Pazuzu: Difference between revisions
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'''Pazuzu''' is a powerful [[demon lord|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. | '''Pazuzu''' is a powerful [[demon lord|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. | ||
Pazuzu is viewed by the denizens of the Abyss with resentment and grudging respect. Unlike most demon lords, he is not interested in conquest of the Abyss. His main concern is winning followers on the [[Prime Material Plane]] by tempting or deceiving those of good alignment. He aids any good creature who summons him, in order to tempt him or her to evil. | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
In his true form, Pazuzu is a 7' tall well-proportioned humanoid with four wings. His face combines the features of a handsome man and a hawk. His hooked beak is filled with sharp teeth. He has a noble brow, a large head, and glowing red eyes. His avian feet have long, sharp talons. He wields a ''+ 5 anarchic | In his true form, Pazuzu is a 7' tall well-proportioned humanoid with four wings. His face combines the features of a handsome man and a hawk. His hooked beak is filled with sharp teeth. He has a noble brow, a large head, and glowing red eyes. His avian feet have long, sharp talons. He wields a ''+ 5 anarchic greatsword of speed'', and can breathe swarms of locusts and acidic, poisonous clouds. | ||
Pazuzu | Pazuzu is one of the oldest demon lords in the Abyss, as he is one of the few surviving obyrith demon lords. While the [[Queen of Chaos]] was in power, Pazuzu remained an independent demon lord. This saved himself during the tanar'ri revolt against the Queen of Chaos, as he was not affiliated with her. Following the tanar'ri conquest of the Abyss, Pazuzu was quick to adapt with the change. This has manifested in several ways: While most obyriths, having been conceived out of the Abyss's chaotic will itself, have characteristically bizarre physical appearances, Pazuzu appears as human-like as any tanar'ri. Pazuzu's abilities have changed as well: He can now summon tanar'ri, and the obyrith ''form of madness'' ability has changed as well. While most obyriths' visages are so chaotic that merely looking at one causes insanity, Pazuzu's newfound appearance has changed his ''form of madness'' into an "Aura of Servile Avians." This ability causes all evil flying creatures to feel an affinity towards Pazuzu, making it hard for them to bring themselves to attack the demon lord. | ||
==Relationships== | ==Relationships== | ||
''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #329 (2005) and ''[[Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss]]'' (2006), list [[Graz'zt]] as Pazuzu's most notable enemy. Graz'zt alone takes umbrage at Pazuzu's claim to dominion over the skies of the Abyss, though the Prince of Tyrants has never taken action against him beyond the occasional insult. Pazuzu is also opposed by the obscure demon lord [[Lamashtu]], the Demon Queen of Monstrous Births and Deformity. Lamashtu, a former consort of Pazuzu, is the only being who knows Pazuzu's true name. She betrayed him, and in response he ate her eyes and imprisoned the Queen of Monstrous Births in his realm of Torremor, where she has remained ever since. | |||
Though Pazuzu counts several kenku among his worshippers, the feelings of the kenku deity Quorlinn on the subject are unknown. | |||
In the ''Monster Manual II'' (1983), Pazuzu is said to be on good terms with daemons (now known as yugoloths) and the dukes of [[Hell]]. | |||
===Minions=== | |||
Pazuzu commands a retinue of six [[balor|balors]], who are known as the Six Wings of Pazuzu and serve as his bodyguards and assassins. | |||
==Realm== | ==Realm== | ||
Pazuzu's lair is ''Torremor'', a tangled mass of beams, pinnacles, arches, ladders, and other structures, held together by rope and chain. Torremor is located on the 503rd layer of the Abyss. However, Pazuzu spends most of his time on ''Pazunia'', the 1st layer of the Abyss. | Pazuzu's lair is ''Torremor'', a tangled mass of beams, pinnacles, arches, ladders, and other structures, held together by rope and chain. Torremor is located on the 503rd layer of the Abyss. However, Pazuzu spends most of his time on ''Pazunia'', the 1st layer of the Abyss. | ||
== | ==Dogma== | ||
== | ==Worshippers== | ||
