Pazuzu (3.5e Monster)

Information About Pazuzu
Alternative Names and Titles: The Raptor, The Traitor

Symbol: A raptor's talon twisted around a human heart.

Portfolio: Anarchy, betrayal, freedom, corruption.

Domains Granted: Air, Anarchy, Chaos, Corrupt, Evil

Favored Weapon: Kukri

Pazuzu's Statistics Block
''The creature that appears before you is distinctly avian in nature, resembling a tall, lithe human with raptor talons in place of hands and feet. Four large, black-feathered wings unfurl and wrap around you as he whispers into your ear, two sets of fierce claws lightly touching your shoulders. In your periperal vision, you catch a glimpse of a large, masterfully crafted sword that appears to be bleeding from its edge. Floating completely independently of the demon, it occasionally releases a whimper of agony as though separated from its source.''

"My name is Pazuzu; should you ever have need of me, speak it thrice and I shall appear."

Pazuzu is a born survivalist and pragmatist, ranking amongst the oldest and most powerful demons in the Abyss. His power is such that he could rule over a large portion of the plane and perhaps even wrest the title of Prince of Demons from Demogorgon. That is, if he cared. But the Prince of Anarchy is unburdened by the political machinations of the Abyss, performing duties for anyone who can benefit him and avoiding the wrath of those who wish him harm.

Before the rise of the tanar’ri, Pazuzu was one of the strongest obyrith lords in existence, an impetuous and brutish being who used his own power and favor with the Queen of Chaos to bully his peers. At the same time, he was known for accepting consorts and servants of all kinds regardless of their backgrounds or agendas. One such creature was a demon named Lamashtu, known more commonly as the Queen of Monstrous Births. Upon getting close to Pazuzu, she asked him to reveal to her his true name. If he was truly confident in his abilities, her honeyed words reasoned, he would have no compunctions telling it to her.

In his arrogance, Pazuzu took the bait, and Lamashtu immediately invoked the magic of his true name and her own power to assume control over his realm. She nearly overwhelmed the demon prince in her attempt to take his essence for herself, but in the end only managed to force him to flee. Furious, Pazuzu goaded Lamashtu into following him to the deepest crevices of Terremor, where tight spaces and his maneuverability allowed him to gain an advantage over her true, disgustingly large form. Flitting around in the style of aerial combat that he has made famous, Pazuzu evaded her attacks until he dove inside her lamprey maw in a seemingly suicidal dive. Thinking the demon lord defeated, Lamashtu rejoiced, but soon realized her error as Pazuzu ripped a single massive tooth from her jaw. In a fearsome display of brutality, he carved through Lamashtu’s skull with the tooth, gouging out her eyes and condemning her to an eternity of agony in the endless chasm of Terremor (the 503rd layer of the Abyss).

Lamashtu’s betrayal affected a change in Pazuzu. Returning to his flying castle fortress, he slew every one of his minions, still clutching his former consort’s tooth. After soaking his domain in blood, he abandoned Terremor and absconded to the 1st layer of the Abyss, where he has remained ever since. He has now spurned minions of any sort, save for the vrocks and other powerful flying creatures that are inexplicably drawn to him against their will. He is no longer reckless and brash; every move is now carefully calculated to maximize his own benefit regardless of the cost to others. He has spurned any planar holdings in favor of a hermit-like lifestyle, content to spend eternity free of the responsibilities of controlling a realm.

During the great war in which the obyrith were called to the side of the Queen of Chaos, Pazuzu came to her side, continuing his favor in her eyes. But unbeknownst to her, Pazuzu had used the Queen’s trust in him to bring his armies into an ambush position in preparation for an assassination attempt. He had believed from the rebellion's beginnings that a tanar’ri victory was inevitable, partly because he had assisted their leaders—Demogorgon and Orcus among them—in marshaling sufficient military might against the Queen. When the time came for her assassins to fight her directly, Pazuzu fought against Obox-ob in order to prevent him from giving aid.

Upon the establishment of the new order in the Abyss, Pazuzu returned to the skies over the 1st layer of the Abyss, a domain for which no one has dared or even wished to challenge him. His former allies from the battle against the Queen of Chaos still owe him enough good will that they let him possess the skies over the Plane of Infinite Portals, which they have little interest in anyway. His most bitter enemies are those who have felt the sting of his betrayal, namely Lamashtu, the Queen herself, and Obox-ob. Since none of these are in a position to threaten him, Pazuzu enjoys the rare status of having no powerful and active enemies in the Abyss.

