AD&D - Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Vol 3 (2e)

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Prologue .................... 5 DUNGEOMNASTERA"ppendix . . . . .86
How to Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . 6 Creating Fiends . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Writing Fiend Adventures . . . . . 91
What is the RAVENLOFT@Setting? 6
. Additional Information . . . . . . . .6 Major ADED" Game Notes

Section. The First: Demons . . . . . . 7 on Demons
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Transposition . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
The Inheritance . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Repulsion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
A Personal Note and Warning . . 11 Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 5
Altered Powers . . . . . . . . . . . .40
.Chapter One: Entering the Lands 13
The Power Ritual
The Origins of Demons . . . . . . 14
Transposition . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 and Corruption . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Reversal of Transposition . . . . . 18 The Blood-oath Ritual . . . . . . . 63
Summoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 5 Fiendish Possession . . . . . . . . . 66

Alternative Theories of Origin . 2 8 Section. The Second: Vistani . . . . 95

. .Chapter Two: Observed Powers 30 .Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Common Powers . . . . . . . . . . .31 Chapter One: History and Legends 100
Ethos-based Powers . . . . . . . . 41
The Vanquished Conqueror . . 101
Chapter Three: Demons The Forlorn Wanderer . . . . . . 101
The Spiteful Gods . . . . . . . . . 103
and Our World . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Chapter Two: Vistani Life . . . . . . 105
Rituals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Reality Wrinkles. . . . . . . . . . . .45 Tribal Organization . . . . . . . . 111
Unwilling Entrapment . . . . . . .49 Everyday Life . . . . . . . . . . . .113
The Gaining of Power . . . . . . . 50 Nomadism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Chapter Four: Demons and Dark Neutrality . . . . . . . . . . . 118

the People. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Law and Justice . . . . . . . . . . 118
Punishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Rivals for Power . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Communication. . . . . . . . . . .122
Prey to Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Cults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Chapter Three: The Tasques . . . . 125
Possession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Bargains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 The Kaldresh . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
The Boemians . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Chapter Five: The Manusa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Demons Among Us . . . . . . . . . 69
Chapter Four: Curses
The Black Duke . . . . . . . . . . .69
and the Evil Eye . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Drigor., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Curse Types . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
ElseDeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Focus Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
lnajira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Breaking a Curse . . . . . . . . . . 164
The Whistling Fiend . . . . . . . . .72 The Evil Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Demons of Chateaufaux . . . . . 7 2
Malocchio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Chapter Five: Salient Abilities
The Gentleman Caller . . . . . . . 74
Malistroi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 and Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . . . 167
... ...... ...... .. .. .. ..
Baltoi 75 Prescient Sight . . . . . . . . . . .167
Chapter Six: Battling Demons 76 Mist Navigation . . . . . . . . . . .171
Tracking Magic . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Detecting the Demon . . . . . . . .7 6 Vista-chiri and Other Minions . 173
Gathering Information . . . . . . .77 Powers over Monsters . . . . . . 174
Phylacteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Static Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
The Mystick Cage . . . . . . . . . .79
Fighting the Demon . . . . . . . . .8 2
Defensive Spells . . . . . . . . . . .83
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........

Chapter Six: Conclusion . . . . . . . 177 Chapter Three.Witches. Warlocks. ..
The Last Steps . . . . . . . . . . . 177 I
n

and Hedge Magicians . . . . . . . 238
Witches and Warlocks . . . . . . 238
A Final Farewell . . . . . . . . . . 180
Glossary of Vistani Terms . . . 181 History and Legends . . . . . . . 239
. . . . .DUNGEOMN ASTEARppendix Society and Secrecy . . . . . . .241
182

Vistani Character Background 182 Spellcasting and the Weave . . 242
Relations with Churches . . . . . 243
Vistani Universal Abilities . . . . 183 Major Enemies . . . . . . . . . . .244

Vistani Universal Drawbacks . 183 Hedge Magicians . . . . . . . . . .249
Chapter Four: Witch and
Vistani Tribal Abilities . . . . . . 184
Warlock Covens . . . . . . . . . . .257
Major ADED Game Notes

on the Vistani
Prastonata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 History and Legends . . . . . . . 257
Doroq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108 The Structure of Covens . . . . 258
Lunaset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 Joining a Coven . . . . . . . . . .259
The Giorgio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Magical Powers of Covens . . . 259
Vistani Geist . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Vishnadd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 . . . .Coven Membership Changes . 261
Naiat Carnival . . . . . . . . . . . .144 Chapter Five: Hunting Hags 264
Canjar Zsalev . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Finding the Scent . . . . . . . . .264
Battling Individual Hags . . . . . 268
Canjar Moon Jewelry . . . . . . .154 Battling Coveys . . . . . . . . . . .269
Canjar Evil Eye Amulets . . . . 155 Final Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270
Mishamel Curse. . . . . . . . . . .162 . . . . .Dungeon Master Appendix
The Evil Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 272

Fortune.telling . . . . . . . . . . . .167 WitchIWarlock Kit . . . . . . . . .272
The Dukkar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Using Warlock
and Witch Kits . . . . . . . . . . .278
Mist Navigation . . . . . . . . . . .171 Special Notes on Spells . . . . . 278
New Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Vista-chiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Static Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176 New Magical items . . . . . . . .287

Section, The Third: Witches . . . . 187 Major ADED Game Notes

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188 on Witches

About This Book . . . . . . . . . .190 Hags with Class Abilities . . . . 197
Advanced Rules for Hags . . . . 212
Chapter One: Hag Minions . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Spectral Hags . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Hags and Their Kind . . . . . . . 191 Hag Coveys . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
A Question of Origins . . . . . . 192 Hag Covey Spellbooks . . . . . . 232
Birth and Infancy . . . . . . . . . .195 Hag Covey Rituals . . . . . . . . .233
Hag Eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Early Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Churches in Van
The Change . . . . . . . . . . . . .198 Richten’s World . . . . . . . . . .244
Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 Sorcerous Witches . . . . . . . . .249
Procreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221 Eremites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Night Hags: The Final Stage? . 225
Redhead Spellcasting Abilities 255
Spectral Hags: The Undead . . 227 Coven Spell Selection . . . . . .259
Coven Magical Powers . . . . . . 262
Chapter Two: Hag Coveys. . . . . . 230
Hag Coveys . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Covey Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Covey Rituals . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

Hag Eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Spawning Rituals . . . . . . . . . .236

A





, This volume is a compilation of two instead, the Dungeon Master describes
ADGD@ products previously published a s them. Tell the players how dark the room is,
Van Richten's Guide to Fiends ITSR #94771 and what the heroes hear, smell, and see,
and Van Richten's Guide to the'vistani [TSR but do not make accurate identifications for
#9496]. These RAVENLO@ products, once
out of print, are back, reedited and correct- them.
ed, and with new art, a new graphic treat- For example, never give the true name
ment, and a new format. As a bonus, a pre-
viously unpublished manuscript is present- of any creature the players' heroes
ed: Van Richten's Guide to Witches.
The Van Richten's Guides redefined vari- encounter. "The form of the huae ash-arav.
ous categories of horrific monsters and vil-
lains in the ADGD game to make them dog warps and shifts until the Geature-
more effective and interesting opponents for becomes a bipedal monstrosity so large that
player-controlled heroes. By giving each it towers over you all!" is much more effec-
monster a history, personality, plans, and tive at creating thrills and suspense than
goals, it gains depth and flexibility, even a saying, "Thewerewolf now shapechanges
certain element of realism. Such a villain into its hybrid form." Use of the game terms
inspires rich, exciting adventures. Such a '"werewolf' and "shapechanges"break the
foe is the kind that the players look forward suspenseful mood you tried to create by
to fighting, running from, and battling until reminding the players that this is, after all,
they finally overcome it in the campaign.
only a game. Other useful guidelines appear
The RAVEN LO^ campaign is the classic hor- in Chapter Thirteen of Domains of Dread.
ror setting for the ADGD game, founded on
well-known tales of horror and mystery Adqioml ;Information
such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and The
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By Fear, horror, and madness checks are sim-
various means, the campaign suggests,
rather than blatantly displays, an atmos- ple, optional mechanics unique to the
phere of suspense and terror. When an
ADGD game player thinks of the RAVEN LO^ RAVENLOFTsetting. While Chapter Six of
setting, a likely image is that of a lonely,
mist-shrouded castle atop a dark moor, lit Domains ofDread gives full rules for these
only by a cloud-obscured moon. Things are
not as they seem, and the unexpected can checks and their effects, a simpler method
bring a terrifying death.
is presented here. When the text or the
The original RAVENLOFTsetting takes
place in an otherworldly land referred to by Dungeon Master says the time has come for
game players a s the Demiplane of Dread
("Ravenloft"). Here, various realms are gov- a check, each affected hero must make a
erned by evil monstrosities of skill and intel-
ligence. However, a Dungeon Master can saving throw vs. paralysis. Effects of failure
apply the basic rules and guidelines of the
RAVEN LO^ campaign to any other world or are left for the Dungeon Master to deter-
setting to gain a similar atmospheric effect.
Locations from the accursed demiplane are mine, to include fleeing, rage, obsession,
used a s examples in this work. For more
about the RAVEN LO^ setting itself, pick up and shock. These checks are optional; use
Domains ofDread (TSR #2174), the hard-
bound rulebook for running full-fledged them only when the players' roleplaying
RAVENLOFTcampaigns.
falters.
Several key elements define a good
RAVENLOFTscenario, the most important of Information directly pertinent to a
which is description. When the players'
heroes explore a ruined castle, a talented RAVENLOFTcampaign is set aside in boxed,
RAVENLOFgTame Dungeon Master does not
gray-screened text throughout this book. In
f 3 merely list the contents of each room,
addition, an appendix at the end of each

section is given solely for the Dungeon

Master's use in creating adventures suitable

to any Dungeon Master's RAVENLOFTcam-

paign. Players should learn of this material

only through game play.

The powers ascribed to various monsters

herein are those that belong to natives of

the RAVENLOFTcampaign. Refer to the

MONSTROUSMANUAL'^ tome for more infor-

mation regarding these beings as they

appear in standard ADED campaigns.

References to some out-of-print ADGD

and RAVENLOFTcampaign items are given in

square brackets in the text, in the event that

the reader has access to those materials.

Compilers' notes from the Weathermay-

Foxgrove sisters, acting for the editor, bear

the sisters' initials lGWF or LWF) and

appear in italics. a



...,

;~ECTIGIN7,1.1E FIRST:

sy ss 4 c7f"Jym somefhi2q was ririn u hrou h fhe middie of ihe 'defense.' rose wiih a sfeady

rnovemenf. J c a w if Yale and h 3 e hrou h the whiriin funnnelof cloud-a mondrous pa/-

/id cnouf risicnq ouf of ha/ unhnowabh abyu. $f row hciqher and %her. c h r o s h a

hinni2q of the c7c/oud curfain taw one sma//eye. . . ."

-William Hope Hodgson
"The Hog"

IrnOPUCTXON Demons possess not only brute
strength that is almost beyond

; is Dr. Rudolph Van comprehension, but they have the

1, and I have spent power to insinuate themselves into the

,If my lifetime very minds of the unwary or the wicked.

ig the darkest places Further, their lives span centuries,

d and its people have perhaps even millennia, and thus they

.' I fancied I knew the draw on experiences that cover the rise

extent of evil, that IIhad plumbed its and fall of civilizations. Finally, unlike

depths. As I have di:jcovered during the the ghosts, vampires, and werebeasts

last year, I was wron19. There are things that plague us, demons have no link to
out there, things so foulthat I now believe the mortals who dwell around them. On
the philosophers who maintain that evil some level, the lesser horrors wish for
the continued existence and prosperity
itself can be made rnanifest in the world.
of both our world and mortals who dwell
I have battled evil in its myriad here; after all, their existence is tied to
forms, from the ca(laverous mummy to

the vampires who first set my feet on both in a twisted fashion. Demons have
the road I now travsel. Through it all, my no such connection and no such desire.
keen powers of ob:iervation, the support To the demons that wander our lands,
we and our homes are at best toys, and
of able and brave c:ompanions, and the
at worst obstacles to rip apart until we
fact that I was fight.ing the good fight, are lost even to memory.
kept me going. Yet in the face of these

monstrosities, whic:h fellow scholars call Compilers' Note: While Dr Van Richten

"demons" after old folk tales and attests that few demons have invaded
religious legends, rny skills amounted to our fair home, my sister and I haue
naught. Not since t:he loss of my come to believe that the number is far
beloved wife and SIon have I felt despair
weigh so heavily 0'n my heart. I have greater than a half dozen. Just as
faced a single demon in mortal combat, vermin hide beneath a cool stone, SO do
and my defeat has resulted in a loss
that will be felt by many in our land. demons conceal their presence on our

I cannot, however, allow myself the world. For evil to reueal its presence is
luxury of succumbing to despair. I must
to court the attention of champions of
press ever forward, and I must alert all light. Thus, we suspect, demons hide

that dwell in our land to the threat like spiders in the cracks and shadows

presented by these? demons. of society, spinning webs of deceit to
Based on my studies, 1 doubt that in
trap and corrupt mortals who stray
all the time that cj.vilized peoples have
from the goodly paths.
-GWF

lived on our world, more than a half

dozen demons ha\re blighted our TnaJ~rnn-
homeland. This rnere handful of

creatures has spread more suffering I became aware of the existence of
than all the Falkoimian invasions of demons through a library bequeathed to
me by Aimon Davidovich, a respected
! Darkon combined.

, . .- .

colleague and fellow expert on the Still adjusting to this realization, my
unnatural. It took Aimon’s servants
three wagons and one weeks labor to tired eyes^ fell on a series of tomes. The
transfer the contents of his vast library
from his home in Darkon to my own books, sixteen total, were written by a
small establishment in Mordent. clan of purported mystics over the
Although I had known Aimon for many
years, I had not realized the true extent course of centuries. It seemed that in
of his collection.
each generation, one member of the
Along with the basic tomes on medi-
cine, alchemy, philosophy, mathemat- family would continue the writings of his
ics, and natural studies that all truly uncle or father. Aimon had labeled this
educated possess, Aimon’s library con- series the Madrigorian, for the
tained a treasure trove of information on Madrigore family that was responsible
the arcane. In documents ranging from for its existence.
the uncommon to the utterly obscure,
Aimon had carefully catalogued texts Although the works were extensive,
by mystics, adventurers, wizards, they appeared to be the collected
priests, and others whose writings cen- ravings of a family cursed with
tered on their experiences with crea- hereditary insanity. At first, Aimon felt,
tures who defied all known types of
categorization. In addition to his meticu- they were not worthy of further
lous cross-referencing, Aimon was cre- inspection. However, his final note made
ating a thesis of his own regarding these
individual manifestations of evil and me turn to the strange series of works.
malice, which he called “fiends.” In the margins of his workbook,

At once horrified and intrigued Aimon had written: “Despite no
by Aimon’s theories, I immediately evidence of formal education, the
members of the Madrigore family write
plunged into my own research, index- with a surprising facility and seemingly
ing his library, determined to come to instinctive grasp of vocabulary and its
m y own conclusions. I confess that I proper usage. Even more intriguing is
hoped Aimon’s legendary mental
acuity had begun to fade in his declin. the amazing symmetry in writing style
ing years, and that his final, unfinished and penmanship found among the
work was the combined result of a life- authors across the generations. 1 must
time studying evil and the paranoia that consult Farringer on how such
sometimes affects the old and sickly. symmetry of thought and style could be
These thoughts were unworthy of my achieved across so many years.”
fond memories of Aimon, but if his
postulations were correct, an evil In reading these notes, scrawled
beyond all that I had yet fought was awkwardly in my old friend’s ever-
loose in our world.
abysmal penmanship, 1was reminded
I should never have allowed such of the writings of the vampires, liches,
and other creatures that live far longer
doubt to color my thoughts, for it than the normal span of a mortal life.
slowed my ability to absorb and accept
the truth of Aimon’s observations. Still,
after three weeks ensconced among the
dusty parchments that were the final
testament to a valiant man’s time on
this earth, my intellectual training and
experience could only lead me to the
conclusion that m y old friend’s thesis
was correct: There were beings from
another world among us!

