Dude was sooo high on devilish beverages that Asmodeus kicked his arse out of Hell. Gotta guess what this fellow did wrong....oh wait, new AJ lore! Nevermind. No need for "second guesses "
The Reckoning is one of my favorite tales in 3.5e. I love how Asmodeus positioned every lord of Hell to battle one another all so he could prove "you are nowhere near MY league."
For people wondering, the special material that Moloch's whip is constructed from is called "dajavva" (an alloy of iron and a metal exclusive to Hell called arjale).
Pathfinder makes him look almost made of molten slag iron and has the domains of Fire, water and War. He uses a Longsword and axe in tandem in combat and can swallow while into his furnace chest cavity.
i think i understand why Moloch wanted the armageddon stone. He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing. Destroying the stone would mean no more souls, something which neither devil,nor hag or demon can allow . The ransoming power would be enormous. "Either you make me a Duke again, or I will stop the soul flow.How does that sound ? "
Hello AJ, great video! Moloch is probably one of the most used names in D&D. I had the cover with moloch on it. That one piece of art work is so inspiring, makes you want to play D&D. Can't really remember anymore, believe those gem eyes where 50k apiece. Just happen to notice in your live chat, you saying there is a grippli video coming out. That is hella weird, just the other day I was looking up the Tasloi and the grippli picture came up in one of my searches. Tasloi isn't in 5e but the grippli is! Looking forward to that Grippli video. Thanks AJ you have a wonderful day!
There was a Lucifer in DnD? Who was he? Asmodeus? Also: Very nice video!! I love these type of videos about ancient evils and entities and legendary figures in the DnD Multiverse.
It is so funny how much the evil creatures feed on each other. Can you imagine if the devils stopped fighting each other even for a short while? They might make some actual gains in the blood war or go on a "recruitment drive" on the prime material plane. That's horrifying.
That's why they are fighting each other. Asmodeus does not want to win the blood war right now, he could have already a dozen times over if he really wanted to. The devils being disorganized in the way that they are makes it possible for them to recruit mortals without the gods intervening
@@sithis36 I would agree. If he wanted to Asmodeus could probably organize an impossibly large force and take a large chunk of the Abyss into the nine hells (now the X more layers of hell) vastly increasing his footprint. That kind of universal power play is GOING to get you some attention.
Eh, even reading what sithis36 says doesn't make much sense. The reality is that writing evil characters to be stupid is convenient for good guys (cough the players and DM) who are equally stupid. DnD is a game meant for everyone to play, so they gotta keep things simple so that even a pretty simple DM can run it. It sort of bothers me and I usually brush up the lore a little so that the typical DnD lore is just how it looks on the outside, but the deeper lore to the universe is more philosophically interesting and abstract rather than just increasing the number of layers of dumb writing. For instance, the devils could make some headway into the Abyss but such a venture would be pointless. The Abyss is infinite, so conquering some of it simply doesn't matter. They're fighting a literally impossible war, because the very structure of the universe that the primeval gods created has trapped them into doing so. All within Baator are prisoner-slave warriors, each prisoner given only enough freedom to dominate and oppress the prisoners weaker than them in a cycle of abuse.
Aj I have a question. It is asmodeus's power that enforces the might of the devilish contract, which is why it is always followed to a T. If there was a devil who was no longer under asmo's employ, like Moloch, would he still have the power of a devilish contract?
Love this lore! Having just started Decent into Avernus this is a timely welcome. I will be replaying this multiple times during the adventure. As always, your content is amazing AJ
@@NovelistCrim any hints, tips, tricks that you can share would be appreciated. I read through it twice, added a session in Elturel to hook the players, they just watched it get sucked down to Avernus… on the way to BG now. Thank you
@@petemcsorley Not sure man, we had an insane version of Avernus! The adventure derailed so hard that i had to make up conquering factions from different dimensions trying to invade avernus, and it ended with the party killing eachother in a Patron vs Patron Showdown. Where every villian they scorned, showed up for the climatic clown fiesta lmao 🤣 👌. I think the players were more interested in killing eachother than actually saving the world. So definitely finding a way to get players invested is super tricky especially since the baldurs gate portion had the players asking "why am I doing this?"
@@NovelistCrim 🤣😂🤣 that’s hysterical ! That’s also why I asked because it has the potential to go off the tracks quite easily. Thank you for the advice, I’ll keep both hands on the wheel for this one. Happy Gaming brother
@@17joren They were called daemons first/ still are in Faerun. Which is funny given it is the original word in the Greek and more accurately means a guardian animal spirit, which Pathfinder ran with and twisted to sometimes neat effect. Either way, potentially neat source for a video, even though the 'loths haven't had much in the way of lore since 3.5. But maybe I'll be proven wrong, so, even more exciting.
@@Pyre ah I hadn’t seen that distinction for the lore, I assumed the spelling was being used interchangeably like in Warhammer 40k. Interesting how terms keep changing in dnd. And yeah I was just reading it too, the Greek word was also for other spirits like those of dead heroes given inferior divinity. Maybe that’s why one of the loths is like the Styx boatman of myth, weird that they’re all twisted to be evil then.
The "unknown pliable metal" that comprises Moloch's whip is called "dajavva" from Dragon #91, page 29-30. "Dajavva" is an alloy of iron and a metal called "arjale" native to the layers of Phlegethos, Malboge (Moloch's former layer), Maladomini and Nessus.
Seeing all this compiled into one video, it explains one of my players' Subdiaboli characters (Subdiaboli are a Loom of Magus race that I created, they are my versions of Tieflings before Tieflings were in-canon created... so, do I call my creation "Tiefling" now? They are extremely similar). He was a "Son of Moloch" and looked like a devil-touched version of a hulking half-orc, often mistaken for a half-ogre. His class was Priest of Scourge (a Lawful Evil god of murder, assassins [strict contract killer type, kind of akin to a brutal ninja code], misdirection, and treachery). You could only trust him if he gave his word, had it in writing, and-or knew his ethos (priestly code). However, he did favor his god's favorite weapon(s) which was almost identical to Moloch. The priesthood had some great granted powers and a decent selection of spells but a limited selection of weapons and allowed armor. The racial build he had included a great bite weapon and naturally hard skin too. Now that I better understand Moloch, I better understand the character my player created... and his character was obviously loyal to an evil god and not his diabolic parent... so the disloyalty to his "source" is another thing he inherited from his biological father. I no longer see his character as 2-dimensional and bland. If I get my time machine working, can I take you back to when I gamed with that player using that character? As of now, if I ever see him again, even after all these years, I kind of owe him an apology.
