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Nocticula (Pathfinder)
 The Demon Lord Nocticula as illustrated by Eva Widermann | |
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) |
The Undeniable Our Lady in Shadow |
| Home plane |
The Abyss - Midnight Isles Darklight |
| Power level | Demon Lord |
| Alignment | Chaotic Evil |
| Portfolio | Night, Darkness, Lust |
| Domains | Chaos, Evil, Healing, Luck, Plant |
| Alias(es) | Demon Lord of Darkness and Lust |
| Superior | None |
| Design details | |
| First appearance |
Monster Manual II Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss |
| Settings | Dungeons and Dragons |
| Mythological | Succubus |
For other uses of the word Succubus, see Succubus (disambiguation).
Nocticula, known as The Lady in Shadow, The Undeniable and the Demon Lord of Darkness and Lust in the Dungeons and Dragons role playing game. Her realm, Darklight, is cataloged as the 72nd layer of the Abyss. In Darklight, the shadows of good beings glow with a brilliant light, while the shadows of evil beings are patches of uttermost darkness. Her main focus is with the metaphysical qualities of darkness and lust.
Nocticula also appears in a different role as one of the Tanar'ri who call themselves Queen of Succubi. While this title and role are not cannon in Dungeons and Dragons, she is an option as a possible contender to the throne of the Succubi which is held by Malcanthet.
Description
Nocticula is described in the apocryphal text Armies of the Abyss as often appearing as a voluptuous wild woman with dried mud between her toes and a feral look in her deep brown eyes. She prefers to travel naked or with minimal clothing, and paints simple circles and lines on her pale skin. Her form occasionally changes without warning, and a dim trail of light like that of the moon follows every movement she makes.
She has also been described as appearing in her true form as a Succubus, wearing her dark hair in a complex style. Her eyes are devoid of pupils, her fingers are tipped with talons, and her feet end in stony hooves. Her bat-like wings are covered with glowing runes and three stinger-tipped tails complete her demonic visage. Like her brother Socothbenoth, however, she often shifts her form to meet the deepest, darkest desires of those observing her.[1]
Relationships
Nocticula is a master of seduction, so much so that even the other mighty demon lords are not immune to her persuasive charms. Her greatest triumph was the seduction and murder of Vyriavaxus, the former demon lord of shadows. As a result, most demon lords treat her with extreme caution. Despite their stern forbearance, her unearthly beauty also inspires lust and obsession, which tempers their fears. The only exception to Nocticula's distrustful relationship with the other demon lords is her brother Socothbenoth, with whom she maintains a relatively friendly and, more disturbingly, frequently incestuous relationship. Nocticula dwells in the Abyssal domain known as the Midnight Isles, an island realm shrouded in sensual immorality and eternal darkness.[2]
Cult and Worshipers
A cruel sadist on one hand and a seductive beauty on the other, she is patron to assassins and succubi (both literal and figurative). Assassin's guilds in her service are constantly at odds with other guilds, especially the feared Red Mantis, often leading to protracted shadow wars. She is particularly popular amongst the drow of Golarion, and has been taken on as the patron of House Misraria.[3] She is also worshiped in places of decadence such as Katapesh, Geb, and certain River Kingdoms.[4] Nocticula is also venerated among the Lamyros, a group of Pharasma-cursed creatures that loathe all the gods, and take pleasure in confounding and destroying their mortal servants.[5]
Statistics
| Name | Nocticula |
| Title | Our Lady in Shadow, Demon Lord of Darkness and Lust |
| Alignment | Chaotic Evil |
| Portfolio | Darkness and Lust |
| Worshipers | Whores, Assassins, Sexual Criminals |
| Cleric Alignments | Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil |
| Domains | Chaos, Charm, Darkness, Evil |
| Weapon | Hand Crossbow |
Publication History
Nocticula was one of many demon lords that was mentioned only by name in a list in the original Monster Manual II (1983).[6]
Nocticula received further details in third edition in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006).[7]
Other Publishers
Nocticula appeared in Paizo Publishing's book Book of the Damned, Vol. 2: Lords of Chaos (2010), on page 21.[8]
References
- ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 174-175. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2009). Demon Lords of Golarion. Descent into Midnight, p. 61. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-131-2
- ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (2008). Zirnakaynin. Endless Night, p. 51. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-129-9
- ↑ James Jacobs. (2009). Demon Lords of Golarion. Descent into Midnight, p. 61. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-131-2
- ↑ Greg A. Vaughan. (2008). Bestiary. Spires of Xin-Shalast, p. 83. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-041-4
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II (TSR, 1983)
- ↑ Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and Ed Stark. Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (Wizards of the Coast, 2006)
- ↑ Jacobs, James. Book of the Damned, Vol. 2: Lords of Chaos (Paizo, 2010)
Additional Reading
- Baur, Wolfgang, and Lester W. Smith. Planes of Chaos. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
- Mona, Erik. Armies of the Abyss. Green Ronin Publishing, 2002.