The Duke of Salt

Even among the dukes of the nine hells, Zure, also known as the duke of salt is exceptionally sadistic and cruel. He is a loyal vassal to Levistus, the archduke of Stygia, and as such governs a large part of the fifth layer's watery domain. Zure is the perfect embodiment of the Stygia's dark depths. His face is that of a deep sea monstrosity, with several rows of needle-like teeth, bulging eyes and spiny fins. His skin is covered in slimy scales and his hands and feet are webbed. Aside from these fish-like characteristics, he also sports the usual curved horns and forked tail most devils have. A pair of leathery wings sprout from his lower back, looking like the tattered sails of a ghostly pirateship. Because of his hunchbacked figure Zure seems to be the size of the average humanoid, while he is actually about 9 feet tall. Rows of strange luminescent spots line Zure's body.

The Skinflayer

Zure will follow the orders of his superior when called upon, but when he's free from his responsibilities he likes to torture anyone unfortunate enough to meet him. His prefered method of torture is flaying his victim's skin of and then rubbing salt on the exposed flesh. Unlike other devils Zure isn't interested in schemes and manipulation. There is only one deal he'll make with a mortal: to take away the excruciating pain in exchange for their soul. Zure is always looking for more poor souls to entertain him back in his own domain or to slave away in his salt mines.

Brine Rock Isle

Somewhere deep in the stormy seas of Stygia drifts an island encrusted with brine, surrounded by jagged rocks. This barren place is the seat of power of the duke of salt and his influence is visible in every cave and crevice. Nothing grows on the saline soils of Zure's domain. This is because the torrential rain and waves that continually batter the island, cause the salt to seep deep into the ground. When encountered in his lair Zure has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP).

Lair actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zure takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; Zure can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:

Salt from the many piles scattered throughout the lair starts to gather and swirl around a creature and completely entombs them. A creature that becomes entombed is stunned but cannot be hit by an attack, additionally it gains a level of exhaustion for every turn that it remains entombed. The creature can be freed by breaking the salt tomb which has an ac of 15 and has 20 hit points.

Tendrils of salt form out of any saltpile located within 5 ft. of a creature and lash out like a whip each creature within range of one of these tendrils must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d10 bludgeoning damage plus additional necrotic damage based on the amount of wound stacks the creature has.

A barrier of salt forms around Zure, adding 3 points to Zure's armor class.

Regional Effects

The domain of the duke of salt is warped by the archdevil's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:

Any plants in a 20 mile radius of the lair dry up and die. Nothing, but the most salinity-resistant types of plants can grow in the dessicated soil for the next several years, turning the area into a vast salt marsh.

The land surrounding the lair is barraged with salty rain every other hour, which makes it difficult terrain, extinguishes fire and obscures vision. Creatures in the area have disadvantage on Wisdom (perception) checks that rely on vision or hearing.

If Zure dies or leaves the rain immediately ceases, but the vegetation remains unchanged.

Minions Zure has a legion of salt devils doing his bidding (Tome of Beasts, page 113)and he may use spined devils (Monster Manual, page 78) and crystalline devils (Tome of Beast, page 105). He keeps deep sea animals, like the giant octopus (Monster manual, page 326) as his pets.