Yeenoghu: Difference between revisions
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image=[[Image:Yeenoghu01.jpg]]| | image=[[Image:Yeenoghu01.jpg]]| | ||
caption=Yeenoghu, Demon | caption=Yeenoghu, Demon Prince of Gnolls.| | ||
name=Yeenoghu| | name=Yeenoghu| | ||
title=Demon | title=Demon Prince of Gnolls, The Destroyer, Beast of Butchery, Ruler of Ruin| | ||
home=Abyss| | home=[[Abyss]]| | ||
power=[[Demon lord]]| | power=[[Demon lord]]| | ||
gender=Male| | gender=Male| | ||
class=Fighter 13/Priest 7 (avatar)| | class=Fighter 13/Priest 7 (avatar)| | ||
alignment=Chaotic | alignment=Chaotic evil| | ||
portfolio=Gnolls, ghouls, paralysis| | portfolio=Gnolls, ghouls, paralysis| | ||
domains=Chaos, Demonic, Evil, Fury| | domains=Chaos, Demonic, Evil, Fury| | ||
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super=None| | super=None| | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Yeenoghu''' is the Demon | '''Yeenoghu''' is the [[Demon lord|Demon Prince]] of [[Gnoll]]s. His personal weapon is his dreaded triple flail and he commands the obedience of ghouls and ghasts (mainly through his subjugation of the entity known as the [[King of Ghouls]]). | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Yeenoghu appears as a 12 foot tall gaunt bipedal hyena. His skin is a pale grey, while his yellow fur is patchy and mangy. He is often depicted wielding a three-headed flail. | Yeenoghu appears as a 12 foot tall gaunt bipedal hyena. His skin is a pale grey, while his yellow fur is patchy and mangy. His large, protruding eyes are am amber hue. He is often depicted wielding a three-headed flail. | ||
==Relationships== | ==Relationships== | ||
Like all demon lords, Yeenoghu has a long list of enemies and rivals, and a short list of allies and compatriots. He was not originally revered by gnolls, but gained their worship by stealing the portfolio of [[Gorellik]], their original patron deity. His greatest enemy is [[Baphomet]], the Demon Lord of Minotaurs and the Prince of Beasts. | Like all demon lords, Yeenoghu has a long list of enemies and rivals, and a short list of allies and compatriots. He was not originally revered by gnolls, but gained their worship by stealing the portfolio of [[Gorellik]], their original patron deity. His greatest enemy is [[Baphomet]], the Demon Lord of Minotaurs and the Prince of Beasts. [[Graz'zt]] manipulates Yeenoghu on occasion into battles of Graz'zt's choice; Yeenoghu does not realize he is being used, but loves battle enough that he would hardly care if he did. | ||
Despite Yeenoghu being the "Demon Lord of Gnolls," he accepts worship from other races, notably humans, as well. The infamous [[House Maure|Maure]] family from the world of [[Oerth]] is a prime example. However, thanks to the meddling of the Succubus Queen [[Malcanthet]], the Maures were eventually laid low and Yeenoghu counts Malcanthet as one of his most hated enemies. | Despite Yeenoghu being the "Demon Lord of Gnolls," he accepts worship from other races, notably humans, as well. The infamous [[House Maure|Maure]] family from the world of [[Oerth]] is a prime example. However, thanks to the meddling of the Succubus Queen [[Malcanthet]], the Maures were eventually laid low and Yeenoghu counts Malcanthet as one of his most hated enemies. | ||
Because of his subjugation of the King of Ghouls, Yeenoghu also has also induced the ire of [[Orcus]], the Prince of the Undead. However, the two did seem to have come to a mutual understanding and for a time, the duo managed to imprison Baphomet in Orcus' layer of Thanatos. | Because of his subjugation of the King of Ghouls, Yeenoghu also has also induced the ire of [[Orcus]], the Prince of the Undead. However, the two did seem to have come to a mutual understanding and for a time, the duo managed to imprison Baphomet in Orcus' layer of Thanatos. | ||
'''Nezrebe''' is a 9 foot tall albino gnoll who serves Yeenoghu directly, leading armies into the Seeping Wood on Yeenoghu's layer to expand his realm. | |||
==Realm== | ==Realm== | ||
| Line 34: | Line 36: | ||
==Dogma== | ==Dogma== | ||
Yeenoghu embodies killing and butchery. Seeking power over his rivals and the gods themselves, the Beast of Butchery commands his followers to show no mercy over their opponents. Yeenoghu welcomes to his worship any who exult in death and slaughter. | |||
==Worshippers== | ==Worshippers== | ||
| Line 43: | Line 46: | ||
The typical ceremonial vestments of Yeenoghu's priesthood are dark brown robes accented by mangy yellow furs. The robes are never cleaned, becoming fouled with blood and reeking of dead flesh over time. Clerics of Yeenoghu have access to the domains of Chaos, Demonic, Evil, and Fury. | The typical ceremonial vestments of Yeenoghu's priesthood are dark brown robes accented by mangy yellow furs. The robes are never cleaned, becoming fouled with blood and reeking of dead flesh over time. Clerics of Yeenoghu have access to the domains of Chaos, Demonic, Evil, and Fury. | ||
