Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Obox-Ob and the Queen of Chaos

[@justinbaskall8291]

Timestamps and Spoilers below! 0:09 Intro, Become a member! 0:23 Overview of the video 1:32 One of Many Beginnings, the demon's version 3:40 Tharizdun, the Arrival of the Obyreth, and the Shard 5:45 Trapping Tharizdun, The Abyss 9:02 The First Demons rise 11:34 Obox-Ob and the other Obyreth Lords 14:11 Baator and the age before ages 15:34 The Queen of Chaos 17:55 Miska the Wolf-Spider, the gambit or power, The Rod of Law (Seven Parts) 20:03 Obox-ob is struck down, Queen creates the Tanar'ri, 21:30 The remenants of Obox-Ob and reestablishing power 24:58 Tanar'ri demons purpose and conquering the prime material 26:03 The Ekolid and the plane of Zionyn Like, Share, Comment, Subscribe, hit the Bell icon, and join us on the discord. Always love learning little secret things in the dark places of the D&D cosmos that spell the doom for all reality like the Blood Shallows, makes me want to look into some of these places and see what storylines we can pull from them. Another of my favorites if the Abyssal Plane known as Twelve Trees, definately worth looking into, expecially when you make it possible that one of the twelve escaped and now demons spread across the planes seeking to find the escaped victim. I replaced the mad Deva in Curse of Strahd with one such angel, and it provided even more background for such an excellent character. If you enjoyed this, definately check out the other videos for the Lords of Ruin on Aj's channel, Pazzuzu is an excellent video worth watching. If the hint of the actual purpose of Vecna with Tharizdun caught your attention, check out AJ's video on Vecna, or the video on the Wind Dukes for more info on the Queen of Chaos' war with the elemental planes. Pazzuzu: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anOTgal7j8uAbKM Vecna: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJPXlWOHd6mdoNk The Wind Dukes of Aqaa: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXW5oXtjarCiea8

[@stevewinkleburg5300]

I liked Pazuzu, but dagon was my favorite. It told a lot about cult worship for dagon and gave me good ideas who his rivals are

[@justinbaskall8291]

@@stevewinkleburg5300 a very good recommendation as well!

[@DkKombo]

Very nice!! Thanks a lot for that info dump! I'd love and pin your comment myself if I could.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

Biggest info dump in a comment I seen on this channel bub

[@dragonballtalk8527]

@Kyle Rolnick I only read part

[@vizerandevir6422]

Of all the hilarious ways automatic CC picked up "Obox-Ob" the most hilarious one was "awkward sob".

[@AJPickett]

Tharizderp :)

[@draxthemsklonst]

Miss Cur the Wool Spider

[@joshuazane3210]

Automatic cc, especially if the person has a non-american accent is great. It just loses its mind.

[@sagesheahan6732]

Lmao

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

Thurizdun gazed across the void between existences and witnessed something. A sound escaped his throat. His voice, thick with madness, he issued an awkward sob

[@chara2038]

I'm currently playing with a Obox-Ob priestess in one of the campaings i'm participating in, using the Vermin domain from the Tome of Heroes book. The party once made fun of her, saying that she acts kinda like a poor version of a Disney princess: speaking with mice, other rodents and insects. Can't wait until they find out what is the "God" she actually follows

[@mrmackie-qp6lr]

Please let me know how that turns out

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Here is an idea. The abyss is Obox-Ob. And what the queen of chaos did was shatter his mind away from his greater self. Allowing her to use that great well of power for her own purposes. But she vastly overestimated her own cleverness in this ploy and as a result was deposed. Now the game is to keep Obox-Ob from ever reforming enough of his self to reestablish control over his own being. Essentially keep him distracted with his own shattered perspective so he remains dormant.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Here is another thought. The Abyss essentially manifested from Thatizdun when he planted the seed known as the Shard of Evil. But he isn't what fueled the Abyss. He was just a tool used so the Abyss could bootstrap itself into a reality it didn't belong in. A way to steer the growth of the Abyss so it could be weaponized. But the Abyss didn't need Tharizdun. And that is I think what Pale Night realized. That it would be easy to sever the connection between Tharizdun and the Abyss and therefore claim it for herself...by shattering the being actually directing it all. And given his attention was focused on keeping a mad god on task and figuring out the next direction for the Abyss...he must have been easy to backstab. No clever tricks...just walked up to him and used her insight into how the Abyss worked to tear Obox-Ob asunder. Lopping the head off the snake and grafting on one that she could control. But she is no Onox-Ob. She vastly overestimated her own cleverness and so failed miserably at her goal of ruling it all.

[@Avigorus]

That bit about the dreaming Tharizdun reminded me of the Elder Scrolls lore around CHIM, how that entire multiverse is itself a dream and realizing that fact causes most entities to cease to exist from pure existential crisis except those who have a big enough ego or whatever to hold onto their sense of self in the face of their own etherealness, with the one aberration of this being dichotomy being Dagoth Ur, who deluded himself into believing that he was the dreamer after death and dreamed himself back into their dream-reality from beyond the grave, at least partly due to having attuned to a powerful artifact with a relatively close link to the dreamer itself, the Heart of Lorkhan, which basically became his phylactery (simplification).

[@alexinfinite7142]

Lol it's a pretty confusing and in depth story. I'm glad you brought it up here

[@steveharrison76]

Another amazingly timed advert break: “there is a doorway that exits the D&D universe for a different place entirely... VISIT SCOTLAND...”

[@sagesheahan6732]

😂😂

[@MythosTheSophist]

In the D&D lore, there exist portals connecting Earth to Toril. We know Elminster has made one that links to Yellowstone Park. Just saying...

[@neogod29]

There may actually be 2 exits. Remember,there's also a door in the bottom of Hell, a door the devils can't use and built Asmodeus' castle around.

[@Mortablunt]

Well that's horrifying.

[@AJPickett]

The door at the bottom of Nessus goes anywhere within the D&D multiverse, as do the portals within Sigil. The portal at the apex of Celestia goes... Out.

[@neogod29]

@@AJPickett either way, when things become too dicey, and Airimon decides he doesn't want to be Asmodeus anymore, or Jisarian decides it's time to end things, and one of them goes through a door and leave their plane, the universe is toast anyway.

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

@@neogod29 I think the Asmodeus avatar became his own independent being at some point though.

[@ryderma1]

I'm back again.. Hesitant to say this, because AJ has so many excellent videos. I think this one us my favorite.

[@relint12]

Same for me, really covers a lot of bases for building out planar history and inspires me to want to build an epic level campaign around what amounts to the 'original sin' of the D&D cosmos. Instead of a snake and an apple you have Obox-ob and a Ruby Shard.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

AJ describing the Queen of Chaos *Ursula has entered the chat*

[@spoopy7336]

AJ : "You might wanna consider not drinking and eating." Me : "Polite of you, but not bloody well likely."

[@OmusKnowsAll]

AJ, you truly are my favorite Loremaster. You have given so many ideas for my Campaign world that I am bursting with creativity during the last 2½ years.

