Demogorgon's constructs and lieutenants [Archive] - Wizards Community

Demogorgon's constructs and lieutenants [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Watchdog_of_Hades
03-16-06, 08:12 PM In the Book of Vile Darkness, it says that Demogorgon makes a ton of constructs seen nowhere else on the planes. I'm thinking of tossing my poor, poor players into the 88th layer to kill both of the Prince of Demons. That's right, pals, if you're reading this. You're facing off (twice at once) against a super duper demon guy. Anyhow, I want to populate his fortress with krayzee konstrukts and oober deemins that will send the players running for their lives. I'd like these things to be about CR 22-27, to be a challenge but not as much of one as Aameul and Hethradiah themself. Other than that restriction, any help is appreciated.
runestar
03-16-06, 10:05 PM Perhaps a few suitably advanced balors or mariliths with class lvs?
dok
03-16-06, 10:53 PM I don't feel like doing any heavy lifting. (that's what the Monster Request thread is for) But here are a few ideas:

1.) "the Queen of Blades": Marilith (CR 17) + Multiheaded template (SS, +2 CR), Advanced 4 HD (+3 CR) = CR 22, and able to make a total of 25 attacks with a full-attack action. Ouch! She's not a construct, but if the second head is stitched on, she's the result of mutation/experimentation.

2.) "Dweller of the Deep" Darktenticles (MMII, CR 7) + Advanced 18 HD (+5.5 CR) + Corrupt Creature template (BoVD, +3 CR) +8 levels fighter (+8 CR) = CR 23-24. Not a construct either, but players get very frustrated when all they fight are creatures that can't be Sneak Attacked or critted. It make them feel unhappy if you use too many Constructs in one sitting.

3.) Dragonflesh Golem (MMII, CR 13) + Psychic Warrior, 10 levels if you consider it associated, 20 levels if you don't, (+10 CR) = CR 23 (personally, I don't see Psychic Warrior as associated...)

4.) Demonflesh Golem (FF, CR 18) + Advanced 24 HD (+7 CR) = CR 25

5.) Rager Varrangoin (FF, CR 10) + Half-Golem, Iron (MMII, +3 CR) + Barbarian 10 = CR 23. Alternatively, you could reduce the number of Barbarian levels and increase the number encountered to a group of three or four.

6.) Lesser Varrangoin (FF, CR 6) + Advanced 10 HD (+6 CR) + Half-Golem, Clay (MMII, +3 CR) + Fighter 10 = CR 25. As above, you can cut back the fighter levels and simply use more.

7.) Runic Guardian (MMII, CR 10) + Advanced 34 HD (+9.5 CR) = CR 19, x 6 = EL 25.

8.) Death Giant (MM3, CR 16) + Half-golem, Stone (MMII, +3 CR) + Rogue 3 (+3 CR) = CR 22

9.) Greater Cadaver Collector (MM3, CR 17) + Hexblade 14 (CW, nonassociated class +7 CR) = CR 24

10.) MM3 actually has a few good constructs your players might not be familiar with:
10a.) Slaughterstone Behemoth (MM3, CR 15) + Advanced 15 HD (+4.75 CR) = CR 20ish
10b.) Slaughterstone Eviscerator (MM3, CR 12) + Advanced 30 HD (+8.5 CR) = CR 20ish
Both are a few CR shy of the mark, and are unintelligent so adding class levels is out. However, if you have them surrounded by say, four to six Abyssal Ant Swarms (FF, CR 16) that might push them closer to the lower range you're looking for. Personally, I like the Bloodfiend Locust Swarm (FF, CR 8, but nasty for the automatic imposing of a negative level sith the swarm attack!)
Watchdog_of_Hades
03-17-06, 12:32 PM Yay, thanks! Lots of cool ideas. Thanks for pointing out the request thread, too. I hadn't thought of that. Except that I was hoping for some unique things, not beefed-up normal golems. Er... Make that new things, not necessarily unique. Thanks for the ideas, though.
Shemeska the Marauder
03-17-06, 01:29 PM If they're brave/dumb enough to go after an Abyssal Lord in his own layer of the Abyss, here's some ideas:

Whatever you send after them, just have them bud up / grow out of the substance of the layer itself, like macroscopic, abyssal antibodies to what Demogorgon might see as little more than an irritation, swatting at them on a subconcious level by virtue of his link to the 88th layer of the Abyss itself. Though the BoVD doesn't exactly delve into detail, the 88th layer of the Abyss effectively is Demogorgon and Demogorgon is the 88th layer of the Abyss; a duality and symbiosis of layer and Lord on an infinite scale (this model holds true for all Abyssal Lords who hold sway over the entirety of at least one layer of the Abyss).

