Suggestion for a Demon Lord/Prince

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Glad to see Haagenti getting some use! It's always a thrill to learn that not only has someone read something you've created but that they've deemed it cool enough to incorporate into their campaign

I'm taking a break from lurking because I want to give you praise for your work on Armies of the Abyss. Having only recently bought it, I found it to be a perfect accessory to my campaign. The demons (nobles, princes, and "commoners" alike) are excellent; both creative and inspiring.

Just to sate my curiosity, is there anything in the book (in hindsight) you would have treated differently? I'm thinking of a small point regarding the thaumaturge class: the random corruption effects. I'm having a hard time convincing a player in my campaign that his thaumaturge just lost 2 points of charisma while another player's thaumaturge got a +2 natural armor bonus to AC. I know there is an element of randomness in D&D (example: hit points), but is it wise to apply such randomness to class features?

I ask because I want to minimize the amount of house rules. If there is a reasoning behind it, I could pass it on to my players. Just to emphazise: I have great respect for your work, especially your love for Greyhawk. This was really just a minour issue.

 

[CRG]

I like Ochremeshk as well as the other's you've chosen.

Older players will like Pazazu, etc.
Only internet geeks will likely be able to find Ochremeshk and frankly, Haagenti is still not the most widely known (but his cult is growing!!!1).

One question on Ochremeshk though, Monte. The write-up is all kinds of nifty but the description says his temple is built to look like him. Now, his skull-motif and the picture on the first page all show a goat-horned being, yet the temple/statue seems to be abesnt horns. I know these are minor things and frankly, I think everything is cooler with horns and fire (so I know how I' d portray him) but, what gives?

 

[Nightfall]

Ochremeshk is definately someone I'd consider. However considering the power levels involved (especially with Orcus who is a Lesser god in FR), you definately need some...cohesion.

Thus I propose my own solution, Runin, a NE outsider that was a powerful fiend from my beloved Scarred Lands. He's now on the lamb from other gods and has found the gateway into the Abyss. There he's decided to set up shop with Orcus and crew, ultimately keeping them focused on conquoring and sustaining their power. Runin is now a divinely worshipped being, and has plans on reconsistution his former creator, Hrrinnruk. His portofolio is that of assasination, deceptions, hunting, and stalking. He's a demi-god with asperations of being more than that. Orcus and he have an understanding, and the rest sort of follow the party line since Runin has now brought them access to new found magics and even some new recruits in various parts of Scarn's multiverse, such as Djinn and even some half bred half fiends Slitheren that are his new personal guards. Runin looks like a giant humaniod hairless rat, with two tails, four appenages and deep red eyes. Instead of fur though, he's got scales. He favors ranged attacks and his mighty composite long bow +7, Heartsbane, has never missed a target.

Howse that for a new fiend?

 

[Monte At Home]

One question on Ochremeshk though, Monte. The write-up is all kinds of nifty but the description says his temple is built to look like him. Now, his skull-motif and the picture on the first page all show a goat-horned being, yet the temple/statue seems to be abesnt horns. I know these are minor things and frankly, I think everything is cooler with horns and fire (so I know how I' d portray him) but, what gives?

Artists sometimes take... liberty with the text descriptions.

 

[Ghostmoon]

Thanks all for responding! A few thoughts:

I realize that these guys would rarely play well together for any length of time without something binding them together. My original concept is that Fraz-Urb’Luu, being the Prince of Lies, has been subtly manipulating the other lords, allowing the compact to exist much longer than it naturally would. However, at some point it will enviably unravel.

With the other four demon lords, I have a fairly clear view of what these guys are about and what their motivations are. I am not so clear with Ochremeshk. I can see that, at least to his followers, he is mostly about destruction, chaos and evil. However, I think the inclusion of Orcus covers these areas. I can see more closely aligning him with fire and destruction, something no one else in the group has, to make him stand out a bit.

As for Haagenti, he is by far my favorite demon lord from the AotA. I am a long-time fan of Gamma World and soon as I read his description, I thought of a crossover. An entire world filled with the remnants of a highly advanced society, many of them still in working order, just ready to be picked up and used. Demons with atomic bombs and possessed warbots scares the pants off me.

Thanks again all! If anybody has any other ideas, keep them coming.

 

[Dispater]

What about... Demigorgon? Perhaps too powerful.

 

[Nightfall]

Not to mention he and Orcus have a deep abiding hatred of the other.

I'm glad you enjoyed the stuff. I wish I had more Demon Princes/Lords to offer...but I think your best bet is with someone in AotA.

 

[Ghostmoon]

I think I got what I need, but just in case anyone else has any thoughts.