Used Moloch in a campaign a few years ago. Basically Molochs plan was to steal power from the “Great Old One” in order to regain control of his realm. Plan was to use his “Imp” status to form a familiar bond to a fallen Warlock to share each other’s power. The fallen Warlock wanted revenge on the Old One who abandoned him on a whim. The Warlock was driven mad by the Old One’s influence but a Night Hag found him years ago and stitched his mind back together through dreams. The Hag was the originator of the plan. The Hag, Moloch and the Warlock would steal the old ones power by constructing a crown built of the steal and blood from Warlock pact weapons and familiars. The parties Warlock was their next target, who had dreams and nightmares of a red figure hunting and killing his fellow Warlocks. They tracked bodies and experimental failures throughout Neverwinter. Final fight occurred below ground in a cavern below where the chasm used to be, where reality was weakest. They fought the Warlock wearing the crown, the Paladin fell in the fight (actually got re-encarnated from a once off magic feat they got in a previous campaign). When the Warlock blasted the party with power the teams own Warlock had and Iron-man moment where he got all his spell slots recharged when the energy hit him. They defeated the warlock but had to deal with Moloch. Basically they had to flee but were rescued by weird Cthulhu creatures who came when the crown was activated. Last the party saw Moloch was being swamped as the cavern collapsed around him.
Is it just me or is Moloch kinda weak in 5e? I mean , he is cr 21 but a group of adventurers of that level would absolutely destroy him . Even a properly equipped party of 16th level would, if he faced them head on without preparation(which of course he wouldn't,but just for argument's sake) . i know he should be the epic boss fight/recurring villain, but he isn't even immune to lightning damage, meaning he risks hurting himself with his magic weapon (again, practically impossible, but theoretically hilarious)
I wonder if Moloch would ever become so rage filled he would flip sides in the Blood War? That might be an interesting storyline to pursue, maybe he'd even work with the Demons Of The Abyss as a inside man or devil in this case.
AJ, this is amazing. Thank you. You are the darn Ken Burns of monster ecology videos. Here's a random request, not sure if you covered it in the Drake video - the meredrake. I know it only from Dragonlance. There's a description in "Land of the Minotaurs," by Richard A. Knaak.
That description of Malbolge's current state may have actually gotten me to accept it going back to "Just some hills". Judging by how much I was smiling during it. And @13:33 I know that mask. I have pictures of that mask from when it was on display at the Met. Good pic choice.
I have a wild mage barbarian who is always looking at multiclass options in my great dale game, i recently thought about tempting him with a magic axe that curses him to take levels in warlock with the fiend pact. Making Moloch the one enforcing the pact i could have him earn his soul back by giving enough treasure before he dies. Thoughts?
Mammon might be a better choice. The duke of greed and the Archdevil who mints the infernal coinage would definitely be more interested in non-soul currency. Tempting Moloch's favor would be easier if your barbarian had access to soul coins, larva, raw souls, mercenary contracts, or the absolute allegiance of some tribe of monsters. Maybe he could beat down certain types of enemies and spare them only to eternally brand them into Moloch's service? Mammon is compelled to gather coinage, Moloch is more versatile in his reach for power. A wild magic barbarian strikes me as an epitome of free-spirited play. Turning that character into Moloch's unwilling slaver, though? There's a fun bit of role-play.
Seems like a good idea, even though I wonder if a wild magic barbarian isn't a bit too chaotic to work with lawful evil entities. Why not a Demon? Moloch is a really cool patron and a romantic villain though. I think there's great role playing potential there
@@Eisenwulf666 the player is a bit of a munchkin with it. Which im ok with having 1 or 2. Half of the group needs a little pushing to do anything so i figured just a small arc which when hes done hell get to swap the levels back to barbarian afterwards. But well see if he picks up the weapon im laying out as a lure.
Moloch. Exiled Duke of hell, shunne Canadian battle rapper for swinging on his opponent, banned McDonald's ex-employee for hiding his liquor next to the patties...
Again, still loving this series AJ. Also, Didnt know about the first AD&D cover being Moloch. By the way, any chance you could do a Ravenloft series on Strahd and Lord Soth also?
I feel both proud and offended that, having designed an entire setting around Moloch's exile, I came here to learn a few more tidbits about him. Come to find out, that the entire plot I came up with about a magical lodestone that binds the material plane as a weapon to regain his place in Baator was, in fact, already canon.
Kinda happy he gets dunked on. When I hear Moloch, I think "they passed their children through the fire unto Moloch" and lemme tell you, you don't want to hear what that would sound like. Solomon lived in the lap of luxury and still was incredibly depressed when he realized what he did by listening to his pagan wives.
Thanks for the video AJ, got a question. So often I notice beings with immunities to certain elements. Like Moloch here, he is immune to fire which makes sense being primarily tied with the Nine Hells. But what about other powerful creatures that specialize in particular elements? Again for example take a Gold Dragon. One of their breath weapons is fire. So, Imagine a powerful Gold Dragon breathing fire at Moloch; what happens? Does Moloch just walk through the flames unaffected, or does that magical flame contend with his immunity somehow? This is something I've been really curious about not just concerning fire but all these elemental immunities. I could imagine an infernal being able to walk through a forest fire without fear, but what about magically created/enhanced fire? Same thing for the other elements. Ice, lightning, etc.
Officially, as soon as it exists the dragon, the fire is non magical. Unofficially, devils might get knocked back by it, like getting hit with a high pressure spray of water, but they won't get burnt. Meanwhile, the rock will melt under their feet and bits of metal and wood may actually explode.
Hi Aj I love the Moloch he is really an intimidating creature except for on the Advanced dnd handbook but I love his design and I think his design is like a base you could use to make a bulkier devil, how is your day going I'm really curious my week so far has been great even though my sleep pattern has become worse
I just read through Matt Colville's new class the Illrigger, or hell knight. Moloch is the patron for the rogue like subclass, which already had me interested, but now I really want to play it after watching this video! Thanks AJ.
