Iuz

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Greyhawk Deity
Iuz, in his aspect on Oerth as a human male, from the cover of Iuz the Evil (TSR, 1993)
Iuz
Title(s)	The Evil, the Old, Old Wicked
Home Plane	Prime Material (Oerth)
Power Level	Demigod
Alignment	Chaotic Evil
Portfolio	Deceit, Pain, Oppression, Evil
Domains	Chaos, Evil, Trickery
Superior	none

In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game, Iuz is the chaotic evil demigod of Deceit, Pain, Oppression, and Evil. The cambion child of the demon prince Graz'zt and Iggwilv, the so-called "Witch Queen of Perrenland," Iuz is variously called "The Old One" and "Old Wicked," among other aliases. He is an ally, and sometimes lover of, Zuggtmoy, Demon Queen of Fungi. His half-sister was Drelnza, a vampire daughter of Iggwilv who was slain by adventurers.

Unlike most Greyhawk deities, Iuz makes his home on Oerth, where he rules a broad swath of the Flanaess known as the Empire of Iuz. He has many enemies, notably Vecna, Saint Cuthbert, and the Horned Society.

[edit] Description

Iuz was originally, unusual for a half-fiend, a strikingly handsome cambion. In the epic battle that resulted from Graz'zt striking out against Iggwilv in a bid for freedom, of which the specific circumstances has yet to be revealed, Iuz's handsome form was split into two "halves". He can either appear in the form of a gnarled, old human male, or as a bloated, red-skinned demonic figure.

[edit] History

Iuz first came to prominence in 479 CY, when he gained control of a petty independent fief north of Furyondy left to him upon the death of his "father"--a human ruler who believed Iuz to be his son. Almost immediately, the new ruler began recruiting orcs and other evil humanoids to his banner. By 500 CY, Iuz had conquered the westernmost Bandit Kingdoms and named the city of Molag his "summer capital."

In 505 CY Iuz was imprisoned, along with eight other demigods, by the wizard Zagig beneath Castle Greyhawk until released by Lord Robilar in 570 CY.

[edit] References

Brown, Anne. Player's Guide (TSR, 1998).

Cook, David. "History of the Greyhawk Wars." Wars (TSR, 1991). Available Online: [1]
- Cook, David. Vecna Lives (TSR, 1990).

Gygax, Gary. Artifact of Evil (TSR, 1986).
- Gygax, Gary. Come Endless Darkness (New Infinities, 1988).
- Gygax, Gary. Dance of Demons (New Infinities, 1988).
- Gygax, Gary. Sea of Death (New Infinities, 1987).
- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk (TSR, 1980).
- Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (TSR, 1983).
- Gygax, Gary. "The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk." Dragon #67 (TSR, 1982).
- Gygax, Gary. "Protection Circles and the Like..." Dragon #56 (TSR, 1981).

Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).

Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins (TSR, 1998).

Niles, Douglas, and Carl Sargent. The City of Greyhawk (TSR, 1989).

Noonan, David. "Beings of Power: Four Gods of Greyhawk." Dragon #294 (Paizo Publishing, 2002).
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine (Wizards of the Coast, 2004).

Sargent, Carl. The City of Skulls (TSR, 1993).
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes (TSR, 1992).
- Sargent, Carl. Iuz the Evil (TSR, 1993).
- Sargent, Carl. The Marklands (TSR, 1993).