![[Obox-ob.png]] **Obox-ob** **Also Known as:** The Prince of Vermin, The Primal Chaos, Former Prince of Demons **Alignment:** Chaotic Evil **Classification:** Obyrith Demon Lord, Abyssal Prince **Realm:** Zionyn, 663rd Layer of the Abyss **Former Realm:** The Blood Shallows, 81st Layer of the Abyss **Symbol:** A Scorpion Suspended from a Jawless Human Skull **Domains:** Chaos, Destruction, Entropy, Evil --- ### Overview **Obox-ob**, known as **the Prince of Vermin**, is one of the most ancient and malevolent demon lords of the **Abyss**, a surviving power from the primordial age when the **obyriths** dominated the Lower Planes. His existence predates the ascendancy of the tanar'ri, and his original authority was so immense that he once held the title **Prince of Demons**, a position now claimed by Demogorgon. Although his power has diminished considerably since that ancient supremacy, Obox-ob remains an extraordinarily dangerous being whose ambitions encompass the destruction of the present demonic order and the restoration of the obyriths as the supreme rulers of the Abyss. Unlike many demon lords whose appearances possess recognisably humanoid characteristics, Obox-ob is a profoundly alien creature whose monstrous body resembles an unnatural union of scorpion, centipede, and other predatory arthropods. His immense form is covered in ancient chitinous armour and supported by numerous jointed limbs, while enormous venomous stingers and a grotesque arrangement of eyes and jaws make him terrifying even to the inhabitants of the Abyss. Merely witnessing his true appearance can inflict enduring madness, while the terrible sounds produced by the movement of his body are capable of overwhelming the minds of nearby creatures. His physical form reflects the unnatural characteristics of the obyriths, whose bodies and minds belong to a generation of demons profoundly different from those that dominate the Abyss in later ages. Obox-ob's history is inseparable from his humiliation at the hands of the **Queen of Chaos**, who destroyed his original body and granted his former title to **Miska the Wolf-Spider**. Although his apparent death ended his reign as Prince of Demons, a powerful aspect of his existence survived and concealed itself within **Zionyn**, the six-hundred-and-sixty-third layer of the Abyss. For countless ages, the surviving fragment remained hidden while the political order of the Abyss underwent extraordinary changes. When Obox-ob eventually emerged from his concealment, he discovered that the ancient supremacy of the obyriths had ended, the tanar'ri had risen to power, and his own name had largely passed from the memory of demonkind. The discovery transformed his surviving existence into one of consuming resentment. Obox-ob regards the present rulers of the Abyss as usurpers who occupy positions that should belong to the ancient demons. He particularly despises **Demogorgon**, whose possession of the title Prince of Demons represents the most visible reminder of his lost supremacy. Yet his hatred extends beyond that individual rival, for he seeks the destruction of the tanar'ri as a whole and the restoration of an Abyss governed by the surviving obyriths. His ambitions are therefore considerably greater than the dominion he presently exercises over Zionyn, although he understands that reclaiming his former strength must precede any serious attempt to overthrow the established demon princes. Despite the terrible circumstances of his decline, Obox-ob retains extraordinary intelligence and a considerable understanding of the ancient Abyss. His knowledge of forgotten demonic history exceeds that possessed by many younger demon lords, while his supernatural abilities remain capable of destroying powerful fiends and mortal champions. His apparent preoccupation with vermin should not be mistaken for an inability to pursue complex objectives, for his surviving schemes demonstrate a willingness to employ mortal cultists, lesser demons, and ancient supernatural powers in pursuit of his restoration. Obox-ob remains a diminished shadow of the being he once was, but the power contained within that shadow is sufficient to threaten creatures that would regard most other demons as insignificant. --- ### Domain and Influence Obox-ob rules **Zionyn**, the **663rd layer of the Abyss**, an immense and inhospitable realm whose landscape is dominated by jagged badlands, vast expanses of barren stone, and enormous oceans of thick, foul-smelling resin. The layer possesses little resemblance to the magnificent courts and fortresses established by the more politically ambitious demon princes. Its wilderness is overrun by monstrous arthropods, demonic vermin, and other creatures whose survival depends upon predation and the exploitation of living hosts. The environment itself presents extraordinary dangers to visitors, for the surrounding land offers little shelter from the innumerable creatures inhabiting its desolate expanses. The most distinctive geographical features of Zionyn are its immense **resin seas**, whose thick, syrup-like substance possesses properties unlike those of ordinary water. These expanses border the jagged badlands, forming vast regions whose surfaces appear almost motionless despite the tremendous quantities of material they contain. Creatures entering the resin may become trapped within its viscous depths, while prolonged immersion can preserve their bodies in grotesque and unnatural forms. The inhabitants of Zionyn have developed terrible uses for this substance, exploiting its ability to harden around living victims and transforming the remains into materials suitable for the construction of their cities. The principal inhabitants of Zionyn are the **ekolids**, insectoid obyrith demons whose devotion to Obox-ob has established them as the ruling caste of the layer. Unlike the ordinary wandering bands of ekolids encountered elsewhere in the Abyss, those inhabiting Zionyn have developed an extensive and exceptionally cruel civilisation. Their settlements consist of immense hive-cities whose towers, cathedrals, and elaborate passages are constructed from the preserved bodies of living victims. Captives are submerged within the resin seas, where the surrounding substance hardens at the moment of suffocation, transforming their bodies into grotesque sculptures whose final expressions remain preserved within the material. The ekolids gather these preserved remains and incorporate them into their architecture, producing structures composed of innumerable creatures that died