Vanislaad (Incubi/Succubi)

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Lesser Demon (Infernal Undead, Empathy Demon)
Hierarchy: Lesser Demons (low caste within Hell, but dangerous on material plane)
Minimum Warlock Level: 1

Physical Description

Vanislaad demons are humanoid in appearance and are technically infernal undead—souls bound to bodies of infernal magic. In their true form, Vanislaad possess: - Wings: Functional wings that allow them to fly - Tail: A demonic tail - Garnet-colored eyes: Distinctive gem-like red eyes - Alabaster skin: Pale, marble-like skin tone

However, Vanislaad are highly skilled shapeshifters capable of assuming any human form they desire. They typically appear as attractive humans of any gender, allowing them to blend seamlessly into social situations. They can shapeshift into all types of human forms, fly, and become invisible. These abilities, combined with their ability to evade magical wards and senses, make them particularly dangerous infiltrators.

Above all else, Vanislaad are cunning, intelligent tricksters and empathy demons. They are highly cunning and manipulative, especially compared to other demons, such that the proper recommended way to handle one is to avoid all contact. What they lack in power they make up for in subterfuge. They excel at manipulation, deception, and infiltration, using their intelligence and shapeshifting abilities to convincingly mimic specific people and blend into any social situation. They use these abilities to infiltrate among humans and seduce and corrupt them, as this is the way their infernal corruption expresses itself. Their weak direct combat capabilities mean they rely on manipulation and subterfuge rather than brute force, but this should not be mistaken for lack of intelligence—it is their greatest strength.

Role in Hell

Within Hell's hierarchy, Vanislaad demons occupy a fairly low position in the caste system. While incredibly dangerous on the material plane due to their manipulation, espionage, and subterfuge capabilities, they are relatively weak compared to elite demon castes like the Khelminash and Rhaazke in terms of raw power. Their low status in Hell reflects their relative weakness in direct confrontations, but their cunning and intelligence make them formidable threats when they can use their strengths of infiltration, seduction, and corruption. They compensate for their lack of power with exceptional skill in subterfuge.

Vanislaad are associated with Prince Vanislaas, who created their line. They are formed when a human soul is sent to Hell and manages to impress Prince Vanislaas, who then makes a body out of infernal magic for it to inhabit. This process makes them technically undead (infernal undead), which is why they are vulnerable to valkyries and other forces that affect undead creatures.

This transformation process allows Vanislaad to be effectively immortal, as they can be remade and return to the mortal plane when summoned again. They are reincarnated damned human souls who were transformed by Prince Vanislaas and empowered to return to the mortal plane to corrupt humans and increase their ranks. Their purpose is infiltration, seduction, and corruption rather than military might.

Making a Pact

What Vanislaad Want

Above all else, Vanislaad demons have a supernatural impetus—an overwhelming 'itch' to cause discord and chaos. This is not merely a preference but a fundamental need that drives them. They are particularly interested in: - Chaos and discord: They have an irresistible supernatural compulsion to sow chaos, break relationships, cause conflicts, and create disorder. Forcing a Vanislaad into lawful behavior for extended periods causes them physical distress, like a drug addict needing a hit—they become agitated, uncomfortable, and may suffer physical symptoms if they cannot indulge their need to cause discord - Souls for corruption: They seek to corrupt mortals and bring more souls to Hell, as this creates the ultimate form of discord—separating souls from their natural state - Social influence: They want access to positions where they can manipulate and corrupt others, as this allows them to cause maximum discord - Information: They value knowledge about mortal society, politics, and vulnerabilities that can be exploited to create chaos - Material luxuries: They appreciate fine things and creature comforts when on the material plane, but these are secondary to their need to cause discord

What They Get from the Pact

Through the pact, Vanislaad gain: - Anchors to the material plane: The warlock provides a connection that makes it easier for them to operate on the mortal realm - Influence and corruption: They gain satisfaction from corrupting another mortal and spreading infernal influence - A servant: The warlock becomes a tool for their corrupting mission

Contract Difficulty

Negotiation DC: Easy (DC 12 Charisma check)

More than any other demon, Vanislaads WANT to be contracted with. They will often accept ludicrously stringent deals simply for the opportunity to get to the material plane. Such rules and restrictions are just challenges for them to work past, and aid in scratching their itch for chaos. Getting to the material plane where they can indulge their supernatural need for discord and chaos is worth almost any price to them. However, they are still cunning negotiators and may try to insert clauses that seem minor but actually grant them loopholes or opportunities for mischief.