Hey AJ, I’m trying to create a d&d version of Stolas. My idea is that he is a demon turned devil. Originally he was a mortal soothsayer who gave prophecies that would lead people to their doom. In response, a group of heroes vanquished him and banished his soul to the abyss for good measure. Upon going into the abyss he formed a body for himself by channeling the demonic energy of the abyss, however, when channeling this energy, he learned a horrible revelation about the obyrinths and the far realm. He was horrified by this and went to the nine hells to seek refuge. He lives in a tower of bones in the nine hells which acts as an observatory which he uses to spy on powerful devils, other planes, the skies of the material planes, and the far realm. He gives information to asmodeus and the Archdevils acting as an information broker. Oddly enough, he doesn’t like getting involved in diabolic politics, considering it to be a distraction from his work to counteract the abyss and the far realm. That said, he still watches the devils plots and schemes unfold, both due to his obsessive need for information and for his own amusement. Personality wise, he is both paranoid and obsessive, however he doesn’t act like it, with him having a lackadaisical demeanor. His appearance is that of a humanoid owl with bright yellow eyes wearing dark blue robes and wearing a crown of fire. His relationship with the Archdevils is interesting, as, he is rather irreverent towards them, with him respecting asmodeus due to him giving him refuge in the hells, however, he is annoyed by asmodeus’s ambition for domination, considering it to be pointless and a distraction from what he views as the bigger picture. He also has some degree of respect for glasya and dispater due to the former’s irreverence and the latter’s paranoia. He also respects Zariel somewhat due to her zelous crusade against demons- albeit this respect is not reciprocated. In combat he primarily uses his magic- being a high level divination wizard- and his crown of fire to reduce his enemies to ash. He also has a paralyzing gaze in which he can force in a cone to make an intelligence saving throw or be paralyzed. His warlocks primarily make deals with him for his knowledge of the future or knowledge of various rare natural materials such as plants or minerals that can be used as reagents. Curiously enough, he doesn’t typically ask for souls, rather he asks for help in attacking demonic or aberrant forces or to give him constant updates on a situation he has interest in.
@@earthobserver1007 i wasnt clear enough. My fault. What I meant was to suggest to AJ to also place the Hellfire wyrm video in a playlist, as at the I couldnt find it and had to sift through his vids. So much lore. 😆
Influence, alliances, enemies and making note of just how old and how involved in the material world they have been, plus little quirky details about their habits and a short list of their most important underlings (if any)... generally demons become lords due to extreme willpower and motivation for some very specific reason, for example, Orcus MUST be the last being standing in charge of the multiverse, that is his sole win condition.
@@AJPickett [PART 2] Unlike most of his peers, he has no desire to conquer the Great Wheel, instead preferring to spend his time tinkering in his layer-sized laboratory (for which I have yet to think of a name or description). Sure it would be _nice_ to rule the Multiverse, but everyone and their dog in all the lower plans is shooting for that goal, so he figures the odds are stacked against him from the outset just from the sheer abundance of competition (this incidentally is why Umberlee is my favorite evil deity; she's content to spend her time extorting tithes from sailors). He figures it'd be safer to let all those smoothbrains fight amongst themselves and then bow the tentacle to whomever comes out on top (if it's one of the Omnicidal dorks like Orcus he'll intervene against them early). As for why he climbed to the rank of Abyssal Lord in the first place (which was done through clever Machiavellian manipulation rather than brute strength), that was simply for his own safety, because Abyss. This is not to say that he's not absolutely evil, though. He will drag a mortal world into his realm the instant he runs out of lab rat demons (though he's just as likely to abduct devils from the blood war or Gnolls from Yeenoghu).
@@AJPickett As for influence, I suppose it would be limited to artificers and golemancers. His methods are ingenious, but ethically abhorrent. His closest ally would probably be Baphomet (and by extension mamma curtain, AKA pale night), due to their mutual love of science and playing legos with their underlings' bodyparts. His enemies would be Yeenoghu (due to his alliance with Baphomet), mortals who would dare to let ethics get in the way of science, as well as whatever meathead Abyssal Lords are most likely to bully someone for being a nerd.
Hi @AJ Pickett. Do you think you could do some videos about the different fantasy settings, Dragonlance , Eberon, Greyhawk, Mystara, Birthright ? I'm still new to DM-ing (I'm not great at it), I do not like forgotten realms and I've recently started the Age of Worms adventure path set in Greyhawk, but the setting is not set in stone. so it would be interesting to find what each setting brings and maybe I can slip in some good lore. Maybe you could share which are your favorite settings.
Is there any way you can do a video on the war between the abyss and the hells? And how the celestials of the hells.. or asmodeus.. or was it lucifer? Can you do a video on how they got back those layers that became a part of the abyss thanks to obox-ob... that would be cool. I love that stuff. Learning the history.. seeing it all in my head.. I love it. And then I add all that together.. obox-ob and the abyss.. what hes doing pulling prime material plans into the abyss.. and thebwar of the celestials against them.. and those devils. Gosh I love that stuff.. and seeing it all. Honestly that would be the best. All that sort of stuff. Like .. aj pickett Histories... and you just lay it all out there for us. I truly believe you're the only guy which may do this for us. You're incredible. Things you find.. the mind that is able to.. pull it all together and make conclusions.. and track things down. AJ.. you are the shit. Thats said in the best way
A lot of this is informed speculation, but it seems pretty accurate, after all, why would Moloch seek an artifact that disrupts planar binding if not to use it as a means to tear off a layer of hell (or the abyss) and take it for himself, away from Asmodeus? He knows it can be done. Also, there is the fact that Toril has been targeted by the nine hell's with whole cities pulled into the hell's.
@@AJPickett I meant for planescape. He's only a large creature and his true form at a Sigillic bar scene might not be the scariest thing to a party. Bless The Deva Spark for forever associating Sigil with high cr outlanders getting drinks together.