during the process of construction. Their hive-cities therefore serve as both settlements and monuments to the suffering of their victims, while the enormous towers dedicated to Obox-ob express the religious authority through which the ekolid nobility governs. These demons possess an unusual fascination with the deaths of their captives, regarding particularly elaborate or horrifying results as achievements worthy of recognition. Their cities are consequently filled with displays of cruelty that extend beyond the ordinary brutality associated with demonic society. Despite their grotesque construction, the hive-cities possess active markets and established forms of commerce. Ekolids trade dangerous poisons gathered from numerous worlds, while captives are bought and sold for use as living hosts in the reproduction of their species. The demons implant eggs within living creatures, allowing their offspring to develop at the expense of the host's body. Among the more powerful ekolid families, the circumstances of these births have become the subject of terrible competitions, with recognition granted to those whose offspring emerge through particularly destructive means. These practices demonstrate the extraordinary cruelty of a society whose ruling class celebrates the suffering of other creatures as an expression of status and religious devotion. Zionyn is also inhabited by numerous varieties of **fiendish vermin and aberrations**, including abyssal ant swarms, brood keepers, and cheliceras. These creatures occupy the badlands beyond the ekolid settlements, creating an environment in which ordinary travel is exceptionally dangerous. Their presence reflects the influence of Obox-ob, whose supernatural authority extends over monstrous arthropods and other forms of predatory vermin. Yet the populations inhabiting the wilderness should not be understood as a single organised army, for many exist according to their own instincts and pursue prey without direction from the Prince of Vermin. The dangers of Zionyn are sufficiently notorious that the **Fraternity of Order**, a planar organisation dedicated to the study and understanding of the multiverse, has placed the layer under an indefinite prohibition against exploration by its members. This decision reflects the extreme hostility of the local inhabitants and the difficulty of obtaining reliable information without exposing investigators to overwhelming danger. Even experienced planar travellers risk capture or destruction within the ekolid territories, while the remoteness of the layer makes the organisation of rescue expeditions extraordinarily difficult. Obox-ob himself possesses no interest in preserving the prosperity of his subjects. Although the ekolids worship him and construct enormous monuments in his honour, the Prince of Vermin frequently moves across Zionyn in destructive rages, overwhelming creatures and settlements that attract his attention. His servants therefore exist beneath the constant threat of their own master's fury, despite the devotion through which they maintain his cult. This relationship reflects the profound resentment that dominates his existence, for Obox-ob regards the kingdom he presently rules as a poor substitute for the extraordinary supremacy he possessed during the ancient age of the obyriths. **The Blood Shallows** Before his defeat by the Queen of Chaos, Obox-ob was associated with **the Blood Shallows**, the **81st layer of the Abyss**. This ancient realm possesses an environment considerably different from Zionyn, consisting of marshy lowlands, rolling hills, and expanses of blood-red water whose corrosive properties make them dangerous to ordinary living creatures. The sky is described as possessing an unusual reversal of familiar colours, with pale atmospheric expanses and blue clouds creating an unnatural appearance above the surrounding wetlands. Although the region no longer serves as the principal seat of Obox-ob's power, its association with his earliest history remains significant. The destruction of Obox-ob's original form deprived him of direct control over this ancient territory. In his absence, rival demons and lesser obyriths established competing claims, transforming the former domain of the Prince of Demons into a region whose authority became fragmented. Certain accounts preserve knowledge of a surviving aspect of Obox-ob imprisoned within the Blood Shallows, suggesting that the destruction inflicted by the Queen of Chaos did not eliminate every fragment of his former existence. The relationship between this imprisoned aspect and the being that survived within Zionyn is particularly important, for the recovery of such lost portions of his power might contribute to the restoration he has pursued since emerging from hiding. The Blood Shallows therefore remains associated with Obox-ob even though Zionyn is his recognised realm. Its history reflects the division of a being whose original power was too great to be entirely destroyed through the loss of a single physical manifestation. The surviving aspects also create uncertainty concerning the full extent of his present existence, for not every account agrees upon their ultimate fate. What remains established is that Obox-ob once ruled as Prince of Demons, suffered destruction at the hands of the Queen of Chaos, and survived through at least one powerful aspect that eventually re-established his authority within Zionyn. --- ### Symbols and Icons  The recognised symbol of **Obox-ob** is **a scorpion suspended by its tail from a jawless human skull covered in twisted runes**. The scorpion's tail passes through the empty eye sockets, leaving the creature hanging beneath the skull in an unnatural arrangement that reflects the demonic power associated with the Prince of Vermin. The emblem combines the image of a predatory arthropod with the mutilated remains of a humanoid creature, expressing the supremacy of vermin over the beings ordinarily regarded as more intelligent or powerful. Its use is particularly important among mortal cultists, whose devotion to scorpions and other venomous creatures reflects the central imagery of Obox-ob's faith. The true appearance of Obox-ob is far more disturbing than the symbols employed by his worshippers. His enormous body resembles an unnatural scorpion whose anatomy has been reversed and distorted beyond the arrangement possessed by ordinary living creatures. Numerous spidery limbs extend from the sides of his chitinous torso, their sharp talons constantly scraping against the surrounding ground