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Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alzrius" data-source="post: 2314137" data-attributes="member: 8461">It goes without saying that this issue is another winner. Here's a breakdown of what's undoubtedly the most popular article in this issue:"Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Fraz-Urb'luu" is second in the hit series by James Jacobs. The format here is the same as with Pazuzu. After the opening text summarizing who Fraz-Urb'luu is, it immediately launches into his stats, giving us the powers for this CR 28 demon lord. It's interesting to note that these stats are not in the new stat block format that premiered in this month's Dungeon (and the DMG II), but those for his aspect are.Fraz-Urb'luu's stats are rather frightening, but that's to be expected of a demon lord of his caliber. Interestingly, he doesn't seem to have any innate healing abilities; the lack of regeneration or fast healing is noteworthy. However, given that his stats reflect that he always has greater magic fang on himself, and always uses a 15-point Power Attack, most PC's probably won't last long enough to notice that.His special attacks are where he really becomes frightening though. Fraz has the ability to summon a demon once per day as a free action, and also make it believe that it was summoned by a mortal instead. Worse, this works even for unique demons, including other demon lords. As if that wasn't enough, he has the ability to disjoin magic items and spell effects by touch, up to and including artifacts (though there is a reduced chance for them, and a possible penalty; it would have been nice though if they told us whether that was for all artifacts, or just greater artifacts). Somewhat oddly, he has a Demogorgon-like ability to be able to make or use any magic staff.There's a sidebar on Fraz-Urb'luu's staff, which is a major artifact itself. It details its powers and current sketch rather nicely, but doesn't mention that the staff's greatest power is that it is what allows the wielder to instantly reshape Fraz-Urb'luu's layer of the Abyss with just a thought. You only pick that up as you continue reading the article.Following this is a quick section on Fraz-Urb'luu's aspect (a la the Miniatures Handbook).The next section outlines Fraz's goals. While still a master of deception, he now harbors and intense enmity of the Prime Material Plane, mortals, and especially humans. He wants to invade the Prime and kill all the mortals there, but can't even begin until he regains control of his layer, something that is slow going without his staff.Following this is information on Fraz-Urb'luu's cult. While you may expect it to focus on deception, it's hard to describe how insidious this cult is. They masquerade as a cult for a good-aligned church, and encourage heroes (though they encourage them to do acts with evil repercussions)...only to then say that their god is displeased with them, and they need a sacrifice (they'll even say they'll raise the sacrifice if necessary). The sacrifice's soul goes to Fraz's realm, where he slowly lets the illusion of paradise fade, letting the trapped soul know how badly it erred.Following this is the section on the Thrall of Fraz-Urb'luu PrC. This ten level prestige class also focuses on deception, with it's ultimate power being alter reality; this is when they cast an illusion spell (of 3rd level or higher) they can then alter reality to make the illusion real (it has a few limits on what can normally be done with that spell).Fraz-Urb'luu's minions described the monsters who serve the demon lord. Of particular importance are the Hollow Rajah rakshasas. Fraz long ago convinced a number of rakshasas to serve him, changing their alignment to CE. They all eschew the tiger form most of their kind has, looking like other animals instead. There's also a new tanar'ri called the skurchur.A sidebar, "Fraz-Urb'luu in the Real World" explains the demon lord's metagame origins, telling how he was created whole-cloth by Gary Gygax to deal with Ernie Gygax's character having two vorpal swords.Finally, Fraz-Urb'luu's Realm describes Hollow's Heart, the 176th layer of the Abyss. It describes several points, describing conditions and those who rule there.</blockquote>

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