[@Mr_Maiq_The_Liar]

"before the recordings of any living race" is not an acceptable handwave in D&D. The aboleth exists

[@AJPickett]

Spellweavers are amused by the Aboleth whipper snappers. Ygorl laughs in negative time....

[@Mr_Maiq_The_Liar]

AJ Pickett that’s a terrifying response

[@AJPickett]

@@Mr_Maiq_The_Liar That is the correct emotional reaction. Congratulations, you are certified "Sane".

[@jacobfreeman5444]

A thought occured to me. What if, to the gods, this creation is already ended? Time means nothing to them so they can see the begining and end as easily as if they were looking at two points from an overlooking hill. The point of the squabbles over souls is to seperate the wheat from the chaff. The parts that are still good from that which became corrupted. And why they fight Tharizdun is because in his madness he would indiscriminately condemn it all to the forges of creation rather then save the good bits to use as the foundations of the next attempt. So they just distract him with slight of hand while sorting it all out.

[@johngleeman8347]

That last bit. You might just be crazy enough to have a need and powerful enough to survive your trip to Obox-ob's domain. BUT! You will take the smell of those swollen, rotten corpses stretching out as far as the eye can see and the unrelenting drone of the cloud of demonic insects flying overhead with you to your grave. Even while you yet live, you will hear the buzzing and smell the acrid flesh off in the distance as you lay down your head before the sweet embrace of sleep rescues you. For a time. >:3

[@rojoh7895]

I'ma be straight with you, AJ. All of these videos have only entrenched me further into tabletops in general, so thanks for the inspiration and- nightmare fuel.

[@madmalone6616]

Really great job making the D&D lore so much richer. I love lore videos but your choices of description words and art choices are damnable excellent!!!👽

[@AJPickett]

Glad you like them!

[@cameronpearce5943]

I like the idea that when Asmodeus’s bid to regain his former power as the original Ouroboros fails and the abyss spills over, the celestials will flee the mainstream multiverse. But, being plucky adventurers, mortals will manage to dislodge the shard of ultimate evil, send it back to Voidharrow, and enter in to a new age where neither Gods, Demons, Devils, or other powers have dominion over them. Those left will be the remnants of the Devils and Demons brought under the heel of the true King of the United Lower Planes, Graz’zt, Son of Pale Night and Asmodeus, and the few celestials left will be those who forsook their gods to fight and die alongside mortal kind

[@JanusHoW]

I don't think it would be possible for mortals to get anywhere NEAR the Shard without it driving them absolutely insane in a nano-second. Remember, Tharizdun, a GREATER DEITY, went mad just by touching it. I'd say it would be the equivalent of a DC 60+ Wisdom saving throw every round you're on the same layer as it to avoid turning irredeemably chaotic evil and gaining an incurable indefinite madness...and this would be 5E rules. Then again, WoTC made it possible for mortals to redeem an archdevil - who's to say that one couldn't make the goal of a long epic-level campaign to gather the components necessary to make something that _could_ remove the Shard? But here's the irony - removing the Shard would cause the demons to stop reproducing, allowing the devils to eventually win the Blood War...and then guess what they'd do?

[@cameronpearce5943]

@@JanusHoW Steal the Spawning Stone from the Slaad and use it as a conduit to redirect the power of the shard in to The Far Realm where it dissipates in the infinite madness of the void. Then aid Graz'zt in turning each arch-devil against each-other and disrupting the flow of souls to Asmodeus by finding the exit clause in the Pact Primevil and fulfilling it. There will still be a lower plane, and it would be united, but without the structure of the Infernal military industrial complex or the infinite numbers of the abyss they won't be a threat for some time, and a beatable one at that. Graz'zt can be negotiated with and while clever, he's no Asmodeus... yet That's just my tinfoil overview of how i'd do it with a legion of 20+ level characters

[@burningbronze7555]

@@cameronpearce5943 now that sounds like a interesting campaign to play in.

[@styxdragoncharon4003]

I just want you to know... I ate a burrito and drank a cup of juice... whilst watching. This didn't turn me off my lunch.

[@AJPickett]

The warning was clearly not intended for one possessed of your gastric fortitude.

[@styxdragoncharon4003]

@@AJPickett XD

[@styxdragoncharon4003]

@@AJPickett Seriously my baby sister likes talking about all kinds of foul things at the dinner table... It is a skill not a trait.

[@Derinma]

Beksinski is my favourite artist. This was visually wonderful along with the nerd stuff.

[@bigsarge2085]

This one of your best videos yet in a catalogue of excellence. From a role play persective, it provides a true paradigm shift in the reasoning and actions of the lowliest mortals all the way to the Creator-Gods and everything in between. Even if a campaign never deals with these lofty, incomprehensible concepts directly, they will at least profoundly inform the background goings-on.

[@cernunnos_lives]

Yeah i keep coming back to your 'Lords of Ruin'. And there needs to be more out there. Your explanations for the backdrop is amazing.

[@relint12]

Excellent show! A lot of great puzzle pieces for my campaign here especially with Obox-Ob splitting into different distinct aspects. In my campaign I’ve been noodling with the idea of Tharizdun’s slumber being predicated on the continued balance of the Great Wheel like a spinning top with the outer and inner planes at the crown and Sigil as the point it all spins around. If one faction gains too much power the top becomes imbalanced and Sigil could fall rousing Tharizdun and freeing him from his slumber to then unmake the universe. This is how I explain Mordenkainen’s insistence that the cosmos stay in balance on the good / evil axis. Some greater powers, realizing they were upsetting the balance, have even went so far as to tear themselves apart into different aspects with distinct personality alignments just to maintain balance and prevent Tharizdun from waking and destroying everything.

[@pieboxer]

I knew something was up with Wonka taking us to a place of 'pure imagination'. Evil bugger that one.

[@22CAJ]

I still can't wrap my head around all of this. Fascinating! But complicated. It's all very cosmic horror, and I love that.

Ah! FINALLY the KZbin algorithm hits the nail in the head!

[@lordnaarghul]

