Baphomet

 Baphomet

Baphomet (pronounced: /bɑːˈfoʊmɛt/ ba-FOM-et or: /ˈbɑːfʌmɛt/ BAF-u-met or: /ˈbɑːfoʊmɛt/ BAF-oh-met) is a demon lord who rules a layer of the Abyss called the Endless Maze. He is the Prince of Beasts and the Demon Lord of Minotaurs.

Description

Baphomet has the appearance of a 12-foot-tall humanoid with a bull's head, a bovine tail, and broad, stubby hands and feet. His body is covered with coarse black hair and his horns curve downward and outward. He wields a giant bardiche. Baphomet can spit out gouts of unholy water.

History

It has been suggested that Baphomet began his existence as a mortal creature, though it is unclear whether he was a beast that lived as a man or a man who lived as a beast. It has also been suggested that he was cursed by the gods for daring to treat them like cattle, and thus banished to the Abyss. In any case, Baphomet reveled in his power, seeing the curse more as a blessing. By the Year of the Prince, 1357 DR, he had been captured by an alliance between Yeenoghu and Orcus and resides as prisoner in Orcus' layer.

Relationships

Deities

Baphomet hates Yeenoghu, and the two are bitter enemies. They have warred against each other for as long as they can remember, although both have forgotten the origin of their feud. Baphomet's other enemies include the demon lord Graz'zt, who had imprisoned him for some time, and the Demon Queen of Harpies Ardat. The hatred between Baphomet and Yeenoghu started as an alliance. Both lords had allied to invade an elven kingdom, but were eventually pushed back by the elves, Bahamut, and an alliance of good dragons. Both demon lords blamed the other for the defeat. 
Baphomet has an unusual relationship (for tanar'ri) with Pale Night, who shares his lair. The two are neighbors with what amounts to an unofficial noninterference pact, as Pale Night's influence does not really extend much further than the edges of her plateau. Though they have never joined forces to accomplish a goal, it is possible that any attempt to lay siege to the holdings of one would provoke the other.

Worshipers

Baphomet has a multitude of minotaur, ogre, and giant followers and minions. He is also served by ghour demons, a race of demons resembling burly, hairless minotaurs that command troops of these mortal minions. He seeks to use them to further his schemes, notably to gain the upper hand in his battles against Yeenoghu. A multitude of other twisted creatures revere Baphomet as well, some becoming his thralls, and if they please their bestial patron, they may be granted rulership of a portion of the Endless Maze. Those who displease Baphomet are eaten.

Cult of Baphomet

Baphomet has increasingly attracted a following amongst minotaurs. A multitude of other twisted creatures rever Baphomet as well, some becoming his thralls, and if they please their bestial patron, they may be granted rulership of a portion of the Endless Maze. Those who displease Baphomet eaten, of course.

Realm

Baphomet's realm is the Endless Maze, the 600th layer of the Abyss, supposedly infinite in size. Here, Baphomet dwells in his palace, the Lyktion, and spends his time creating various new demonic breeds in his infamous Tower of Science. Some of his more successful creations are the goristroi, the bulezaus, the ghours, and the feral ankashars. Baphomet can grant spells as a lesser deity. His symbol is a twisted circular maze awash in blood.

Dogma

Baphomet is the embodiment of savagery, an insidious force that worms its way into the heart of his followers to deceive them into embracing brutality.