Khelminash

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Elite Demon
Hierarchy: Elite Caste (highest-ranking demons, sorcerous backbone of Elilial's forces)
Minimum Warlock Level: 15

Physical Description

Khelminash demons are notably tall, standing between 7 to 9 feet, with a robust and muscular build that gives them an imposing presence. Their skin tones vary from dark blue to deep red.

Their facial features are distinctive: - Elongated, pointed ears that extend well past their heads - Prominent horns that curve back from their foreheads - Bony frills or facial spikes (particularly common among higher-ranking individuals)

They possess clawed hands and cloven hooves, with longer, more muscular tails than typical demons. Some higher-ranking Khelminash may exhibit wings or other mutations, especially among those who have achieved greater power and status within infernal society.

Despite their demonic appearance, Khelminash carry themselves with an aura of nobility and command, often adorned in elaborate attire that signifies their high-caste status. Their appearance reflects their position as the elite sorceresses who form the backbone of Elilial's sorcerous forces—intimidating, powerful, and unmistakably infernal.

Khelminash are typically found in positions of power within infernal societies. They live in cities structured as caste systems, with the Khelminash at the top, supported by other demon races like Rhaazke, Hethelax, and others. They are the most intelligent and magically capable demons, serving as advisors, teachers, and leaders in demonic organizations.

Role in Hell

Khelminash occupy the highest positions in Hell's organized hierarchy. They are elite sorceresses who form the backbone of Elilial's sorcerous forces and are deeply dedicated to the Queen of Demons. They live in structured caste-based cities designed to support them without requiring physical labor, allowing them to focus entirely on their sorcerous pursuits.

Within Khelminash cities, the caste system places Khelminash at the top, with Rhaazke serving as rulers and administrators, and other demon races performing the physical labor and combat roles. This structure allows Khelminash to dedicate themselves fully to magical research, teaching, and serving Elilial's infernal agenda.

Khelminash are often found serving as teachers or advisors to warlocks, sharing their advanced knowledge of infernal magic. They possess advanced resistance to infernal corruption through developed rituals and can cast powerful spells and lead other demons in coordinated attacks.

Making a Pact

What Khelminash Want

Khelminash demons seek: - Dedicated students: They value warlocks who show genuine dedication to learning infernal magic and advancing Elilial's cause - Magical knowledge: They may request access to magical tomes, artifacts, or knowledge from the material plane - Service to Elilial: They require that warlocks serve Elilial's interests and advance infernal power - Proof of worthiness: They only pact with warlocks who demonstrate exceptional magical ability and commitment

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Khelminash gain: - An agent: The warlock becomes an agent for Elilial's sorcerous forces on the material plane - A student: They gain satisfaction from teaching and advancing infernal magic - A connection: The warlock provides access to the material plane and its magical resources

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Very Hard (DC 20 Charisma check)

As the highest-ranking organized demons, Khelminash are extremely difficult to contract with. They are choosy about who they will pact with and expect warlocks to demonstrate exceptional ability, dedication, and worthiness. They are master negotiators who will ensure the pact heavily favors Elilial's interests.

Demon Summon

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

Magic Instruction: The Khelminash can teach you new infernal magic techniques, grant advantage on Arcana checks, or help you learn spells more quickly
Magical Research: The demon can assist with magical research, spell creation, or understanding complex magical effects
Combat Magic: The Khelminash can cast powerful spells in support of you, coordinating magical attacks
Advice and Strategy: As an elite demon with vast experience, the Khelminash can provide strategic advice and information about infernal matters

The demon can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level, and it will follow your commands related to magic, strategy, and serving Elilial's interests. However, as the highest-ranking organized demons, they expect to be treated with utmost respect and will resist commands that conflict with Elilial's agenda.

Example Stat Block

name: Khelminash
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: lawful evil
ac: 16
hp: 142
hit_dice: 19d8 + 57
speed: 30 ft.
stats: [10, 14, 16, 20, 17, 19]
skillsaves:
  - arcana: 13
  - history: 13
  - insight: 10
  - perception: 10
  - persuasion: 10
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: charmed, frightened, poisoned
senses: darkvision 120 ft., truesight 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft., understands all languages
cr: 15
traits:
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Khelminash has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Infernal Corruption Resistance
    desc: "The Khelminash has advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause infernal corruption, mutations, or other infernal consequences."
  - name: Spell Mastery
    desc: "The Khelminash can cast counterspell and dispel magic at will without expending spell slots."
actions:
  - name: Infernal Blast
    desc: "Ranged Spell Attack: +13 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (6d8 + 5) force damage plus 14 (4d6) fire damage."
  - name: Spellcasting
    desc: "The Khelminash is a 19th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with spell attacks). It knows the following spells:\n\nCantrips (at will): eldritch blast, mage hand, minor illusion, prestidigitation\n1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor, shield\n2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, hold person, invisibility\n3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, fireball\n4th level (3 slots): banishment, dimension door, greater invisibility\n5th level (3 slots): contact other plane, hold monster, scrying\n6th level (2 slots): planar binding, scrying (enhanced)\n7th level (2 slots): plane shift, power word stun\n8th level (1 slot): power word stun\n9th level (1 slot): power word kill"
  - name: Golden Gaze
    desc: "The Khelminash targets one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target is charmed for 1 minute or until the Khelminash uses this ability again. While charmed, the target is under the Khelminash's control and can be given simple commands. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success."
legendary_actions:
  - name: Cast Spell (Costs 2 Actions)
    desc: "The Khelminash casts a spell from its list of prepared spells, using a spell slot as normal."
  - name: Infernal Blast
    desc: "The Khelminash makes an Infernal Blast attack."
  - name: Teleport
    desc: "The Khelminash magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see."