as the monstrous body moves. Instead of possessing a conventional head at the front of his body, Obox-ob bears **three immense scorpion-like tails**, each terminating in a jagged stinger that drips with powerful black venom. These appendages strike with extraordinary speed, allowing him to attack several creatures while the remainder of his body continues moving through the surrounding terrain. At the opposite end of his body rises a thick, muscular neck supporting a hideous face. Its most distinctive features are **three pairs of crimson eyes**, whose appearance possesses an unsettling resemblance to human eyes despite the monstrous structure surrounding them. Beneath these eyes opens a vertically arranged mouth filled with unnatural teeth, from which extends a long, glistening tongue terminating in a hollow, corkscrew-shaped spike. This appendage is among the most dangerous weapons possessed by the Prince of Vermin, for its touch can implant raw chaos into the bodies of living creatures and bring about a form of destruction extending beyond ordinary physical death. The chitinous plates covering Obox-ob's body are ancient and immensely hard, grinding against one another whenever he moves. Their movement produces an extraordinary cacophony of shrieks, scraping noises, and discordant vibrations whose supernatural influence can overwhelm nearby creatures. His appearance is therefore terrifying through more than physical deformity, for the sight and sound of the Prince of Vermin possess powers capable of attacking the mind directly. The monstrous arrangement of his body reflects the profoundly alien nature of the obyriths, whose forms do not obey the ordinary patterns associated with either mortal creatures or the younger demons that now dominate the Abyss. --- ### Worship and Tributes The worship of **Obox-ob** is founded upon the veneration of vermin, the rejection of the present demonic order, and the desire to restore the ancient power of the Prince of Demons. His principal worshippers are the **ekolids** inhabiting Zionyn, whose enormous hive-cities contain temples and monuments dedicated to their master's authority. These insectoid obyriths regard Obox-ob as the supreme expression of the predatory qualities they themselves possess, and their devotion is demonstrated through the preservation of victims, the cultivation of dangerous vermin, and the construction of sacred structures from the remains of living creatures. Their society is therefore inseparable from their religion, for the practices through which the ekolids reproduce and establish status also serve as expressions of allegiance to the Prince of Vermin. Mortal worshippers are comparatively uncommon, although certain cults have acquired considerable power upon individual worlds. These organisations frequently operate in secret, concealing their activities within ruined settlements or remote regions where dangerous arthropods can flourish without interference. Obox-ob's mortal followers are particularly associated with **scorpions**, whose venomous stingers and predatory instincts reflect the characteristics of their patron. Some cults establish their sanctuaries within abandoned cities surrounded by vast deserts, allowing them to maintain large concentrations of sacred vermin while remaining distant from communities likely to oppose their practices. The teachings associated with Obox-ob emphasise the destruction of weakness and the superiority of creatures capable of surviving through predation. His worshippers regard vermin as sacred not because they possess wisdom or compassion, but because their existence demonstrates the power of instinct, poison, reproduction, and relentless consumption. Certain devotees seek to imitate these characteristics through magic or the cultivation of poisonous creatures, although published lore does not establish a universal ritual through which every follower undergoes bodily transformation. Their practices vary according to the circumstances of individual cults, and the absence of a single mortal religious hierarchy allows considerably different forms of devotion to develop across the planes. The greatest ambition shared by Obox-ob's most knowledgeable worshippers is the restoration of their master's former supremacy. Rather than merely spreading infestation or disease, such servants may attempt to acquire supernatural power sufficient to strengthen the Prince of Vermin himself. These efforts are exceptionally dangerous because his ambitions extend beyond the acquisition of a mortal kingdom or the destruction of an isolated enemy. Obox-ob seeks the return of an entire demonic order whose supremacy predates the familiar rulers of the Abyss, and his cultists may therefore pursue schemes capable of threatening worlds far removed from Zionyn. --- ### Clergy and Cults Obox-ob possesses recognised clerics whose supernatural traditions are associated with the **Chaos, Destruction, Entropy, and Evil domains**. Although his mortal cults are generally secretive and geographically isolated, their existence demonstrates that the Prince of Vermin is capable of receiving organised devotion from intelligent creatures. His priests may maintain shrines within ruined cities or other remote settlements, employing venomous arthropods as sacred creatures and preserving knowledge of the ancient obyriths. No single universal priestly hierarchy has been established across all his worshippers, however, and the religious institutions of Zionyn differ considerably from the small mortal cults operating upon distant worlds. Within Zionyn, the ekolids provide the most developed example of religious authority associated with Obox-ob. Their society possesses an established aristocracy, powerful families, extensive hive-cities, and elaborate ceremonies through which their status is maintained. Although ordinary ekolids are frequently little more than roaming predators, those inhabiting the Prince of Vermin's realm may develop extraordinary skills and occupy positions resembling those of priests, scouts, merchants, and other specialised professions. Their authority is supported through control of captives, poisons, and the immense structures constructed from resin-preserved bodies. The resulting society possesses considerable organisation, despite the chaotic evil nature of its inhabitants and the unpredictable violence of the demon lord they worship. Obox-ob's interest in mortal cults is governed principally by their ability to advance his plans for restoration. Some organisations receive little direct