The great quote from Milton's "Paradise Lost" that appears in Dungeon 147 shows that, in fact, Demogorgon is a real-world myth and thus can't be kept from being used by other than WotC.
We just have to create a new version. >;)
Creative Director
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The genesis behind Demogorgon's name is a bit weirder, even. In fact, it appears that the name was invented back in the 4th century or so by a Christian monk, who made the name up for unknown reasons (possibly to serve as a new demon to scare folk with?). Despite the fact that the name sounds Greek, there was no real-world Demogorgon cult in ancient Greece, since the name was created long after that era. Crazy, huh?
I believe in some literature (after his religious introductin) Demogorgon is actually considered a king of the fairies -- that would be bad arse.
The genesis behind Demogorgon's name is a bit weirder, even. In fact, it appears that the name was invented back in the 4th century or so by a Christian monk, who made the name up for unknown reasons (possibly to serve as a new demon to scare folk with?). Despite the fact that the name sounds Greek, there was no real-world Demogorgon cult in ancient Greece, since the name was created long after that era. Crazy, huh?
I have some hazy recollection that it was (intentionally?) changed from the Greek "demiourgos", demiurge.
(Ah, Wikipedia says that's a "less-accepted theory". Ah well.)
What do you look like?
It depends on who's looking.
Ugh... here I was hoping he was gone forever. If Demogorgon is to be reincarnated in Pathfinder, he'd better damned well look DEMONIC. None of this two-headed baboon with bird's feet and tentacles stuff. Something more akin to Graz'zt's or Orcus's appearances. I'm thinking balor/balrog like stuff. That's what I think of when the word "demon" comes to mind, and demons of that form are the ones I like the best.
Personally, I'm all for elevating Orcus to godhood, or at least Demogorgon's old spot as Baddest of All Abyssal Badasses.
Personally, I'm all for elevating Orcus to godhood, or at least Demogorgon's old spot as Baddest of All Abyssal Badasses.Saern, you are a true follower of his dark Majesty!
ALL PRAISE BE TO ORCU- Er... uhm... nothing to see here, folks...
What should he look like?
I dare you to make him have two octupus heads and a pair of long baboon arms.
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If Demogorgon is to be reincarnated in Pathfinder, he'd better damned well look DEMONIC. None of this two-headed baboon with bird's feet and tentacles stuff.
Yeah!
I'm all for totemic god-types, evil bat gods, wolf gods, all that...but I'm not a big fan of the double-babboon squid chicken. Hybrids can be really interesting (I mean, how else can you make up new monsters/races?) but I shouldn't look at a god/demigod/demon prince and think of Dr. Mephisto and seven-assed Galapagos Turtles.
Aw maaaaaan! I like the double baboon chicken squid. He's the epitome of chaos. Would he seem more demonic if he had bat wings? What about butterfly wings? In any event, he should remain simian.
Monkeys rule!
I detect a bias....
Aw maaaaaan! I like the double baboon chicken squid. He's the epitome of chaos. Would he seem more demonic if he had bat wings? What about butterfly wings? In any event, he should remain simian.
Monkeys rule!
Monkey demons have a long history in more than one mythology. How about just making him look like... a monkey? Just a cute little talking monkey, except for the fact that his eyes maybe look a little intense, and he whispers a lot.
I don't know, I find normalish appearing things that ultimately turn out to be horribly powerful to be much more creepy than giant tentacly space monsters, as much as i do <3 matters Lovecraft.
I'm reworking him IMC to be a sort of hideous serpent with an ape-like head at each end (head/tail). That way, I can keep my favorite thing about him: 2 rounds worth of abuse every round. Got to love that. Keep the gaze attacks, give him a diseased bite, enervating constriction, and toss in a couple breath weapons......
Sit back and savor the looks on your party's faces.
Why not have him, oh, I don't know, have some physical properties of, say, a Gorgon?
I mean if we already have the concept of a Gorgon by D&D standards; wouldn't it make sense on some level to have Demogorgon play off of that at least a little?
There were three sister gorgons, Stheno, meaning strength, Euryale, meaning wide leaping, and Medusa, meaning queen.
The Last Rogue, in Greek mythology there were three gorgons, one of whom was Medusa. I forget who the other two were.
I am completely aware of the Greek Mythos origin of the word Gorgon . . .what I was trying to point out was that in D&D there is no such correlation -- a gorgon is a monster that is bullish and turns people to stone . . . why not continue the connection and have Gorgon's be the infernal offspring of Demogorgon or give him a stone bull head, etc.
Once again I am not totally arguing that it should be this way, just another opinion in a sea of them.
why not continue the connection and have Gorgon's be the infernal offspring of Demogorgon or give him a stone bull head, etc.
Unfortunately I think that might have too much overlap with the (historically late) mythological basis for Baphomet. Though that RL background was more beast than bull, a bull-headed Demogorgon might still run afoul of looking too much like D&D's take on Baphomet and thus being confusing, etc.
DONE! Should he have some sort of rum-magic powers too?I think he should look like a beetle with the body of a giraffe.
--Erik
OOOH, rum magic! Will this be an opposing or a complementary school to sin magic? (*hic* I say opposing!)
Of course, you'll have to detail the great sages--Mojito, Hurricane, and Zombie (and the prodigal Daiquiri).
Common reagents: sugar and lime
:)
OOOH, rum magic! Will this be an opposing or a complementary school to sin magic? (*hic* I say opposing!)
Of course, you'll have to detail the great sages--Mojito, Hurricane, and Zombie (and the prodigal Daiquiri).
Common reagents: sugar and lime
:)
Don't forget the lesser sage Grog.
I think he should look like a beetle with the body of a giraffe.
sexy!
