Babau (Ba-Bow)

Babaus also known as the Ebony Deaths, are a type of Tanar'ri Demon that serve both as assassins and recruiters to those higher above them. Unlike other Demons, they possess a shockly devilish deceptiveness that may come from their origins though this is combined with demonic bloodlust.

Appearance

Babaus stand about 6‒7 ft tall and weight around 140 lb, their height accentuated by their elongated form. Their bodies are so gaunt that they appear skeletal, covered in a form flitting, black, leathery skin. A thick, dark red paste is secreted from their odorous pores that is both slippery and acidic, but their talons specifically are coated in blood, filth, and rotten flesh, resulting in their terrible stench. Contrasting their emaciated form is their oversized extremities, as their hands, feet, and head are more appropriately scaled for a Hill Giant. Like the rest of them, their skulls are tall and long, with pointed ears and jaws filled with so many jagged teeth that they took up half its head. Hutting out from the back of their skulls is a single, long horn-like growth that cured forward and downward. A Babau's glare is particularly menacing, causing their eyes to star glowing red. Strangely for a Demon their movements is fleet and mechanical, making them somewhat alien even among Tanar'ri.

Combat

Despite their claws being whicked sharp and their love of pouncing on their victims from above, Babaus recognize the inefficieny in doing so and normally opte to use weapons, preferably two-handed ones. If outmatched, Babaus are still capable of fiercely fighting off their attackers, not only with their claws, but sometimes their teeth and horn. Babaus carefully formulate plans and concocted sly schemes in order to avoid engaining their opponents fairly, and are skilled in sneak attacks and secrecy. Normally they try to target the opponenet assessed as the biggest threat before working their way down. This way they can be free to indulge themselves by tormenting weaker foes. In warfare, Babau gangs can make excellet strike teams and are typically sent on raids or assassination missions targeting obvious champions or leaders. They are always trying to make the best use of their tarrain and allies, repostitioning themselves to exploit weaknessess in the enemy.

Behaviour

Both cautous and deceptive, Babaus will take every step to ensure their victory when on the hob. They enjoy toying with lesser opponents when it is safe enough to do so. Despite their vigilance and prepardness, they attack with vigor and savagery when they finally struck. Their more subtle sadism and stealth set them apart from their more overt Demonkin; for example their capture of targets for later torture as opposed to immediate bloodshed.

Society

The devviousness of Barbaus is a trait valued by nearly every Demon Lord within the Plane of Demons, with almost every one having a small hang of Babaus to serve as their secret agents. Espionage, sabotage, and assassination are all common tasks for them, with their cunning stratagems cimpensating for their relative weakness and deceptiveness. However they also serve another role within the Plane of Demons, roaming the layers to find low level Tanar'ri to draft into demonic armies. Barbaus corralled other Demons together in exchange for their own relative freedom, and failig to fill; the ranks with the Demons will require the Babau in question to fill it themselves. Because of the their integral position in demonic armies, Demons more powerful than them occasionally provide them with assistance, less out of loyalty than in order to futher their duites. Having superior Demons possibly arrive to watch over them is as terrifying to their assailants as it is to the Babaus. Within the Plane of Demons, they have a complex relationship with the varuous other types of Demons. They will sometimes work with Succubi who have a similar deceptive streak and be paired with Vrocks when on the battlefied. However because of their roles as recruiters, Vrocks, Hezrous and Glabrezus as well as several other lesser Demons hate them and gang up on them in order to escape service. Nalfeshnees in particular fear and loath Babus in hgreat numbers, a feeling shared by the Babaus, who have a taste for Nalfeshnee flesh.

Ecology

Discretion and wariness is rare in the Plane of Demons, the origin of the Babaus that specialize in it came down to the two of most deceptive archfiends known to the lower planes. As they story goes, the former Archdevil Graz'zt's invasion of the Plane of Demons had been put on the defensive before he eventually succumbed to its chaotic corruption and became a Demon Lord. After his failure, Archdevil Glasya, daughter of Asmodeus, was sent to continue where the known Demon Lord left off and punish him along the way. Arriving on the 1st Layer of Pazinia, the armies of the two clashed, coming to a head when Archdevil Glasya thrusted her sword through Demon Lord Graz'zt, spilling his blood everywhere. In an unexpected turn of events, not only did he survive the attack, but his blood splatters animated, becoming the first Babaus helped to rout Archdevil Glasya. The sudden, abrupt appearance of the new demon breed secured Demon Lord Graz'zt position as a great Demon Lord and a vast majority are still loyal to him.

In-Game Stats

Volo's Guide to Monsters

Babau CR: 4

Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil

Armor Class: 16 (Natural Armor)

Hit Points: 82 (11d8 + 33)

Speed: 40 ft

STR

19 +4

DEX

16 +3

CON

16 +3

INT

11 +0

WIS

12 +1

CHA

13 +1

Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +5

Damage Resistances: Cold, Fire, Lighting; Bludgeoning, Piercing and Slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 120ft., Passive Perception 15

Languages: Abyssal

Challenge Rating: 4

Innate Spellcasting: The Babau's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 11). The Babau can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: Darkness, Dispel Magic, Fear, Heat Metal, Levitate

Actions

Multiattack: The Babau makes two melee attacks. It can also use Weakening Gaze before or after makingg these attacks.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Spear: Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft. or range 20/60ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage or 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage when used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Weakening Gaze: The Babau targets one creature that it can see within 20ft of it. The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target deals only half damage with weapons attacks that use Strength for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a succes.

Scientific Name

Tanar'ri Demon

Geographic Distribution

• The Plane of Demons