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{{ | {{Archfiend| fgcolor=| | ||
image=[[Image:Mammon04.jpg]]| | image=[[Image:Mammon04.jpg]]| | ||
caption=Mammon, Lord of the Third, as depicted in ''Fiendish Codex II'' (2006).| | caption=Mammon, Lord of the Third, as depicted in ''Fiendish Codex II'' (2006).| | ||
name= Mammon| | name= Mammon| | ||
title= Viscount of Minauros | title= Viscount of Minauros<br> Lord of the Third<br>Lord of Avarice<br>King of Greed<br>The Serpent| | ||
Lord of Avarice| | |||
home=[[Baator#Minauros|Nine Hells]]| | home=[[Baator#Minauros|Nine Hells]]| | ||
power=[[Lords of the Nine Hells|Archdevil]]| | power=[[Lords of the Nine Hells|Archdevil]]| | ||
gender=Male| | gender=Male| | ||
class=| | class=Fighter 14, thief 18 (avatar)| | ||
alignment=Lawful evil| | alignment=Lawful evil| | ||
portfolio=| | portfolio=Greed, Lust| | ||
domains= | domains= Diabolic, Evil, Trickery| | ||
alias= Viscount Minauros| | alias= Viscount Minauros| | ||
super= [[Asmodeus]]| | super= [[Asmodeus]]| | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Mammon''' is an [[Lords of the Nine Hells|Arch-Devil of Hell]] ([[Baator]] in later editions of the game), also known as the "Lord of Avarice." | '''Mammon''' is an [[Lords of the Nine Hells|Arch-Devil of Hell]] ([[Baator]] in later editions of the game), also known as the "Lord of Avarice." His symbol is a pair of red scaled hands open and looming over a black gemstone, or gold medallions emblazoned with the image of a snake-bodied devil. | ||
Mammon is the lord of ''Minauros'', the Third Layer of Hell, and he was able to retain this position after the [[Reckoning of Hell]]. In keeping with the traditional use of the name in literature, he is portrayed as a personification of greed and lust. He also has a well-earned reputation for duplicity. | Mammon is the lord of ''Minauros'', the Third Layer of Hell, and he was able to retain this position after the [[Reckoning of Hell]]. In keeping with the traditional use of the name in literature, he is portrayed as a personification of greed and lust. He also has a well-earned reputation for duplicity. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Mammon was described in the first edition ''AD&D'' sourcebook ''Monster Manual II'' as a 12-foot tall devil with red-gold scaled skin, and wings that "gleam like rubies." Though his form was bloated and soft-looking, he is very strong. Following the Reckoning, Asmodeus transformed Mammon into a massive serpent with a humanoid upper body and two arms, and a monstrous head with a fanged mouth. It is not known whether the transformation was a reward or a punishment. He retains this appearance in the | Mammon was described in the first edition ''AD&D'' sourcebook ''Monster Manual II'' as a 12-foot tall devil with red-gold scaled skin, and wings that "gleam like rubies." Though his form was bloated and soft-looking, he is very strong. Following the Reckoning, Asmodeus transformed Mammon into a massive serpent with a humanoid upper body and two arms, and a monstrous head with a fanged mouth. It is not known whether the transformation was a reward or a punishment. He retains this appearance in the third edition sourcebooks ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]'' and ''Fiendish Codex II''. | ||
Mammon occasionally takes on his earlier form when out hunting. | Mammon occasionally takes on his earlier form when out hunting. | ||
==Relationships== | ==Relationships== | ||
Before the [[Reckoning of Hell|Reckoning]], Mammon was allied with [[Mephistopheles]] and [[Dispater]]. As soon as the rebellion was over, however, he was quick to betray his erstwhile allies in order to save his own skin, and no archdevil trusts him now. | |||
Some rumors have it that since her ascension to greater power, [[Glasya]] has rekindled her affair with her former lover Mammon. Others say that Glasya despises Mammon for failing to fight for her; both rumors could easily be true. | |||
===Vassals=== | ===Vassals=== | ||
The following beings are among the most notable subjects of Mammon. The forces at their disposal are listed, where appropriate: | The following beings are among the most notable subjects of Mammon. The forces at their disposal are listed, where appropriate: | ||