The existence of Moloch at his full power outside of the Hells suggests that there may be others exiled from the Hells. That gives me an idea for a campaign of half-devils, half-demons and half-celestials operating in the shadows of a prime material world, trying not to get noticed. It also gives me an idea for a character, if could find a DM willing to let me play it. A chaotic neutral Drow half-succubus that tempts with power. He/she creates weapons that have profane or divine bonuses for a price. I would be tempted to use Druid to make it, leaning heavily into the “nature is more powerful than you could ever imagine” angle. That would bring the neutral as the secondary axis into the war between good and evil. I use a slightly different alignment chart than the standard square. Turn that square so that it forms a diamond shape with LG at the top and CE at the bottom and you get the basic of it. LG will join forces with LE or CG against CE, they just don’t like it. CG will work with LG or CE against LE, for the same reason. When you apply that “at least he’s lawful” model to alignment, it makes things more interesting. Angels will fight alongside Devils and Guardinals against Demons that way.
I'm struggling to understand why a devil would need advisors, especially a Night Hag as an advisor. There isn't much about cruelty, pain, suffering and damnation that a devil isn't already aware of, or capable of inflicting upon it's enemies that would require the advice of another evil creature.
They might need advice on magic, engineering, local politics, geography, strategy, or any number of other subjects. Remember also that as lawful creatures, devils are communal and (as much as they loathe to admit it) rely on others of their kind to get things done.
Because DnD writers, and thus their villains, are not very creative. Look up Elder Scrolls videos on Clavicus Vile and Barbas to get a more interesting idea on why near-omnipotent beings might create or find partners for themselves. It's not out of practical necessity, it's implicit to their personality and nature.
Amnizu , that devil is there much more to them or are they kinda just a generic lawyer devil. i know patrons get the vote on it but i thought id toss this one in as i want to make them kinda a mini boss in my campaign
Becoming a "Reformed Soul" giving up any infernal power and reaching a true state of goodness through acts of restitution and then entering celestia as a petitioner.
@@AJPickett maybe a cunning wizard or a steadfast priest could convince moloch that the way to true power is to return to his original form. He seems like a good candidate for that because he's exiled from the 9 hells and he has lots of contact with mortals.
@@AJPickett oh cool. i know what im watching next. and since i seem to have your attention, i just want to say that as a pretty young dm who got into dnd through critical role, these videos are invaluable to me. theres so much cool stuff that i dont think id ever be able to find any other way, paired with years of insight into the game. theres truly nothing like it on the internet
That time you had to pluck the gem eyes out of your own statue to pay some Yugoloths.
AJ, I legit read "exiled DRUNK of hell" and thought this was awesome. Maybe some homebrew idea for a stream?
heh! Maybe
Dude was sooo high on devilish beverages that Asmodeus kicked his arse out of Hell. Gotta guess what this fellow did wrong....oh wait, new AJ lore! Nevermind. No need for "second guesses "
Asmodeus: "Go home Moloch, you're drunk."
Moloch: "LoOk heRe yOu lIttLe ShIt...."
@@Im-Not-a-Dog hahahahah damn, that put a smile on me face.
Also: everyone gangsta in hell till Big Boy Satan shows up all work and no play. XD
"Alcohell"
The Reckoning is one of my favorite tales in 3.5e. I love how Asmodeus positioned every lord of Hell to battle one another all so he could prove "you are nowhere near MY league."
For people wondering, the special material that Moloch's whip is constructed from is called "dajavva" (an alloy of iron and a metal exclusive to Hell called arjale).
D&D does love its fictional metals!
I wish there was a compendium for them, somewhere. I can't even begin to keep track!
Does the special hell metal do anything interesting
I'm thinking resist to fire, and 30 ft radius of darkness?
Excelent video. Im dying to see the one on Miska the Wolf Spider as well.
Pathfinder makes him look almost made of molten slag iron and has the domains of Fire, water and War.
He uses a Longsword and axe in tandem in combat and can swallow while into his furnace chest cavity.
i think i understand why Moloch wanted the armageddon stone. He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing. Destroying the stone would mean no more souls, something which neither devil,nor hag or demon can allow . The ransoming power would be enormous. "Either you make me a Duke again, or I will stop the soul flow.How does that sound ? "
I will play in this campaign! when does it start!
Currently using Moloch as a background BBEG so this was a fun watch.
"he could be even more powerful if you max out the dice rolls, which I suggest you do" why does AJ like making adventurers cry
I like him
Hello AJ, great video! Moloch is probably one of the most used names in D&D. I had the cover with moloch on it. That one piece of art work is so inspiring, makes you want to play D&D. Can't really remember anymore, believe those gem eyes where 50k apiece. Just happen to notice in your live chat, you saying there is a grippli video coming out. That is hella weird, just the other day I was looking up the Tasloi and the grippli picture came up in one of my searches. Tasloi isn't in 5e but the grippli is! Looking forward to that Grippli video.
Thanks AJ you have a wonderful day!
I would love a Video on The Rock Of Bral from Spelljammer
How can we get him to do that
A difficult topic with conflicting information about the location.
Hmmmmm.... tricky!
There was a Lucifer in DnD? Who was he? Asmodeus?
Also: Very nice video!! I love these type of videos about ancient evils and entities and legendary figures in the DnD Multiverse.
Lucifer is Lucifer in D&D, just another exile from hell.
You were told to make a video about Moloch in the last livestream, and it's here already? A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
It is so funny how much the evil creatures feed on each other. Can you imagine if the devils stopped fighting each other even for a short while? They might make some actual gains in the blood war or go on a "recruitment drive" on the prime material plane. That's horrifying.
That's why they are fighting each other. Asmodeus does not want to win the blood war right now, he could have already a dozen times over if he really wanted to. The devils being disorganized in the way that they are makes it possible for them to recruit mortals without the gods intervening
@@sithis36 I would agree. If he wanted to Asmodeus could probably organize an impossibly large force and take a large chunk of the Abyss into the nine hells (now the X more layers of hell) vastly increasing his footprint. That kind of universal power play is GOING to get you some attention.
Eh, even reading what sithis36 says doesn't make much sense. The reality is that writing evil characters to be stupid is convenient for good guys (cough the players and DM) who are equally stupid. DnD is a game meant for everyone to play, so they gotta keep things simple so that even a pretty simple DM can run it.
It sort of bothers me and I usually brush up the lore a little so that the typical DnD lore is just how it looks on the outside, but the deeper lore to the universe is more philosophically interesting and abstract rather than just increasing the number of layers of dumb writing.
