An angel of decay, also called a rot harbinger,[1] was an undead monstrosity powered by decay, a mockery of true angels.[2]
Description[]
Angels of decay resembled the celestial outsiders more by happenstance rather than design, with a vaguely humanoid form and wings. They stood about 9 ft (2.7 m) tall and weighed approximately 500‒700 lb (230‒320 kg). Their bodies were constantly rotting and streaming off liquid corruption.[2]
When they spoke they did so with a slurred, muddy voice.[3]
Abilities[]
When angels of decay stood upon the ground, the liquid corruption that they shed formed a pool around them up to 15 ft (4.6 m) in radius; this pool caused living creatures that touched to begin to decay themselves. Additionally, when angels of decay attacked with their claws and wings, their very touch caused injuries to rot.[2]
Combat[]
Rot harbingers generally preferred to fight in melee because of their decay-inducing touch,[2][1] although some were known to throw balls of necrotizing material at enemies.[1]
Ecology[]
When healthy creatures rotted and liquified in death, some indefinable essence drifted away, and the decomposing flesh radiated an energy that angels of decay "fed" upon.[2]
History[]
Angels of decay were created after a legion of angels tried to slay the demon lord Orcus while he was traveling outside of the Abyss. However, Orcus slew every last one of them instead and, when he returned to the Abyss, created the first rot harbingers as a mockery of the angels and sent them into the natural world to wreak havoc.[1]
On occasions, the goddess Shar managed to corrupt some Shards of Selûne, transforming them into angels of decay to do her bidding.[4]
Notable Angels of Decay[]
An angel of decay named Shex was a field commander for an army of undead.[3]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 223. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Andy Collins, Bruce R. Cordell (October 2004). Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 83–84. ISBN 0-7869-3433-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (2005-07-12). Vanrakdoom (Zipped PDF). Wizards of the Coast. p. 24. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved on 2009-10-07.