Demon, Balban (Brute Demon, 3pp)

This creature stands at least 12 feet tall with a squat, pot-bellied body, massive arms, and thick, rounded legs. Its head resembles that of a trunkless and tuskless elephant. Four great backward curving horns sprout from its head behind its eyes. Its skin is slate gray with darker areas on its underbelly and back.

ECOLOGY

Environment any (Abyss)
Organization solitary, pair, or band (3–8)
Treasure 50% standard

Almost as stupid as the lowly dretches, balbans are hulking monstrosities standing over 10 feet tall. Demonic generals use these creatures in abundance in their armies, relying on the balban’s love for battle, their great strength, and their knack for destroying objects and structures. Balban squads are brutish, hulking, and hard to control. While many demon lords do employ their services, they are deemed highly expendable and are thus encountered on the front lines of any great battle.

Balbans spend much of their life battling, not necessarily for survival, but simply because they relish the chaos and bloodshed combat brings. Balbans attack any creature they encounter on sight, except those they know are more powerful than themselves. Though lacking in the intelligence department, they do not attack any demonic officer in the service of a demon lord (unless they know the officer is weaker and they can kill him or her and make it look like something else was responsible).

Balbans have slate gray skin, stand at least 12 feet tall and weigh about 4,500 pounds. Their eyes are coal black and their tongues violet. A seemingly constant stream of saliva and gastric juices oozes from their mouths.

A balban employs simple tactics in battle; smash an opponent, grab an opponent, pound it into pulp, and devour what’s left. Against weaker foes they are likely to employ their ability to cause fear or confuse opponents by shrouding themselves in darkness.