Qlippoth are an ancient race of fiends native to the deep Abyss. They are the oldest fiendish race, and ruled the Abyss before they were driven nearly to extinction by the emergence of demons. Qlippoth are distinguished by their utterly inhuman and alien appearance, so horrific that it can harm onlookers.
Description[]
Anatomy & Physiology[]
Qlippoth anatomy varies widely by type, with almost no common features, but none are in any way humanoid. They are invariably monstrous and eldritch in shape. Many Qlippoth superficially resemble arthropods, mollusks, or combinations thereof, with tentacles and carapaces being common features.
Diet[]
Qlippoth are outsiders, manifestations of their native plane, and as such they are immortal beings with no strict need to eat. However, most Qlippoth exhibit predatory and carnivorous behavior, either for pleasure or out of compulsion. They target mortals, demons, and sometimes other Qlippoth. Some types are much more likely than others to behave this way.
Reproduction and Life Cycle[]
Qlippoth are unusual among outsiders of the Outer Sphere in that they are not derived from mortal souls in any way- in fact, they predate mortal life. Instead, they are spawned directly by the Abyss itself, emerging from the semi-living matter of Qlippoth-controlled Abyssal realms. Some types of Qlippoth are able to sexually reproduce. A few very rare and powerful Qlippoth even have the power to directly transform living mortals into Qlippoth. As outsiders, Qlippoth are immortal unless killed.
Powers and Abilities[]
The signature ability of the Qlippoth is their horrific appearance. Anyone close enough to a Qlippoth and able to sense it (not necessarily by sight) suffers psychological harm, the precise effects of which vary between types of Qlippoth. Qlippoth lords, the mightiest of their kind, have horrific appearances that physically affect or even kill their victims.
Beyond this, the abilities of Qlippoth vary widely by type. Some types of Qlippoth are vastly more powerful than others. Most Qlippoth have some magical or spellcasting ability, and many are poisonous.
Culture and Society[]
Qlippoth live in the deepest realms of the Abyss, strange and fleshy worlds hostile to normal life. They usually do not gather in any sort of large societies, often living as roving predators or parasites. More intelligent Qlippoth types are more likely to live in organized communities of their own kind. Many Qlippoth, though by no means all, owe allegiance to a Qlippoth lord, a unique and semi-divine Qlippoth.
The driving goal of all Qlippoth is the extermination of demon kind and the reclamation of the Abyss. While this goal might theoretically make them allies of mortals, in practice the exact opposite is the case. The Qlippoth have decided that eliminating demons requires eliminating the mortal sin from which they originate - and, therefore, eliminating all mortals. Consequently, they attempt to wipe out sentient mortal life at every opportunity. While it is possible for mortals to bargain with Qlippoth on a limited basis, doing so is extremely dangerous and ill-advised.