Pazuzu has many times taken advantage of his perceived lack of encroachment on the territories of others to explore many of the unknown regions of the Abyss and form tentative alliances with other beings. A mercenary to the end, he maintains amicable relations with the yugoloths and has gained the personal favor of Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine Hells. Rumors have arisen that Pazuzu’s relationship with Asmodeus goes back to the crafting of the latter’s Ruby Rod, for which Pazuzu was the procurer of numerous rare, Abyssal ingredients. They also say that this debt has yet to be repaid, suggesting that Pazuzu continues to have allies in the highest of places. Whatever the content of rumors, Pazuzu’s true motives remain to himself only. He is an endless collector of secrets and favors, acknowledging no one as a true ally and keeping his agenda in the Outer Planes close to the vest. He cares little for territory, instead lusting after something greater.

Pazuzu desires the corruption of purity and innocence, and as a result he has trained himself to manifest on the Material Plane without drawing the attention of other powers. It is through this intervention that Pazuzu has become one of the most well-known demons in the Prime, gaining more power along with a tremendous cult following.

Combat
Pazuzu is one of the smallest of all demon lords, measuring at only seven feet in height. But he also possesses one of the highest levels of demonic energy; when condensed into such a small form, the result is tremendous speed and power.

Pazuzu uses his Dexterity score instead of his Strength score for attack and damage rolls. In flight, he may wield four light weapons instead of two by gripping two in his taloned feet; whether using two weapons or four, he sustains no penalties to attack rolls for fighting with multiple weapons.

 (Ex): Pazuzu lives a totally unrestricted life. Not only does he permanently possess all the benefits of a freedom of movement spell, but is also immune to any effect that would be removed by a freedom effect. He can also automatically break through any barrier or fortification, including abjuration effects such as the almighty forcecage, regardless of hardness or caster level. Pazuzu is also immune to any effect with the Lawful descriptor.

 (Ex): Despite technically being an obyrith, Pazuzu has evolved beyond his peers and is regarded as a missing link in the evolutionary process between obyrith and tanar’ri. As a result, he has no form of madness ability. He does, however, possess an aura that forces evil creatures with natural fly speeds and Challenge Ratings less than 20 that attempt to attack him to make a Will save (DC 33) or halt in their tracks, refusing to attack (although it may take non-offensive actions or offensive actions towards someone other than Pazuzu normally). Such a creature that spends more than one round in Pazuzu’s presence must make another Will save (using the same DC) or be permanently charmed by him. If they succeed, they are immune to the effect for 1 hour. This save DC is Charisma-based.

 (Sp): Pazuzu has the ability to advance his portfolio. This is considered identical to the wish spell, but may only be used to produce effects appropriate to Pazuzu's portfolio or goals. Pazuzu may only use this ability once per minute.

 (Ex): Pazuzu has a breath weapon useable as a swift action: a 70-ft. cone of Fine-sized birds that first deal 23d6 points of damage to all within the cone and forces all caught within to make a Fortitude save (DC 36) or be knocked prone and permanently blinded from having their eyes gouged by the birds. The birds then consolidate into a 20x20 ft. swarm that may appear anywhere within the area of the original cone, acts independently on Pazuzu's turn, and deals the same effects to any creature caught. Pazuzu may use the breath weapon at will, but may only have one such swarm at a time. This save DC is Con-based.

 (Ex): Pazuzu may add an additional 1d6 damage per 10 feet he has moved (horizontally or vertically) in that round to all melee attacks in the same round.

He can grant spells to clerics, and gives access to the Air, Anarchy, Chaos, Corrupt, and Evil domains. His favoured weapon is the kukri and his portfolio is anarchy, betrayal, freedom and the corruption of all that is pure.

Additionally, Pazuzu is immune to any attack that changes his form, mind-affecting effects, ability damage, ability drain, energy drain and any ability that would cause him to die or be instantly destroyed, unless such an effect comes from a creature that has a caster level or character level (or CR, for monsters) over 20.

Lastly, Pazuzu can burn off some of his essence to stop magic dead in its tracks. As a free action that can be used outside of his turn, Pazuzu can lose 46 hit points to counter any spell, supernatural ability or spell-like ability in Medium range, as if by greater dispel magic (although it can counter supernatural and spell-like abilities as if they were spells). This ignores temporary hit points, and can be used any number of times. For any ability with an ongoing or permanent duration, this merely suppresses it for 6 rounds.

 (Su): Pazuzu is one of the oldest demons in existence, and his power is capable of matching all but the strongest of his peers. He receives a +8 enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls, a +8 resistance bonus to all saves and a +6 deflection bonus to AC. Pazuzu also has maximum hit points per hit die.

Additionally, the Abyss itself protects Pazuzu from any attempt to scry on him. Anyone that uses a divination effect on Pazuzu or the area within 1 mile of him must make a DC 34 Will save or become dazed for 1 round, and ending the effect automatically. Additionally, if the save is failed and Pazuzu wishes it, he can use an immediate action to transport himself over to the location of the user of the divination effect, even if it is on a different plane.

