Mariliths, also known as type V demons,[4] were a type of powerful tanar'ri demon.[3]
Mariliths were the tacticians of Abyssal hordes and queens of the Abyssal realms. They served as the generals and advisors to the demon lords of the Abyss. They sought strategies that brought the most destruction in whatever realm they were in.[3]
Description
A balor (left) and a marilith.
Mariliths appeared from the waist up as humanoid women with six arms. From the waist down, they appeared to have the body of a giant snake. They were seen as quite beautiful and flaunted it, wearing only jewelry on their nude torsos and arms. Mariliths stood around 9 feet tall and measured 20 feet from head to tip of tail. They weighed 4,000 pounds.[3]
Personality
Mariliths were very intelligent and served as talented generals and tacticians.[3] They were proud of their martial skills and often kept the weapons of their defeated foes as trophies.[2]
Combat
Drizzt Do'Urden battles a marilith.
Mariliths eagerly joined melee combat given the chance. They carefully sized up the situation first and plotted to use any terrain and vulnerabilities to their advantage. They could attack with a weapon in each of their six hands, typically longswords or scimitars. Their tail was capable of moving like a whip or a constrictor. Mariliths could also cast illusionary and charm spells, as well as gating in other tanar'ri.[3]
History
In 1373 DR, three mariliths known as the "Triumvirate" served under Kaanyr Vhok, the leader of the Scoured Legion of Hellgate Keep. One of those mariliths was Vhok's mother, Mulvassys the Sceptered.[6][7]
In 1385 DR, the marilith Vhissilka, who served the balor Axithar, was trapped when the death of Mystra tore away a chunk of the Blood Rift. With the help of the cambion Kaanyr Vhok, Vhissilka was able to return to Axithar to wage war upon the House of the Triad.[8]
In 1485–1486 DR, mariliths were among the demons that wandered the streets of Menzoberranzan and participated in the failed defense of Q'Xorlarrin against the dwarves. The great Marilith, for whom all mariliths were named, was among them. She allowed Malagdorl Del'Armgo to slay and banish her back to Abyss, but Gromph Baenre resummoned her days later, making a fool out of Malagdorl for claiming he'd defeated her. She was subsequently sent to fight against the dwarves at Q'Xorlarrin. She was confronted by Drizzt Do'Urden, who disabled her. Bruenor Battlehammer placed the final stroke that slew her and banished her.[9]
Notable mariliths
A marilith (left) with a mezzodemon and vrock.
- Marilith, the great demon for whom the race of mariliths was named.[10]
- Bethshiva[11]
- Charsultketh, disguised as the human Helanna Darkstorm[12]
- Kalistes[13]
- Mulvassys the Sceptered[7]
- Nethess[14]
- Reluhantis, servant of Graz'zt[15]
- Unhath, servant of Graz'zt[15]
- Vhissilka[16]
- Y'tossi[17]
- Yxunomei[18]
Appendix
See Also
Appearances
- Novels
- Passage to Dawn
- Stormlight
- Tymora's Luck
- The Glass Prison
- Viper's Kiss
- Farthest Reach (mentioned)
- The Gossamer Plain (mentioned)
- The Crystal Mountain
- Archmage
- Computer games
- Pools of Darkness
- Icewind Dale
- Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
- Neverwinter Nights 2
Further reading
- Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix
- Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- Gary Gygax and Brian Blume (1976). Eldritch Wizardry. (TSR, Inc.).
- Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 53, 61. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 534. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas M. Reid (May 2007). The Gossamer Plain. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0786940240.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid (July 2009). The Crystal Mountain. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-78695235-9.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (September 2015). Archmage (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-6575-4.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (September 2015). Archmage (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 78. ISBN 0-7869-6575-4.
- ↑ Obsidian Entertainment (October 2006). Designed by Ferret Baudoin, J.E. Sawyer. Neverwinter Nights 2. Atari.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Sean K. Reynolds and Eric L. Boyd (June 2000). Cloak & Dagger. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 70. ISBN 0-7869-1627-3.
- ↑ Strategic Simulations, Inc. (1988). Pool of Radiance. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ Monte Cook (April 1999). The Glass Prison. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786913435.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Monte Cook (October 2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Edited by David Noonan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 132. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
- ↑ Thomas M. Reid (March 2011). The Empyrean Odyssey. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 595. ISBN 0-7869-5768-9.
- ↑ BioWare (June 2001). Designed by Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Black Isle Studios (June 2000). Designed by Matt Norton. Icewind Dale. Interplay.
Connections
Caligrosto • Dybbuk • Guecubu • Manitou
Tanar'ri
Adaru • Alkilith • Armanite • Arrow demon • Babau • Balor • Bar-lgura • Bulezau • Cerebrilith • Chasme • Dretch • Gadacro • Glabrezu • Goristro • Hezrou • Jovoc • Kastighur • Klurichir • Lilitu • Mane • Marilith • Maurezhi • Mavawhan • Molydeus • Myrmyxicus • Nabassu • Nalfeshnee • Palrethee • Rutterkin • Solamith • Sorrowsworn • Spyder-fiend • Succubus • Uridezu • Vrock • Yochlol
Obyriths
Draudnu • Ekolid • Golothoma • Laghathti • Sibriex • Uzollru • Verakia • Wastrilith
Abyssal chicken • Abyssal scavenger • Abyssal wretch • Abyssal wurm • Bebilith • Bonegouge assassin • Deathdrinker • Demon spawn • Dire whiner • Ferrolith • Ghour • Haures • Immolith • Jarrlak • Kazrith • Mahataa • Maw demon • Nashrou • Quasit • Rageborn • Retriever • Ruin demon • Runespiral demon • Rupture demon • Shadow demon • Shoosuva • Skulvyn • Tomb demon • Voracalith • Whisper demon • Zythar