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Demon lords, also known as Abyssal 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. A demon lord, when slain in a plane other than the Abyss, is banished to the Abyss for a hundred years, whereas ordinary demons, including the mightiest balors and mariliths, risk being reborn into a lesser form, or not all. The most powerful demon lords are demon princes. Demon lord and demon prince are self-proclaimed titles; unlike the archdevils, the chaotic evil demon lords do not have a rigid hierarchy.

Demon lords wage eternal war with each other, often seeking ways to expand their holdings into other layers and at the same time defend their personal domains from rival lords and scheming underlings. Demogorgon has for many years been the most powerful demon lord, and he proclaims himself Prince of Demons. Orcus and Graz'zt contest his title.

Most demon lords have secretive mortal cults who seek to elevate their lords to godhood through prayer and sacrifice. Book of Vile Darkness details a number of prestige classes for mortal disciples of demon lords, as does the "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" feature currently running in Dragon magazine.

Almost all demon lords control a layer of the Abyss, and many have a scattering of mortal worshippers, whereas all demon princes control at least one layer of the Abyss, and all have mortal worshippers.[1]

Contents

[edit] Known demon lords

The most common known demon lords are Baphomet, Dagon, Demogorgon, Fraz-Urb'luu, Graz'zt, Juiblex, Kostchtchie, Lolth, Malcanthet, Obox-ob, Orcus, Pale Night, Pazuzu, Sess'innek and Yeenoghu. The majority of these below demon lords appear as listed in Appendix I in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. (o) indicates an obyrith, (l) indicates a loumara, and (d) indicates a lord that is presumed dead. Note that any demon lord who was mentioned by name only in the Monster Manual II (1983), on page 35, is noted as "*MM2".