,

Could these Madrigores actually be a Dr. Farringer resided in a village less

single, unnatural, hopelessly insane than half a day’sjourney from my

individual? home, and her vigorous energy is well

With this initial theory in mind, I known to any who have met the

turned to the two piles of tomes, each remarkable woman. Therefore, it did not

neatly arranged stack reaching almost surprise me when she arrived on my

to my chest in its height. Although not doorstep the very next morning.

relishing the possibility of working my I told her about my puzzlement over

way through ages of rambling insanity, I a series of tomes I had recently

could not help but feel that there was acquired. I refrained from telling her

something of importance to be gained that the tomes were purportedly written

by such an exercise. over the course of many generations,

Over the course of the next nine days merely furnishing her with a number of

and nights, I did little else but read and sample pages from the tomes.

reread the incredible words of the mad With her famed intensity of

Madrigores. At first, I agreed with Aimon concentration, Dr. Farringer bent to the

that the entire effort must have resulted task of analyzing the excerpts of text.
I from a congenital or environmentally
After working through the afternoon and

incurred mass psychosis. The writings in past the supper hour, she finally arrived

no way indicated the thought processes I at her conclusion: The same individual

have become so familiar with in liches, wrote the text. Before I could comment,

vampires, and other ancient creatures she also asserted that the individual in

whose paths have crossed my own. Yet, question might appear to be a lunatic to

the constancy and clarity of the writing, the inexperienced observer, but that she

and of the mad ideas they espoused, doubted this actually was the case.

were too internally consistent to dismiss “Instead, Rudolph, I believe the author to

out of hand. No lunatic I have ever met be a singularly evil, brilliant, petty, and

was capable of such sustained, complex, malicious creature! Now, show me the

and organized thought processes, let rest of the texts that you have hidden

alone multiple generations of lunatics! from me while you tested your theory.”

Thus, performing the action Aimon had At this remark, I could not help but

considered, I sent my new assistant, laugh, and without further ado, I

Samuel, with an invitation for Dr. Ottelie proceeded to explain the known history

Farringer to meet with me regarding an of the Madrigorian and its supposedly

intriguing puzzle that seemed suited to multiple creators. I also revealed

her skills. Aimon’s theories on “fiends.”

Those readers familiar with Dr. Being younger and sharper-eyed

Farringer’s works undoubtedly grasped than myself, Dr. Farringer had no

why Aimon thought to question her trouble setting at once to reading the

about the Madrigorian. For those first of the sixteen tomes. While she

unacquainted with the great lady’s immersed herself in the collection, I

accomplishments, 1 recommend arranged with Samuel to ready the

acquiring a copy of her Illustrated guest bedroom for a long stay.

Manual of Linguistic and Scripted Six days later, Dr. Farringer had

Aberrations Indicative of Mental completed her examination of the

Disease. Dr. Farringer’s expertise in Madrigorian. Of course, I had not

tracing identities and psychological wasted this time, using it to peruse a

propensities through linguistic and number of other works Aimon had

handwriting analysis is widely catalogued as containing information of

recognized, and she pioneered its possible value in the study and

study at the universities of Mordent, understanding of the demon.

Darkon, and other lands. Not a few Over the course of the next fortnight,

dark creatures have been exposed Dr. Farringer and I debated, theorized,

researched, argued, and worked out a

i . ’ .? of face-to-face encounters with demons,
I have been forced to rely on the vast
’ research amassed by Doctor Aimon
Davidovich, a s well as the documents
l&)number of initial hypotheses concerning uncovered and interviews recorded by
Doctor Ottelie Farringer and others.
the nature of demons. Although I
believe that working in tandem was a For readers familiar with my previous
new and rewarding experience for both works, the scholarly style of this treatise
of us, the information we gleaned was may seem a bit unusual, lacking as it is
so sobering that we could not properly in the practical applications of many
appreciate the intellectual collaboration. theories. In lieu of these, and in addition
I will always regret that. to relying on a number of quoted
sources, I have endeavored to aid my
At the end of the second week, Dr. readers by including large portions of
Farringer set off for home, her carriage notes made as I tracked down the
laden with a large percentage of Aimon’s demon I now know as Drigor. The notes
documents. While Dr. Farringer labori- contain personal as well as clinical
ously attempted to separate truth from information, and I have debated long
fiction, I turned once more to studying and hard whether to include them in this
the Madrigorian and the Madrigore family volume. However, I have concluded that
itself. For during our collaboration 1had my personal discomfort is unimportant
reached one theory I had withheld from when weighed against my obligation to
Dr. Farringer: that the entire Madrigorian show the potential demon hunter the
had been written (and was no doubt still
being written) by a demon. personal hardships of the struggle.
Too often, even experienced
Within the week, I was off to search
out the Madrigores. If I were correct, champions of good think only of the
then my dwindling hope that demons pain of the claw slicing flesh, or other
were merely the fantastical delusions of immediate physical agonies and
a number of crazed or misguided dangers they must face. However, these
individuals would have to be false. If are but small things when compared to
Aimon’s collection of lore proved true, the agonies of the spirit and the heart
and if Dr. Farringer’s assessment of the which confront the demon hunter.
Madrigores was accurate, then there are
nigh-eternal creatures among us who Those who fight the good fight
prey on the evil we all allow to fester in always risk the possibility of wounds of
our hearts. These creatures lead both the spirit, wounds that may never heal.
the weak and the strong onto a path of Once you have glimpsed the mangled
evil that inevitably ends in the
destruction of all we hold dear.

Yet, in the horrific event that the
frustrated, arrogant author of the
Madrigorian was an actual demon, I
would at least have an invaluable tool at
my disposal: his autobiography. It was
my hope that the Madrigorian and the
insights and confessions found therein

would give a mere mortal a chance to
defeat a foe almost too powerful to

comprehend.
Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed,

even as my deepest fears came to
fruition.

4 Fe~somIWOtaand ‘jKatning

This volume reveals the results of my
research and my personal experience,
small a s that may be. Due to this dearth

In this compendium, “demon” is demihumans (elves, dwarves, etc.)

used broadly by Dr. Van Richten to found in any campaign world.

include all evil-natured supernatural While Van Richten believes

beings of extraplanar origin. The less “demons” are individual creatures with

troublesome term “fien81”will be used unique powers, he does not know that

in boxed text for the Dungeon Master. many different sorts of fiends exist

In past ADGD products, “demon” (lawful, neutral, chaotic, etc.), and this

referred exclusively to the group of has led to false assumptions and con-

chaotic evil creatures native to the clusions. Van Richten’s descriptions of

Abyss. (“Demons” became “tanar’ri” fiendish powers are not always cor-

in time.) Lawful-evil baatezu (previ- rect. Where his descriptions differ from

ously called devils) came from the the gray-screened text, the gray-

Baator (“TheNine Hells”), neutral-evil screened text takes precedence.

yugoloths (daemons) came from the Note also that the powers ascribed

Gray Waste (“The Three Glooms of to fiends in this text are those which

Hades”), chaotic/neutraI-evil belong to only those fiends currently

gehreleths (demodands) came from trapped in the RAVENLOFTcampaign

Carceri (“Tarterus”),and so forth. The world. Dungeon Masters may refer to

, reader should make the necessary the MONSTROUSMANUAL^" (TSR
#2I40) or the PLANESCAPMEonstrous
,I mental adjustments while reading the

, good doctor’s report. Compendium Appendix (TSR #2602)

Van Richten refers to “humans” for more information concerning these

throughout this text. Unless otherwise creatures a s they appear in other

noted, the term also encompasses ADCD campaigns.

prospect of such sufferingis too terrible of this information, however valuable it
to contemplate, look to some other, may be, must ever employ their own
safer pursuit. For those of you prepared critical faculties in determining its
to face the possibility of unending pain,
forever tainting any satisfaction you usefulness.
may feel,I commend you. You will It cannot be stated too many times
preserve our future.
that each demon is a unique individual
Everything humanly possible has and must be treated a s such! To rely
been done to assure that the unquestioningly on any single source
information contained within this work of information is to clutch onto a
is valid. Yet, any who wish to make use fellow swimmer foundering in the
waves. Perhaps he can pull you both
- -~ ,, to safety, but more than likely you will
drag each other to your dooms. Swim
12 with him, help each other, and rely on
yourself and all the resources at your
disposal. Perhaps you will prevail
where I, a s of this writing, have not.

It must be possible to defeat these
fell creatures, and it falls on only the
most brave and able of adventurers to
accomplish this task. If noble men and
women allow fear and horror to keep
them from standing in the face of evil,
evil will surely triumph. We must ever
strive to keep evil out of our hearts,
our homes, and our lands if we are to
pass our civilization and its many
wonders on to the next generation.

L

-E. R. Eddison
The Worm Ouroboros

any medical professionals Demons possess a degree of
individualism that, when I study them,
will tell YOU that before one reminds me of a room full of vicious
can effectively treat any dis- warriors. Although they all share a skill
ease, one must first attempt with arms, each has a unique
personality and style. The same can be
to define its root cause or said of demons. Although only a few
:'igin. It is my experience that such creatures have found their way
into our world, and each and every one
creatures of darkness can be viewed in is capable of causing unspeakable
devastation, each does so in its own
-_.much the same way as malign tumors. unique way, Like you and I, demons are
Sn what are the circumstances Sur- just as much defined by what sets them
~ apart from each other as what joins
them. It is my belief that they are
rounding demonic origins and the spawned in an alternate reality, the
source of their vast powers? In previous hallmarks of which are corruption and
agony beyond measure.
works, I have mentioned the theories
However, some scholars claim that
relating to the negative and positive the origin of demons may be found here
energies that feed the life force of sever- in our own lands. It is possible that they
al unnatural creatures that stalk our are right, and that my views are based
on unjustified assumptions. After all,
land. It would be convenient if I could even the existence of these other planes
is still a matter of strong debate in the
once again draw on those underpin- arenas of higher learning.

nings in this discourse, but the mon- There are r e a l m incomprehensible to
strosity of demons is too great. thepuny mortals who dwell within this

Demons do not appear to draw cage of a world. If only they knew that

strength from the Negative Material theg were but prisoners, if only they
Plane, the source that sustains the likes could see the bars. But, only I have that
of vampires and liches. They do not power because only I have stepped
exhibit any of the characteristics of the wide-eyed into this pestilent corner Of
undead. By the same token, they do creation, granting the groveling morsel
not seem to draw on the Positive
that was my original self the opportuni-
Material Plane, as they do not share ty to travel to that beyond, even as my
traits with the ancient dead. From
where, then, do these demons acquire true mind took hold of this mortal shell.
-The Madrigorian
their might? The answer is most likely Book I, Chapter I
found in a cosmic philosophy SO vast
that it nearly defies definition.

Philosophers have long held that
there are realities beyond number

existing alongside our own. I have
always doubted such grand, even
limitless, visions of existence: yet, the
presence of demons among us seems
to prove that there must be some type
of alternate realities somewhere.

I Over the course of centuries, numerous Another theory that is more widespread
theories on the origins of demons have than the first, but slightly more compli-
been espoused by individuals ranging cated and philosophical in nature, is
from the great philosopher-warrior that of the “World Evil’s Stepchild.” This
Astonby of the Oaks to crazed mystics theory of demonic origins states that
jabbering their lives away in asylums. demons are somehow the product of
Each of the following theories assumes gathering malignancies that form over
that there is only one level of reality the centuries in our homeland. How
and, ergo, demons must originate in our such “cradles of evil” arise is entirely
own land. Although I am now inclined theoretical. The most coherent hypothe-
to believe these theories too narrow in sis is that the evil performed by mortals
their visions of reality, the following permeates the psyche of the land,
hypotheses certainly show enough merit assuming that the land has some form
to warrant serious consideration. of life or spirit. At some point, the
malignancy reaches a critical level of
The lich is one of the most dangerous, evil energies and achieves a primitive
obscenely evil creatures found in our degree of consciousness. It then
realms. However, the demilich is an searches out a vulnerable mortal and
even worse monstrosity whose great takes over his body, or responds to a
willpower, wizard skills, and undead strong summoning, or possibly forms
powers form one of the most deviously directly out of the air. Once embodied,
intelligent and frightening beings in the evil becomes a creature we know as
existence. [The demilich and lich are a demon.
described in Van Richten’s Monster
Hunter’s Compendium, Volume If this theory is true, than we must all
Two.-LWF] think soberly on what we have wrought.
For, although the demon is still utterly
I recently learned that my long-time alien and evil, it is the child of our own
friend Astonby of the Oaks and several misdeeds. Our actions may have even
noted scholars have long surmised that greater consequences than we realize.
demons are the final evolutionary stage
in the development of the lich. According G*lqwqigiw
to this theory, the demiliches who
become demons have entered a new As stated earlier, it is my belief that only
stage of existence--one in which they a realm of unyielding corruption and
are neither living, dead, nor undead, but evil could spawn things as hideous as
a being so hideous and powerful that we demons, and what does that speak of
can no longer consider it in any way our homeland should they originate
connected to the races of mortals. here? This is why we must turn to the
as-yet-unproven “multiple reality
If this theory is true, then it is all the paradigm” (extraplanar) theory.
more important that we track down the
liches who make their homes among Through my research, I have
us. While I would not discourage such determined that there are at least two
hunts, I must mention that this theory different ways in which demons may
of evolution contradicts what I have enter our realm of existence.
learned of the demilich; it is my opinion
that demiliches have no need for mnspoqion
phylacteries and no desire to assume
the physical forms in which we find It is a universal truth that in order to
demons. (However, this may be thrive, evil must first be granted the
opportunity to insinuate itself into a
13 evidence for the accuracv of this community, or into the hearts of men.

