Sshitherosz

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Lesser Demon
Hierarchy: Lesser Demons (recruiters and tempters)
Minimum Warlock Level: 1

Physical Description

Sshitherosz demons are scrawny, diminutive, ugly, disturbing-looking and twisted. They resemble a skeletally thin man about four feet tall with wings and an elongated skull. Despite their unsettling and grotesque appearance, they are masters of getting on people's good sides and can make others feel comfortable and valued despite their disturbing form.

They are capable of flight, using their wings to move about and reach potential targets.

Role in Hell

Sshitherosz demons specialize in recruiting warlocks. They are masters of finding vulnerable individuals and coaxing them into accepting infernal power. Their purpose is to identify those who are most susceptible to temptation and guide them down the path to becoming warlocks.

Recruitment Strategy

Sshitherosz excel at finding people in vulnerable positions: - Those who are outcast or rejected by society - People who are alone or isolated - Individuals who are weak, desperate, or in need of support - Anyone who feels powerless and is seeking a way to gain strength or influence

The favorite tactic of the sshitherosz is to recruit warlocks from among the young, naïve, and ambitious. They identify those who are driven but lack opportunities, those who feel trapped by their circumstances, or those who dream of power but have no means to achieve it.

Making a Pact

What Sshitherosz Want

Sshitherosz demons seek: - New warlocks: Their primary goal is to bring more mortals into the service of infernal powers - Vulnerable souls: They prefer targets who are desperate, alone, or seeking validation - Ambitious individuals: The young and ambitious are particularly attractive targets, as they have the drive to use infernal power but may lack the wisdom to fully understand the consequences - Social isolation: They target those who feel disconnected from others, as isolated individuals are more likely to accept infernal aid - Desperation: They look for those in dire circumstances who will be willing to accept any help offered

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Sshitherosz gain: - Satisfaction: They take pleasure in successfully recruiting new warlocks - Increased infernal influence: Each new warlock spreads infernal power in the mortal world - A sense of purpose: Their role as recruiters gives them importance in the infernal hierarchy - Connection to the material plane: The warlock provides an anchor that allows them easier access to the mortal realm

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Easy (DC 12 Charisma check)

Sshitherosz are highly motivated to form pacts. They specialize in making the process seem helpful, supportive, and beneficial to the prospective warlock. They excel at presenting infernal power as the solution to the target's problems, framing the pact as an opportunity rather than a danger. They will emphasize how the power can help achieve the warlock's goals, protect loved ones, or overcome obstacles—while downplaying the costs and consequences.

Their ability to get on people's good sides means they often present themselves as mentors, supporters, or allies who genuinely care about the warlock's wellbeing. This friendly approach makes them particularly dangerous, as the warlock may not realize the full implications of the pact until it's too late.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Sshitherosz demon, it appears in its natural form (scrawny, four feet tall, with wings and elongated skull). Despite its disturbing appearance, it radiates an aura of understanding and helpfulness. The demon can aid you in the following ways:

Recruitment Assistance: The demon can help identify vulnerable targets and provide advice on how to approach them
Social Support: Despite its appearance, the demon can make others feel understood and valued, providing advantage on social checks when you're trying to build rapport
Flight and Scouting: The demon can fly ahead to scout or reach places you cannot
Persuasion: The demon can directly assist in convincing others to accept infernal power, working alongside you as a partner in recruitment

The demon can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level. It will eagerly assist in recruiting new warlocks and will be particularly enthusiastic about targeting the young, naïve, and ambitious. The demon sees each successful recruitment as a personal victory and will celebrate your joint successes.

Example Stat Block

name: Sshitherosz
size: Small
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 13
hp: 22
hit_dice: 5d6 + 5
speed: 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
stats: [8, 16, 12, 13, 15, 18]
skillsaves:
  - insight: 5
  - persuasion: 7
  - deception: 7
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, poison, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned
senses: darkvision 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal
cr: 2
traits:
  - name: Understanding Presence
    desc: "The Sshitherosz has advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks when trying to convince someone that it understands their struggles or can help them. Despite its disturbing appearance, it can make others feel valued and understood."
  - name: Vulnerable Target Sense
    desc: "The Sshitherosz can sense when someone is vulnerable to manipulation. It has advantage on Insight checks to determine if a creature is outcast, desperate, ambitious, young, or seeking power."
actions:
  - name: Tempting Offer
    desc: "The Sshitherosz targets a vulnerable creature it can see within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or view the Sshitherosz as someone who can genuinely help them achieve their goals. The target has disadvantage on Insight checks to detect deception from the Sshitherosz for 1 hour."
  - name: Spellcasting
    desc: "The Sshitherosz is a spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). It knows the following spells:\n\nAt will: friends, suggestion\n\n1/day each: charm person, enthrall, bestow curse"

Greater Sshitherosz

If a warlock contracts with a Sshitherosz at level 1 and keeps it alive until reaching level 5, the demon evolves into a Greater Sshitherosz—a master recruiter with enhanced manipulation abilities and more powerful mind-affecting magic.

name: Greater Sshitherosz
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 15
hp: 78
hit_dice: 12d8 + 24
speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
stats: [10, 18, 14, 15, 17, 20]
skillsaves:
  - insight: 7
  - persuasion: 9
  - deception: 9
  - perception: 7
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned, charmed
senses: darkvision 90 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, Common, telepathy 60 ft.
cr: 7
traits:
  - name: Understanding Presence
    desc: "The Sshitherosz has advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks when trying to convince someone that it understands their struggles or can help them. Despite its disturbing appearance, it can make others feel valued and understood. Creatures have disadvantage on Insight checks to detect its deception."
  - name: Vulnerable Target Sense
    desc: "The Sshitherosz can sense when someone is vulnerable to manipulation. It has advantage on Insight checks to determine if a creature is outcast, desperate, ambitious, young, or seeking power. As a bonus action, the Sshitherosz can assess the emotional state of any creature it can see within 60 feet."
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The Sshitherosz has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The Sshitherosz uses Tempting Offer and makes one claw attack, or it casts one spell and makes one claw attack."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) psychic damage."
  - name: Tempting Offer
    desc: "The Sshitherosz targets a vulnerable creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or view the Sshitherosz as someone who can genuinely help them achieve their goals. The target has disadvantage on Insight checks to detect deception from the Sshitherosz and saving throws against its spells for 8 hours."
spellcasting:
  - name: Innate Spellcasting
    desc: "The Sshitherosz's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:"
    spells:
      - "At will: friends, suggestion, detect thoughts"
      - "3/day each: charm person, enthrall, command"
      - "1/day each: bestow curse, geas, modify memory"