For instance, the devils could make some headway into the Abyss but such a venture would be pointless. The Abyss is infinite, so conquering some of it simply doesn't matter. They're fighting a literally impossible war, because the very structure of the universe that the primeval gods created has trapped them into doing so. All within Baator are prisoner-slave warriors, each prisoner given only enough freedom to dominate and oppress the prisoners weaker than them in a cycle of abuse.
i got my computer back in working order just in time for some dnd lore by the best loremaster i know of AJ Picket,good things are in motion
System checks out *slaps case* good for another thousand vids.
@@AJPickett we can only hope, computers take bonus acid damage im just lucky it wasnt on
When moloch gets demoted to an imp can he get assigned to a warlock as a familiar?
If the summoner is quick and so long as he never leaves the Nine Hells.
Man I hope so!
He would probably try to sneak through the summoning in the place the regular imp by any means and then kill any witnesses
Anything Nine Hells related is always in particular my favorite of your uploads
That was a quick turnaround on a subject lol
Moloch, Gargauth, Nergal....there are enough exiled powerful Devils that they could start a new hell.
With blackjack and hookers
Not a bad idea especially if they could take a layer of the abyss to house themselves to start with
Funny you should mention that...
@@AJPickett Uh oh.
Lol I am quite interested. You have my attention.
I honestly thought that guy was a giant goblin, who lived in Arboria?
...
I'm Surprised to learn he's a devil.
Yesssss I've been waiting for this one for so long. Moloch is one of my favorite NPCs in DnD lore!
The Moloch plot sound like a cool idea to add a Descent to Avernus campaign . 🍺
I now have this image of an adventuring party out in the Hells (as you do) meeting up with a curiously clued in imp.
exactly. Never Trust an Imp
Thank you for another epic video Professor.
Life is complicated and messy. You, the community, and dnd really help me a lot. Thank you.
Don't worry, bad things don't last forever.
God, you have no idea how tempting it is for me to post the entire Part II of Howl every time the name "Moloch" is mentioned
Love the lore videos of devils. Looking forward to seeing one about Levistus.
When you were A.J., describing teiflings of Moloch I pictured Hellboy.
Been waiting for this one.
That's a fun character, lots of potential for interesting interactions with that one
Grand video! Might complete my perspective if next was his former master baalzebul
DM: Puts mini on table.
Players: "Oh molochs."
I just love how we can know which playlist a vid is part of just by the intro!
Moloch knows how to whip it good.
Aj I have a question. It is asmodeus's power that enforces the might of the devilish contract, which is why it is always followed to a T. If there was a devil who was no longer under asmo's employ, like Moloch, would he still have the power of a devilish contract?
He is lawful to the core, so yes, he still makes contracts. Souls are very valuable.
How ambitus/traitorous do you have to be to get kicked out of the nine hells? Asking for a fiend? an no not a typo.
Where did you Find the stats for the Tiefling race that decended from Moloch? Thats exactly what i was looking for a campaign im in.
In mordenkimen’s tomb of foes there are alternatively tieflings
Just based it on the other variants in Mordenkainens Tome.
Love this lore! Having just started Decent into Avernus this is a timely welcome. I will be replaying this multiple times during the adventure.
As always, your content is amazing AJ
Just finished running avernus myself, good luck friend!
@@NovelistCrim any hints, tips, tricks that you can share would be appreciated. I read through it twice, added a session in Elturel to hook the players, they just watched it get sucked down to Avernus… on the way to BG now. Thank you
@@petemcsorley Not sure man, we had an insane version of Avernus! The adventure derailed so hard that i had to make up conquering factions from different dimensions trying to invade avernus, and it ended with the party killing eachother in a Patron vs Patron Showdown. Where every villian they scorned, showed up for the climatic clown fiesta lmao 🤣 👌. I think the players were more interested in killing eachother than actually saving the world. So definitely finding a way to get players invested is super tricky especially since the baldurs gate portion had the players asking "why am I doing this?"
@@NovelistCrim 🤣😂🤣 that’s hysterical ! That’s also why I asked because it has the potential to go off the tracks quite easily. Thank you for the advice, I’ll keep both hands on the wheel for this one. Happy Gaming brother
Can’t wait for a video on Narzugons. You never hear about them
Would love to see you cover deamons next (Neutral Evil I think?) ! love the channel and the work!
Demons are chaotic evil, but yugoloths are the NE fiends.
@@17joren They were called daemons first/ still are in Faerun.
Which is funny given it is the original word in the Greek and more accurately means a guardian animal spirit, which Pathfinder ran with and twisted to sometimes neat effect.
Either way, potentially neat source for a video, even though the 'loths haven't had much in the way of lore since 3.5.
But maybe I'll be proven wrong, so, even more exciting.
@@Pyre ah I hadn’t seen that distinction for the lore, I assumed the spelling was being used interchangeably like in Warhammer 40k. Interesting how terms keep changing in dnd.
And yeah I was just reading it too, the Greek word was also for other spirits like those of dead heroes given inferior divinity. Maybe that’s why one of the loths is like the Styx boatman of myth, weird that they’re all twisted to be evil then.
I've been waiting on this since I bought and painted the Wizkids Spirit Possessed Eidolon miniature.
The "unknown pliable metal" that comprises Moloch's whip is called "dajavva" from Dragon #91, page 29-30. "Dajavva" is an alloy of iron and a metal called "arjale" native to the layers of Phlegethos, Malboge (Moloch's former layer), Maladomini and Nessus.
AJ have you already done a series on the heavenly realms & the beings there yet? My apologies been awhile since ive watched your videos.
Celestia, arboria, bytopia, quite a few
Seeing all this compiled into one video, it explains one of my players' Subdiaboli characters (Subdiaboli are a Loom of Magus race that I created, they are my versions of Tieflings before Tieflings were in-canon created... so, do I call my creation "Tiefling" now? They are extremely similar). He was a "Son of Moloch" and looked like a devil-touched version of a hulking half-orc, often mistaken for a half-ogre. His class was Priest of Scourge (a Lawful Evil god of murder, assassins [strict contract killer type, kind of akin to a brutal ninja code], misdirection, and treachery). You could only trust him if he gave his word, had it in writing, and-or knew his ethos (priestly code). However, he did favor his god's favorite weapon(s) which was almost identical to Moloch. The priesthood had some great granted powers and a decent selection of spells but a limited selection of weapons and allowed armor. The racial build he had included a great bite weapon and naturally hard skin too.
