Demogorgon: Lame or Awesome?

[pawsplay]

I remember being befuddled by the original image and trying to figure out how he managed without any hands. Then eventually I realized that a two-headed baboon with no hands somehow ruling over all demonkind was somehow fitting. I came into the game from Basic D&D, so a lot of the swords-and-sorcery tropes were unfamiliar to me and I was unacquainted with how weird D&D could be on the outside.

Demogorgon embodies all the proper demon qualities: bestial characteristics, biological improbability, incongruity, and a strange mix of brutishness and unfathomable intelligence.

I like, too, the idea of these anatomically assorted, Medieval fiends ruling over the conquered realms of ancient, Cthulhoid entities. It's kind of cool to realize that demons themselves, the embodiments of the Abyss's CE nature, are in rebellion against ultimate chaos, that in some respects they are contrarily Lawful.

 

[Sammael]

I like, too, the idea of these anatomically assorted, Medieval fiends ruling over the conquered realms of ancient, Cthulhoid entities. It's kind of cool to realize that demons themselves, the embodiments of the Abyss's CE nature, are in rebellion against ultimate chaos, that in some respects they are contrarily Lawful.

Very Zelazny-esque.

 

[Shemeska]

I imagine him alot less "colorful" and not completely baboon -ish as depicted in many recent renderings. Instead I imagine him being alot more slimy, dripping/oozing,festering,mucus-y,deep-sea-ish and a little more alien or cthulhu mythos-esque. He would be various hideous shades of green,grey,black, & dark mustard.

*grins* That's how I prefer him depicted too, which is probably why I liked the BoVD picture as much as I did.

 

[glass]

I would pay money to see Mouse and Shemmie debate about fiends.

Me too! Well, I wouldn't because working in the Construction industry, I don't know how much longer I'll have a job, but do it anyway!

That weird thing on the cover is a two-headed baboon tentacle thing with all the awesome appeal of the flumph.

What, so shed loads?

Anyway, DG cool, MM2 cover, not so much. As many have said.


glass.

 

[Elphilm]

*grins* That's how I prefer him depicted too, which is probably why I liked the BoVD picture as much as I did.

I too prefer Demogorgon serpentine, slimy, and hideous, but the mandrill headed version feels a lot more evocative than yet another hyena demon. The image below hits the right notes for me, and is probably my second favorite picture of Demogorgon after the AD&D depiction:

 

[Mouseferatu]

Ari, have you seen, or did you have anything to do with, the Demogorgon stat block? Not asking for any specifics if you have or did, just curious.

Sorry, somehow missed this question the first time around.

I've seen an early version of the stats (that have likely since changed), as part of a bunch of files I got as background for [PROJECT NAME CENSORED]. But I had nothing to do with writing it in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Shemeska]

I too prefer Demogorgon serpentine, slimy, and hideous, but the mandrill headed version feels a lot more evocative than yet another hyena demon. The image below hits the right notes for me, and is probably my second favorite picture of Demogorgon after the AD&D depiction:

And I have a new favorite image of demogorgon. Same slimy, emaciated, alien-looking physique as the BoVD picture, but they put back the mandril heads. Very awesome.

 

[James Jacobs]

Neither is Jubilex, since it's actually spelled "Juiblex."

And yes, I realize I'm just being pedantic, now.

(speaking of being pedantic) Depends if you're talking about the closed content version in the FC1 or the open version from Tome of Horrors, actually.

Oh... and Demogorgon > Orcus.

 

[Mouseferatu]

(speaking of being pedantic) Depends if you're talking about the closed content version in the FC1 or the open version from Tome of Horrors, actually.

Well, yes.

I thought about mentioning that, but I figured that we're probably better off just sticking to "official" sources for this particular discussion.

Oh... and Demogorgon > Orcus.

Yep.

 

[Mouseferatu]

BTW, James, since you're here and since it's somewhat relevant...

Whose initial idea were the Obyrith? I don't mean specifics, I mean the basic concept of using FCI to detail a more alien form of precursor demon? Was that something you and/or Erik came up with and pitched, or was that something Ed asked you to do?

Not that it matters, I'm just curious.