Buy me a coffeeRage Demon (Aeshma)
“Meet Aeshma the 8-foot-tall Rage Demon with sapphire eyes, a deadly spear, and an unquenchable thirst for chaos!”
Aeshma are towering, terrifying creatures of chaos and destruction, standing around 8 feet tall and weighing nearly 500 pounds. Their bodies are made of deep, obsidian-black skin that looks like rough stone, cracked open by fiery veins of molten lava that glow in hues of orange, red, and yellow. These fissures seem to pulse with each movement, as if their very body burns with internal fury. The skin is tough and resilient, often scarred from countless battles. Their muscular, hulking forms are both terrifying and awe-inspiring, covered in minimal armorâusually just jagged pieces of bone or rusted iron fused to their bodies through infernal magic.
Their faces are a grotesque blend of human and monstrous features. Sharp, angular cheekbones and a high, pronounced forehead lend a cold, almost regal air, but the twisted mouth, filled with razor-sharp teeth, and the glowing sapphire eyes radiate pure malevolence. Aeshmaâs eyes, like blue flames, burn with an intense, maddened fury, often shifting in hue as they grow more enraged.
Their long, braided black hair flows freely in the infernal winds, strands of ash and blood sometimes caught within. Their bat-like wings, vast and leathery, are torn and scarred, yet capable of soaring through the skies with terrifying speed. The wings stretch wide, allowing Aeshma to glide with grace despite their massive size. Aeshma also possess a long, powerful tail tipped with spiked, barbed ends, which they use as a secondary weapon in close combat.
Aeshma are creatures of pure wrath. They are driven by an insatiable need for destruction, constantly seeking to unleash their rage upon anything and everything. In battle, they fight with primal ferocity, their movements quick and unpredictable as they tear through enemies with brutal efficiency. Aeshmaâs typical fighting style is aggressive, preferring to charge headlong into combat, relying on their enormous strength and speed. However, when enragedâusually after sustaining a significant injuryâAeshma enter a berserk state, increasing their strength at the cost of their own defense. In this state, they swing their longspear mercilessly and attack in a frenzy, sometimes ignoring their own wounds until their opponents are either dead or they themselves fall in the bloodied chaos.
Their primary weapon is a +1 wounding longspear, the barbed tip of which is coated in venomous, black ichor that causes both physical damage and draining Constitution damage with each strike. Their claws are also deadly, capable of rending flesh and bone with ease. In addition to their physical prowess, Aeshma possess potent spell-like abilities. They can cast unholy blight to weaken their foes, or blasphemy to terrify and disorient groups of enemies. They can also summon lesser demons, usually dretches or vrocks, to aid them in battle, using these minions as expendable pawns to further sow destruction.
They are found primarily in the most hostile and violent environmentsâhellish realms like the Abyss or the infernal planes of fire and lava. They are drawn to places of warfare, destruction, and suffering, where they can fight and wreak havoc. Their habitats are often barren landscapes filled with molten rivers, jagged obsidian cliffs, and billowing clouds of smoke.
In these places, the ground cracks open with heat, and the air smells of sulfur and burning flesh. Aeshma are solitary creatures, though they can occasionally be found in warbands, leading armies of lesser demons in battle. They are often commanders or lieutenants in the Abyssal armies, feared by lesser demons for their brutal leadership and unmatched combat prowess. These bands are frequently on the move, burning and pillaging worlds as they go.
Their modus operandi is simple: Aeshma live to fight and to conquer. They are opportunistic, seeking out and engaging in combat at any given moment. Their goal is to destroy, to burn, to break their opponentsâwhether that means slaying innocent mortals, terrorizing cities, or waging war on rival demons. They take pleasure in chaos and destruction, reveling in the fear they instill in others.
As creatures of the Abyss, they are driven by the desire to spread ruin and further the influence of their demonic lords. Though Aeshma have no personal allegiance to any one demon prince, they are known to serve in the legions of the most powerful of these rulers, especially if promised more power or territory in return for their loyalty. In such cases, they work with cold calculation and ruthless efficiency, though their chaotic nature often leads to unpredictable outcomes.
Motivated by a deep-seated need for power, carnage, and domination, Aeshma care little for diplomacy or subtlety. They thrive on destruction, seeing the chaos of war as a means of both personal satisfaction and a way to prove their superiority. Their rage is not only a weapon but their very essenceâeach battle fought and won further fuels their unrelenting thirst for annihilation. For them, peace is weakness, and their ultimate goal is the complete subjugation of anything they encounter. They are the personification of war and rage, unbound by any higher moral principle or concern, making them one of the most dangerous and fearsome of the Abyssal demons.
Aeshma (Rage Demon) 5e
Aeshma (Rage Demon) Pathfinder
Aeshma, Fiend of Wounding Rage
Large Fiend (Demon), Chaotic Evil
Armor Class: 18 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 195 (17d10 + 102)
Speed: 40 ft., Fly 60 ft. (good)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (+7) | 18 (+4) | 22 (+6) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws: Str +12, Dex +9, Con +11, Wis +8, Cha +9
Skills: Perception +13, Intimidation +10, Athletics +12
Damage Resistances: Acid, Cold, Fire; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: Lightning, Poison
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 23
Languages: Abyssal, Common, Telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge: 15 (13,000 XP)
Traits
Magic Resistance. It has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Chaotic Fury. When Aeshma is reduced to half its hit points or fewer, it enters a berserk rage. While in this state, Aeshma gains the following benefits:
- A +2 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls.
- Resistance to all damage except psychic.
- Disadvantage on Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws.
This rage ends if Aeshma is incapacitated or its hit points are restored above half.
