Retriever

Imagine a black-shelled spider the size of an elephant, with six insect eyes. Its four hind legs bear its weight; the front four end in heavy cleaver blades never used for walking. Despite its bloated bulk it is frighteningly quick and nimble. It cannot speak, but it often clicks and whispers in almost-words.

Each round it can chop with all four blades for 3d6 apiece. Its mandibles hold rather than bite: if two or more blades hit one man-sized target, the retriever automatically pins that victim in its jaws with an effective 21 Strength.

Four smaller eyes each project a ray: fire, cold, lightning, or flesh to stone. Up to two fire per round, never in a round with physical attacks, and a spent eye recharges for 6 rounds. Victims of the three energy rays save vs. breath weapon for half damage; against petrification a successful save vs. petrification means the target is only slowed for 1d6+2 rounds.

Any weapon hurts it, but wounds from nonmagical or silver weapons regenerate at 2 hp per round. Creatures below 4 HD who see one must save vs. spell or flee in terror for 2-12 rounds. Charm, sleep, enfeeblement and other spells aimed at living creatures work on it normally.

Demon lords of the Abyss make retrievers as enforcers, usually to fetch foes or errant servants for punishment. One pursues its orders until it succeeds or dies, and without orders it simply waits near its maker's stronghold. It likes to add petty cruelties to its work, but obedience comes first. Retrievers may enter any plane at will and travel the Abyss unhindered; only the strongest, boldest tanar'ri interfere with one on duty.

Like golems, retrievers are shaped from Abyssal matter and quickened by an evil spirit, so they never eat, sleep or breed. Few demon lords can build them. The two-headed prince of demons is believed to have made the first, modeled on the bebilith, or 'creeper of the Abyss.' Zhar'vesh and Ossaruk also command retrievers, possibly gifts from that prince in exchange for favors.