A yochlol (pronounced: /ˈjɑːxlɑːl/ YAKH-lal[9] 
listen) was a type of lesser tanar'ri demon that served as "handmaidens" to Lolth, the drow goddess of chaos.[4][7]
Description
Yochlols had four forms available to them: humanoid, spider, ooze, and gaseous. In their natural form they appeared as a six-foot-tall, eight-tentacled blob of melted wax that continually emitted a foul stench. They also had the power to change their shape—usually to a comely drow female (although other elves and humans were also possible) or to a large spider. They could also change into a gaseous form, allowing their unknowing victims to inhale them, and then suffocate. All forms were immune to poison and electricity.[4]
Personality
Like all tanar'ri, yochlols were chaotic evil creatures. They relished dominating other creatures. They were cruel and enjoyed a good battle. Summoned yochlols were compelled to faithfully serve one deed to their summoner, but they took special delight in escaping the control of those who summoned them and wandering about free about the Prime Material Plane, causing chaos. Yochlols used various forms as disguises to carry out cunning ploys and evil subterfuges to turn beings to chaos and evil (or, occasionally, to randomly provide acts of kindness to mortals). Unless enemies of Lolth were present, yochlols did not engage in killing sprees or frenzies of mindless violence. Yochlol often hissed, whispered, or screamed when in combat, even telling their opponents their names, so that should the victim escape, he or she would fear the return of the yochlol.[6]
Combat
Yochlols had psionic abilities that allowed them to dominate others and read their thoughts. In spider form, they had a poisonous bite.[4]
Two of the yochlol's forms.
Society
The yochlols' natural home was the Demonweb Pits. Only high priestesses of the Queen of Spiders were told how to summon a yochlol to the Prime Material Plane. They were only supposed to be called upon in dire need or to witness sacrifices in the name of their dark goddess. All yochlol served Lolth and worked surprisingly well together. One yochlol would never betray, endanger, or attack another. All yochlols shared a telepathic bond with each other and Lolth herself.[6]
Yochlols were also used as a channel of communication to and from the Abyss.[4] Lolth used yochlols to spy on the drow and ensure they were worshiping her properly.[10]
History
Lloth created the yochlol from succubi that she captured from layers of the Abyss. She never revealed how she transformed the succubi into yochlols, but when the process was completed, the yochlol remembered nothing of its former life and was completely loyal to their new mistress.[citation needed]
A yochlol was the one to tell the drow to settle Menzoberranzan.[11]
In 1357 DR, during the attack of the drow on Mithral Hall, a yochlol was summoned to aid in the battle. In order to defeat the creature, Wulfgar collapsed the cavern ceiling upon the yochlol and himself. Wulfgar was believed dead by his friends, but in reality he had been taken back to the Abyss by the yochlol and became a slave to the balor Errtu.[12][13]
Quenthel Baenre existed as a yochlol between her death in 1358 DR and resurrection in 1361 DR.[14]
A yochlol guarded the infant Yvonnel Baenre II in 1486 DR, at one point saving her life from her mother, Minolin Fey Baenre.[15]
Uses
Yochlol essence (made from heating part of its gaseous form or boiling down part of its physical form) was used in spell inks and castings related to abilities of yochlols, such as shapechange and stinking cloud.[6]
Notable yochlols
- Azarell - potential companion of a group that rescued a group of villagers from Menzoberranzan
- Y'lara - sent by Lolth to help Gromph Baenre summon a demon lord
Appendix
Appearances
- Novels
- Homeland
- Exile
- The Legacy
- Starless Night
- Siege of Darkness (mentioned)
- "The Dowery" in The Collected Stories: The Legend of Drizzt Anthology (mentioned)
- Sea of Swords
- Servant of the Shard
- Tangled Webs (mentioned)
- Windwalker
- The Silent Blade
- Tymora's Luck
- The Lone Drow (mentioned)
- Dissolution
- Extinction[16]
- The Ghost King (mentioned)
- The Last Threshold
- Spider and Stone
- Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies (mentioned)
- Night of the Hunter
- Archmage
Further reading
- Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61. ISBN 0786995101.
- Ed Stark, James Jacobs, Erik Mona (June 13, 2006). Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 54–55. ISBN 0-7869-3919-2.
- James Wyatt, Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. Edited by Duane Maxwell. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
- Wolfgang Baur, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (April 2007). Expedition to the Demonweb Pits. Edited by Michele Carter, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 141–142. ISBN 978-0-7869-4038-7.
- Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 112. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
- Ari Marmell, Anthony Pryor, Robert J. Schwalb, Greg A. Vaughan (May 2007). Drow of the Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-4151-3.
- Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), pp. 105–107. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 54, 65. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61. ISBN 0786995101.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 James Wyatt, Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. Edited by Duane Maxwell. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (April 2007). Expedition to the Demonweb Pits. Edited by Michele Carter, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 141–142. ISBN 978-0-7869-4038-7.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Ari Marmell, Anthony Pryor, Robert J. Schwalb, Greg A. Vaughan (May 2007). Drow of the Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-4151-3.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), pp. 105–107. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 130. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 30.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Eric Menge (August 2012). Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 120. ISBN 978-0786960361.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Eric Menge (August 2012). Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10. ISBN 978-0786960361.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (November 2005). The Legacy (reissued). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-3984-2.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 107. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2003). Windwalker (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0-7869-2968-5.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (September 2015). Archmage (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-7869-6575-4.
- ↑ Lisa Smedman (February 2005). Extinction. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 227. ISBN 0-7869-3596-0.
Connections
Caligrosto • Dybbuk • Guecubu • Manitou
Tanar'ri
Adaru • Alkilith • Armanite • Arrow demon • Babau • Balor • Bar-lgura • Bulezau • Cerebrilith • Chasme • Dretch • Gadacro • Glabrezu • Goristro • Hezrou • Jovoc • Kastighur • Klurichir • Lilitu • Mane • Marilith • Maurezhi • Mavawhan • Molydeus • Myrmyxicus • Nabassu • Nalfeshnee • Palrethee • Rutterkin • Solamith • Sorrowsworn • Spyder-fiend • Succubus • Uridezu • Vrock • Yochlol
Obyriths
Draudnu • Ekolid • Golothoma • Laghathti • Sibriex • Uzollru • Verakia • Wastrilith
Abyssal chicken • Abyssal scavenger • Abyssal wretch • Abyssal wurm • Bebilith • Bonegouge assassin • Deathdrinker • Demon spawn • Dire whiner • Ferrolith • Ghour • Haures • Immolith • Jarrlak • Kazrith • Mahataa • Maw demon • Nashrou • Quasit • Rageborn • Retriever • Ruin demon • Runespiral demon • Rupture demon • Shadow demon • Shoosuva • Skulvyn • Tomb demon • Voracalith • Whisper demon • Zythar