I remember reading about a match up of Asmodeus versus some obscure demon I don't recall the name of on candlekeep.org a while ago. The jist of the match up was that the demon had more raw power, but Asmodeus was much smarter and better organized.
I think it might have been from 4E or from some obscure book. This has no relation to EFU, I am just trying to think of the name and cannot remember. Maybe it was not an actual demon but some sort of incarnation of chaos and evil. It was NOT demogorgon, orcus or graa'tz and it was not the Night Serpent or any of the Elder Evils.
Anyone have any idea what I am talking about?
QuoteMeph is apparently Asmodeus's chief rival, and early lore stated he was technically the most powerful devil but constrained by law to serve Asmodeus. He also ate more Realms god than Asmodeus.
QuoteMeph is apparently Asmodeus's chief rival, and early lore stated he was technically the most powerful devil but constrained by law to serve Asmodeus. He also ate more Realms god than Asmodeus.
The only reference that I came across on Candlekeep.
That was not it, it was definitely a chaos being of some sort.
You sure it's not just Demogorgon?
Yes, it was something else.
Foot in mouth
Kostchtche maybe?
Chief lords of the lower planes are:
Demon lords
Demogorgan
Graz'zt
Juiblex
Orcus
Yeenoghu
Archdevils
Bel
Dispater
Mammon
Beliel/Fierne
Levistus
the Hag Countess
Baalzebul
Mepahistopheles
Asmodeus
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Mephestopheles, IIRC, is the one always nipping at Asmodeus' heels, at least in secret.
Candlekeep is full of non-canon stuff. This is probably what you saw.
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Mephistopheles
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Asmodeus
Pazuzu (//%22http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Pazuzu%22), maybe?
It is none of these.
Could it be Tharizdun? (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Tharizdun)
Demogorgon is the strongest of the demon Lords. Only because both Orcus and Graz'zt contest him can he not truly rule supreme. I remember that he is the firstborn of the tanar'ri, who overthrew the obyrith race, and thus Demogorgon is the blueprint for all tanar'ri.
It's been some years though, I might be false on the details but I'm still pretty sure Demogorgon is the sickest out there.
Edit: Just did more research, and if you were referring to NetHack Demogorgon was indeed the most difficult boss - but I just read your post again and saw you weren't looking for him.
But I mean, come on man, a giant half-baboon half-reptile demons with tentacles for arms has got to be the sickest demon out there.
It's Pazuzu I believe.
There is no single demon lord who comes close to Asmodeus' level of power, IIRC. The only reason that the demons can pose a threat to high ranking arch-devils like Asmodeus is their sheer number advantage.
If we wanna get technical the first of all fiends are the Baernaloth, who created all Tanar'ri, Yugoloth, and Baatezu. Asmodeus is a likely exception due to his suggested origins.
They're the sort of powerful that even Asmodeus wishes he could be, and basically immune to being destroyed, as they can infect the person who slays them, who then has their soul consumed slowly until they become the Baernaloth. Or they can create a shield of all the innocent souls their attacker 'knows'. Which when attacked, not only destroys the innocent souls of the individual the attacker knows, but drives them insane from the knowledge that they killed them, eventually turning them evil and under the Baern's control.
The people who wrote them are seriously messed up individuals.
Pazuzu is a Baernaloth and thus would be on par, if not more powerful than Asmodeus. He's just a lot more hands off in the terrestrial affairs.
Pazuzu is an Obyrith, not a Baernaloth. Basically think of them as the first creations of the Baernaloth as prototypes for Tanar'ri.
Voldemort
Probably one of the elder evils. Of which I believe Zargon was the strongest. Though I don't think they could compete with Asmodeus. Even greater deities respect Asmodeus due to the fact that he can exist without worshipers.
_