Imp

Imps were vicious, manipulative fiends that comprised the least powerful ranks of the infernal legions. They were considered minor, non-baatezu devils, serving as tempters and lackeys to mortals whom devils wanted groomed to the side of evil.

Description
Although they could alter their form into that of any tiny animal, an imp normally appeared as a tiny, red-skinned humanoid with a pair of black wings and a long tail ending in a stinger containing a deadly poison. They stood about 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall and weighed only 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).

Personality
Imps delighted in the opportunity to leave the Nine Hells and tempt mortals to evil.

Society
Imps frequently acted as manipulators in mortal lands, tempting the greedy, gullible, or foolish into maliciously manipulative acts so as to corrupt them, ensuring a continuous supply of souls for the archdevils in the Nine Hells. While physically weak compared to some lesser devils, imps were envied as the successful temptation of mortals to acts of evil was one of the surest paths to further promotions.

In addition to serving more powerful devils or evil spellcasters, imps were found in service to Deep Duerra, the duergar goddess.

Many evil spellcasters could be found with an imp in their company, serving as a familiar. Once this was done, the imps would immediately attempt to take control of their "master's" actions, via a telepathic link.

Varieties
Bloodbag imp • Euphoric imp • Filth imp • Shadow imp

Notable Imps

 * Druzil
 * Invidoo
 * Cespenar

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Curse of the Shadowmage • King Pinch • Canticle • In Sylvan Shadows • The Fallen Fortress • The Chaos Curse • Passage to Dawn • Sword Play • Charon's Claw • Soldiers of Ice • The City of Ravens
 * Computer games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn • Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal • Icewind Dale • Neverwinter Nights • Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark • Neverwinter Nights 2 • Neverwinter