Pazuzu is | Pazuzu is the lord of all evil flying creatures. His worshippers rarely emerge in societies; usually he is worshipped by lone individuals. His worshippers include kenku, harpies, gargoyles, manticores, wyverns, and sometimes evil fey or dragons. | ||
Cults of Pazuzu are started when someone in desperate need discovers Pazuzu's name and pleads for his help. When someone utters the name "Pazuzu" three consecutive times, the demon lord is telepathically linked to that person for one minute. During that time, Pazuzu is capable of reading the thoughts of whoever he is linked to, in addition to checking whether they are lawful or good. After confirming that whoever said his name isn't endeavoring to capture him on the [[Material Plane]], Pazuzu appears before the speaker. Pazuzu grants the person aid, usually via his ''wish'' spell-like ability, and in reply asks that his name be repeated to others. The mortal's miraculous turn of fortune attracts other desperate souls. Pazuzu continues to grant aid when called upon, each time producing more evil results. Eventually the cultists come to depend on him for their success, at which point he reveals his true nature. Those who try to repent are tortured and sacrificed. After a cult has committed its first sacrifice, Pazuzu abandons it and seeks out other prospects. Eventually the cult is destroyed by lawful and good forces; looters discover Pazuzu's name and the cycle's continuance is assured. | |||
== | ===Clergy=== | ||
==Temples== | |||
Pazuzu's temples lie in areas unreachable by those incapable of flight: in wildernesses, atop cliffs, or on mountain peaks. | |||
==Creative origins== | ==Creative origins== | ||
[[ | Pazuzu is derived from the Mesopotamian god of the same name. | ||
==Publishing history== | |||
Pazuzu first appeared in ''[[The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]]'' (1982). He has also appeared in ''Monster Manual II'' (1983) and the ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]'' web enhancement. He is covered in depth in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' magazine #329, in the "Demonomicon of [[Iggwilv]]" feature, as well as the supplement ''[[Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss]]''. | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
*Cagle, Eric. "Ecology of the Kenku." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #329. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005. | |||
*[[Cook, Monte]]. "Yet More Archfiends: a ''[[Book of Vile Darkness]]'' Web Enhancement." ''Wizards of the Coast''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002. Available online:[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20030117a] | |||
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''[[The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982. | |||
* | *-----. ''Monster Manual II''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | ||
*[[ | *[[James Jacobs|Jacobs, James]]. "Demonomicon of Iggwilv: [[Pazuzu]]." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #329. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005. | ||
*[[ | *[[Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Iuz the Evil]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993. | ||
* | *Smith, Lester W., and [[Wolfgang Baur]]. ''[[Planes of Chaos]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994. | ||
* | *Stark, Ed, [[James Jacobs]], and [[Erik Mona]]. ''[[Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. | ||
[[Category:Archfiends]] | |||
Revision as of 20:11, 3 December 2007
| Pazuzu | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Home: | Abyss |
| Alignment: | Chaotic Evil |
| Gender: | Male |
| Superior: | None |
| Rules items | |
| Domains: | Air, Chaos, Evil, Temptation |
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.
Pazuzu is viewed by the denizens of the Abyss with resentment and grudging respect. Unlike most demon lords, he is not interested in conquest of the Abyss. His main concern is winning followers on the Prime Material Plane by tempting or deceiving those of good alignment. He aids any good creature who summons him, in order to tempt him or her to evil.
Description
In his true form, Pazuzu is a 7' tall well-proportioned humanoid with four wings. His face combines the features of a handsome man and a hawk. His hooked beak is filled with sharp teeth. He has a noble brow, a large head, and glowing red eyes. His avian feet have long, sharp talons. He wields a + 5 anarchic greatsword of speed, and can breathe swarms of locusts and acidic, poisonous clouds.