I am currently in the middle of crafting a somewhat different cosmology, and Obox-ob plays a a part. In it, Eilistraee has become a *much* more powerful deity owing to an expanded portfolio + being worshipped by far more than just a few repentant drow, and that owing to her becoming a lover to a human deity named Curcil, the god of courage and freedom. Obox-ob (and, indirectly, Demogorgon) is the reason those two took tea. Long story short, after this new world's version of the Crown Wars, about 30% of dark elves refused to be swayed by Lolth's overtures and turned in fervency to Eilistraee who directly opposed her mother ferociously. It was a few Elven generations later that Obox-ob, who had become chief amongst the beings worshipped by a nearby human empire, began working to try and corrupt these elves instead of Lolth, as Lolth was busy in the midst of a brutal war with Demogorgon; Lolth had slain Malcanthet and gave rulership of her layer of the abyss to Kiaansalee in return for Kiaransalee kicking some of the succubi her way -or that's what Lolth told her, at least. The thing was, Demogorgon soon arrived in Layer 570 in such an all-consuming, blood boiling murderous rage that Kiaransalee, in absolute terror, abandoned her portfolio of vengeance to Demogorgon and revealed that it was Lolth who was behind Malcanthet's murder. This proved a blunder on Lolth's part, because Lolth had intended to sell Kiaransalee out and aid Demogorgon in killing her, thus gaining an ally in the Abyss and trading away a troublesome underling and rival. Instead, Demogorgon imprisoned Kiaransalee and turned his wrath on Lolth, with his intention to reduce the entirety of the demonweb to total and complete ruin. What are Graz'zt and Orcus doing during all of this? Well, Graz'zt is attempting to ingratiate himself with Lolth and providing her aid. Orcus? Well, Orcus is strangely quiet, having no comment. But nobody seems to notice the corpses beginning to vanish on the battlefields in this explosive war. Obox-ob, for his part, sees an opportunity to kill Demogorgon and undermine Lolth using these dark elves that follow Eilistraee. So he tries to engineer yet another war between the elves, and use the human empire as a kind of multiplier. But thanks to the heroic deeds of a human named Cedron, the empire was overthrown. They were not able to rid Eilistraee's elves from Obox-ob's influence entirely, and the war began in earnest. Obox-ob's agents began twisting the minds of Lolth's drow as a means of attacking his former empire, seeing how...preoccupied Lolrh is at the moment. The events culminated in some thoroughly twisted high elves summoning Obox-ob into the world to put a final end to the war. The humans, recognizing Obox-ob's influence on all these events, all charged in to aid Eilistraee's elves, who were struggling valiantly. Cedron the Hero sacrificed himself to banish Obox-ob and end the war. He was risen to the status of demigod for his bravery, and for his bravery in aiding her elves, Eilistraee futher rewarded him by taking him as a lover, both as a means of expanding her reach to humans and fulfilling one of her dogmas in living peacefully with other peoples. This act raised her to the level of greater deity, and in so doing also raised the human to true deity, and he took the name "Curcil". Eilistraee's dark elves have taken the name of Shade Elves to differentiate themselves from the drow, and Eilistraee partially removed the "curse, giving them more variance in skin, eye and hair colors. The two deities appear to be ready to start creating their own pantheon. It is really fun creating your own lore for these things.

[@yami5944]

Dude that sounds awesome! What a heroic tale.

[@Izzo-io2ou]

AJ, I couldn't ever reconcile why the demons, the very embodiment of chaos (maybe second only to the Slaadi, which this would also apply to), had set forms. Now, I no longer have the reference material to research it, but I believe Hordlings are from the Abyss also; thought I have a nagging thought it might of been Hades in earlier versions, and no two looked alike. Unlike demons though, the only way to summon more then one at a time, was through a powerful artifact the name of which is lost to my memory. I always believed that random nature was truer to what demons are. Even when I played long ago, no two type whatever looked alike. Similar , yes, but never a set form. A lot of times, I just used the stats as a template, and changed the look all together. It keep players in their mail cladded toes, not "oh, look another vulture headed type 1" , but more like "what in the name Vecna's shriveled balls is that monstrosity ?!" Anyhow, this, somewhat molifies my dissatisfaction with forms, but then, where do the Hordlings fit in, and is there any reference material for them?

[@Izzo-io2ou]

Ok, I just found your Hades video, and, what do you know, Hordlings. Now, I may be incorrect, but I seem to remember reading an article on them in Dragon, claiming the Abyss as their home plane.

[@AJPickett]

Yes, one of their home planes, they are more like a side effect of the corrupted elemental forms of life.

[@temmy9]

Demons are the way they are because of the continual attempt by the multiverse to impose order on their forrms. To the demon, their forms are an obscenity, and to be free of forms, they must destroy everything. So the demon does have form, but seeks to undo that form and the only way to do that is to corrupt and annihilate the entire multiverse.

[@alexwisz9527]

Fantastic use of Beksinski paintings while describing Zionin.

[@AfroChef]

Love all your videos but man the evil chaotic demon stuff is by far my favorite

[@stephenclements6158]

AJ's mastery of the lore is without peer, and he does the best job in filling in the gaps in the lore believably.

[@AJPickett]

Putting that on my book cover Stephen :)

[@stephenclements6158]

@@AJPickett by all means! You put in the work, you deserve the praise.

[@Gomjibar]

I just thought of something fun a DM could do using these videos. If you are in a ancient/arcane library and looking into one of the forbidden books, have the player watch one of these video's. The player's character now knows about the topic that was discussed in the video and must role madness checks or choose if they what to take action/advantage of what they now know. Imaging doing that to a player with this video, completely destroying a characters world view and could alter their whole goals in life. Do they keep going as if nothing is wrong? Try to escape the multiverse? Willingly aid the forces of Hell to fight the demons? Or do they join the demons in destroying reality?

[@EdgarTheOnion]

THIS IS CRAZY GOOD LORE !! FRIGGING LOVE IT

[@AJPickett]

Thanks Allen

[@theoriginalmess]

That was a fantastic video A.J. Thanks! We definitely need more imaginative material like this injected into the D&D universe.

[@anthonyromasco3528]

Today on epic die-roll fails... DM: Lady Jessica brings young Paul to you and tells him you are here to test him. She then leaves. What do you do? Player: I use "the Voice" and say "Now, you. Come here." DM: Roll for it. Player: I only got an 8 DM:Ok, Paul. You start to feel compelled to move, but you can choose not to. Paul's Player: i say "No". Player: ahhh! Some strength after all! I try again with the same command DM: Roll it. Player:..... I GOT A 1!!! Paul's player: I say , "Ooooh! Somebody thinks they can control minds!" Player: i try one more time. DAMMIT! ANOTHER1!!! Paul's player: I pull out a spinning hypnotist disk and say,"YOU ARE NOT A BENE GESSERIT WITCH! YOU'RE JUST A SPOOKY OLD LADY WITH A CREEPY VOICE!" Player:The sisterhood is never going to let me live THIS ONE down!

[@Greenscyth22]

I'd love to know what the Obyrith/demon's forms looked like before their "exodus" to the Far Realm? Presumably much more terrifying that what they are now. Also, were the Obyrith actually considered "evil" prior to their bleeding into the Far Realm. I always thought that the entities in the Far Realm were just abstract and alien, not evil. I'm sure demonic oozes, slimes and jellies must be a "blessing" on the 663 layer as they can dissolve the vast amount of corpses down to nothing. I also never thought of Asmodeus and the devils as being gatekeepers against that level of chaos. I can see Asmodeus griping to the celestial lords "You want me on that wall, you need me on that wall".

[@zacharyhawley1693]

You could argue Obyrith's once were like normal mortals. Hell, might even once even been human for all we know. My personal Homebrew explanation for them goes like this. Mortals much like netheril got the barest taste of power by mastering demiplane creation and that was the beginning of the end. They transmitted this knowledge culture wide and by the time the gods realized what was going on. The world had been torn asunder as each claimed for themselves a sliver of their broken world. The gods hoped that would be the end of it. But it wasn't. The survivors had become... More than mere mortals and the gods were no longer venerated they were rivals to be disposed of. The proto-Obyriths had been born and when they looked out at the wide cosmos and their multiverse and they hungered to rule it all, Millennia past as they regrouped and consolidated their festering power and when they were ready. One by one they hunted down their lofty rivals even as they tore the multiverse apart to add to their own slice of the cosmos and warred amongst themselves. Destabilizing creation in the process. As the last god fell enfeebled and utterly devoured, they had long since been obyrith.

