AD&D Monster - The Succubus: Temptress of the Abyss, Mistress of Desire
Yes, she is female.
There’s a certain danger in ignoring the true nature of the Succubus, especially when modern interpretations attempt to strip away the very essence of what makes her both feared and revered. In the latest 5e Monster Manual, the Succubus is rendered as a genderless being—an affront to the creature’s original, seductive design. But the Succubus is, and always has been, an undeniable manifestation of temptation, sin, and the darker, more dangerous aspects of desire. To remove the gender, to dilute her purpose, is to misunderstand the very heart of what makes her such a compelling force in any campaign.
In Advanced Dungeons & Dragons—and in the lore that predates it—the Succubus is a demon, a creature from the depths of the Abyss, created not just to tempt and manipulate, but to sow chaos, ruin, and destruction. She is not some abstract, androgynous figure—no, she is a temptress, a demoness, and above all, a woman whose beauty and allure are her most lethal weapons. Her very essence is wrapped in the silken threads of desire, and it’s through this that she ensnares the souls of the weak-willed.
What Is a Succubus?
A Succubus is the embodiment of temptation, a demon of the lower planes whose powers are fueled by the passions of mortals. The Succubus is a shapechanger, often taking on the guise of a beautiful, seductive woman, although her true form is far less pleasing to behold. With leathery wings, clawed hands, and a hideous, horned visage, the Succubus is the physical manifestation of a creature whose sole purpose is to corrupt, control, and destroy.
Her true power lies in her ability to manipulate desire—she enters the dreams of her victims and twists their most intimate fantasies into dark, consuming obsessions. When she takes her physical form, she can charm and beguile any who look upon her, forcing them to bend to her will. But make no mistake, the Succubus isn’t simply about seduction for the sake of it—her allure is a weapon, one that can be wielded with devastating precision.
In combat, the Succubus relies on more than just her looks. She can drain the life force of those she lures into her embrace, stealing their vitality to fuel her own strength. The kiss of a Succubus is no simple romantic gesture—it is a deadly bite that can drain the very life from a mortal's body, leaving them helpless and vulnerable. And it’s not just physical—her mental manipulation is just as dangerous. With a single word, a glance, or a gesture, the Succubus can twist the minds of her victims, turning their greatest desires into tools for her own dark purposes.
The Succubus as a Villain
The Succubus is not a mere monster to be slain; she is a villain, a dark power whose influence spreads insidiously. She is not content with being a simple adversary. She seeks to control, to manipulate, and to corrupt. A Succubus doesn’t just want her victims’ bodies—she wants their souls, their wills, their very essence. Her end goal is often power—power over others, over emotions, over kingdoms, over entire societies.
A Succubus can be a master of intrigue, weaving webs of deceit and manipulation from the shadows. She can seduce kings and princes, turning them into her puppets, or ruin the lives of heroes by exploiting their deepest, darkest fears and desires. Whether she is serving as an advisor in a royal court or hiding in the underbelly of a thieves’ guild, the Succubus is always at the center of some twisted plot.
But the true horror of the Succubus lies not just in her immediate powers but in the long-lasting effects she has on the lives of her victims. Once she has ensnared someone, they are rarely the same again. The bonds she creates are not physical—they are emotional, psychological, and often spiritual, leaving those she has touched scarred and changed forever.
Roleplaying the Succubus
The Succubus is a character that offers endless opportunities for intrigue, deception, and manipulation in a campaign. As a Dungeon Master, you can use the Succubus in a variety of ways, depending on the tone and style of your game.
Perhaps she is a literal demon, sent by darker forces to corrupt the mortal world. Or maybe she’s an embodiment of temptation, a creature who thrives on the darkest aspects of human nature—desire, greed, and envy. Her motives can be as varied as her methods—she might seek to create a following, to amass power, or simply to feed off the emotions of mortals. She can be a seductress, weaving a web of lies and manipulation, or she can be a more direct force of destruction, using her powers to break hearts and destroy lives.
Regardless of her role, the Succubus is always a creature to be feared. She is not a monster that can be easily vanquished. She is a force of nature—unstoppable, cunning, and manipulative. She does not need to be physically strong to be dangerous. Her true power lies in her ability to twist and shape the world around her to suit her own needs, bending others to her will without them even realizing it.
Conclusion: The True Nature of the Succubus
In the recent new 5 Monster Manual, they have tried to present the Succubus as a genderless entity, stripping away the seductive, feminine power that is central to her character. But this misinterpretation misses the point entirely. The Succubus is not just a being of evil—she is the embodiment of the dangers of unchecked desire, of the intoxicating power of beauty and allure. She is, above all, a woman—a creature of lust, of temptation, and of manipulation.
To remove the gender of the Succubus is to misunderstand the very nature of her existence. The Succubus is not a neutral force; she is a dark power that plays on the weaknesses of mortals, using her feminine wiles to corrupt and control. She is, in every sense of the word, a temptress, a demoness whose powers are rooted in her identity as a woman. And that’s what makes her so dangerous.
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She almost sounds unbeatable. How would a PC beat her? Real question. What would you do? (I’m going to look up her stats too)