Dungeons & Dragons Monsters — Dastardly Demons and Demented Devils
Hello again, Nerdarchist Ted bringing you some insights into the wonderful world of Dungeons and Dragons Monsters. Today I would like to enlighten you about Demons and Devils.
Now I am certain you are saying that is quite a large bite and our normal span of article length would not be enough to cover all the possibilities of demons and devils. Worry not, I am going to stick to the concepts of demons and devils and not get into the specific types.
If you guys think that I did not go in depth enough and you want more I can certainly do more Dungeons and Dragons Monsters articles devoted to each of the demons and devils found throughout the D&D mythos.
Now we know that the origination of the demon and devil are entrenched in religion and mythology as many of the other creatures in the monster manual, but so much so that the early days of D&D they had to come up with separate terms to avoid some scandal.
Demons are Tanari Devils are Baatzu
Now you can take the monsters right out of the monster manual and use them as is, but it lacks the impact of what these monsters represent. Creatures of the lower planes Want your soul!
Being immortal creatures obsessed with pain, torment and the acquiring of power, they really have no desire for your death until they are sure that you have suffered all you can or until they are assured that you have been corrupted as far as you can possibly go.
The lesser versions of these monsters are clearly not as evolved and can go for the strait up combat hack and slash game. But the higher up the power chain you go the more power and influence these creatures have.
Greater Demons and Devils do not just show up in a campaign setting they would need a reason or a method of being there. If they are summoned by a spellcaster there are of course limits to there time on the prime material plane. If this is not the case, it is a much bigger issue, and could be a sign for the players to pick up on.
These creatures as I said are basically immortal. So if they are banished in defeat to there home plane, they will remember the insult, and if they can escape their banishment early or if the player is of a long lived race it could come back to haunt him later in his career. It has happened with the Demon Errutu and Drizzt Do-Urden.
Demons and Devils in your campaign
Low levels: 1st through 5th; There are plenty of low level outsiders you an use in the Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual, but why use that as a limitation. Beings of great power often gain followers. You can have a cult or several cults working around a small city or village working for the benefit of a single greater demon or devil.
They could also be working for a spellcaster, who in turn is worshiping a demon or devil. The player could go through loads of work bringing down the cult and defeating the spellcaster only to learn he was just a puppet.
Mid levels: 6th – 10th; Here the players are able to stand up to bigger threats and can even handle some of the lesser demons and devils. With this the players have finally defeated the spellcatser and shut down the cult, but the villain made a big mistake.He left the journal open and the players learn of the greater power. Plus there other wizards/clerics working for him in the area and the hunt continues
High levels: 11th – 16th; Gaining power and prestige from shutting down the plans of the demon it is time to storm his stronghold on this plane. Beings of such power can have monsters and monstrous races of all sort for use as his minions and guards.
A campaign across the continent breaking the hold of the demon or devil has on the land and finally banishing him back to his home the Abyss or Hell
Epic levels: 17+ Why settle for banishment this Demon or Devil has caused your home world possible decades or more of torment, pain and death. It is time to march all the way to his home plane and end him for good.
Dungeons and Dragons Monster – The Dastardly Demons and Devils
So you have loads of minions of almost anything that could be evil, turned evil and magically compelled into service as well as outsiders of almost every level or challange rating. You have what ever creatures that can be summoned or convinced through bribe or torture.
Given that you can easily base an entire campaign around a single one of these beings of evil. And if you really want to mess with your players heads you can have the guiding force behind your campaign be a rival so while they did accomplish good they have paved a way for just another outsider to take its place.
So there you have my take on empowering the demons and devils of your campaign world of Dungeons and Dragons. Please let me know what you think. Let me know if there is a monster you would like me to give my/our take on in the comments below.
Until next time – Stay Nerdy my Friends!
-Nerdarchist Ted
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