The PCs kill these things that manifest to slaughter them, and like inflammation on a wound, Demogorgon gradually becomes more and more consciously aware of the source of the itch and eventually takes a more direct approach. That's when anything up to and including true deities are simply SOL...
dok
03-17-06, 02:25 PM Yay, thanks! Lots of cool ideas. Thanks for pointing out the request thread, too. I hadn't thought of that. Except that I was hoping for some unique things, not beefed-up normal golems. Er... Make that new things, not necessarily unique. Thanks for the ideas, though.

Unique monsters are a lot more work than modifying existing ones. And "unique in the universe" really means "the PCs and their NPC allies have never seen 'em before", so if they don't use/own the FF or MMII, you're in business.

Don't discount the impact of flavor text, either. A Flesh-golem made by Demogorgon could be described as "a being of mismatched parts, the flesh seeming to melt together at the joins, with the left hand being scaled and clawed, while the right is furry and has only four fingers". At that point, the PCs won't know if they're facing a flesh golem or a Large Mongelman.

Likewise, the Two-Headed Marilith could have a second head 'stitched' on, or it could be that the single head appears split down the center, the two sides torn apart, with melted scar tissue sealing the halves apart; that's a gruesome image suitable for an Abyssal Lord.

I think the Half-Golem templates and Dragonflesh Golems are botperfect for Demogorgon, especially when applied to the Varrigons, Abyssal-dwelling magical beasts.

If that's not enough, consider breaking the rules a little. Make a Corrupted Clay Golem, even though Constructs can't have the Corrupt template, then give it an intelligence score and class levels. Use the Tauric template, but extend it to work with Magical Beasts and Demons. (I'm picturing a Tauric Glabrezu/Giant Crab or Scorpion, or a Tauric Vrock/Spider Eater) Try the Symbiote template tweaked for demons: a Quasit rides inside the shoulder of a Goristoro (MotP), or a Jhovok (MMII) is implanted atop the back of a Jaralith (MMII). (Personally, I like Johovoks advanced by HD with levels of Barbarian and Diehard, but I'm cruel that way)