I theory: more on this later.) The process I term transposition is
no doubt the most intimate way to

II .- 4 nose firm1.uensconced in one ofAimon's
notebooks! Almost beforeI was across the
invite a disaster into our land. Through threshold,Dr: Farringer informed me, in
this process, an individual can, with one no uncertain terms, that she intended to
deed, both destroy himself and provide be inuolued in every aspect of this
a demon with an invitation to enter our inuestigation. Though she refused to tell
world. me how she had learned ofmy plans,

Many believe that the stories of good Samuel's scrutiny of his boots during our
and evil that priests use to instruct their
flocks are parables, mere reflections of conversation was all the answer I needed.
philosophic truths but not based in fact. Realizing the futility ofarguing with
This is not so. Whenever an individual
commits a vile or vicious act, he indeed such a formidable and resourceful
eases the way for more such acts. personality, I agreed to our partnership
in this matter. I must confess that I think
Evil seeks to seduce those who open working in the field with Dr:Farringer
their hearts and minds to its call. will prove a most interesting experience.
Demons, then, being creatures of It is rare for me to deal with m y equals
absolute evil, seek out those souls that outside the academic settings. Plus, her
offer fertile ground for their perversions. sharp mind and pointed wit would be
blessings on any endeavor.
I believe that demons can establish a
tentative psychic connection with It took us little effort this morning to
humans tainted by evil. If the object of discover that, although the eldest
the demon's interest responds by Madrigore,Atchen, had recently died of
continuing along his foul course, the consumption, his young daughter,
connection between the two-mortal Bethany, was already continuing in her
and demon-increases in strength and familys! bizarre footsteps.
becomes a physical link.
-From the private journal of
As this connection is reinforced, the Dr. Van Richten
demon insinuates itself into the body
and mind of its chosen victim. The distinct sources documenting the
culmination of the process appears to process of transposition. The first of
result in the transposition of the two these comes from the second book of
beings: the demon enters our land, the Madrigorian, supposedly penned by
while the host takes its place, frail flesh the original Madrigore's daughter.
and all, on the demon's home plane. However, for the sake of clarity, I will
refer to the actual author, Drigor, the
December Zst demon whom I have learned is
Today has proved a most fascinating responsible for the sixteen-volume
opus. The various Madrigore "authors"
day. After a month of research on m y are mere mouthpieces for the demon's
own, and with Dr. Farringer (a most discourses. (The ability of demons to
extraordinary woman!), Samuel and control the minds of mortals will be
I set out to determine whether there addressed in a later chapter.)
were any living heirs to the Madrigore
name and literary pursuit. Regardless During the course of a long treatise
of the current status of the Madrigore on the nature of reality and humanity's
family, I am determined to discover place in the universe, Drigor writes:
any information I can on the family
and whether or not m y theory is For it is the ultimate calling of we
correct-that a demon is behind the mortals to prepare our bodies and spirits
creation of the Madrigorian. through the most debased acts. Only by
actinq out the secret desires that lurk in
Imagine my surprise when we arrived
in the small hamlet ofEdrigan (the
family's home), and found Dr. Farringer
comfortablyseated in the local inn, feet

GI propped up before the raging fireand

rid ourselves o f the evil festerinq within September 8th
us. Otherwise, we will forever be I do not know what has happened to
unclean, full ofimpure thoughts and
desires. But if we lance the festering m y dear sister Ammie. She has always
boils our consciences create, we might despaired offinding a husband, but this
be blessed with the attention of one of last month she has become euen more
the wandering Great Ones. And if we dejected. No matter how much I tried to
are truly vigorous and do not shirk convince her of her inner beauty and
acting out our innermost evil, then kindness, she continued to insist that it
might such a Great One deign to reward was easy for me to say such things, as I
us by translating his body with our
own. The pain ofsuch a transportation was also beautiful on the outside!
will be glorious in its horror, but only Last night, she sneaked into our
through pain can we be cleansed. Then
will we receive the highest of honors as room well past midnight I asked her
the Great One will fake ourplace on where she had been at such an hour,
this tainted land so that we might enjoy and she refused to answer me. This
ourjust rewards. morning I learned that last night a
mysterious assailant attacked Deirdre,
-The Madrigorian the pretty tailor’s daughter who is to
Book 111, Chapter VI1 marry Johan Walrich, and scratched
and beat her face until she was nearly
Here, Drigor describes an obviously unrecognizable. I nearly fainted at the
warped and evil philosophy. It takes news, but Ammiejust smiled quietly. It
little philosophical training to realize was then that I noted the new luster in
that committing evil acts only increases her eyes, the rosy glow to her skin.
the evil in one’s heart. There is no finite
amount of villainy to be disposed of like q r o m the personal journal of
Tasha Weaveron
pus drained from a cyst! Yet, I fear there
Tasha writes several more entries
are those who use such justifications to relating concerns about her sister and
commit evil, just as the demon desires. the sudden increase in violence in their
small town. Several more of the town’s
Careful interpretation of this passage women are viciously attacked and
reveals that a demon may perform a scarred by an unknown assailant. After
physical transposition, rearranging of each such attack Tasha notes that
the flesh, blood, and other organs of the Ammie seems to grow lovelier, yet
host’s body until it re-forms itself into more alien in appearance and
whatever foul substances compose the temperament. Further, she records the
body of the demon. strange nightly fits her sister suffers
closely after each attack.
The second source that provides
information on the process of September 15th
transposition is the diary of a young Ammie must be more affectedby
woman whose sister succumbed to the
demon known as Elsepeth. This source these horrid attacks than l a t first
is particularly illuminating, as it thought I was wrong to accuse her of
documents the mental and physical reueling in others’ pain. Yet she s e e m
transposition of a young woman and a so happy, euen radiant I do not think I
demon. From this account, we can belieue in magic elixirs that create
clearly see that the transposition beauty, but if there were such a potion
then surely m y sister is drinking it. This
process takes place over a period of morning, across the breakfast table, I
realizedjust how beautiful Ammie has
days, and it seems clearly to be spurred become, seemingly overnight How can
forward by acts of evil on the part of the this be possible? Especially when she
demon’s mortal victim.

goes through such hideous dreams and not even scream, m y throat was so :
nightly agonies? choked with fear!It was then that those
awful brown wings burst from Ammie’s
Hersheets are always soaked with back, spreading around her like some
sweat in the mornings, and all too often terrible cloak of evil1Ammie is still now,
this month I have awakened to find her as I quickly record these words. I have
huddled on the floor moaning in agony. resolved that I must get Papa. He will-
Last night, as I held her in m y arms, I
begged her to have papa send for the How silly m y earlier ravings now
physician, but she refused, mumbling seem! When I turned around, I had
that “thepain passes when Ekepeth expected to see m y sister revealed as a
brings me m y beauty.” Seeing herstare monster, but instead she looked just as
up at me with her light green eyes, the she always had, brown eyes and all!
eyes that had once been brown, Iswear
I saw hatred there. Then her face And of course no wings or claws‘ When
I confessed m y strange delusions to m y
softened into a smile and she told me dear sister, she said I must have been
not to worry. But I know something is dreaming. Of course she had not

horribly wrong with m y dear sister. murdered or maimed anyone-how
Should I tell Papa? ridiculous! I can see now that she was
right. 1’11 do as she suggests and go with
-From the personal journal of her to pick flowers at the falls tomorrow.
Tasha Weaveron Things will bejust like they used to be.
I am sure we’ll be happy, so happy,just
--BEeeG----- as Ammie says.

In this entry, note the change in eye -From the personal journal of
color and the comments on Ammie’s Tasha Weaveron
newfound beauty. Although Tasha
suggests that her sister might be taking Rudolph, note how the handwriting
some sort of beauty elixir, I believe she
was witnessing Ammie’s transposition changes in the final paragraph! Note
with a demon of great physical beauty.
particularly the grammar school
There is one more entry in the diary precision of the loops of the letters 0,j ,
that bears presenting here. It is the last and g. I have seen such sudden
entry, and I believe it also marks the reversions to a more childish hand in
end of the unfortunate lives of both subjects undergoing hypnosis or in
Tasha and her sister, Ammie. individuals controlled by spells, such as
suggestion or command. In m y opinion,
September 20th the Tasha Weaveron who wrote the final

The worst has befallen us! I still paragraph is not wholly in control of
cannot believe it, though I heard it from her mind at the time of this writing!
Ammie’s own lips. It is Ammie who has
maimed the young women in our -From the clinical notes of

village, her friends and relations! Dr.Ottelie Farringer
Tonight, she confessed to murdering
Desiree Fontaine, the mayor’s daughter! Unfortunately, I am certain this last
How could she? entry is an eyewitness account of the
final phase of transposition,when the
And after telling me this horrible demon Elsepeth utterly replaced
thing, she touched m y hair and gave Ammie. (Presumably, the unfortunate
me the oddest smile. It set m y teeth to girl in turn took the demon’s place in its
chattering! But I have not yet confessed home world. Her pitiable fate is perhaps
the worst. Within minutes after Ammie better left unimagined.) The final
went to bed she began to writhe paragraph confirms the completion of
silently, her mouth gaping in agony! I the transformation. Dr. Farringer’s
was so horrified I could do nothing but analysis of Tasha Weaveron’s
press myself against the wall. I could handwriting in the final entry in her

.i %- bixiior\r,'FIE FIRST: off or reverse the transposition process.
From my studies thus far, I have
,, diarv confirms that Elseoeth used determined that there are at least two
certain powers to convince the poor girl
,. that all she had seen and heard was just rransposition
a dream, as well as to hide her true Zertain of the more powerful beings of
'I appearance. These sorts of powers he Lower Planes often search for
appear common to demons, and I will nortals to destroy, corrupt, or
1 explore them in greater detail in the itherwise manipulate. Although none
next chapter. villingly enter the RAVENLCIwFTorld
:because they are aware that they will
A final note on this sad episode before
we move on to a discussion of the next iery likely become trapped in the
way a demon may enter our land. This zampaign lands should they do so), a
diary was dated only twelve years ago, 'iend is not always aware that a
so I journeyed to the small town just
outside Stangengrad in Falkovnia to see Julnerablemortal whose mind the
if I could gather more information on
Ammie and Tasha. The town's innkeeper iend has contacted lives in a world
told me the story of how both girls died
in a terrible accident. The two sisters had Joverned by RAVENLOFrIules.
climbed to the top of Grashen Falls to 4lthough this type of confusion on the
gather flowers and had apparently >art of a fiend is rare, it does
ventured too far onto the slippery xcasionally occur. Thus, fiends fall
boulders. Tasha's body was found on the x e y to their own malevolence and
jagged rocks below, and Ammie's body 3reed, transposing themselves into the
was never recovered from the churning :rap that is the RAVENLCIFcaTmpaign.
waters. The Weaveron family was
devastated by the double tragedy and As explained in Domains oiDread,
soon left the area. The innkeeper had no
idea where they now reside. Chapter Seven, the Dungeon Master
n a y simply decide if a nonplayer
From the innkeeper's account, I zharacter's evil act attracts the
believe it is safe to say that Elsepeth 3ttentions of great evil powers, such
murdered the inconvenient witness to 3s the dark powers of the RAVENLCIFT
her arrival. After this, the demon Demiplane of Dread campaign or evil
proceeded to spread corruption and gods of the current campaign world
despair in the neighboring realm of Likewise, the Dungeon Master may
Borca, tempting men into depraved acts decide that a fiend has sensed the
with wiles not of this world. Dr. character's potential for evil and
Farringer and I uncovered evidence of established an initial connection to
these activities while researching the person.
demons. More on this later.
In the case of heroes committing
Rwwl of Trensposifion acts of evil, the Dungeon Master shouk
make the normal powers check (as p e
Once a demon has transposed its Domains ojDread, Chapter Seven), bu!
body with that of its mortal dupe, it is decide whether it is a fiend who
most certainly impossible to reverse unknowingly formed an initial linkage
the process: the demon is within our with the character in lieu of evil powers
realm, the horror upon us. However,
as explained above, the process of The process of transposition is
transposition is not immediate. similar to the process by which a
character proceeds through the
Between the time when the mortal
first draws the demon's attention and Descent into Darkness (Domainso f
the time when the final convulsions Dread, Chapter Seven). Three major
have ceased and the demon is "reborn"
among us, I believe it is possible to cut differences between the two
processes follow.
iQ
It is the fiend, not evil godlike
powers, that forms the unholy bonm
with the offending character.

There are only five stages in the baatezu) will be attracted to a more
process, instead of thirteen. lawful evil act.
Once a fiend establishes contact and
begins the process of transposition, Similarly, individual fiends are more
any evil act causes the next stage in sensitive to acts of evil that they
the transposition to proceed, because themselves find most pleasurable. For
of the fiends conscious and deliber- example, Ammie's initial jealous
ate control of the transposition attack on a girl she believed to be
process. prettier than herself attracted the
attention of a succubus, a creature
If a character proceeds through all five sensitive to passionate emotions,
stages of the transposition, the fiend will especially those involving desire,
take the character's place and be jealousy, and lust.
loosed on the hapless denizens of the
campaign world. (As happens with The following information
failed powers checks, heroes gradually describes the five stages of
slip from the players' control, eventually transposition. Afterward, a section
becoming nonplayer characters under describes the physical changes that
the control of the Dungeon Master.) occur during transposition for each
type of fiend.
Only the following fiends are known
to enter the RAVENLOF?world through Stage One, the Connection: At this
transposition: stage, the fiend reaches out across the
planes and forms an initial psychic
Baatezu: erinyes, gelugon, pit fiend. bond with the character. The
Gehreieth: farastu, kelubar, shator. character's body shows only minor
Tanar'rt balor, nabassu, alterations. The character feels only
succubi/incubi. minor pain that does not affect his
Yugoloth: arcanaloth, nycaloth, actions.
yagnoloth.
Stage Two, the Quickening: By
Other fiends lack either the necessary now the bodies of the fiend and
motivation or intelligence to initiate character are beginning to transpose.
the process of transposition. There is at least some obvious
physical change in the character. The
Stages of Transposition pain of the transposition increases,
giving the character a -1 penalty to all
There are five stages of transposition physical actions.
during which a character gradually
exchanges places with the fiend. If the Stage Three, the Malformation: At
process is completed, the fiend this level, the character's body is
replaces the unfortunate person, while warped to the extent that the character
the victim is lost on the Lower Planes is capable of using one of the fiend's
and faces a fate too horrible to powers. The minds of fiend and
contemplate at the talons of the character are so closely connected that
fiendish denizens. the fiend may place seemingly natural
thoughts into the character's mind. The
The Dungeon Master must first character's alignment begins to reflect
decide what type of fiend has focused that of the fiend. The level of physical
its attention on the wayward character, pain caused by the vicious warping of
for the physical and mental the character's body now makes it
transformations occurring at each difficult to concentrate at all, giving a
stage of the process are determined + 1 penalty to proficiency and ability
by the exact nature of the fiend in checks.
question. In general, a chaotic fiend
(such a s a tanar'ri) will be much more Stage Four, the Sublimation: As
likely to notice a chaotic evil act, the transposition nears completion,
whereas a lawful fiend (such a s a the character's body changes
dramatically. Besides the physical

chanqes, the character usually qains Stage 2. Grows large, green fangs (-:
anothar fiendish ability and (if not so
already) becomes completely evil. Charisma, + I Point of dama-ae in
The fiend has at least a s much control
over the body a s the character does, unarmed combat).
and the character must make a Stage 3: Fangs secrete venom, upper
successful Wisdom check to compie
any actions that the fiend disapprove hody grows grotesquely massive. (bite:
The pain of tremendous bodily 16 points of damage, saving throw vs.
changes gives the character a +2 lison or die; +2 Strength).
penalty o n all proficiency and ability Stage 4: Body completely covered ir
checks (including Wisdom checks). ales, features resemble gargoyle,
ows batlike winas (-4 Charisma, base
Stage Five, the Transposition:
When the fiend completes transpo- xc 2).
sition, the character (even a hero)
Gehreleth
meets a horrendous fate on the Outer Farastu

Planes. The fiend now walks in the Stage I: hanas ana arms grow
mortal's form. bizarrely large (-1 Charisma, cl
Strength).
Effects of Transposition
Stage 2: Skin fades to a sickly gray ir
Baatezu color, grows claws (-2 Charisma, + I
Erinyes point of damage to unarmed attacks).

