Yugoloth
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The yugoloths (called daemons in 1st edition D&D) are neutral evil natives of the Gray Waste; they are neutral to the affairs of the other fiendish races, interfering only when they see a situation that may be profitable or a potential for the advancement of their own schemes. The yugoloths are manipulative, secretive, and mercenary by nature, often acting as soldiers for deities in their own private wars, or even at times aiding both sides of the Blood War.
The yugoloths present themselves as simply greedy mercenaries, willing to sell their services to both sides, while behind that public face, the members of their highest castes view the entire course of the conflict as their own thing to control and manipulate until they decide to end it, unify the Lower Planes, and turn their attention to the planes of Good.
Like the tanar'ri and baatezu, the yugoloths have their rulers as well in the baernoloths who are their progenitors. Below the baernoloths, the leader is the ruler of Khin-Oin, who is given the title of Oinoloth. Yugoloths craving more power sometimes make a pact with the night hags who transform them into unique and powerful creatures, the altraloths. Non-transformed yugoloths find this to be a treachery against the perfection of their kind, but must bow nonetheless before the might of these fiends. The most prominent is the former Oinoloth Anthraxus. Another major altraloth is Charon the boatman of the River Styx, who ferries souls down the river... for a steep price. An altraloth fits a given theme among Death, Pestilence, War, and Famine.
Types of Yugoloths
Skeroloth: Dregs of the yugoloth armies.
Canoloth: Doglike scouts and skirmishers.
Mezzoloth: Insectile footsoldiers of the yugoloth armies.
Echinoloth: Rear echelons of the yugoloth armies, these fiends combine features of a starfish and squid into an unlovely whole.
Piscoloth: Fishlike sergeants and overseers of the yugoloth armies.
Marraenoloth: Skeletal ferryman on the River Styx.
Nycaloth: Green, gargoylelike elite cavalry of the yugoloth armies.
Yagnoloth: Minor lords with one mighty arm.
Ultroloth: Cruel officers of the yugoloth armies.
Arcanaloth: Dog-headed scribes, record-keepers, negotiators, and deal-makers of the yugoloths.
Battleloths
A subgroup of yugoloths are known as battleloths. These creatures take the shapes of various weapons:Arrow Battleloth: The weakest of the battleloths; often serve as spies.
Axe Battleloth: Recklessly brave combatants.
Crossbow Battleloth: The most sought-after battleloths due to their versatility.
Pick Battleloth: Vicious, predatory yugoloths that feed on the blood of living creatures.
Spiked Chain Battleloth: Aggressive hunters that hunt down other battleloths for sport.
Sword Battleloth: Independent and wily, and hard bargainers, the demand conquests, glory, and loot.
References
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II (TSR, 1983). ISBN 0786928735
- McComb, Colin. [[Faces of Evil: The Fiends]] (TSR, 1997). ISBN 0786906847
- McComb, Colin, Dale Donovan, and Monte Cook. Planes of Conflict (TSR, 1995). ISBN 0786903090
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