Name Title Concerns Layer of the Abyss Previous Appearances and Notes
Abraxas The Unfathomable Magic words, arcane secrets, talismans 17: Death's Reward *MM2
Adimarchus Prince of Madness Insanity 507: Occipitus Antagonist of the Shackled City Adventure Path modules published in Dungeon. Detailed in Dungeon #116, page 61. Was a fallen Celestial.
Ahazu The Seizer Night, abduction 73: Wells of Dakness (Imprisoned) *MM2
Ahrimanes Chief of the Cacodaemons Exiles, wanderers 452:Ahriman-abad *MM2
Aldinach Lady of Change Transformation 1: Pazunia (from the fortress of Aldinach's Egg by the edge of the Grand Abyss) *MM2
Alrunes The Soothing Spirit Protection, sisterhood *MM2
Alvarez The Purging Duke Inquisition, torture 57: Torturous Truth Faces of Evil: the Fiends, p60.
Alzrius Lord of Infernal Light Fire, destruction 601: Conflagratum Hellbound: The Blood War, "The Dark of the War", p25.
Anarazel The Daring Darkness Adventurers 79: The Emessu Tunnels *MM2
Ansitif The Befouler Corruption of religious sites and relics 73: The Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) *MM2
Ardat The Unavowed Secret or failing marriages, harpies — *MM2, Dragon #341 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 24.
Areex (o) The Forgotten Prince Unknown 73: The Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) *MM2
Arlgolcheir (d) Mentioned in Dragon #116 "Rogue Stones and Gemjumping", page 55; said to have been destroyed.
Arzial The Blooded Baron Subterfuge 45, 46, 47: Azzagrat (serves Graz'zt) Mentioned in Dungeon #13, "The Ruins of Nol-Daer".
Aseroth The Winter Warlock Cold, ice, corruption, magic 566: Soulfreeze *MM2
Asima (o, d) The Unanticipated Ill surprises 4: The Grand Abyss *MM2
Astaroth (d) Diabolus Prophecy — *MM2, Lost Empires of Faerûn, page 21
Azael (d) The Ensnared Rebellion, war 422: Savage Searing (now Yeenoghu's Realm) *MM2. Former ruler of the layer now dominated by Yeenoghu. Slain by the "Killer of the Gods" Ma Yuan.
Azazel Prince of Scapegoats Blame, absolution 137: Outcasts' End *MM2
Baltazo The Seeping Sovereign Diplomacy, strategy 1: Pazunia (from the fortress of Sullen-Ghat) *MM2. He is a Blood War general guarding the gate leading to the layer of Fraz-urb'luu.
Baphomet Prince of Beasts Minotaurs, beasts 600: The Endless Maze Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth; Monster Manual II (1983), page 36; Dragon #341 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv"; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, page 58.
Barbu The Unwelcome Discord, ruined peace — *MM2
Bayemon Of the Unhealing Wound The afflicted — *MM2; said to have escaped from the Wells of Darkness.
Bechard (o) The Rotting Husk Decomposition, obsolescence 422: Yeenoghu's Realm (former ruler) *MM2. Former Demon lord of Tempests who ruled the 422nd layer before Azael and Yeenoghu.
Cabiri (o) The Watching Master Observation 73: The Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) *MM2
Charun The Hammerer Massacres — *MM2
Chernovog The Green God The Verdant Chasm; layer number unknown Expedition to Castle Ravenloft
Dagon (o) Prince of the Depths Creatures of the deep aquatic 89: The Shadowsea Mentioned in Monster Manual II (1983), page 35, detailed in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss on pages 59-60. Dragon #349, "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 30-45.
Demogorgon The Prince of Demons, The Sibilant Beast Demonkind 88: The Gaping Maw Eldritch Wizardry; Monster Manual (1977) p16; Wrath of the Immortals boxed set; Monster Mythology, page 88; Book of Vile Darkness, page 125; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 61-62.
Dwiergus The Chrysalis Prince The shaping of demonic races 558: Fleshforges Dragon #341 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv".
Eblis Of the Unbended Knee Refusal to surrender 1: Pazunia *MM2
Ebulon 73: Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. Former general of Graz'zt.
Eldanoth The Bloodless Scion Crime, Murder 359: The Arc of Eternity Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 60. Former slave to Orcus.
Eltab Lord of the Hidden Layer Hatred, retribution 248: The Hidden Layer Dreams of the Red Wizards; Spellbound; Champions of Ruin, page 130.
Ereshkigal *MM2
Fraz-Urb'luu Prince of Deception Lies, subterfuge, illusion 176: Hollow's Heart Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth; Monster Manual II (1983), page 39; Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 60; Dragon #333 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 21; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 63-64.
Gorion Mentioned in "Dragon" #139.
Graz'zt The Dark Prince Tyrants, despots, guile, debauchery 45, 46, 47: Azzagrat Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth; Monster Manual II (1983), page 39; Book of Vile Darkness, page 130; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, page 65.
Gresil Custodian of Records Abyssal lore — *MM2, Living Greyhawk Journal 10; Dragon #294.
Haagenti Lord of Alchemy Alchemy 548: Garavond Dragon #337 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 47.
Ilsidahur The Howling King Bar-lgura 90: The Guttering Grove Dungeon #10 "The Shrine of Ilsidahur".
Juiblex The Faceless Lord Oozes, slimes and jellies 222: Shedaklah Monster Manual (1977), page 17; Monster Mythology, page 67; Book of Vile Darkness, page 134; Dragon #337 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 47; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 66-67.
J'zzalshrak (f) The Errant General Blood War campaigns — Dungeon #64, "Bzallin's Blacksphere", page 29.
Kardum Lord of the balors Balors, fire 21: The Sixth Pyre Was introduced in Fiendish Codex I; based on Marduk by Gary Gygax (see Non-Canonical Demon Lords below).
Kerzit Guardian of the Tome The Tome of the Black Heart — Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure; Dungeon #112, pages 13, 52, 96.
Kostchtchie Prince of Wrath Frost giants, wrath, rage 23: The Iron Wastes Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth; Monster Manual II (1983), page 40; Monster Mythology, page 82; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 68-69.
Lamashtu She Who Erases Monstrous births, deformity 503: Torremor (imprisoned) Dragon #329 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 67. Former consort to Pazuzu.
Laraie The Stalking Terror Pursuit — *MM2
Lascer Lord of the Shadow Shoal Assassination, Murder Dragon #349 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 35. Dragon #297
Lazbral'thull The Butcher Torture, bloodletting 73: The Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) Dungeon #122: Root of Evil.
Lindyrm Mentioned in The Deva Spark.