Staqe 1: Skin becomes smooth and Stage 3: Can cause weakness ( a s
perfeci; all scars, moles, and other per ray of enfeeblement) three times
each day, body mass grows denser
disfiguring marks disappear (+I (base AC 81.

Charisma). \
Stage 2: Grows to 6 feet tall, while
Stage 4: Body elongates and muscles
features become beautiful (+2
Charisma). Develops a craving to become grotesquely pronounced (4
devour live animals (witnesses must
make horror checks). Charisma, +2 Strength).

Stage 3: Subject can cause fear (as Kelubar
per the spell) in anyone who gazes on Stage 1: Body gives off offensive
her. Back grows glossy feathers.
odors (-1 Charisma).
Stage 4: Subject grows the be- Stage 2: Nails and teeth grow long
ginnings of wings. Subject is almost
unrecognizably beautiful (+4Charisma,. and are coated with a weak acidic slime
(-2 Charisma, 4.4 points of damage in
Gelugon unarmed combat).
Stage 1: Eyes bulge prominently, and
Stage 3: Body expands outward,
skin becomes scaly (-1 C' ' beconling bulbous and ungainly, and it
AC 7). secret,ss a n odoriferous slime so vile tha
anyone within 30 feet must make a
Stage 2: Teeth become savtrly throw vs. poison or become
(-2 Charisma, +1 point of incapacitated for I d 1 0 rounds (-4
unarmed combat). Chaka).

Stage 3: Eyes become Staae 4: Bodv qirth increases until
can see in total darkness. yIyIIo lvLsy
claws (-3 Charisma, +2 points of ge
damage in unarmed cor ' ' I LArY..d
bonus).
Stage 4: Grows anter
larger and insectoid in s ge L:>Kin oegins TO sag into roias
Charisma, +3 Strength). I,jaw expands and muscles
,e more pronounced (-2 Charisma,
Pit Fiend ength).
Stage 1 : Body develc
ge 3: Touch acts as ray of
large, red scales (-2 Ch
is 6 ) . dement.
ge 4: Body expands to 560
20 s (-4 Charisma, +4 Strength).

r -w .,*at*:.*.r
3
lanarri

Succubus

discrete ways in which the transposition M-l,s i o n
process might be reversed and <he
demon's contact with our homeland During the earlier stages of transposition,
severed. a powerful priest of good may be
invaluable in forcing a demon to
It is infinitely preferable to repel a relinquish its hold on its mortal subject's
demon before it can enter our land. I body and, thus, its key to our land.
believe the chance of success in such
an endeavor is much higher than that of For this reason, it is essential to stay
attempting to expel a demon already vigilant, watching for all reports of
strange transformations of either
present. Of course there is also the personality or physical form. Such
chance of redeeming the human host. transformations will most likely be the



result of some physical malady, an mav well be unwillin-a to allow anyone
infirm mind, or based on some minor
incident that has been blown out of to examine him, let alone a priest.
proportion through its telling and But you must act quickly and
retelling in drinking establishments.
Even though there is only the smallest decisively, for time is of the essence, as
chance that the case identifies an this account by Zimmian of Darkon
individual who has begun the process of illustrates.
transposition, the gravity of such a
possibility requires that this diagnosis Bilius the tailor was brought to the
be kept in mind until it can be refuted to temple yesterday evening, barely
one's complete satisfaction. recognizable as human. His body had
grown strangely insectlike--euen the
Should it appear that a transposition eyes glaring up a t me were
multifaceted! Stubby antennae grew
is occurring, the subject should be from his balding pate, and reddish
brought to a powerful priest for spiritual scales covered his body. Likewise, his
healing. Even if you are incorrect in teeth and fingernails had grown all out
your assessment, and the subject is of proportion. I confess the sight filled
suffering from some physical malady, me iuith revulsion and a near mindless
the attentions of a priest can only help desire to destroy the monstrosity into
improve the unfortunate's condition. which poor Bilius was transforming. It
Keep in mind, though, that if the subject is a failing I regret, for I a m uncertain
truly is undergoing transposition, he
Domains of Dread, Chapter Seven, for
1 Revulsion more information on the results of
Once a fiend has turned its fell failed powers checks.)
attentions on a character, it is very
difficultto stop the transposition If holy word is cast on a character
process from reaching its dread at Stage Four in the transposition
conclusion. However, it is possible to process, the spell randomly transports
reverse the process and repulse the the character to some other area in
fiend from the character's body the campaign world, At this point, the
before the transposition is complete. character is as much fiend as mortal,
This may be accomplished in one of and reacts to the spell accordingly.
two ways.
Hoiy Word: If a priest born in the Note that priests who originally
RAVENLOFT campaign setting casts hailed from outside the current
holy word on a fiend-ridden character campaign cannot use this spell while
at Stage Three or before, the spell they are in the campaign setting using
forces the fiend back to its home the RAVENLOFTrules.
plane. The victim must make a
successful System Shock roll to Banishment: Dr.Van Richten does
survive this process. If successful, the
victim survives, but all physical not realize it, but this 7th-level wizard
deformities caused by the partially spell functions in much the same way
completed transposition remain. If the a s holy word does. The fiend must
roll fails, the victim dies. make a saving throw vs. spell with a
A surviving victim is emotionally +4 bonus, but banishment may be
and psychically damaged by the attempted by all wizards, even those
experience, and remains at the stage not native to the campaign world.
of evil reached when the fiend's hold
was severed. Thus, if the character At Stage Four, a successful
was at Stage Three of transposition, banishment will merely transport the
he is now treated as if he had failed character/fiend to some other point in
three regular powers checks. (See the campaign world.

Although Dr. Van Richten hints that
other clerical spells (such as heal)
might be helpful in stopping the
transposition process, this is not so.

[ whether it affected m y attempt to stop Although it may seem unlikely that an
individual who has committed acts evil
the dread transformation. enough to draw the attention of a
Bilius was clearly not in his right demon would be able-or even willing-
to cast the demon out of himself, the
mind, for he did not wish to be treated possibility of such redemption is not a s
for his terrible condition. It was only far-fetched as it might at first seem.
luck that two young holy warriors
(including Aphram Fendwell, who June 9th
somehow recognized Bilius) heard his 1am certain 1 havejust witnessed the
hissing screams coming from a shack in
the wilderness. They sustained injuries, repulsion ofa demon attempting to trade
but managed to bring him here. bodies with a mortal! Christopher'sears
had dropped offand his skin dripped in
A n hour ago 1performed my most fold from his bones-euen his muscles
had begun to grow! It wasjust as
powerful spell on Bilius. However;instead described in Book lr! ChapterXll of the
of reversing the terrible transformation, Madrigorian. Yet, when the priest cried
m y effortscaused him to writhe in out and thrust his holy symbol at
greater agony. Our eyes locked, and a Christopher's thickening form, he began
look ofprofoundly intelligent evil to shrink, and the skin reattached itself
transformed Bilius's face more than the to the bone. Even more, the humanity
scales and fangs euer could. Just before returned to his eyes.
he disappeared altogether;vanishing into
thin air; the creature, which I believed to - F r o m the personal notes of
be Bilius smiled, even through his-its-
dire agony. We are all capable of both good and
evil. Even the most wicked blackguard
1 do not know whether Bilius and can turn back to the path of light, a s I
whatever evil presence was consuming myself have witnessed.
him were destroyed in my attempt to
cast it out, or whether 1 have merely The path to redemption is a lonely
shunted it into some other priest's one. It is also necessarily unique for
domain. Such strong evil as 1 saw in each individual. No two persons could
Bilius's eyes is rarely destroyed so cast off the influence of a demon
easily. through the same exact actions; there is
no magic formula to aid such
-From the church records of unfortunates in their task. However, it is
Zimmian of Darkon safe to say that, as with all acts of
penitence and atonement, performing
At some point, it may no longer be
possible to reverse a transposition acts of good at least as great as the
through clerical magic. Instead, the acts of evil that began the individual's
subject may either be consumed by the
competing energies of good and evil, or degradation, would certainly be
transported to some other area on our antithetical to a demon. Likewise,
world. I am unsure which of these refusing to participate or initiate evil
scenarios is most likely. Unfortunately, acts should also weaken the link
powerful clerical spells that are healing between demon and mortal. Just as a
in nature have been known to drive away bat or other creature of the darkness
creatures of evil, but seldom to destroy draws back when faced with the light,
them. Therefore, I believe that once the so, too, should a creature of absolute
transposition nears completion, the evil, such as a demon, shrink from good
subject reacts to such spells as would a within its host. Logic dictates that a host
creature of evil (such as a vampire or
lich), in which case it is more likely that
Bilius was merely transported to
' I somewhere else within the land to

f 3! complete the transposition process.

F

who works diligently and faithfully to be summoned. The answer is not as
purged of evil is a poor host for obvious as it seems.
transposition.
In a perfect world, those who wield
Unfortunately, it is not a simple power would always do so with wisdom.
matter to turn away from evil. If the Leaders of our nations, leaders of our
transposition is advanced, the demon churches and universities, powerful
will undoubtedly attempt to foil efforts mages, and mighty warriors would use
to reverse the process. Not only must their power for the common good. Yet,
the unfortunate host combat his own harsh experience has proven time and
inclinations toward evil but those of the again that no special wisdom comes with
demon as well. the mantle of leadership or circumstance

Although I have little to go on but that gives a man power over his fellows.
philosophy and my own observations of
those who have struggled with the evil Those who walk at the forefront of
in their natures, such a process our society display the same qualities,
undoubtedly has its own dangers when from wisdom to folly, kindness to
it involves a demonic presence. It is cruelty, and humility to deadly pride,
even conceivable that a single false step which are found among the mass of the
could lead to oblivion for the mortal and common man. With their prominence,
triumph for the demon. however, their personal distinctions and
failings often have far-reaching
Despite the potential hazard, the consequences, particularly when they
dangers inherent in not making such an allow self-pride to affect their judgment
attempt are obvious; it is a question of and overwhelm their common sense.
probable failure versus certain
destruction. Those who witness such a I know the temptation to allow pride
struggle can perform no task more in one's work, to allow one to hold
worthy than to encourage the penitent oneself up as superior to the common
in this hour of need. man. I have spent half my life traveling
the realms, cataloguing and hunting

Available evidence demonstrates that Redemption of a character is
demons may be summoned to our theoretically possible at any point until
world against their will by the working Staae Five. when the transuosition is
of powerful magic. Summoning is the
I
second way that demons gain access to
our lands and our lives. complete. To repel the fiend from his
body, the victim must commit acts of
The magic of the summoning good comparable to the acts of evil
process pulls the demon into our world, that first attracted the fiend to him.
rather than the demon taking the time These acts weaken the fiend's hold on
to leisurely select a target and move the character, and it will do all it can to
into the emptiness created by evil acts foil its victim's efforts.
and the process of transposition. In both
cases, the weaknesses in the hearts of This process follows the guidelines
men allow the demon access to our given under "Redemption" in Chapter
world, and in both cases, the demon Seven of Domains of Dread. However,
exacts a terrible price from the mortal. should the character fail even one
redemption check, the physical and
Those who wish to cleanse our lands psychic strain on both fiend and
of the blight of evil should find the character requires a System Shock
treatment of magical summoning rituals roll to survive. Should the character
in this section quite useful, but before survive, the transposition process is
we can move to the discussion of how immediately completed and the fiend
demons are summoned, we need to replaces its host. If the check is failed,
the character dies, but achieves a
f 3 briefly examine why demons are manner of victory, denying the fiend
its prize.
LA
3

‘ecreatures of darkness. I have seen manv foolish and generally fatal mistake of
horrible things and suffered much, and commencing the study of summoning
on occasion, when weary of the battle or magical creatures with a mind to
frustrated by a clever foe, I take the harnessing their extraordinary power.
attitude that this entitles me to special
treatment by my fellows for whom I Of course, the summoner may as
“have sacrificed so much.” Then a biting well seek to stem the tide with a
quip from one of my outspoken and soupspoon as to channel or control the
strong-willed companions reminds me power of a demon. Yet, as a fool will
that I merely do what I do to contribute, often persist in his folly until utter
to the best of my abilities, to the ruination ensues, so too will a mage or
priest caught up in the thrill of their
betterment of the lot of my fellow man. studies. When these misguided fools,
In this sense I am no different than, and whose intellects have outstripped their
no doubt in some cases inferior to, those judgment, actually summon a demon,
tradesmen who toil at their crafts to they will know their error too late.
produce valued goods for their fellows.
My intellect and learning is to me as a I would have once said that absolute
hammer and cutting tool is to a cobbler. euil was as impossible as absolute good.
I no longer believe in such conuenient
Sadly, many of my peers fail to words as ”impossible.”For this night I
have looked into the eyes of the Demon,
recognize the value of humility and do and nothing can ever be the same.
not heed, or cannot hear, those voices
that would remind them of their place The seething, twitching monstrosity,
with its pale eyes and toothsome
among humanity. Some turn their minds mouth, is gone for now. I have driven
to glory, to the thought that they will it o f fwith the last o f m y strength. I
make some momentous discovery that have no more.

will leave their names splashed boldly My spells were enough to give me life
on the pages of history, a shining vision this night, but the Demon has looked
for those who follow them on the path into me and I can still hear its scraping
to knowledge. Others, in their pride, voice, peeling away m y brain.
believe they have the capacity to
“I am in you and you are in me. How
control any happenstance, and that
they may reach beyond the borders of can you hide from yourself?”
the unknown and pluck the deepest I cannot. Gods help me, I cannot.
mysteries at no cost. -From an anonymous letter
left on a church pew
In some instances, these colleagues
succeed where it would have been better Those who would dabble in such matters
if they had not. Those who struggle with will do so without my encouragement.
Still, for my peace of mind I need to
concepts or powers beyond their make clear that my words and collected
understanding often act most unwisely, information are not intended to be used
allowing their foolish desires and the to launch an attempt to summon a
weaknesses of their all too human hearts demon to our lands.
to govern their actions. Such men and
I have not provided the following to
women are not necessarily evil, even if aid the foolish in their quest to summon
they have allowed their intellectual magical creatures, but so that the wise
pursuits to be misdirected by the baser can recognize such activity and act
side of their nature. appropriately before it is too late. For,

A mage or priest is particularly

vulnerable to the temptation to explore
blindly, and thus to leave himself open
to the power of the demon. Whether
due to overweening pride, lust for
power, or an unshakable certainty that
thev can control anv situation. even

