Evil

Mezizra

/ danielwalldammit / 1 Comment

© Daniel S. Wall,  September 17, 2026.

***

“Show no mercy to the fly buzzing about your head and pulling you away from your thoughts. In truth, it answers to an evil far greater than any you might imagine.”

– Ilis Girdun, High Priest of Volsh

***

Mezizra appears to be a great swarm of insects and random vermin swirling slowly from east to north. Most of these are flying creatures, but some appear to crawl or ooze along the ground. When Mezizra moves too fast for some of the vermin making up his body they are simply left behind to fend for themselves. Those vermin confined to the ground are likewise abandoned whenever he takes flight. It is said that this is how all vermin have come into the world.

Religion: The powers of the surface world always look with disfavor upon the worship of Mezizra. For this reason, his worshippers are always secretive. The cult of Mezizra offers its followers the power to harm others, thus filling its ranks with the most sadistic of men as well as many seeking vengeance of some sort. Priests of Mezizra always seek to spread discord and suffering wherever they may be found.

The most powerful of Mezizra’s followers are coddled and protected by his well-organized priesthood, but the common worshippers are looked upon as expendable resources. Mezizra and his priests are happy to see such individuals destroy themselves even as they achieve their own malicious ends.

Domains: Bugs, Disease, Fire, Hell.

Symbol: A Whirlwind turning from the east to the north.

Favored Offerings: Mezizra is always happy to receive any token of value or human sacrifice, but he is particularly pleased when individuals undertake a binding oath to harm someone else.

Phiyé

/ danielwalldammit / 1 Comment

© Daniel S. Wall, April 21, 2026.

***

“Souls lost to the depths of Hell may never return, nor redeem themselves before the heavens. And yet it remains true, the worst of men have had their virtues. The corrupt, the malign, the deceitful, all have something of goodness in them. Whether it be a trace of compassion, a narrow sense of honor, or selfless love for but one other creature in all the world, the greatest criminals and the most horrid of monsters carries something noble with them into the depths of Hell.

“That trace of virtue does not stay with them. No. The kind thoughts and benign wishes of myriad condemned souls struggle mightily to ascend once more into the light of the world. Some make it.”

– Zedulon Fi, Oracle of Mogendrid

***

Illustration by Michael Syrigos

The Kindred of Phiyé is born, so it is said, out of the good thoughts of evil men. No-one really knows how this happens, nor has anyone learned whether or not any given Phiyé grew from a single virtue or from many coming together into a single spirit. The full origin of this kindred remains a mystery even to themselves.

These long-lived creatures appear as small humanoids, completely devoid of all body-hair and any discernible genitalia. Phiyé rarely adorn themselves with clothes, doing so only when necessary to protect themselves from the elements. Their skin is normally grey in color. If a Phiyé chooses to manifest a color as a minor ability, her skin-tone quickly takes on the hue in question.

Owing to the origins of this kindred, Phiyé bear an evil nature. Yet, the majority of Phiyé devote themselves to virtues associated with goodness. They are well suited to aiding others even to the point of sharing in their suffering.

Phiyé carry an odd ability which is not easily explained by the creature’s origins. They are, for some reason, capable of changing the force of gravity, at least insofar as it effects themselves.

A Note on Vulnerability: Phiyé are vulnerable in the presence of others of their own kindred (including their own children). For this reason, these creatures typically shun each other’s company, even as they actively seek the company of other sentient creatures.

Rules for a Phiyé in Tunnels & Trolls can be found here.

Hell Hounds

/ danielwalldammit / Leave a comment

© Daniel S. Wall, April 18, 2026.

***

“You got Hell Hounds on your trail boy. Hell Hounds on your trail!”

***

Hell Hounds appear as gaunt and evil looking mastiffs, covered with an occasional wisp of flames. Their eyes emit a bright red glow. The claws, mouth, ears, and eye sockets of a Hell Hound appear as blackened charcoal. When a Hell Hound fights, the charcoal hued portions of their body heats up and glow bright red and their bodies emit a wreath of flames.

 

Hell Hounds are a special demon summoned for the sole purpose of tracking down victims chosen by greater demons or devils. They are often used for the purpose of bringing home to Hell those who have made a Devil’s Bargain home, so to speak. They have a voracious appetite, forcing them to live off the land, killing and eating whatever gets in their way. For this reason, anyone with Hell Hounds on his trail is a danger to others as well as himself. Those who are wise would do well to avoid such company.

Zhidastra

/ danielwalldammit / 2 Comments

© Daniel S. Wall, April 13, 2026.

***

“Were you to burn a man alive in his honor, it will please our lord well enough. It would please him more were you to add yourself to the fire.”

– Pielshte, the Cruel.

***

Zhidastra has the shape of a giant ape. His body is covered natural scales much like those of a great dragon. His teeth are as sharp and pointed, and he possesses great canines much like those of a saber toothed tiger. Zhidastras claws are said to be larger than one might expect even for a creature of his great size. His eyes are yellow in color, with reptilian pupils.

Above all else, this creature craves the blood of innocent victims. Zhidastra wants only to see others suffer and die in the most brutal fashion possible. He has no patience for subtleties. He is unimpressed with psychological torment. Zhidastra is pleased only at the sight of physical pain and death, and his pleasure never gives rise to gratitude.

In vain do his priests sacrifice others to this terrible god. Were all of humanity torn apart before his very eyes, Zhidastra would only wish to see more carnage.

***

Religion: There are many cults devoted to the worship of Zhidastra. Though one might well ask why? The Devourer is revered all over the world. Though he may be called by different names, cannibals and cults of human sacrifice invariably worship Zhidastra, each trying in its own way to please him with greater and more horrible acts of cruelty, all of it to no avail. He is never impressed with their offerings.

***

Domains: Cannibalism, Human Sacrifice.

Symbol: A Gaping Maw.

Favored Offerings: The life of a sentient creature.