The Succubus, from Spawn to Archfiend

Cacodemons by Design

Cacodemons have always interested me with the way they’re positioned in ACKS setting lore. They effectively take the place of Demons and Devils from D&D by making them horrors from the chaotic Outer Darkness. With the variations in the creation rules you can create near anything with them.

A downside of being able to create near anything is that its done by tables so if a character suddenly wants to summon a Dybbuk then the GM has to start doing some rolling which interrupts play at the table. I thought that I’d create a few to show the process and stock them for my subscribers games. Plus my own table as well. Creatures in the bank is never a bad thing.

The way that I’m going to do this is to start the Cacodemon at the bottom as a lowly Spawn and build increasingly more powerful versions as it advances up the 10 ranks. I’ll change up the style of the creature along the way and allow for variations as the creatures evolve up the Cacodemon ranks.

I’ve wanted to recreate the Succubus from previous editions, a classic monster. I always liked the Succubus even though its usage in modules was often some lame attractive woman hidden in a dungeon lair that screamed Obvious Trap is Very Obvious. In ACKS you can get more interesting uses out of them. They can be summoned to destroy a rival in an indirect fashion, hidden in a harem or whorehouse, among a personages guards, etc …

So to start this off I’m going with a Humanoid form obviously. I want that classically attractive form from previous editions. I’m going to hold off on speech and spellcasting abilities for some of the lower ranks of Cacodemon. Likely starting that off around the Incubus or Demon level … I’ll see how it goes as I create my way up the ranks.

For your own game I would pick a cluster of the ranks, or just one ranks, and make that the canon creatures. Unless you like the range of a creature type from Spawn to Archfiend. Personally, for my own game, I’m going to use the Spawn to Incubus range. I think the variety of a type of creature has potential. They don’t all need to be one-off creatures when it comes to Cacodemons.

I’m also going to keep all of the Succubus builds at Medium size. They could get much much larger but I think they work better at Medium. The 50’ tall and 32,000 lbs Succubus doesn’t work as well in the role that I’m thinking of. I’m also going to rule that a feature of the Succubus is that they can appear as male or female, whichever is more sexually attractive to the observer. They can’t choose their exact appearance, as a particular person, without spellcasting but they always appear attractive and sexually desirable to the viewer. Which can lead to a cool way that they can be detected as everyone will see something different in the same creature.

Succubus Spawn: MV 40’/120’, AC 3, HD 2**, Init +2, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite, hug 7+), Dmg 1d2/1d2/1d3/2d6, Save F2, ML +4, AL C, XP 38; Special: Berserk, Enslave (3/day)(+2 Save), Hug, Infectious, Lightning Reflexes

Due to the system of Special Abilities with the values in # and * I was able to get quite a few abilities that I think combine well for a low HD Succubus. I like the Enslave power for a Succubus. It allows them to restrain their prey and slowly kill them. The Hug and Lightning Reflexes go along with theme of a low level attractive killing machine. The Infectious ability that lets them create more of their kind with that same killing and/or wounding. Berserk just makes them more effective at that killing. Pretty simple creature. Its a Succubus in appearance but more of a rapidly breeding zombie swarm in intentions. A nest of these creatures in a populated area can rapidly become a real problem of pretty demonic creatures gutting the populace and multiplying.

Succubus Imp: MV 40’/120’, AC 4, HD 4**, Init +2, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite, hug 5+), Dmg 1d3/1d3/1d6/2d6, Save F4, ML +4, AL C, XP 190; Special: Berserk, Enslave (3/day), Hug, Infectious, Lightning Reflexes

The Succubus Imp is basically just a worse problem than the Succubus Spawn. Same end result but just more effective at it. The Enslave is no longer at a +2 save because of the increased HD.

Succubus Gremlin: MV 40’/120’, AC 5, HD 6**, Init +2, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite 3+), Dmg 1d4/1d4/1d10/2d6, Save F6, ML +4, AL C, XP 820; Special: Berserk, Enslave (3/day), Hug, Infectious, Lightning Reflexes

The Succubus Gremlin is continuing this same theme of a problem that is just going to get worse and worse and they create more of themselves and infest an area.

Succubus Hellion: MV 40’/120’, AC 6, HD 8**, Init +2, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite 1+), Dmg 1d6/1d6/2d6+1/2d6 Save F8, ML +4, AL C, XP 1600; Special: Berserk, Enslave (3/day), Hug, Infectious, Lightning Reflexes

The Succubus Hellion is the final form of this swarm and infect type of Succubus. From the Hellion they evolve to become more subtle, deadly and less of an infestation problem and more of an infiltration problem.