: f 3thele learned indivibuals make the

unlike most deeds of darkness, the act reluctant to impart any information.
of summoning a creature from beyond However, as I understand it, the magic
our world is unmistakable in its prelude. creates an opening between our world
and mystical realms beyond.
The physical process of attempting
to summon a demon requires great This magical gate allows, or rather,
erudition, considerable resources, and according to one of my advisers, forces
powerful magic. The process of prepar-
ing the site for the ritual involves weeks the demon to step into our realm-
of painstaking work and involves the presumably into the middle of the circle
expenditure of great sums of money. It inscribed during the binding ritual.
is my understanding that most of this
expense goes to defray the tremendous While various mages and other
costs of the magical inks or powders obsessed fools undoubtedly will try and
used to inscribe the appropriate runes fail for much of their lives to summon
on the floor of the area which is to con- and trap a demon, documentary evi-
tain the creature. Indeed, this process dence does establish conclusively that
has two distinct parts, the effort to there is at least one demon on our
summon the creature to this realm, and world today who was originally sum-
the effort to control the creature once it moned here by a tragically misguided
has arrived. Both of these stages are man. A priest known as Micah of the
crucial and require very advanced Order of Tramalaine apparently suc-
magical ability. cessfully brought the demon to our

The spell required to control the world, but failed utterly to control it. I
summoned creature is known to mages
as the spell of binding. My advisers on recount this tale because it, and its con-
subjects magical inform me that this sequences, serves as an object lesson
as to why we must be ever alert and act
spell, when cast, is directed against one to prevent summoning attempts while
particular creature. The purpose of this they are in preparation.
enchantment is to restrain the actions of
this creature, and to protect the caster 1 write these lines to record the strange
and his surroundings. Without this spell, passing of Brother Micah, a good and
holy man. Micah ever strove to expand
any summoned creature would the frontiers of knowledge, but it
immediately be free to wreak whatever may be that he reached too far into
havoc it desires.
the depths of the unknown and
Bind~ino .is a,spell that can only be
encountered that which man was not
wielded by powerful mages with access meant to know.
to the eighth level of spells. The
physical process of mixing the inks or It was past the second bell last
powders, crafting the scrolls, and night, approaching the hour of the
manufacturing the other components sunrise service, but lights still burned
required takes weeks of intense and in the tower. This was not unusual, for
painstaking effort. These components Micah would often burn the lamps late
are used to craft a circular diagram on into the night. With hindsight, w e
should have seen that Micah had
the floor of the area in question, using become euen more distant and elusive
than his norm. He missed many meals
mystic symbols, chants, and gestures and barely exchanged words of
known only to the initiate. greeting in the halls. But all seemed
normal, until the quiet of the night
The actual process of summoning was shattered by an explosion from
the creature is not nearly as time-
consuming, although it is just as tense
as the weeks of preparation work that
have gone before. The summoning
ritual, or spell, is a closely guarded
secret known only to certain mages
with access to spells of the ninth level,

-* &crIoN, Tm FRST: While the preceding sections discuss

The comaound shook with the means by which misguided and
explosions, broken glass, rending stone, foolish individuals attempt to summon

terrible roars, and the sound of a man demons into their presence and control
them, it does not address a key issue
screaming in horror. The noise suddenly regarding demons: From where do
stopped, and we gathered at the foot of
the stairs and proceeded with haste up demons originate?
into the tower, led b y the abbot and the If one accepts the theory that there
most Reverend Jacoby. The scene was
one of complete destruction. are other “planes of existence,” other
worlds alongside and apart from our
The tables, bookcases, books, and own, then there is barely a need to ask
that question. However, I have no doubt
equipment were scattered and burned. that some readers find themselves
The walls themselves were charred, as if
reluctant to subscribe to such fanciful
they had been exposed to a great flame; ideas. While skepticism in the face of
unsubstantiated claims is to be
much of the glassware had fused encouraged, in this case skepticism
may lead to disregard of a potential
together:Pieces ofstone had been torn threat to us all.
from the walls and floor,and deep
furrows in the stone ran SLY abreast Believing that ow reality is the only plane
throughout. The room was empty. Only of existence can easily lead one to disregard
the remnants ofassorted sigils scribed the would-besummoner as a fool caught up
onto the floorand wails, and the charred in a hamless fantasy. After all, a being that is
remains ofMicah’s notes, showed what summonedmust certainly arrive horn
had occurred before the end. elsewhere, and if there is no “elsewhere,”then
the being cannot be summoned. However,
I can determine no more than that what if the magic duing the summoning
Micah was engaged in some sort of ritual,actually brings the demon into
summoning ofa power that we have
never seen. I will record Micah’s existence?
symbols and notes below, that perhaps
someday a learned reader may
understand. Micah is gone, and we fear
that he will never return.

-Monsignor Arbatus of Termaia
Order of Tramalaine

My examination of the transcribed I have seen clerics, both holy and foul,
portions of these notes and symbols raise the spirits of the dead, then
leads me to believe that this unfortunate dismiss them back to the shadowy
monk attempted to summon and realms of the afterlife. The spirits of the
control a demon. He obviously failed in
the latter aim. dead rarely seem pleased to be
summoned back into the realms of the
Evidence suggests that demons have living. It is possible that the free-
an amazing fortitude in the face of roaming spirit of the demilich, neither
magic’s effects, something discussed at alive nor dead, is captured and forced
length in the next chapter. It is likely, back into a physical form by the
and my advisers in things magical powerful magic of the summoner.
agree, that the spell of binding is an
unreliable defense against a demon. As I ponder this possibility, it seems
to fit well with the chronicled activities
Cross-referencing the date of the of some demons. Drigor, for example,
incident involving Micah with other has devoted much effort to escape from
accounts leads me to conclude that the our reality, because it chafes on him like
creature he summoned is the demon a tight collar. It seems likely that after
later known as the Beast of Ehrendton, experiencing the total freedom of
a monster made moderatelv famous bv existing only as a spirit, the demilich

* na book of the same name. wants desperately to return to that
state. The fact that Drigor and other

x. Accepting this theory, however,
might lead to the false conclusion that
8 demons appear to be seeking ways to any race capable of generating enough
evil to spawn a demon is receiving the
escape our existence might further punishment they deserve. This could
support this theory. However, what this not be further from the truth! Demons
theory does not account for is do not punish evil, they encourage it,
transposition. If demons are indeed an and try their utmost to snuff out all that
evolution of the demilich, why do they is good in our tortured land. It is the
take steps to assume a physical form innocent and those who try to resist the
that will, without doubt, limit them, no demon who suffer the brunt of their evil.
matter how powerful it may be? There is no justice or moral imperative
served by the existence of demons.
The sfepchild and 8urnmoning

Natural observers have identified any
number of creatures that lie dormant,
either a s pupae or some other
protective state, until a specific natural

event occurs. OftI have found that

physical phenomena have a parallel in
the realm of magic-that hazy sphere of
forces and energies from which wizards
and magical creatures draw their power.

It seems possible, then, that under
rare circumstances, the powerful
magical forces unleashed during a
summoning attempt interacts with the
negative psychic energies generated by
all the evil in our land. This gives the
evil form and brings to conclusion the
gestation of the living nightmares that
are demons, causing them to spring
into physical being.

Powerful magic can indeed summon The preferred method combines
a fiend to the campaign world. This the gate spell and the effectsof
foolhardy endeavor will almost binding (giving it the appropriate
invariably spell disaster for any chance to remain unaffected). In
foolish enough to attempt it, and it addition, a fiend that is aware it is
is an act of such evil that it would being drawn to the campaign world,
cause multiple powers checks for and is aware of the peculiar nature of
any character involved in such an the realm, receives an additional
effort. bonus of +lo% if it desires to resist
the summons. Enlightened fiends will
While there may be other methods fight with every ounce of their being
to avoid being trapped in a world
to summon a fiend to the realms, Dr. governed by RAVENLOFTrules.

Van Richten describes the method Even if a mortal is successful in
most likely to meet with success. controlling the fiend, this relationship
The great intellect of most fiends with such a creature makes riding a
renders the use of the ensnarernent tiger appear tame! The fiend will
spell a laughable effort, which fiends
normally answer only if they desire always work to the best of its ability to
to step through and punish the fool undermine the caster. and if it fails. it
who dares disturb them. When fiends

'uoiieluio~urpan6ole1es s!qi 'aiopiaq~. .,
.asodind pue 'sapniliie 'siamod u1. inq.
'~1103u! Lluo iou 'ixau aqi luoq L(~eai6
s-'a33!p uourap qseg 'amleais anb!un e
s! uourap qsea ieqI sisafifins uo!lewio~u!

alqq!ene ino ieqi s! siualuasunouoid
an!g!ugap 01a p e s q o iaqiouv

.puel ino u! aJei aJe suoluap 'Llpassalg
.ma3 uaaq aneq suoluap 40 ainieu
aqi Lpnis oi sag!uniioddo ' i s i ! ~

wourap aqi40 Lpnis ang!u!jap e asnpoid
oi iiojja a q paiapuy aneq sa!i~ns!jj!p
4 0 iaqlunu e io4 'umouy s! ieqm uroy

uo!Ielodeqxa IO 'uo!ielnsads paiesnpa
LIUO s! ~ J O Ms!qI u! uo!purio~u!aqi 4 0

qsnw 'passaqsiano aq iouues sa!i!soiis
-uou asaqi 4 0 sa!iy!qe aqi 30 iuaixa

aqi iano Liu!eiiasun aqI 'ssa1aqiauoN

.siaMod s!uourap sassaippe Llqeuoseai
a p b 40 s! aiaqi ieqm 'speaqaiam

io saqduren uo sselue ues iaqsieasai

palexpap e sle!iaieur snou!urn[on aqi

qI!M paieduros UaqM asieds S! 4!aS/(lu
pue sasinos Lur Lq paiaqie6 uogeluiop!

aqi q6noqilv Lpaiaiunos aq Laqi
L e u moq pue 'sagyqe pue SIaMOd qaqi
ale ieqm 'L[aureN 'suouap alneq ppom
oqm a s o q [le 30 spu!lu aqi oi deal i s n u

i e q uo!isanb aql 03 MOU uini am
isioiepaid si! ueqi ~uaFq[aiu!

pue lnjiamod aJom s! i e q Laid

qi!m p a s q uaqm 1q6!am iaieai6 uana uo
sayel s!qL 'sa!gl!qe pue si!qeq 'amieu
SI! !Laid s!q 30 sLem aqi MOUY isnur
aq '[njssas3ns aq 01 ieqi smouy iaiunq
Liahq .a[iieq op 01qii03 6u!iniuan
aiojaq 'uourap e se

snoiaFuep pue [njiamod se

auo L[ie[nqiied 'Liesianpe

ue pueisiapun 0111043a
Liana ayelu oi piuassa s! i

c m o nPOWW 1 heard it come through the darkness,
heard the scrape of its claws on the
I have reiterated the individuality of stone floorand its breath rasping far
demons so frequently in this text that down the hall. It was not euen trying to
the sober-minded reader may begin to be silent, for it knew that it had naught
suspect that the demon has no genus at to fear from the likes of us! The blood of
all, but is merely an arbitrary grouping our four valiant comrades was spread
of creatures by a poor researcher.
However, it is possible to make certain ouer the creature’s body and the floorof
generalities about the demons thus far the keep in silent testimony to its power.
encountered. This is true much in the
same way that careful study of the Jess and 1 crouched behind the
human race has lead to general
conclusions which hold true for all men, barrels of moldy grain in the darkest
despite the differences found from corner of the storage room and euen
individual to individual. tried to think quietly! 1 heard its wings
scrape along the wall and its whip hiss
All demons share certain types of against the stone as it came; its bulk
powers. For the purposes of this work, nearly filled the corridor. It laughed and
common abilities have been grouped taunted us as cowards!Mayhap that is
true, but we were not fools, and we
into five broad categories: visual acuity,
stayed still.
elemental immunities, weapon Suddenly, the noise stopped, and
immunities, resistance to magic, and
spell-like abilities. though 1 knew it was close, it was a
long time beforea shifr ofshadow told
There is little that escapes the notice of me that the thing was in this uery room.
a demon. Not only is it exceptionally
intelligent and perceptive, but it seems $7see you there, you pathetic fools!
possessed of senses that far exceed You cower in vain!”Its uoice echoed
those of humans. According to those inside my skull. 1 could feel it staring
who study medicine and anatomy, these holes through me, scouring my soul
abilities often exceed those of while time stood still. Then it turned,
demihumans a s well.
chuckling, and walked away. “Tellthem
A survey of all available texts about me! Tell them all about me! Let
describing encounters with demons them know that it is futile to oppose me!”
also confirms that demons have
exceptional vision. The scope of their -Sir Armand lronhand
vision seems to perceive both heat and,
perhaps, cold. In addition, demons The Beast of Ehrendton
seem able to see far greater distances
than humans. Given the extraordinary abilities of the
demon and its unknown origins, it is not
Of course, the demon’s ability to surprising that their physiology is very
perceive its adversaries in darkness differentfrom those of the natural
may be no more than the power which
many demihuman races have to ~~
perceive heat patterns that living flesh
emits. There is no direct evidence to Every fiend has infravision that
confirm or deny the ability of the
demon to see normally in cold, pitch esxtends to a range of at least 120
darkness a s does the lich, but it is
wise to assume that the cover of f:eet. In addition, the natural vision o0f
darkness does not provide safety from
these malevolent creatures, as this as3-e-fe-iei:.nndc^^io-s^mI^e*^pnlheatnecdAe-aAd,r”,k.s-”noetshsaat it c an fhu. llll
excerpt shows. s :icf i.i.n

daylight, The connection between

the campaign land and the fiend

serves to sharpen the fiend’s already

keen vision.

, . - . . . .. .- .. .

i'' ' L' SEC'TION, 'IIiEFRST: - -1
dholding a bloody pike and whistlin'a
., inhabitants of our world. The demon
seems naturally hardy and less pretty tune.
vulnerable to extremes of temperature. He stopped when he saw us and
Whether this is due to the will of a
summoner, a link to the land itself, or to smiled real strange. Clem froze. but me
the beast's tempering to a harsh native and Samael charged the bugger. That's
environment, is unknown. However, this
amazing constitution is readily when he changed. All ofa sudden he
observable by anyone unfortunate
enough to encounter a demon. was big, bigger than any man, and he

This resistance to the elements goes didn't look like a man no more. His skin
far beyond a resistance to extremes of
temperature. The available evidence was all red and tough like horsehide,
suggests that demons are in fact often stretched tight ouer his body like it
immune to the effects of heat and cold, could barely cover his bones without
including those attacks that rely on
these elements. The following brief cracking. His teeth were real big, and
discussions provide examples of such he had a horn growin'out ofthe back
immunities. ofhis head. He still had the pike, in
bony hands with huge red claws, and
Fire his skin had this red kinda slimy stuff
Both research and my personal
experience suggest that demons are all over it, He was still whistlin'.
immune to the effectsof natural fire. Samael got to him first, and his heart
Whether this resistance is a magical
ability or results from an unnatural was running the show, not his head.
toughness of hide, its effect is clear. Instead of teaming up, he charged into
The account below provides a it, and knocked them both back into his
representative tale. burning home. The monsterjust stood
in the fire, flames licking up all around
it, but it didn't pay no mind. It smiled as
it spiked Samael to the ground and
clawed him apart, whistling while the
rooffell in around his head.

