Glabrezu

(from Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix I - 1994)

Glabrezu are the tanar’ri that typically respond to summonings from other planes. They go forth and secure power for their cause.

Glabrezu are the covert agents of the underworld. They lure weak and impulsive mortals into giving them power. When a mortal mage summons a glabrezu, the mage is confident that strong magic will master the situation. But mags are short-sighted compared to the immortal glabrezu. The glabrezu knows that with each summoning, its power there, like a seed of evil, germinates and begins to grow.

Glabrezu possess rich treasure that they hoard in vast subterranean lairs in the Abyss. With these masses of gold, magic, and wealth they tempt mortals into summoning them.

Glabrezu leech power from other planes and exert their influence there with surgical precision. Although they take little part in the shughter of the Blood War, their subtle manipulations and subjugations are a deeper evil. They do not get on well with mariliths.

Combat: Glabrezu usually avoid combat with mortals, preferring guile, trickery, and evil bargains. However, if things do not go as planned, the glabrezu thinks nothing of slaying the mortal (who, to the glabrezu’s thinking, will probably end up in the Abyss anyway).

A glabrezu can attack with two claws (1d3 damage each), two pincers (2d6 damage each), and a bite (1d4+1 damage). With a successful claw attack it can attempt to grab and pick up an opponent of 150 pounds or less (Dexterity check to avoid this). A grabbed opponent can still attack at a -4 penalty, or can break free with a successful Strength check instead of attacking. A glabrezu rarely drops a grabbed opponent unless it faces imminent death.

In addition to those available to all tanar’ri, glabrezu can use the following spell-like powers at 10th level of spell use: burning hands, charm person, confusion, detect magic (always active), dispel magic, enlarge, mirror image, power word stun (7 times per day), reverse gravity, and true seeing (always active). Once per day a glabrezu can gate in one greater tanar’ri with a 50% chance of success.

These creatures are immune to all nonmagical attacks such as fire, gas, acid, etc., and to weapons of less than +2 magical enchantment.

Due to their role in tanar’ri society, glabrezu can plane shift at will. They rarely do this of their own volition, however, preferring to leave the Abyss only when summoned.

(from Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - 2014)

A glabrezu takes great pleasure in destroying mortals through temptation, and these creatures are among the few demons to offer their service to creatures foolish enough to summon them.

Although glabrezus are devastating in combat, they prefer to tempt victims into ruin, using power or wealth as a lure.

Engaging in guile, trickery, and evil bargains, a glabrezu hoards riches that it uses to fulfill promises to shortsighted summoners and weak-willed mortals. However, if its attempts to entice or deceive fail, a glabrezu has the strength to fight and win.