Devil, Gorson the Blood Duke

Family: Devils

Large fiend (devil), lawful evil

Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 218 (19d10 + 114)
Speed 50 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 15 (+2) 23 (+6) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 20 (+5)

Saving Throws Intelligence +10, Wisdom +11, Charisma +12
Skills Acrobatics +9, Arcana +10, Athletics +13, Perception +18, Stealth +9
Damage Resistances acid, cold
Damage Immunities fire, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren’t silvered
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 28
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Giant, Goblin, Infernal; telepathy 100 ft.
Challenge 21 (33,000 XP)

Special Traits

  • Innate Spellcasting. Gorson’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks). It can cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
  • Keen Smell. Gorson has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
  • Legendary Resistance (3/day). If Gorson fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
  • Magic Resistance. The devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
  • Magic Weapon. The devil’s weapon attacks are magical.
  • Pounce. If Gorson moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 21 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, Gorson can make one claw attack or one battleaxe attack as a bonus action against it.
  • Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, Gorson can long jump up to 50 feet.

Actions

  • Multiattack. Gorson makes two attacks with its claw, and then two battleaxe attacks or two slam attacks. If it uses the battleaxe two-handed, it can’t also make claw attacks that turn.
  • Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d8 + 6) slashing damage, or 28 (4d10 + 6) slashing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
  • Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (4d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
  • Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (4d6 + 6) slashing damage.
  • Summon (1/day). Gorson summons 2d6 bearded devils, 2d4 barbed devils, 1 bone devil, or 1 erinyes. The summoned devil appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of Gorson, but can’t summon other devils. It remains for 1 minute, until it or Gorson is slain, or until Gorson takes an action to dismiss it.

Legendary Actions

Gorson can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Gorson regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

  • Jump. Gorson leaps up to 25 feet in any direction without provoking attacks of opportunity.
  • Rake (Costs 2 Actions). Gorson rakes its forepaws at one prone creature within 5 feet, attacking twice with its claw attack.
  • Ferocious Roar (Costs 3 Actions). Gorson releases a thunderous roar, audible out to 100 feet. Allies of Gorson who can hear it gain 19 (4d6 + 5) temporary hit points. Hostile creatures must make a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the target takes 19 (4d6 + 5) psychic damage and is frightened for 1 minute. On a successful saving throw, the target takes half damage and is not frightened. While frightened, the target must drop whatever it is holding and use its action to Dash away from Gorson. A creature who succeeds on the saving throw, or for whom the effect ends, is immune to Gorson’s Ferocious Roar for 24 hours.

About

This centaur-like creature is at least twice as long as a human and stands about 8 feet tall. Its lower body is that of a great golden lion and its upper body is a coal-black humanoid with glaring crimson eyes. Its manelike hair is thick, long, and dark brown, and the creature wears it draped over its broad shoulders and down its massive back. Its mouth is lined with sharpened fangs and its arms end in large, powerful hands. Splatters of dried and caked blood can be seen in the creature’s mane and fur.

The Blood Duke, Gorson, is a great lion-bodied humanoid that serves Great Mammon as 2nd general of his infernal army. Gorson leads 5 legions of barbed devils in service to his lord. Gorson is called “The Lion” for his ferocity in battle and his general appearance. He often takes the entrails of those he has slain and makes a necklace, wrapping it around his neck or entwining them in his bloody mane-like hair.

Gorson stands 8 feet tall and is 12 feet long. He weighs 1,200 pounds.

Gorson usually begins combat by leaping on a foe and rending it to pieces with his forepaws and rear claws. Those that survive this onslaught are subjected to a massive assault by his great battleaxe. Gorson attacks relentlessly and only stops when all foes are dead. Those that attempt to flee are run down and slaughtered.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Horrors © 2018, Frog God Games, LLC; Authors: Kevin Baase, Erica Balsley, John “Pexx” Barnhouse, Christopher Bishop, Casey Christofferson, Jim Collura, Andrea Costantini, Jayson ‘Rocky’ Gardner, Zach Glazar, Meghan Greene, Scott Greene, Lance Hawvermale, Travis Hawvermale, Ian S. Johnston, Bill Kenower, Patrick Lawinger, Rhiannon Louve, Ian McGarty, Edwin Nagy, James Patterson, Nathan Paul, Patrick N. Pilgrim, Clark Peterson, Anthony Pryor, Greg Ragland, Robert Schwalb, G. Scott Swift, Greg A. Vaughan, and Bill Webb