Gnagrethyct

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Elite Anti-Divine Specialist
Hierarchy: Favored Servants of Elilial (only 7 in existence)
Minimum Warlock Level: 15

Note: Also called "priestkillers." Gnagrethycts are favored and rare servants of Elilial. There are only 7 in existence. They do not bumble about the mortal plane indiscriminately.

Physical Description

Gnagrethyct demons are large, imposing demonic entities with deep red skin and a muscular humanoid build. Their most striking features are their glowing eyes that burn with malevolent light and their large, curved horns that sweep backward from their foreheads. They have a wide, snarling maw filled with numerous sharp white fangs, giving them a predatory, aggressive expression.

They wear ornate dark armor with gold or bronze trim and purple accents, particularly on their shoulder pads, suggesting heavy protection befitting their elite status. Their hands end in long, sharp claws that glow with the same light as their eyes.

One of their most distinctive features is the glowing lanterns they carry—cage-like orbs that emit vibrant light and smoke. They typically hold at least one lantern, and multiple glowing lanterns or orbs are attached to their waists or belts. Thick plumes of smoke or magical energy billow from their lower bodies, obscuring their legs and giving them an ethereal, spectral quality.

Old metallic keys hang from their belts or sashes, and their overall appearance is one of a dark, shadowy, menacing presence. The luminescence from their lanterns and eyes serves as the primary light source around them, creating a dramatic and eerie atmosphere.

Their powerful and menacing form makes them unmistakable, and their shadowy nature allows them to phase through solid matter, including walls and ceilings. Despite their imposing appearance, they are extremely rare—only 7 exist in all of creation.

Role in Hell

Gnagrethycts are favored and rare servants of Elilial. There are only 7 in existence, making them among the rarest and most elite of all demon types. They are also called "priestkillers" due to their specialized role in combating divine magic and those who wield it.

Their primary ability is the gift of transmuting divine energy (and to a lesser extent other types of energy) into infernal. This makes them a living insult to the Circle of Interaction, as they can convert the very power of the gods into infernal energy. This ability makes them particularly dangerous to clerics, paladins, and other divine spellcasters—all divine blessings used against them would only kill their targets faster by being converted to infernal energy.

They can phase through solid matter (walls, ceilings, etc.), allowing them to appear and disappear with ease. They do not bumble about the mortal plane indiscriminately—their appearances are always purposeful and significant.

The only thing a Gnagrethyct does not want to mess with is a bigger, meaner demon. Against all other threats, they are nearly unstoppable.

Making a Pact

What Gnagrethyct Want

As favored servants of Elilial, Gnagrethyct seek: - Divine targets: They value opportunities to hunt and eliminate divine spellcasters, clerics, and paladins - Strategic importance: They only act when there is significant purpose—they do not waste their time on trivial matters - Recognition of their rarity: They understand their unique status and expect to be treated accordingly - Anti-divine operations: They are drawn to missions that involve combating divine forces or disrupting divine magic

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Gnagrethyct gain: - A weapon against the divine: The warlock becomes a tool for striking at divine forces - Strategic positioning: The warlock provides access to the mortal plane and opportunities to strike at divine targets - A partner in anti-divine warfare: The warlock becomes an ally in their specialized role as priestkillers

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Nearly Impossible (DC 25 Charisma check)

Gnagrethycts are among the most difficult demons to contract with. As favored servants of Elilial with only 7 in existence, they are extremely selective about who they will work with. They will only consider contracts that serve significant strategic purposes, particularly those involving anti-divine operations. The warlock must demonstrate exceptional power, commitment to infernal causes, and the ability to provide meaningful opportunities for the Gnagrethyct to fulfill its role as a priestkiller.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Gnagrethyct demon, it appears in its imposing form and can aid you in the following ways:

Priestkilling: The Gnagrethyct can hunt and eliminate divine spellcasters, clerics, and paladins with extreme efficiency
Energy Transmutation: The demon can convert divine energy into infernal energy, making it particularly effective against divine opponents
Phase Shifting: The Gnagrethyct can phase through walls, ceilings, and other solid matter to reach targets or escape
Anti-Divine Warfare: The demon excels at disrupting divine magic and combating divine forces

The Gnagrethyct can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level. It will follow commands related to anti-divine operations and strategic missions, but it expects to be given significant, purposeful tasks. It will not waste its time on trivial matters and may refuse commands that do not serve a strategic purpose. The demon understands its rarity and unique status and expects to be treated accordingly.

