Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Anthraxus the Decayed

Lord of the Wasting Tower on the Gray Waste of Hades, Anthraxus is a lord of the Yugoloths and a potent player in the multiversal game of shadows.
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[@jchamilton4476]

Cant believe they named a bacterial disease after this guy

[@HumbleMemeFarmer]

You know you got problems when your name is literally Anthrax.

[@zacharyhawley1693]

And like that his restaurant dream was smashed forever

[@Meun]

Indeed

[@hakimzarif5413]

Facts

[@garrettsheaffer9799]

Makes me wonder if they were inspired by the thrash metal band....

[@RiotKurhein]

My favorite is the black dragon Asbestos.

[@catominor7306]

Fiendish trade and economics should interesting. I am imagining Graz'zt and Asmo in a biding war at an auction run by a fast talking night hag

[@valiensr1037]

Cato Minor lol, though they’d probably have proxies standing in for them 😂

[@joemono4727]

Thanks, i just got an auction dnd idea.

[@st4ne4rmthevill63]

The auction could be like from HunterxHunter

[@ironreed2654]

I love when you bust out the Pics from the Original AD&D Monster manual, takes me way, way back.

[@paigewhitney2118]

I would love to know more about the trade between the fiends

[@Gomjibar]

Same

[@AKNeal81]

I'll throw down on this action as well!

[@dicorockhimself]

I think he has video on that I believe its in hes video on night hags

[@joshuazane3210]

There isn't nearly enough Yugoloth/Hades/Gehenna lore for my liking.

[@catman2278]

I had anthraxus as the main villain in my campaign, and in my opinion he's the best villain in dnd

[@abdullahalghanimi379]

Finally, an outsider that is unique and not a demon or a devil. It is about time that the other evils get some hate too.

[@chacecalvert6319]

Yes on more info on the boatmen and Vecna with the hidden secret

[@someguy4405]

18:29 “With his filthy fingers in so many evil pies.”

[@Demonica2539]

Yeah, I'd love to hear about the larvae trade. Sounds like something we can leverage into other games in other context so I'd love to at least have an overview of it

[@aviongris4233]

I would love to hear more about the Nighthags and yugoloths smuggling larvae.

[@destonlee2838]

once Orcus saw fit he assailed the seige malicious, deposing anthraxus of his throne,, and despite having exposed the identities of the Hags of the Oinocoven, Orcus was caught offgaurd by their flaying of his skin by way of a scald in their bronze cauldron, for, his willing skin, once freed of his now become putrescent flesh, called to his wand, and verily the wand flew to the hand of the skin, and the skin stood, holding the wand high, saying "Free! Free! at last i am free! and with thus, the pair flew beyond cereberus's gate into the realm of the material worlds, for purposes which Anthraxus, now come unto death in a gassy bubbling billious blob of unsayable foulness, was greatly overpleased.

[@KyleJordanGaming]

And that is why Nurgle and Slaanesh must *never* be allowed to cooperate.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Anthraxus, Lord of Both Hoof and Mouth.

[@JamesDean-nx2nq]

"No fiends land" I love it

[@AJPickett]

I think I coined that :D

[@samsamsamsamsamanilla5281]

He seems a parallel to Orcus. Orcus vs Anthraxus, that would be epic!😲

[@Scrydragon]

Please cover the larvae trade!

[@Menzobarrenza]

We could definitely use more information on the soul trade. I'd personally find it very useful.

[@YellowCladKing]

I really would love to hear about the Night Hags & the Deamons more! That relationship seems really interesting to explore!

[@paulturbo7563]

If it isn't to much trouble AJ Pickett, can you please make a video about the larva trade and the Yugoloths/Night Hags.

[@lucasdurham-styles3169]

this really makes me want to see an elder evil video

[@napoleoninrags1346]

I wanna extend AJ a Roger Daltrey "Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhh!"!! Deamons!!! Dont play, but love this channel!!!!!!!

[@MrKago1]

I don't fancy being turned into a nothic, so I'll pass on that Vecna/allip secret, thanks.

[@NanoMayTry]

Not only does have an army, but he has billions of tiny servants invading your body. Reminds me about Typhus except without the mercy of Nurgle and insects.

[@Toad_Man]

Man, that patreon ad in the middle kinda killed my immersion.

[@juansantos-lq2kz]

The boy gotta eat, champ.

[@AJPickett]

Thanks for the feedback Viztag.

