Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, a succubus is a female demon
. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil
.
from Western
medieval
legend
.
supplement (1976).
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The whispering lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
The succubus lesser tanar'ri also appeared for the Planescape
campaign setting
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Savage Species (2003) presented the succubus/incubus as both a race and a playable class.
entry.
woman with demonic features, such as bat-like wings, tiny horns, and/ or a tail. However, the succubus may shape-shift into many forms. They often appear in the guise of a human woman sans demonic features.
In the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons, a succubus shapechanged into male form was known as an incubus. However, in the third edition of D&D, the succubus is the female form of the incubus
(i.e. the succubus and the incubus are the female and male manifestations of the same type of demon).
Graz'zt
, but most are ruled by their "Queen," Malcanthet
. In Dungeons & Dragons the female child of a succubus and a human is traditionally called an "alu-demon
" and the male child a "cambion
" (though the latter term can be applied to any demon-mortal offspring). However, the offspring of an alu-demon or cambion, as a result of a union with a human, has no specific name but falls into the larger category of tiefling
.
Succubi are featured prominently in the Planescape
games.
, and its alignment is Evil. Succubi serve more powerful fiends as spies or assassins.
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...
, a succubus is a female demon
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...
. Under 4th edition rules, a succubus is a devil
Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...
.
Publication history
The succubus is based on the succubiSuccubus
In folklore traced back to medieval legend, a succubus is a female demon appearing in dreams who takes the form of a human woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual intercourse. The male counterpart is the incubus...
from Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The succubus appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch WizardryEldritch Wizardry
Eldritch Wizardry is a supplementary rulebook by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume, written for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which included a number of significant additions to the core game.-Contents:...
supplement (1976).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The succubus appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the succubus, which is known as the whispering demon, first appearing in the Immortal RulesDungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1986 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The whispering lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
In this edition, demons became known as tanar'ri, with the succubus lesser tanar'ri appearing first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix (1991), and then reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The succubus lesser tanar'ri also appeared for the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The succubus (tanar'ri) appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000); in this edition, the name demon is resumed, and tanar'ri are now considered a sub-type of demon.Savage Species (2003) presented the succubus/incubus as both a race and a playable class.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The succubus appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The succubus appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), although in this edition it appears under the devilDevil (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...
entry.
Ecology
The objective of succubi is to tempt and ensnare men to lie with them for their own purposes. Typically this yields a dead mortal or a pleased demon lord (in some cases, when succubi are used as assassins, both ends result).Typical physical characteristics
A succubus in its natural state is in the shape and form of a beautiful humanHuman (Dungeons & Dragons)
Humans are a race available for player characters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. Although short-lived by comparison, humans are the most populous of all Dungeons & Dragons races. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specializations like...
woman with demonic features, such as bat-like wings, tiny horns, and/ or a tail. However, the succubus may shape-shift into many forms. They often appear in the guise of a human woman sans demonic features.
In the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons, a succubus shapechanged into male form was known as an incubus. However, in the third edition of D&D, the succubus is the female form of the incubus
Incubus (demon)
An incubus is a demon in male form who, according to a number of mythological and legendary traditions, lies upon sleepers, especially women, in order to have intercourse with them. Its female counterpart is the succubus...
(i.e. the succubus and the incubus are the female and male manifestations of the same type of demon).
Alignment
In first and second edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and third edition Dungeons & Dragons, succubi are chaotic evil.Society
Succubi are tanar'ri demons, and they are quite numerous. Many are under the command of the Abyssal LordDemon 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...
Graz'zt
Graz'zt
Graz'zt is a demon lord in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and one of the most powerful demons in the Abyss. Graz'zt, one of the earliest and most famous demons created for Dungeons and Dragons, was named as one of the greatest villains in D&D history by the final print issue of...
, but most are ruled by their "Queen," Malcanthet
Malcanthet
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Malcanthet is a demon lord. She is also called Queen of Succubi.-Creative origins:...
. In Dungeons & Dragons the female child of a succubus and a human is traditionally called an "alu-demon
Alu-demon
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the alu-demon is a female demon, the result of a succubus mating with a human.-References:*Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth *TSR 2016 - Monster Manual II...
" and the male child a "cambion
Cambion (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons the cambion is a creature descended from a fiend.-Publication history:The cambion was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
" (though the latter term can be applied to any demon-mortal offspring). However, the offspring of an alu-demon or cambion, as a result of a union with a human, has no specific name but falls into the larger category of tiefling
Tiefling
Tieflings are a fictional race in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy tabletop role-playing game.Tieflings were originally introduced as humans with demonic ancestry. A Tiefling is a being whose lineage can be traced back to some degree or another to that of a fiend or demon within the Dungeons &...
.
Succubi are featured prominently in the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
games.
4th Edition
Under 4th edition D&D rules, the succubus is a devilDevil (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...
, and its alignment is Evil. Succubi serve more powerful fiends as spies or assassins.