Demon Summon

When you summon your pacted Vanislaad demon, it appears in a form of your choice (subject to its abilities) and can aid you in the following ways:

Social Infiltration: The demon can blend into social situations, gather information, or charm targets
Invisibility and Stealth: The demon can scout invisible and bypass magical wards
Manipulation: The demon can help with social encounters, providing advantage on Deception and Persuasion checks

The demon can remain summoned for a number of hours equal to your warlock level, and it will follow your commands related to infiltration, seduction, and corruption. However, the Vanislaad has a supernatural need to cause discord and chaos. If prevented from causing discord for extended periods, it will become physically distressed and agitated, and may act out or resist commands that force it into purely lawful behavior. It will resist commands that put it in direct combat or danger, as it is weak in physical confrontations, but it will eagerly embrace opportunities to sow chaos, break relationships, or create conflict.

Example Stat Block

name: Vanislaad (Incubus)
size: Medium
type: fiend
subtype: demon
alignment: chaotic evil
ac: 13
hp: 27
hit_dice: 6d8
speed: 30 ft., fly 40 ft.
stats: [8, 15, 11, 10, 12, 16]
skillsaves:
  - deception: 5
  - insight: 3
  - perception: 3
  - persuasion: 5
  - stealth: 4
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, poison
senses: darkvision 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal
cr: 2
traits:
  - name: Shapechanger
    desc: "The demon can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies."
  - name: Telepathic Bond
    desc: "The demon ignores the range limitation for telepathy when communicating with a creature it has charmed. The two don't even need to be on the same plane of existence."
actions:
  - name: Charm
    desc: "One humanoid the demon can see within 30 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed for 24 hours. The charmed target obeys the demon's verbal or telepathic commands. If the target suffers any harm or receives a suicidal command, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. If the target successfully saves against the effect, or if the effect on it ends, the target is immune to this demon's Charm for the next 24 hours. The demon can have only one target charmed at a time. If it charms another, the effect on the previous target ends."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage."
  - name: Invisibility
    desc: "The demon magically turns invisible until it attacks, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the demon wears or carries is invisible with it."

Greater Vanislaad

If a warlock contracts with a Vanislaad at level 1 and keeps it alive until reaching level 5, the demon evolves into a Greater Vanislaad—a significantly more powerful version with enhanced manipulation abilities and improved combat capabilities. Greater Vanislaad retain all their cunning and subterfuge skills while becoming more formidable threats.

name: Greater Vanislaad
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, 17, 14, 12, 14, 20]
skillsaves:
  - deception: 8
  - insight: 5
  - perception: 5
  - persuasion: 8
  - stealth: 6
damage_resistances: cold, fire, lightning, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
damage_immunities: poison
condition_immunities: poisoned
senses: darkvision 60 ft., truesight 60 ft.
languages: Abyssal, Tanglish, Infernal, telepathy 60 ft.
cr: 7
traits:
  - name: Shapechanger
    desc: "The demon can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies."
  - name: Telepathic Bond
    desc: "The demon ignores the range limitation for telepathy when communicating with a creature it has charmed. The two don't even need to be on the same plane of existence."
  - name: Magic Resistance
    desc: "The demon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
actions:
  - name: Multiattack
    desc: "The demon makes two claw attacks."
  - name: Charm
    desc: "One humanoid the demon can see within 30 feet of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed for 24 hours. The charmed target obeys the demon's verbal or telepathic commands. If the target suffers any harm or receives a suicidal command, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. If the target successfully saves against the effect, or if the effect on it ends, the target is immune to this demon's Charm for the next 24 hours. The demon can have up to three targets charmed at a time. If it charms another beyond this limit, the effect on the oldest target ends."
  - name: Claw
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) psychic damage."
  - name: Invisibility
    desc: "The demon magically turns invisible until it attacks, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the demon wears or carries is invisible with it."
  - name: Draining Kiss
    desc: "Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one willing creature, or a creature that is charmed, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 22 (4d10) psychic damage, and the target's hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0."
spellcasting:
  - name: Innate Spellcasting
    desc: "The demon's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16). The demon can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:"
    spells:
      - "At will: detect thoughts, suggestion"
      - "3/day each: charm person, hold person"
      - "1/day: dominate person"