[[Image:Mammon01.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Mammon, as depicted in ''Monster Manual II'' (1983).]] | |||
*[[Bael]]—66 companies of barbed devils (MM2). | |||
*[[Caarcrinolaas]]—36 companies of barbed devils (DR75). | |||
*The [[Flametongue]]—Lord Mammon's unique hell hounds. There are at least 30 of them. | |||
*[[Focalor]]—Seneschal (DR75). | |||
*[[Glwa]]—Chief Consort (FCII, DR75). | |||
*[[Melchon]]—18 companies of erinyes (DR75). | |||
*[[Morsch]]—Commander of Mammon's armies (FoE, page 30). | |||
*[[Zbavra the Witch-Queen]]—Former cleric/sorcerer of [[Hextor]] who is now a disciple of Mammon. She is the only mortal known to have won a position in Hell. | |||
Mammon's army, known as the Gleaming Guard, is made up mostly of bone devils and barbed devils, commanded by the insectoid ice devils. Much of their armor has been stolen from angels and corrupted to diabolic purposes. | |||
===Former vassals=== | ===Former vassals=== | ||
The following beings once served in Mammon's court: | The following beings once served in Mammon's court: | ||
*[[Glasya]] | *[[Glasya]]—Daughter of Asmodeus. Glasya was formerly Mammon's chief consort, but she left this position after the Reckoning of Hell. | ||
*[[Zimmimar]] | *[[Zimmimar]]—This pit fiend commanded six companies of bone devils before joining the [[Dark Eight]]. | ||
==Realm== | ==Realm== | ||
Viscount Mammon rules the Minauros, the | Viscount Mammon rules Minauros, the third layer of Hell. His golden, jewel-incrusted palace in Minauros the Sinking City looks more like a tomb than a residence of the living. The city itself descends slowly into the muck of the realm, and perhaps will be gone in a few eons despite the devils' attempts at shoring it up; it is in turn based on the ruins of its predecessor. | ||
==Dogma== | ==Dogma== | ||
Mammon represents greed, lust, and ambition. He is two-faced, vindictive, and arrogant, always looking for imagined insults. Mammon's servants wage economic warfare on good, prosperous nations in an attempt to collapse their economies, hoping that in their desperation the newly impoverished souls will turn to Mammon for salvation. | |||
Mammon is indirect and venomous. Mammon is known for speaking in riddles, never coming straight to the point even when giving orders. His servants emulate this behavior. | |||
==Worshipers== | ==Worshipers== | ||
Mammon's followers can be found among both humanoid and monstrous species. | [[Image:Mammon02.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Mammon, as depicted in ''Guide to Hell'' (1999).]] | ||
Mammon's followers can be found among both humanoid and monstrous species including [[beholder]]s, [[illithid]]s, and [[dragon]]s. | |||
===Clergy=== | ===Clergy=== | ||
Mammon's clerics are known as ''covetors''. They wear copious amounts of gold jewelry and red robes trimmed with gold. Most have grown very wealthy through their evil schemes. They favor the short spear. | |||
==Temples== | |||
Temples to Mammon display vast wealth and audacious treasures, although they have similarly audacious traps and guards with which to defend them. Most of them tower over the landscape. Dripping with gold and jewels, his temples are themselves treasures that function as fortresses. Even the altars and sacrificial knives are encrusted with gold and gems. | |||
==Creative origins== | ==Creative origins== | ||
[[Image:Mammon03.jpg|196px|thumb|right|Mammon, as depicted in the ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]'' (2002).]] | |||
Mammon is named after the Biblical Mammon. | Mammon is named after the Biblical Mammon. | ||
==Publishing history== | ==Publishing history== | ||
In the | In the second edition of the game, during a period when TSR's management did not allow their authors to use the names of historical demons, Mammon was replaced by "Viscount Minauros," a man-snake hybrid with powers over disease. In ''A Paladin in Hell'' by [[Monte Cook]], it was explained that "Viscount Minauros" and Mammon were one and the same, and he had changed his shape to show he had become a "new devil" after the failed rebellion in Hell that Chris Pramas dubbed "the Reckoning" in ''Guide to Hell''. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Devil]] | |||
*[[Duke of Hell]] | *[[Duke of Hell]] | ||
*[[Lords of the Nine Hells]] | *[[Lords of the Nine Hells]] | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
