The Dread Abyss

## Background

Balmorath, also known the Dread Abyss is a realm of madness, a vast wound in the cosmic order, a bottomless pit teeming with creatures that exist only to rend, tear, and destroy. This realm is home to countless demons and demon lords, creatures of immense power and untold savagery.

The first demons were created in the aftermath of the Astral Fracture, with the resultant magic of this event transforming the inhabitants of the plane of Balmorath into the horrifying incarnations of madness. These maddened creatures were the sibriexes who then created the first demon lord, Demogorgon, a creature that fed upon the madness that now pervaded the realm. As time passed, Balmorath began to grow, it spread throughout the cosmos, growing in size, its madness consuming neighboring planes, and as it grew more and more demon lords grew in power and ascended.

Similar to the Feywild, the abyss is chaos incarnate, however there are some major differences, chief amongst them is the mutagenic nature of the abyss. This chaos affects the weave itself, which the realm seems to warp and change, allowing for new expressions of it that are inconceivable to those that do not embrace the madness of this realm. It’s important to understand that change is a core aspect of this realm, every aspect of this realm is everchanging, the pervading chaos ranges from geographical impossibilities to temporal anomalies. Therefore, it is understandable that most scholars have had little success in discerning how the abyss is divided, and those few that have dared delve into it have rarely returned.

The reason why this chaotic nature must be emphasized is because it is personified within the demons of the abyss. Initially, demons were driven by madness, but as their numbers grew, many new demons began to form, some no longer feeding on just madness but rather laying claim to different domains. Throughout the eons, demonic incursions have seeped into different realms, where their presence warped these other realms, and their endless hordes consumed their inhabitants. These realms would then be consumed by the abyss itself, the realm growing in size and power, spawning more demons.

The demonic hordes of the abyss are endless, however, there is a clear hierarchy present, that is nowhere near as complex and convoluted as that seen within the hells. The most powerful beings within the abyss are the greater demon lords, with many of them feeding off of certain domains. Most lesser demons are bound to these greater demon lords, with most of them becoming extensions of demon lords.

These lesser demons may also grow in power to become greater demons and some have also succeeded in becoming lesser demon lords. These lesser demon lords usually control minor aspects of a greater demon lord’s domain, drawing power from that aspect. Outside this hierarchy, however, exist Demon Princes, they were once angels or devils that fell to the corruptive power of the abyss and became powerful demons. They possess aspects of both demons and devils, are not bound to any demon lord and are capable of higher thinking when compared to other lesser demons. They are also unafflicted by the negative emotions that plague other devils but are still capable of drafting their own twisted version of infernal contracts. Little is truly known about these contracts, but it is speculated that those transcendental laws that bind normal infernal contracts might not apply to these contracts, although this is unconfirmed.

It is unknown what the ultimate goal of the demon lords truly is, some scholars understandably believe that they seek the complete destruction of all other planes, others argue that every demon lord seeks to establish themselves as the prime deity of their chosen domain. There’s also the issue on souls, as demons do not subsist on souls or need them to replenish their numbers, although it seems that among greater demons and lords, souls are considered to be a delicacy. A few scholars also propose another theory, some hypothesize that all demons are but extensions of Balmorath, with the realm itself possessing some form of sentience, which brings a great many things into question. Regardless of the answer, there is one thing that one must always keep in mind, most demons seek nothing but destruction and whilst many of them are nothing more than animalistic brutes, the everchanging nature of the abyss may someday lead to this being the exception rather than the norm, which is a truly horrifying thing to consider.

The mortal realm of Penastria has had a long history with the abyss, from the demonic incursion during the age of myth to the conception of beastmen and gnolls. Historically, the first known incident occurred when Valkorion opened the Polar Realm Gates. Many assume that it was this act that brought the mortal plane to the attention of the demon lords of Balmorath, the first demonic incursion resulted from this and whilst the gates were sealed, a tear in the veil still remained through which the demonic corruption of the abyss continued to seep into the plane. After this, many other events throughout history have had demonic influences but none have been as drastic as this demonic incursion.