attention, preserving their religion without undertaking schemes important enough to attract their master's notice. Others acquire extraordinary significance when their activities offer opportunities to increase his power. The most ambitious of these cults have attempted magical undertakings capable of weakening the boundaries between the Material Plane and the Abyss, seeking to draw enormous quantities of power into their master's possession. Such efforts demonstrate that even a diminished obyrith lord can inspire organisations whose ambitions far exceed those of ordinary demon-worshipping sects. The ekolids are not the only creatures capable of serving Obox-ob directly. His surviving power allows him to create or employ **aspects**, lesser manifestations through which his influence may extend beyond Zionyn. Such beings preserve portions of his monstrous appearance and supernatural abilities, enabling them to participate in the affairs of other Abyssal powers without requiring the full presence of the Prince of Vermin. Their appearance is particularly significant in conflicts involving the tanar'ri, for Obox-ob regards the younger demonic race as the principal obstacle to the restoration of his ancient supremacy. --- ### Powers and Abilities As one of the ancient **obyrith demon lords**, Obox-ob possesses extraordinary physical strength, supernatural resilience, and abilities capable of corrupting both body and mind. His monstrous anatomy provides numerous natural weapons, including three powerful stingers, a devastating bite, and the hollow spike terminating his extended tongue. These appendages allow him to attack several opponents with remarkable speed, while the numerous limbs supporting his body permit movement across difficult terrain. Despite his enormous size, he is capable of climbing with extraordinary agility and can move through the air through supernatural flight. His physical abilities therefore make him a formidable opponent even before the destructive properties of his venom and magical powers are considered. The **venom carried by his stingers** possesses effects far more terrible than those of ordinary poison. Rather than simply injuring the body, it attacks the intelligence of its victim, gradually destroying the faculties through which the creature understands its surroundings. Those who succumb completely undergo a supernatural transformation into **fiendish monstrous scorpions**, losing their former abilities, memories, and individuality. The resulting creature retains no meaningful connection with the person it once was, and only extraordinarily powerful magic can reverse the change. Even when the original form is restored, the victim's intelligence remains profoundly damaged, demonstrating the destructive extent of Obox-ob's influence upon the mind. His tongue possesses a different and even more terrible supernatural power. When its hollow spike penetrates a creature's flesh, Obox-ob can implant a portion of the **raw substance of chaos** within the victim. This power does not act as an ordinary poison or disease, but gradually consumes the creature's physical and spiritual existence through increasingly destructive supernatural effects. As the implanted chaos spreads, the victim's strength and vitality deteriorate until both body and soul are destroyed. Ordinary healing is insufficient to reverse the process, while magic capable of dispelling chaotic energies can delay its progression without necessarily restoring the damage already suffered. The restoration of a creature destroyed in this manner requires the most powerful forms of resurrection magic, and even these may fail to prevent the destructive energy from continuing its work. Obox-ob's presence can also inflict **permanent supernatural madness**. Creatures that behold his true form may find their minds overwhelmed by its unnatural structure, leaving them haunted by terrifying visions long after the immediate encounter has ended. Such victims can suffer recurring nightmares whenever they attempt to rest, while the presence of ordinary vermin produces an irrational and overwhelming fear. This affliction is particularly cruel because it transforms creatures normally regarded as insignificant into reminders of the horror associated with the Prince of Vermin. Its effects can endure indefinitely unless removed through exceptionally powerful restorative magic, demonstrating that even surviving an encounter with Obox-ob may leave consequences extending across the remainder of a victim's life. The sound produced by his chitinous body constitutes another supernatural weapon. When Obox-ob moves, the grinding of his ancient armour creates a **discordant drone** whose cacophony can deafen nearby creatures and overwhelm their ability to think clearly. Those affected may become confused and incapable of directing their actions reliably, leaving them vulnerable to the attacks of the Prince of Vermin or the monsters surrounding him. The effect is particularly dangerous within confined environments, where the sound of his approaching body may announce his presence only moments before his victims become unable to respond effectively. His mastery over vermin allows him to summon enormous swarms and transform ordinary arthropods into monstrous creatures of extraordinary size. Through supernatural magic, Obox-ob can produce **colossal scorpions** and other giant vermin, directing them against enemies who might otherwise attempt to avoid his immediate reach. He also possesses the ability to transform certain objects into vermin, extending his authority beyond the creatures naturally inhabiting his realm. These powers make him particularly dangerous within Zionyn, where the enormous populations of predatory arthropods provide countless opportunities for his supernatural influence to be expressed. Obox-ob also possesses considerable magical abilities unrelated to vermin. He can employ **telekinesis** to hurl enemies against solid objects or force them from dangerous heights, while his powers of teleportation permit him to move across great distances without depending upon ordinary travel. He can invoke destructive unholy magic, create supernatural symbols capable of inflicting insanity, and interfere with hostile enchantments. His mastery of planar magic also permits him to project his influence beyond the immediate boundaries of Zionyn, reinforcing the danger presented by his surviving aspects and other supernatural agents. His defensive powers are equally formidable. The ancient chitin covering his body provides extraordinary