Nalfeshnee

Nalfeshnees, were type IV tanar'ri demons, that acted as the ruling authority for many beings within the Abyss. They were the slothful and gluttonous creatures that acted as the nobility of the Abyss, bickering amongst each other for control of small fiefdoms with pretensions of being refined rulers.

Description
Nalfeshnees were repulsive demons that towered over most other demonic entities standing at least 10 feet (3.04 meters) tall. Most however stood over 20 feet (6.09 meters) tall and weighed a gargantuan 8,000 lbs (3628.73 kg) with some being even more massive. They had small, feathered wings, greatly undersized compared to their rotund figures, that despite their flimsy appearance enabled nalfeshnees to fly. Among the most hideous of demonic powers, their bodies were most generously described as corpulent, combining the most abysmal features of a boar and ape into a bipedal monstrosity. Nalfeshnee did not so much walk as they did waddle, when they were not simply flying. Their glowing red eyes looked hungrily at most mortals they came across.

Personality
Behind their swinish exterior, both in appearance and behavior, nalfeshnee possessed a dangerous intellect. Other beings were placed within three categories by nalfeshnee, "fit to eat", "fit to use", and "fit to serve". Creatures a nalfeshnee would consume included animals, lesser demons, and most humanoid races.They did not conduct negotiations with these beings, the same as most people would not converse with their food. Among a nalfeshnees preferred foods were terrified beings, and halflings.

The second group were beings that had more worth outside a nalfeshnee's stomach than within it. Powerful humanoids, certain demons, gnomes, immortals, insects (including arachnids), and elemental creatures were in this category. Although some entities within this category were of no use to a nalfeshnee they were simply inedible.

Beings worthy of a nalfeshnee's servitude would have to be far greater than the nalfeshnhee itself, a position reserved for demon lords, primordials or powerful elementals, and balors. The true spinelessness of a nalfeshnee was only revealed when in contact with one of these entities. Normally nalfeshnee employed cutlery, regardless of condition, in an attempt to appear dignified and renounced combat as being underneath them. In the presence of a more powerful being this facade melted away into a whinging, sycophantic wretch that bowed and scraped to their masters without shame. Although their intellects often rivaled that of balors, causing them to view themselves as superior, they obeyed them in recognition of the gap in strength. When their masters were not present nalfeshnee would not hesitate to secretly foil their plans, or embarrass them. Nalfeshnee carried no great regard for the Blood War, and would sabotage their balor masters even if it worsened the side of demons overall. Nalfeshnees acted as the servitors of the Abyss. In their minds, nalfeshnees saw themselves enacting the "justice of the universe" by bringing about the destruction of everything.

Abilities
With claws and teeth nalfeshnee were capable of brutality in the heat of battle but like other tanar'ri, they could summon fellow tanar'ri to aid them when needed. These could be demons as powerful as glabrezu, hezrou or even another nalfeshnee if need be. Despite their bloated bodies they could easily, if clumsily, navigate the battlefield with their wings, if not their teleportation powers.Their truesight prevented all they judged from visually hiding anything with illusions or other means of deception. A small array of somewhat variable spells were at the hands of the nalfeshnees, such as lightning bolt, that assisted both in judgement and battle. other ability most commonly used by nalfeshnee was their specialized smite ability, otherwise known as a horror nimbus. With enough time between uses, nalfeshnee could could create an unholy nimbus of light around the nearby vicinity, firing scintillating beams of light from across the color spectrum. Those struck by this light were put in a daze, surrounded by visions of their worst nightmares.

Combat
Although they put on airs of being above brawling, nalfeshnee were demons with a near irresistible bloodlust. When they deemed it acceptable they would engage in battle, smiting their foes with their nightmarish nimbus ability before ruthlessly savaging them while they were dazed. While physically dangerous they were more likely to be found on the battlefield soaring above the masses to target more easily defeated foes When in the middle of combat they used their telepathic abilities to bark orders at their inferiors, all the while terrifying their enemies.

Society
Nalfeshnee were best known for their roles as the judges of the Abyss, processing damned souls from the Mountain of Woe and punishing them as appropriate. Atop their flaming thrones they were the ones responsible for turning many petitioners into larvae, manes, or other lesser demons depending on whether food, slaves, or slave food was most needed. Although lesser demons were more common transformations, nalfeshnee could turn petitioners into demons such as chasme immediately. They did not normally function as commanders, but were said to decide the make up of Abyssal armies, with some claims even being that they could promote and demote demonic generals, thus altering the path of the Blood War.

Nalfeshnee despite their love of food possessed reasonable self control. They often obtained food from the Prime Material Plane and stored it within their pantries rather than simply eating it immediately. This food was later consumed in elaborate feasts with other nalfeshnee.

Ecology
The process by which nalfeshnee created demons was a horrific one that befitted their voracious nature. As well as flesh, nalfeshnee consumed negative emotions such as misery and rage out of those they saw. Feelings like these were consumed in tandem with life force, leaving the husks of the former victims were left full of empty thoughts. Afterwards the drained shells were transformed into tanar'ri in torturous ceremonies.

Notable Nalfeshnees

 * Nalfeshnee, the strongest nalfeshnee for which the race was named.
 * Zerevimeel, summoned by Quenthel Baenre in 1373 DR.
 * Orcus, was rumored to have once have been a nalfeshnee.
 * Gardener, was a nalfeshnee that protected the vast expanse of the Drooling Jungle from interference by outside forces, like a farmer protecting his land from vermin.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Resurrection
 * Archmage
 * Archmage