Obyrith
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, an obyrith is a member of an ancient race of demons
that predate the tanar'ri. All obyriths have monstrous forms which can drive mad anyone who dares look at them.
(2006). This book introduced the ekolid and the sibriex, as well as the demon lord
Dagon
. The laghathti was introduced on the Wizards of the Coast
website in 2006. Dagon, Prince of the Darkened Depths, was detailed in Dragon
#349 (November 2006), which introduced the uzollru. The draudnu appeared in Monster Manual V (2007), the Golothoma in Elder Evils
and the verakia appeared in Dragon #357 (July 2007).
Heavily reworked obyriths make an appearance in the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In the Demonomicon supplement, the obyriths are described as entities of unfathomable evil from another universe. After consuming or destroying everything in their universe, the remaining obyriths fashioned all of their hatred and hunger into a single, horrific shard of pure evil, which they used to pierce the veil between universes. The shard was found (in the default D&D universe) by Tharizdun
, who was instantly corrupted by its evil and used it to create the Abyss. The twelve surviving Obyriths fled their dying reality and entered the new plane, where they dueled several primordials- the beings who would eventually become the likes of Baphomet
, Demogorgon
, Orcus
, and Yeenoghu
- for control. The Abyss warped both the obyriths and the primoridials into demon lords. In the new edition, only the Queen of Chaos
, Pazuzu
, Obox-ob
and Dagon
are explicitly confirmed as being obyriths; it is left to the DM to decide which of the other demon lords are obyriths.
are obyriths.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, an obyrith is a member of an ancient race of demons
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...
that predate the tanar'ri. All obyriths have monstrous forms which can drive mad anyone who dares look at them.
Publication history
The concept of the obyrith type of demon was introduced in the third edition in the Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the AbyssFiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Chapter 1: Demonic Lore:...
(2006). This book introduced the ekolid and the sibriex, as well as the demon lord
Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
Dagon
Dagon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dagon is a obyrith demon lord, also called Prince of the Depths. His realm is the 89th layer of the Abyss, and is known as Shadowsea...
. The laghathti was introduced on the Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
website in 2006. Dagon, Prince of the Darkened Depths, was detailed in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#349 (November 2006), which introduced the uzollru. The draudnu appeared in Monster Manual V (2007), the Golothoma in Elder Evils
Elder Evils
Elder Evils is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game.-Contents:It includes new content for epic level characters, in the form of extremely powerful, alien monstrosities intent on destroying the world .The book presents nine “elder...
and the verakia appeared in Dragon #357 (July 2007).
Heavily reworked obyriths make an appearance in the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In the Demonomicon supplement, the obyriths are described as entities of unfathomable evil from another universe. After consuming or destroying everything in their universe, the remaining obyriths fashioned all of their hatred and hunger into a single, horrific shard of pure evil, which they used to pierce the veil between universes. The shard was found (in the default D&D universe) by Tharizdun
Tharizdun
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Tharizdun is the god of Eternal Darkness, Decay, Entropy, Malign Knowledge, Insanity, and Cold....
, who was instantly corrupted by its evil and used it to create the Abyss. The twelve surviving Obyriths fled their dying reality and entered the new plane, where they dueled several primordials- the beings who would eventually become the likes of Baphomet
Baphomet (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Baphomet is a demon lord who rules a layer of the Abyss called the Endless Maze. He is the Prince of Beasts and the Demon Lord of Minotaurs.-Publication history:...
, Demogorgon
Demogorgon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Demogorgon is a powerful demon prince. He is known as the Prince of Demons, a self-proclaimed title he holds by virtue of his power and influence; which in turn, is a title acknowledged by both mortals and his fellow demons...
, Orcus
Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons)
Orcus is the fictional demon prince, and lord of the undead in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is named after Orcus of Roman mythology. His symbol is a mace with a human skull as the head...
, and Yeenoghu
Yeenoghu
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yeenoghu is a Demon Prince, the Demon Lord of Gnolls, and the bestial embodiment of savage butchery. His personal weapon is his dreaded triple flail, created from the bones and skin of a slain god. Yeenoghu commands the obedience of ghouls and ghasts...