[@Toad_Man]

I normally don't have a problem with patreon ads or anything. In this case it was kinda sudden and felt like an ad for information placed behind a paywall. Maybe I'm just nitpicking.

[@AmigoRoberto]

Dont you tease me with extra Vecna lore.

[@ironreed2654]

Love the TSR era monster pics!

[@mitchcowan1446]

Yes plz haul out those dragons and give us that video. Thank you

[@onemisterfranko]

I look forward to seeing stuff on the celestials because man you get down to it there is some nasty evil stuff out there and it's a empirical they haven't won yet.

[@redwater4221]

Time to plan another lvl 17 to 20 campaign based on this

[@DkKombo]

7:50 change its alignment, hmmm? Sounds like if someone were to say, threaten or mind control the hags in this ritual, you could make great use out of an inherently infernal creature for the side of good. Cruel, but effective and almost well deserved.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

He still ain't got the audio 100percent a little echo and some hsssss sssss but he does better then me I made two slideshows with good audio but I'm not dedicated to.Make one a day it took me 45 min to make my vid about tournament of power

[@AeronHale]

Once per day? Holy crap that's nuts... I can't blame anyone who wants that staff. With that thing you'd be able to wreak havoc across the multiverse pretty easily if you knew what to wish for...

[@toryengland745]

We need it all AJ!!!!!! Thank you for all your a hard work man!! I can’t even put a number to the amount of inspiration I gain from your videos!!

[@Greenscyth22]

Loved listening to the transformation process enacted by the Night Hags. They have a way of making bad things worse

[@purplehaze2358]

Take a shot every time you hear “Oth” in this video.

[@an3582]

I love/am perplexed by your intros. Straight out of the early 90s

[@stevekollios6292]

I so miss playing this game big time. No one I know plays this now.

[@WormsWeGot]

Can relate. Played 2'dn edition (AD&D) through 3.5'th edition, through the 90's and into early 2000's, around 08 I think it was. Now I'm closer to 40 than 30 years old, but just managed to re-spark the love for this within my old gang, and we figured we'd try to jump back into D&D now to the spring, super excited haha. "Boomer millennials play D&D" edition.

[@darthchocolate7911]

The last time this guy took a vacation on our plane of existence he left an indelible mark on Europe and Asia...

[@Sebasti44n]

Love it! Finally you adressed the baernoloth, if only in passing. The most evil creatures in d&d.

[@AJPickett]

Absolutely the worst creatures ever.

[@Sebasti44n]

@@AJPickett The final boss of a campaign. Reaching it is the real fight.

[@captainkuddlez]

Another patron for the Lorekeeper. Hope to be around for awhile AJ!

[@AJPickett]

Woot! Thank you :)

[@jgr7487]

I unironically fear Celestials & other Good D&D monsters more than Fiends & these evil ones. we at least know that Evil beings are Evil, while Good ones hide their "terrifyingness".

[@wilkisama]

the celestials really need more 5e lore in my opinion. they're covered so little. i feel like AJ would have to talk about groups instead of individuals just to have a video of the same length. like Domiel the ruler of the second plane of mt celestia is awesome, but so little is written about him he'd have a two minute video, including his stat block n connections to other figures.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Well, celestrials are good on a cosmic level. A viewpoint so removed from the demands of mortal existence it almost isn't recognizable as good. The reason the evil beings are more understandable is because devils are corrupted and demons are insane. It makes them closer in mindset to mortals. You can fathom the base motivations of these beings. Celestrials may be aware of some rules and conditions that make destroying an entire race of good beings the most good choice.

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

You should do a video on the strange oddities the things that don't quite fit Like Shadow magic true name Magic blood Magic psyonix or maybe do a video on what all it takes to actually perform a high-level ritual like dragonstorm

[@danielnevill3076]

More like Anthranus the Delamed. Got em.

[@st4ne4rmthevill63]

Ooooooh! Sick burn

[@Doomseer]

Wait I think I know the secret, he told the existentially terrifying truth that at any moment the chained god could break free from his prison before ultimately unmaking the multiverse if not stopped..

[@AJPickett]

Yes.

[@georgeuferov1497]

Honestly, knowing DnD it is probably one of the "common knowledge" facts

[@Pinefr0st]

I am most interested in knowing the Profound Secret. I hunger to know secrets. I crave the deepest truths and forbidden knowledge.

