Orcus

Prince of the Undead (a.k.a. Lord of the Dead, Keeper of Thanatos, the Blood Lord)

Orcus, the Prince of the Undead, is one of the most feared and powerful demon lords in the Abyss. A grotesque and bloated figure, Orcus embodies death, decay, and unrelenting hunger for power. He is the undisputed master of Thanatos, the 113th layer of the Abyss, a realm of endless death and shadow. While he despises both the living and undead, Orcus uses them as tools in his eternal quest for domination and revenge against his rivals. Worshiped as a god by mortals and despised by other demon lords, Orcus is a dark force that plagues all realms.

Physical Description

Orcus’ appearance is that of a bloated, goat-headed humanoid standing 15 feet tall. His grotesque body is covered in coarse, black fur, with human-like arms, bat-like wings, and a long, snaky tail tipped with a poisonous stinger. Orcus wields his infamous weapon, the Wand of Orcus, a skull-tipped rod of immense necromantic power.

Notable Features

• Height: 15 feet tall.
• Body: Bloated, grotesque, and covered in goat-like fur.
• Head: Goat-like with ram horns, radiating malevolent intelligence.
• Arms: Human-like but muscular and clawed.
• Wings: Vast, leathery bat-like wings sprout from his back.
• Tail: Snaky, with a venomous, barbed tip.

Personality

Orcus is the embodiment of malice and greed, driven by an unrelenting desire for power and revenge. Despite his brutish appearance, Orcus is exceptionally cunning and intelligent, using his followers and the undead to enact his will across the planes. He has no love for his followers, viewing them as disposable tools for his schemes.

Key Traits

• Ambition: Orcus desires to dominate both mortal and divine realms.
• Hatred: Loathes all life and death but uses both to his advantage.
• Cunning: Master strategist, employing fear, corruption, and manipulation.
• Ruthless: Will destroy or sacrifice anything to achieve his goals.

History

Orcus began his existence as a mortal, ascending through the demonic ranks over millennia. His rise to power included countless transformations and battles for dominance, eventually claiming the title of Prince of the Undead. Though killed once by the drow goddess Kiaransalee, he returned as the shadowy entity Tenebrous before reclaiming his former power and title.

Key Events

• Mortal Origins: Started as a wicked spellcaster on the Prime Material Plane.
• Ascension: Rose through the Abyssal ranks from larva to demon lord.
• Death and Resurrection: Betrayed and killed by Kiaransalee, returning as Tenebrous before regaining his title.
• Rivalries: Eternal enmity with Demogorgon and Graz’zt, as well as other demon lords.
• Realm: Thanatos, the 113th Layer of the Abyss

Thanatos, also known as the Belly of Death, is a desolate plane of shadow and decay, ruled by Orcus. The skies are eternally dark, the land barren, and the air suffused with the stench of death. The realm is populated by legions of undead, including liches, skeletons, ghouls, and Orcus’ personal creations, the undead tanar'ri known as visages.

Key Features of Thanatos

• The Fortress of Everloss: Orcus’ blackened, jagged stronghold, surrounded by seas of bones and rivers of blood.
• The Endless Graveyards: Vast fields of graves and crypts, housing Orcus’ undead armies.
• The Shadows of Tenebrous: Regions where Orcus’ form as Tenebrous lingers, creating wraith-like horrors.

Worshipers and Cults

The Cult of Orcus is a loosely organized network of worshipers, including necromancers, evil clerics, and the undead. Orcus’ appeal lies in his promise of power over death and the undead, drawing followers from the desperate, power-hungry, and those who seek eternal life.

Key Aspects of Worship

• Symbols: Skull-tipped rods, skeletal motifs, and depictions of the Wand of Orcus.
• Followers: Necromancers, death priests, liches, and undead generals.
• Promises: Power over life and death, eternal undeath, and dominance over mortal realms.

The Wand of Orcus

The Wand of Orcus is Orcus’ primary weapon and symbol of power. A black iron rod topped with a human skull, the wand exudes necromantic energy capable of killing mortals with a single touch and animating legions of undead.