-Recorded by Ashlan of 11 Aluk

as told by Jared Tinkerson

We saw the smoke from the fields;and My personal observations confirm this
immunity to fiery attack, here against a
Samael, Clem and me run in as quick being usually called the "Whistling

as we could. It looked like a big 'un, Fiend." In our final battle against Drigor,
I had thought to use a special
and as we got close we could see that concoction that I had secured from an
alchemist of my acquaintance. This
like unto halfofcreeana was on Rre. As
we rounded onto the main street, we potion consisted of a sticky, saplike
substance that ignites when exposed to
seen the body of Thom the Smith. He the air, and burns for a period of time
was stretched out in the road with his before consuming itself. The adhesive
qualities of the ointment cause it to
hammer in his hand and his insides
adhere to whatever surface the glass
become his outsides. Through the vials containing it broke upon.

smoke we saw a few other bodies, and The ointment worked as advertised,
the only live folks we saw was runnin' but to my horror, it had no perceptible
effect on the demon! Three of our vials
for the woods a good ways away. burst against its form at the start of
the fray, but it continued to fight while
We didn't know about no war, and
w e might have run too, if we hadn't of they burned, suffering no apparent ill
heard the screams of 'Becca and the effect. In fact, Drigor even laughed
when, at first, I merely stood and
babies from S~ amael's house. So down
the street we m n, screamin' like we was gaped at this phenomenon. It scooped 6\

back at Dargal Pass and swallowin' real

hard to keep our breath coming. As we

-Got near the house, the scream

stopped, and we saw a man coming out
the door of the burning house. He was

/3

e storm and I ducked down behind a

3 up some of the substance with its barrel. "Lauoh at this!" the master
fingers, and licked its hand clean, as if
to prove its complete contempt for my shouted as :e unleashed the spell.
feeble attack! Then the whistling started again.
While I was aware of the reports
regarding normal flame, I had When I looked, the stranger was
hypothesized that this more potent walking through the raging storm of
form might do a demon harm. Let this
tale be a warning to all those who hail and ice as i f it w m nothing! He was
battle the forces of darkness that they twirling his pike above his head and
must be prepared to accept any whistling. He suddenly caught the pike
eventuality with equanimity, having
multiple plans of attack in readiness and lunged forward; the master did not
when attempting to best a demon. My even have a chance to scream before he
shock at the failure of the oil was so
great that Drigor could easily have was run through and pinned to the
taken my head off whilst I stood
gaping like a child at a circus. I wall.
survived only because he chose to The stranger went into the school,
mock me instead. I swear that the
demon shall one day have cause to and the screams of the other apprentices
regret that bit of pomposity. soon drowned out that horrid whistling.

II Most fiends are immune to normal -Recorded by Ashlan of II Aluk,

fire, except the farastu, which suffer as told by Pendia Kunster

I Ihalf damage from fire. Once, when battling a lich, I was
unfortunate enough to be targeted by
I an ice storm spell, and I almost did not
survive the experience. Any creature
Cold that can whistle merrily in the face of an
Given the resistance of the demon to ice storm must plainly be unaffected by
heat and fire, it is to be expected that it it. It should be noted that attacks that
would be more vulnerable to cold. At concentrate cold in sufficientstrength to
least, creatures in nature who have be damaging are all magical. Thus, the
adapted to one extreme based on their apparent resistance of the demon to
environment often have no tolerance for cold may be related to its resistance to
the opposite extreme. Yet it appears magic, discussed below. This resistance
many demons are also immune to the is not complete, so do not abandon an
lower temperature extremes. attack which is based on cold. It may
prove successful.
During another encounter with the
so-called Whistling Fiend, recorded resistant to the effects of cold Most

once again by Ashlan of II Aluk as he baatezu. tanar'n. and oehreleths suffer
I
followed the creature's swath of
destruction through Darkon, we find a only half damage from cold-based
dramatic example of this immunity.
attacks. Yugoloths, however, who
When m y master ordered the man from
his courtyard. he stopped whistling for normally suffer double damage from
the first time and instead started
laughing. The master did not like cold-based attacks, take only normal
laughter, especially not when he
thought it directed at him, so he damage while under the influence of a
decided to teach the cad a lesson. I
heard him mutter the incantation forice RAVENLOFTworld. I

Poison
A s far a s we can determine, the demon
has a completely different physiology

than a mortal. Therefore, it is very
uncertain that any substance which we

know to be poisonous would in fact
have any adverse effects on a demon.

Recorded battles with demons seem to thing come out after Jared. I hung back
support this hypothesis. and stuck to cover, trying to get behind
it. Maybe it didn't see me, or else l didn't
For example, Hataras the Quiet, a worry it none.
veteran hunter and warrior, who often
stood beside me in my battles against Jared got thejump on it and hit it
evil, once related a tale to me of a
creature he came upon in his twice with his sickle, two good cuts,
wanderings. From his description of the
monstrosity, I believe Hataras but the bladejust bounced off of it like
encountered the Whistling Fiend. it had hit a rock! Sparks flew, and some
of the red gook on the thing got onto the
While Hataras is a good soul, his
pragmatism, regrettably, often defeats sickle and started to bubble. The
his principles when fighting evil. He monster moved right quick, and cut
informed me that he had coated his
blades with an exotic and deadly poison Jared with the pike. Then it reversed
derived from mushrooms and toads the butt and cracked him good, sent
found in the deepest swamps of
Lamordia. However, it did not appear him flying into a tree. It walked toward
that his opponent suffered any ill effects him, whistling a / /the way.
from this deadly poison, and Hataras
barely escaped with his life from that Then I took my chance! I cut him
encounter. The creature appeared none
the worse for wear, continuing its twice from behind with old Quickclaw,
whistling despite several deep slashes
with the poisoned blade. a gift from me grandpa, and still a fine
old blade. The first one was deep. The
All fiends are immune to all known
poisons and toxins. monster screamed, and looked at me
with its glowin' eyes. 1thought sure 1
Wqonmnifies was dead, then it vanished in a blink. l
got Jared up, and we beat feet. Creeana
Many evil creatures are immune to the was destroyed.
effectsof normal weapons that would
harm or kill a normal man. This Neuerseen anything like it before, and
immunity is also common to many hope 1never see it again! Funny though,
undead beings, a s well as to magical
creatures such as the created, those sometimes when I'mjust sitting quiet 1
monstrous constructs of once-dead
flesh that are shaped by obsessed and hear that whistling crawling along in the
evil souls. If one wishes to attack a back of my head. [Investigator's note:
demon in close quarters, one must Testing of this man's sword reveals that it
secure an enchanted weapon. is enchanted.]

My colleagues and I took this as a -Recorded by Ashlan of II Aluk,
given, and we never attempted to attack
a demon with a mundane blade. There This entry confirms that while normal
are also written accounts, such as the weapons have no effect on demons,
following, which confirm this theory. magical weapons may indeed harm
them. However, not all magical
-0 P weapons are the same! Magical
weapons differ in quality and the power
Jared thinks l froze, but 1never did. ijust of enchantment, and as with certain
got sense enough not to go charging into undead or other magical creatures,
a fire after a monster thatk a whole lot some demons may be vulnerable only
biaoer and meaner than me! Anuwau, I to blades of particularly strong
enchantment. It is likely that different
n hegrd Sarnael dying, then isaw-the- demons vary in this regard.

Yet, there is another material more
readily available for weapons which will
harm, at least, some demons. That
substance is iron-cold, wrought iron.

The passage below was penned by
a warrior unfortunate enough to
encounter the Whistling Fiend. It

illustrates the effect of iron on this easily as they might arrows or daggers.
beast, which shrugs off fine steel. Yet, this resistance is not complete, nor
is it based on the might of the magic
me, 1raised my sword in feeble defense. being cast against the demon. Many
The weight offhe beast slammed me accounts of demons describe their
resistance to a variety of spells. My
into the ground, but 1realized that 1was experience confirms it.

alive and the creature not moving! The two spellcasters in our party in
Struggling out from under the body of the battle against Drigor used myriad
spells, as well as powers from various
the beast, 1saw that it had magical devices. Many had no apparent
miscalculated itsjump. It had landed on effect,while others (particularly a spray
the iron fence, crushing a section and of colored energy) injured it. Relatively
minor magic affected Drigor, while more
impaling itself on six of the posts! powerful attacks did not. The obvious
1sought to examine the strange lesson is that magic is an unreliable ally
in a battle against a demon.
beast, but as 1moved closer, it began to
stir, struggling to free itself from the Nonetheless, magical items and
spikes. My sword had bounced off its spells are still powerful tools which
hide too many times already, so I fled. should be employed against a demon
when at all possible. It is logical to
-From the private journal of assume that with demons, as with
certain undead creatures, their
Apparently, the cold iron of the fence resistance will vary. It is certainly best
pierced the demon a s it would any to use magical attacks, since they may
mortal creature. The demon shares this damage the foe while keeping the
vulnerability to iron with certain other wielder out of reach.
supernatural creatures. Its susceptibility
to iron also raises the possibility that Fiends have magic resistance to
certain demons may be vulnerable to varying degrees. This magic
weapons of silver as well. There is no resistance functions normally in a
record of a demon's encounter with this RAVENLOFTsetting, protecting the
precious metal, but many magical fiend against magical attacks but not
creatures vulnerable to cold iron are from magical weapons. Magic
also harmed by silver. resistance does not in any way assist
the fiend against the dark powers of
the Demiplane of Dread campaign.

nonmagical weapons. Yugoloths and Spelll1bAbMeS ,
b3aaaattee:zu are immune to normal
wweapons and iron, but are vulnerable While the powers listed above are
tto silver. Most tanar'ri suffer full formidable enough to give pause to
ddamage from both iron and silver even the stoutest of heart, they are not
wweapons. even the most powerful weapons at the
demon's disposal. In addition to these
Many magical or undead creatures are abilities and immunities, demons all
resistant to at least certain types of possess special powers casting spells
magic. Some even have a resistance so or at least emulating magical effects.
powerful that it works to partially Exactly where these abilities spring
protect them from all magic. Demons from is unclear.
have a similar resistance.
Dr. Farrinqer argued that demons are
Demons shrug aside many spells as true mages, eitherby nature or
inclination. The following excerpt from
GI her journals explains her position.

. ,.. . , ...

While there is room for dispute on this documents available to us lead me to
believe that demons, in general,
matter, I believe that the demons we emulate spell-like effects with natural
abilities.
have studied are mages, wielding
powers which they have selected and First, the use of scrolls and magical
devices in no way confirms that the
learned according to their natural user is trained as a mage. Many
magical devices can be used by those
inclination and anticipated needs. who are not trained in the arts-and
The vast intellect of the demon some cannot be used by those who are
so trained. Certain spells, particularly
supports this theory. It is clearly within the protective magic to which Dr.
their intellectual capability to become Farringer made reference above, may
rnages of the highest order: Further, also be read from scrolls by those who
are not mages. While the behaviors Dr.
while many undead or supernatural Farringer noted are consistent with the
creatures can replicate certain spells at behaviors of mages, they are consistent
with other sorts of people as well.
will, the evidence does not suggest that
Further, there is no evidence that
demons fall into this category. demons use, possess, or create
The vast number and diversity of the spellbooks that are the greatest treasure
of the mage. No demonic spellbook or
spells cast by demons demonstrate that fragment has ever been recovered for
they must be chosen and studied to be study, and we have never found a
cast when needed, as are the spells of written account drafted by a demon that
refers to spellbooks or to scribing spells.
any mortal mage. note that of the other
Demons are able to manifest spell-
supernatural creatures, only the lich like effects immediately (as we saw in
and demilich can match or exceed the the account of the unfortunate Miss
demon in magic ability, and they are Weaveron) upon their arrival, and
trained spellcasters. Further, there are somehow renew those abilities, despite
documented cases of a demon reading the lack of both the raw materials
needed to trigger the magical effects
spells from a scroll or making use of and spellbooks from which to relearn
spells. These abilities must, therefore,
magical devices. These behaviors mirror be natural spell-like abilities.
those of the mage.
Because of the extraordinary variety
While the natural abilities of demons among demons, it is very difficult to
are of legendary proportions, it simply catalogue these abilities. Dr. Farringer
was certainly correct that a demon's
boggles the imagination to suggest that powers are plentiful, diverse, and

demons possess by their nature the perhaps exceeded only by those of the
diverse array of offensive, defensive, lich and the demilich. Further, these
and protective magical effects. demonic abilities are idiosyncratic and
cut across the specialties observed
-From the clinic notes of among mortal mages.
Dr. Ottelie Farringer
Therefore, the champions of good
With all due respect to my distinguished must expect a demon to have extensive
colleague and beloved friend, I disagree magical powers at its disposal. It is
with her position. In my opinion, the most important to study your foe. Learn
available evidence strongly suggests everything that you can concerning its
that demons wield powerful magic from powers and behavior, and carefully
their own natural abilities rather than identify the magic the demon has used.
through a rigorous course of study. This is the only way to determine the

This is not to say that most demons G\
are incapable of becoming mages.
Demons are highly intelligent, and they
live for spans far exceeding the human
life cycle, if they are mortal at all.
Therefore, a demon could, in all
likelihood, study the maqical arts and

. f a further develop.its talents. However, the



., ,. -.

j . . L' sECTION, THE FRST: The Beast of Ehrendton, a tragic (3

where her father had been feverishly saga believed by many to be fiction,
writing ever since both he and his provides yet another account of a
beloved had been children. Now, it was demon who reveals its powers of
, Bethany who was sifting there, a wild illusion. The author's grandson, the
stare in her eye and ink stains on her current Lord Ironhand, states that his
hands. She was almost unrecognizable, grandfather always swore that the
he said, and she seemed to barely be story was true. In this account, written
aware of who he was. years after the fact, we see how the
demon lived among mortals in an
Much to our surprise and cautious
delight, near midday, a message arrived deep in the southern mountains, in a
for us at the inn. The message proved to
be a note from the Mistress of Edrigan, region known as Ehrendton. This
Bethany Madrigore. The lady invited Dr. location was remote, and often outside
Farringer and myselt; by name, to the reach of civil authority. Rumors
.I dinner at the Madrigore estate on the reached us that this warrior, a powerful
following evening. DE Farringer's man who was the size of a beac whose
examination of the note confirmed that it
was written in a hand which matched hair and beard were wild as a briar
? that of the author of the Madrigorian!
patch and who wore only dark livery,
-From the private journal of
Dr. Van Richten had assembled a band offollowers

abilities. All baatezu and yugoloths without land or honor who terrorized
have the ability to cast charm person, the surrounding countryside. They
while shator gehreleths (such as preyed on travelers and kept the local
Drigor) have the ability to beguile (as peasants in a state ofslavery.
a rod of beguiling, once per day).
Many tanar'ri and other fiends have We oowed that we would ride to
the charm ability, as well as spell-like Ehrendton, find this Black Duke and
abilities related to illusion. end his reign of terror. After all, no
mere bandit could stand against the
Illusions combined swords of six noble warriors,
The demon has other magical resources wielded in the cause ofjustice! A n d so
at its disposal to manipulate the hearts we rode forth from Castle Drakkir that
and minds of the mortals around them. sunny day, thinking we were bound
Demons all appear to be masters of for glory.
various types of illusions. They use
these powers to hide their true nature By the gods, we were young! Who
and forms from mortal eyes, and to could have known what waited to prey
manipulate the perceptions of their
human pawns to further their dark goals. on us in Ehrendton?
-Sir Armand lronhand
For example, Clem and Jared, the
militiamen who encountered the The Beast of Ehrendton
Whistling Fiend, described the demon
changing from a normal man to a huge, Later sections describe the
horned, skeletal figure before entering transformation of this "Black Duke" into
battle. There is also much evidence that a huge winged creature possessing
the demon who transposed itself with magical powers, tremendous strength,
and skill with weapons. The creature
f 3 Ammie Weaveron often cloaks itself in described in this work could only be a
illusory guises. demon, who decided to seize power in a
remote region of Nova Vaasa while
using its powers of illusion or alteration
to hide its true nature from the
populace.

