Hethelax

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Low-Tier Sentient Demon
Hierarchy: Lower Tiers (lowest tier sentient demons, servants in Khelminash caste system)
Minimum Warlock Level: 1

Physical Description

Hethelax demons are armored demons with natural plating on their limbs that causes their elbows and knees to remain permanently flexed, resulting in a hunched, ape-like posture. Scales and chitin on their forehead and cheekbones give them a perpetual scowling appearance that makes them look constantly angry or menacing. However, despite this intimidating exterior, some individuals exhibit fine, angular features that suggest their demonic heritage hasn't completely obscured all traces of refinement.

Hethelax often wear suits tailored to fit over their natural armor plates, allowing them to move through civilized areas while concealing their demonic nature. Their chitinous plates are very tough, providing high natural AC. They can be half-blooded with mortals, resulting in individuals with mixed demonic and mortal heritage.

Role in Hell

Hethelax are some of the lowest tier sentient demons. They are typically servants in the Khelminash caste system, performing physical labor and serving the higher-tier demons. Despite their low status, they are valued for their unique combat capabilities.

Hethelax are used as shock troops in battle for three primary reasons:

Potent Magic Resistance: They are more or less immune to most Arcane magic and resistant to Infernal magic, making them extremely effective against spellcasters.
Tough Chitinous Plates: Their natural armor provides very high AC, making them difficult to harm through conventional means.
Berserker State: When harmed, they channel the aggression from infernal corruption into a berserker state, becoming more dangerous and aggressive as they take damage. This makes them particularly effective shock troops who become more threatening as battle progresses.

Making a Pact

What Hethelax Want

Hethelax demons seek: - Combat opportunities: They appreciate chances to fight and prove their strength, particularly as shock troops - Fair treatment: Despite being low-tier, they expect to be treated with basic respect - Purpose: They value having clear direction and tasks to perform - Recognition: They appreciate acknowledgment of their unique abilities (magic resistance, berserker state)

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Hethelax gain: - A master to serve: The warlock provides direction and purpose - Combat opportunities: The warlock gives them chances to fight and use their berserker abilities - Respect: The pact acknowledges their value despite their low status

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Moderate (DC 15 Charisma check)

Hethelax are relatively straightforward to contract with. They appreciate directness and respect for strength. They are less cunning than elite demons but still expect fair terms that acknowledge their value.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Hethelax demon, it appears in its full armored form and can aid you in the following ways:

Shock Troop Combat: The Hethelax excels as a shock troop, using its magic resistance and berserker state to overwhelm enemies
Magic Resistance: The demon can serve as a frontline fighter against spellcasters, being nearly immune to Arcane magic and resistant to Infernal magic
Physical tasks: The Hethelax can perform heavy physical labor, move obstacles, or handle tasks requiring great strength

The demon can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level, and it will follow your commands. Hethelax appreciate direct, clear orders and respect warlocks who acknowledge their value despite their low status in the demonic hierarchy.

Example Stat Block

name: Hethelax
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: neutral evil
ac: 16 (natural armor)
hp: 45
hit_dice: 6d10 + 12
speed: 30 ft.
stats: [16, 10, 14, 8, 11, 9]
skillsaves:
  - athletics: 5
  - intimidation: 1
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned
senses: darkvision 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal
cr: 3
traits:
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Hethelax has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Tough Chitinous Plates
    desc: "The Hethelax's natural armor plating provides excellent protection."
  - name: Berserker Rage
    desc: "When the Hethelax takes damage, it can enter a berserker rage as a bonus action. While raging, it has advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, and it deals an extra 2 (1d4) damage with melee weapon attacks. The rage lasts for 1 minute or until the Hethelax is incapacitated."
actions:
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage. If the Hethelax is raging, this attack deals an extra 2 (1d4) damage."
  - name: Armored Strike
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone."

Greater Hethelax

If a warlock contracts with a Hethelax at level 1 and keeps it alive until reaching level 5, the demon evolves into a Greater Hethelax—a more powerful shock trooper with enhanced armor, magic resistance, and berserker abilities that make it a devastating frontline combatant.

name: Greater Hethelax
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: neutral evil
ac: 18 (natural armor)
hp: 105
hit_dice: 14d10 + 28
speed: 30 ft.
stats: [18, 12, 16, 10, 13, 11]
skillsaves:
  - athletics: 7
  - intimidation: 3
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned, frightened
senses: darkvision 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal
cr: 8
traits:
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Hethelax has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Tough Chitinous Plates
    desc: "The Hethelax's natural armor plating provides excellent protection. Critical hits against the Hethelax become normal hits."
  - name: Berserker Rage
    desc: "When the Hethelax takes damage, it can enter a berserker rage as a bonus action. While raging, it has advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, gains resistance to all damage except psychic, and it deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage with melee weapon attacks. The rage lasts for 1 minute or until the Hethelax is incapacitated."
  - name: Aggressive
    desc: "As a bonus action, the Hethelax can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Hethelax makes two attacks: one with its claw and one with its armored strike."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage. If the Hethelax is raging, this attack deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage."
  - name: Armored Strike
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone."
reactions:
  - name: Vengeful Strike
    desc: "When the Hethelax takes damage from a creature within 5 feet of it, the Hethelax can make one claw attack against that creature."