Succubus Incubus: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 7, HD 10*****, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite 1+), Dmg 1d10/1d10/2d10 Save F10, ML +1, AL C, XP 4350; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Spellcasting; Spells: 3 1st, 3 2nd, 3 3rd, 3 4th, 2 5th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Iron Maiden; 5th - Cone of Paralysis, Guise Other

I’ve added Flight ability with the look of those classic bat like wings, taken the Class Powers/Proficiencies Special Ability to reflect a more subtle nature of the evolving creature, and kept the Enslave Special Ability plus added Night Vision because I had an extra # to spend. The Horrific Special Ability was added to reflect the Uncanny Valley horror of the creature and, mechanically, to give another way for the creature to control prey. For the Class Powers/Prof I’m looking to the Priestess of Nasga class for some powers to lift and there’s some lovely ones there, the best of them being the Ravishing Beauty ability. So some alterations and the text reads like …

This ageless grace is magnified by a ravishing beauty that grants the cacodemon a +2 bonus on reaction rolls with NPCs who are attracted to her/him. If this bonus results in a total of 12 or more, the subjects act as if charmed while in her/his presence. Creatures with a WIS greater than the incubus’s CHA (10) are immune to this power (and the cacodemon will know they are immune). This bonus stacks with Mystic Aura and/or Seduction proficiency.

Mystic Aura basically adds a second crack at the Enslavement trick, only being the Bewitchment condition instead of Enslavement, and the Seduction proficiency on top of that we’re leaning more towards the alluring NPC that can wrap characters or other NPC’s around their talons. This makes a hate stack of Mystic Aura, Seduction, and Ravishing Beauty working together. While it will not effect the strong willed it will still be quite effective on the majority of targets.

This is also the first rank of the Succubus that has the ability to speak and cast spells. I’ve selected mostly Enchantment spells to augment the creatures ability to dominate and restrain the free will of others. Enslavement I’ve kept as well in a theme of the Succubus overall. This is the first rank of Succubus that Enslave will inflict a -2 to the save.

Succubus Demon: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 8, HD 12*****, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite -1+), Dmg 1d12/1d12/2d12 Save F12, ML +1, AL C, XP 5700; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Spellcasting; Spells: 4 1st, 4 2nd, 3 3rd, 3 4th, 3 5th, 2 6th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Frighten Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid, Halt Humanoid; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Iron Maiden; 5th - Cone of Paralysis, Forgetfulness, Guise Other; 6th - Enslave Humanoid, Soul Eating

The Succubus Demon is an upgrade on the Incubus. Same idea but tougher and with better spellcasting. Except for Soul Eating … that one is just cool and I like the idea of a Succubus draining a soul as it kills and feeds.

Succubus Dybbuk: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 9, HD 14*****, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite -3+), Dmg 2d6/2d6/4d6 Save F14, ML +1, AL C, XP 7100; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Spellcasting; Spells: 4 1st, 4 2nd, 4 3rd, 4 4th, 3 5th, 3 6th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Frighten Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid, Halt Humanoid; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Dominate Monster, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Halt Monsters, Iron Maiden; 5th - Cone of Paralysis, Forgetfulness, Guise Other; 6th - Disfigure Body and Soul, Enslave Humanoid, Soul Eating

Better spellcasting along with that Disfigure Body and Soul spell to add a little more viciousness.

Succubus Devil: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 10, HD 16******, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite -5+), Dmg 2d6+1/2d6+1/4d6+1 Save F16, ML +2, AL C, XP 9800; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Spellcasting, Terrifying; Spells: 4 1st, 4 2nd, 4 3rd, 4 4th, 4 5th, 4 6th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Frighten Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid, Halt Humanoid; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Dominate Monster, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Halt Monsters, Iron Maiden; 5th - Circle of Agony, Cone of Paralysis, Forgetfulness, Guise Other; 6th - Disfigure Body and Soul, Enslave Humanoid, Panic, Soul Eating

I’ve added the Terrifying Special Ability, another control ability, and a few more spells keeping in the same theme. Nasty.