protection against physical injury, while his obyrith nature grants immunity to disease, poison, and numerous forms of mental influence. He possesses substantial resistance to elemental damage and can recover from injuries at a rate far beyond that of ordinary living creatures. Nevertheless, Obox-ob is not invulnerable, and his previous destruction has demonstrated that even a mighty obyrith can be overcome by powers sufficiently great to challenge its existence. His surviving caution reflects this experience, for he recognises that another catastrophic defeat could destroy the strength he has spent countless ages attempting to restore. --- ### Treatment of the Faithful Obox-ob regards his worshippers as instruments through which his former power may eventually be restored. His principal servants, the ekolids, maintain an extensive religious civilisation within Zionyn, yet their devotion provides little protection against his unpredictable violence. The Prince of Vermin frequently moves across the layer in destructive rages, overwhelming creatures that have dedicated their existence to his worship. Their continued allegiance therefore reflects a mixture of religious submission, fear, and the recognition that their master's authority remains greater than that of any individual ekolid noble or priest. Among mortal cults, the rewards associated with his worship are closely connected to the power of vermin and the destructive forces of the Abyss. Certain priests acquire magic capable of spreading entropy, corruption, and supernatural destruction, while others cultivate poisonous arthropods as instruments of religious authority. Published accounts do not establish that every worshipper automatically receives immunity to poison, resistance to disease, or the ability to transform into an insectoid creature. Such abilities may occur through particular supernatural circumstances, but they should not be treated as universal blessings granted to all who acknowledge the Prince of Vermin. Obox-ob's greatest interest in his mortal servants arises when their activities promise to restore a significant portion of his lost strength. Cults capable of gathering enormous quantities of magical power may attract his attention, particularly when their schemes involve weakening the boundaries between planes or providing opportunities to challenge rival demon lords. Yet even these organisations remain expendable. The Prince of Vermin possesses no genuine concern for the survival of those who serve him, and the destruction of a cult matters principally because it represents another failure to advance his ambitions. His followers therefore exist beneath the authority of a being whose desire for revenge exceeds every other consideration. They may gain temporary power and recognition through their service, but their ultimate purpose is to contribute to the restoration of a demonic supremacy that vanished long before their ancestors existed. Their lives and souls possess little importance beside that objective, and Obox-ob would willingly sacrifice countless devotees if doing so offered a meaningful opportunity to reclaim the title he once held. --- ### Myths and Legends The history of **Obox-ob** reaches into the **Age before Ages**, when the obyriths ruled much of the Abyss and the tanar'ri had not yet established their supremacy. The surviving accounts of this period are fragmented, preserved through ancient demonic traditions and records whose reliability is difficult for mortal scholars to assess. Nevertheless, the former authority of Obox-ob is among the most significant facts concerning the ancient Abyss, for his loss of the title Prince of Demons contributed directly to the struggles that eventually brought the present demonic hierarchy into existence. **The First Prince of Demons** During the earliest age of the Abyss, Obox-ob held the title **Prince of Demons**, exercising a degree of authority that later rulers have struggled to equal. His position belonged to a period when the obyriths dominated the Lower Planes, and the familiar tanar'ri princes had not yet become the principal powers governing the Abyss. Obox-ob's ancient strength was extraordinary, supported by demonic forces whose nature and ambitions differed considerably from those of later generations. His dominion extended beyond the miserable kingdom he now possesses, and his name commanded recognition among beings whose power has since vanished from the multiverse. The full circumstances through which Obox-ob acquired this supremacy remain uncertain. Later accounts connect his rise with primordial powers and the earliest corruption of the Abyss, while other traditions provide little explanation beyond the recognition that he ruled before the ascendancy of the present demon princes. The most important surviving fact is that his title was established long before Demogorgon claimed it, and that the ancient obyrith order recognised him as a being of exceptional authority. His subsequent destruction therefore represented more than the defeat of an individual demon lord, for it contributed to the collapse of a hierarchy that had endured since the earliest ages of demonic existence. **The Betrayal of the Queen of Chaos** The downfall of Obox-ob came through the ambitions of **the Queen of Chaos**, one of the most powerful surviving obyriths. Seeking to establish her own supremacy, the Queen determined that the title Prince of Demons should belong to a champion willing to lead her forces against the powers of law. Her chosen candidate was **Miska the Wolf-Spider**, a monstrous being whose extraordinary strength made him suitable for the terrible wars she intended to wage. The continued existence of Obox-ob presented an obstacle to her plans, for he possessed the title she wished to bestow and had no intention of surrendering it voluntarily. The Queen of Chaos therefore attacked and destroyed Obox-ob, ending his reign and granting his former title to Miska. The destruction was catastrophic, for it reduced one of the greatest beings in the ancient Abyss to fragments of his former existence. Numerous aspects of Obox-ob attempted to escape the Queen's wrath, but most were hunted down and eliminated. The apparent finality of the victory allowed the Queen to proceed with her plans, while the surviving obyriths witnessed the overthrow of a ruler whose authority had once appeared beyond challenge. Yet the destruction was incomplete. One powerful aspect escaped into the remote depths of the Abyss and concealed itself within **Zionyn**, where it