Lissa'aere (f) The Noxious Poison gas 27: Malignebula Hellbound: The Blood War, page 25.
Lolth Demon Queen of Spiders Drow, spiders 66: The Demonweb Pits First debut in module D3: Vault of the Drow and more prominently, in Q1: Queen of the Demonweb Pits. Went on to appear in many other supplements such as first edition Fiend Folio and Deities and Demigods (all three editions).
Lupercio The Baron of Sloth Sloth, darkness 128: Slugbed Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 60.
Lynkhab Lady of Regret Depression, desire 297: The Sighing Cliffs Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 61.
Maelfesh featured in Rose Estes' Greyhawk novels.
Malcanthet (f) Queen of the Succubi Succubi, hedonists 570: Shendilavri Dungeon #112, page 48, and #124, page 95; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 69-70; Dragon #353, The Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Malcanthet.
Malgarius The Demon Tree Evil sylvan creatures — A demonic plant that once controlled a layer of the Abyss, but which was defeated by the demon lord Lazbral'thull. (Dungeon #122: Root of Evil).
Malgoth (o) Dungeon #117: Touch of the Abyss; FC1 p 125
Mastiphal The Hunting Sovereign Pursuit of prey 1: Pazunia (in the fortress of Vanelon) *MM2. Current consort to Malcanthet.
Miska The Wolf-Spider Spyder-fiends, war Imprisoned in Pandemonium. Dungeon #124, page 17. Detailed in 2e adventure Rod of Seven Parts. Former Prince of Demons after Obox-ob. Was consort to the Queen of Chaos.
Munkir The White Guardian Afterlife, the back door to Paradise 77: The Gates of Heaven *MM2
Nekir The Black Guardian Afterlife, the back door to Paradise 77: The Gates of Heaven *MM2
Nergel *MM2; in Gary Gygax's Gord novels, Nergel is a prince of "unlife".
Nocticula The Undeniable Night 72: Darklight *MM2
Nql Mentioned in Eldritch Wizardry, in the "Codex of the Infinite Planes" entry. Possibly a name fragment.
Obox-ob (o) Prince of Vermin Vermin 663: Zionyn *MM2; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 71-72. Formerly held the title of Prince of Demons.
Orcus Prince of the Undead Undead, Abyssal ascension, escape from death 113: Thanatos Eldritch Wizardry; Monster Manual (1977), page 17; Dead Gods; Dungeon #89; Book of Vile Darkness, page 136; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 73-74. Was the prominent villain of the Bloodstone series.
Pale Night (o) The Mother of Demons Motherhood 600: The Endless Maze, 471: Androlynne Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 61; Dragon #341 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv"; Manual of the Planes (3rd edition), page 100; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 74-75. Purported to be the mother of Grazzt, Lupercio, and Vucarik. Consort of Baphomet.
Pazuzu (o) Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms Flying creatures, corruption 1: Pazunia, 503: Torremor Monster Manual II (1983), page 41; Dragon #329 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 56; Book of Vile Darkness web enhancement; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 76-77. Also known as Pazrael.
Queen of Chaos (o) Chaos, obyriths 14: The Steaming Fen First appeared in the "Rods of Seven Parts" second edition module, said to be a native of Limbo. In Fiendish Codex I, she is now an obyrith lord.
Rhyxali Queen of the Shadow Demons Shadow demons, secrets 49: Shaddonon Book of Vile Darkness web enhancement.
Sch'theraqpasstt The Serpent Reborn Yuan-ti 111: The Mind of Evil Dragon #151
Sess'innek The Emperor Lizard Lizardfolk, civilization 7: The Phantom Plane (aka Kearackinin) Monster Mythology, page 102; Serpent Kingdoms. Demon lord of the Lizard Kings.
Shaktari Queen of Poison Mariliths 513: Vudra Dungeon #60, "Nemesis", page 32. Revealed to have escaped from the Wells of Darkness.
Sifkhu (l) Loumaras 230: The Dreaming Gulf Dragon #535; currently bonded by Malcanthet.
Shami-Amourae The Lady of Delights Succubi 73: The Wells of Darkness (imprisoned) Dungeon #5, "The Stolen Power", page 27.
Siragle The Ineffable Secret oaths 493: The Steeping Isle Dungeon #28, "Sleepless". Reported to have escaped from the Wells of Darkness.
Socothbenoth The Persuader Perversion 597: Goranthis *MM2, Mentioned in Dragon #333,"Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 29.
Soneillon The Youthful Crone Rejuvenation 71: Spirac *MM2. Not to be confused with the succubus who uses her name as detailed in "Lost Empires of Faerun".
Tharzax The Chattering Prince Poisonous vermin 2: Driller's Hives Dungeon #123: Salvage Operation.
Thralhavoc Shadowmaster Undead shadows, subterfuge — Hellbound: The Blood War, "War Games", page 56.
Turaglas The Ebon Maw Hunger, consumption 32: Sholo-Tovoth Dragon #312.
Ubothar (o) The Thunder Below None; currently exiled and imprisoned from the Abyss. Dragon #349 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 31. The Thunder Below by James Jacobs.
Ugudenk (o) The Squirming King Worms and hungry parasites 177: The Writhing Realm Dragon #333 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 39.
Verin Voice of Graz'zt Diplomacy 45, 46, 47: Azzagrat (serves Graz'zt) Monster Manual II (1983), page 35; Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 62. Also known as Vuron or Ztefano. Appeared in "For Duty and Deity" as a male marilith.
Veshvoriak (o, d) Obyrith lord whose body was dumped in Layer 23: the Iron Wastes. Dragon #345, "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 31.
Volisupula The Flensed Marquesse Finery, ostentatious ceremony 8: The Skin-shedder Planes of Chaos, in the "Chaos Adventures" booklet.
Vroth-Khun (o) None; currently banished from the Abyss. Dragon #349 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 31.
Vucarik Consort of Chains Chains, torture 651: Nethuria Hellbound: The Blood War, page 26.
Xazivort From the Ashes. Not to be confused with the god, Raxivort. Is able to possess living beings.
Xinivrae (Would Be) Queen of Succubi Succubi, Seduction 230: The Dreaming Gulf (exiled) Dragon #353 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv"
Yeenoghu Prince of gnolls Gnolls 422: Yeenoghu's Realm Monster Manual (1977), page 19; Monster Mythology, page 83; Book of Vile Darkness, page 140; Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, pages 78-79.
Yibyiru The Rancid Lady of Bitter Bile Poison 222: Shedaklah (serves Zuggtmoy) Dragon #337 "Demonomicon of Iggwilv", page 48.
Yrsillar Lord of the Nothing Greater & Lesser Dreads Belistor; layer number unknown Dragon #277.
Zanassu (d) The Spider Demon Empires of the Sands, reported dead in Demihuman Deities.
Zzyczesiya The Ungrasped Confused and malevolent ignorance 3: The Forgotten Land Faces of Evil: the Fiends, page 60. Said to have escaped from the Wells of Darkness.