There’s also the corruption that one invites when drawing on the weave, as stated before the dread abyss warps the very nature of the weave. Most mages are able to cast spells by drawing on the weave and changing it to suit their required spell. I won’t delve into the mechanics of this but suffice it to say that the weave tends to exist in a sort of “neutral” state, however, in locations that have been tainted by the presence of demons, the same corruption that is seen in the abyss may also be present. In such instances, when the mage draws upon the weave to cast spells, they are at risk of being corrupted by this chaotic essence, which may lead to horrendous mutations, turning the mage into what is known as a maleficarum, a powerful mutant, who has fallen to demonic possession. At this point, the demon will have complete control over the mage’s body and their abilities, with the maleficarum exhibiting exaggerated personality traits that the demonic parasite feeds on in order to grow in power. If left unchecked, the demon will continue to feed until it has enough power to manifest its true form. The ever-present risk of mutation into maleficari is one of the reasons why mages are treated with caution or outright hostility in certain cultures especially unmonitored apostates.

Those mortals who succumb to demonic possession are said to exhibit signs of mutation, as their body is unable to combat the changing influence of the abyss. Those first mortals that succumbed to this corruption were those that followed Valkorion into the abyss when he opened the polar realm gates. Most succumbed to possession, losing themselves in its corruptive madness, others however, gave themselves willingly and would instead be given powerful gifts by the demon lords that ruled the abyssal depths. Legends speak of their return to the mortal realm as demonic champions known as the Firstborn. These powerful beings were instrumental in the First Demonic Incursion and led to the desolation of the northern continent of Phalos.

## Greater Demon Lords

### Baphomet, Demon Lord of Savagery

The Horned King, Baphomet divides the creatures of the world into two groups. Those who acknowledge his power are his servants and he endows them with savagery and a bestial fury that drives them to achieve feats requiring immense strength and skill in combat. The rest are prey, creatures to be hunted and slaughtered.

Baphomet is a savage entity, but he tempers his ferocity with shrewdness. He loves the hunt and the sense of impending doom that comes over prey that cannot best him and his servants in battle. He hates all semblance of order, a hatred instilled into the beastmen that he created. Every time that the Red Moon hangs low in the sky, Baphomet’s will seeps into the mortal realm, forcing his children and followers to enter a barbaric rage, wherein their battle prowess is increased as a great bloodlust overtakes them. And thus, the Blood Hunt begins.

The cults of Baphomet attract those who seek the strength to defeat their enemies in combat, seeing themselves as superior and seeing others as nothing more than prey. Baphomet’s tenets reinforce these beliefs, appealing to the ego, justifying narcissism and taking advantage of a person’s desire for strength. Cultists of Baphomet include knights who seek strength in order to accomplish their quests, assassins who practice their murderous arts for the sheer love of hunting intelligent creatures and paranoid humans who combine a hatred of an enemy with bloodthirstiness.

Typically, a cult of Baphomet will rarely exist within the confines of a city, instead preferring to set up war camps in the forests and countryside, most of the times attracting the attention of beastmen tribes that may either attack and devour these cultists or, if the cult is led by an individual with sufficient strength, join and aid the cult.

Baphomet's realm in the Abyss is referred to as the Ivory Labyrinth, and is described as being an endless maze, its walls lined with the bones of those who have met their end at the hands of its denizens. It is home to innumerable hordes of Half-Fiend Minotaurs who patrol the winding passages, hunting down those unlucky enough to find themselves lost within the labyrinth. In the centre of the Labyrinth, it is said that one finds the Horned Lord's Fortress, a massive citadel, its arrangement as labyrinthine as its surroundings. Its halls and passageways stained black and red with the blood of the fallen, as the sounds of fighting echo throughout, signalling the endless battle that its denizens partake in, all to honour the Horned Lord.