remained hidden from the Queen of Chaos and her servants. This surviving fragment retained enough of Obox-ob's identity to preserve the possibility of eventual restoration, although it lacked the overwhelming strength possessed by the original Prince of Demons. The Queen's victory therefore ended his supremacy without entirely eliminating his existence, leaving a remnant whose hatred would endure long after the circumstances of his defeat had passed into ancient history. **The Long Concealment within Zionyn** For countless ages, the surviving aspect of Obox-ob remained concealed within Zionyn, avoiding the attention of rival demons while slowly recovering a measure of strength. During this period, the Abyss underwent extraordinary changes. The wars associated with the Queen of Chaos eventually ended, Miska lost his position, and the tanar'ri rose to become the dominant race of demons. New rulers claimed territories once occupied by ancient obyriths, while the title Prince of Demons eventually passed to Demogorgon, whose victories established him among the greatest powers of the Lower Planes. When Obox-ob finally emerged from hiding, he discovered that the world he had once ruled no longer existed. His former authority had been forgotten, the obyriths had lost their supremacy, and the tanar'ri now occupied positions that he regarded as his rightful inheritance. The discovery produced extraordinary anger, for the surviving demon lord recognised that countless ages of concealment had preserved his existence only at the cost of everything that once made him powerful. His present kingdom within Zionyn offered little consolation, particularly when compared with the immense influence he had possessed during the Age before Ages. Since his emergence, Obox-ob has dedicated himself to recovering his original power and destroying the tanar'ri. His hatred is particularly directed toward **Demogorgon**, whose possession of the title Prince of Demons symbolises the triumph of the order that replaced him. Yet Obox-ob recognises that an immediate confrontation would be extraordinarily dangerous while his strength remains diminished. He therefore seeks opportunities to increase his power before committing himself to a war intended to restore the supremacy of the obyriths. His ambitions are immense, but the memory of his former destruction has made him more cautious than his violent temperament might otherwise suggest. **The Surviving Aspect of the Blood Shallows** Certain later accounts preserve knowledge of another aspect of Obox-ob that survived the destruction inflicted by the Queen of Chaos. Unlike the remnant that escaped into Zionyn, this aspect concealed itself within the **Blood Shallows**, the former realm of the Prince of Demons. Its survival depended upon an extraordinary act of self-imprisonment, through which it avoided the attention of the Queen while becoming unable to escape the confinement it had created. The result was a terrible preservation of existence without freedom, leaving a fragment of the ancient demon lord concealed within a realm whose authority had already passed to competing powers. Knowledge of this imprisoned aspect remained exceptionally rare. Certain ancient planar beings possessed information concerning its existence, but the truth was concealed from most demons inhabiting the surrounding layers. Its continued imprisonment allowed lesser fiends to compete for control of the Blood Shallows without recognising that a surviving portion of their former ruler remained hidden among them. The circumstances also created the possibility that Obox-ob's restoration might require more than the acquisition of new magical strength, for the recovery of lost aspects could conceivably restore portions of the power destroyed during his ancient downfall. The adventure traditions associated with the **Savage Tide** describe a confrontation involving this imprisoned aspect, whose existence becomes important to efforts intended to oppose Demogorgon. The circumstances of its release and subsequent confinement depend upon the actions of those involved, and no universally established outcome should be assumed. Nevertheless, the account confirms that the destruction of Obox-ob left consequences extending beyond Zionyn, preserving fragments of his former existence whose discovery could influence the struggles among the greatest demon princes. **The Failed Ascension of the Mortal Cult** Obox-ob's desire to recover his former strength has extended beyond the Abyss into the affairs of mortal worlds. On one such world, a powerful cult devoted to the Prince of Vermin attempted a magical undertaking intended to draw the entire planet into the Abyss. The scheme was designed to provide Obox-ob with an extraordinary quantity of supernatural power, potentially restoring a measure of the strength lost during his destruction by the Queen of Chaos. Unlike the ordinary sacrifices and acts of corruption associated with lesser demonic cults, this undertaking threatened the existence of an entire world and demonstrated the catastrophic scale of the ambitions pursued in his name. The ritual came dangerously close to success. Its completion would have brought the mortal world into the Abyss, providing the Prince of Vermin with the opportunity to recover power sufficient to challenge the present demonic order. Yet a company of heroes discovered the threat and intervened at the critical moment, disrupting the flow of magic upon which the ritual depended. Their actions prevented the completion of the catastrophe, denying Obox-ob the strength he had expected to acquire. The failed undertaking represented another profound humiliation, reinforcing his recognition that mortal champions could obstruct even schemes prepared by powerful worshippers acting in his service. Following this defeat, Obox-ob adopted a more cautious approach toward his surviving cults. Rather than immediately demanding another attempt at world-spanning destruction, he allowed them to remain concealed while observing their activities for opportunities that might eventually reproduce the conditions of the failed ritual. Many established themselves within the ruins of ancient cities surrounded by vast deserts, where the scorpions sacred to their faith could flourish without attracting immediate attention. Their continued existence demonstrates that the Prince of Vermin has not abandoned his ambitions, but is prepared to wait until another opportunity offers sufficient promise of success. **Lascer, the Corrupted Explorer** Among the most unusual