[edit] Non-canonical demon lords

This article has been deemed non-canonical.
This article covers a subject that has been deemed non-canonical by either the author or the Forgotten Realms licensees, and thus should not be taken as a part of the "real" Forgotten Realms universe. Should there be a need to discuss this further, please do so on the talk page.
Green Ronin published a D&D d20 supplement entitled Armies of the Abyss (2002, reprinted in 2003 as part of the Book of Fiends compilation) that provides information on 21 demon lords. The similarity in names between Green Ronin and D&D demon lords is coincidental: like many D&D demon lords, Green Ronin demon lords draw their names from real world mythology. Demon lords that share their names with D&D demon lords are listed in bold.

  • Abaddon
  • Abraxas
  • Anarazel
  • Astaroth
  • Azazel
  • Azidahaka
  • Behemoth

  • Decarabia
  • Eligor
  • Flauros
  • Gamigin
  • Haagenti
  • Ipos
  • Marbas

  • Nocticula
  • Raum
  • Sabnach
  • Seere
  • Shax
  • Socothbenoth
  • Vepar

A number of minor lords were also detailed in Armies of the Abyss:

  • Cresil the Impure (may or may not be equated with Gresil).
  • Eurynomous the Corpse Eater
  • Malohin the Strangler
  • Merihim
  • Philotanus the Seducer
  • Rahu the Tormentor
  • Shiggarebb, Lady of the Qlippoths

Gary Gygax, in his Gord novels: "The Sea of Death", "Come Endless Darkness" and "Dance of Demons", mentioned many other demon lords. These include:

  • Agadin.
  • Apepi, a snake-like lord.
  • Ariax, a prince defeated by Graz'zt.
  • Arioch
  • Bulumuz
  • Cagrino, possibly a lord of the chargin demons.
  • Chidun, said to be allied with Var-Az-Hloo (Fraz-Urb'luu).
  • Elazalag, Princess of the Abat-Dolors; former consort to Graz'zt.
  • Levithan (perhaps Leviathan)
  • Lugush
  • Ogrijek, lord of the cowardly four-winged man-hawks zabassus.
  • Mandrillagon, kin to Demogorgon, ruler of two layers of the Abyss.

  • Marduk, King of the Fire Demons and a Monarch of Demonium.
  • Nexroth
  • Palvlag, an ancient proto-demon of fire
  • Shabriri, a proto-demon
  • Trobbo-gotath, a "greatest demon of earth".
  • Ushablator the Chaos Horror
  • Vloorm
  • Yuibiri, allied with Var-Az-Hloo.
  • Zerkaar
  • Zomar, allied with Var-Az-Hloo.
  • Zortolagon, said to be one of the greatest demons of the Abyss.

Necromancer Games, in their Tome of Horrors I and II listed alternate statistics of official demon lords Baphomet, Dagon, Fraz-Urb'luu, The Faceless Lord (aka Juiblex), Kostchtchie, Orcus, and Pazuzu. They also include:

  • Beluiri, a demoness consort of Baphomet.
  • Maphistal (not to be confused with Mastiphal), a lieutenant of Orcus.
  • Sonechard, a general of Orcus.
  • Tsathogga, the "Demon Frog God".
  • Caizel the Seductress.
  • Vepar, a vassal of Dagon.

Mongoose Publishing's "The Slayer's Guide to Demons" include the following:

  • Iyaviht the Dark Whisper, Patroness of the Jartaska.
  • The Gatekeeper, an exiled prince on the first layer of the Abyss

The book also introduced several so-called "Nameless Ones", ancient and powerful demon lords said to be the first demons:

  • The Dancer in Darkness
  • He Who Dreams
  • The Demon Mother
  • The Foundation
  • The Silence at the end of Eternity

[edit] Notes

  1. ↑ Monte Cook (Oct 2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-0672-3.

[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Demon_lord"