*Richard Baker, Rob Heinsoo, and [[James Wyatt]]. ''Manual of the Planes''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008. | |||
*[[Cook, Monte]]. ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002. | *[[Cook, Monte]]. ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002. | ||
:———. ''A Paladin in Hell''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. | |||
*[[Greenwood, Ed]]. "The [[Nine Hells]] Part I." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | *[[Greenwood, Ed]]. "The [[Nine Hells]] Part I." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | ||
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | *[[Gygax, Gary]]. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | ||
:———. ''Monster Manual II''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | |||
*Laws, Robin D., and [[Robert J. Schwalb]]. ''Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. | *Laws, Robin D., and [[Robert J. Schwalb]]. ''Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the [[Nine Hells]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. | ||
*McComb, Colin. ''Faces of Evil: The Fiends''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1997. | *McComb, Colin. ''Faces of Evil: The Fiends''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1997. | ||
:———. "The [[Lords of the Nine]]." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #223. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR 1995. | |||
*[[Chris Pramas|Pramas, Chris]]. ''Guide to Hell''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999. | *[[Chris Pramas|Pramas, Chris]]. ''Guide to Hell''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999. | ||
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[[Category:Archfiends]] | [[Category:Archfiends]] | ||
[[Category:Characters of the Nine Hells]] | |||
[[Category:Deities of wealth]]{{index}} | |||
Latest revision as of 14:20, 26 March 2025
| Mammon | |
 |
|
| Mammon, Lord of the Third, as depicted in Fiendish Codex II (2006). | |
| Title: | Viscount of Minauros Lord of the Third Lord of Avarice King of Greed The Serpent |
|---|---|
| Alias(es): | Viscount Minauros |
| Home plane: | Nine Hells |
| Power level: | Archdevil |
| Gender: | Male |
| Class: | Fighter 14, thief 18 (avatar) |
| Alignment: | Lawful evil |
| Portfolio: | Greed, Lust |
| Domains: | Diabolic, Evil, Trickery |
| Superior: | Asmodeus |
Mammon is an Arch-Devil of Hell (Baator in later editions of the game), also known as the "Lord of Avarice." His symbol is a pair of red scaled hands open and looming over a black gemstone, or gold medallions emblazoned with the image of a snake-bodied devil.
Mammon is the lord of Minauros, the Third Layer of Hell, and he was able to retain this position after the Reckoning of Hell. In keeping with the traditional use of the name in literature, he is portrayed as a personification of greed and lust. He also has a well-earned reputation for duplicity.
Description
Mammon was described in the first edition AD&D sourcebook Monster Manual II as a 12-foot tall devil with red-gold scaled skin, and wings that "gleam like rubies." Though his form was bloated and soft-looking, he is very strong. Following the Reckoning, Asmodeus transformed Mammon into a massive serpent with a humanoid upper body and two arms, and a monstrous head with a fanged mouth. It is not known whether the transformation was a reward or a punishment. He retains this appearance in the third edition sourcebooks Book of Vile Darkness and Fiendish Codex II.
Mammon occasionally takes on his earlier form when out hunting.
Relationships
Before the Reckoning, Mammon was allied with Mephistopheles and Dispater. As soon as the rebellion was over, however, he was quick to betray his erstwhile allies in order to save his own skin, and no archdevil trusts him now.
Some rumors have it that since her ascension to greater power, Glasya has rekindled her affair with her former lover Mammon. Others say that Glasya despises Mammon for failing to fight for her; both rumors could easily be true.
Vassals
The following beings are among the most notable subjects of Mammon. The forces at their disposal are listed, where appropriate:
- Bael—66 companies of barbed devils (MM2).
- Caarcrinolaas—36 companies of barbed devils (DR75).
