Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the role playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Orcus is a demon prince, and lord of the undead. It is named after Orcus of Roman mythology.

Killed after a string of successful wars with Graz'zt and Demogorgon, he was restored as the undead demon Tenebrous by Quah-Nomag the Skull King, one of his most devout followers. Rising against his murderers, Orcus reclaimed his layer of the Abyss, Thanatos, and his original name, proclaiming himself 'Prince of the Undead'. In this context, he typically is shown as having the head and legs of a ram, a bloated body, bat-like wings and a long tail. He cares for nothing save himself - not even his devotees and undead servants - and focuses only on spreading misery and evil. One of his most identifiable symbols is the Wand of Orcus, a skull-topped wand with the power to slay any living being. In earlier editions of the game, Orcus wielded a powerful artifact known as the Orcusword.