[@Pinefr0st]

I just became a patron. Also read the script for the relevant video. Now I see why Ani ditched the throne.

[@garrettsheaffer9799]

You seek the knowledge of Tzeentch. That is heresy!!!

[@m3w]

All of your content is wonderful, and helping me to stay sane.

[@jesseb43]

Love this channel. Use to play hard to do when you have 10 month and 6 year old.

[@djay6651]

Back in 1st edition, the yugoloth were known as 'daemons'.

[@seamusfish7009]

Here wuz Seamus!

[@daheck5961]

I’m just imagining two writers or a group of writer trying to come up with a monster name and it goes something like: Writer 1: We need a name for this monster Writer 2: Yea what is a bad thing that kills people? Writer 3: Uhhhhh what about anthrax? Writer 1: GREAT! Now how can we make it unique? Writer 4: How about we add an ‘us’ at the end? Thus Anthraxus was born!!!

[@purplehaze2358]

You know how I said a great long while back I was making an indie table-top? Well, I have an idea for a being known as Ehehdruhl. It quite literally knows everything. Not just everything within it’s reality, but everything within all realities. If one were to ask it what the multiverses looks like, it would explain that it is somewhat like a brick wall that is both infinitely tall and infinitely wide, with every brick being a different narrative, and thus, a universe.

[@narev6569]

But can they return from the dead with an amulet?

[@purplehaze2358]

Narev I don’t know. Though it DOES know the near-infinite number of ways it can do it. And, yes, I do know what you’re referring to.

[@temmy9]

I have often wondered what the relationship is between anthraxus and the general of gehenna. Is one subordinate to the other? are they rivals?

[@rickeymariu1]

Thanks for the vid A.J. it's always a pleasure

[@willynthepoorboys2]

Hollywood needs to make a movie using this horror to torment Jason and Freddy for their failures.

[@Smasherv15]

Honestly found this quite fascinating. Would love more

[@Claycanplay]

I pay tribute of comment to the heartless Algorithmus!

[@KyleJordanGaming]

The sole entity in the multiverse that even the most foul Baernaloths regard with “Oh shi… nah, bruh… :|”

[@maynardskunk7612]

My friend your videos are so detailed and well thought through. You deserve so much many more subscribers

[@Zero8880]

"The Council of 8 Balor Generals?" Is this something relatively new? I know about the Dark 8, The Pitfiend Generals that control the Devil's side of the Blood War.

[@AJPickett]

Oops, did I call them Balor? My bad.

[@lucasdurham-styles3169]

i really want to know what the secret was lol i spent like two hours looking everywhere

[@samuelhagberg3694]

Same

[@michaelmartin5494]

Great video brother. Always wanted to know the lore on this cat. Fantastic job.

[@someguy4405]

That thunbnail art is badass and I want to know where it’s from.

[@someguy4405]

But actually where did you get it

[@jonasnielsen1759]

Agreus from castlevania Lords of shadows 2

[@zmishiymishi5349]

Oh, Vecna will get us all

[@demonblood8841]

Great stuff AJ as usual :)

[@garvinanders2355]

I would to know more about the larvae trade.

[@thevoidcritter]

I may or may not just have renamed his stronghold Castle Anthrax for my Blood War campaign.

[@jpfernandez6993]

Awesome stuff, as always. You're forever sparking off fresh ideas for me to weave into my campaign. I have recently come upon spellscales. From what I've read so far, they're quite the interesting race. I'd love to see what your research yields on them, if you're ever so inclined.

[@AJPickett]

They are on my To-Do list for sure. Spellscales are pretty flamboyant, basically just natural born sorcerers really.

[@Reddotzebra]

Anything that can change alignment in DnD is very interesting indeed. I had this thought a while ago when reading the rules, if where you end up after you die is directly tied to your alignment then what happens if you do this to, let's say one of the nastiest mortals that you can possibly think of, an evil spellcaster that has done it all, attempted genocide, torture, this person eats babies for funsies. And you change this person's alignment to the opposite, so from being chaotic evil he becomes chaotic good, would he still end up in the abyss once his time is up?