- for control. The Abyss warped both the obyriths and the primoridials into demon lords. In the new edition, only the Queen of Chaos
Queen of Chaos
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Queen of Chaos is a demon lord of obyrith origins.- Publishing history :The Queen of Chaos was first mentioned briefly in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide under the description for the Rod of Seven Parts artifact...
, Pazuzu
Pazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
, Obox-ob
Obox-ob
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Obox-ob is a demon lord, also called the Prince of Vermin...
and Dagon
Dagon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dagon is a obyrith demon lord, also called Prince of the Depths. His realm is the 89th layer of the Abyss, and is known as Shadowsea...
are explicitly confirmed as being obyriths; it is left to the DM to decide which of the other demon lords are obyriths.
Types of Obyriths
- Draudnu: Has three, long, spindly legs that support and attach to its body at the top. Swollen sacs of fluid bulge from its barrel-shaped body, which terminates beneath with a single red eye, around which extend three hooked appendages. These ruthless killers seek to rid the Abyss of non-obyriths, corrupting the minds and destroying the bodies of creatures they encounter.
- Ekolid: Resembling the union of an antAntAnts are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
, a scorpionScorpionScorpions are predatory arthropod animals of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping claws and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous stinger...
and a spiderSpiderSpiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
, these vermin-like obyriths live in swarms, except on Zionyn (663rd layer of the Abyss), where they build huge, resinous cities in honor of their master and patron, the demon lord Obox-ob.
- Golothoma: Mouthless, cyclopean and serpentine, these obyriths live by consuming creatures caught in their supernatural shadow. They are also capable of reaching between dimensions and attacking far away foes with its spider-like claws that circle its single eye.
- Laghathti: Laghathti resemble oily black octopusOctopusThe octopus is a cephalopod mollusc of the order Octopoda. Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms...
es. They lurk near the surface of the River Styx, where they steal memories from their victims.
- SibriexSibriexIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sibriex is a type of demon.-Publication history:The sibriex first appeared in third edition in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss ....
: Sybriexes resemble enormous deformed faces floating in the air, linked to the ground by metal chains. Sybriexes enjoy modeling flesh, and are rumored to have a role in the shaping of the forms of the tanar'ri.
- Uzollru: Uzollru resemble massive aquatic centipedeCentipedeCentipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. They are elongated metameric animals with one pair of legs per body segment. Despite the name, centipedes can have a varying number of legs from under 20 to over 300. Centipedes have an odd number of pairs of...
s, with fins rather than legs, and a head sporting a single red eye ringed by feeding tentacles. They primarily serve the demon prince Dagon in his realm of Shadowsea.
Obyrith Lords
Several notable demon lordsDemon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
are obyriths.
- DagonDagon (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Dagon is a obyrith demon lord, also called Prince of the Depths. His realm is the 89th layer of the Abyss, and is known as Shadowsea...
: Prince of the Darkened Depths.
- Obox-obObox-obIn many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Obox-ob is a demon lord, also called the Prince of Vermin...
: Prince of Vermin.
- Pale NightPale NightIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pale Night, the so-called "Mother of Demons," is an Abyssal Lord, both enigmatic and unbelievably ancient...
: Mother of Demons.
- PazuzuPazuzu (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Pazuzu is a powerful demon prince, called the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms. He rules the skies above all layers of the Abyss. He is sometimes known as Pazrael or Pazuzeus....
: Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdoms.
- Queen of ChaosQueen of ChaosIn the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Queen of Chaos is a demon lord of obyrith origins.- Publishing history :The Queen of Chaos was first mentioned briefly in the second edition Dungeon Master's Guide under the description for the Rod of Seven Parts artifact...
: Led the side of Chaos in the battle against the Wind Dukes of AaqaWind Dukes of AaqaThe Wind Dukes of Aaqa, also known as the Vaati, are fictional characters of legend in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. They were powerful lords of the elemental plane of air.-Ecology:...
in the Age Before Ages.
- Cabiri, the Watching Master
- Sertrous, Prince of Heretics
- Asima, the Unanticipated
- Bechard, Lord of Tempests, the Rotting Husk
- Kizarvidexus
- The Malgoth
- Ubothar
- Ugudenk
- Veshvoriak
- Vroth-Khun