Yet More Archfiends A Book of Vile Darkness Web Enhancement The Book of Vile Darkness details all aspects of evil as • The former archdevil, Geryon, longs to rule in they might apply to your campaign. This includes, but Hell once again. is not limited to, the statistics and descriptions of those • Pazuzu is a prince like no other, for he rules most evil beings, the archfiends—the Lords of Hell the skies of all Abyssal layers. Thus he is and Demon Princes. They each come with their own master of very much and very little all at once. details plus descriptions of their followers and cultists. • Rhyxali holds sway over all the shadow Yes, although the archfiends are not true deities, cults demons (find their description in the Book of of mortals revere them all the same. (The Book of Vile Vile Darkness) and the secrets and souls they Darkness describes how this works and suggests rele- procure as they skulk about the Abyss. vant variant rules.) Presented here for you are three more archfiends To use this web enhancement, you should already that didn’t make it into the book: a deposed archdevil have the Book of Vile Darkness by Monte Cook. Any and two demon princes—well, one demon prince and spells, feats, or magic items marked with a dagger (†) one princess. appear in that sourcebook rather than in the core rulebooks. This bonus material is brought to you by Credits the official DUNGEONS & DRAGONS website: <www.wizards.com/dnd>. Design: Monte Cook While the Book of Vile Darkness is intended for mature Editing and Typesetting: Sue Weinlein Cook Editorial Assistance: Penny Williams readers only, this web enhancement was written with Illustrations: Arne Swekel and DiTerlizzi Wizards of the Coast’s online audience in mind. There- Web Production: Julia Martin fore, it is suitable for all D&D players. Web Development: Mark Jindra Graphic Design: Sean Glenn, Cynthia Fliege GERYON, DEPOSED LORD Based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® game by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and on the new edition of the OF THE FIFTH (FILTH) DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, and Peter Adkison. Huge Outsider (Evil, Lawful) Hit Dice: 30d8+360 (495 hp) D&D, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONSTER MANUAL, and DUNGEON MASTER are reg- istered trademarks and the d20 System logo is a trademark owned by Wizards Initiative: +8 of the Coast, Inc. All Wizards characters, character names, and the distinctive Speed: 40 ft. likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of AC: 40 (–2 size, +4 Dex, +11 insight, +17 natural), America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork touch 23, flat-footed 36 contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Attacks: Claws +40 melee and tail slap +38 melee This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Damage: Claws 2d8+13 plus 1 vile, tail slap 1d8+6 This Wizards of the Coast game product contains no Open Game Content. plus poison No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written per- mission. To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 System Face/Reach: 20 ft. by 5 ft./15 ft. License, please visit <www.wizards.com/d20>. Special Attacks: Fear gaze, improved grab, poison, ©2002 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All rights reserved. Made in spell-like abilities, summon baatezu the U.S.A. Special Qualities: Baatezu traits, DR 15/+5, outsider Visit our website at traits, regeneration 6, SR 30 <www.wizards.com/dnd> Saves: Fort +29, Ref +21, Will +24 1 Treasure: Quadruple standard Alignment: Lawful evil Advancement: — Geryon was once Lord of Hell’s Fifth Layer. During a period called the Reckoning, Asmodeus himself ousted him. This turn of events seems strange to those who know the facts, since the Reckoning came about when the lords of Hell all turned on their master, Asmodeus—all but Geryon, that is. The only loyal lord was deposed, while most of the mutinous lords went unpunished. Some speculate that this move repre- sented some sort of strange reward from Asmodeus— Geryon certainly did not see it that way—and others assume the former archdevil’s loss of rank is only tem- porary. If Geryon has his way, the latter estimation will prove correct. Although some call him the Serpentine Lord, Geryon’s enemies also name him Lord of the Filth. This label obviously plays off his former “Lord of the Fifth” title, much like Baalzebub’s “Lord of the Flies/Lord of the Lies” moniker. However, such a reference is ironic in Geryon’s case, for the archdevil despises uncleanli- ness and dirt, demanding that servants keep himself and his surroundings immaculate. This need seems at odds with the devil’s otherwise bestial appearance and nature; some