Still getting a grip on the lower planes and their working, I re-read Faces of Evil and Hellbound again yesterday. One of the things mentioned in there is that demons (tanar'ri) can be 'born' in several different ways. One way is spontaneous birth from the Abyss itself, another is actual birth from a joining of a mommy and pappa tanar'ri. The last way was evolution from larvae.
It also mentions that there is a layer in the Abyss where all petitioners arrive as larvae, oozing from the ground in multitudes, and that a few greater demons (nalfeshnee I believe) judges them and decides their fates. only a few of them are fit for promotion to lesser demon status.
What I don't understand is who keeps these demons in check? Since they are merely greater demons, what keeps a demon prince from barging in and setting kip over this soul well and get as much troops as he can? It would basically mean that lord will be all powerful in the Abyss. It would seem that this soul well is the most covetous piece of ground in the Abyss, and any demon prince will go out of his way to control it.
Is there some sort of overlord, who distributes the larvae evently among the lords? If so, this doesn't seem right with the tanar'ri way of life.
Although it would seem amusing to have the demon lords sprawl over this piece of infernal real estate, it would be to much of a crux in the campaign, and I don't think I want to put my focus on this background seed. But then I wouldn't know of a best way to distribute the raw material of new Blood War troops. Anyone have any suggestions?
Layer is the Mountain of Woe.Theres no overlord as far as we know. It is not likely. But here are a few reasons why the Lords could refrain from attacking the place.
-Location. It is if I remember correctly 400-somethingth layer of the plane. It is probably very hard to get to or get by from other layers.
-Power. Taking on a whole layer of the abyss is no small feat. Even if it were undefended, it would take time and effort to completely claim the place. Now theres a number of Nelfshnee in charge and they have the ability to promote larvae to greater forms of tanarri. Only the most powerful of the lords could pull such a trick.
-Politics. When I said most powerful, I mean one of the trio, Orcus, Grazzt or Demogorgon. And they are already locked in a power struggle. They would not expose their flank to each other in a drawn out conquest of another, distant layer. Others, like the Lolth, Baphomet or Yeenoghu might also qualify, but they would also be fended off by other Lords as well.
So it seems the Nelfashnee will have their way for a little while longer, and pity to those poor souls who get trapped in their pretense of law and order!