Amduscias (Dungeons & Dragons)

Amduscias is a powerful unique baatezu in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

Amduscias is a duke in the service of Tiamat, and leads 29 companies of abishai. He lives on Avernus, the first layer of Baator. He is famous for his long memory, and almost as well known for his cunning strategies. He has also earned the moniker “Reconciliator of Foes,” by being a skillful actor and negotiator. Tiamat often employs him to mediate disputes between devils and dragons. Amduscias is also tasked with keeping the Rabble of Devilkin in line.

Amduscias usually appears as a 9-foot tall hawk-headed man wearing dark red or black robes, and never wears armor. He can also change into two distinct forms. He can resemble a dirty-yellow unicorn with eyes of flame, and a purple horn that causes terrible bleeding wounds. He can bolt from a standing start, and some say that whenever horses spook or gallop uncontrollably, Amduscias has affected them. He also likes to take the form of a dire wolf with a prehensile tail like that of a serpent.

Amduscias prefers to fight in his wolf form. He can use all of his attacks on as many targets as he wishes. One favorite tactic is to constrict a foe with his tail and immerse the victim in water to drown, batter the victim against a rock, or use whatever advantage he can gain with the tail. In human form, he dual-wields two small weapons of his choice (such as daggers or darts), and likes to point at a victim to affect with his fear ability.

Amduscias can speak with any creature that has a language.

Amduscias is inspired by the real-life Amdusias.

References

• Greenwood, Ed. "The Nine Hells Part I." Dragon #75 (TSR, Jul 1983).

• Laws, Robin D , Schwalb, Robert J. Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).