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Originally posted by Hoondatha

I prefer tanar'ri and baatezu, myself.

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Originally posted by Gray Richardson

Archons!

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Oh wait, Devils & Demons are the only choices? Well, if I had a choice of whom I had to deal with, I would prefer devils, as they obey some sort of law and are not as likely as demons to slay me right off the bat.

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As a DM I throw them around pretty evenly, depending on the challenge rating and type of encounter.

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Originally posted by SirUrza

Who doesn't like a succubus? :)

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Originally posted by Lord Rad

Could someone please clarify the main differences between demons and devils? It's a very broad description for me and I never really think of them since 1st edition being as they have so many variants these days (probably brought on by Planescape).

Which is the more powerful? Which is highest in the hierarchy?

Thanks

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Originally posted by The Sage



Seriously though, if the secrets about the origin and reality of the succubi were actually known, it is likely that neither mortal males or females would find them as attractive no matter how they looked externally.

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Originally posted by Lord Rad

Could someone please clarify the main differences between demons and devils? It's a very broad description for me and I never really think of them since 1st edition being as they have so many variants these days (probably brought on by Planescape).

Which is the more powerful? Which is highest in the hierarchy?

Thanks

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Baatezu are a strong, evil-tempered, well-organized race of fiends from the Nine Hells of Baator. In their rigid caste system, authority derives not only from power but from station. Changes in station come from participation in the Blood War or (as is more often the case) from the high attrition rate in the upper ranks. If a baatezu performs a great feat that cripples the enemy, it is rewarded by promotion – actually a physical transformation – to a higher station.

The baatezu pursue two obsessive goals. First and foremost, they wish to destroy their ancient blood enemies, the tanar’ri. Both races treat the conflict not only as a war of annihilation, but as a definition of existence. Second, the baatezu have recently (by immortal standards) noticed a small but interesting group of beings: humanity. By infiltrating humankind’s world and gaining followers there, the baatezu gain magical energy and, thus, power over the tanar’ri. Toward this end they strive to dominate humanity by convincing victims they have godlike powers.

Baatezu also pursue a long-range goal of dominion by their whole race throughout the planes. They prefer to encourage humanity’s intellectual evils, such as pride and ambition, rather than the immediate sensual appetites tanar’ri exploit.

The baatezu, with their evil, twisted honor, have a definite path of progress. By performing deeds that further the cause of evil, one gains honors, station, and power. For instance, an enterprising spinagon might advance and, in a long and torturous process, transform into an abishai. Often, too, a baatezu simply “disappears,” whereupon its immediate subordinate takes its place in the chain of command. Covert assassination is common among the baatezu.

In appearance the baatezu are diverse, though a Gothic gargoyle look, grotesque and unsightly by human standards, is common.
Except when otherwise noted, devils speak Infernal, Celestial, and Draconic.

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In Sigil the streets teem with denizens of a thousand planes, and each claims to have visited a thousand more. In every back-alley gambling haunt in the Lower Ward, in half the tiefling halfway houses, in the incense-heavy air of vapor shops where old men debate weird philosophies, tales pass back and forth. Those tales debate the absolutes of the Outer Planes, the greatest and least, loftiest and most base, best and worst. Every tale that turns upon the worst inevitably stops with the place of despair, the infinite bleak layers that represent the suffering and toil of existence made tangible. There chaos and hopelessness reign.

There in the Abyss, where others endure endless torment, the tanar’ri thrive.

The tanar’ri are demons, chaotic evil personified, motivated not by doctrines but by insane, violent inner drives. They tempt mortals into crimes of passion and vice, evils of appetite. Less intelligent tanar’ri often attack without question and fight until slain. Greater tanar’ri roam the planes, driven ceaselessly to seek fresh victims.

The tanar’ri are one of the two major factions in the Blood War. This disordered race wages the Blood War only because true tanar’ri seem to have a primal urge to destroy baatezu. They force those less powerful than themselves to serve their wishes.

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Originally posted by khorne

What exactly is a "true" Tanaar`ri?

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Originally posted by khorne

What exactly is a "true" Tanaar`ri?

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