### Yeenoghu, Demon Lord of Gluttony

The Beast of Butchery, Yeenoghu inspires his followers to devour any creatures they meet. In his mind, similar to Baphomet, the cosmos is made up of only predators and prey. To satiate his bloodlust, Yeenoghu often rampages across the dread abyss, killing and devouring everything he comes across. Only those demons that join him in wreaking carnage can avoid his wrath. Yeenoghu’s wanderings across the abyss are like the meanderings of a storm, he and his demons pass through an area like a monstrous hurricane whose course can never be predicted.

Of all the demon lords, Yeenoghu has made the greatest mark on the mortal realm, as when the Red Moon hangs low, a greater demon of Yeenoghu may materialize and lead hordes followers on a bloody rampage as the Blood Feast begins. As the Blood Feast continues, entire cities and towns have been known to descend into chaos as gnolls erupt forth either from caves outside these cities or from the sewers beneath the cities. Gnolls are within themselves a strange race of creatures, since they are so widespread, they are in fact quite difficult to analyze due to the large variety of gnoll cultures that exist throughout the world. However, one thing remains constant, gnolls arise from those that succumb to their gluttony, and partake in the blood feast, and thus they are subject to Yeenoghu’s will. Cults of Yeenoghu, usually involve gnolls, leucrottas and people that give in to their hunger, they may operate in secret or out in the open. However, they slowly and surely begin eating away at the city they inhabit, eventually plunging it into chaos.

The most recent Blood Feast occurred during the year 1083, during the eternal ritual. During this feast, however, it was no greater demon that materialized but rather the demon lord himself, that united a horde of gnolls in Wissenland and led them on a bloody rampage across the land before finally assaulting the city of Hessen. The demon lord would however be defeated by the dragonborn paladin, Vamar Gahaeris who struck down the demon lord with the crimson blade, Demonsbane and destroyed his corporeal form, banishing him into the abyss.

### Zuggtmoy, Demon Queen of Decay and Fungi

The Rot Queen, Zuggtmoy, is thought to be the originator of all fungi and molds, from the mushrooms that grow in the forest to the deadliest forms of yellow mold. Those scholars who study the dread abyss, argue that Zuggtmoy is not merely a patron of fungi, and that her ultimate goal is to meld all living creatures into one great organism and to absorb the rest of the cosmos into her great garden, where she will rule for eternity.

However, whilst the Rot Queen possesses a great affinity for fungi, her garden houses more than just mushrooms. It holds within it the greatest collection of plants and herbs in existence, a collection of different plant life from different realms, each grown and cultivated by Zuggtmoy. In the centre of her garden stands a towering pot of cast iron, into which the queen casts all her ingredients using them to create the most potent of diseases that she then unleashes upon different realms. That being said however, the Rot Queen is not a purely malevolent being seeking destruction, she firmly believes that life and death are both parts of the same eternal cycle and thus she wishes to hold sway over both, with many of her concoctions breathing new life into what was once considered dead. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Zuggtmoy holds a great hatred for the Undying King, seeing him as a usurper to the natural order of things and a threat to her control over life and death.

Most of Zuggtmoy’s cultists are hapless mortals that have been infested with the demonic spores she cultivates in the fungi she created. The spores slowly devour these creatures’ brains leaving them with enough functionality to spread malevolent fungi but robbing them of the will to turn against their master. A few mortals freely enter her service, most are druids for whom Zuggtmoy holds a great liking. And she amuses herself greatly by twisting the ideals and beliefs of these druids turning them into deluded, power-hungry individuals who believe that they would retain their identities while they bring others under her thrall. Zuggtmoy allows these zealots to retain their existing forms if doing so furthers her aims and helps to spread her children far and wide, but they are destined for the same fate as all the others.

### Juiblex, Demon Lord of Oozes

The Formless One, is a truly alien creature, said to be responsible for spawning the oozes found throughout the world. Those who study such topics theorize that every such creature has a connection to Juiblex, and the demon lord sees and knows all that its minions encounter.

Wherever Juiblex wanders, it leaves trailings in its wake that coalesce into new slimes and oozes. Most sages believe that if Juiblex and its spawn were given free rein, they would one day overrun the universe, turning every realm into an ooze-infested wasteland.