Key Features

• Appearance: Black iron rod with a skull tip.

Abilities:

• Instant Death: Can slay mortals with a single touch.
• Undead Command: Animates undead en masse.
• Destructive Power: A focal point for Orcus’ immense magic.

Relationships and Rivals

Orcus is locked in an eternal struggle with other demon lords, most notably Demogorgon and Graz’zt. His hatred for these rivals defines much of his strategy and fuels his ambition to claim the title of “Prince of Demons.”

Notable Rivals

• Demogorgon: Orcus uses sabotage and assassination against this rival.
• Graz’zt: Locked in open war with Graz’zt’s forces.
• Kiaransalee: Betrayed Orcus and briefly usurped his realm.

Servants of Orcus

Orcus’ most powerful servants are fearsome beings who enforce his will and spread his influence.

Key Servants

• Glyphimhor: A powerful Type VI demon and Orcus’ most trusted lieutenant.
• Doresain: The King of Ghouls, once a vassal of Orcus.
• Acererak: A lich who once served Orcus before pursuing his own ambitions.
• Fyrillicus: A massive Abyssian dragon bred by Orcus.
• Kauvra: A deadly half-orc vampire who serves as Orcus’ enforcer.

Worshipers

The Cult of Orcus is a loosely organized network of worshipers of Orcus which features in a large number of D&D settings, campaigns, and novels. According to the Book of Vile Darkness, the loathsome yet identifiable portfolio of Orcus is what makes him worshiped as a god more often than most of the other demon princes, making him closer to ascending to true godhood than even Demogorgon.

The Palace of Orcus

The Palace of Orcus is a massive Abyssian citadel, the center of his power and dominion over Thanatos. This fortress is a nightmarish blend of demonic architecture, spatial distortions, and malevolent enchantments, reflecting the chaos and cruelty of its master. The palace is both a symbol of Orcus' supremacy and a nearly insurmountable challenge for those foolish or brave enough to trespass into his domain.

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Description of the Palace

The palace looms over the surrounding wastelands, visible intermittently through the shifting landscape. Constant lightning flashes illuminate the fortress, altering the color of the sky and ground with each strike. Its looming presence fills the region with dread, and those approaching are faced with both physical and magical dangers.

Key Features

Size and Presence: Massive, visible from almost any vantage point in Thanatos.

• Shifting Locations: Spatial distortions make the palace appear closer or farther away, though distances remain constant.
• Lightning Storms: Constant flashes of lightning alter the appearance of the surrounding terrain.
• Moat of Lava: A deep moat of fiery lava encircles the palace, guarded by numerous patrols and magical wards.
• Flying Guards: Aerial sentinels patrol the skies, hunting intruders with rewards offered by Orcus.

Bridge of Talking Skulls

To approach the palace, intruders must cross a treacherous bridge spanning the lava moat, guarded by two talking skulls mounted on either side.

Key Features of the Bridge

• Duplicate Warrior: The skulls magically duplicate the strongest warrior in the group for a deadly one-on-one duel.
• Collapse Trap: If more than one character steps onto the bridge or destructive magic is cast, the bridge collapses into the lava.
• Warning Mechanism: The skulls will only warn of the collapse if the duplicate warrior is defeated.

Mazes of Shadow and Smoke

Beyond the bridge are six regions of twisting black smoke that conceal deadly mazes. These areas are protected by powerful magic that blocks all sight and detection spells.

Maze Features

• Shapes: Mazes take the form of squares, octagons, pentagons, or hexagons.
• Challenges: Each maze contains unique puzzles, traps, and opponents.
• Progression: Characters must successfully navigate the first three mazes to reach the next area of the palace.

Inner Citadel Features

Inside the citadel, characters encounter areas that test their cunning, strength, and endurance.
Key Areas

• Iron Golem Greeter: A supercharged iron golem serves as the citadel’s initial guardian.
• Scrying Room: A vast domed chamber where Orcus monitors his realm and enemies.
• Library: A repository of dark knowledge and magical lore built for Orcus' favored guests.
• Torture Chamber: Used for punishment and to extract information.
• Teleportation Trap Room: A room that sends intruders back to the start of the bridge.
• Chessboard Battle Arena: A raised platform designed for fights to the death. Orcus uses this area to pit intruders against demons, with squares vanishing over time to drop combatants into the moat below.