Now that I better understand Moloch, I better understand the character my player created... and his character was obviously loyal to an evil god and not his diabolic parent... so the disloyalty to his "source" is another thing he inherited from his biological father.
I no longer see his character as 2-dimensional and bland. If I get my time machine working, can I take you back to when I gamed with that player using that character? As of now, if I ever see him again, even after all these years, I kind of owe him an apology.
Used Moloch in a campaign a few years ago. Basically Molochs plan was to steal power from the “Great Old One” in order to regain control of his realm.
Plan was to use his “Imp” status to form a familiar bond to a fallen Warlock to share each other’s power. The fallen Warlock wanted revenge on the Old One who abandoned him on a whim. The Warlock was driven mad by the Old One’s influence but a Night Hag found him years ago and stitched his mind back together through dreams. The Hag was the originator of the plan.
The Hag, Moloch and the Warlock would steal the old ones power by constructing a crown built of the steal and blood from Warlock pact weapons and familiars. The parties Warlock was their next target, who had dreams and nightmares of a red figure hunting and killing his fellow Warlocks. They tracked bodies and experimental failures throughout Neverwinter.
Final fight occurred below ground in a cavern below where the chasm used to be, where reality was weakest. They fought the Warlock wearing the crown, the Paladin fell in the fight (actually got re-encarnated from a once off magic feat they got in a previous campaign). When the Warlock blasted the party with power the teams own Warlock had and Iron-man moment where he got all his spell slots recharged when the energy hit him. They defeated the warlock but had to deal with Moloch. Basically they had to flee but were rescued by weird Cthulhu creatures who came when the crown was activated. Last the party saw Moloch was being swamped as the cavern collapsed around him.
I love the lore dives into major players like gods, rulers of various planes, and the like. I get so many ideas from them
Lord Mage Pickett take the wheel!!!
Is it just me or is Moloch kinda weak in 5e? I mean , he is cr 21 but a group of adventurers of that level would absolutely destroy him . Even a properly equipped party of 16th level would, if he faced them head on without preparation(which of course he wouldn't,but just for argument's sake) . i know he should be the epic boss fight/recurring villain, but he isn't even immune to lightning damage, meaning he risks hurting himself with his magic weapon (again, practically impossible, but theoretically hilarious)
He is more devastating in Pathfinder.
I’ve been watching your vids for 4 years now. Amazing. Baba Yaga is still one of my top favorites.
Thanks Tony!
I wonder if Moloch would ever become so rage filled he would flip sides in the Blood War? That might be an interesting storyline to pursue, maybe he'd even work with the Demons Of The Abyss as a inside man or devil in this case.
There would be some precedent, there are rumors that graz’zt himself was a devil
@@kirkcannon8079 Grazz’t is supposed to Pale Mother’s and Asmodeus’s son, right? Aside from that, I don’t think he has ever identified as a devil.
Fraz Urb'Luu is a devil that now rules a layer of the abyss. So he is a good template for how that might work
Phenomenal video!!!
AJ, this is amazing. Thank you. You are the darn Ken Burns of monster ecology videos.
Here's a random request, not sure if you covered it in the Drake video - the meredrake.
I know it only from Dragonlance. There's a description in "Land of the Minotaurs," by Richard A. Knaak.
I love demon and devil lore
Majestic.
Outstanding work!
Hmmm, tasty new gluestick
Dont eat glue!
@@adamwelch4336 Try and stop me! OM NOM NOM NOM!
AJ your the most in-depth guy so could you cover all the ravenloft domains and current and past dark lords?
Not to advertise another channel but RavenloftTravelAgent does good work covering Ravenloft.
That description of Malbolge's current state may have actually gotten me to accept it going back to "Just some hills". Judging by how much I was smiling during it.
And @13:33 I know that mask. I have pictures of that mask from when it was on display at the Met.
Good pic choice.
I have a wild mage barbarian who is always looking at multiclass options in my great dale game, i recently thought about tempting him with a magic axe that curses him to take levels in warlock with the fiend pact. Making Moloch the one enforcing the pact i could have him earn his soul back by giving enough treasure before he dies. Thoughts?
Mammon might be a better choice. The duke of greed and the Archdevil who mints the infernal coinage would definitely be more interested in non-soul currency. Tempting Moloch's favor would be easier if your barbarian had access to soul coins, larva, raw souls, mercenary contracts, or the absolute allegiance of some tribe of monsters. Maybe he could beat down certain types of enemies and spare them only to eternally brand them into Moloch's service? Mammon is compelled to gather coinage, Moloch is more versatile in his reach for power. A wild magic barbarian strikes me as an epitome of free-spirited play. Turning that character into Moloch's unwilling slaver, though? There's a fun bit of role-play.
Seems like a good idea, even though I wonder if a wild magic barbarian isn't a bit too chaotic to work with lawful evil entities. Why not a Demon? Moloch is a really cool patron and a romantic villain though. I think there's great role playing potential there
@@Eisenwulf666 the player is a bit of a munchkin with it. Which im ok with having 1 or 2. Half of the group needs a little pushing to do anything so i figured just a small arc which when hes done hell get to swap the levels back to barbarian afterwards. But well see if he picks up the weapon im laying out as a lure.
Moloch. Exiled Duke of hell, shunne Canadian battle rapper for swinging on his opponent, banned McDonald's ex-employee for hiding his liquor next to the patties...
Ha! He got kicked out of the 9 Hells.
Again, still loving this series AJ. Also, Didnt know about the first AD&D cover being Moloch. By the way, any chance you could do a Ravenloft series on Strahd and Lord Soth also?
could you make a video on the weird creature that is the Bagman?
I feel both proud and offended that, having designed an entire setting around Moloch's exile, I came here to learn a few more tidbits about him.
Come to find out, that the entire plot I came up with about a magical lodestone that binds the material plane as a weapon to regain his place in Baator was, in fact, already canon.
good video AJ
16:12 speaking of which, could we get a video on the apocalypse stone at some point?
Hmmm, jeez, there is very little info that I could find... but I am quite curious about it myself.
