| Charonadaemon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Others | Charon Daemon Charon Demon | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Body type | Humanoid | ||
| Average height | 5' | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sapience | Sapient | ||
| Aggressivity | Harmless to Very High (varies by encounter) | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Place of origin | Lower Planes | ||
| Habitat | River Styx | ||
| Diet | Carnivore | ||
| Locomotion | Bipedal | ||
| Subspecies | Charon (unique member and master to others) | ||
| Related species | Lurker, Graver | ||
| Status | Endangered (listed as "rare" in-game) | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Dungeons & Dragons | ||
| Created by | Gary Gygax | ||
Charonadaemons are the primary servants of Charon, the Boatman of the Lower Planes.
Monster Manual descriptions[]
2nd Edition[]
The charonadaemons are the servants of Charon, boatman of the Lower Planes, and like their master they pilot their small skiffs along the river Styx. These thin, grey, pale-eyed humanoids are more easily summoned than their master but are more cunning and malevolent.
Charonadaemons are normally found only on the Styx and may be called by any of the conjuration/summoning spells listed in the PLAYER'S HANDBOOK. A charonadaemon charges the following for each passenger: a magic item, a bag of 10 platinum coins, or 2 gems of 50+ gp value. If not paid, the charonadaemon will seek to prevent anyone entering his boat, and willteleport itself and its craft away. The charonadaemon can pilot its craft through the Astral and Ethereal Planes as well as the Lower Planes, and is occasionally sent to the Prime Material Plane to retrieve a person at behest of Charon, the Oinodaemon, or another powerful evil being.
Even if a charonadaemon is paid (as opposed to sent by a higher evil force), there is still a chance (15%) that the daemon will betray its summoners, either by delivering them to the incorrect place or plane (85%) or leading the party into an ambush of charonadaemons and hydrodaemons (15%). This chance of betrayal can be reduced by additional contributions to the charonadaemon's hoard.
When it is angered, the eyes of the charonadaemon glow fiery red. Any being confronted by these glowing eyes must save vs. fear or flee them in terror (as spell). These daemons may summon 1-6 hydrodaemons from the Styx to fight for them.
Charonadaemons are telepathic and, in addition to speaking all languages, keep in contact with others of their race at all times. Any person harming a charonadaemon will not will not get a reply to his or her summons until the summoner has made a suitable sacrifice and repentance. The sacrifice should include rare stones, magic, and a good intelligent being, and be conducted in a desecrated temple of good.