Devil, Legion (Merregon)
Image © Wizards of the Coast
[The merregon first appeared in the 3.5 book Fiendish Codex 2: Tyrants of the Nine Hells, where its appearance was so boring it didn’t even get an illustration! It was basically indistinguishable from a tiefling physically, and its statistics were both boring and overpowered. All merregons in a combat pooled their hit points together and gained ridiculously high bonuses for fighting together. We’re talking all of them take the best Reflex save (and they have evasion) of the legion devils within 60 feet, and gain a +4 bonus on all attack rolls per legion devil! 5e not only tones them down significantly, but actually gives them an interesting appearance and personality, although of course that personality is that they have barely any personality. I imagine that, with the cherubic baby face, the illustrated merregon is in a legion dedicated to Belial.]
Devil, Legion (Merregon) CR 4 LE Outsider (extraplanar) This humanoid creature has a bent back but strong arms, clutching a halberd. It wears a breastplate and a metal mask completely conforming to the shape of its head. Where its skin is visible is a solid grey.Â
Legion devils, also known as merregons, are disposable foot soldiers in Hell’s armies. They are usually created from the damned souls of bodyguards, soldiers and other evil mortals who were “just following orders” and committed evil deeds without thinking. Weak by the standards of martially-oriented devils, they are often sent to the mortal realm to serve conjurers and diabolists. Although a legion devil isn’t very powerful on its own, they are stronger fighting alongside each other, or with several serving as an honor guard to a stronger devil.
Merregons are deadly but unimaginative combatants. They prefer melee combat, closing ranks with their halberds and surrounding enemies to hack them to death. If a stronger devil is present, legion devils fight harder and faster, hoping to appease their superiors rather than face additional torment. Merregons can telepathically share teamwork feats, and may adjust these to their opponents, but usually only do so if commanded to by a superior.
Legion devils have no individuality, no names and no real faces. If individual distinctions are required, they are referred to by their battalion and a serial number. Beneath their masks, they have simply two beady eyes and no other facial features. Each mask is tailored to the greater power they serve, however indirectly—pit fiends, malebranches or infernal dukes choose the nature of these masks for their companies. Merregons are mute but can communicate telepathically, usually in short, terse statements.