- The Flametongue—Lord Mammon's unique hell hounds. There are at least 30 of them.
- Focalor—Seneschal (DR75).
- Glwa—Chief Consort (FCII, DR75).
- Melchon—18 companies of erinyes (DR75).
- Morsch—Commander of Mammon's armies (FoE, page 30).
- Zbavra the Witch-Queen—Former cleric/sorcerer of Hextor who is now a disciple of Mammon. She is the only mortal known to have won a position in Hell.
Mammon's army, known as the Gleaming Guard, is made up mostly of bone devils and barbed devils, commanded by the insectoid ice devils. Much of their armor has been stolen from angels and corrupted to diabolic purposes.
Former vassals
The following beings once served in Mammon's court:
- Glasya—Daughter of Asmodeus. Glasya was formerly Mammon's chief consort, but she left this position after the Reckoning of Hell.
- Zimmimar—This pit fiend commanded six companies of bone devils before joining the Dark Eight.
Realm
Viscount Mammon rules Minauros, the third layer of Hell. His golden, jewel-incrusted palace in Minauros the Sinking City looks more like a tomb than a residence of the living. The city itself descends slowly into the muck of the realm, and perhaps will be gone in a few eons despite the devils' attempts at shoring it up; it is in turn based on the ruins of its predecessor.
Dogma
Mammon represents greed, lust, and ambition. He is two-faced, vindictive, and arrogant, always looking for imagined insults. Mammon's servants wage economic warfare on good, prosperous nations in an attempt to collapse their economies, hoping that in their desperation the newly impoverished souls will turn to Mammon for salvation.
Mammon is indirect and venomous. Mammon is known for speaking in riddles, never coming straight to the point even when giving orders. His servants emulate this behavior.
Worshipers
Mammon's followers can be found among both humanoid and monstrous species including beholders, illithids, and dragons.
Clergy
Mammon's clerics are known as covetors. They wear copious amounts of gold jewelry and red robes trimmed with gold. Most have grown very wealthy through their evil schemes. They favor the short spear.
Temples
Temples to Mammon display vast wealth and audacious treasures, although they have similarly audacious traps and guards with which to defend them. Most of them tower over the landscape. Dripping with gold and jewels, his temples are themselves treasures that function as fortresses. Even the altars and sacrificial knives are encrusted with gold and gems.
Creative origins
Mammon is named after the Biblical Mammon.
Publishing history
In the second edition of the game, during a period when TSR's management did not allow their authors to use the names of historical demons, Mammon was replaced by "Viscount Minauros," a man-snake hybrid with powers over disease. In A Paladin in Hell by Monte Cook, it was explained that "Viscount Minauros" and Mammon were one and the same, and he had changed his shape to show he had become a "new devil" after the failed rebellion in Hell that Chris Pramas dubbed "the Reckoning" in Guide to Hell.
See also
Bibliography
- Richard Baker, Rob Heinsoo, and James Wyatt. Manual of the Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008.
- Cook, Monte. Book of Vile Darkness. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- ———. A Paladin in Hell. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Greenwood, Ed. "The Nine Hells Part I." Dragon #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Gygax, Gary. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom." Dragon #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- ———. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Laws, Robin D., and Robert J. Schwalb. Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006.
- McComb, Colin. Faces of Evil: The Fiends. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1997.
- ———. "The Lords of the Nine." Dragon #223. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR 1995.
- Pramas, Chris. Guide to Hell. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Book of Vile Darkness, D&D 3.0 | 148-151 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Defenders of the Faith, D&D 3.0e | 96 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Dragon magazine #075 | 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 27 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells, D&D 3.5e | 8, 19, 26, 27, 38, 45, 46, 47, 48, 52, 61, 80, 81, 82, 84, 100, 145-146, 158 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Fiendish Codex II: Web Enhancement, D&D 3.5e | 8, 9, 10 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e | 68 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 44, 45, 46, 47 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Manual of the Planes, AD&D 1e | 65, 109, 111 |
| Mammon (Lord of Avarice) (Archdevil) | Deity | Devil, | Pathfinder Chronicles: Campaign Setting, Pathfinder 1e | 172, 186 |