[@placeholdername3818]

He'd go to the afterlife his alignment is when he dies. In D&D according to planescape setting which it seems Forgotten Realm uses as well. The way the afterlife system works is intended to feed the planes souls to keep them growing if the souls don't eventually fuse with their gods. It's not about punishing or rewarding it's about feeding the machine. Plus your mind gets wiped in the Astral Plane while traveling to the your afterlife. So basically petitioner you isn't you anymore.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Sides such an alignment shift would cause a lot of duress to the target of it as their actions take on a new context to them. So the baby eater would not remain uncaring about that action. That they performed it would torment them greatly.

[@overlordofmidgard5876]

Official 5e stats for the Staff of the Lower Planes can be found in Dragon+ magazine #22.

[@bluesouth5633]

I bet he's angry with his parents for giving him that name...

[@AJPickett]

Heh!

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.

[@16michaelf]

So awesome! 👍

[@ciberninja124]

Really wanna know the secret now

[@trogdor856]

Yeah I've been looking through his vids hunting it down but I can't find it, anyone know what it is?

[@NotCthulhu]

On the subject of the mysterious secrets and interactions of fiends, you might think of looking into the Knower of Places and Knower of Names from Neverwinter Nights (beings directly linked to the nature of physical reality and true names respectively). They aren't canonical characters and the game doesn't go in depth on their nature, but some lines of dialogue describe them as ancient Baatorians (perhaps existing before Baator became hellish), which sent me on a theory-crafting binge positioning them as the origin of all species (or at least *some* species of fiends and celestials; mortal races from humans to orcs; fey... etc.) via, coupling with the Sleeping Man (an ancient angel in the game implied to have a failed or unfulfillable romance with the Knower of Places), Mephistopheles (who has them both imprisoned on Cania - and is said to have had a similarly troubled romance with the Knower of Names), and perhaps several other powerful beings -- maybe even Asmodeus himself, who, as one of the first beings (and with how many mind-boggling plots he's said to be involved in) I've even theorized could be the father of both the Knowers and Mephistopheles as well, before Asmodeus himself was a devil... or even before he was angel... even maybe a mortal from another dimension or time. But that's going too deep for one comment... ... So anyhow: I'm not sure you want to make a video on thin non-canon lore... and there's probably enough contradictory official lore to make my head-canon even thinner, but there's still some interesting potential in these characters and their links to the nature of the planes, maybe if only enough for a passing mention. But somehow I find vague/mysterious primordial reality-altering beings with little actual written lore endlessly fascinating compared to the extensively written stuff. Speaking of which, I think another video on the nature of the Far Realm or abberations is overdue, as well.

[@lorenburnham821]

Iv watched or slept to these videos a lot, this one a few times, and I just caught that " no fiends land" lol

[@nunull6427]

Keeps a personal bard group called "Anthrax"

[@chaunceyshearinjr5997]

This is cool I didn’t even know this was a thing

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

Yes, AJ, let's have a video about larvae. Please

[@MRSterling78]

May I request a video on Old Snarl himself? Klauth, Dragon of the North!

[@AJPickett]

You may *takes note*

[@mechanicobra]

I’m a little confused here. Is Anthraxus the General of Gehenna then if he’s the leader of the yugoloths? If not then who is technically the real leader between them? And is he the only oinoloth out there? The little info I’d found on them for 5e led me to think they were just another high tier yugoloth.

[@AJPickett]

There can only be one being tied to the power of the Throne at a time, so, only one true Oinoloth.

[@mechanicobra]

@@AJPickett Thanks for answering that. Seeing him in the Tome of Foes just listed as Oinoloth had me assuming they were just another powerful type of Yugoloth rather than a named individual.

[@thevoidcritter]

The way I see it, the Oinoloth isn't the General, but he's in a very special position where he oversees any kind of biological warfare the yugoloths conduct. I like to think that the General is left ambiguous for DMs to cook something up themselves.

[@mechanicobra]

@@thevoidcritter I think they are supposed to be different. From what I could find online all the wiki's and stuff about Yugoloths list them individually. Plus they do rule from two separate places so I think you're right.

[@LordMortanius]

The General of Gehenna is the established leader of the 'loths. There's only one General, and he's the first ultroloth. The Oinoloth rules over the 'loths of the Gray Waste, in theory. It's a title given to the current ruler of the Khin-Oin, which is either Anthraxus or Mydianchlarus. Yugoloth advancement stops at the ultroloth. There is no 'unique' evolution of the 'loths that occurs naturally. 'Loths have to bargain with the night hags to become altraloths, who can be of any yugoloth caste. The process of becoming an altraloth is one that requires cooperation between hag and 'loth, as the ritual ties both their life-forces together. Known altraloths include Typhus, Charon, Anthraxus and Bubonix. The other established leaders of the 'loths are 'pure' yugoloths; the Keeper of the Tower Arcane is an arcanaloth, Mydianchlarus was an ultroloth and the General is the first ultroloth. And then there's the baernaloths, who were the original creators of evil. They seem to have pretty much upped and left, or retired. The demodands were created by one, Apomps, who was cast out by his fellow baern.

