Calling all Graz'zt scholars!

[Desdichado]

That makes sense, since even the name Graz'zt doesn't really work in any real life language that I'm aware of. It looks exactly like a "fantasy" name, not a mythological name.

The whole devil as a giant black man that appears to witch's covens and whatnot idea that clearly partially inspired Graz'zt is the only thing I can think of. I'd like to see that aspect of Graz'zt played up a little bit more. It's been mentioned plenty of times in the past, but just as a one-line bit of scenery.

 

[Cam Banks]

He has a real Nyarlathotep thing going for him, too.

Also, I think he needs to be depicted with twin scimitars and a magical black panther. Totally awesome.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Voadam]

Asmodeus got bandied about for a bit elsewhere as being Graz'zt's dad. That's an unusual choice, and one with intriguing connotations that I don't think would really work out in the end. Another theory is that Baphomet is his dad, but I have in my head that Graz'zt's a lot older than Baphomet. There's a good chance I'll just leave it vague. I'm not sure the lucky "dad" I've come up with is the right choice, after all... It IS kind of weird...

In 4e since devils are humanoid looking and demons are monstrous, Grazzt being Asmodeus' devil son turned renegade demon lord works to a certain extent.

 

[Voadam]

Oh, and don't forget his appearance with Iggwilv in 1e Castle Greyhawk!

 

[Mark Hope]

There is a race of beings in Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber who bear a surprising resemblance to Graz'zt (or, rather, the other way around). They live on a plane called Avernus, they're red-skinned, eight or nine feet tall, with pointed ears, cat-like eyes and have six clawed digits on each hand and foot. And they carry big-ass swords. A possible inspiration, perhaps?

 

[Alzrius]

You probably already have this, James, but you might want to mention something in regards to Rhyxali, the Demon Princess of Shadow from the Book of Vile Darkness web enhancement. The demon lord of shadow demons, she has black skin and six fingers on each hand, leading to rumors she is Graz'zt's sister. Perhaps that's something you could run with?

 

[Canaan]

Asmodeus got bandied about for a bit elsewhere as being Graz'zt's dad. That's an unusual choice, and one with intriguing connotations that I don't think would really work out in the end. Another theory is that Baphomet is his dad, but I have in my head that Graz'zt's a lot older than Baphomet. There's a good chance I'll just leave it vague. I'm not sure the lucky "dad" I've come up with is the right choice, after all... It IS kind of weird...

Actually, if I know my Milton (Paradise Lost), Orcus and Pale Night were depicted as the rules of the Abyss, from whom Satan sought directions/permission to travel to The Garden. I thought she was depicted as Orcus's concubine. That could make Graz'zt the son of Pale Night and Ramface.

 

[heirodule]

Biblical giants are related/the same as biblical "nephilhim", who in some accounts are the offspring of angels and humans (in other, more reasonable accounts, the offspring of the righteous sethites and the cainites)

Some biblical giants had six fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot.

There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, "You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel."

After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

 

[Shade]

I'm not sure the lucky "dad" I've come up with is the right choice, after all... It IS kind of weird...

Malcanthet is really "Mancanthet"?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The whole devil as a giant black man that appears to witch's covens and whatnot idea that clearly partially inspired Graz'zt is the only thing I can think of. I'd like to see that aspect of Graz'zt played up a little bit more. It's been mentioned plenty of times in the past, but just as a one-line bit of scenery.

If it were me -- and clearly, it is not -- this would be a central aspect of Graz'zt's nature in D&D. Of course, the lack of actual witches in the game complicates things somewhat.