D&D (2024) D&D Marilith Is Far More Bestial In 2025

The new 2025 Monster Manual has all-new art, and one major change is the depiction of the marilith. Up until now, the marilith has been depicted as a six-armed humanish female from the waist up; while in the 2025 book, the picture is far more bestial in nature.

Not only is the imagery more demonic, it also features the creature in action, simultaneously beheading, stabbing, and entwining its foes with its six arms and snake-like tail.

Left 2025 Marilith / Right 2014 Marilith​

 

[Dire Bare]

Do Kytons (chain devils) have sex organs? What about Type V demons? Are we supposed to imagine the Cathezar gestating? And was she laid as an egg, or born live? Was she born with her chains, or did she have to find them somewhere?

As I posted upthread, the whole thing doesn't support reasoning. The idea of the spawn of an unholy union is a trope, not an invitation to speculate about the process.

Support reasoning? No. It makes sense to me. It doesn't make sense to you. It's all made up. Neither choice is "right", it's just what we prefer.

If you don't like the idea of demons having sexual characteristics or gender . . . okay, that's fine. But some folks do, and it's not because we are ignoring "reason". It's supported in past D&D lore, and isn't really addressed clearly in 5E lore. Should it be? Eh, I'm not overly concerned in the D&D team ever addresses this directly, why should they?

All of the questions above . . . do kytons or other demons have sex organs, would the Cathezar gestated for a time in the womb or laid as an egg, was she born with chains or acquire them in some other way . . . all of those are interesting questions, IMO. As a DM or creator, I just might dive into all of that backstory for the Cathezar. Or I might not worry about it all that much. Again, personal preference.

It predates Planescape: Eldritch Wizardry and the AD&D MM both describe Type V demons as female.

And according to another poster, Mariliths are not mono-gendered in Planescape:

Yes, mariliths being female predates Planescape, it is also lore within the Planescape line. Let's quibble some more on that minor detail.

In past D&D lore . . . which is inconsistent between supplements . . . demons as a category could have gendered and physiological traits and needs, including sexuality. But mariliths as a type of demon were all female in their true form, and they have always been depicted as female . . . until 2025. Which is why we are all arguing about very important things.

 

[Corinnguard]

Let me know if you dont get the joke...

I got it.

 

[Maxperson]

Do Kytons (chain devils) have sex organs? What about Type V demons? Are we supposed to imagine the Cathezar gestating? And was she laid as an egg, or born live? Was she born with her chains, or did she have to find them somewhere?

As I posted upthread, the whole thing doesn't support reasoning. The idea of the spawn of an unholy union is a trope, not an invitation to speculate about the process.

It predates Planescape: Eldritch Wizardry and the AD&D MM both describe Type V demons as female.

And according to another poster, Mariliths are not mono-gendered in Planescape:

Official lore has already been provided that shows that demons can shift genders if they want, which would include sex organs.

 

[Hussar]

Official lore has already been provided that shows that demons can shift genders if they want, which would include sex organs.

Now there’s some roller skates on that goalpost.

So you no longer have any issues with the 2025 depiction of mariliths?

 

[Maxperson]

Now there’s some roller skates on that goalpost.

So you no longer have any issues with the 2025 depiction of mariliths?

Of course I do and I've given my reasons which are not in contradiction with anything that I've just said.

 

[Hussar]

Of course I do and I've given my reasons which are not in contradiction with anything that I've just said.

Let me get this straight.

Official lore that you cite says demons can shift genders.

But mariliths, despite being demons, cannot.

Is that about right?

 

[Maxperson]

Let me get this straight.

Official lore that you cite says demons can shift genders.

But mariliths, despite being demons, cannot.

Is that about right?

No. But you asked about the art. The art no longer depicts the marilith as its default gender. The lore also removed female. These changes are what I dislike, not whether or not they can change from female to male if they want to.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Do Kytons (chain devils) have sex organs?

I googled "Kyton rule 34" and got several hits...

 

[Hussar]

No. But you asked about the art. The art no longer depicts the marilith as its default gender. The lore also removed female. These changes are what I dislike, not whether or not they can change from female to male if they want to.

Ok, I'm really confused. The lore about changing gender is OLD. It's from like decades ago. IOW, Marilith's have been, by canon, allowed to be any gender for a very long time. This is the first art we've had showing that change, but, the changes in NO WAY removed the idea that mariliths can be female. It simply shows one marilith that is indeterminate (at least by the picture). Which is 100% kosher with the lore YOU BROUGHT UP.

So, what's the problem here? By the canon that you insist we must adhere to, demons can change their gender. Mariliths are demons are they not? Then any picture of a marilith can be of any gender or anything along the gender spectrum, because demons, as per the canon that you insist must be adhered to, can choose to appear to be any gender.

There are no actual changes here.

 

[Maxperson]

Ok, I'm really confused. The lore about changing gender is OLD. It's from like decades ago. IOW, Marilith's have been, by canon, allowed to be any gender for a very long time. This is the first art we've had showing that change, but, the changes in NO WAY removed the idea that mariliths can be female. It simply shows one marilith that is indeterminate (at least by the picture). Which is 100% kosher with the lore YOU BROUGHT UP.

The marilith default has never been indeterminate in the art. It has been female 100% of the time. Further, it has always had the torso of a female humanoid(elf, dwarf, halfling, human, etc.). The new art isn't the default female, nor is the torso that of a humanoid.

So, what's the problem here? By the canon that you insist we must adhere to, demons can change their gender. Mariliths are demons are they not? Then any picture of a marilith can be of any gender or anything along the gender spectrum, because demons, as per the canon that you insist must be adhered to, can choose to appear to be any gender.

The art and the lore have shown that the overwhelming number of mariliths choose female. The new art is bupkis on that front, and that of humanoid torso, which is not changeable as the marilith sees fit like gender is.

There are no actual changes here.

Yes there are.