Kitchens and Dumbwaiter

Deep within the citadel are Orcus' kitchens, a sprawling complex that feeds the gluttonous demon lord. In the center is a massive dumbwaiter, capable of carrying characters directly to Orcus’ throne room.
Kitchen Features

• Size: Vast chambers filled with grotesque food preparation.
• Dumbwaiter: A large mechanism designed to transport characters or goods to the throne room.

The Throne Room of Orcus

The throne room is the ultimate destination within the palace and the heart of Orcus’ power.
Key Features

• Dais and Throne: A tall dais supports a massive throne constructed from skulls of countless creatures.
• Silver Scrying Pool: Positioned before the throne, used by Orcus to monitor the Abyss and beyond.
• The Wand’s Socket: The Wand of Orcus rests in a socket beside the throne, powering the throne room’s magical defenses.
• Green Dome: A shimmering green dome encases the room, dispelling spells and nullifying magic items of intruders.

Magical Defenses

• Anti-Magic Field: The dome dispels magic and deactivates magical items.
• Alert System: Removing the Wand of Orcus from its socket alerts Orcus, who will return to defend his seat of power.

Princely Guard

The Princely Guard, a fearsome demonic elite, patrols the main hallways of the citadel and the throne room's entrance. They are tasked with eliminating anyone seeking an audience with Orcus without his explicit permission.

Guard Features

• Loyalty: Absolute devotion to Orcus.
• Combat Prowess: Equipped with powerful weapons and enchanted armor.
• Elevator Access: The central pillar in their chamber leads directly to the throne room.

Adventure Hooks and Challenges

The Palace of Orcus provides countless opportunities for high-stakes encounters, riddles, and climactic battles.

Hooks

• Retrieve the Wand: Infiltrate the palace to steal the Wand of Orcus before it can be used in a catastrophic ritual.
• Rescue Mission: Free a captured ally held within the torture chamber or battle arena.
• Destroy the Throne: Venture to the throne room to destroy Orcus’ seat of power, disrupting his influence over Thanatos.
• Maze of Madness: Solve the riddles and traps of the mazes to retrieve a powerful artifact hidden within.

Threats

• Spatial Distortions: Confuse navigation and create unpredictable dangers.
• Maze Traps: Deadly puzzles and opponents in the shadow mazes.
• Guards and Monsters: The Princely Guard and flying sentinels enforce Orcus’ will.
• Throne Room Defenses: The Wand of Orcus, anti-magic dome, and Orcus himself present formidable challenges.

The Palace of Orcus is an ultimate test of ingenuity, courage, and determination, serving as a fitting endgame for daring adventurers in the realm of Thanatos.

Unholy Symbol: a mace with a human skull as the head
Realm: Thanatos, 113th layer of the Abyss
Domains: Chaos, Death, Demonic, Evil, Undeath

Speciality Clerics

Unholy Symbol of Orcus by 3orcs

Divine Classification

Demon Lord

Religions

• The Bloodied Fangs

Alignment

Chaotic evil

Church/Cult

Cult of Orcus

Aligned Organization

Cult of Orcus

Orcus Prince of the Undead

Rite of Orcus

Orcus, Lord of Undeath. Prince of Blood. Who’s festering will touches all the Realms
Hear your servants Prayer
We do not presume to come to this, thy altar, Prince of Undeath I promise my soul to you, Orcus, eat of your flesh and drink of your blood.
Prince of Demons. In your name, I offer suffering and torment to those hateful creatures of Law!
Oh great Lord of Undeath, I present thee, sacrifice!
I am Tavic! grant me your power, by your fetid hand
So that I spread suffering across the world in your name.
May all know suffering by your hand.

Acolyte of Orcus Cleric by 3orcs