#solesik

[thecreaturecodex]

Qlippoth, Solesik

Image by unknown artist, © Green Ronin Publishing

[Commissioned by @thetygre​, who asked for a conversion from The Book of Fiends, dealer’s choice. The Book of Fiends is a book I have strongly mixed feelings about. The parts I like I really like, but the parts I don’t I hate. The part that I hate the most is probably the mechanics--even the very interesting looking or flavorful monsters tend to have somewhat boring statistics. So I went for the solesik, because its garble field and language drain are mechanically creative. The aura seemed a fit for a horrific appearance of a qlippoth, even though this wasn’t a qlippoth in the original text.]

Qlippoth, Solesik CR 8 CE Outsider This writhing worm-like horror has pinkish-grey skin ringed with annulations and studded with nubs and other protrusions. Its head, if it can be called that, is composed of three fleshy arms, each covered in tube-feet, surrounding a circular, fanged maw.

Solesiks are qlippoth that resent and hate the ability of language to spread ideas and philosophies. As such, they attempt to subvert or destroy it whenever possible, ruining communication attempts and sucking the languages right out of their victims’ heads. Those that survive a solesik attack may become completely insensate, as they much prefer to leave their victims alive as a warning to others than kill them and risk their souls contaminating the Abyss. Although solesiks despise language, they are adept at using it, and often make raids on repositories of scrolls and spellbooks in search of obscure magic.

Most solesiks open combat with their spell-like abilities, hoping to leave their enemies scattered and cowering. Those that resist these attempts are often their first targets in melee. A solesik’s jaws are positioned awkwardly—it cannot bite creatures except for those already grabbed in its starfish-like arms. Solesiks often travel in loose conglomerates, called schools, but the members of these schools are not especially beholden to each other. Although they will coordinate attacks, if one individual is badly injured, the rest will flee to save their own lives, or even turn on the weaker if they feel they have something to gain.

A solesik is about seven feet long and weighs between two hundred and three hundred pounds.

Solesik  CR 8 XP 4,800 CE Medium outsider (chaos, evil, extraplanar, qlippoth) Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +21, thoughtsense 30 ft. Defense AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19 (+3 Dex, +9 natural) hp 95 (10d10+40) Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +11 DR 10/lawful; Immune cold, mind-influencing effects, poison; Resist acid 10, electricity 10, fire 10; SR 19 Offense Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (perfect) Melee 3 slams +14 (1d6+4 plus grab) Special Attacks gnaw (bite +14, 2d6+6 plus language drain), horrific appearance (DC 18) Spell-like Abilities CL 10th, concentration +13 (+17 casting defensively) At will—command (DC 16), detect magic, erase (DC 14), suggestion (DC 18) 3/day—dimension door, dispel magic, invisibility 1/day—greater command (DC 20), mass castigate (DC 20) Statistics Str 19, Dex 17, Con 18, Int 19, Wis 14, Cha 16 Base Atk +10; CMB +14 (+18 grapple); CMD 27 (cannot be tripped) Feats Alertness, Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lunge Skills Bluff +16, Fly +24, Knowledge (arcana) +17, Knowledge (planes) +17, Linguistics +17, Perception +21, Sense Motive +21, Spellcraft +17, Stealth +16, Use Magic Device +13 Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Protean, 7 others, telepathy 100 ft. SQ language mastery, sound mimicry (voices) Ecology Environment any land or underground (Abyss) Organization solitary, pair or school (3-8) Treasure double standard Special Abilities Flight (Su) The flight of a solesik is a supernatural ability. Gnaw (Ex) A solesik can make a bite attack against a grappled creature as a swift action. If it hits, the creature is subject to its language drain ability. Horrific Appearance (Su) A creature that fails its save against a solesik’s horrific appearance has its ability to speak scrambled. For one minute, it has a 50% chance to fail to communicate intelligibly, and all spells with a verbal component or command word items have a 50% spell failure chance. The save DC is Charisma based. Language Drain (Su) A creature bitten by a solesik must succeed a DC 18 Will save or permanently lose the ability to speak, read or write one language of the solesik’s choice. A creature under the effect of a tongues spell is first subject to a dispel attempt by the solesik (CL 10th) before its natural languages are affected. If this tongues effect is supernatural (such as the truespeech of an azata), it is suppressed for 1 day on a successful dispel attempt before the creature’s natural languages are affected. A creature that loses all of its languages is subject to a feeblemind spell (no save). This is a curse effect, and the save DC is Charisma based. Language Mastery (Ex) A solesik adds +2 to the DCs of all of its spell-like abilities with a language-dependent component. In addition, it can use all scrolls as if the spells were on its spell list.

