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While Netflix’s smash hit Stranger Things may have brought the word “Demogorgon” into the popular nomenclature, this fearsome entity isn’t a product of 2010s TV studies. The Demogorgon has been terrorizing Dungeons & Dragons players for nearly five decades.

But unlike its pop culture namesake, the true D&D Demogrogon is far more than just a predatory monster – it’s the self-proclaimed Prince of Demons, a being of such immense power and complexity that even other demons lords thi nk twice before challenging its rule.

Standing at an impressive 18 feet tall, the Demogrogon boasts two baboon-like heads on top of a hybrid body combining an ape and reptile. Instead of arms, this beast features tentacles – a deadly combination that displays the darker side of fantasy (and that conflicts go deeper than the battlefield.

You see, it’s those two heads – Aameul, the calculating schemer, and Hethradiah, the savage destroyer – that make up the duality of the Demogrogon. It’s not just a monster to be fought but a much more complex entity with internal struggles that shape the nature of the Abyss itself.

The best way to experience the Demogorgon? Taking it on in VTT! Roll20 is your go-to source for virtual tabletop gaming, with easy-to-use tools that make running your game a breeze. Create an account today and start playing now!

The Prince of Demons: A Study in Duality

Never thought your D&D adventures would take you down the paths of madness and psychological horror? The Demogorgon is happy to oblige – both physically and mentally.

Imagine a being with the muscular torso of a great ape, but where arms should dbe, writhing tentacles extend – each capable of rotting away anything they touch. Below the waist, the form shifts to that of a massive reptile, with scaled legs ending in webbed, clawed feet. A massive forked tail – capable of draining the very life force from those it strikes – rounds out this horrible figure.

If the fearsome body doesn’t strike fear, the dual heads surely will. The two baboon-like heads aren’t just duplicates. They are the physical manifestation of Demogrogon’s split nature:

  • Aameul (the left head): The calculating strategist, master of deception and manipulation. This personality works through subtle corruption and carefully laid plans, preferring to twist minds rather than crush bodies.
  • Hethradiah (the right head): The savage destroyer, driven by primal fury and the desire for immediate violence. This aspect of Demogorgon embodies pure destructive chaos.

This duality is both the Demogorgon’s greatest strength and its most substantial weakness. When they work in concert, few wings in the multiverse can stand against its power. But their duality often leads to conflict – with each trying to assert dominance over the other. 

It’s this internal conflict wrapped in such power that makes Demogorgon such a fascinating antagonist. Unlike other demon lords – who are often mere agents of destruction - Demogorgon is the self-destructive nature of evil itself. 

The Origin Of The Demogorgon

Long before it became a staple of D&D adventures, the Demogrogon actually has its roots in real-world lore. There’s even mention of the name “Demogorgon “ appearing in misinterpreted Greek manuscripts as well as Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” But it’s D&D that gave the entity its now-iconic form and cemented its place in fantasy storytelling.

The Demogorgon first appeared in D&D in 1976 and started off as a relatively normal (and immensely powerful) monster. But its days of guarding treasure in a dark pit were short – over time, the Demogoron took on even more depth.

Two distinct origin stories vie for dominance in D&D lore, each offering a different perspective on how this being came to be:

The Queen’s Rejection

In one version, Demogorgon was a creation of the Queen of Chaos – one of the oldest beings in existence. But where others saw deformity, the Demogorgon saw strength and eventually proved itself more powerful than the “perfect” demons the Queen created after rejecting it. This is the origin of its eternal feud with Orcus, the Queen’s idealized creation.

The Primordial Split

The second origin has Demogorgon as an ancient primordial being who originally had one head. During a cosmic battle with Amoth, a now-dead god of justice, Demogorgon’s head was split in two – creating the dual nature that would define it forever after. Instead of weakening it, this “wound” made Demogorgon even more powerful.

Modern Evolution

In D&D 5th Edition, Demogorgon has evolved far beyond being just a powerful monster. It’s now a complex entity whose influence spans multiple planes of existence. Its realm, the 88th layer of the Abyss known as the Gaping Maw, reflects its dual nature – a place where raging seas meet quiet, deadly jungles and where twin towers shaped like skulls pierce the sky.

Demogorgon in D&D 5E

So, what makes the Demogorgon such a formidable opponent? It starts with the mechanics built into the monster’s setup – creating the perfect balance of physical strength and psychological manipulation.

Base Statistics

The Demogorgon has 464 hit points and an armor class of 22 – making the Demon Prince built for long battles. Its physical attributes are phenomenal, with a Strength of 29 (+9) that reflects its physical might. 

 

But it's not just brute force – a Charisma of 25 (+7) and Intelligence of 20 (+5) show that this is a being of cunning, presence, and power.

Defensive Capabilities

When you aren’t running from the monster, trying actually land damage is a feat in itself. The Demogorgon has:

  • Natural immunities to poison and nonmagical weapons
  • Resistance to cold, fire, and lightning damage
  • Legendary Resistance (3/day) to simply decide to succeed on failed saves
  • Magic Resistance gives advantage on saves against spells
  • The Two Heads ability provides advantage against several debilitating conditions

Offensive Attacks

The Prince of Demons has several ways to destroy its enemies:

Basic Attacks:

  • Tentacle strikes that not only deal significant force damage (3d12 + 9) but can permanently reduce a target's hit point maximum
  • A tail attack that combines bludgeoning and necrotic damage

Gaze Attacks:

Perhaps most terrifying is Demogorgon's gaze, which can:

  • Stun targets
  • Create confusion
  • Take control of enemies' actions

Spellcasting:

A full arsenal of spells that don't require material components, including:

  • At will: detect magic, major image
  • 3/day: dispel magic, fear, telekinesis
  • 1/day: feeblemind, project image

Tactical Implications

With a Challenge Rating of 26 and worth 90,000 XP, Demogorgon represents one of the deadliest encounters possible in D&D 5E. Its combination of high-damage attacks, battlefield control through gazes, and utility spellcasting makes it a threat that requires careful planning and coordination to challenge effectively.

Quick Tips for Running Demogorgon

If you’re ready to try and run the Demogorgon on your next adventure, here are our top tips to make the most of the monster:

  • Build tension by spreading rumors of cultist activity and leaving clues about demonic influence long before the Demogorgon appears – letting players start to connect the dots.
  • Lean into the dual personality mechanic by having the two heads argue during combat. For example, Aameul might want to charm players, while Hethradiah just wants to destroy anything and everything in their path.
  • Save Legendary Resistances for the big spells that could wreck your encounter – like Banishment or Force Cage – rather than using them on minor debuffs.
  • Build environments that can showcase Demogorgon's versatility – such as using water features for its swim speed and elevated platforms for tactical positioning.
  • Have lower-level parties? Introduce aspects or avatars of the Demogorgon to slowly bring the power to the story.

Bring the Prince of Demons to Your Virtual Tabletop with Roll20

The Demogorgon will always be one of D&D’s most iconic monsters, and bringing this demon prince to life on Roll20 opens up so many opportunities to create unique stories. Our dynamic lighting features bring Demogorgon fights to life, and our token markers let you track the various status effects from devastating gaze attacks with ease.

With the complete stat block available in Roll20's compendium and the ability to set up macros for its complex attack routines, you can focus on the storytelling while letting the virtual tabletop handle the mechanics.

Remember, subscribers can access our full suite of Demogorgon tokens and themed maps in the Roll20 Marketplace, perfect for crafting that climactic showdown with the Prince of Demons. Now go forth and unleash some two-headed chaos on your unsuspecting players!

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