==Temples and | ==Temples== | ||
Followers of Yeenoghu perform living sacrifices in remote wilderness regions. | Yeenoghu has few formal shrines or temples. His unholy sites are rocks in the wilderness smeared with blood and feces and crude paintings. In the Abyss his temples are more elaborate, taking the form of five-sided, six-tiered ziggurats covered in corpses and swarming flies. | ||
==Rituals== | |||
Followers of Yeenoghu perform living sacrifices in remote wilderness regions beneath the light of the moon, eating the living flesh of their victims raw, sacrificing blood to their master. Cults bring back sacrifices to their lair and mutilate them with sharp knives, collect their blood, and consume it with hallucinogenic herbs. They look for omens in the viscera of their slain enemies. Cultists of Yeenoghu never bathe. | |||
==Artifacts== | |||
The ''Triple Flail'' is Yeenoghu's signature weapon, its handle said to be carved from the thighbone of a god Yeenoghu slew and wrapped in that god's flesh. Rusty barbed disks dangle from chains affixed to it. | |||
==History== | |||
Yeenoghu might have begun his soul's existence as a mortal gnoll, or he may be a demon born who finds the gnollish race to his liking. | |||
Almost a thousand years ago, Yeenoghu and Baphomet orchestrated an invasion of [[Western Oerik]], opening vast portals in the forest of [[Ravilla]]. Armies of [[demon]]s, gnolls, and [[minotaur]]s poured into the forests, burning them and slaughtering wood [[elf|elves]] by the thousands. An army of elves, allied with [[Bahamut]] and his [[dragon]]s, managed to defeat the demonic alliance after a long war. The portals were sealed shut and cities were built to guard them. Yeenoghu and Bahamut became enemies, each blaming the other for their defeat. | |||
==Yeenoghu in other media== | ==Yeenoghu in other media== | ||
| Line 62: | Line 76: | ||
*McComb, Colin. ''[[On Hallowed Ground]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996. | *McComb, Colin. ''[[On Hallowed Ground]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996. | ||
*[[Chris Pramas|Pramas, Chris]]. "The Empire of Ravilla." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #285. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001. | |||
*-----. "The Gnolls of Naresh." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #289. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001. | |||
*[[Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Monster Mythology]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. | *[[Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Monster Mythology]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. | ||
* | *[[Robert J. Schwalb|Schwalb, Robert J.]] "Demonomicon of Iggwilv." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] #364, June 2008. Available online: [http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/364_Demonomicon.pdf] | ||
*Stark, Ed, [[James Jacobs]], and [[Erik Mona]]. ''[[Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. | *Stark, Ed, [[James Jacobs]], and [[Erik Mona]]. ''[[Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. | ||
[[Category:Archfiends]] | [[Category:Archfiends]] | ||
[[Category:Undead deities]] | [[Category:Undead deities]] | ||
Revision as of 20:03, 8 August 2008
| Yeenoghu | |
|---|---|
 Yeenoghu, Demon Prince of Gnolls. | |
| General information | |
| Portfolio: | Gnolls, ghouls, paralysis |
| Home: | Abyss |
| Alignment: | Chaotic evil |
| Gender: | Male |
| Class: | Fighter 13/Priest 7 (avatar) |
| Superior: | None |
| Rules items | |
| Domains: | Chaos, Demonic, Evil, Fury |
Yeenoghu is the Demon Prince of Gnolls. His personal weapon is his dreaded triple flail and he commands the obedience of ghouls and ghasts (mainly through his subjugation of the entity known as the King of Ghouls).
Description
Yeenoghu appears as a 12 foot tall gaunt bipedal hyena. His skin is a pale grey, while his yellow fur is patchy and mangy. His large, protruding eyes are am amber hue. He is often depicted wielding a three-headed flail.
Relationships
Like all demon lords, Yeenoghu has a long list of enemies and rivals, and a short list of allies and compatriots. He was not originally revered by gnolls, but gained their worship by stealing the portfolio of Gorellik, their original patron deity. His greatest enemy is Baphomet, the Demon Lord of Minotaurs and the Prince of Beasts. Graz'zt manipulates Yeenoghu on occasion into battles of Graz'zt's choice; Yeenoghu does not realize he is being used, but loves battle enough that he would hardly care if he did.