[dicecast]

Demonic Families

The Abyss

Demonic Nature

It is important to understand that demons are objectively the most powerful outsiders in the multiverse, and the reason isn’t quite known, they just have more people than anybody else.  Normally when a mortal dies, you can split their soul into a certain number of outsiders.  1 NE soul becomes 4 Daemons, and 9 Devils.  However a single CE soul will be split into 666 least demons (CR ¼-5), 660 lesser demons (CR 6-10), 600 intermediate demons (CR 11-15), 66 Greater demons (CR 16-20) 60 Major Demons (CR 20-25) and 6 Supreme Demons (CR 26-30).  This is...blatantly unfair and the Devils have sued more than once trying to get this solved (the demons laugh at your law suits).  This isn’t counting the demons created via contracts or thanks to Abyssal gods.  It is believed that should the Abyss unite its efforts for merely 20 mins, they could likely take over the entire world in that time, so great is their numbers and powers.  But fortunately for everybody, demons focus most of their efforts upon themselves, to the point where even the blood war is a secondary priority for them, the Devils ability to hold off the Abyss is in large part because the demons distract themselves with wars between themselves, most famously the Triple War between Demigorgon, Grazz’zt, and Orcus.  However there is an older conflict in the Abbys, the infamous “Brood Wars” between the different demonic families.  Most (but not all) Demons are born into various “broods” which determine their relative power, and long ago these broods fought for domination over the abyss.  Currently the Tanar’ari have thoroughly won that conflict, so much so that the word “demon” and “Tanar’ri” are often seem as equivalent, but the Abyss is nothing if not ever changing.  

The Tanar’ri

The Brood of Tanar (Tanar’ri).  The youngest and by far the most populous of the Broods, the Tanar’ri.  They were created to be a slave race of the Oobyrith, the old rulers of the Abbyss, primarily as hoards of war spawn to wipe out the devils so they could focus on understanding and mastering the abyss.  Thus it was to their own shock that they were suddenly overthrown by their own spawn, and driven deep into the Abyss.  The Tanar’ri then used their massive numbers to dominate almost all of the Abyss until now they make up about 85% of all demons (as much as statistics can be seen as accurate in the Abyss)

races- Adaru, alkilith, alu-fiend, anzu, armanite, arrow demon, babau, balor (all types), Balron,  bar-lgura, barlgura, bulezau, cambion, cerbrilith, chasme, dretch, Evistro, gadacro, glabrezu (all types), goristro, hezrou, jarilith, jovoc, kastighur, kelvezu, klurichir, mane, marilith, maurezhi, molydeus, mymyxicus, nabassu, nalfeshnee, orlath, palrethee, rutterkin, skurchur, solamith, sorrowsworn, succubus, incubus, turagaathshnee, uridezu, vathugu, vock, Armanite, Konsul, knecth, pathwarden, Tanar'ka (the most powerful by far, CR 25), Chitterling, Teradrozu, Predaska, Glodretch Alastors, Alrunes, Armageddon beast, Chernobue, Daeobelinus,  Darba, Enveloper of the Innocent, Harlequinn Demon, Herensugue, Hydraggon, Inmai, Irecundia, Jahi, Jilaiya, Locust Demon, mandragon, Nyogoth, Orusula, Paigoel, Radiant Boy, Schirim, Shoggti, Skulldugger, Solesik, Soulkeepers, Spawn of Marbas, Spineseeker, Stygian interloper, Vilisemen, Warped One, Raptu, Whore’s Curse,and yochlol.  

Demon Lords- Countless, but some of the most famous include the 3 Demon Kings Demogorgan, Orcus, and Graz'zt, the Demon Princes Yeenoghu, Juiblex, Malcanthet, Baphomet, Fraz-Urb'luu, Kostchtchie, and Zuggtmoy, the Demon Lords,  the Demon  Finally there are the Arch Demons, including creatures like Ugudenk, Shaktari, Chrystalis, Ardat, Dwiergus, Abaddon, Abraxas, Anarazel, Astaroth, Azazel, Azidahaka, Behemoth, Dacarabia, Eligor, Flauros, Gamigin, Haagenti, Ipos, marabas, Nocticula, Raum, Sabnach, Seere, Shax, Socothbenoth, Vepar), wih archdemons being Cresil the Impure, Eurynomus the Corpse Eater, Malohim the STrangler, Merihim, Philotanus the Seducer, Rahu the Tormentor, and countless others