Pazuzu is one of the oldest demon lords in the Abyss, as he is one of the few surviving obyrith demon lords. While the Queen of Chaos was in power, Pazuzu remained an independent demon lord. This saved himself during the tanar'ri revolt against the Queen of Chaos, as he was not affiliated with her. Following the tanar'ri conquest of the Abyss, Pazuzu was quick to adapt with the change. This has manifested in several ways: While most obyriths, having been conceived out of the Abyss's chaotic will itself, have characteristically bizarre physical appearances, Pazuzu appears as human-like as any tanar'ri. Pazuzu's abilities have changed as well: He can now summon tanar'ri, and the obyrith form of madness ability has changed as well. While most obyriths' visages are so chaotic that merely looking at one causes insanity, Pazuzu's newfound appearance has changed his form of madness into an "Aura of Servile Avians." This ability causes all evil flying creatures to feel an affinity towards Pazuzu, making it hard for them to bring themselves to attack the demon lord.
Relationships
Dragon #329 (2005) and Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006), list Graz'zt as Pazuzu's most notable enemy. Graz'zt alone takes umbrage at Pazuzu's claim to dominion over the skies of the Abyss, though the Prince of Tyrants has never taken action against him beyond the occasional insult. Pazuzu is also opposed by the obscure demon lord Lamashtu, the Demon Queen of Monstrous Births and Deformity. Lamashtu, a former consort of Pazuzu, is the only being who knows Pazuzu's true name. She betrayed him, and in response he ate her eyes and imprisoned the Queen of Monstrous Births in his realm of Torremor, where she has remained ever since.
Though Pazuzu counts several kenku among his worshippers, the feelings of the kenku deity Quorlinn on the subject are unknown.
In the Monster Manual II (1983), Pazuzu is said to be on good terms with daemons (now known as yugoloths) and the dukes of Hell.
Minions
Pazuzu commands a retinue of six balors, who are known as the Six Wings of Pazuzu and serve as his bodyguards and assassins.
Realm
Pazuzu's lair is Torremor, a tangled mass of beams, pinnacles, arches, ladders, and other structures, held together by rope and chain. Torremor is located on the 503rd layer of the Abyss. However, Pazuzu spends most of his time on Pazunia, the 1st layer of the Abyss.
Dogma
Worshippers
Pazuzu is the lord of all evil flying creatures. His worshippers rarely emerge in societies; usually he is worshipped by lone individuals. His worshippers include kenku, harpies, gargoyles, manticores, wyverns, and sometimes evil fey or dragons.
Cults of Pazuzu are started when someone in desperate need discovers Pazuzu's name and pleads for his help. When someone utters the name "Pazuzu" three consecutive times, the demon lord is telepathically linked to that person for one minute. During that time, Pazuzu is capable of reading the thoughts of whoever he is linked to, in addition to checking whether they are lawful or good. After confirming that whoever said his name isn't endeavoring to capture him on the Material Plane, Pazuzu appears before the speaker. Pazuzu grants the person aid, usually via his wish spell-like ability, and in reply asks that his name be repeated to others. The mortal's miraculous turn of fortune attracts other desperate souls. Pazuzu continues to grant aid when called upon, each time producing more evil results. Eventually the cultists come to depend on him for their success, at which point he reveals his true nature. Those who try to repent are tortured and sacrificed. After a cult has committed its first sacrifice, Pazuzu abandons it and seeks out other prospects. Eventually the cult is destroyed by lawful and good forces; looters discover Pazuzu's name and the cycle's continuance is assured.
Clergy
Temples
Pazuzu's temples lie in areas unreachable by those incapable of flight: in wildernesses, atop cliffs, or on mountain peaks.
Creative origins
Pazuzu is derived from the Mesopotamian god of the same name.
Publishing history
Pazuzu first appeared in The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982). He has also appeared in Monster Manual II (1983) and the Book of Vile Darkness web enhancement. He is covered in depth in Dragon magazine #329, in the "Demonomicon of Iggwilv" feature, as well as the supplement Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss.
Bibliography
- Cagle, Eric. "Ecology of the Kenku." Dragon #329. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
- Cook, Monte. "Yet More Archfiends: a Book of Vile Darkness Web Enhancement." Wizards of the Coast. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002. Available online:[1]
- Gygax, Gary. The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
- -----. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Jacobs, James. "Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Pazuzu." Dragon #329. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
- Sargent, Carl. Iuz the Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
- Smith, Lester W., and Wolfgang Baur. Planes of Chaos. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
- Stark, Ed, James Jacobs, and Erik Mona. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006.