Demons Type I-VI

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm given to understand that the numbered demons were to get around problems caused by inappropriately concerned fundies.

The 1E Monster Manual has them all numbered, years before Tom Hanks got lost in any steam tunnels.

 

[Salamandyr]

I just always assumed it was just a way to categorize them. The question I always had was why the Type VI demon had only 8+8 hit dice. Up to that point, all the demons had increasing hit dice...IIRC, the Type IV had 13 hit dice.

It makes me wonder if the hit dice in the Monster Manual was a typo and originally intended to be 18+8.

 

[TarionzCousin]

This is exactly the sort of thing [MENTION=1241]BOZ[/MENTION] might know.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is exactly the sort of thing [MENTION=1241]BOZ[/MENTION] might know.

Don't you have to say his name three times while looking into a mirror or something?

 

[frankthedm]

Up to that point, all the demons had increasing hit dice...IIRC, the Type IV had 13 hit dice.

It makes me wonder if the hit dice in the Monster Manual was a typo and originally intended to be 18+8.

Type IV was physically bigger IIRC, and it's HD were 11 still close to 8+8. Type V had the best AC.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Don't you have to say his name three times while looking into a mirror or something?

Yes.

Hidden, for the children.
[sblock]Boz, Boz, Boz (zoB, zoB, zoB) [/sblock]

 

[Corathon]

The hit dice by type goes up until type V, which is a lower HD (but a much beeter AC):

Type I 8 HD
Type II 9 HD
Type III 10 HD
Type 1V 11 HD
Type V 7+7 HD
Type Vi 8+8 HD

The type VI demons had the best spell-like powers.

Why classify by numbered types, as opposed to just giving different varieties different names? No idea.

 

[frankthedm]

Why classify by numbered types, as opposed to just giving different varieties different names? No idea.

I, II and III just had breed names. IV, V & VI just had individual names, with a sample Demon's name listed in each MM entry.

 

[Corathon]

I, II and III just had breed names. IV, V & VI just had individual names, with a sample Demon's name listed in each MM entry.

True - but most monsters in D&D have "breed names", not numbers. A kobold is not called "a type I humanoid".

 

[MerricB]

I, II and III just had breed names. IV, V & VI just had individual names, with a sample Demon's name listed in each MM entry.

Note that this is not the case in original D&D - Eldritch Wizardry, where they were introduced.

Seven demons and two demon princes are in that book, and what sets the succubus apart from the "type" demons is that the Succubus is encountered alone, whilst the Type I-VI demons are encountered typically in numbers (1-6 in lair, 1-3 when roaming); there was a 25% chance that if encountered in the lair there would be 1-6 demons, with the type of each determined by a die roll!

Not one of the "type" demons has a name in their descriptions, nor is the possibility of names mentioned.

Cheers!