Bearded Devils
Barbazus, also called bearded devils, were the shock troops of the Nine Hells and the most impulsively belligerent of the baatezu.
“Many a summoner has met a beard-snarled end after forgetting their steward was a tempest of infernal rage. Let the barbazu be a warning, dear readers: don't turn your back on evil!”
— Volo
Barbazu were volatile and violent, attacking at the slightest provocation and exploiting any opportunity to go on the offensive. They were extremely cruel, fighting not because of loyalty to the system or fellowship with their kin, but out of a need to injure, kill, and terrify. They were followers by nature as they were too reckless and simpleminded to lead, being potentially the most chaotic of the baatezu. Slaughter and maiming was their primary approach to interacting with mortals, as opposed to the subtle temptations and deceptions found in other devils. Barbazu had a personal attachment to their glaives and would stubbornly insist on keeping them even if offered one of superior quality.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Barbazus were the second-lowest in the hierarchy of lesser devils, sharing the same rank as kocrachons and, according to the wizard Mordenkainen, merregons.
Bearded devils were the elite assault troops of the archdevils that fought shoulder-to-shoulder at the front of lemure hordes. They were deployed in the legions of Hell's middle circles, particularly in Minauros, by the thousands either to guard Baator from outside incursions or attack the armies of the Abyss. Always found as the muscle for a more devious villain, they were also employed as guards for greater baatezu or their treasure and lands. Amnizus were commonly protected by groups of barbazus, although they were more fond of employing war devils because of their greater intelligence.
Barbazu were also responsible for locating and ferrying new souls off the Shelves of Despond to the domains of their respective lords. After reaching the blood-drenched islands on Avernus, they would sniff out which archdevil owned the soul based on the lower-ranked devil responsible for their corruption, as all souls that went to the Nine Hells were specially stained with a mark of corruption. Occasionally, however, it was unclear what a soul's destination should be, a rare occurrence as normally there were marked territories in the mortal realms determining such a thing even when no devil interfered with their damnation. In such a scenario, barbazus serving different lords broke out into frenzied bartering sessions that often broke down into outright brawls, and any barbazu that successfully took such unmarked souls to their archdevils were credited for the capture and thus increased their chances for promotion. Such a situation also made it possible for the soul to escape or be stolen by a third party, and the servitors of lawful evil deities could also be found negotiating for unclaimed souls with the barbazus.
The bearded devils were bred for battle, and all other devils recognized their worth in combat situations. Yet they also had a bad reputation with other devils for their impulsive nature that frequently got them brutally disciplined. Despite leading the charge in infernal armies, they never commanded such forces even though they were lesser baatezu. Barbazus were very rarely promoted because they suffered incredible losses during the Blood War, with their overall role being that of expendable savages. Most baatezu were never promoted again after reaching the rank of barbazu, with excellent red abishai and spinagons skipping the rank altogether and only those bearded devils of exceptional merit rising to the only stage they could from that point, that of the osyluths.
Domestication
Cultists will summon them to the mortal plane and bind them as bodyguards.
Facial characteristics
They earned their name from the venomous, beard-like tendrils that hung from their chins.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The beard of a barbazu contained a dangerous disease known as the 'devil chills', which caused those struck to develop a painfully burning rash. If not lashing out with their claws and beards, a barbazu could attempt to summon abishai, lemures, or simply additional barbazus. Barbazus could also whip themselves into a dangerous battle frenzy not unlike that of a barbarian, fearlessly rampaging throughout the battlefield with no regard to personal safety. As a battle raged on, they were more and more likely to enter such a state and would stay enraged unless stopped or removed from the battle.
Origin/Ancestry
Hell
Average Height
6 ft
Average Weight
225 lbs
Average Physique
Their signature feature was their disgusting, wiry beards, which were occasionally infested with white maggots, although they could also be recognized by their pointed ears and long tails. Their skin was moist but covered in scales, and despite having clawed hands and feet they almost always carried massive saw-toothed glaives.
Geographic Distribution
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