[@stevewinkleburg5300]

I've been checking for this every morning since last Thursday

[@dragonturtle2703]

0.) If it won't take too much time on your part, what part of this is cannon and what parts are logical assumptions? 1.) Are the individual layers of the Abyss infinite, or just the number of layers? 2.) Is there a blood war like conflict between the demons, and elemental plains, or the chaotic side or center (the Outlands) of the Great Wheel, or is it just the blood war? 3.) Why are the Nine Hells so important? Is it just that corrupting half the Great Wheel will give them tones of power, or is the thing about a portal to anywhere in the multiverse at the bottom of the Nine Hells (like the portal out of the multiverse on top of Mount Celectia) true? 4.) Does Morden Kanen just assume the Abyss can't be pushed back (or just not want gods to try poking it again? 5.) I have a theory about why the Abyss is considered an outer plane, and wanted to get your opinion on it. We know that the planes are arranged based on alignment, and as that shifts, so can a part of a plane break off and move. Is it that the entirety of the corrupted parts of the outer planes just broke off, moved towards the chaoric evil part (overwhelming whatever might have been there), and that so much of the Abyss being there made it sort of the "heart/center" of it as far as the rest of the multiverse is concerned? 7.) What happens to those random demons? Are they all eaten, or are some allowed to go on, or hauled back to the [things I can't spell so will just call Seps] to get a more standardized form? 8.) Are all of the random demons from the initial amorphous mass of conjoined thought/soul stuff, or also souls sent there? 9.) How do demons "rank up"? Do they need to be remade by the Seps, or do the just evolve like a pokemon when they destroy enough (like an ork gets bigger)? 10.) Can demon lords alter themselves and/or their demons themselves (with varying degrees of skill), or are the seps the only ones with the ability? 11.) Are there new demon "templates" added to roster? 12.) Can demons go "feral" and start to deviate from the templates? 13.) Do demon lords have any sort of effect on their following, or are they normal? 14.) Are demons on the same plane as a demon lord just automatically drawn to following them, or can they resist it and remain independent, or betray they leader in a moment of weakness? 15.) Are you just automatically a demon lord if you are the most powerful thing on a layer, or have subjugated anything in it (assuming there is anything else) or do you need something else? 16.) How does it work with thing like Zugmois/Jublexes layer where it is contested? Do they both get it, get half, or none of it? 17.) Would the hypothetical Abysses in the other multiverses be (copies of) the same Obarith, or different ones? 18.) What were the gods doing in the initial Abyss spreading? Were they distracted by Therisdone, or just didn't notice? 19.) What do non-lawful good gods use for angels? I figure they use demons, devils, yugoloths, guardsmen, etc instead of archons, but do they not have angels? Do they have dark angels? Ones that are bound by their lawfulness to obey? 20.) Why would if have been worse for the shard of ultimate evil to be put in the astral plane than the elemental ones? 21.) Since the Abyss is now consuming an infinite multiverse at a finite rate, will it take infinity to consume the multiverse, or is there a real chance someone other than an outsider, god, immortal lich, etc to have to worry about it (on a multiversal scale, as opposed to the world you are on specifically)?

[@AJPickett]

0.) The information on the Obyrith's home Multiverse is basically non-existant, so that is my take, also the dreaming state of Tharizdun, there is next to no lore on that either, but I hope everyone can see that I am attempting to logically extrapolate on existing lore to fill the gaps. It's entirely optional, after all. Some parts draw on articles from Dungeon magazine, which is usually a source I put lower stock in than Dragon magazine articles, but it had more info on the second aspect of Obox-ob which I thought was very interesting. 1.) There are a finite number of layers, they are not consecutive, the numbers are just an attempt to list them, they vary in nature, some are infinite, some are not. 2.) Primordial powers operate in the elemental planes, where the conflict goes, so do the devils, the Blood War is the catch all title of all areas of conflict. 3.) Don't forget that the Nine Hells is a plane of LAW, not just evil, it is a plane of governance and control of the lower outer planes. 4.) Mordenkainen may have some awareness that the abyss is an entity. 5.) The wheel is representative, what really matters are the gateways and connections, the Abyss is chaos, it has connections all over the place, but conceptually, it slots into that part of the great wheel. 7.) The majority of the population of the Abyss are not Tarar'ri demons, they are a collection of random roll tables that churn out monsters with a few traits in common. 8.) Also souls sent there, it is nearly impossible for a soul sent to the abyss to remain intact (anyway, they are usually insane in the first place). 9.) Tanar'ri have higher rank forms programmed into them, other demons just get larger, or more powerful, or have more abilities, or all of the above (see: Demogorgon). The most powerful demons often have other demons who share some of the demon lord's traits, as they soak up the power of their lord. 10.) Yeah, they can. 11.) The newest types are the Iomara. 12.) To a limited extent, the more powerful they are, the more unique traits they have, it seems. 13.) They absolutely do. 14.) All of the above. 15.) I think a primary factor is the power to take and HOLD a layer and to regain power even after a severe beating. 16.) Case by case basis. 17.) Unknown. 18.) Unknown, history seems to have been rewritten several times since. I was presenting history from the demon's point of view. 19.) 4th edition tried to impose a generic system to everything. I reject that. Angels don't "work for" the gods, they work for the Multiverse and themselves. 20.) Because instead of driving Tharizdun insane and then having to drive MATTER insane, they could have driven ALL SENTIENT LIFE insane, instantly, everywhere. 21.) It will take infinity to consume the multiverse, this is another part of entering the multiverse via Tharizdun, the god of entropy.

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@AJPickett Sage level: 100

[@dragonturtle2703]

@@AJPickett Thanks. Probably going to take all of this (that isn't actual cannon) as head cannon anyway. Just figured might be important to know in case I start telling someone something is official if it isn't. P.s. Really appreciate how you answer peoples questions, especially long ones like these.

[@vaultscribe4501]

This was excellent. And your theories line up with my creeping suspicion that this multiverse is very much like the Norse and Greek and Egyptian one that long preceded it. The idea being that the heroes of the worlds are all fighting to eventually take part in a final ragnarok. Where a new multiverse will be born from those able to escape the end.

[@manarayofhope2374]

AJ if wizards of the coast had a brain in there head they would you this minute but they don't do here we are ...great work your passion for this subject is visible in every thing you put out thank you

[@vynal187theunseen3]

6:25 “while he dreams the dungeons and dragons multiverse exist” So basically Tharizdun is the d&d version of Azathoth from the Cthulhu Mythos am I right?

