Other Versions
- Orcus was one of two demon rulers (along with Demogorgon) described in the Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules set (1986) by Frank Mentzer, in the "DM's Guide to Immortals" booklet on pages 33–34, with accompanying charts on pages 35–36. Orcus and Demogorgon are said to command all the other demons described in the book, although they are but two of the many Eternals of the Sphere of Entropy. Orcus (also called The Goat, Master of the Dead, Lord of Darkness, and The Black Prince) commands all mortals of the Sphere of Entropy, which includes undead monsters, and he also commands a small body of loyal Immortals. The book notes that Demogorgon can even command Orcus, although he requires great and sufficient cause to do so. In this version, Orcus attacks with any convenient weapons, wielding one in each hand. In Wrath of the Immortals (1992), Orcus's history was fleshed out somewhat; he was said to have been a devil swine (a kind of shape-shifter who changes between the form of a fat human and a wild pig) in the long-ago kingdom of Traldara on the world of Mystara. His hatred for all life was sufficient to draw the attention of the Immortal Thanatos, who sponsored Orcus's own successful bid for Immortality. The article "The Known World Grimoire" by Bruce A. Heard in Dragon #196 (August 1993) mentions that the orcish Tribe of the Sea Plague has Oruguz (also known as Orcus) as their patron. Oruguz is part of the pantheon of the orcs of the Dark Jungle, and the tribe that serves him is led by devil swine, which enforce the precepts of Oruguz among the tribe.
- The Ghostwalk campaign setting sourcebook details Orcus as a lesser deity, "a powerful demon who became a deity by exchanging power for mortal worship". Orcus worship is the official religion of Xaphan, but is considered an evil cult in all other places. Orcus seeks to dominate or destroy all other deities.
Other publishers have also used Orcus as either an antagonist or as a deity in their own publications.
- Orcus was also featured in the 2002 book Tome of Horrors (an ENnie award winning) by Necromancer Games, who have also featured Orcus in many of their own products. Necromancer Games also uses Orcus as their company mascot and logo.
- Orcus is briefly mentioned as the “Prince of Undead” in the Book of Fiends II by Green Ronin Publishing.
- Goblinoid Games in their Classic Fantasy Review, dedicated to the D&D spin off system OSRIC, introduces a cult of Orcus in their second publication.
- Orcus was described in Book of the Damned—Volume 2: Lords of Chaos from Paizo Publishing (2010).
Read more about this topic: Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons)
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