Gelugon [Greater Baatezu]

A gelugon is a 12-foot horror built like an upright insect, with hooked claws on all four limbs, mandible pincers at the mouth, and a swollen head packed with faceted eyes. Its thick tail bristles with razor spikes and gives off a bitter chill.

It rarely bothers with weapons. Its 18/76 Strength (+4 damage) powers four attacks a round, each free to target a different foe: claws for 1d4 apiece, pincers for 2d4, tail for 3d4. The tail's cold numbs flesh, and its victim saves vs. paralyzation or locks up for 1d6 rounds. One gelugon in four wields a long spear (2d6 plus Strength bonus) whose wounds force a save vs. paralyzation against being slowed for 2d4 rounds.

Beyond the shared baatezu powers it has wall of ice, fly, detect magic, polymorph self, and a permanent detect invisibility. It sees in total darkness, regenerates 2 hp per round, and wears a 1-foot fear aura (save vs. rod, staff, or wand or flee for 1 round). Once daily each, it may summon 2-12 barbazu (50%), 2-8 osyluths (35%), or 1-2 gelugons (20%). If a gelugon force is losing, there is a 25% chance a pit fiend joins in.

Only pit fiends outrank them. They are the sole devils native to the frozen eighth layer, which other baatezu visit grudgingly, and sitting one step above the infernal core earns them deep trust. Uniquely, gelugons both lead and fill their layer's armies; how leaders are chosen is unknown. A shaft in their realm holds the sole gateway down to the ninth layer's fortress, watched by 9,999 gelugons at all times.

Gelugons arise only by promotion. To climb further, one must serve 777 flawless years, since any blemish disqualifies it, and then survive 1,001 days of torture in the pit of flame before emerging as a pit fiend.