Demons, also known as tanar’ri, are one of the most common and diverse types of fiends in Dungeons & Dragons. They are chaotic evil beings that inhabit the Abyss, a plane of infinite layers that is constantly changing and expanding. Demons are born from the raw stuff of chaos and evil, and they seek to spread destruction and suffering across the multiverse. They have no loyalty or hierarchy, and they often fight among themselves for power and territory. However, they also pose a great threat to other planes, especially when they are led by their powerful rulers, the demon lords.
Demons come in many shapes and sizes, each with their own abilities and traits. Some of the most well-known demons include balors, hezrous, mariliths, vrocks, and dretches. Demons are resistant to most forms of damage, except for cold iron and radiant energy. They can also speak and understand Abyssal, a harsh and guttural language that reflects their nature.
In Sigil, the streets teem with denizens of a thousand planes, and each claims to have visited a thousand more. In every back-alley gambling haunt in the Lower Ward, in half the tiefling halfway houses, in the incense-heavy air of vapor shops where old men debate weird philosophies, tales pass back and forth. Those tales debate the absolutes of the Outer Planes, the greatest and least, loftiest and most base, best and worst. Every tale that turns upon the worst inevitably stops with the place of despair, the infinite bleak layers that represent the suffering and toil of existence made tangible. There chaos and hopelessness reign.
There in the Abyss, where others endure endless torment, the tanar’ri thrive.
Like the baatezu, tanar’ri are fiends (lower planar creatures of enormous power), but they embody evil of a different type. Baatezu, lawful evil beings, pursue calculated doctrines as part of a grand plan to advance their race to dominion of all the planes. Most baatezu tempt mortals into intellectual evils such as pride, ambition, and subversion. Tanar’ri, chaotic evil personified, are motivated not by doctrines but by insane, violent inner drives. They tempt mortals into crimes of passion and vice, evils of appetite. Less intelligent tanar’ri often attack without question and fight until slain. True and greater tanar’ri roam the Astral and Ethereal planes, driven ceaselessly to seek fresh victims.
In this page, you will learn more about the history, culture, ecology, and combat tactics of demons in D&D. You will also find out how to play as a demon or a demon hunter, and how to use demons as villains or allies in your adventures. Whether you are a fan of horror, fantasy, or dark humor, you will find something to enjoy in the world of demons.