D&D Monster Spotlight: Demogorgon
Demon royalty and the inspiration for the Stranger Things monster, the Demogorgon is a creature your party doesn’t want to encounter.
Stranger Things season four is right around the corner. And somehow that show made us all look at a flower monster and think, “That’s the Demogorgon.” Well, the ‘Demogorgon’ hasn’t been around in a few seasons and the actual D&D monster looks a fair bit different than the creature the 80s kids-on-bikes gang encounter. But both are scary and scary looking monsters that you and your adventurer will probably want to avoid at all costs.
First Edition
In a show that takes place during the 80’s, we are almost definitely watching those kids play D&D First Edition. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to see that the Demogorgon has been a member of the Monster Manual since 1E. But Stranger Things may have given this beast a bit of a demotion. The Demogorgon as you can encounter is a demon, and a demon prince, at that. With two heads, a lashing forked tail, hypnotic abilities, and deadly tentacles, this is a creature that looks about as terrible as it is to encounter. It also has a fierce rivalry with fellow demon lord, Orcus.
Second Edition
2E’s Demogorgon appears in the text heavy and picture light Monster Mythology. Here it takes on avatars who are sent in secret to scheme and confer with other powerful vampiric and demon leaders. These avatars appear as the huge double-headed reptile creature that we think of as the Demogorgon. This avatar takes half damage from cold and fire, and a scratch from its claws causes a disease that will kill in twenty four hours.
Third Edition
Now and eighteen foot tall demon, the Demogorgon has more ape like features in addition to reptile. Two baboon heads lead down to tentacles, scaled legs, and a forked tail. They also have a ton of troubling abilities. Energy Drain lest it hurt you while healing five HP, its gaze can cause hypnosis or insanity depending on which head you’re unlucky enough to be looking at, and a touch from its tentacles will cause immediate rot. All of that said, the Demogorgon doesn’t enjoy battle and would much rather send out its minions. So if you encounter the Demogorgon, you’ve either done really well so far or really, really goofed up somewhere.
Fourth Edition
There is no questioning which 4E book the Demogorgon shows up in because they are the cover-creature. Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, right? Their two heads are named Aamuel and Hethradiah, and have two different personalities. But with one preferring deception and the other destruction, neither are exactly best friend material. It tends to live in a tropical region of the Abyss with deep jungles, and is just as happy on land as in the sea.
Fifth Edition
Most recently the Demogorgon took a turn for the Lovecraftian with a lair that is “a place of madness and duality.” Its gaze will still cause madness, but now a d100 chart of options tells the DM exactly what variety of madness the Demogorgon causes. Unfortunately most of them are some variety of “My party members are the enemy and I must attack them.” Six miles around the monster’s lair is infested with poisonous snakes and venomous beasts, so if you manage to successfully fight your way to the Demogorgon, you’ll find a lair where an illusory duplicate of the Demogorgon is waiting to split your attention.
Have you encountered the Demogorgon in your adventures? Do you prefer the D&D monster or the creature from Stranger Things? Which of its heads would you rather have as your best friend? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Adventuring!