[@AJPickett]

yes

[@darrylviljoen6227]

Pale night is shub-niggurath. Pazuzu is nyalarthotep

[@bray2964]

It's an interesting take on Azatoth. In the C'thulu mythos, reality as we know it exists within the dreams of Azatoth. When he wakes, the dreams end, and so reality as we know it ends. Tharizdun on the other hand is a part of reality, but once it awakens from its dream it will destroy everything else. They're very different in how they work, yet they are extremely similar in their roles within their respective cosmologies.

[@J0eMega]

He’s actually a broken God who can only communicate through broken babbling, and he couldn’t even take on the Gods to reach the astral sea, but yeah, that works too lol.

[@boldcitylongsword9941]

Was there a point where Miska lost the Domain of Spiders and Lolth collected it, or did they both rule over Spiderkind simultaneously? Lolth wasn’t a full deity when Miska was still active, so I don’t know how the domain would have been divided.

[@michaelnelson8618]

Probably happened after Lolth was cast down by Corellan...wonder how much gap there was from the imprisonment of Miska to the fall of Lolth

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Miska isn't a god. Gods have a place in reality whether it be because they were granted it or they shoehorned themselves in. Demons and Obyrinth have no place and don't want a place. Their goal is to tear reality back down to its most basic parts. So my thoughts on the matter is there was never any fighting over the domain. Lolth may have been cast into the Abyss for her treachery, having what godliness she had before stripped from her, and was more or less a demon as she had her place stripped from her...she started as a god and definitely wanted to regain that place in reality. She was just using the Abyss as a way to make that happen. So while she is quite evil she was never at heart a demon.

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

Tharzidun, the current villain in Critical Role campaign 2. I only watched 33 or 35 episodes or so, but there are hints that Tharzidun will eventually face off against the Mighty Neign who are nuetral aligned characters with most of them being chaotic nuetral or true nuetral.

[@someguy4405]

I watched this while eating pasta and was entirely unaffected. Am I an aspect of Obox-Ob?

[@AJPickett]

You sir, have the appetite of Yeenoghu

[@jeremygriffin620]

Ramen here, it was delicious.

[@XXX_xxxxxxxx]

@@jeremygriffin620 same, LOL!!!

[@MaxGideonActor]

To those who complain about too much evil -- we should have a hope of salvation -- this can't be the ultimate fate: Well, that's just the way it is. In our version of reality, the universe as a whole is all falling to Entropy, to eventual nothingness, a version of Tharizdun's dream, a clean slate of even subatomic particles. The hope for a "good" outcome is pure sentiment -- nothing wrong by having the sentiment, and everyone should, as the nothingness outcome really matters not at all to your life or likely anyone's, because a difference can be made within your own spheres of existence, and that's where you should focus. Also, that dichotomy in a character's mind of the now and later possibilities make dynamic interaction, storytelling, and playing. What use is hope or my actions when it will all be annihilated in the end? That's up to you. Just not "saving" the universe. If it helps, the fate of the multi-multi-verse hasn't been determined (if Tharizdun has some limits), so you could put your hope there, if you can't divide yourself from only complaining. ;) As for all three alignments having equal power -- where's the fun in that? Sounds boring, just another eternal Blood War. Second, it isn't ever true anywhere -- the forces of "good" or for some lawful or explicitly lawful good are in reality always miniscule compared to the others. We live in a time of more Neutral to lawful evil than seen in awhile. Those who seek to make the world better for everyone are a life raft in an ocean of chaos and evil. Pity and sympathy don't exist mostly in the natural world -- they were evolved higher concepts that when actually implemented are fundamental to our survival, though they are not the ultimate weapon in the defeat of the evils waiting all around, only a bastion -- -- a wish we pray to spread everywhere so that we might be safe from the truth.

[@nullvoid4063]

Fantastic work AJ! Wayne Barlowe would be proud of the descriptions and images that you evoke with your commentary. I always enjoy seeing the improvements to your production. Keep up the great work!

[@pastverb1]

For the first time AJ you finally got to me. It was the description of Ecolids where you made me put my coffee down for a moment and shudder.

[@AJPickett]

Every time I get a shudder, a maggot gets it's wings. 🎃

[@pastverb1]

@@AJPickett Lol, I'm sure the abyss appreciates your help in its own demented way. This installment got me thinking about the power-scale of abyssal denizens--do tanar'ri and oberyth gain power collecting soul-maggots? They're not powered by mortal faith the way gods are right? Lesser demons getting upgraded by greater makes sense, but what fuel is Demogorgon running on, or what limits his power so to speak?

[@sanddry738]

I find it interesting how the original creatures that formed the Abyss are basically so evil they go into H.P Lovecraft territory of terror and unfathomability. Meanwhile something like the far realm is just the straight up unknowable part of Lovecraft. Makes me wonder what the Abyss’ allegiance (if any) is to since it seems to be described as almost sentient at times Amazing and fascinating video!

[@ashvandal5697]

I've always been fascinated by Miska the Wolf-Spider and the Queen of Chaos. Their story seems like it would be so interesting, though it's just barely hinted at in official lore. Like why is QoC still in hiding. So many eons later, why has she not made another bid for power. I mean she literally just stripped Obox-Ob of the Prince of Demons domain regency and handed it to another. How could she be so practically divine, and then just barricade herself on the 14th level never to be seen or heard of again. We don't even have a module into the 14th layer just to see it. Even Savage Tide didn't explore it.

[@zachhill2831]

Makes me want to make a PC whose entire goal is to unite the two aspects of Obox-Ob.

[@cernunnos_lives]

Absolutely love your in depth coverage. I haven't played D&D for 20 years now but I have been catching up lately. Been trying to get back to who & what I was growing up. And I have to say, I like 5E. I think it's better repackaged like this.

[@AJPickett]

Welcome back!

[@dominusbalial835]

Personally my first experience was with 5th edition, but I absolutely hate how they've dumbed everything down in the 5th edition books, although I must say they did a good job making the game easily accessible and understandable for newer players.

[@the_wolf_bear1327]

Thanks for the video man

[@User-r5g5f]

That little bit starting at 6:46 and ending with the mention of Vecna. Was that an endorsement of Vecna by A.J ? If so, is Vecna acting as a predator or is he performing a duty (gatekeeper) that fits his new status.

[@AJPickett]

*sound of eldritch crickets chirping*

[@ashleyevans1070]

This is my favourite video of yours. Great job!

[@jorywalkinshaw9249]

Again, this video in particular is just so great.

[@muninrob]

In my headcannon, the blood war does better at stopping the spread of the abyss than the celestial hosts did - so the gods are instructed by the powers above them to encourage it. Pretty much a case of Ao & his peers saying "you failed, this didn't - encourage this fight, or you'll be replaced with someone who will" and then replacing those powers that don't comply. Of course, in my headcannon, Therizdun, Ao, & The Lady of Pain are those peers - with Therizdun imprisoned beyond the far realm (which is beyond the multiverse), The Lady of Pain keeping the powers that could free Therizdun from finding his prison (thus no gods allowed in Sigil, and her being annoyed at everything over being on watch duty for eternity), and Ao making sure that the gods "follow the rules" and keep the multiverse/prison running.

