Yochlol

Yochlols are fictional demonic creatures in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. These lesser tanar'ri are handmaidens of Lolth, the drow goddess of Spiders, dwelling amongst the outer planes and being regularly summoned by the Queen of Spider's priestesses to witness sacrifices in the name of their dark goddess, Lolth. The summoning process tests the very fiber of the high priestesses dedication. Establishing a mental connection to its summoners, yochlol scour their thoughts and memories to find proof of their loyalty to Lolth. It proves to be a rather unpleasant experience for all who are present, but the yochlols' connection to Lolth also proves to be fairly useful when a family feels they have obtained something to please her.

Publication history

The yochlol was introduced in the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game adventure module, Q1 - Queen of the Demonweb Pits (1980).

Description

Yochlols appear as tentacled blobs of melted wax and continually emit a foul stench. They also have the power to change their shapes—usually to a comely drow female or to a spider (usually a black widow). They can also change themselves into a gaseous form, allowing their unknowing victims to inhale them, and then suffocating them.

It is possible that they originate as the souls of high priestesses of Lolth who died in the favor of their goddess.

Society

Yochlols are chaotic evil creatures, as are all tanar'ri. They take great pleasure in dominating other, lesser creatures. They are cruel and enjoy a good battle, exulting in the rage that fills them whenever beings defy their goddess's will. All yochlol serve Lolth and work surprisingly well together. Never will one betray, endanger, or attack another. All yochlol share a telepathic bond. They take special delight in escaping the control of those who have summoned them (whom they must serve faithfully for one deed, as decreed by Lolth), and wandering free about the Prime Material Plane. Such a yochlol uses its various forms as disguises to carry out cunning ploys and evil subterfuges to turn beings to chaos and evil. Unless enemies of Lolth are present, yochlol will not engage in killing sprees or frenzies of mindless violence. Yochlol often hiss, whisper, or scream when in combat, even telling their opponents their names, in case the victim should escape. In that way, the victim knows that a particular Handmaiden somewhere out there will someday return to finish its business with the character.

References

• Baker, Rich, Tim Beach, Wolfgang Baur, Michele Carter, and Colin McComb. Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (TSR, 1995).

• Donovan, Dale. Villains' Lorebook (TSR, 1998).

• Greenwood, Ed. Drow of the Underdark (TSR, 1991).

• Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II (TSR, 1983).

• Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and Ed Stark. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).

• Salvatore, R.A.. The Dark Elf Trilogy: Homeland (TSR, 1998).

• Wyatt, James, and Rob Heinsoo. Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).

• Monster Manual 2, 4th edtion.

External links

• Known yochlols at the d20 NPC Wiki