Bhagvai

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Combat Demon
Hierarchy: Lower Tiers (hellish animals, similar to katzils)
Minimum Warlock Level: 5

Physical Description

Bhagvai are bat-like or wyvern-like creatures with leathery wings that allow them to fly with great agility. Their coloration is typically dark—black, purple, or dark red—with sharp demonic features that give them a menacing appearance.

They are agile in the air and can be trained to work in groups, but they lack true sentience or higher intelligence. They are described as "dumb animals and demons" alongside katzils, functioning more like intelligent beasts than conscious beings.

Their ability to spit both flame and acid makes them versatile aerial combatants.

Role in Hell

Bhagvai are hellish animals similar to katzils in intelligence and function. They lack true sentience or higher intelligence, functioning more like intelligent beasts. They are often used as aerial support in demonic armies, particularly during large-scale invasions.

They can be trained to work in groups and respond to simple commands, but their lack of true sentience means they cannot engage in complex tactics or independent strategic thinking. Their value comes from their aerial combat abilities and their ability to provide both fire and acid attacks from above.

Making a Pact

What Bhagvai Want

As hellish animals, Bhagvai seek (insofar as animals can): - Care and feeding: They need a master to provide for their basic needs - Flying opportunities: They naturally desire to fly and use their aerial abilities - Combat opportunities: They are drawn to conflict - Familiarity: As animals, they may form basic attachments to those who care for them

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Bhagvai gain: - A master/owner: The warlock becomes their owner who provides care and direction - Purpose: The warlock gives them purpose beyond being simple animals - Protection: The warlock can protect them from harm - Combat direction: The warlock can direct their natural aggression

Contract Difficulty

Formation Method: Animal handling or care (Handle Animal check or similar)

As hellish animals, Bhagvai cannot negotiate in any traditional sense. The pact must be formed through care, training, and earning the trust of the Bhagvai, similar to how one might bond with a pet or trained animal. The warlock must demonstrate they can provide for the Bhagvai's needs and establish themselves as a trustworthy master. They may also be acquired from demonic forces who use them in battle.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Bhagvai, 1d4 Bhagvai appear. The Bhagvai can aid you in the following ways:

Aerial Combat: The Bhagvai can engage in aerial combat, using their agility and dual breath abilities to strike from above
Flying Transport: The Bhagvai can carry you or small objects while flying, serving as aerial mounts or carriers
Area Denial: The Bhagvai can use their flame and acid attacks to control areas and deny passage to enemies
Hunting: The Bhagvai can hunt targets you designate, using their speed and breath abilities

The Bhagvai can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level, and they will follow simple commands like trained animals. They respond best to clear, direct orders and may not understand complex tactical instructions. As animals, they may be more interested in combat and hunting than following precise battle plans.

Example Stat Block

name: Bhagvai
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: neutral evil
ac: 15
hp: 85
hit_dice: 13d8 + 26
speed: 30 ft., fly 90 ft.
stats: [14, 17, 14, 8, 12, 13]
skillsaves:
  - acrobatics: 7
  - perception: 5
  - stealth: 7
damage_resistances: fire, acid
damage_immunities: fire, acid
senses: darkvision 120 ft.
languages: —
cr: 7
traits:
  - name: Flyby
    desc: "The Bhagvai doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach."
  - name: Pack Tactics
    desc: "The Bhagvai has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Bhagvai's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Bhagvai makes two attacks: one with its claws and one with its bite, or it makes one claw attack and uses Flame and Acid Breath."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d4 + 5) slashing damage."
  - name: Bite
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage."
  - name: Flame and Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6)
    desc: "The Bhagvai exhales both flame and acid in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make two separate DC 14 Dexterity saving throws. On a failed save for flame, a creature takes 14 (4d6) fire damage, or half as much on a successful one. On a failed save for acid, a creature takes 14 (4d6) acid damage, or half as much on a successful one."

Greater Bhagvai

If a warlock contracts with Bhagvai at level 5 and keeps them alive until reaching level 10, they evolve into Greater Bhagvai—larger, more dangerous flying demons with enhanced breath weapons and improved aerial combat capabilities.

name: Greater Bhagvai
size: Large
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: neutral evil
ac: 17
hp: 152
hit_dice: 16d10 + 64
speed: 30 ft., fly 120 ft.
stats: [18, 20, 18, 10, 14, 15]
skillsaves:
  - acrobatics: 10
  - perception: 7
  - stealth: 10
damage_resistances: fire, acid, cold, lightning
damage_immunities: fire, acid, poison
condition_immunities: poisoned
senses: darkvision 120 ft., blindsight 30 ft.
languages: —
cr: 12
traits:
  - name: Flyby
    desc: "The Bhagvai doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach."
  - name: Pack Tactics
    desc: "The Bhagvai has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Bhagvai's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated."
  - name: Agile Flyer
    desc: "The Bhagvai can take the Dash or Disengage action as a bonus action on each of its turns when flying."
  - name: Corrosive Body
    desc: "A creature that touches the Bhagvai or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 5 (1d10) acid damage."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Bhagvai makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws, or it makes two claw attacks and uses Flame and Acid Breath."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) slashing damage plus 5 (1d10) acid damage."
  - name: Bite
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) fire damage."
  - name: Flame and Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6)
    desc: "The Bhagvai exhales both flame and acid in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make two separate DC 16 Dexterity saving throws. On a failed save for flame, a creature takes 28 (8d6) fire damage, or half as much on a successful one. On a failed save for acid, a creature takes 28 (8d6) acid damage, or half as much on a successful one. Objects and structures in the area take maximum damage from both types."
  - name: Wing Buffet (Recharge 5-6)
    desc: "The Bhagvai beats its wings, creating a powerful gust. Each creature within 15 feet of the Bhagvai must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and pushed 10 feet away."