[@zacharyhawley1693]

Makes sense. And it would easily be the reason why the good planes use neutral ground and intermediaries to make sure hell keeps "finding" artifacts or powerful weaponry just happens to fall in the "right" wrong hands.

[@nullvoid4063]

Alright! I’ve never got the opportunity to see a premiering episode!

[@darrylviljoen6227]

KZbin is in an interesting mood. Started with the new gas spore video have now been through: Zugtmoy Juiblex And now obox-ob Next stop: Cult of thoon

[@jhetttiernan2623]

Buckle up when you get to Demogorgon

[@darrylviljoen6227]

@@jhetttiernan2623 got star spawn afterwards

[@jhetttiernan2623]

Ah yes, a good one

[@wolf2403]

I'm curious as to whether it would be possible for an omniscient god on what we consider the 10th dimension could even interact with something so small... like us being unable to see or focus on individual atoms.

[@christianbeeker8722]

Love listening to your videos, I always get loads of inspiration to fill my campaigns with, keep up the good work

[@zaqzilla1]

Tharizdun sounds a lot like Lovecraft's Azathoth.

[@michaelbeal1400]

I have a group that loves Gygax style dungeons; big treasure, dangerous dungeon, normally ends poorly... I think it's time for a new dungeon, and the treasure will be a book with this lore... If the dungeon doesn't cause a TPK, the treasure sure will.

[@vlepo2000]

Incredible and best story telling with very good expression ... your best video out of all the ones I have heard over the years !!!

[@AJPickett]

Thank you!

[@spontaneouscombustionman3012]

Interesting thought, perhaps Orcus is the ultimate accidental savoir of all other multiverses, as he wants to end all everything the ever evered, perhaps he succeeds, destroys the dnd multiverse, but in the end prevents the abyss and its corruption from spreading.

[@JanusHoW]

I think the most terrifying part is that the angels, the paragons of goodness, know that the end is coming, and what do they do? Knowing that there is nothing they can do to stop it, they start imposing standards on who gets to avoid the inevitable doom. Perhaps they do it to ensure they don't repeat the obyriths' actions...

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Cosmic good, not moral good. Angels can and do some very wicked things. They are interested in good as it pertains to the health of the community of souls. All else is just wasted effort to them. Cut down a pregnant woman? If it keeps the demonic horde in check, they will be dispatching dump trucks worth of them. Never forget that celestial beings are from where the original devils came from. They are good in the sense they serve the gods. Not in the sense they are good. An angel should be just as terrifying to a mortal as a demon or devil. Just less prone to trying to figure out how to use the mortal for their own benefit.

[@JanusHoW]

@@jacobfreeman5444 It's a simple case of utilitarianism - sacrifice the few to save the many. I'm sure they don't LIKE doing such things, just as they don't like the fact that Asmodeus and his devils can tempt mortal souls with contracts. If there WAS a viable solution to the Shard of Ultimate Evil, I'm sure they'd try it. Hell, that would make for an awesome high or epic-level campaign, possibly as a follow-up to Zariel's redemption in _Descent Into Avernus_ : After witnessing the previously unthinkable - the redemption of a Lord of the Nine - the celestial host and the gods start to wonder if maybe they CAN stop the Shard's corruption from spreading. So, they go to work into designing an incredibly powerful weapon - one that can destroy the Shard. It would probably some kind of massive, holy magical bomb. The PCs are recruited in some manner to help create the weapon, possibly by reconstructing the Rod of Seven Parts. The finale would involve the characters diving after the Shard while the celestial host holds back the limitless tide of demons, placing the bomb near the Shard, and detonating it. Of course, a weapon with the capacity of destroying something like the Shard of Ultimate Evil would probably obliterate the characters, body and soul. Worse, they'd probably have to fight past multiple demon lords, and perhaps Miska the Wolf-Spider or the returned Queen of Chaos would show up just before the characters reach the Shard. But as long as even one survives to detonate the bomb, the multiverse will be saved from its doom, and the forces of The Abyss will be crippled.

[@FirstNameLastName-okayyoutube]

The far realm is outside of the crystal spheres correct? What I mean is I've heard it suggested that it can be both inside and outside. As if it can slide from a dimensional aspect within the crystal sphere into a physical orientation outside and then back into some dimensional aspect. So both a dimential plane AND able to be reached by spelljammer. Helping it make sense how all dimentail realities can have physical universe qualities because they can weave through some mysterious medium.

[@AJPickett]

Think, Parallel dimension, where the normal laws of physics turned out very differently in that universe, and the boundry between thoughts and objects is as weak as the boundry between hot and cold, so, the Far Realm is everywhere, it is a different set of dimensions within the prime material plane.

[@dracorex426]

My understanding is that the Far Realm is truly "outside" everything else. Imagine that everything - Shadowfell, Fey Wild, Elemental Planes (and friends), Positive and Negative Elemental Planes, Ethereal Plane, Astral Plane, Elemental Chaos, Astral Plane, all of it - is a single infinite flat plane. The Far Realm is everything "up" and "down" from there.

[@stephenclements6158]

A potentially relevant source for describing this "outside" concept I found in the Ravenloft novel, "The Lord of the Necropolis". The novel is fantastic, pulse-pounding, and very much worth a read. It follows the lich and dark lord Azalin's attempt to get out of the Demiplane of Dread, and towards the end

[@sagesheahan6732]

@@AJPickett 🤨🤔 Damn... Fascinating.

[@FirstNameLastName-okayyoutube]

Without me trying to tie together specfic examples ( hopefully keeping it something to chew on rather than distract with a debate rightfully to have with said avoided example) it may be worth considering how a universe could be defined by what it includes naturally vs what it excludes naturally? My main message being that a universe may include some parrel diminsions native to its form, which may be copied due to a greater template vs something that came about to force the change. As sort of componants of its form or identity as seen from an enlightened eye. Then you could have the dimentions that house the stuff that makes universes, with layers and cysts that may form there. The far realm could be apart of a between universes like realm or a different varity of universe that comes from / allowed existance by an ultament between. So rather than layers of existance, there is mind blowing geometries that the combined imaginations of people help to reveal. This can be how things can be said to be beyond the far realm, because I feel like it can seem silly to discuss types of universes, multiverses, planes, dimentions, but through the attempt it seems to bring a intution as to how something like endless stairs and supposed endless possibilities can have limits. Facing the paradoxes, as apparent contradictions that have logical truths that takes mental exercise to be able to hold onto. The "natural" thing would be the system in question having experienced it for a time to adjust as well as considering dominate portions of existance that supports a thing to be actualized. I.E. where a lake is natural on a planet, not natural in a solar system. Even apart of the same universe, its natural status depends on ways energy are manipulated and arranged. Yet they share the same existance. This can be how a link between realms may come about. Say your looking out beyond the far realm and suddenly see a crystal come flying at you.. that can be like handing someone the concept of a lake and them having to quickly decide if they put it in a vally or a moutaintop. Its concequences require it to be realized, to realize its concequences.

[@makunim]

I always love these Abyssal Lord videos.

