Succubus

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Succubus
Succubus
(Creature)

Succubi, also known as lust demons, are demonic manifestations who tempt mortal souls with destructive lust, and engender misery and destruction through their seductive manipulations.12

Associated sin

Destructive lust.123

Appearance

Succubi can take any form their victims prefer.

A succubus, when in their natural form, resembles a supernaturally beautiful and alluring humanoid with a lithe figure and dangerously seductive features; most have a feminine true form, in contrast to incubi, who typically have a masculine true form. Despite their comeliness, succubi possess several clearly demonic attributes, including a pair of large bat-like wings sprouting from their shoulders, curved horns, clawed hands, and a sinuous, writhing tail. A succubus's victim rarely ever sees this form, as they are adept at shifting forms to become whatever their victims would find most attractive.12

Habitat and ecology

Succubi dwell primarily in the depth of the Outer Rifts, particularly the Midnight Isles,4 the layer ruled by Shamira.5 They frequently visit the Universe, where they enjoy sowing chaos with their manipulations. Succubi savor the sweet taste of a mortal's life-force and can drain it with their infamous kisses.16

While disguised as a humanoid in the Universe, succubi use their seductive presence to tempt mortals into dark and destructive desires, using magical influence only if that fails. While mortals most associate succubi with sexual lust, they also prey on lust for other things like power, knowledge, or fame. Their shapeshifting ability allows them to infiltrate society and also makes them ideal for spying, assassinations, and political sabotage, and they enjoy using any means to disrupt mortal culture.12

Rejecting a succubus's advances damages them to their core, as such a defiance of their base nature metaphysically harms them. Continuing to demoralize a succubus by referring to its rejection can also cause it further harm for a brief time afterward.17

Succubi are particularly hated by gancanagh azatas, who view them as profaning the notions of romance, love, and companionship.89

The former demon lord Nocticula is said to be the first succubus and was worshipped by succubi.1011

On Golarion

Succubi ruled some of the petty fiefdoms of the formerly open Worldwound and maintained their power through manipulation rather than sheer force.12

A succubus named Avalexi operates a hidden shrine to Shax in Magnimar, from which she strikes out against worshippers of Sarenrae in the city.13

On other celestial bodies

Succubi led by Izmiara, the Insatiable Queen, ruled the Moonscar in Nocticula's name.1415

References

Paizo published a sourcebook about demons called Demons Revisited which includes a chapter about succubi.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Logan Bonner, et al. “Monsters A-Z” in Bestiary, 77. Paizo Inc., 2019
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Logan Bonner, et al. Demon” in Monster Core, 78. Paizo Inc., 2024
  3. James Jacobs. “Demonkind” in Lords of Chaos, Book of the Damned Volume 2, 34. Paizo Inc., 2010
  4. James Jacobs. Demon Lords of Golarion” in Descent into Midnight, 61. Paizo Inc., 2009
  5. Linda Zayas-Palmer, et al. “Developer Showcase” in Midwives to Death, 79. Paizo Inc., 2019
  6. Logan Bonner, et al. Demon” in Monster Core, 78–79. Paizo Inc., 2024
  7. Logan Bonner, et al. Demon” in Monster Core, 77. Paizo Inc., 2024
  8. Logan Bonner, et al. “Monsters A-Z” in Bestiary, 31. Paizo Inc., 2019
  9. Logan Bonner, et al. Azata” in Monster Core, 33. Paizo Inc., 2024
  10. James Jacobs. “Lords of the Abyss” in Lords of Chaos, Book of the Damned Volume 2, 21. Paizo Inc., 2010
  11. The publication of the Return of the Runelords Pathfinder Adventure Path canonized the redemption of the demon lord Nocticula and her ascension into a chaotic neutral deity of artists, exiles, and night. Not all ramifications of this change are reflected in PathfinderWiki, and might remain unresolved until a canon work addresses them.
  12. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 2: The Inner Sea” in Campaign Setting, 149. Paizo Inc., 2008
  13. James Jacobs. Demons Revisited, 55. Paizo Inc., 2013
  14. Richard Pett. The Moonscar, 3. Paizo Inc., 2012
  15. The publication of the Return of the Runelords Pathfinder Adventure Path canonized the redemption of the demon lord Nocticula and her ascension into a chaotic neutral deity of artists, exiles, and night. Not all ramifications of this change are reflected in PathfinderWiki, and might remain unresolved until a canon work addresses them.