Let’s Convert the Monster Manual: Baalzebul

I’ve been asked to convert the original Monster Manual in a manner similar to my conversion of the Fiend Folio. I am going to do this a bit differently, though, and just try to stick to the essence of creatures without referring to the text of the original work. This is, in part, because of my plans to create a monster book in the upcoming year. In this case, we are dealing with IP that is currently held by Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro, so I can’t imagine a published version of everything here coming out!

Having already converted the demons from the original Monster Manual, I was required to consider how devils should be differentiated from demons in this conversion. I decided to retain the lawful nature of devils, although I otherwise treated them as demons. As before, some deviation from the strict order of presentation is required to allow for invoke patron results, with the archdevils being sone first (one per post), and then the other devils.

It becomes very clear to me that I underutilized extraplanar monsters, including demons and devils, back in my AD&D days, but to be fair that system didn’t encourage using the “cool” monsters at low levels. As a result, I don’t believe that I ever used Baalzebul. Hopefully, this version will see more use!

As a side note, although I am utilizing AD&D’s “nine hells” in this conversion, when using these devils in your home campaign, you should feel free to use whatever cosmology you like, and change them accordingly!

Baalzebul (Archdevil): Init +10; Atk bite +20 melee (2d12 plus venom) or glance or spell; AC 25; HD 20d12 (166 hp); MV 30’ or fly 60’; Act 2d20; SP devil traits, venom, spells; SV Fort +12, Ref +11, Will +15; AL L.

           Spells (+20 to spell check): Charm person, comprehend languages, control fire, darkness, demon summoning, detect invisible, detect magic, dispel magic, invisibility, paralysis, scare, and scorching ray.

            Devil traits: Telepathy, immunities (weapons of less than +5 enchantment or natural attacks from creatures of 12 HD or less, fire, cold, electricity, gas, acid), projection (teleport at will to any location, as long as not bound or otherwise summoned; can project astrally and ethereally), crit range 15-20.

The Lord of the Flies is second only to Asmodeus in the infernal hierarchy, and rules the sixth and seventh planes of Hell. The sixth plane, Malbolge, is a black stone plain, filled with stinking vapors, smokes, fire pits, foul rifts, and huge caverns. The seventh plane, Maladomini, is similar, and it is there that the lava-moated castles of the horned devils and the great fortress of Baalzebul are located.

Although sometimes known as the Lord of Lies, Baalzebul delights in speaking the truth, albeit in a deceptive manner intended to lead the unwary toward erroneous conclusions which lead the unwary astray down dark and dangerous paths. This archdevil appears as a 12-foot tall man of great strength, whose head is that of an enormous horned fly with sharp-toothed humanoid jaws. His bite is venomous, causing 2d6 Stamina damage and requiring a DC 24 Fort save to avoid an agonizing death in 1d6+3 rounds.

His glance (requiring an action die) causes fear and weakness (1d4 Strength damage and Will save DC 24 or collapse in trembling, unable to take any action, so long as the gaze is maintained (using an action die each round) plus 1d4 rounds.

Baalzebul may grant the wishes of mortal creatures, keeping to the letter whilst twisting the intent to create sorrow and strife. In any event, such a wish is not granted for free, and at the very least the mortal must sell their soul to the archfiend, with a very specific date by which it must be delivered.

The ceremony to bond with Baalzebul must take place in a location swarming with biting or stinging flies.

Invoke Patron check results:

12-13     Buzzing flies surround the caster, obscuring them from their foes and providing a +2 bonus to AC for 1d6 rounds.

14-17     The caster is surrounded by biting and stinging flies to a radius of 30 feet for 1d7+CL rounds. These flies irritate opponents in their radius enough to cause them to suffer a -2 penalty to all attack rolls, skill checks, and spell checks. Further, enemy figures are targeted with a single 1d20+CL swarming attack roll which, if it beats their AC, results in 1 damage plus a Fort save (DC 10+CL) to avoid another 1d3 damage.

18-19     The caster plus equipment transforms instantly into a swarm of biting flies, gaining a +CL bonus to Reflex saves and taking only half damage from non-area effects so long as the transformation lasts. The swarm takes up a 20’ x 20’ x 20’ space and flies at a speed of 40’. The caster’s voice can be heard in the insectile drone, allowing them to cast spells as normal. In addition, the caster gains a free swarming bite attack which affects all hostile targets within the swarm’s area, doing 1 damage and requiring a Fort save (DC 12+CL) to avoid an additional 1d4 damage. The transformation lasts 1d6 turns, or until the caster willingly chooses to end it.

20-23     Do you want flies with that? Any time anyone within 300’ of the caster attempts to speak, their mouth is filled with flies, which emerge as a torrent. To even speak intelligibly requires a DC 20 Will save. Attempts to cast spells with verbal components require that this save succeeds, and even then are cast at -2d on the dice chain. The caster can exempt creatures from this effect, but, once exempted, the caster cannot reinstate the effect for that creature. This effect lasts 1d3+CL turns.

24-27     The caster is able to transform into a swarm of flies (as 18-19, above), or a single fly (+15 AC, Reflex saves, and stealth; -5 to Fortitude saves; fly 40’), or their normal form by using an action die as often as they wish for the next 1d4+CL turns.

28-29     As 24-27, above, but the benefit lasts 1d5+CL hours.

30-31     Gaining the honeyed tongue of their patron, the caster is able to imply whatever falsehood they wish, so long as they are able to do so without actually speaking a falsehood. Listeners who fail a DC 30 Will save believe the caster implicitly, although they can be persuaded that their misconception is wrong, with difficulty, and only after 1d7 days have passed. The caster keeps this power for 1d7+CL hours, or until they tell an outright falsehood (per judge).

32+         As 30-31, above, but there is no Will save to disbelieve the caster’s misdirections, victims cannot be persuaded of the truth until a fortnight (14 days) has passed, and the caster retains the power for 1d8+CL days, or until they tell an outright falsehood (per judge).