A Demon of Fearsome Power

The scaled demon is another update of a monster from the d20 version of Gary Gygax’s Necropolis, a mammoth Eyptian-themed adventure/campaign supplement.

This monster has an interesting history, bearing a more-than-passing resemblance to the cataboligne demon featured in Gygax’s Saga of Old City (1985), “a demon of fearsome power.” The illustration to the right is from Clyde Caldwell’s cover painting for the novel, which was one of Gygax’s last published works for TSR. Although the cataboligne demon was never statted out in AD&D, Sean Reynolds published a 3.0e version in Dragon 295, “Monstrous Denizens of Oerth.” This was subsequently updated to 3.5e in Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk.

The following text is Open Game Content:

Demon, Scaled

This creature is humanoid in appearance, with metallic blue, scaly skin, and a comb-like crest of spines running from the top of its knobby skull to between the shoulder blades.

Abyssal Outcasts. Scaled demons are rarely encountered monsters, shunned and hated even by other demons.

Haughty and Cruel. These arrogant demons enjoy taunting and tormenting their opponents during combat.

Fearsome Guardians. Scaled demons are occasionally bound by powerful spellcasters as guards for ancient treasures.

A demon of this sort is 8 feet tall, broad, and fast. Its tail is prehensile, barbed, and poisonous.

0e

Scaled Demon CL 13 (2,300 XP)

Scaled demons can cause darkness in a 10ft radius, are immune to electricity, can cause Fear at will, can polymorph themselves, and are 50% resistant to magic. These demons have a 30% chance to gate in another scaled demon.

HD 9; AC 0 [19]; Atk 2 claws (1d6), 1 bite (1d8) or tail (1d6 + poison); Save 6; Move 15; Al C; Special Magic resistance (50%), +1 or better weapon to hit, demonic magical powers.

3.5e

Scaled Demon CR 13

Always CE Large outsider (chaotic, evil, extraplanar)

Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +28, Spot +28

Aura fearful gaze (DC 20)

Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic; telepathy 100 ft.

Defense

AC 27, touch 11, flat-footed 25
(-1 size, +2 Dex, +16 natural)

hp 110 (13d8+52 HD); DR 15/cold iron and good

Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +12

Immune electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 26

Offense

Spd 40 ft.

Melee 2 claws +18 (1d6+6), bite +16 (1d8+3) or
tail sting +18 (1d6+9 and poison)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks abyssal strike, improved grab, poison (DC 20, 1d6 Con/2d6 Con), summon demons 1/day

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 20th)

At will—blasphemy, cloudkill (DC 17), deeper darkness, desecrate, detect good, detect law, greater dispel magic, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only), magic circle against good, read magic, telekinesis (DC 17), tongues (self only), unhallow, unholy aura, unholy blight (DC 16), wall of fire

1/day—implosion (DC 21)

Tactics

During Combat A scaled demon loves to do battle, and uses its spell-like abilities to attack foes before tearing them apart using its talons and fangs. It rarely uses its barbed tail in combat, except when it grabs and holds a foe, which is then stung to death.

Morale A scaled demon usually fights to the death.

Statistics

Str 23, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 18, Cha 14

Base Atk +13; Grp +23

Feats Ability Focus (fearful gaze), Blind-Fight, Cleave, Multiattack, Power Attack

Skills Bluff +18, Concentration +20, Diplomacy +22, Knowledge (any two) +20, Intimidate +20, Listen +28, Move Silently +18, Search +20, Sense Motive +20, Spellcraft +20, Spot +28

SQ change shape

Ecology

Environment a chaotic evil-aligned plane

Organization solitary or troupe (1 scaled demon, 2–5 hezrous)

Treasure standard coins, double goods, standard items

Advancement 14–19 HD (Large), 20–39 HD (Huge)

Special Abilities

Abyssal Strike (Su) A scaled demon overcomes damage reduction as if its natural weapons and any weapons it wields were chaotic- and evil-aligned.

Change Shape (Su) A scaled demon can assume the form of any Small,
Medium, or Large humanoid.

Fearful Gaze (Su) Fear, 30 feet. A creature that meets the scaled demon's gaze must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or become panicked for 1d6 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, that creature cannot be affected again by the same scaled demon's gaze for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, a scaled demon must hit with both claw attacks. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and stings.

Poison (Ex) Injury, Fortitude DC 20, initial damage 1d6 Con, secondary damage 2d6 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Summon Demon (Sp) Once per day a scaled demon can automatically summon 4d6 dretches, 1d4 hezrous, or one glabrezu, nalfeshnee, or scaled demon. This ability is the equivalent of an 8th-level spell.

Telepathy (Su) A scaled demon can communicate telepathically with any other creature within 100 feet that has a language.

Skills Scaled demons receive a +8 racial bonus to Listen and Spot Checks.

5e

Scaled Demon

Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (natural)
Hit Points 168 (16d10 + 80)
Speed 40 ft. ft.
Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
21 (+5)	15 (+2)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)
Saving Throws. Str +10, Con +10, Wis +8
Skills. Perception +8
Damage Resistances. cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities. poison
Condition Immunities. poisoned
Magic Resistance. The demon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Senses truesight 120 ft.; passive Perception 18
Languages Abyssal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Actions
Multiattack. The demon makes four attacks: 1 with its bite, 2 with its claws, and 1 with its sting.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 17 (5d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Frightening Gaze (Recharge 5–6). The demon fixes its gaze on one creature it can see within 10 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw against this magic or become frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a target’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the target is immune to the demon‘s gaze for the next 24 hours.
Teleport. The scaled demon magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.

1. Definitions: (a) “Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b) “Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d) “Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts, creatures, characters, stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f ) “Trademark” means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder’s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
    
    • Open Game License v 1.0a, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
    • System Reference Document, Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
    • System Reference Document 5.1, Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
    • Monster Compendium: 0e, Copyright 2008, Matthew J. Finch.
    • Monstrosities, Copyright 2012, Frog God Games LLC; Authors Andrew Trent (“the Venomous Pao”), Trent Foster, Salvatore Macri (“Skathros”), Scott Wylie Roberts (“Myrystyr”), Sean Stone (“Stonegiant”), Sean Wills (“Geordie Racer”), Cameron DuBeers, Matt Hoover (“Random”), Mike Davison, Russell Cone (“Grim”), Mudguard, Old Crawler, Michael Shorten (“Chgowiz”), Mark Ahmed, Scott Casper (“Scottenkainen”), The Lizard of Oz, James Malizsewski, Michael Kotschi, J.D. Jarvis, John Turcotte, Guy Fullerton, Michael Coté, Thomas Clark, Tanner Adams, and Matt Finch (“Mythmere”).
    • Pathfinder RPG Bestiary, Copyright 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.
    • Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 2, Copyright 2010, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Jason Bulmahn, Adam Daigle, Graeme Davis, Crystal Frasier, Joshua J. Frost, Tim Hitchcock, Brandon Hodge, James Jacobs, Steve Kenson, Hal MacLean, Martin Mason, Rob McCreary, Erik Mona, Jason Nelson, Patrick Renie, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Owen K.C. Stephens, James L. Sutter, Russ Taylor, and Greg A. Vaughan, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.
    • Swords & Wizardry Core Rules, Copyright 2008, Matthew J. Finch.
    • Necropolis, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Authors Gary Gygax, Scott Greene, Clark Peterson, and Bill Webb; based on original material by E. Gary Gygax.
    • Relics and Rituals, Copyright 2001, Clark Peterson.
    • A Demon of Fearsome Power, Copyright 2017, R. Dorman.