Kinda happy he gets dunked on. When I hear Moloch, I think "they passed their children through the fire unto Moloch" and lemme tell you, you don't want to hear what that would sound like. Solomon lived in the lap of luxury and still was incredibly depressed when he realized what he did by listening to his pagan wives.
Thanks for the video AJ, got a question. So often I notice beings with immunities to certain elements. Like Moloch here, he is immune to fire which makes sense being primarily tied with the Nine Hells. But what about other powerful creatures that specialize in particular elements? Again for example take a Gold Dragon. One of their breath weapons is fire. So, Imagine a powerful Gold Dragon breathing fire at Moloch; what happens? Does Moloch just walk through the flames unaffected, or does that magical flame contend with his immunity somehow?
This is something I've been really curious about not just concerning fire but all these elemental immunities. I could imagine an infernal being able to walk through a forest fire without fear, but what about magically created/enhanced fire? Same thing for the other elements. Ice, lightning, etc.
Officially, as soon as it exists the dragon, the fire is non magical. Unofficially, devils might get knocked back by it, like getting hit with a high pressure spray of water, but they won't get burnt. Meanwhile, the rock will melt under their feet and bits of metal and wood may actually explode.
I got into your videos last year during lockdown, I've watched so many of your videos, i love them so much, thank you for your vids man.
Just used Moloch to give a younger player a "free" resurrection with some re-rolling of his character. He's pretty happy with his choice so far
Hi Aj I love the Moloch he is really an intimidating creature except for on the Advanced dnd handbook but I love his design and I think his design is like a base you could use to make a bulkier devil, how is your day going I'm really curious my week so far has been great even though my sleep pattern has become worse
All is well 😀
@@AJPickett that's good to hear AJ._.
Great as always
What if moloch was to insert the eye of Vecna believing he could use the power to exact his revenge?
I just read through Matt Colville's new class the Illrigger, or hell knight. Moloch is the patron for the rogue like subclass, which already had me interested, but now I really want to play it after watching this video! Thanks AJ.
Hey AJ, I’m trying to create a d&d version of Stolas. My idea is that he is a demon turned devil. Originally he was a mortal soothsayer who gave prophecies that would lead people to their doom. In response, a group of heroes vanquished him and banished his soul to the abyss for good measure. Upon going into the abyss he formed a body for himself by channeling the demonic energy of the abyss, however, when channeling this energy, he learned a horrible revelation about the obyrinths and the far realm. He was horrified by this and went to the nine hells to seek refuge. He lives in a tower of bones in the nine hells which acts as an observatory which he uses to spy on powerful devils, other planes, the skies of the material planes, and the far realm. He gives information to asmodeus and the Archdevils acting as an information broker. Oddly enough, he doesn’t like getting involved in diabolic politics, considering it to be a distraction from his work to counteract the abyss and the far realm. That said, he still watches the devils plots and schemes unfold, both due to his obsessive need for information and for his own amusement. Personality wise, he is both paranoid and obsessive, however he doesn’t act like it, with him having a lackadaisical demeanor. His appearance is that of a humanoid owl with bright yellow eyes wearing dark blue robes and wearing a crown of fire. His relationship with the Archdevils is interesting, as, he is rather irreverent towards them, with him respecting asmodeus due to him giving him refuge in the hells, however, he is annoyed by asmodeus’s ambition for domination, considering it to be pointless and a distraction from what he views as the bigger picture. He also has some degree of respect for glasya and dispater due to the former’s irreverence and the latter’s paranoia. He also respects Zariel somewhat due to her zelous crusade against demons- albeit this respect is not reciprocated. In combat he primarily uses his magic- being a high level divination wizard- and his crown of fire to reduce his enemies to ash. He also has a paralyzing gaze in which he can force in a cone to make an intelligence saving throw or be paralyzed. His warlocks primarily make deals with him for his knowledge of the future or knowledge of various rare natural materials such as plants or minerals that can be used as reagents. Curiously enough, he doesn’t typically ask for souls, rather he asks for help in attacking demonic or aberrant forces or to give him constant updates on a situation he has interest in.
Hmmm, never seen a demon turn devil, it's usually round the other way, but, anything goes if it makes for a great story in D&D.
Somehow, I thought you had already made a video on this guy. 🙃
Also, heads up AJ, the Demons and Nine Hells playlists are missing videos. Horned Devil to 9Hs, for instance. Maybe Hellfire Wyrms, too?
Thank you
He has done hellfire wyrms.
@@earthobserver1007 i wasnt clear enough. My fault. What I meant was to suggest to AJ to also place the Hellfire wyrm video in a playlist, as at the I couldnt find it and had to sift through his vids.
So much lore. 😆
So if he get exiled from hell where does he go Cleveland lol
Send him to Detroit 😂
Hey the lions could use him for sure probably make a better evil overlord than Martha Ford lol
@@Spocklee no, he is exiled from Hell ..just joking
New Jersey.
Awesome great video
Another great video
Thanks.
0:30 Ohhh... so that was him!
Good job man. This was your first vid I watched. Now subscribed
So they didnt go with the feathered look then?
Hey AJ, What sort of lore details would you say are most important to work on when writing a homebrew Demon Prince?
Influence, alliances, enemies and making note of just how old and how involved in the material world they have been, plus little quirky details about their habits and a short list of their most important underlings (if any)... generally demons become lords due to extreme willpower and motivation for some very specific reason, for example, Orcus MUST be the last being standing in charge of the multiverse, that is his sole win condition.
@@AJPickett [PART 2] Unlike most of his peers, he has no desire to conquer the Great Wheel, instead preferring to spend his time tinkering in his layer-sized laboratory (for which I have yet to think of a name or description). Sure it would be _nice_ to rule the Multiverse, but everyone and their dog in all the lower plans is shooting for that goal, so he figures the odds are stacked against him from the outset just from the sheer abundance of competition (this incidentally is why Umberlee is my favorite evil deity; she's content to spend her time extorting tithes from sailors). He figures it'd be safer to let all those smoothbrains fight amongst themselves and then bow the tentacle to whomever comes out on top (if it's one of the Omnicidal dorks like Orcus he'll intervene against them early).
