in the Blood War.

CHAPTER I I THE BLOOD WAR