Phraxas

MASTER OF KHIN-OIN AND NOMINAL RULER Of the Blood Rift, Phraxas the Decayed commands considerable power and authority. To the demons of the rift and the Wasting Tower, he is the Lord of Misery and Despair—worshiped in fear and revered as a god. Phraxas appears as a gaunt, ghoulish creature draped in moldering gray robes. His skin is covered with ulcers and oozing pustules, and his eyes glow red from deep in their sockets.

Lore
Phraxas was not the first master of Khin-Oin, and he has held control of the Wasting Tower more than once. Though he reclaimed the great throne known as the Siege Malicious only a century ago, Phraxas has ruled Khin-Oin for nearly three millennia all together, far longer than any of his predecessors. Since resuming power, Phraxas has worked tirelessly to complete two primary objectives: recovering a legendary artifact known as the Staff of the Lower Planes, and completing the construction of the Tower of Incarnate Pain on the boundary of the Blood Rift and Pazunia. A project started under his predecessor Mydianchlarus, the tower is designed to channel power between itself, Khin-Oin, and the ancient Tower of the Arcanaloths on the Plain of a Thousand Portals. This flow of abyssal energy is intended to trigger a planar nexus, channeling virtually unlimited power into the Siege Malicious. See "The Blood Rift" (page 50) and "The Wasting Tower" delve (page 88) for more information on the rift, Khin-Oin, and Phraxas.

Encounters
Though he trusts no one, Phraxas maintains a small circle of baernaloth viziers as his personal guard. Baernaloths are tall, gaunt demons with horned heads resembling the skulls of rams or cattle. Their glazed eyes run with sickly yellow fluid and their gray skin is stretched tight across their bones. It was through their invaluable service that Phraxas was able to discern the whereabouts and weaknesses of his most formidable enemies on his path to reclaiming the rule of Khin-Oin.

Combat
The forces of Khin-Oin are at Phraxas's command, but the master of the VVasting Tower seeks any opportunity to face off against foes in direct combat. A paragon of sadism even among his own kind, Phraxas commands his baernaloth viziers to spread their attacks around—inflicting maximum pain but stopping short of killing their opponents. Knowing that few creatures apart from deities and other demon lords can challenge him, Phraxas relishes using vile compulsion to command enemies to attack their own allies. A master tacticEncounter demon lord always has backup forces and escape plans at the ready.

Secrets
Phraxas spent the better part of the last age hunting down and slaying those demon lords he considered rivals to his claim for Khin-Oin, assuming the guise of other demon lords to accomplish his assassinations. Amassing power as he went, the Lord of Misery then marched on the Wasting Tower and cWasting its master, Mydianchlarus, for control of the Siege Malicious. Though Mydianchlarus was slain, Phraxas was thwarted in his attempt to wholly destroy his hated foe. The Sepulcher of Mydianchlarus (page 50) now lingers as a burning reminder of Phraxas's broken reign.

Cult
As a hallmark of their faith, mortal servants of Phraxas are afflicted with diseases that give them a ghoulish, disfigured appearance. Cultists gather in dark shrines called conventicles, where they perform rituals and blood sacrifices in their master's name. Phraxas's cultists revile health, youth, beauty, and innocence, and creatures that possess such qualities are rarely found among the demon lord's followers. Cult priests, known as degogs, dress in crimson robes with black hoods and sashes. The most favored of Phraxas's mortal servants are raised to the station of archdegog, and they are occasionally chosen to serve as the vessel for one of Phraxas's aspects.

Out of Combat
Supplicants seeking boons or favors of Phraxas journey to the Wasting Tower by the thousands. These faithful are dealt with by the demon lord's archdegogs and viziers. His fear of challenge means that Phraxas spends his time guarding the Siege Malicious, meeting with only a small circle of his most trustworthy followers. Other creatures that come face to face with the demon lord find themselves engaged in combat in short order.