__ The Black Duke met us alone in his *
Great Hall. At first, we thought that he
Many fiends possess lllusion or
Alteration magic that they use to did so to auoid witnesses to his
concet31their true nature. humiliation, or that his lackeys were
setting up some clever ambush outside.
All baatezu possess the power We were foolish to be concerned with
aduanced illusion, while yugoloths that rabble. They were the least of our
use their alterseffability. worries!

Mo!jt tanar'ri also possess some I strode forth boldly and denounced
sort of spell-like power which him as an evil man, a blackguard, a
enables them to make changes to coward, and a fool. Icalied him forward
their appearance or shape. A fiend to meet me in single combat, to answer
may utilize its illusions in whatever with his life for the crimes he had
form advances the drama and plot. perpetrated on the people of Noua
(Creativity is encouraged when Vaasa. He stopped me with a wash of
devising strategies and powers for fire that erupted from his hand. The
fiends.) flames fanned out around me, burning
my clothing, hands, and face.
I_
My companions spread out slowly as
Defensive Magic I retreated in shock. We had not known
The magic powers of demons are not that this man was a mage! How could
wholly focused on the minds of its he be? He wore armor and swords, and
adversaries. It has among its resources obuiously led others into battle. It was
a variety of powers intended to protect then, as w e struggled to adapt to this
it from harm. These seem to vary from new information, that the creature
creature to creature, yet the most struck.
potent defense seems available to all.
Euerything seemed to happen at
Demons all possess the ability to once. Suddenly, the Black Duke grew to
teleport, traveling great distances in the an enormous size, splitting the armor he
blink of an eye. This ability enables the wore and seeming to fill the room. Huge
creatures to strike with impunity and to
escape when wounded or threatened. wings and a long tail sprouted from his
For example, the Whistling Fiend that
disappeared after being stabbed twice All baatezu, tanar'ri, and yugoloths
by Clem Nimbletoe almost certainly possess the ability to teleport without
teleported to safety when surprised by error. Fiends cannot teleport out of a
an adversary who could do it harm. RAVENLOFsTetting, However, a fiend in
the Demiplane of Dread campaign
It is necessary to neutralize this teieport may use this ability to cross into or
ability to force a final confrontation. out of the territory of a domain lord,
Possible methods to temporarily curtail even if the domain lord has closed the
this ability, including one used with great domain's borders.
effect against Drigor, are discussed in a
Ironically, the gehreleths, including
later section of this work. Dr. Van Richten's shator nemesis
Drigor, are the only fiends that do not
Offensive Magic have the ability to teleport. When
The magical arsenal of the demon also battling that fiend, Dr. Van Richten
includes powerful offensive magic. assumed that it was able to use this
Given the variety of these powers, it is
difficult to group them into particular avenue of escape, However, within a
categories. It is possible, however, to RAVEN LO^ campaign, gehreleths can
draw certain general conclusions which use their gate ability to transport
may prove instructive.
themselves to somewhere else in the
A survey of the written accounts of world once per day.
battles with demons reveal a great
variety of offensive magic. An
illuminating excerpt follows.

Fiends have a great variety of spell- the false thoughts a s well as the
like abilities Whlle for the most part hideous evil of their true natures.
they replicate wizard spells, some are
duplicates of priest spells a s well. As Gate: This ability does not
the spells they resemble, fiendish function normally for any fiend in a
powers may be altered by the effects RAVENLOFTcampaign, whose nature
of the RAVENLOFIrules. does not allow any fiend to depart
the world by this method and limits
that work differently in i3 RAVENLOFT attempts to gate to once a day.
world than they do in n(xmal Greater fiends have a 10%chance
settings. Note that thou!3h some of to succeed in an attempt to gate in
the magic would norma Ily call for a an ally. Lesser fiends have a 5%
powers check, a fiend need not chance to succeed. Those wretched
make these checks, for the fiend creatures known a s least fiends
is already evil beyond tli e capacity have no chance to overcome the
of any evil godlike powt:rs to campaign world. Gehreleths may
transform. use this power to attempt to flee
elsewhere in the world.
Animate dead: A fiem9 can
animate and control twic e the usual Know alignment: The RAVENLOFI
number of corpses in a F~AVENLOFT campaign insulates evil from
setting. discovery. The target of this ability
must make a saving throw. Even if it
Clairaudience: The sensor for
power in a RAVENLOFTseltting is E Is to save, a fiend can only detect
visible ghostly ear. The spel1 is Ii :lawful, neutral, or chaotic
in effect to one domain ()r regior mponent of alignment.

Conjure elemental: Fiends wil Plane shift: This power merely
ability may summon on1y corruF nsports a fiend to a different
"Ravenloft elementals," ( main within the campaign world. It
the first RAVENLOFTMONS cannot help a fiend depart from the

COMPENDIUMAppendix (T

These elemental monste
free-willed, so fiends use
only if severely pressed.

Curse: This spell-1ik.e
a s described in Chapter
Domains ofDread.

Detect good: The pec
of a RAVENLOFT campaigr
readings of good and evi
confuses this power so if
does not work.

ESP:This power fuinc

normally. However, this
senses projected thougk
to mask their true natur
have the ability to unde
thoughts of undead, zinc
in" on nearby undead fc

body, which was covered in dull red artificial, and are used not to limit~the
scales. The body of the beast was spiked demon, but strictly for the purpose of
with barbs that matched the barbs on simplifying our discussion.
the huge whip it now wielded. As it
moved toward me, lshrank back in fear. One group of demons appears to

I am as ashamed now as I was then behave with a certain regard for
by this reaction, but I know that I could
no more have kept myselffrom running principles such as order, discipline and
than I could have stopped breathing. I
fled toward a side corridor, with Jess logic. These tend to adhere rigidly to
d’lurien beside me. At a harsh word the twisted philosophical frameworks in
from the beast, a wall offlamesprang which they operate: they are well-
up which shrouded the hall and organized and methodical in pursuit of
blocked the corridor. We both ran both their immediate and their long-
through it, our desperate need to run
stronger than ourpain. As we fled down term goals.
the hallway, we heard the deafening Any term developed to discuss
sound of thunder from the Great Hall,
and the laughter ofthe beast within! human nature is undoubtedly
inadequate when dealing with the
-Sir Armand lronhand complex, alien psyche of the demon.
The Beast ofEhrendton Indeed, our language and understanding
may be wholly inadequate to truly grasp
This passage describes several the demonic nature. Like any
offensive magic abilities available to the researcher and writer, 1 am bound by
demon. Although the Beast of the limits of my language and frame of
Ehrendton seems to have a preference
for fire-based spells, this is not so with reference. Therefore, I will refer to these
all demons. Once again, each of these
creatures is a unique individual; each demons as “lawful.”
and every one has a preferred method The other group of demons
of fighting. The physical power of a
demon is often matched by its magical approaches matters differently. First,
abilities, and these powers are used with they are by all appearances utterly
stunning speed and deadly effect. Any devoid of concern for, or dedication to,
given demon likely possesses a number
of offensive spell-like powers. any cause or being other than

% O d w @ d POWV themselves. Secondly, while they are
extremely intelligent and dangerous
While all demons are utterly evil, and adversaries, they tend to behave in a
engage in reprehensible acts designed less organized and logical fashion than
only to enhance their own schemes, their lawful counterparts.
some behave very differently from
others. There is some evidence to This seeming limitation may in fact
suggest that their behavior and powers be a disadvantage for those who battle
may be connected in some way. these demons, because it makes their
Demons that share an ethos also seem actions even less predictable than the
to share certain abilities. norm. Yet this lack of organization also
sometimes limits the ability and
Careful review of the written records willingness of these demons to plan far
of demons with a focus on their in advance or to prepare for every
attitudes and behavior seems to show eventuality. In addition, their lack of
that there are two broad groups into personal loyalty breeds nothing but
which we can divide these unique distrust and betrayal around them. This
atmosphere of intrigue and danger

may make them more vulnerable to
betrayal by their servitors, for leaders
who feel no trust or loyalty inspire
none in those who serve them.
Keeping in mind the caution we must

use when discussing the demonic
mentality, these demons may be
described as “chaotic.”

Now that our categories are defined, we Dr. Van Richten is correct in
can consider the question of whether it believing that there are alignment
is the power that brings the behavior or differences among fiends. However,
the behavior that brings the power? his categorizations are rudimentary.
For example, while yugoloths are
The raising of this issue may seem neutral evil, Dr. Van Richten has
pointless to some readers-after all, evidence of their total disregard for
demons have the power and that is all loyalty of any sort, and assumes they
we really need to know-but the are chaotic. The alignments given for
possible implications of this answer are fiends remain in effect. He is correct
rather important. in assuming that fiends of all sorts
exist within the frameworks of rigid
One possibility is that the answer is hierarchies, at least on their home
the same for demons as it is for mortals. planes. Suffice it to say that if a
That is, differences in temperaments and tanar'ri and a baatezu were to
abilities are shaped by a creature's encounter one another, a battle that
environment as well as its innate nature. would devastate vast areas would
ensue; chaotic and lawful fiends have
These differences may suggest that been battling each other since the
not only do demons develop or mature beginning of time.
in differing environments (or on
differing worlds), but that there may be be oriented toward improving the
different tribes or factions of demons. defensive and manipulative powers of
The possible existence of factionalism the creature, rather than its combat
among demons should come as no abilities. While lawful fiends are less
surprise, for they are powerful and powerful in combat than chaotic fiends,
intelligent beings with sharp differences they rely on their other strengths to
in personality and outlook. They may preserve them.
have internal divisions every bit as
great as those in human society. Regeneration: This fearsome ability
adds to the power and resilience of
The idea of a social structure among some demons. It has been observed
demons leads to the second possible that certain demons have the capacity
source of a demon's ethos-based power, to heal at an extremely rapid rate. Their
and this thought chills my very soul. tissue knits and repairs the effects of
wounds before the very eyes of their
Most readers have probably foes. Some lawful demons may heal in
encountered priests in the service of minutes from a wound that would
differing gods, each of whom adheres to impair a mortal for days.
his or her deity's preferred ethos. While
there is a similarity in powers of healing Not all lawful fiends regenerate
and warding of evil, each deity also damage. Of the baatezu most
grants unique abilities to servants. commonly found in a RAVEN LO^
setting, only gelugons and pit fiends
It is a terrifying concept, but perhaps reqenerate rapidly.
demons are like priests. Perhaps they
draw on the might of some gods in the Telepathy: This fearsome power
reality that they call home. This theory allows the demon to communicate with
horrifies me, because if the demons are any human by insinuating itself into the
being granted powers akin to mortal mortal mind, and perhaps even the
priests by other-dimensional mortal soul. The horror of this power
obscenities, then what goals of their must be obvious to any who
masters are they serving in our reality? contemplate the touch of that alien, evil
mind upon their own.
Powers of Lawful Demons
The following powers and tendencies
have been particularly noted among
those demons that we tentatively
classify as lawful. These abilities tend to

4 ~DEM. ON. S r -

Certain written accounts provide ~ .
examples of this power. Consider the
account of Sir Ironhand, in which the Guile and Manipulation: Recorded
demon whom he and his comrades encounters and information show that
battled in Ehrendton spoke directly to lawful demons exhibit more tendencies
his mind. In addition, there are toward manipulation and guile, whereas
passages in Ashian of 11 Aluk’s reports their chaotic counterparts tend toward
regarding the Whistling Fiend which more direct methods. To a certain
bear study. Recall that Clem Nimbletoe extent, this is no doubt caused by the
mentioned he often thought he heard differentethos orientations of the
the habitual whistling of the demon. demons. The tendencies of the lawful
demon to plan, organize, and create
It is possible that he was merely complex schemes and support
expressing his mind’s attempt to remain structures allow for more long-term
whole in the wake of his gruesome planning and for delicate manipulation
encounter. However, it is likely that the behind the scenes. To a certain extent,
demon remained in the area for a time. this orientation is simply a matter of
Given the nature of the Whistling Fiend, predilection and discipline.
it probably lurked patiently, seeking a
chance to revenge itself by quietly Powers of Chaotic Demons
destroying the mortal whom had driven There are also certain powers
it away. In the meantime, the demon
sent its thoughts to monitor the man. Its seemingly peculiar to chaotic demons.
signature whistling served as a constant Their situation is in many ways a mirror
reminder to keep its prey on edge and image of that of their lawful brethren.
awaiting disaster. This theory cannot be
confirmed, since no records of the Dr. Van Richten is correct that the
death of this Clem Nimbletoe can be natural, spell-like abilities of lawful
found. However, it is also certain that fiends focus more on charm and
the Whistling Fiend lives on, for it is manipulation than those of their
seen again over a century later on the chaotic brethren. All baatezu have
other side of Darkon. among their base powers aduanced
illusion, charm person, know align-
It has been my experience that chaotic ment, and suggestion. Certain lawful
demons either do not have this power or fiends supplement these with their
choose not to use it. They communicate own additional abilities; for example,
verbally, often speaking in the language the erinyes, gelugons, and pit fiends
of those to whom they address. In all of can polymorph self. Further, lawful
our research, our “expert” study, and fiends gain the power to cast four
tracking, and our confrontation with levels of 1st- and 2nd- level spells
Drigor (a blackhearted, vicious creature if from the Enchantment/Charm or
ever there was one), not once did we Illusion/Phantasm schools per day in
discover any record or encounter in
which the demon spoke telepathically. addition to their normal spell-like abili.
ties. This is a gift from evil deities or
identified telepathic communication a s other wicked powers, to encourage the
fiends’natural inclination toward evil.
a power of the fiend, but is mistaken in
The neutral yugoloths have alter
saying that it is a power of only lawful
selh charm person, and improved
fiends. All baatezu, tanar’ri, and yugo- phantasmal forceas part of their basic
set of abilities. However, most of the
loths have the power of telepaihy. Dr. chaotic tanar’ri and their brethren, the
gehreleth, have no powers of illusion 01
Van Richten was misled by the fact
charm. Only powerful tanar’ri possess
that Drigor, his model for all chaotic powers of illusion, with the succubus
being foremost among these. Shator
fiends, is a shator. The gehreleth are,
~ehrelethsdo have the ability to
in f,xt.the onlv fiends who do not J 5eguile their opponents.
telepathy.

