This entry is based on Open Game Content by Netherworks. Read more about this collaboration, and see more interpretations, here.

Fools misjudge the odd looking Calis at first sight. The odd form of bird and man can seem almost comical. While they are certainly not the smartest creatures, they should not be underestimated. Their weapons are not for show, and they follow orders with almost fanatical zeal.

The Calis is an avian demon with a humanoid form that takes on the armor and weapons of the more civilized races. It should not be judged as more lawful or reasonable than other demons. The Calis have just enough innate knowledge in their creation to use simple fighting techniques and follow orders. Follow orders they do with a fierce focus.

The demon lord Pazuzu will sometimes send a flock of these warriors to the Material Plane as a boon to important followers. With their humanoid form, given proper orders of control, they may just appear to be oddly dressed cultists. Once in the heat of battle, or given a closer look, their demonic nature is clear. Woe be to those nearby when their orders are fulfilled or their masters slain. Without any clear instruction, their demonic nature takes over and these foul fowl peck a path of destruction.

Lore

Arcana 17: These strange creatures are the Calis, avian demons, loyal to Pazuzu, prince of the Plain of a Thousand Portals. One of the few demons to wield weapons and armor, they can be very dangerous when organized by an intimidating leader. Like the farm birds who share their coloring, these creatures keep fighting even when they should be slain, striking out blindly.

Arcana 23: In their last moments of life, Calis strike out blindly, but only have enough strength to move a short distance. Clever tacticians have been known to take down numerous flocklings with a single shot, if the positioning is right.

Calis Vigilants and Cockatricians are a bit more durable. The hooked bolts of the Vigilants allow them to close the gap with mobile and ranged targets. The Cockatricians are the fastest of the Calis, and fly about the battlefield attacking targets, then swooping to a new position. They’ll land when they can get crowds of enemies in position for their Shriek of Elemental Change.

Arcana/History 31: There are tales that tell the origin of the Calis as a cruel joke between Pazuzu and Asmodeus. As the blood war was beginning to stagnate, a group of Legion Devils became trapped in the backlines of Pazunia. Pazuzu captured these troops, saving them from slaughter, and hid them away on a floating earth mote. By the time he was made to return them to the Lord of the Nine Hells, they had transformed in his presence into a mockery of their former selves.

Less known is the story of Grehagru, a powerful demon slain by a band of adventurers. Grehagru rose as a cacodemon, but his rage was so great he sought out the first living creature, a cockatrice, instead of biding his time. He managed to turn the unsuspecting heroes to stone, but then was trapped in a limited form, wandering the world. The powerful soul trapped inside the fowl, attracted a flock of chicken followers, who were in turn corrupted by his presence. When Pazuzu learned that another creature was lording over flying evil creatures he was outraged. He captured Grehagru and his evil flock, and slowly transformed them into his personal horde.

Encounters: Calis work well as a transitioning foe between heroic level adventures in the material plane and a campaign in the abyss. They can be encountered as the minions for a mortal follower of the abyss or as early encounters for players traversing the Plane of a Thousand Portals (the abyss’ 1st layer).

They work well with frightening brutes to keep them in line, but are particularly affective when paired with artillery and controllers, who can blast their foes at range.

Tactics: Calis excel at following orders, and follow whatever tactics they are given. Anything too complex, or too many steps at once, and they may get confused due to their low intelligence. In this situation they will focus on their last order, or whatever provided the most opportunity for destruction. On their own, flocklings will employ almost no tactics, but will move and strike primarily as a group. Vigilants stay more stationary, targeting aggressive targets who don’t engage directly with their crossbows, before closing the distance and locking them down with swings of their battleaxes. Cockatricians, in contrast, keep moving on the battlefield, picking new targets at random, and dropping down for their shriek attack whenever they can hit at least three enemies. They often will target other demons as well, when not properly controlled.