[@jacki8211]

Cool new music😁

[@Scortch-lo3xy]

this is awesome

[@maxx8362]

How does this weaponized disease interact with the 5E paladin's immunity to disease?

[@AJPickett]

They are not immune to acid.

[@maj562]

The end music leading into the picture of the mad evil looking beast was hilarious to behold

[@anathema1828]

Anthraxus- truly gruesome horror!

[@TabooX1984]

AWESOME! I was looking for this and it just popped up on my feed. Thanks man! 👍👍👍

[@kmoustakas]

Yes, we need all the info

[@markusnavergard2387]

its interesting that Asmodeus plans to keep the bloodwar going. then again. Asmodeus himself is just a guise for Ahriman

[@AJPickett]

In theory

[@jacobfreeman5444]

It is in Asmodeus' favor to keep it going. The celestials would no doubt shut down his operation if the blood war ever truly concluded. He only keeps his power and position if he keeps the war going.

[@enriquer.puricelli1437]

So for those who cannot support you in patron we are left to wonder what the secret is or where to find the answer.

[@AJPickett]

Watch my video on the Astral Dreadnaught

[@enriquer.puricelli1437]

@@AJPickett I stand corrected

[@Melantrist]

INSTALIKE FOR THE OINOLOTH HIMSELF!

[@MisterDTwenty]

I can only imagine the number of magical items and artifacts Anthraxus has access too, I mean when you have enough money to bride a god what can't you afford?

[@AJPickett]

He has the super power of Batman

[@AKNeal81]

Whose backbone makes up the Wasting Tower?

[@AJPickett]

It is absolutely and disgusting as it sounds, and I could not find any mention of what ancient and very dead god the backbone originally belonged to.

[@AKNeal81]

@@AJPickett more for the "Left wide open for AJ to write into D&D canonical fiction" category

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

AJ Pickett I think they intentially didn’t name the god who’s spine it is. I’d assume it’s from a god who died either early in our reality and who’s name has been all but forgotten or the bones of a god that died before our reality was made and just has no name here. The tower could be a remnant of the time when the Gods were still using the Krakens to kill each other.

[@jakecrichton562]

The doom hath been brung. Thanks AJ.

[@chriscalvin5083]

good video AJ

[@ryedj707]

Ah yes, the deadly Anthrax!

[@johngleeman8347]

The Yugoloths are so interesting in their brand of evil. Shame that since 3rd edition onwards they've been neglected by WOTC. Even bigger shame that AJ has done more to teach new players about this rich lore than the lazy bums making 5th Edition. Oh well. Excellent video as always Sir.

[@AJPickett]

I certainly would not call them lazy bums, I have mad respect for the work they have done and the marketing genius that has gone into the current edition.

[@johngleeman8347]

@@AJPickett I will respect your opinion on that matter Sir.

[@AJPickett]

@@johngleeman8347 I still say the 5th edition Phoenix can burn in hell though.. that was lazy writing.

[@johngleeman8347]

@@AJPickett I feel like they scrubbed off a lot of the cool abilities of monsters in the current edition. Simplicity for players can be nice, but who cares if the enemies can do wild and crazy stuff? XD

[@robertwilson2516]

My comment didn't process were I compared this guy to a James Bond villain for a level 20 party.

[@florenmage]

Anything with a loyal group of cultists following it around is in my opinion...Absolutely horrifying.There is a massive source or fear for any horror game.Cults are just the worst.In real life or in fantasy.lol

[@InternetSupervillain]

Ooooh, interesting one.

[@benthomason3307]

"anthraxus the decayed?" seriously? imagine if I wrote a BBEG called "covidius the gay frog."

[@AJPickett]

Hey what you do in your own home is your business pal.

[@KyleJordanGaming]

Depends. You got the documents?! 😂👌

[@KyleJordanGaming]

@@AJPickettAlignment: Neutral Based.

[@bruggeman672]

Please do the followup video!