Barlgura

(from Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix I - 1994)

The bar-lgura are hulking, brutish creatures that roam the Abyss in small packs.

Bar-lgura dislike other tanar’ri and prefer to hunt among their own kind. They obey only tanar’ri of obviously greater power than themselves, acting as scouts for the Blood War when commanded.

In certain areas of the Abyss, the bar-lgura form tribes of 300 or more. These societies divorce themselves from the day to day dealings of the Abyss and form their own crude “government”, the only government in the Abyss. Tribal bar-lgura do not obey other tanar’ri, for their numbers protect them from the wrath of the true tanar’ri. Still, there are tales of a balor summarily laying waste to an entire tribe of rebellious bar-lgura.

Bar-lgura are not quite beasts, but are not terribly intelligent. They do not hate baatezu as do other tanar’ri. The closest thing to animals among the tanar’ri, they receive especially cruel treatment by more powerful tanar’ri when they get out of line.

Combat: Bar-lgura favor ambush tactics, springing forth at opponents from cover. Experts at camouflage, they change their coloration to that of their surroundings, chameleon-like. The transformation requires one complete round and acts as a thief’s hide in shadows ability (95%). They can spring up to 40’ and attack savagely in the same round.

Bar-lgura attack in numbers, often trying to overwhelm a single unfortunate opponent with claws (1d6 damage) and bite (2d6 damage).

In addition to those available to all tanar’ri, the bar-lgura have the following spell-like powers at 6th level of spell use: change self (twice per day), detect invisibility, dispel magic, entangle, fear (by touch), invisibility (twice per day), plant growth, spectral force (twice per day), and telekinesis. Once per day they can also attempt to gate in 1-6 additional bar-lgura with a 35% chance of success.

(from Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - 2014)

The barlgura represents the savagery and brutality of the Abyss. Barlguras gather in packs to take down tougher foes, keep gruesome trophies from their victories, and decorate their territory with such objects.

A barlgura looks like a hulking orangutan with a gruesome, drooping visage and tusks jutting from its jaw. Standing just under 8 feet tall, it has broad shoulders and weighs 650 pounds. It moves apishly along the ground, but it climbs with great speed and agility.