As for why he climbed to the rank of Abyssal Lord in the first place (which was done through clever Machiavellian manipulation rather than brute strength), that was simply for his own safety, because Abyss. This is not to say that he's not absolutely evil, though. He will drag a mortal world into his realm the instant he runs out of lab rat demons (though he's just as likely to abduct devils from the blood war or Gnolls from Yeenoghu).
@@AJPickett As for influence, I suppose it would be limited to artificers and golemancers. His methods are ingenious, but ethically abhorrent. His closest ally would probably be Baphomet (and by extension mamma curtain, AKA pale night), due to their mutual love of science and playing legos with their underlings' bodyparts. His enemies would be Yeenoghu (due to his alliance with Baphomet), mortals who would dare to let ethics get in the way of science, as well as whatever meathead Abyssal Lords are most likely to bully someone for being a nerd.
Hi @AJ Pickett. Do you think you could do some videos about the different fantasy settings, Dragonlance , Eberon, Greyhawk, Mystara, Birthright ? I'm still new to DM-ing (I'm not great at it), I do not like forgotten realms and I've recently started the Age of Worms adventure path set in Greyhawk, but the setting is not set in stone. so it would be interesting to find what each setting brings and maybe I can slip in some good lore. Maybe you could share which are your favorite settings.
Is there any way you can do a video on the war between the abyss and the hells? And how the celestials of the hells.. or asmodeus.. or was it lucifer? Can you do a video on how they got back those layers that became a part of the abyss thanks to obox-ob... that would be cool. I love that stuff. Learning the history.. seeing it all in my head.. I love it. And then I add all that together.. obox-ob and the abyss.. what hes doing pulling prime material plans into the abyss.. and thebwar of the celestials against them.. and those devils. Gosh I love that stuff.. and seeing it all. Honestly that would be the best. All that sort of stuff. Like .. aj pickett Histories... and you just lay it all out there for us. I truly believe you're the only guy which may do this for us. You're incredible. Things you find.. the mind that is able to.. pull it all together and make conclusions.. and track things down. AJ.. you are the shit. Thats said in the best way
A lot of this is informed speculation, but it seems pretty accurate, after all, why would Moloch seek an artifact that disrupts planar binding if not to use it as a means to tear off a layer of hell (or the abyss) and take it for himself, away from Asmodeus? He knows it can be done. Also, there is the fact that Toril has been targeted by the nine hell's with whole cities pulled into the hell's.
Which is awesome and I want to hear about it all! Youre take. How it all goes down. 🙌
Oh sick, new tavern npc! That's the best use for cr 2X's
Also, that oh so helpful imp the players encounter? Yep... its an ex-duke of hell.
@@AJPickett I meant for planescape. He's only a large creature and his true form at a Sigillic bar scene might not be the scariest thing to a party.
Bless The Deva Spark for forever associating Sigil with high cr outlanders getting drinks together.
The existence of Moloch at his full power outside of the Hells suggests that there may be others exiled from the Hells. That gives me an idea for a campaign of half-devils, half-demons and half-celestials operating in the shadows of a prime material world, trying not to get noticed.
It also gives me an idea for a character, if could find a DM willing to let me play it. A chaotic neutral Drow half-succubus that tempts with power. He/she creates weapons that have profane or divine bonuses for a price. I would be tempted to use Druid to make it, leaning heavily into the “nature is more powerful than you could ever imagine” angle. That would bring the neutral as the secondary axis into the war between good and evil.
I use a slightly different alignment chart than the standard square. Turn that square so that it forms a diamond shape with LG at the top and CE at the bottom and you get the basic of it. LG will join forces with LE or CG against CE, they just don’t like it. CG will work with LG or CE against LE, for the same reason. When you apply that “at least he’s lawful” model to alignment, it makes things more interesting. Angels will fight alongside Devils and Guardinals against Demons that way.
Very good video, what is the music used during it?
I'm struggling to understand why a devil would need advisors, especially a Night Hag as an advisor. There isn't much about cruelty, pain, suffering and damnation that a devil isn't already aware of, or capable of inflicting upon it's enemies that would require the advice of another evil creature.
creativity. Knowing something does not give the same perspective someone else may have.
They might need advice on magic, engineering, local politics, geography, strategy, or any number of other subjects. Remember also that as lawful creatures, devils are communal and (as much as they loathe to admit it) rely on others of their kind to get things done.
It's what hags do.
Because DnD writers, and thus their villains, are not very creative.
Look up Elder Scrolls videos on Clavicus Vile and Barbas to get a more interesting idea on why near-omnipotent beings might create or find partners for themselves. It's not out of practical necessity, it's implicit to their personality and nature.
Amnizu , that devil is there much more to them or are they kinda just a generic lawyer devil. i know patrons get the vote on it but i thought id toss this one in as i want to make them kinda a mini boss in my campaign
Actually, patrons don't often give me video topic requests, most of them are from comments on here, discord and facebook.
@@AJPickett oh well i hope mine gives you and idea maybe
Great video. Thanks!
I always wondered about this wacky fella
You just gave me a great idea
This is why I am here :)
@@AJPickett btw huge fan of your videos, i recommend them to all my fellow players, would love to see some more on the devils and demon lords
He reminds me of the hyena demon lord but more lawful evil
is there any way for a devil to return to being a celestial?
Becoming a "Reformed Soul" giving up any infernal power and reaching a true state of goodness through acts of restitution and then entering celestia as a petitioner.
@@AJPickett maybe a cunning wizard or a steadfast priest could convince moloch that the way to true power is to return to his original form. He seems like a good candidate for that because he's exiled from the 9 hells and he has lots of contact with mortals.
@@AJPickett So... "Nope. Technically possible but won't happen."
I take how much falling damage?!...
Will you please start taking about manes demons & the shadow Demons
Sure 👍
Add a few spiders, and this place starts to sound a bit familiar.
are you planning to make a video in titivius?
I mention him in the video on Dispater and the city of Dis.
@@AJPickett oh cool. i know what im watching next.
and since i seem to have your attention, i just want to say that as a pretty young dm who got into dnd through critical role, these videos are invaluable to me. theres so much cool stuff that i dont think id ever be able to find any other way, paired with years of insight into the game. theres truly nothing like it on the internet
Has asmodeus ever taken back a devil that betrayed him?
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer", may as well be attributed to Asmodeus.