Despite Yeenoghu being the "Demon Lord of Gnolls," he accepts worship from other races, notably humans, as well. The infamous Maure family from the world of Oerth is a prime example. However, thanks to the meddling of the Succubus Queen Malcanthet, the Maures were eventually laid low and Yeenoghu counts Malcanthet as one of his most hated enemies.
Because of his subjugation of the King of Ghouls, Yeenoghu also has also induced the ire of Orcus, the Prince of the Undead. However, the two did seem to have come to a mutual understanding and for a time, the duo managed to imprison Baphomet in Orcus' layer of Thanatos.
Nezrebe is a 9 foot tall albino gnoll who serves Yeenoghu directly, leading armies into the Seeping Wood on Yeenoghu's layer to expand his realm.
Realm
As a demon lord, Yeenoghu rules the 422nd layer of the Abyss, aptly and unimaginatively named Yeenoghu's Realm. It is a salt-swept wasteland bordering a foul ocean in which lurk gnolls, hyena-like creatures, and various carrion-eating undead. Before Yeenoghu took over the layer, it was known as the Savage Searing, ruled by the fallen Celestial known as Azael. Even before Azael, the layer was realm to the obyrith Lord of Storms and Tempests, Bechard.
Yeenoghu himself lives in a mansion the size of a city pulled by thousands of slaves, which slowly makes its way across the layer.
Dogma
Yeenoghu embodies killing and butchery. Seeking power over his rivals and the gods themselves, the Beast of Butchery commands his followers to show no mercy over their opponents. Yeenoghu welcomes to his worship any who exult in death and slaughter.
Worshippers
Yeenoghu is revered by both gnolls and ghouls, as well as power-hungry humanoids of other races. He acts as the patron for gnolls, wishing to see a Prime Material world where other humanoids are simple slave labor or food. However, with his own conquests in the Abyss requiring direct attention, Yeenoghu also attracts other followers who seek power, often corrupting them into supporting his undead armies.
One such Abyssal conquest was the White Kingdom, a layer devoted to ghouls and other undead. After Yeenoghu subjugated Doresain, King of Ghouls, the hungry dead began revering him as well.
Clergy
The typical ceremonial vestments of Yeenoghu's priesthood are dark brown robes accented by mangy yellow furs. The robes are never cleaned, becoming fouled with blood and reeking of dead flesh over time. Clerics of Yeenoghu have access to the domains of Chaos, Demonic, Evil, and Fury.
Temples
Yeenoghu has few formal shrines or temples. His unholy sites are rocks in the wilderness smeared with blood and feces and crude paintings. In the Abyss his temples are more elaborate, taking the form of five-sided, six-tiered ziggurats covered in corpses and swarming flies.
Rituals
Followers of Yeenoghu perform living sacrifices in remote wilderness regions beneath the light of the moon, eating the living flesh of their victims raw, sacrificing blood to their master. Cults bring back sacrifices to their lair and mutilate them with sharp knives, collect their blood, and consume it with hallucinogenic herbs. They look for omens in the viscera of their slain enemies. Cultists of Yeenoghu never bathe.
Artifacts
The Triple Flail is Yeenoghu's signature weapon, its handle said to be carved from the thighbone of a god Yeenoghu slew and wrapped in that god's flesh. Rusty barbed disks dangle from chains affixed to it.
History
Yeenoghu might have begun his soul's existence as a mortal gnoll, or he may be a demon born who finds the gnollish race to his liking.
Almost a thousand years ago, Yeenoghu and Baphomet orchestrated an invasion of Western Oerik, opening vast portals in the forest of Ravilla. Armies of demons, gnolls, and minotaurs poured into the forests, burning them and slaughtering wood elves by the thousands. An army of elves, allied with Bahamut and his dragons, managed to defeat the demonic alliance after a long war. The portals were sealed shut and cities were built to guard them. Yeenoghu and Bahamut became enemies, each blaming the other for their defeat.
Yeenoghu in other media
- Yeenoghu also appears as a monster in the roguelike computer game NetHack.
- Yeenoghu is a monster that drops the item "yeenoghu flail" in the MMORPG parody Progress Quest.
Creative origins
Yeenoghu was one of the creations of Gary Gygax for the Dungeons & Dragons game, making him one of the first demon lords mentioned in 1st Edition.
Bibliography
- Cook, Monte. Book of Vile Darkness. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977.
- Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and Ed Stark. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).
- McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.
- Pramas, Chris. "The Empire of Ravilla." Dragon #285. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- -----. "The Gnolls of Naresh." Dragon #289. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- Schwalb, Robert J. "Demonomicon of Iggwilv." Dragon #364, June 2008. Available online: [1]
- Stark, Ed, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006.