Wounding Longspear. It wields a massive, enchanted longspear imbued with the wounding property. On a hit, the spear deals an additional 2 (1d4) necrotic damage at the start of the targetâs turn for each time it has been struck by the spear, as the wound festers. Healing magic used to close these wounds must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check or fail to heal the necrotic damage.
Aura of Rage. Creatures within 30 feet of Aeshma must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn or be consumed by a maddening rage for 1 minute. While raging, a creature:
- Gains advantage on Strength-based attacks and checks.
- Has disadvantage on Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws.
- Cannot willingly retreat from melee combat.
A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Actions
Multiattack. It makes three attacks: two with its claws and one with its longspear.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage. - Wounding Longspear. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d8 + 7) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) necrotic damage. See “Wounding Longspear” trait.
Spellcasting (Innate). Aeshmaâs spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: Dispel Magic, Unholy Blight
- 3/day: Blasphemy, Greater Invisibility
- 1/day: Dominate Person, Summon Greater Demon
Fury Leap (Recharge 5â6). Aeshma launches itself up to 40 feet in a straight line, passing through spaces occupied by creatures without provoking opportunity attacks. Each creature in the path must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. Aeshma lands in an unoccupied space within range and can make a single claw attack as a bonus action.
Reactions
Unholy Retaliation. When Aeshma is hit by a melee attack, it can use its reaction to unleash a burst of fiery energy. The attacker and all creatures within 10 feet of Aeshma must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (3d6) fire damage.
Tactics
It is a relentless and cunning combatant that thrives in chaotic melee situations:
- Early Combat: It uses Unholy Blight and its Aura of Rage to disrupt enemies and sow chaos, forcing enemies into reckless aggression.
- Mid-Combat: As soon as it enters its berserk state (via Chaotic Fury), Aeshma focuses on high-damage melee attacks, using its Fury Leap to reposition and attack vulnerable backline targets.
- Late Combat: If overwhelmed, Aeshma uses Greater Invisibility to retreat and regroup, summoning reinforcements with Summon Greater Demon to tip the odds in its favor.
When commanding demonic minions, Aeshma pairs with creatures that can lock down foes (e.g., vrocks or dretches) to let it deliver decisive blows with its longspear.
Rage Demon (Aeshma)
This creature appears to be an 8-foot-tall humanoid with basalt-colored skin. Dark hair covers its head, and its hair is long and braided. Its arms are well-muscled, and its hands end in powerful claws. Its head is human-like, and its eyes are sapphire blue. Large leathery, bat-like wings protrude from its shoulders.
Aeshma are the demons of rage and anger. An aeshma is sometimes referred to as ‘the fiend of the wounding spear.’ Aeshma are thoroughly malign and evil and care little for anything or anyone else.
They are actively recruited into the Abyssal armies of the demon lords and princes for their skill and combat prowess. Often an aeshma is given the rank of commander or lieutenant and granted control over a retinue or battalion of lesser demons (usually vrocks or dretches).
The typical ashema stands 8 feet tall and weighs about 500 pounds. Most aeshma disdain the use of armor, but occasionally don chainmail.
| Aeshma (Rage Demon) CR 11 |
| XP 12,800 CE Large outsider (chaotic, evil, extraplanar) Init +4; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., see invisibility; Perception +25 |
| DEFENSE |
| AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 21 (+4 Dexterity, +12 natural, -1 size) hp 162 (12d10+96) Fort +16, Ref +12, Will +13 DR 10/good; Immune electricity, poison, outsider traits; Resist acid 10, cold 10, fire 10; SR 19 |
| OFFENSE |
| Speed 40 ft., Fly 60 ft. (good) Melee +1 wounding longspear +20/+15 (2d6+10, x3) or 2 claws +17 (1d6+6) Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. Special Attacks rage, spell-like abilities, summon demons Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th) At willÂdispel magic, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only), unholy blight (DC 17); |
| STATISTICS |
| Strength 23, Dexterity 18, Constitution 27, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 17, Charisma 17 Base Atk +12; CMB +19; CMD 33 Feats Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longspear) Skills Diplomacy +15, Escape Artist +16, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (arcana) +14, Stealth +16, Perception +25, Spellcraft +14, Survival +15 (+17 following tracks); Racial Modifiers Aeshma have a +8 racial bonus on Perception checks. Languages Abyssal, Common, one other language; telepathy 100 ft. |
| SPECIAL ABILITIES |
| Rage (Su) Â An aeshma that takes 50% or more of its total hit points in damage in combat flies into a berserk rage on its next turn, swinging madly with its longspear. A raging aeshma fights until either it or its opponent is dead. An enraged aeshma gains +4 Strength and -2 AC. The aeshma can end its rage voluntarily. Â See invisibility (Su) Â It can continuously see invisibility, as the spell (caster level 12th). Â Wounding Longspear An aeshma’s Large +1 longspear is imbued with the wounding special ability. This weapon deals 1 point of Constitution damage from blood loss when it hits a creature. A critical hit does not multiply the Constitution damage. Creatures immune to critical hits (such as plants and constructs) are immune to the Constitution damage dealt by this weapon. |
| ECOLOGY |
| Environment Abyss Organization solitary or troupe (1 aeshma and 1-4 vrocks) Treasure standard, plus +1 wounding longspear |
TACTICS
They are very potent fighters and prefer a straight fight to subterfuge. They fight aggressively against any foe, relying on their claws only if they are unarmed.
An aeshma’s natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields, are treated as chaotic-aligned and evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
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Section 15: Copyright Notice – Tome of Horrors
Aeshma (Rage Demon) from the Tome of Horrors, Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author Scott Greene.