Example Stat Block

name: Gnagrethyct
size: Large
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 18 (natural armor)
hp: 195
hit_dice: 17d10 + 102
speed: 40 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
stats: [20, 16, 18, 16, 14, 18]
skillsaves:
  - arcana: 10
  - intimidation: 11
  - perception: 9
  - stealth: 10
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: charmed, frightened, poisoned
senses: blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., truesight 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.
cr: 16
traits:
  - name: Energy Transmutation
    desc: "When the Gnagrethyct is targeted by a divine spell or is within the area of a divine spell effect, it can use its reaction to attempt to transmute that energy into infernal energy. The spell's energy is converted to infernal energy. If the spell would deal damage, it instead deals infernal damage of the same amount. If the spell would provide healing or beneficial effects, those effects are negated and the energy is absorbed, restoring hit points equal to half the spell's level (minimum 1)."
  - name: Phase Shift
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct can move through spaces as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing and can phase through solid matter (walls, ceilings, floors) at a speed of 30 feet per round. It cannot end its movement inside solid matter."
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Anti-Divine Aura
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct emits an aura in a 30-foot radius. Divine spells cast within this aura have their spell save DC reduced by 2, and creatures within the aura have advantage on saving throws against divine magic."
  - name: Priestkiller's Strike
    desc: "When the Gnagrethyct damages a creature that can cast divine spells or uses divine magic, it deals an additional 2d8 infernal damage."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct makes two attacks with its chains and one with its energy drain."
  - name: Chain Strike
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) infernal damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 18)."
  - name: Energy Drain
    desc: "Ranged Spell Attack: +11 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) infernal damage, and the target must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum hit points reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest."
  - name: Spellcasting
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct is a 15th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +11 to hit with spell attacks). It knows the following spells:\n\nCantrips (at will): eldritch blast, mage hand, minor illusion\n1st level (4 slots): detect magic, shield\n2nd level (3 slots): hold person, invisibility\n3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, fireball\n4th level (3 slots): banishment, greater invisibility\n5th level (2 slots): hold monster, scrying\n6th level (1 slot): planar binding\n7th level (1 slot): plane shift\n8th level (1 slot): power word stun"

Greater Gnagrethyct

If a warlock contracts with a Gnagrethyct at level 15 and keeps it alive until reaching level 20, the demon evolves into a Greater Gnagrethyct—a legendary priestkiller with devastating anti-divine powers and the ability to completely nullify divine magic.

name: Greater Gnagrethyct
size: Huge
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 20 (natural armor)
hp: 325
hit_dice: 26d12 + 156
speed: 50 ft., fly 90 ft. (hover)
stats: [24, 18, 22, 18, 16, 22]
skillsaves:
  - arcana: 12
  - intimidation: 14
  - perception: 11
  - stealth: 12
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison, radiant
condition_immunities: charmed, frightened, poisoned, stunned
senses: blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 120 ft., truesight 120 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft., understands all languages
cr: 21
traits:
  - name: Energy Transmutation
    desc: "When the Gnagrethyct is targeted by a divine spell or is within the area of a divine spell effect, it automatically transmutes that energy into infernal energy. The spell's energy is completely converted to infernal energy. If the spell would deal damage, it instead deals infernal damage of double the amount. If the spell would provide healing or beneficial effects, those effects are negated and the energy is absorbed, restoring hit points equal to the spell's level times 10. Additionally, the Gnagrethyct can use a bonus action to transmute any divine magic within 60 feet."
  - name: Phase Shift
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct can move through spaces as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing and can phase through solid matter (walls, ceilings, floors, force effects) at will. It can end its movement inside solid matter, occupying the same space as objects or structures."
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Anti-Divine Aura
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct emits an aura in a 60-foot radius. Divine spells cannot be cast within this aura, and divine spell effects entering the aura are immediately dispelled. Creatures within the aura lose all divine abilities and blessings. This aura cannot be suppressed or dispelled except by a deity."
  - name: Priestkiller's Strike
    desc: "When the Gnagrethyct damages a creature that can cast divine spells or uses divine magic, it deals an additional 4d10 infernal damage, and the creature must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or lose the ability to cast divine spells for 1 hour."
  - name: Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
    desc: "If the Gnagrethyct fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct makes three Chain Strike attacks and uses Energy Drain."
  - name: Chain Strike
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 21 (6d6) infernal damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 23) and pulled up to 15 feet toward the Gnagrethyct."
  - name: Energy Drain
    desc: "Ranged Spell Attack: +14 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 35 (8d6 + 7) infernal damage, and the target must make a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum hit points reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. If this reduces a creature's hit point maximum to 0, the creature dies and cannot be resurrected by divine magic."
  - name: Divine Nullification (Recharge 5-6)
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct releases a wave of anti-divine energy in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in the area that uses divine magic must make a DC 22 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 70 (20d6) infernal damage and loses all divine spellcasting abilities for 24 hours. On a success, the creature takes half damage and its divine spellcasting abilities are suppressed for 1 hour."
spellcasting:
  - name: Innate Spellcasting
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:"
    spells:
      - "At will: eldritch blast, detect magic, dispel magic, greater invisibility"
      - "3/day each: counterspell, fireball, wall of fire, dominate person"
      - "1/day each: power word stun, power word kill, meteor swarm"
legendary_actions:
  - name: Legendary Actions (3/Turn)
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Gnagrethyct regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn."
  - name: Chain Strike
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct makes one Chain Strike attack."
  - name: Phase Through
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct moves up to its fly speed through solid objects."
  - name: Energy Drain (Costs 2 Actions)
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct uses Energy Drain."
  - name: Transmute Divine Magic (Costs 2 Actions)
    desc: "The Gnagrethyct targets one divine spell effect or divine magic item within 120 feet and attempts to transmute it. The effect or item is destroyed, and the Gnagrethyct regains 30 hit points."