Succubus Fiend: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 10, HD 18******, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite -7+), Dmg 2d8/2d8/3d12 Save F18, ML +2, AL C, XP 11,400; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Spellcasting, Terrifying; Spells: 5 1st, 5 2nd, 5 3rd, 5 4th, 4 5th, 4 6th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Choking Grip, Frighten Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid, Halt Humanoid, Physical Protection; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Dominate Monster, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd, Spellward; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Halt Monsters, Iron Maiden, Physical Invulnerability; 5th - Circle of Agony, Cone of Paralysis, Forgetfulness, Guise Other; 6th - Disfigure Body and Soul, Enslave Humanoid, Panic, Soul Eating

I’ve added some protection spells that I thought kept in theme of the creature. Choking Grip just seemed like a fun choice for the creature as well, doubling as another control spell.

Succubus ArchFiend: MV 30’/90’ (80’/240’ Flying), AC 12, HD 20*******, #AT 3 (claw, claw, bite -9+), Dmg 2d10/2d10/4d10 Save F20, ML +3, AL C, XP 15,400; Special: Flying, Enslave (3/day)(-2 Save), Ravishing Beauty, Mystic Aura, Seduction, Horrific, Night Vision, Magic Resistance (13+), Spellcasting, Terrifying; Spells: 5 1st, 5 2nd, 5 3rd, 5 4th, 5 5th, 5 6th; Repertoire: 1st - Beguile Humanoid, Choking Grip, Frighten Humanoid, Infuriate Humanoid, Slumber; 2nd - Bewitch Humanoid, Dark Whisper, Dominate Humanoid, Halt Humanoid, Physical Protection; 3rd - Bewitch Crowd, Dominate Monster, Incite Madness, Infuriate Crowd, Spellward; 4th - Bewitch Monster, Guise Self, Halt Monsters, Iron Maiden, Physical Invulnerability; 5th - Circle of Agony, Cone of Paralysis, Forgetfulness, Guise Other, Teleportation; 6th - Anti-Magic Sphere, Disfigure Body and Soul, Enslave Humanoid, Panic, Soul Eating

The final form. I’ve added Magic Resistance Special Ability that due to its HD is at a massive +13 to the throw. I also added some protection spells that might help against the type of foes that an Archfiend might face. Plus Teleportation since this isn’t a Archfiend that specializes in combat.

The Spawn to Hellion ranks are swarm killers. They’ll entrap and kill to create more of their own kind. I’d rule that creatures transformed into Succubus by the Infectious Power are created as two ranks lower than the Succubus that killed or infected the creature. This will avoid the ‘zombie’ problem where a small pocket of them can replicate quickly and overwhelm an entire area. Unless you like that sort of thing, like moi, in which case isn’t that what PC’s are made of? To go into dark holes and murder the supermodel lookalikes that are slaughtering the populace? Another option would be to put a Save vs. Poison to avoid infection. That would put a mechanical choke on their growth as a swarm. A smart Succubus Hellion or Gremlin would have those lesser ranks dragging home their infected for the greater ranked creature to infect.

If you remove the Infection ability from the lowest two ranks of Succubus then you could replace it with Charge. A little more combat application for swarm killers.

The process to transform into a Cacodemon would be an extremely painful process as the body reshapes itself over the 2d6 day process. Likely driving the person mad as their mind is overridden by the Succubus foul desires and alien thoughts. A Cure Disease spell would be sufficient to stop the transformation process but a vicious GM might rule that it doesn’t revert the transformation process. A person cured of the process halfway through might have some attractive features but in an Uncanny Valley type fashion or perhaps only partly reflected, as half of the person’s face was transformed and seems odd when compared to the other side. In extreme cases, perhaps a day or two before the transformation was complete, this could come with reaction penalties when dealing with NPC’s.

From the Incubus to Archfiend categories they are similar in usage. Infiltration creatures that can use their Special Abilities and Spells to sow chaos and destruction by enchanting and charming the most powerful and influential that they can find. At the Archfiend level toppling entire kingdoms into ruin and war.

As far as Treasure goes I’d lean the selection towards jewelry that the creatures would wear to augment their beauty. Coins are good, they can be spend on the finest of clothing, perfumes, and other luxuries. A lair of these creatures would be decorated in a chaotic mix of finery without regard to style. Just pretties layered on pretties.

Succubus of the Spawn to Hellion rank will value magical items that are attractive in appearance but help them infect and kill faster. The later ranks are going to value enchantments, utility items and especially magical items that will help disguise their Cacodemon nature.