Demon, Algol
Image © @tredlocity
[Commissioned by @crazytrain48. Demons in Arduin usually have types pertaining to elements (fire demon, ice demon) or thematics (storm demon, she demon) rather than fantasy names. So I had to come up with one for the star demon. I went with the name of the actual Demon Star, Algol. These do not tie into Apharoe, the Star Witch in canon Arduin, which struck me as an oversight, so I added a link. ]
Demon, Algol (Star Demon) CR 18 CE Outsider (extraplanar) This creature resembles a mighty humanoid statue carved out of black crystal. Its hands and feet bear vicious claws, and a crown of horns grows from its brow. It has large wings made out of shimmering rainbows that seem to exist only in two dimensions, and an orb of fire burns in its chest, as if it contained a miniature sun.
The algols, or star demons, are among the most powerful of the non-unique demons. They form only from rare souls, chaotic evil mortals whose crimes effect an entire planet. The architects of world wars, the inventors of doomsday machines, and polluters par excellence may be transformed into star demons upon death. They act to spread chaos and evil throughout entire solar systems, gleefully destroying entire civilizations in their wake. They are particularly fond of radioactive materials and may stoke the development of nuclear power in order to unleash its destructive potential.
An algol burns with the heat of an artificial star, and its wings are made of sheets of plasma. These are both destructive weapons and grant the algol the ability to make incredible bursts of speed. As such, a star demon usually fights with hit and run tactics, raking its claws, casting spells, or firing beams of disintegrating energy from their eyes at a distance. Most enemies that close to melee regret the decision, as star demons are radioactive to a lethal extent. A badly injured star demon will usually move to a crowded area (the more innocents the better), knowing that they will explode when slain in a final glorious burst of violence.
Although some algols are free agents, others are more integrated into the hierarchies of the Abyss. Their immunity to confusion and fear effects makes them skilled hunters of qlippoth, and some are employed to drive back the protodemons and reduce their numbers in the Abyss. Being able to disintegrate foes and blast them with starlight also makes them dangerous to other demons, and they may be employed as artillery in wars between demon lords. Apharoe the Star Witch has a dozen algols, known as the Zodiacal Potential or ZP, as her elite agents, each one assigned to watch over a different planet deemed a candidate for her needs. Most algols dream of being able to kill a Malebranche, the planetary agents of Hell, but would require numbers, reinforcements and excellent tactics to make such an assassination happen.