[@AJPickett]

Yeah, so do I :)

[@empoleonmaster6709]

I loved this video, AJ. You're honestly my favorite youtuber and I can only hope to one day achieve the same level of nerd that you are.

[@Scarletraven87]

I watched the starting 6 minutes twice, and undestood half of it.

[@AJPickett]

Better watch it again, or, feel free to ask me some questions :)

[@loganslone5621]

TL;DR. Therizdun downloaded some bad mods and got a really bad virus. He then dropped a cheat item in the test zone and now the game is slowly folding in on itself.

[@dracorex426]

What if the multiverse that the Obyrith come from is the same one that they arrived in?

[@semi-useful5178]

Then where did they even come from?

[@AJPickett]

Hmmm, time travel eh? Interesting.

[@dracorex426]

@@semi-useful5178 Their own future.

[@dracorex426]

@@AJPickett Yeah, the description of the dying reality they escaped from and the future of reality they're killing sound eerily similar. It would be ironic, if they were the cause of their own creation and destruction.

[@semi-useful5178]

@@dracorex426 It's a similar question to if you go back in time and introduce Beethoven's Music, are you Beethoven? and if so where did the music even come from?

[@That80sGuy1972]

Great video AJ. This more than multiplied my Obox-Ob knowledge by 10. As a matter of fact, I called him "Oboxobo". If there is a similar being by that name then I guess I missed the mark and never heard of Obox-Ob and thought you were referring to Oboxobo. The aspect of Obox-Ob in my campaigns is a fallen demon god from before time who fell into favoring scorpions, at least to the cult that followed him. One of my Loom of Magus terrestrial greater gods ("terrestrial" is other campaigns' god levels. Greater God is just below celestial god initiate in the Loom of Magus hierarchy) is the Manscorpion. That is his international name, his "true" name depends upon what nation you are in. Unknown to his followers, he started his existence as a manscorpion in a cult of Obox-Ob (Cult of Oboxobo at the time). I now kind of feel I did Obox-Ob a disservice by my campaign's disempowering him (fallen demon-god, now a mere Abyssal power).

[@NoahofWill]

This gives me an idea of an inspired homebrew-ish setting: a collapsed mutliverse that has fallen into a few select inter-connected worlds just balancing over the maw of the Abyss. Below, the battlegrounds of demons against all remaining life. The worlds are stabilized due to a network of fragile Anchor-Crystals, each of which is guarded by higher devils or angels, ancient dragons, Genie or demi-gods, so pivotal is their job in preventing the fall of *everything* that even the failure of *1* could spell their doom. In-addition to that, in the nexus of World is the Translocator, a world-gate with the power to visit fragments of reality that haven't yet been absorbed into the Abyss. This world could be The Last Bastion [Fantasy Name-Pending]. Things are not the greatest in turns of inhabitable space, what with a great number of creatures requiring strict conditions in order to thrive and reproduce quickly enough to keep up with demand for warriors, and everyone tries their damnedest to live in relative harmony so as to not destabilize their only chance of survival. Gold is worthless for trade, so a number of beings have turned to the exchange of Souls and Soul-Energy, especially due to a number of beings (devil's, genie and, in this setting, eventually celestials, etc.) requiring souls in-order to procreate. The Bastion also has a rather exclusive but powerful ruling body in the form of the Collective Counsel, whose body contains Asmodeus for the devils, Oghma for the celestials, an elected figure for the Genie (in this case, and elder Djinn), an Ancient Wyrm Gold dragon as a representative of the dragons, and Elven mage for the populous mortal races. Everyone of-age and not needed elsewhere is subcontracted to serve terms in The Bloodgrounds, the mouth of the Abyss. Specifically, there are 3 jobs a being could obligated to join, and they can be shuffled around as needed: Soldier, Excavator and Abyss Delver. Soldiers are both obvious and not. They fight in the front and back lines of The Bloodgrounds and construct/deconstruct fortifications, trenches, etc. as needed, as well as destroying anything so that the demons can't steal their resources. Excavators go out through the Translocator and scour World-Shards for resources that can't be easily made in the Bastion, for souls untouched by demon corruption and, in the worst case scenarios, to head off demon scouts trying to find alternate ways in. Excavators also have a subcategory for specialized mages who, upon finding suitable World-Shards, begin work on trying to connect that World-Shard with the Bastion to expand their available space. Finally, Abyss Delvers are exactly what it says on the tin, and they're the least wanted job in the entire operation. Abyss Delvers are the scouts, the cartographers, the ones who try to find ways behind enemy lines to steal back resources as important as knowledge or as precious as entire World-Shards (assuming the corruption hasn't permanently set in yet). Any squad of Delver that returns from more than 3 campaigns or lasts longer than 8 months out on a delve instantly gains celebrity status. Rumor has it among the rank and file that the Counsel has a crew of specialist Abyss Delvers on a permanent campaign to locate and, if possible, destroy the Heart of the Abyss in order to, if nothing else, cut off the never-ending flow of demonic invaders. It's only a rumor, however... No one has seen that group in almost 7 years. Edit because I forgot the one thing that made me want to type out this mega-comment XD: no matter where you go in the multiverse, you can see the rotting tendrils of Obox-Ob looming, massive and ominous and bio-luminescent due to the presence of astral scavengers, overhead.

[@TypeZeta2]

I swear the more I learn about the Obyrith and the Abyss the more it feels like my sanity is slipping away. It''s truly a multiverse of MADNESS

[@onelife5075]

"Don't grab anything to eat or drink because this will put you off your food" as I'm sitting in the drive through line... oh well I've come too far now.

[@jaymeVos]

Nega-angel sounds awesome

[@warface4881]

Right! It would be cool game tag.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

I've been so excited since you teased this video 😬😬😬

[@syspreadbury4512]

Heck yeah, I've been waiting for this one, thank you for the video and effort put in it!

[@Ogorodovd]

As a newbie DM, your content has been a huge help. Thank you for all your hardwork

[@AJPickett]

You're most welcome.

[@tatsusama3192]

Me seeing the thumbnail: ". . . Pizza for lunch was a bad choice" - The current (now haulted) Critical Role campaign has this mess, Tharizdun, as the big bad. Unknowing cult members tricked into following him. It's a good story - I always love how serious and focused your voice and tone are during your videos. It always matches the subject perfectly. Then, no matter how dark the subject, your regular personality pops back instantly😂 "(after speaking about horrible horrifying things for 30-40+ minutes) Welp! Thanks for watching. See ya next time"

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

Only watched between 33-35 episodes and I already see hints of Tharzidun. I'm pretty sure he'll pop up again in campaign 2. Not to mention Liam's character from Sam's first one-shot, Jayne Merriweather could appear within campaign 2. Yet I think Caleb getting kidnapped and replaced by Jayne could work. Since the Mighty Neign are mainly chaotic nuetral and true nuetral I can see Jayne pretending to be a follower of the Traveler before eventually betraying them. By then Caleb would have been rescued. That's only if Liam and Matt decide to have that happen though.

[@kannathraymaker]

Nice take on the lore.