Greater Khelminash

If a warlock contracts with a Khelminash at level 15 and keeps it alive until reaching level 20, the demon evolves into a Greater Khelminash—an archmage-level sorceress with legendary magical abilities and the power to reshape reality through infernal sorcery.

name: Greater Khelminash
size: Large
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: lawful evil
ac: 18
hp: 285
hit_dice: 30d10 + 120
speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
stats: [12, 16, 18, 26, 20, 24]
skillsaves:
  - arcana: 16
  - history: 16
  - insight: 13
  - perception: 13
  - persuasion: 15
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: charmed, frightened, poisoned, stunned
senses: darkvision 120 ft., truesight 120 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft., understands all languages
cr: 20
traits:
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Khelminash has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
  - name: Infernal Corruption Resistance
    desc: "The Khelminash has advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause infernal corruption, mutations, or other infernal consequences. It can suppress infernal corruption in an area within 120 feet as an action."
  - name: Spell Mastery
    desc: "The Khelminash can cast counterspell, dispel magic, and greater invisibility at will without expending spell slots."
  - name: Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
    desc: "If the Khelminash fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead."
  - name: Archmage's Prowess
    desc: "The Khelminash can concentrate on two spells at once. If forced to make a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration, it makes a separate roll for each spell."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Khelminash makes two Infernal Blast attacks and uses Golden Gaze if available."
  - name: Infernal Blast
    desc: "Ranged Spell Attack: +16 to hit, range 180 ft., one target. Hit: 45 (10d8) force damage plus 21 (6d6) fire damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 23 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone."
spellcasting:
  - name: Spellcasting
    desc: "The Khelminash is a 20th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 24, +16 to hit with spell attacks). It knows the following spells:"
    spells:
      - "Cantrips (at will): eldritch blast, mage hand, minor illusion, prestidigitation, fire bolt"
      - "1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor, shield, magic missile"
      - "2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, hold person, invisibility, mirror image"
      - "3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, fireball, fly"
      - "4th level (3 slots): banishment, dimension door, greater invisibility, wall of fire"
      - "5th level (3 slots): contact other plane, hold monster, scrying, cone of cold"
      - "6th level (2 slots): planar binding, disintegrate, globe of invulnerability"
      - "7th level (2 slots): plane shift, power word stun, forcecage"
      - "8th level (1 slot): power word stun, maze, dominate monster"
      - "9th level (1 slot): power word kill, wish"
  - name: Golden Gaze
    desc: "The Khelminash targets one creature it can see within 90 feet. The target must make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target is charmed for 1 hour or until the Khelminash uses this ability again. While charmed, the target is under the Khelminash's complete control and can be given any commands. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns (with disadvantage), ending the effect on a success."
legendary_actions:
  - name: Legendary Actions (3/Turn)
    desc: "The Khelminash 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 Khelminash regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn."
  - name: Cantrip
    desc: "The Khelminash casts a cantrip."
  - name: Infernal Blast
    desc: "The Khelminash makes an Infernal Blast attack."
  - name: Cast Spell (Costs 2 Actions)
    desc: "The Khelminash casts a spell from its list of prepared spells, using a spell slot as normal."
  - name: Teleport
    desc: "The Khelminash magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see."
lair_actions:
  - name: Lair Actions
    desc: "On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Khelminash can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the Khelminash can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:"
  - name: Infernal Surge
    desc: "The Khelminash channels infernal energy through the area. Each creature of the Khelminash's choice within 60 feet must make a DC 23 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one."
  - name: Reality Warp
    desc: "The Khelminash warps reality in a 30-foot radius. The area becomes difficult terrain, and creatures in the area have disadvantage on attack rolls until initiative count 20 on the next round."
  - name: Summon Minions
    desc: "The Khelminash summons 1d4+1 lower-tier demons (CR 5 or lower) that appear in unoccupied spaces within 60 feet. They act on the Khelminash's initiative and obey its commands."