Mannod

The mannod, more commonly known as pit fiends (or pitfiends), are an enormous race of saurian-like centaurs who serve as shock troops for the Black Order. Some pit fiends however, have been elevated to the rank of commander. Mannod commanders are some of the deadliest and most brutally efficient commanders in the Black Order, often with enormous body counts on both sides.

The de facto leader of the mannod is Argolon the Welder.

## History

Prior to Margonnath and the Black Order, pit fiends made up the majority of the Red Legion, one of the several warbands who inhabited the Burning Expanse. When their planet of Arghea was caught in Pyrmonde's eruption, the planet was virtually turned inside out. It became a blackened, ash filled world with lakes of corrosive acid and lava rain. Whatever remained of the race prior to their transformation was completely wiped out, as the planet descended into anarchy.

Various clans rose to dominate the ash plains and fiery mountains of their homeworld. These warbands roamed the planet's surface, pillaging and killing one another as they fought over limited resources. One such warlord, Argolon, rose to prominence on Arghea. He united the disparate clans into a single warband, and took to the stars as the Red Legion.

The first planet to be conquered by the Legion was the planet of Ehnara, home to several warring species. The pit fiends washed over the planet, scorching the surface and salting the earth. Of the four species that lived on Ehnara, only one managed to fight back: the Erenar. The pit fiends offered the Erenar a choice: join the Legion, or be laid to waste. The Erenar accepted the offer, becoming the first of several races to join the Red Legion.

To date, only six pit fiends have been encountered:

* Argolon the Welder
* Yadaran the Helfire
* Therranex the Slaver
* Olmath the Insaitable
* Anggaraz the Indomitable
* Magathar the Pillager

### The Black Order

The heaviest fighting between the titans and the demons of the Expanse was with the Red Legion. Their seemingly endless armies combined with hardy exteriors made for potent foes. Argolon himself proved nearly impossible to slay, and was an excellent tactician who rivaled even the best of the titans.

When Argolon was finally defeated by the Enclave, he was rounded up by Aman'Thar and transported to the Black Realm, a sea of black nothingness, where all demons were imprisoned 'til the end of time. As Argolon was being transported he sensed Aman'Thar was troubled. Despite winning a great victory over their hated foe, Aman'Thar was disturbed. Argolon seized the opportunity to play on Aman'Thar's troubles. He poked and prodded, attempting to twist Aman'Thar away from the Enclave and his titanic brethren.

Argolon succeeded. He convinced Aman'Thar of the futility of what he was doing. Demons were a natural response to what the titans were doing, or so argued Argolon. Aman'Thar, already disillusioned with the Ordering, lamented. He shattered the Black Realm, splitting it in half with his poleaxe. Every demonic soul trapped within burst forth. Aman'Thar rallied the demon horde into an organized force: The Black Order was born.

## Description

The common pit fiend resembles a humanoid torso set upon four powerfully built legs, each ending in razor sharp claws. Four thick horns curl out from the back of their skull, which the pit fiend often employs in hand-to-hand combat. Their skin is a lattice of powerful blue scales, each the density of steel. Pit fiends also possess two sets of jaws: an inner jaw for chewing, and outer jaw for rending. The outer jaw layers in over the first, protecting the inner mandible.

### Combat

Pit fiends are cunning and brutal warriors. Their immense physical strength and hardy exteriors make them excellent frontline fighters. Many pit fiends have risen to leadership positions within the Black Order, overseeing entire crusades aimed at unmaking dozens of stars. Pit fiends often supplement their martial skill with combat magic, becoming truly terrifying foes.

Pit fiends tend to make use of heavy two handed weapons, such as halberds or poleaxes. High ranking pit fiends adorn themselves with thick metal plates, forged in the blood of lesser pit fiends. A few pit fiends, such as Magathar, make use of specially crafted shields.

Pit fiends are almost never alone. They are always escorted by a cadre of pitguards and helhounds.

## Biology

As with most demons, pit fiends were once mortals whose planet was exposed to the chaos of the Prismatic Dark. Their bodies underwent irrevocable changes as they were suffused with chaotic energy.

While most demon blood is to some extent addictive and mutagenic, pit fiend blood is especially potent. It is often traded as currency among the Black Order, as it is used as ink in rituals and tattoos. When consumed by mortal races even in trace amounts, they become hopelessly addicted. A mere cup of pit blood is enough to irrevocably mutate the mortal. The extent of the mutation varies depending on the race, but common effects include increased size and aggression, changed skin color (often green or red, though sometimes yellow and orange), and increased muscle density. This change is often permanent and hereditary, affecting all future born children. Such was the case with the elthari.