Lastly, Pazuzu's very presence is a blight on the surrounding area. He radiates a desecrate spell effect to a radius of twenty miles, and the innermost mile of this is subject to an unhallow effect instead, both at caster level 23rd.

 (Su): Pazuzu automatically speaks as though under the effect of a tongues spell, allowing him to be understood by any creature that has a language. Anyone who hears the voice of Pazuzu is subtly enthralled by it, and must make a Will save (DC 34) or be under the effect of a suggestion. A successful save against this renders a creature immune to its effects for an hour. This ability has no effect against a creature that is threatened with direct violent actions by Pazuzu or his apparent allies. The DC is Charisma-based.

 (Sp): As a full-round action, Pazuzu may bestow his ravage on a creature eligible to gain a level. That creature gains its first level in the Ravaged by Pazuzu racial paragon class. If Pazuzu attempts to ravage an unwilling creature, it receives a DC 34 Will save to resist (Cha-based).

Caster level 23rd. Save DCs are Charisma-based (34 by default)  (Ex): Pazuzu is unimaginably fast, able to run (or increase speed in flight) to six times his normal speed, charge three times his normal speed and never provoke attacks of opportunity from movement. Pazuzu may also move up to his base speed as an immediate action.

Pazuzu always attempts Reflex saves as though he had a result of 20 before modifiers; this does not qualify as him having rolled a natural 20 on the save. He also has all the benefits of improved evasion (taking no damage on a successful Reflex save and only half damage on a failed save) and is permanently hasted. In addition, he cannot be flanked, surprised, or caught flat-footed.

 (Ex): Pazuzu sees naturally as though under the effect of a true seeing spell.

 (Ex): A mortal that speaks Pazuzu’s name three times automatically establishes a link between itself and the Prince of Anarchy, creating a telepathic bond between them for as long as both the caller and Pazuzu will it. While in communication with this creature, Pazuzu instantly gains the benefits of detect thoughts and discern lies against it and may immediately discern its alignment. In this fashion, he determines his level of interest in the subject.

If he then wishes, Pazuzu may create an illusory duplicate of himself at the caller's location (regardless of distance or plane) through which he may cast spells (including any wish effects from the alter reality ability.

 (Ex): Pazuzu can use his four wings to block an a single attack or effect as if he had total cover. This ability is usable at will as an immediate action.

Lamashtu's Tooth
This set of four +6 dancing keen kukri, all fashioned from the same tooth, can be put together to create a single +6 Huge dancing greatsword. Regardless of which form it takes, Pazuzu may attack with it without penalty. Its enhancement bonus is overridden by his lord of the Abyss ability.

As the demoness from which it was taken, Lamashtu's Tooth creates monsters by filling them with Abyssal energy and changing their forms accordingly. A mortal creature slain by an attack from this weapon is transformed into a demon with a CR equal to their own. The creature doesn't retain any of its previous memories or allegiances, but nor does it have any particular allegiance to Pazuzu (a fact for which he cares little). If slain in this form they cannot be raised by any means short of a true resurrection spell, but a wish or miracle spell cast on them while they are still alive in this new form will restore their previous form.

Pazuzu's Worshipers
Despite his unique ability to have regular conferences with mortals, Pazuzu dislikes the idea of entire cults motivated to worship him. To him, the instant mass degradation of moral character is boring; his true pleasure comes from the pursuit, the challenge of corrupting the purest of souls and not those who seek his favors for petty riches. Pazuzu lusts after the best and brightest the mortal races have to offer, leaving them a crushed shell of their former selves before finally discarding them out of boredom. While he is willing to grant spells to those who swear fealty, he rarely heeds such already corrupt beings' calls for a personal audience. Most such people also hold significant misconceptions relating to Pazuzu's true nature, thinking him a kind and benevolent deity whose gifts they can take advantage of and unaware that each favor they ask brings them closer to ruin. Nevertheless, the cults continue to spread, and Pazuzu has seen no reason to halt their momentum. In his view, they are a convenient means of dropping his name on the ears of more enticing victims: the virtuous people whose proverbial moral cherries he is so eager to pop.

In the Abyss, Pazuzu has no servants of any particular significance, a result of the day of his betrayal at the hands of Lamashtu and the subsequent slaughter of his minions by his own hand. He is, however, constantly shadowed by formations of vrocks that have been charmed into submission by his avian aura. If threatened, Pazuzu occasionally orders them to his defense, a task they perform to the death and without hesitation no matter the foe. He probably does this only to thin their numbers rather than actually defeat the enemy, but they serve in this task as well as almost any defense force could.