Mydianchlarus

Mydianchlarus is the Oinoloth, ruler of the Wasting Tower of Khin-Oin on the Gray Waste of Hades, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.

Publication history

Anthraxus is still known as the Oinodaemon in the novel Artifact of Evil by Gary Gygax, in which he appears before the Hierarchs of the Horned Society just before their massacre by the forces of Iuz in 583 CY.^[1] In Planes of Conflict, whose in-game date corresponds to 587 CY, Anthraxus is said to have been recently deposed.^[2] In The Scarlet Brotherhood, which is set in 591 CY, Mydianchlarus is said to be the current Oinoloth, and to be an ally of the deity Pyremius.^[3] The 3rd edition Manual of the Planes (also corresponding with 591 CY due to its publication date) also describes Mydianchlarus as the current Oinoloth.^[4]

In Demonomicon, Anthraxus (called Phraxas in that book) is said to have taken his throne back from Mydianchlarus "only a century ago," which means that book must be set at least a hundred years after The Scarlet Brotherhood.^[5] Assuming the "present day" in Demonomicon is equivalent to the present day in the 4th edition Forgotten Realms setting (1479 DR, "The Year of the Ageless One"), then a century before that was 1379 DR, or 599 CY. This is still in the "future" relative to the last published Greyhawk products.

Description

As an ultroloth, Mydianchlarus is a faceless humanoid with large eyes that resemble fire-opals. The archfiend has dark gray skin and his race is typically encountered wearing a flowing cape or cloak. He communicates via telepathy.

Mydianchlarus sits on a throne in Khin-Oin known as the Siege Malicious, a major artifact carved from the stone of the tower itself and inlaid with tarnished silver, base copper, and brass. A crown of rubies adorns the top of the seat. Because he has defeated the previous master of the tower, the power of the Siege Malicious is his to command, but he also is transformed by the throne's power, suffering the mark of the Oinoloth. His skin has sloughed off hideously, making his blank, faceless visage seem rotten and diseased. Yet the throne also grants him the power to command the diseases of the Gray Waste, creating, shaping, and lifting plagues according to his whim. Until he is defeated and his throne is seized by another, he has this power over disease whether he is currently sitting on the Siege Malicious or not. He can infect any living target within 300 feet with a disease of his choosing as a standard action.

Relationships

Mydianchlarus is an ally of Pyremius. His greatest enemy is Anthraxus, whose throne he usurped. Other rivals to his throne include the altraloth Bubonix.

History

Mydianchlarus overthrew its predecessor, Anthraxus, at some point between 583 CY and 587 CY not through violence, but by whispering a secret in Anthraxus's ear so profound and disturbing that Anthraxus was compelled to leave Khin-Oin and move on. Anthraxus began roaming the Lower Planes, searching for allies among the gods of evil in the hope of reclaiming his throne.

In 4th edition

According to 4th edition's Demonomicon, Anthraxus marches on the Wasting Tower in approximately 599 CY and challenges Mydianchlarus for control of the Siege Malicious. Though Mydianchlarus is slain in these events, Anthraxus is thwarted in his attempt to wholly destroy his hated foe. The Sepulcher of Mydianchlarus now lingers as a burning reminder of Anthraxus's broken reign.

References

Additional reading

• Bonny, Ed. "Pox of the Planes." Dragon Annual #2. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1997.

• McComb, Colin. Faces of Evil: The Fiends. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1997.