Obyrith

The Obyrith: The primary rival to the Tanar, the Obyrith for millennia were the dominate demonic race, having won the Brood Wars and established total dominance over almost all of the Abyss.  They were far more in tune with the Abyss itself as a spiritual entity and hoped to spread the realm itself to conquer all of the multiverse.  They tolerated the other broods as long as they kept in their prace, and even created their own, the Tanar’ri to serve as their muscle.  After their attempted conquest of the lawful Planes failed, they found themselves overthrown by their former slaves.  They are still very powerful and have been able to maintain control over 12 realms and so make up a major opposition faction to the Tanar’ri, and many of them plan to eventually retake the Abyss and establish their control once again.  Until they, they have to operate within the existing politics, often allying with a few Tanar’ri who serve as Patrons.  Due to their age, their forms sometimes have a tendency to drive mere mortals mad.  They aren’t the dominate race of the Abyss, but where they do still rule, they rule absolutely, nobody wants to mess with Dagon.  

Individual species: Draudnu, Ekolid, Zionyn, Golothoma, Laghathti, Sibriex, Uzollru, Verakia, Xes, Bilaceratyxes (who are the only Obyrith who are actually doing better off now), Firecracker Demon, Oculus Demons, Demonic Fireball, and the Festerlings.  

Known Obyrith Princes- Obox-ob, Dagon, Queen of Chaos, Pale Night, the Malgoth, Ugudenk, Bechard, Vroth-Khun, Ubothar, Asima, Sertrous, Kizarvidexus, Veshvoriak and Cabiri.  Finally there is Pazuzu, the only Obyrith who has adopted to the way of the Tanar'ri, and wildly seen as a traitor.

Loumara

   The youngest of all the Demonic Broods, and the only ones to emerge post Tanar domination, their birth briefly heralded a new brood war, the three great princes briefly putting aside their own differences to try to wipe out this brood out of fear that they might be replaced as they themselves had replaced their parents.  However after effortlessly killing about half of them in the span of a century, it became apparent that the Loumara had little interest in Abyssal politics, and the Tanari’s returned to their own wars.  The Loumara came into existence in one of the most vicious Planar wars in recent history, and a cruel example of the power of gods compared to that of the Abyss.  A millenia ago, the Sumer pantheon, long weaken by neglect, went to war with Demon Lords trying to take their followers.  They killed the Princes and then wiped out a layer of the Abyss to serve as an example.  This angered the Abyss itself, and suddenly a great rift opened into their domain, and billions of demons poured out to avenge the insult.  Within a century, seven members of the pantheon lay dead, and their domain was utterly destroyed, and most of their Servitors and Petitioners slain.  This provoked the gods as a whole who didn’t want a precident t to be set, and they launched a great raid on the Abyss, killing 13 Demon lords, destroying 3 layers and killing tens of millions of demons, but many walked away feeling that the Abyss had had the last laugh.  The dead god’s last thoughts rose and a new brood of demons emerged from the mess, these creatures at first glance seem utterly made and fixated upon corrupting mortals more than killing them.  What their ultimate goal is hasn’t been determined, but they do hope in their own way to kill Demogorgon, Grazzt and Orcus, though how they hope to do so is unknown.  They mostly dwell in small communities across the abyss and focus more on possessing mortals than fighting in planar wars.

Princes: Sifkhu

Types: Guecubus (Law), Dybbuk (nightmares of Love), Caligrosto (peace), Manitou (feritlity), Fenwraith (Nature), Bontyke (Weather).  

Brood of Van’g

During the Brood Wars, this family was one of the longest lasting contenders due to their tremendous martial prowess, however their weakness to magic eventually lead to their ultimate defeat and humiliation at the hands of the Obyrinth and then later the Tanar’ri.  Before the final battle came however, they surrendered and now offer their services as mercenaries to various Demonic Princes.  Now they can be found all over the Abyss as guards or sellswords, though groups can also be found in the Blood Wars or the Grey Wastes.  They have a long standing grudge with the Yugoloths, since the Van’g charge less.  They have no princes, but the race as a whole hopes to eventually establish control over a layer of the Abyss to start to build back their power, and so they are known to prey on weaker Demon Lord layers, in the hopes of seizing one, ideally in such a way they won’t draw the Tanar wrath.  The Oybrith view them as one of the best ways of getting back at the Tanar’ri.  

Types: Vyin, Van’gka (Leaders), Yavodai, Vengadi, Udvati

Brood of Jar’taska

These demons are made out of darkness and shadow itself, and are notorious among demons for being actually good at subtly. They serve as assassins, spies, and information brokers, and prefer killing from a distance rather than reveling in it directly.  They are one of the most powerful broods for they surrendered when only about half of them had been destroyed, and now “serve” the Tanar’ri as they further their own schemes.  They focus most of their energy on trying to conquer the plane of Shadow and the Plane of Darkness, for with these realms as bases, they hope to take over the Abyss once and for all.  In the meantime they hope to get the Tanar’ri to wipe themselves out, ideally bringing the Devils and Obyrith down with them.  They are one of the great unknown evils of the world, and a great deal of conflicts among evil are at their behest.  For some reason, Shadow Demons aren’t part of this brood, which annoys them.

