Verin (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, Verin is a demon lord
. He is called the Voice of Graz'zt
, and serves Graz'zt as an advisor and right-hand man.
, also spelled Verrine.
's Gord
novels. In Sea of Death, Come Endless Darkness, and Dance of Demons, Graz'zt is served by a demon lord named Vuron, who is as hyper-intelligent as he was evil. Vuron's patience and forethought contributes to Graz'zt's success, and he is thus regarded as unlike any of the other demons of the Abyss.
Vuron was equated by fans of the game with Verin, who in turn, was one of the many demon lords listed in the first edition Monster Manual II. In the Planescape
supplement Faces of Evil: The Fiends, Verin has been canonically and officially designated as a demon lord who serves Graz'zt.
Upon the publishing of Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss
in the game's third edition, Verin is the so-called Voice of Graz'zt.
Verin is soft-spoken and sociable for a demon, making an excellent diplomat. Because he is well-known among other demons, however, he also has a second form, as dark as his original form is white, and goes under the name Ztefano. As Ztefano, he is a trusted adviser to several other demon lords, though his loyalty secretly remains with Graz'zt.
Late in the adventure For Duty and Deity, Verin appears as a dark-skinned cambion
who can take the form of a male marilith.
, Verin administered his master's realm, successfully defending it against assaults by Graz'zt's opportunistic rivals. When Graz'zt returned, Verin stepped down without complaint.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
roleplaying game, Verin is a demon lord
Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
. He is called the Voice of Graz'zt
Graz'zt
Graz'zt is a demon lord in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and one of the most powerful demons in the Abyss. Graz'zt, one of the earliest and most famous demons created for Dungeons and Dragons, was named as one of the greatest villains in D&D history by the final print issue of...
, and serves Graz'zt as an advisor and right-hand man.
Creative origins
The name Verin itself comes from a demon of the same, first recorded in 1612 by Sebastien MichaelisSebastien Michaelis
Sebastien Michaelis was a French inquisitor and prior of the Dominican order who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His Histoire admirable de la possession d'une penitente , includes a classification of demons which has passed into general use in esoteric literature.-Early...
, also spelled Verrine.
Publishing history
The demon lord Verin has his origins in Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
's Gord
Gord the Rogue
Gord the Rogue is the protagonist in a series of fantasy novels and short stories written by Gary Gygax. Gygax originally wrote the novels and short stories to promote his World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. After he left TSR, Gygax continued to write...
novels. In Sea of Death, Come Endless Darkness, and Dance of Demons, Graz'zt is served by a demon lord named Vuron, who is as hyper-intelligent as he was evil. Vuron's patience and forethought contributes to Graz'zt's success, and he is thus regarded as unlike any of the other demons of the Abyss.
Vuron was equated by fans of the game with Verin, who in turn, was one of the many demon lords listed in the first edition Monster Manual II. In the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
supplement Faces of Evil: The Fiends, Verin has been canonically and officially designated as a demon lord who serves Graz'zt.
Upon the publishing of Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss
Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Chapter 1: Demonic Lore:...
in the game's third edition, Verin is the so-called Voice of Graz'zt.
Description
Verin appears as a tall, albino, androgynous figure. Most who encounter him would not think him a demon if it wasn't for the fact that he "oozes spiritual slime".Verin is soft-spoken and sociable for a demon, making an excellent diplomat. Because he is well-known among other demons, however, he also has a second form, as dark as his original form is white, and goes under the name Ztefano. As Ztefano, he is a trusted adviser to several other demon lords, though his loyalty secretly remains with Graz'zt.
Late in the adventure For Duty and Deity, Verin appears as a dark-skinned cambion
Cambion (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons the cambion is a creature descended from a fiend.-Publication history:The cambion was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons....
who can take the form of a male marilith.
History
Verin has been the longest-lasting of Graz'zt's allegiances. While Graz'zt was imprisoned by IggwilvIggwilv
Iggwilv is a fictional wizard from the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. She was created by Gary Gygax and was named one of the greatest villains in D&D history in the final issue of Dragon....
, Verin administered his master's realm, successfully defending it against assaults by Graz'zt's opportunistic rivals. When Graz'zt returned, Verin stepped down without complaint.
Additional reading
- Donovan, Dale. For Duty and Deity (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1998). - Gygax, GaryGary GygaxErnest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
. Come Endless Darkness (New Infinities, 1988).- Gygax, Gary. Dance of Demons (New Infinities, 1988).
- Gygax, Gary. Sea of Death (New Infinities, 1987).
- Jacobs, James. "Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Graz'zt." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#360. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2007. Available online:http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dragon