think him a little mad. The archdevil dwells in a secret iceberg fortress called Citadel Coldsteel that floats in a frigid sea. Its dangers combined with its sterile appearance encour- age the few who have seen it to compare the place to a surgeon’s scalpel. In appearance Geryon resembles Mammon’s current form: that of a huge serpent with a muscular humanoid torso sporting two large arms and a massive humanoid head. For all his bizarre appearance, Geryon’s face and Abilities: Str 36, Dex 19, Con 35, Int 26, Wis 24, Cha 23 features seem strangely attractive and handsome in a Skills: Appraise +28, Bluff +34, Climb +41, Concentra- raw, animal sort of way. tion +42, Diplomacy +36, Hide +26, Innuendo +34, Geryon’s symbol is a menacing bull’s head sur- Intimidate +37, Knowledge (arcana) +36, Knowledge rounded by a serpentine border. (the planes) +36, Knowledge (religion) +36, Listen +35, Move Silently +34, Perform +21, Search +36, Sense Motive +34, Spellcraft +38, Spot +37 Combat Feats: Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Dark Speech†, Great Geryon thrusts himself into physical combat at a Cleave, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack, moment’s notice with lust and ferocity. He prefers to Vile Natural Attack† (claws) destroy foes with his bare hands, but sometimes he resorts to using weapons and even a shield. Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground Fear Gaze (Su): Geryon has a gaze attack that pro- th Organization: Solitary duces fear, similar to the fear spell (caster level 15 ; Will Challenge Rating: 22 DC 31 negates). Other baatezu are immune to the aura. 2 Improved Grab (Ex): If Geryon hits a Large or Most of the time Geryon plots and schemes against smaller opponent with a claw attack, he deals normal Levistus, current ruler of Hell’s fifth layer. Slowly and damage and attempts to start a grapple without provok- secretly the resentful ex-lord raises an army of disaf- ing an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus +51). If he fected or mercenary devils. Geryon’s secret army is vast hits with the claw, he also automatically hits with his and powerful, but not yet ready to begin a revolt tail slap attack in the same round. Geryon has the option against Levistus. to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use his claw If Geryon ever regains his former position, his per- to hold the opponent (–20 penalty on grapple check, but sonal power likely will increase quickly (more Hit Geryon is not considered grappled). In either case, each Dice, greater spell-like abilities, and so on). successful grapple check he makes during successive rounds automatically deals claw and tail slap damage. The Cult of Geryon Poison (Ex): Geryon delivers his poison (Fort DC 37) Cultists who worship Geryon see him as a patron of via each successful tail slap attack, from the vicious stinger controlled rage and revenge. His followers, often embedded in his tail. The initial and secondary damage rangers and barbarians, are the same (2d6 points of Constitution damage). can be found among Horn of the Bull Spell-Like Abilities: At will—blasphemy, charm mon- gnolls, bugbears, hob- This lesser artifact summons 1d10+10 ster, desecrate, detect good, detect magic, discern location, dispel goblins, and minotaurs, minotaurs with maximum hit points. magic, enthrall, fireball, hellfire storm†, hold person, magic as well as more standard They serve the summoner until they circle against good, major image, produce flame, see invisibil- races. These driven, die. The horn can be used three times per week, but when a user blows it, all ity, suggestion, teleport without error, unholy aura, unhallow, greedy individuals summoned minotaurs remaining from wall of fire; 1/day—spread of savagery†, symbol (any), wish. allow nothing to get in its previous use (if any) disappear. In all Caster level 20th; save DC 16 + spell level. their way. The very few temples other ways, treat the horn’s effect as a Baatezu Traits: Geryon can communicate telepathi- summon monster spell. of Geryon are found cally with any creature within 100 feet that has a lan- Caster Level: 18th. guage. In addition, he can see perfectly in darkness of deep in the wilderness. any kind, even that created by a deeper darkness spell. These underground Geryon is immune to fire and poison, and he has acid labyrinths incorporate cold, bluish steel where possible resistance 20 and cold resistance 20. and always look extremely clean and stark. Outsider Traits: Geryon cannot be raised or resur- Clerics associated with Geryon wear red or dark rected. green clothing and serpentine jewelry. They usually Regeneration (Ex): Geryon takes normal damage have access to the Diabolic, Evil, and Bestial domains.