Juiblex has few cultists, and most of them are incurably disturbed or delusional. His mortal cultists preach of the glorious day to come, when a tide of slimes and oozes will swallow the world. These wretched followers believe that by aligning with Juiblex, they can avoid the fate that awaits all other living creatures.

The lord’s followers dwell in underground tombs or abandoned ruins where they maintain a stable of oozes and slimes that help to protect their gathering place. They use traps to capture sentient creatures, then feed them to the oozes in a simulation of what awaits all who don’t revere Juiblex.

### Camazaath, Demon Lord of Magic and Lies

The most deceptive of all demons, Camazaath is a master illusionist and weaver of lies. He thrives by luring his cultists and enemies alike into lives of self-delusion. He can take on nearly any form, however his favored form is that of a large two-headed avian demon, each head possessing of an individual mind, with each of Camazaath’s heads – Hiskarnaath and Borgaath working in unison towards their common goal of which little is truly known. It is also unknown whether this is truly the demon lord’s true form, or merely a personification of his shattered psyche.

Of the two, Hiskarnaath is known as the most deceptive approaching both friend and foe with a calm and soothing voice, that goads them onwards, playing on their deepest and darkest ambitions. Borgaath however is far more direct, viewing all other beings as nothing more than servants fit only to serve greater beings. Camazaath may at any time split into two “smaller” beings, as the two heads Hiskarnaath and Borgaath take control of an individual body that may better serve their purpose, and at any time they may reform, an ability that has caused a bit of confusion throughout the millennia of them reigning in the Winged Court of Balmorath.

Camazaath enjoys fashioning plots that span mortal centuries, usually choosing a bloodline or many and manipulating events through the use of servants so that this mortal can become an instrument of use to him. Those who worship Camazaath, are usually enticed into servitude through a written pact, drafted by the demon lord, however they are usually unaware of who they truly serve, with one of his two personalities usually taking part in the contract.

While Camazaath does enjoy long-winded plots and deceptions, the demon lord also enjoys warping the weave to strange and wondrous forms. One of his favourite pastimes, this has allowed the demon lord to create new spells that embody the chaotic nature of the abyss. This has also awakened a keen interest in the arcane within the demon lord, and he now delights in experimenting with new forms of magic. Because of this, Camazaath also keeps a note of powerful mages, doing his best to tempt them and draw them towards his sphere of influence, through promises of arcane secrets and magical abilities beyond their mortal abilities. His delving into new forms of magic, have led to him forming an alliance with Dagon, as the latter's vast horde of forgotten and forbidden knowledge is said to be of great interest to the Deceiver. Because of this, the two have engaged in a mutually beneficial arrangement, wherein Dagon shares in the knowledge contained within his library in exchange for the secrets unlocked through Camazaath's arcane experiments.

Camazaath's domain is known as the Winged Court of Balmorath, which is said to be a gargantuan palace made of deep blue crystal that hovers in the eye of a raging maelstrom. Flocks of avian demons patrol the storms, the tantalizing screeches of vrocks luring those who seek to navigate the treacherous maelstrom towards the court. Those who successfully navigate the surrounding dangers and reach one of the many entrances of the court, may find themselves lost in the noneuclidian arrangement of the court, which is said to have an innumerable number of passages hidden throughout, imperceptible to most, unless they are skilled arcane practitioners or are allowed to view these passages by the realm's mercurial demon lord. Those who have been invited into the domain by Camazaath himself are said to be drawn to the centre of the court, wherein Camazaath resides, his true form visible to all. The demon lord's true form is said to be maddening to those who are unprepared but those who are adequately prepared and lucky are said to glean a deeper insight into the secrets of the cosmos, an insight that always comes at a great price. Those uninterested in the secrets that Camazaath possesses may also be drawn by the lure of power, as Camazaath is also an avid collector of magical artifacts, seeking to ever increase his personal horde, which is said to be the largest in existence, comprised of artefacts from throughout the realms; some merely trinkets, others possessing of great power. This assortment of artifacts is said to be contained within a massive vault, sealed behind a great number of arcane wards, and nonsensical puzzles, the vault opening only at the demon lord's whim.