Play up the sort of "mad scientist" side of Demogorgon; emphasize the "chaotic mutation/all possibilities explored" aspect of the Abyss.
runestar
03-18-06, 12:41 AM Or just have demogorgon teleport in periodically, loose off a quickened blasphemy, cause a few rounds of mayhem, and teleport out again to heal. :D Rinse and repeat, and alternate with other demons to throw your party off track... ;)
Watchdog_of_Hades
03-18-06, 03:40 PM Ah... I see now. Thanks for the help. I get the idea, even though you're using a lot of words from books that I don't have. I'll just use other words for description and bend the templating rules. That might sound sarcastic, but it's not.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Watchdog_of_Hades 03-16-06, 08:12 PM	In the Book of Vile Darkness, it says that Demogorgon makes a ton of constructs seen nowhere else on the planes. I'm thinking of tossing my poor, poor players into the 88th layer to kill both of the Prince of Demons. That's right, pals, if you're reading this. You're facing off (twice at once) against a super duper demon guy. Anyhow, I want to populate his fortress with krayzee konstrukts and oober deemins that will send the players running for their lives. I'd like these things to be about CR 22-27, to be a challenge but not as much of one as Aameul and Hethradiah themself. Other than that restriction, any help is appreciated.
runestar 03-16-06, 10:05 PM	Perhaps a few suitably advanced balors or mariliths with class lvs?
dok 03-16-06, 10:53 PM	I don't feel like doing any heavy lifting. (that's what the Monster Request thread is for) But here are a few ideas: 1.) "the Queen of Blades": Marilith (CR 17) + Multiheaded template (SS, +2 CR), Advanced 4 HD (+3 CR) = CR 22, and able to make a total of 25 attacks with a full-attack action. Ouch! She's not a construct, but if the second head is stitched on, she's the result of mutation/experimentation. 2.) "Dweller of the Deep" Darktenticles (MMII, CR 7) + Advanced 18 HD (+5.5 CR) + Corrupt Creature template (BoVD, +3 CR) +8 levels fighter (+8 CR) = CR 23-24. Not a construct either, but players get very frustrated when all they fight are creatures that can't be Sneak Attacked or critted. It make them feel unhappy if you use too many Constructs in one sitting. 3.) Dragonflesh Golem (MMII, CR 13) + Psychic Warrior, 10 levels if you consider it associated, 20 levels if you don't, (+10 CR) = CR 23 (personally, I don't see Psychic Warrior as associated...) 4.) Demonflesh Golem (FF, CR 18) + Advanced 24 HD (+7 CR) = CR 25 5.) Rager Varrangoin (FF, CR 10) + Half-Golem, Iron (MMII, +3 CR) + Barbarian 10 = CR 23. Alternatively, you could reduce the number of Barbarian levels and increase the number encountered to a group of three or four. 6.) Lesser Varrangoin (FF, CR 6) + Advanced 10 HD (+6 CR) + Half-Golem, Clay (MMII, +3 CR) + Fighter 10 = CR 25. As above, you can cut back the fighter levels and simply use more. 7.) Runic Guardian (MMII, CR 10) + Advanced 34 HD (+9.5 CR) = CR 19, x 6 = EL 25. 8.) Death Giant (MM3, CR 16) + Half-golem, Stone (MMII, +3 CR) + Rogue 3 (+3 CR) = CR 22 9.) Greater Cadaver Collector (MM3, CR 17) + Hexblade 14 (CW, nonassociated class +7 CR) = CR 24 10.) MM3 actually has a few good constructs your players might not be familiar with: 10a.) Slaughterstone Behemoth (MM3, CR 15) + Advanced 15 HD (+4.75 CR) = CR 20ish 10b.) Slaughterstone Eviscerator (MM3, CR 12) + Advanced 30 HD (+8.5 CR) = CR 20ish Both are a few CR shy of the mark, and are unintelligent so adding class levels is out. However, if you have them surrounded by say, four to six Abyssal Ant Swarms (FF, CR 16) that might push them closer to the lower range you're looking for. Personally, I like the Bloodfiend Locust Swarm (FF, CR 8, but nasty for the automatic imposing of a negative level sith the swarm attack!)
Watchdog_of_Hades 03-17-06, 12:32 PM	Yay, thanks! Lots of cool ideas. Thanks for pointing out the request thread, too. I hadn't thought of that. Except that I was hoping for some unique things, not beefed-up normal golems. Er... Make that new things, not necessarily unique. Thanks for the ideas, though.
Shemeska the Marauder 03-17-06, 01:29 PM	If they're brave/dumb enough to go after an Abyssal Lord in his own layer of the Abyss, here's some ideas: Whatever you send after them, just have them bud up / grow out of the substance of the layer itself, like macroscopic, abyssal antibodies to what Demogorgon might see as little more than an irritation, swatting at them on a subconcious level by virtue of his link to the 88th layer of the Abyss itself. Though the BoVD doesn't exactly delve into detail, the 88th layer of the Abyss effectively is Demogorgon and Demogorgon is the 88th layer of the Abyss; a duality and symbiosis of layer and Lord on an infinite scale (this model holds true for all Abyssal Lords who hold sway over the entirety of at least one layer of the Abyss). The PCs kill these things that manifest to slaughter them, and like inflammation on a wound, Demogorgon gradually becomes more and more consciously aware of the source of the itch and eventually takes a more direct approach. That's when anything up to and including true deities are simply SOL...
dok 03-17-06, 02:25 PM	Yay, thanks! Lots of cool ideas. Thanks for pointing out the request thread, too. I hadn't thought of that. Except that I was hoping for some unique things, not beefed-up normal golems. Er... Make that new things, not necessarily unique. Thanks for the ideas, though. Unique monsters are a lot more work than modifying existing ones. And "unique in the universe" really means "the PCs and their NPC allies have never seen 'em before", so if they don't use/own the FF or MMII, you're in business. Don't discount the impact of flavor text, either. A Flesh-golem made by Demogorgon could be described as "a being of mismatched parts, the flesh seeming to melt together at the joins, with the left hand being scaled and clawed, while the right is furry and has only four fingers". At that point, the PCs won't know if they're facing a flesh golem or a Large Mongelman. Likewise, the Two-Headed Marilith could have a second head 'stitched' on, or it could be that the single head appears split down the center, the two sides torn apart, with melted scar tissue sealing the halves apart; that's a gruesome image suitable for an Abyssal Lord. I think the Half-Golem templates and Dragonflesh Golems are botperfect for Demogorgon, especially when applied to the Varrigons, Abyssal-dwelling magical beasts. If that's not enough, consider breaking the rules a little. Make a Corrupted Clay Golem, even though Constructs can't have the Corrupt template, then give it an intelligence score and class levels. Use the Tauric template, but extend it to work with Magical Beasts and Demons. (I'm picturing a Tauric Glabrezu/Giant Crab or Scorpion, or a Tauric Vrock/Spider Eater) Try the Symbiote template tweaked for demons: a Quasit rides inside the shoulder of a Goristoro (MotP), or a Jhovok (MMII) is implanted atop the back of a Jaralith (MMII). (Personally, I like Johovoks advanced by HD with levels of Barbarian and Diehard, but I'm cruel that way) Play up the sort of "mad scientist" side of Demogorgon; emphasize the "chaotic mutation/all possibilities explored" aspect of the Abyss.
runestar 03-18-06, 12:41 AM	Or just have demogorgon teleport in periodically, loose off a quickened blasphemy, cause a few rounds of mayhem, and teleport out again to heal. :D Rinse and repeat, and alternate with other demons to throw your party off track... ;)
Watchdog_of_Hades 03-18-06, 03:40 PM	Ah... I see now. Thanks for the help. I get the idea, even though you're using a lot of words from books that I don't have. I'll just use other words for description and bend the templating rules. That might sound sarcastic, but it's not.