servants associated with Obox-ob is **Lascer**, a former human planar explorer whose discovery of Zionyn eventually brought him into the power of the Prince of Vermin. During his first expedition, Lascer survived the dangers of the remote Abyssal layer and acquired knowledge that encouraged him to return. His second journey proved disastrous, for he was captured by Obox-ob and subjected to a terrible transformation intended to destroy his former identity. The demon lord employed methods of torture and supernatural corruption that converted the explorer into a demonic servant, preserving enough of his original appearance to allow him to move among creatures who might otherwise recognise the danger. Lascer's transformed body was grotesquely altered. His hands were pierced and bound to long rapiers, while shards of broken glass protruded from his feet. His mouth contained numerous needle-like teeth, and a terrible wound extending along his torso was held closed by heavy black stitches, beneath which unnatural creatures sometimes moved. These features reflected the extraordinary cruelty of his transformation, while the powers acquired through demonic corruption made him far more dangerous than the mortal explorer he had once been. Obox-ob initially employed Lascer as an agent capable of investigating the affairs of other demon lords. His former humanoid appearance and knowledge of planar travel made him particularly useful for operations beyond Zionyn, where the direct manifestation of an obyrith servant might attract immediate hostility. His activities eventually brought him into the domain of **Graz'zt**, where his true nature and allegiance became involved in the political schemes of more powerful fiends. Obox-ob subsequently altered Lascer further, granting abilities suited to survival in aquatic environments and apparently preparing him for a more dangerous role in the destruction of tanar'ri. Lascer's later activities have also been associated with **Dagon**, the ancient obyrith who maintains an unusual alliance with Demogorgon. The precise nature of this relationship remains uncertain, with conflicting accounts suggesting either cooperation or hostility between Lascer and the Prince of the Darkened Depths. Some traditions describe attempts to establish a foothold within the Shadowsea, while others suggest that Lascer seeks opportunities to destroy Dagon despite the latter's overwhelming power. These reports should not be treated as a single confirmed history, but they demonstrate the complicated position occupied by Obox-ob's servants within the rivalries of the Abyss. **The Scorpionfolk of Oaxatupa** Obox-ob's influence upon **Faerûn** is demonstrated by the events surrounding **Oaxatupa**, an ancient subterranean settlement inhabited by **tlincallis**, the scorpionfolk whose monstrous appearance and predatory nature reflect the verminous creatures associated with the Prince of Vermin. The tlincallis had long threatened neighbouring lands, and their activities eventually brought them into conflict with the **Swordbelt Alliance**, whose forces sought to remove the danger posed by the subterranean city. In **1376 DR**, the alliance launched a major assault upon Oaxatupa, overwhelming its defenders and scattering the surviving scorpionfolk into the surrounding Underdark. The destruction of the settlement did not end the conflict. Surviving tlincallis continued attacking settlements and military forces throughout **Amn** and **Murannheim**, forcing their enemies to maintain an uneasy cooperation against a common threat. Adventurers exploring the ruins of Oaxatupa subsequently discovered evidence of a portal connecting the region with the Abyss, through which demonic servants of Obox-ob continued entering the Underdark. These creatures provided assistance to the tlincallis, transforming the aftermath of the battle into a prolonged struggle involving both subterranean monsters and supernatural forces from the Lower Planes. The events demonstrate that Obox-ob's influence can extend into Faerûn through creatures whose interests overlap with his own, even when no elaborate mortal priesthood is involved. The alliance between his demonic servants and the surviving scorpionfolk reflects his association with monstrous arthropods and his willingness to exploit conflicts beyond Zionyn. Yet the published account does not establish that every tlincalli worships him or that the entire race has entered his service. The significance of Oaxatupa lies in the documented presence of his agents and the dangerous connection established between the Underdark and the Abyss, providing another means through which the Prince of Vermin can threaten the mortal world. **The Shard of Evil** A distinct account preserved within later planar traditions describes the rise of Obox-ob through the influence of the **Shard of Pure Evil**, a primordial object associated with the corruption of the Abyss and the terrible ambitions of **Tharizdun**. In this version of the earliest demonic history, several powerful beings sought possession of the shard during the formation of the Abyss. Obox-ob seized it while other contenders fought among themselves, acquiring sufficient power to become the first Prince of Demons. The artifact's influence subsequently compelled him toward an attempt to carry its corruption into the **Astral Sea**, threatening the established order of the multiverse. The scheme provoked resistance from other powerful beings, including Demogorgon, Orcus, and Baphomet, whose combined efforts prevented Obox-ob from completing his objective. Their conflict contributed to the formation of the terrible **Blood Rift**, while later struggles involving the Queen of Chaos and Miska brought about the destruction of the Prince of Vermin's original body. This account belongs principally to the **fourth-edition cosmology**, which describes the earliest history of the Abyss through the Dawn War, the Elemental Chaos, and the influence of the Shard of Pure Evil. It should therefore be understood as a distinct tradition rather than combined indiscriminately with the older Great Wheel chronology, whose explanation of the obyriths and their conflicts differs in several important respects. --- ### Encounters with Obox-ob Encounters with **Obox-ob** are exceptionally dangerous because his presence threatens the mind as well as the body. Travellers approaching Zionyn may first encounter vast concentrations of fiendish vermin whose numbers and unnatural behaviour suggest the influence of a powerful Abyssal ruler. The