Ikthroi

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Ground Force Demon
Hierarchy: Ground Forces (sapient, primary ground troops during Hellwars)
Minimum Warlock Level: 5

Physical Description

Ikthroi are sapient demons that are slightly larger and significantly stronger than the human norm, with a hulking, brutish demonic form featuring a muscular build designed for massed assault. They possess horns and demonic features typical of heavy infantry demons, giving them an intimidating presence on the battlefield.

Their demonic form is designed for massed assault, and they are capable of piling/swarming tactics to overwhelm defensive positions through sheer weight and numbers. Their physical features allow them to pile together effectively and use their combined mass to crush and overwhelm enemies.

They are demons that attack in waves, piling against defensive formations through sheer weight and numbers. They can bury defenders under their mass, making them particularly effective against heavily armored defensive positions like dwarven heavy infantry.

Role in Hell

Ikthroi are sapient demons that possess an inherent but quite minimal capacity for infernomancy. During the Hellwars, these were by far the largest contingent of Elilial's ground forces, serving as the primary shock troops and massed assault forces. However, sightings of them have diminished markedly in the centuries since the Hellwars, making them much rarer in the modern era.

They are used alongside other demon types (like baerzurgs) to overwhelm defensive positions through coordinated massed assaults. Their tactics rely on overwhelming numbers rather than individual power, though their sapient nature allows for more coordinated tactics than non-sentient swarm demons.

They were essential to demonic military operations that required overwhelming defensive positions through sheer weight and numbers rather than individual combat prowess.

Making a Pact

What Ikthroi Want

As sapient demons, Ikthroi seek: - A tactical leader: They want a master who can coordinate and direct their massed assaults with strategic intelligence - Combat opportunities: They value chances to overwhelm enemies through numbers and coordinated tactics - Protection for the group: They appreciate a master who can protect them from threats - Group unity: They value maintaining and coordinating their numbers effectively - Recognition: As sapient beings, they appreciate acknowledgment of their role and capabilities

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Ikthroi gain: - A swarm master: The warlock becomes the coordinator and leader of the massed assault - Purpose: The warlock provides direction and combat opportunities - Protection: The warlock can protect the swarm from more powerful threats - Coordination: The warlock can coordinate their massed assaults with other demon types

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Moderate (DC 15 Charisma check)

Ikthroi are sapient demons, making them more complex to contract with than non-sentient swarm demons. They respond to clear leadership and strategic direction, but their sapient nature means they can negotiate terms and understand the implications of contracts. Their rarity in the modern era (sightings have diminished markedly since the Hellwars) may make finding them more difficult, but those who can be found are more willing to negotiate than in the past.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Ikthroi demons, a group of 2d6 Ikthroi appears. The group can aid you in the following ways:

Massed Assault: The Ikthroi can engage enemies in coordinated massed attacks, overwhelming targets through sheer weight and numbers
Overwhelming Defenses: The group can pile against defensive formations, using their combined mass to break through enemy lines
Area Control: The Ikthroi can occupy areas and prevent enemies from moving through, using their mass to block passage
Crushing Attacks: The group can pile on top of enemies, burying them under their mass and crushing them

The group can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level. As sapient demons, they can follow more complex commands and coordinate tactics more effectively than non-sentient swarm creatures. They respond well to strategic direction and can adapt their massed assault tactics to different situations. They appreciate recognition of their role and capabilities, and their sapient nature means they can understand and execute more sophisticated battle plans than simple swarm behavior.

Example Stat Block

name: Ikthroi
size: Medium (slightly larger than human)
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 14 (natural armor)
hp: 68
hit_dice: 8d8 + 32
speed: 30 ft.
stats: [18, 10, 18, 10, 12, 9]
skillsaves:
  - athletics: 7
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: 5
spells:
  - name: "Innate Spellcasting (minimal infernomancy)"
    desc: "The Ikthroi's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 11). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:\n\nAt will: produce flame\n1/day: burning hands"
traits:
  - name: Pack Tactics
    desc: "The Ikthroi has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Ikthroi's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated."
  - name: Overwhelming Mass
    desc: "When two or more Ikthroi are within 5 feet of a Medium or smaller creature, that creature's movement speed is reduced by 10 feet and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Ikthroi makes two melee attacks."
  - name: Slam
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone."
  - name: Pile On
    desc: "If two or more Ikthroi are within 5 feet of a Medium or smaller creature, the Ikthroi can use its action to attempt to grapple that creature. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be grappled. While grappled in this way, the target takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns."

Note: A group of Ikthroi functions more effectively when working together. When 3 or more Ikthroi are within 10 feet of each other, they gain advantage on Strength checks and saving throws, and their slam attacks deal an additional 1d4 bludgeoning damage. As sapient demons, they can coordinate tactics more effectively than non-sentient swarm creatures.

Greater Ikthroi

If a warlock contracts with Ikthroi at level 5 and keeps them alive until reaching level 10, they evolve into Greater Ikthroi—significantly more powerful demons with enhanced massed assault capabilities and improved infernomancy that make their swarm tactics even more devastating.

name: Greater Ikthroi
size: Medium (slightly larger than human)
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 16 (natural armor)
hp: 126
hit_dice: 12d10 + 60
speed: 35 ft.
stats: [20, 12, 20, 12, 14, 11]
skillsaves:
  - athletics: 10
  - intimidation: 5
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned, frightened
senses: darkvision 90 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal
cr: 10
spellcasting:
  - name: "Innate Spellcasting (improved infernomancy)"
    desc: "The Ikthroi's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:"
    spells:
      - "At will: produce flame, hellish rebuke (2nd level)"
      - "3/day: burning hands (3rd level)"
      - "1/day: fireball"
traits:
  - name: Pack Tactics
    desc: "The Ikthroi has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Ikthroi's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated."
  - name: Overwhelming Mass
    desc: "When two or more Ikthroi are within 5 feet of a Large or smaller creature, that creature's movement speed is reduced by 15 feet and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws and attack rolls."
  - name: Crushing Weight
    desc: "When three or more Ikthroi are within 10 feet of each other, they gain advantage on Strength checks and saving throws, and their slam attacks deal an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Ikthroi makes three slam attacks."
  - name: Slam
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone."
  - name: Pile On
    desc: "If two or more Ikthroi are within 5 feet of a Large or smaller creature, the Ikthroi can use its action to attempt to grapple that creature. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be grappled. While grappled in this way, the target takes 2d10 bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns and cannot breathe."
reactions:
  - name: Swarm Retaliation
    desc: "When an Ikthroi within 30 feet of this Ikthroi is damaged by a creature, this Ikthroi can use its reaction to move up to half its speed toward the attacker."

Note: A group of Greater Ikthroi is even more devastating when working together. Their enhanced strength and coordination makes them capable of overwhelming even powerful opponents through sheer weight and numbers. As sapient demons, they can coordinate complex tactical maneuvers beyond simple swarm behavior.