Chain Devil [Lesser Baatezu]

A chain devil is a disembodied devil's soul, invisible and insubstantial, able to pass through solid matter like an ethereal being. Detect invisibility or similar magic reveals a scaly, clawed, winged beast, but that frightening image is only a pose; while bodiless it has little power and cannot touch the material world.

In spirit form it can neither attack nor be harmed, and it lacks the usual baatezu powers and resistances, which stay with its body in the hells. It can, however, use ventriloquism, cantrip, audible glamer, and affect normal fires three times a day each to haunt mortals and build dread.

Possession is its true weapon, used to spy, spread plagues, sow confusion, or murder hosts. An attempt takes 1 round, and the target saves vs. spell at -1 per Hit Die of the devil. A target who resists feels a sudden chill or foreboding, and the devil must wait 24 hours to try again. Success gives it total control of the body, though not the host's memories or skills. The trapped mind stays aware and gets a new save each day, adjusted by Wisdom magical defense, to expel the intruder.

A possessed host may levitate at will and gains +2 Strength (19 at most). Each turn the devil can also spit bile-coated needles at a target within 10 feet for 1d8, plus 1d6+1 more unless the target saves vs. poison; otherwise it gets one attack per round with whatever weapon is handy. At any time it may inflict cause disease on the host at a strength it chooses, with a 25% chance of contagion. Dealing damage equal to its hit points to the host drives it out but often kills the victim. Holy water hurts only the devil, and exorcise is the surest cure.

These are devils being punished for crimes against nobles of the hells. Their bodies are bound in magic circles and tortured for 666 nights, after which the souls flee the ruined husks and are hurled into the mortal world until their sentences end. The agony follows them and fades only when they make mortals suffer, so they are eager to possess and wreak havoc.

They are drawn from the lesser ranks, usually scaled devils, barbazu, and hamatula, and form no society. Most act alone and choose victims quickly and at random. Infernal agents in the mortal world, including servants of the archfiend who rules the hells, sometimes conscript them for particular missions.