Rulers- Iyavviht

Types: Jar’taska’ka (leaders), Dark Latern, Shade Demon, Kar’ugr, Jethulet, Hamedu, Haratru

The Brood of Nuyul

These psionic demons were almost entirely wiped out in the Brood Wars, but survived primarily because they weren’t seen as a serious threat, since they seem to stick to themselves.  They have two layers to themselves and mostly focus on just tormenting mortals.  THey can ignore Demonic spell resistance so while they tend to stick to themselves, Demons are wary about them.  The Nuyul’s goal is to eventually spread out and retake more layers, ideally by allying with the Van’g and Jar’taska, but due to their own internal madness this alliance is hard to form, and in the meantime they are mostly focusing upon building up their strength by torturing mortals.

Types: Nuyul’ka, Diazhit, Pyarian, Mad Winds, Pereveshti

The Kelipot

These were the main rivals in power to the Obyrith back in the day, and for millennia served as the main rival to the Tanar’ri.  Unlike other broods, they weren’t thoroughly defeated, but remain firmly in control over their domains, but their power is limited. They hope to someday return and avenge themselves on the mortals.  Long ago, they ruled over the 1st level of the Abyss and were able to create Demonic servants to fight against their enemies, and it was this war between them and the Obyrith that defined the Abyss.  In order to gain an edge, the Kelipot created a race of mortals to harness their power for war.  However these mortal’s started to do good acts and this attracted the attention of the Eladrins, who were able to cause an uprising which lead to the Kelipot being driven deep into the Abyss.  The Eladrins then similarly destroyed the Obyrinth by causing the Tanar’ri to rise up, and have tormented the Demons ever since.  The Kelipot dwell in 5 layers that they control absolutely, and are creatures of shame and sin.  The Kelipot are mostly bestiral in some capcity, and look like a mix/match animal monsters.  They still maintain their status as the third great demonic family and fight incessantly with the Obyrith and Tanar in order to gain an edge.  They view the lesser families with contempt and while they will work with them temporarily, intend to wipe them out should they emerge victorous.  

Rulers: The God Hand

Types: Crow Demon, Taurus Demon, Bull Demon, Goat Demon, Capa Demon, Statue Demon, Slug Demon, Ape Demon, you get the idea.  

The Tzaretch

The weakest still surviving Demonic Family, as the brood wars turned against them they simply fled, hiding out in Carceri for a time before moving to the Grey Wastes and then Gehenna.  They slowly returned once the heat died down some, and eventually took over two layers in the Abyss.  Again, they mostly just avoid attention and focus on their own affairs, which is mostly the acquisition of wealth.  Since they can’t fight the other Broods directly, they hope to destroy them through material gain.  THey rely on their wits, guerilla tactics, and tendency to deceit to survive, and hope if they stay alive long enough, their enemies will destroy themselves.  Their realms are actually decent for mortals, for they are always looking for allies against their enemies, and their domanions of Khaganbleck and Tzarethcuk are terrifying but for those who can survive the wilds the demons are decently accepting.  

Species: Narks, Vlai-Maroth, Quadros, Skarn, Tzeretch’ka

Qlippoth

These creatures aren’t demons at all, but something else, however they once ruled supreme over all of the Abyss, but they aren’t demons, in fact they aren’t even exemplars in the traditional sense of the term.  They don’t even relate to mortal sin they way other evil exemplars do, instead they are some ancient evil that is far, far older.  They come from another multiverse entirely, one as elaborately complicated and multifaceted as this one, and they served as the demons of that realm, and...they won.  But in winning, their world started to die and collapse, they knew their days were numbered.  So they sacrificed their entire realm to create a single item called  “The Shard of Evil” and used it to break the barriers between the world and come into the current multi-verse, specifically the Abyss.  They were able to use their power to make the Abyss grow and created massive amounts of demonic life through it, but their demonic slaves turned on them (the first in what would prove to be a larger pattern) and with the help of the Daemons, destroyed the Qlippoth’s rule and drove them out of the realm.  For countless millennia the Qlippoth have fought back against both the Daemons and Demons for driving them out, but over time they have come to the conclusion that no damned race is the real challenge, but instead they should wipe out mortal life itself.  For if evil is to be understood, then it is not true evil, evil must be incomprehensible.  So they hope to wipe out mortality, or at the very least, mortal capacity to sin, the concept of sin itself is anathema to their existence.