surrounding badlands are inhabited by enormous scorpions, demonic insects, and other predatory creatures capable of overwhelming visitors unprepared for the dangers of the layer. Those reaching the ekolid hive-cities face an additional threat, for the inhabitants possess both the intelligence to organise elaborate ambushes and the cruelty to preserve captives as materials for their buildings. Their markets and temples offer opportunities to observe the religion of Obox-ob, but outsiders who reveal themselves may be captured before acquiring the knowledge they seek. An audience with the Prince of Vermin is unlikely to resemble the formal negotiations conducted by more politically sophisticated demon lords. Obox-ob frequently responds to intruders through immediate violence, employing his natural weapons and supernatural powers before considering whether their survival might provide some advantage. Nevertheless, his intelligence and ancient knowledge make communication possible under exceptional circumstances, particularly when visitors possess information concerning the obyriths or the enemies he seeks to destroy. Such negotiations remain extraordinarily dangerous, for his resentment and desire to recover lost power can overwhelm any temporary interest in the proposals presented to him. The appearance of Obox-ob may inflict lasting madness before combat begins. His distorted body and unnatural arrangement of eyes, jaws, and stingers can overwhelm the perceptions of those who behold him, leaving survivors haunted by nightmares and terrified of ordinary vermin. As he moves, the chitinous plates covering his body produce a terrible discordant sound capable of deafening and confusing nearby creatures. His stingers can destroy intelligence and transform victims into monstrous scorpions, while the chaos implanted through his tongue threatens the destruction of both body and soul. These powers make direct confrontation exceptionally dangerous, even for creatures whose magical protections would ordinarily provide sufficient defence against other powerful fiends. Upon the **Material Plane**, the influence of Obox-ob is more likely to be discovered through secret cults, demonic portals, or unnatural concentrations of monstrous arthropods. Ancient ruins inhabited by scorpions may conceal followers seeking to restore their master's power, while forgotten subterranean passages can provide access to regions where his servants have established a presence. The surviving portal associated with **Oaxatupa** demonstrates that such connections can become sources of prolonged conflict, allowing demonic creatures to reinforce mortal or monstrous allies without requiring their master to manifest personally. His aspects provide another means through which his influence may appear beyond Zionyn, carrying portions of his power into political struggles involving other demon lords. The greatest danger associated with Obox-ob arises from the ambitions underlying these seemingly isolated manifestations. A cult devoted to vermin may appear insignificant when compared with the armies commanded by Demogorgon or Orcus, yet the failed attempt to draw an entire mortal world into the Abyss demonstrates the extraordinary scale of schemes undertaken in his name. His surviving aspects, ancient servants, and hidden cults therefore represent more than remnants of a forgotten religion. They are potential instruments through which a diminished demon prince seeks to recover the power necessary to overthrow the present rulers of the Abyss and restore the primordial order that existed before the rise of the tanar'ri. --- ### Conclusion **Obox-ob, the Prince of Vermin**, is one of the oldest surviving demon lords of the **Abyss**, an ancient obyrith whose former supremacy predates the ascendancy of the tanar'ri. Once the holder of the title **Prince of Demons**, he was destroyed by the **Queen of Chaos**, who transferred that authority to **Miska the Wolf-Spider**. Although the destruction ended his reign and reduced him to a fragment of his former power, a surviving aspect concealed itself within **Zionyn**, allowing his identity and ambitions to endure through the ages that followed. His eventual emergence revealed an Abyss transformed beyond recognition, with the ancient obyrith order displaced by younger demon lords whose authority he considers an intolerable usurpation. From Zionyn, the **663rd layer**, Obox-ob now commands a realm of jagged badlands, resin seas, enormous vermin, and grotesque hive-cities governed by the **ekolids**. These insectoid demons preserve their victims within hardened resin and employ their remains to construct immense monuments to their master, while the surrounding wilderness is inhabited by countless creatures whose predatory nature reflects his own. The Prince of Vermin possesses little concern for the prosperity of his followers, frequently destroying creatures and settlements whose inhabitants have devoted themselves to his worship. Nevertheless, his surviving power and the ancient fear associated with his name have preserved a religious following capable of extending his influence beyond the Abyss. His ambitions remain centred upon the restoration of the supremacy he once possessed. Obox-ob seeks to reclaim lost portions of his power, destroy **Demogorgon**, and eradicate the tanar'ri whose rise brought an end to the age of the obyriths. His surviving aspects, mortal cults, and demonic servants provide the means through which these plans may eventually advance, while his association with ancient beings and forgotten Abyssal history grants him knowledge unavailable to many of his rivals. The failed ritual intended to draw an entire world into the Abyss demonstrates that his determination to recover his strength can produce threats whose consequences extend far beyond the inhabitants of Zionyn. Obox-ob embodies the terrible persistence of the ancient Abyss, representing a demonic order whose original power has been diminished but not entirely destroyed. His existence reveals that the present rulers of the Lower Planes inherited a realm whose history is older and more dangerous than their own supremacy might suggest. Although the Prince of Vermin remains a shadow of his former greatness, his hatred has endured through countless ages, and the possibility of his restoration remains a threat to the demonic powers that replaced him. Within the resin seas and monstrous hive-cities of Zionyn, the former Prince of Demons continues preparing for the destruction of the order that now governs the Abyss.