43

*. -r" ".*

:,ci.\:

r

The powers associated with chaotic The MONSTROUMSANUAL contains an
demons are primarily physical in extensive treatment of the powers of
nature. These special abilities are more fiends under the baatezu and tanar'ri
suited for direct combat than for subtle entries. A full listing of the spell-like
manipulation. abilities of all fiends can be found in
the PLANESCAPE MONSJROUCOSMPENDIUM
Physical Immunities: It seems that Appendix. Generally the chaotic
these chaotic demons, more inclined to fiends have a far broader and more
engage in combat pell-mell, are slightly diverse selection of these powers to
better adapted for that task by nature choose from. While some baatezu are
than their more lawful brethren. One very powerful, tanar'ri and yugoloths
trait that is more developed in chaotic on the whole, are magically far
demons is immunity to various forms of stronger. Gehreleths, by comparison,
natural and magical attacks. have relatively few spell-like abilities
to choose from.
While we have discussed the
resistance of all demons to fire and All chaotic fiends in a RAVENLOFT
cold, it seems chaotic demons are also setting may cast four levels of 1st and
immune to electricity and acid. 2nd level InvocationIEvocation spells
per day, in addition to their normal
In addition to having surveyed spell-like abilities. (This can be four
several written accounts, I have 1st-level spells, two 2nd-leve1, or one
personally witnessed the invulnerability 2nd- and two 1st-level.) The unique
of the chaotic demon to attacks of acid nature of the campaign boosts their
and electricity. Beakers of acid and power in the same manner that it aids
bolts of lightning washed over Drigor lawful fiends.
with a s little effect a s the fire potion I
mentioned in an earlier passage. My Enhanced Magical Powers: As indicated
frustration and horror only grew a s the in the general section on spell-like
battle continued and, tragically, so little powers, above, the magical powers of
that we did seemed to affect our foe. the demon are dazzling in their diversity.
Drigor never had any reason to fear us. However, accounts indicate that the
chaotic demon enjoys an advantage in
However, one of the most chaotic magical power similar to that which
demons that walks our land, the they hold in physical immunities. While
creature known a s the Whistling Fiend, the varied nature of these powers, and
is not immune to acid. During a violent the difficulties in identifying them
foray into Falkovnia's Lekar, the precludes precision, the chaotic demons
Whistling Fiend was severely injured clearly have greater magical powers a t
when it accidentally splashed acid on their disposal.
itself. This serves to further underscore
the variety in demons. The available evidence suggests that
they have a far wider variety of offensive
The chaotic tanar'ri are immune and defensive spell-like abilities to
to the effects of electrical attacks, choose from. Spells of mass destruction,
while other fiends are not. Drigor's such as lightning bolt and fireball, are
magic resistance preserved him particularly lethal when the demon starts
from the lightning bolt. Gehreleths his attack with some mood-altering
and yugoloths are immune to acid, power that puts his foes off guard.
while tanar'ri and baat,ezu suffer full Although "less organized than the
damage Furth,51, certain powerful lawful demon, the chaotic demon is still
fiends have ad(litional resistances.
The shator, for example, is immune a cunning and deadly adversary.
to all nonmagic:al attack forms.

aq [lam L e u s!qi .swleai Jno u! an!lie
Aaql i u a u o u aql woq waql punolins

leql suoi!nua Alan a q dJem suowaa

L strive to impose themselves on the The first theory set forth above is
mystic and psychic template of our land r.o~rrec~t. W~ithin the Demiulane of Dread
or the power of the evil gods. In the
same way that the force of one powerful ~ ~~
magnet might repel another, the
intensely evil presence of the demon campaign, the fiends evil nature reacts
reacts against the land. Although every with the Mists and creates what is
creature, from the smallest babe to the essentially a mobile pocket domain in
most powerful wizard, seeks to impose which the fiend is the local domain
its will on reality, few succeed. However, lord, able to cross into any other
the demon is so powerful that it does domain lords domain. In other ADED
succeed in its quest, twisting and worlds, the fiend's control of reality
shifting the land around it. This is not to subverts the local magical control of
say that this "quest" is necessarily any native beings as powerful as demigods
more conscious than our bodies' (such as the demigod-emperor luz in
"quest" to displace water when we dive the GREYHAWcKam- paign, or the
into a pool. The demon's psychic mighty awnsheghlien lords of the
presence may merely be so powerful BI~HRIGHcaTm-paign).
that it displaces our world's psyche as
easily a s our bodies displace bathwater. --...--power o,.f$+tLhae d,ienmo-n,.i"ics great, >a"nAd iitt
This theory seems equally valid
whether the demon arrives in our would be foolhardy to entirely ignore
realms from some unknown place, or this possibility.
simply springs into existence.
December 1I th
Residual Energies
Another theory holds that reality This euening was the most
wrinkles result from the magical disturbing, yet most reuealing.
energies of the demon, not its evil Approaching the grounds ofthe
nature. According to this theory, Madrigore estate, I began to feel a
demons arrive in our realms from some "wrongness"about m y surroundings. I
other world, a magical realm, and their almost dismissed this as the imaginings
innate magical nature shapes the land ofan old man, yet Dr. Farringer made a
around them to provide the demon with comment indicating she was similarly
a livable environment. affected. What we felt is difficult to put
into words. We perceived the world
The residual energies from the around us through a slight haze or
demon's passage to our world create an shimmer, as if we were in the midst o f a
aura or field around the creature in the desert heat waue. Further, distances
same manner a s a strong electrical seemed slightly distorted and as though
current can create a field of electricity. they changed from moment to moment.
The energy field clinging to the demon This effect was so faint it may haue
then reacts to the energies of our land, been psychic or psychological rather
causing perceptible "wrinkles" in our than physical, but it was uery real.
reality.
The dinner itself was quite proper.
Magical Abilities Our young hostess questioned us in
The final theory I shall address great detail concerning our forthcoming
postulates that demons consciously "history" and our reasons for selecting
create reality wrinkles by employing Edrigan. Surprisingly, she made
some magical spell or power. The comments indicating that she was
demon's powerful magic, no matter familiar with my body of work and m y
what its origin, allows the demon to career. Indeed, she discoursed
impose its will on the land around it. NO comfortably on creatures such as
spells or magical powers currently uampires and werewolues.

/3 known could explain this ability. Yet the Despite the sumptuous food and the
pieasant conuersation,my sense of
" unease grew throughout the euening.
Carefulobseruation ofBethany Madrigore

reuealed signs that she may not haue wrinkle is tied to changes in the
demon's powers or relationship with the
been in control of her faculties. She land. Such changes seem to occur only
when a demon actively seeks to anchor
touched not a drop of her wine, yet she itself more firmly in our reality through
magical rituals discussed below.
had slightly flushed cheeks, and her eyes
were a bit unfocused. She would stare CO*l Opmriwtinw=
out into the room at no one, even while
carrying on a n animated conuersation. Both my own experiences and the
Her speech and mouements were written account set forth below,
hesitant, as if her mind and body were indicate that demons have some
not completely at one. control over their reality wrinkle, they
and are able to mold and shape the
-From the private journal of very land and buildings around them in
Dr. Van Richten whatever fashion they desire. If this
power is real, it is possessed by no
As each demon is unique, so too is its other inhabitant of our world that I
reality wrinkle. Reality wrinkles vary know of. The following passage from
greatly in their dimensions from demon The Beast of Ehrendton illustrates this
to demon. The size of the wrinkles ability. This section of the story occurs
apparently ranges from the few yards just before the climactic battle that
around the Whistling Fiend to the
roughly 3 square miles of Drigor's I spoke then, declaiming his foul
reality wrinkle. misdeeds, the way he and his lackeys
brutalized the populace, robbed
Although reality wrinkles are traueling merchants, destroyed the
normally a constant presence around surrounding towns and farms, and lee
the demon and stable in their size, a the people destitute and begging by the
demon's reality wrinkle can sometimes roadsides.
change. While this might indicate that
the distortions are indeed generated by When I jinished, the Black Duke
residual energies that diminish as time demanded to know who I was to speak
progresses, the little evidence we have
access to indicates that a change in the to him thus, and if Iplanned to act on
my bold words. I proudly announced
The power of a fiend determines
the size of its reality wrinkle. The my family name, and told him that my
range of each major fiend's domain comrades and I were here to challenge
varies from 1 mile (for lesser fiends) him in the name ofjustice. He smiled
to approximately 4 miles (for true sardonically, and beckoned us forward
fiends of great power). This effect has as he leaned back in his huge chair.
no impact on a character's combat
ability, but the distortion effect is As I walked across the length of the
unsettling, and t h e larger areas cause grand hall, I noted something very
a -2: penalty to any morale checks. strange, It seemed as if my perceptions
were faulty, or fading in and out with
The Dungeon Master should set an wine, though I had not consumed a
appropriate range for the reality drop of alcohol. As I walked toward
wrinkle of any fiend in his campaign him, the Black Duke got farther away.
witpiin these limits. In general, He actually dwindled in the distance,
powerful fiends, such as pit fiends, and 1stopped, confused. Suddenly, the
create large reality wrinkles, while Black Duke shot closer, returning to his
lesser fiends produce much smaller original position in the hall! I looked to
distortions. An imp or quasit might my comrades, and saw from the
have a reality wrinkle of only a few confusion on their faces that they too
ten:: of feet. had seen this incredible euent. Then our

~FC:TIOI\JT, HE FR~T: ,d

1 host laughed again, and suddenly I A fiend is able to pass freely
T.e~em~ed to shoot forward until he was
~~~ through magical borders and barriers
within ten feet of us. He faded back and
forth for quite some time, apparently in a RAVENLOFTsetting, even those

enjoying toying with us. When he maintained by powerful magical
beings. The borders of the fiend's
finally ceased his movement, the Black pocket domain are continually open.

Duke stood again where w e first When the open border of such a
encountered him.
"Come, " he said, "I tire of your pocket domain meets the closed
border of one of the normal domains,
presence here. issue your challenge, so the power of the pocket domain
that I may be rid of it&and of you! supersedes the more diffuse power of
this realm. Thus, no higher being can
-Sir Armand lronhand bar a fiend's passage through a
The Beast of Ehrendton

"closed" domain.

This account is the only record of a In an autobiographical passage, the
demon manipulating the size, shape
and distances of the land under the feet demon Drigor describes its efforts to
of its foes. Some combination of research and construct a strange
powerful magical abilities may well device, a ship which was in part
account for the effect described. Yet, mechanical and in part magical. This
given the extraordinary powers of all device would allow him to pierce the
demons, it would be a serious error to
assume anything less than the worst. barrier around some place called the
When you confront a demon, reality
Astral Plane, thereby escaping from
-itself may work against you! our world.
The land inside a fiend's reality This oro~iec,t involves an astounding
wrinkle does not change with the ~~~~~ ~
fiends arrival. In the Demiplane Of
Dread campaign, magical control effort of mundane and magical design,
over it merely passes from the
domain lord to the fiend. This engineering and construction. Never
immediately alerts the domain lord to have I heard of any effort remotely like
the presence of a powerful force in this one. This odd project stands as a
the local realm. A fiend cannot seal
the borders of its own pocket domain. testament to the scope of Drigor's
Anyone who wishes tci enter a reality
wrinkle and approach the fiend is free imagination and creativity, but its
to do so. continued presence is testimony to the
unfortunate failure of its efforts. How
F d mof Movmwt much grief would have been spared our

Demons travel freely throughout our world if only it had succeeded?
world. While this ability is not This magical device is important to
surprising, given the tremendous power
of the demon, it almost assuredly stems this tome only because Drigor records
directly from the reality wrinkle. The its efforts in great detail, and thus
energy of the reality wrinkle insulates
the demon, protecting it from all records his ability to travel throughout
strange magical conditions that
occasionally are observed on our world. the world, even to areas surrounded
totally by supernatural barriers. Yet, it
An example of such freedom of makes only passing reference to the
movement is found in the Madrigorian. Vistani. They did not guide Drigor's

party on his expedition using their
special powers of travel, which I shall
detail at a later time.

The demon tells this story very

simply, with no apparent effort to

dissemble. Drigor did not appear to

realize that this type of travel is in any

way out of the ordinary.
Another valuable source for
information on the ease with which a
demons travel in our land is a chronicle

sent to me by an adventuring mage Drigor in preparation for the coming
named Zartin the Red. The text sheds battle, ou; mage, Annelyn, made
light on many demonic topics while repeated efforts to locate the demon
telling the tale of an intrigue between by magical means, to spy on its habits
Count Strahd von Zarovich, the ruler of and environs. Yet each effort to make
Barovia, and a demon with the head of magical contact with the demon
a jackal. proved unsuccessful. This inability
adds to the evidence that demons are
opadfy ofRe4liiwrinwes undetectable by magical means.

Reality wrinkles also seem to protect Dr. Van Richten is partially correct
the demon from prying eyes, rendering in his observations. The reality
the creature and the area within its wrinkle of the fiend does create an
pocket domain immune to scrying or area that is impenetrable to the
other magical observation. scrutiny of a domain lord. The evil of
t:hhee ftiend disrupts the connection
The following account of the jackal- bJetweeeenn the domain lord and the
headed demon known as lnalira comes d-loommaaiin, and it is this connection that
from Zartin the Red, a powerful mage
from my homeland, who is a veteran grants the domain lord the ability to
warrior against evil in all its guises. His
latest adventure involved a remarkable maaaggiiccally survey the domain.
series of encounters with the vampire Dr. Van Richten is incorrect,
Strahd and a demon known as lnajira
(who apparently has an enmity with hL-o.w.,-e..v-rer, ii..n -s..ru-ior:.m.- ising +thha-tt fCi:enn-Adr s are
Strahd that began some time ago). immune to all scrying. Drigor is
From Zartin’s account, it is clear that immune to scrying because he
the reality wrinkle creates an area that possesses an amulet ofproofagainst
is secured against magical observation. detection and location.

The creature laughed a high, barking Unwilling Enfppmmf
laugh, his muzzle upturned in a sneer,
as he vanished. Demons on our world are frustrated and
furious creatures. Despite their horrible
“My lord,”I murmured nervously, powers and control over the land, the
“the creature must be watched. He arrogant creatures find themselves
cannot be trusted to remain apart from forever pursuing an apparently
us in this quest.” My companions unattainable goal: escape. Many
accounts show that although most
muttered agreement. While we were no demons desperately desire to return
whence they came, they apparently
friends of Strahd, none of us trusted this cannot do so.
creature.
The arrogant demon struggles to
Strahd whirled toward me, impose its will in this matter as in all
restraining himself with a n obvious else, and its failure infuriates the
effort of will, a n d snapped, “We cannot! monstrosity, filling it with agonies of
You should know that as well as I! We need. Reality wrinkles demonstrate the
cannot see his kind magically, and with demon’s power over the land.
his ability to teleport, he could be
anywhere.” Yet, every gift carries a price.
Demons are trapped on our world. It is
-Zartin the Red possible that the evil which flourishes in
the shadows and crevices of our realm
Personal experience confirms this is attracted to the demon, as like
abbreviated statement by Strahd. attracts like so often in nature. This
While my companions searched for comDellina evil may hold the demon
here’in th; land jusi as strongly as other