[@AJPickett]

Thanks Ted :)

[@damionsailors3148]

Have enjoyed your channel for awhile and I really appreciate seeing citations on the art you are using now - keep up the good work, AJ!

[@1337karm]

I’ve been waiting for this video for so long! Thank you so much!

[@mikeglowatz2273]

Zargon would love this realm

[@griz293]

Maybe do a video on Bazim-Gorag or the Pandemonium Stone?

[@henryboard317]

AJ, this was one damn good vid...viewing scroll. I hope you are doing well!

[@TheHornedKing]

These videos are what is giving me the opinion that DnD got the best portrayal of "pure evil". The horror and malice of these things just seem to be on an entirely different level than anything else I have seen.

[@jprp999]

Never met a Politician?

[@TheHornedKing]

@@jprp999 Thankfully, no.

[@TheHornedKing]

@Regular Slime It didn't need salt.

[@Kravockian]

In the 3.5 codex it is also stated that there are multiple "shadow aspects" and avatars of obox-ob and if he is ever slain the shadow aspect will become obox-ob and if there is no shadow aspect one of the avatars will become obox-ob. All of these forms are controlled by his consciousness and a new avatar is created daily and a new shadow form is created once a year. Essentially Obox-ob is more powerful than a God and the idea that the idea of him makes a lot of sense. It explains how there are presumably millions of obox-ob but he is still nowhere near his power. It is as if he could naturally regain his power from simply waiting but the concept of him is shattered so instead of reforming he simply keeps making backups of himself without realizing that is weakening him. An interesting prospect. Although I always wondered why obox-ob doesn't just attack with all but one of his forms since he essentially has an army of himself but that could also be a part of the attack on the thought of him.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Too shattered to coordinate. Each piece thinks it is Obox-ob. And so it is. But all those shattered mirror shards of consciousness keep any sense of cohesion from rising up. That the only way to keep him from returning to ruling the abyss is to never allow any piece of him to meet another. To realize he can regain his power by taking in the shards.

[@ginocred4376]

Definitely one of your best!

[@redevolution686]

Truly inspiring listening to this type of lore, keep up the amazing work!

[@purplehaze2358]

So; Theruhzdune(?) is basically Azathoth but not completely ignorant to the world he dreams?

[@AJPickett]

Yep

[@Arius_Astronomy]

Dr. Bright I am pretty sure there are several rules that inhibit you from interacting from reality benders so don't get any ideas.

[@wobblefoot7607]

Tharizdun

[@tristanswan1067]

“If your mind was blown a little bit” Understatement of the century

[@OmusKnowsAll]

I'll definitely be adding Obox-Ob to my story. I will say that Pandorym is still my big bad. I don't know why Elder Evils decided on making him Lawful Evil, his full form is described as a 30ft wide Sphere of Annihilation which sounds really Entropic and Chaotic Evil to me because my campaign has a lot of Gnostic themes and archetypes.

[@sanddry738]

Zachary Adams I think he’s Lawful because even though he was imprisoned he’ll still keep his word to destroy the gods like he promised his summoners. He could just do whatever but personality-wise (what little we know) he seems to be lawful

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

I will NEVER look at demons the same way again.

[@boldcitylongsword9941]

I keep hearing about the Primordials in these lore videos, but I still really don’t understand what they are. Elemental versions of Elder Evils? The Avatars of the Prime Material Planes before there were gods? Are they still a force trying to achieve some goal?

[@AJPickett]

Elemental proto gods

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Primal spirits of elemental energy in the same sort of way the gods are primal spirits of mind and soul. Except the primordials are way more numerous. Pretty much the only reason the gods won over them is because the primordials are too chaotic for their own good. Often fighting each other for the right to enforce their own vision over smashing the upstart gods. You can say the gods won by finding a way to let the infighting of the primordials continue indefinitely without them being offended by the gods building things of their own. And nothing is stopping a primordial from stepping into the role of a god. A few even joined their ranks so the line is not a hard and fast thing. Just a different kind of grand spirit of creation.

[@darksaber8487]

Why is the Abyss so interesting.

[@AJPickett]

Variety is the spice of life

[@nicholasjonas2505]

Because the strongest emotion is fear... And the strongest fear is fear of the unknown The abyss is infinite, so it is VERY unknown

[@kannathraymaker]

Or maybe when you stare into the Abyss, the Abyss stare back out at you ... and winks ... and starts to put cameras in your house. You get texts from the Abyss on your mobile devices asking how you got color in your eyes, no matter what it does it’s are always a dead black. Then you see it in the dead black eyes of strangers on the bus, at restraints, out shopping, even that one temp at work. You get double bolt locks for your home, but after one of those strangers bumped you today there is an extra key on you key ring! How weird. It looks like it will fit your new lock... so you try the key as you get home. Can’t hurt; if it didn’t fit no harm. But it fit the lock perfectly and is turning to the right by itself. You hear me he lock click open (it unlocks to the left) and the door open into grungy street lined with doors. “You have arrived into the City of Doors,” a voice says over your shoulder. You look and street in front of your home is gone - instead there is a dusty old monument to horrific creature with dead black eyes and an Addax’s twisted wavy horns on its forehead! The statue seems to wink at you.

[@Brandon-hc2cy]

Because its unnatural

[@kannathraymaker]

Thanks for the heart!

[@enriquer.puricelli1437]

I like you multiverse videos the best, I leave with more questions than answers XD

[@paulhartman8095]

Amazing video! Couldn’t find anything about this topic anywhere else

[@Alarus2012]

3:50-4:06 So, what exactly does the things you say here imply? Would this mean the Far Realm is a consequence of Tharizdun himself? You mention later that the Far Realm bleeds into the Material Plane when someone gets too close to encroaching into his dreams, which also seems to imply this. So am I interpreting this correctly? Because if I am, then that's pretty awesome. And Obox-Ob managed to parasitize this guy, or his power at least? He's the DnD villain. And the connection Vecna has to all of this? Makes a lot of sense. Love this video. (Also, I don't think I've ever commented on a KZbin video before, so it goes to show how excited by the possibilities this presents us.)

[@AJPickett]

Yep, you got it.

[@dracorex426]

If the only exit is at the summit of Mount Celestia, a place inimical to all that is not Lawful and Good, that really screws over the forces of Chaotic Good.

[@wolf2403]

Dafuq is inimical?

[@ShadowedBattlegroundsCre-tk9md]

They can always change alignment. Most chaotic good forces are not concerned with ultimate transcendence though they're souls that live one good lifetime and then disappear with no continuity which can be seen as a blessing in some way

[@zacharyhawley1693]

Might have a do such a campaign. Where the PC's have to flee into the infinite staircase trying to save as many of their world's inhabitants as their prime material world undergoes a horrifying apocalypse at the hands of the memetic Obyrith hordes.

[@AJPickett]

an endless wave of Obyrith and Aberrations, led by super-powered Beholders!

[@AfroChef]

Genuinely curious how you would go about stating those aspect of Obox Ob. Had a Paladin follow my homebrew Blood God but pass every corruption check, including a nat 20 on the 25 Dc, so he eventually became the Blood God. This would be a great challenge for him