### Dagon, Demon Lord of the Depths

A mixture of both octopus and fish, Dagon, sprouts countless tentacles and is covered in black, rubbery skin that is punctuated with many yellow, unblinking eyes. Fish scales shield his flesh, and rows upon rows of long fangs jut from his maw.

His realm lies directly beneath Demogorgon’s and is known as the Sea of Fallen Stars. It is said to possess a direct link to the great ocean of the mortal realm. He hoards forbidden knowledge and stores long forgotten books and vellums in his great library. Of all the demon lords, Dagon is and always has been the most mysterious, and no scholar has ever managed to discern his true intentions.

Dagon possesses a bitter rivalry with the Sea Elves and Tritons against whom he sends his great demons and his servants (which are usually made up of Sahaugin and Kuo-Toa). During the demonic incursion of the mortal realm, the Sea Elves and Tritons suffered greatly at his hands, although with time they did manage to push his forces back and seal the demon lord in its realm.

## Minor Demon Lords

### Mechuiti, Demon Lord of Apes

A yellow-green fire burns atop the head of this towering, red-furred demon, which resembles an enormous mandrill. It has massive muscular arms tipped with razor-sharp claws, and a slavering jaw filled with huge fangs and tusks that curl back almost to its blue cheeks. Standing 25-feet-tall, Mechuiti can stand erect like a human or walk on its knuckles like a great ape.

Mechuiti was once a greater demon of Baphomet that consumed a demigod blessed by the elemental plane of fire. In the aftermath, Mechuiti took the flames for himself and wields a portion of Kossuth’s power which only adds to the demon lord’s savagery. His realm within the abyss is known to all as Bloodskull Island, a jungle that stands amidst a volcanic sea. Here Mechuiti schemes and plots, creating more and more ape demons in the hopes of one day unleashing them upon the Mortal Realm, claiming the jungles as his own. Mechuiti also possesses a link to all apes in Penastria, claiming that all are his children in one way or another, whether there is any truth to this is unknown, but most demons spawned by Mechuiti tend to possess more ape-like appearances.

### Akyishigal, Demon Lord of Cockroaches

Of all the demons lurking in Balmorath, few are as vile and disgusting as Akyishigal, the lord of cockroaches. His filth slicked mandibles clack ceaselessly for the flesh and souls of humanoids. Although Akyishigal has sired an entire race in his image, he craves followers among humans, elves, and other humanoid races as a means of corrupting civilization, such followers of actual worth are a rarity and for now however, the lord of roaches must contend with the scraps left behind by the Rot Queen and the God of Death.

Despite his repulsiveness, Akyishigal has followers among the urban dispossessed, slum-dwelling poor and those who lurk in lightless undercities (most of which tend to be Ratfolk). His shrines are usually abandoned houses, tanneries, and butcher yards as well as in sewers and other similar places. In such shrines kidnapped victims find themselves submerged in filth up to their necks. While the demon lord’s cultists chant, sacramental roaches feast on the prisoner’s eyes and tongue. On the rare occasion where the victim does survive, they are transformed into a Spawn of Akyishigal, a demon that is forever bound to the demon lord’s will. Akyishigal works to further the Rot Queen’s desires, residing in his own palace within her garden.

### Qorgeth, Demon Lord of the Devouring Worm

Qorgeth, the Writhing Prince, Pale Maw, the Devourer is a lesser lord of worms and decay, a massive undulating form that crushes trees and cracks stone. Its presence seeps into different realms through the trails of worms and maggots through rotting flesh, given power only through the Rot Queen’s conquests. Like Akyishigal, Qorgeth was once a greater demon that served under Zuggtmoy and amassed a large enough following that allowed him to become a minor demon lord.

The demon lord views all things that live, or once lived, as its property in the making. Everything becoming its food eventually. An impossibly massive, pale-fleshed worm, Qorgeth’s segmented body is mapped with pale veins of pink and blue. When it opens its massive maw, it reveals a writhing mass of smaller worms, many of which are adorned with wailing or enraged humanoid heads.