[MW Original] Stridian - CR 9 Large Fiend (Demon) - $10 Reward

“I won’t argue whether going anywhere near an Abyssal Gate is a bright idea or not—just make sure you bring an extra pair of socks. You’re guaranteed to get the first pair blown off.”

—Harried Houdinky, Bare-Foot Survivor

If there’s one thing djinni do better than granting wishes, it’s fighting over territory; even in a plane largely devoid of solid ground, turf wars are an everyday occurrence. However, while fighting fire with fire might be a popular strategy on the Material Plane, fighting air with air tends to bear very little fruit. The most strategic minds among the djinn sought an effective counter to their foes’ legions of air elementals, and found it in the stridians—bat-like demons that lurk around the portals linking the Abyss to the Elemental Plane of Air. 

Putting on the Blitz. Stridians appeared in droves on the Elemental Plane of Air during the first demonic incursions, in which they made swift work of the native elementals, whose attacks only strengthened these vicious invaders. The sight terrified most, but also inspired some, who decided that the fiendish newcomers could prove useful in their personal feuds. Djinn began to intentionally summon stridians and bind them to their will, using them as tools of war, intimidation tactics, or guardians of their lavish palaces. It didn’t take long for their peers to catch wind of this fancy new toy, and stridian-binding quickly became widespread practice. 

Shock Tactics. Stridians spend most of their waking hours idle, moving only to sate their unique diet of pressure differentials, which specialised organs transform into energy. In battle, they use their speed to run circles around their enemies, frequently repositioning to ensure maximum devastation with their long-range blasts of air. A stridian will always prioritise hunting nearby air elementals, even if it means disregarding the commands of its master; for this reason, many djinn opt to house their fiendish pets well away from their remaining servants.

• Get the stats for this fearsome foe in the ATTACHED FILES!

• Enjoy the gorgeous rendered art for it HERE;