Imp

Imp

Species	chthonic (demon)
No. Appearing	1
Behaviour	servant
Range	Abyss, Hades, ruin, rural, urban
Size	2 ft. 5 in. tall
Weight	11½ lbs.
Intelligence	10
Armour Class	2
Hit Dice	2+2
Action Points	5
Max. Stride	6
THAC0	20
Hp/Die	d3
Attack Forms	1: tail
Damage	tail (1–4)
Special Attacks	detect magic, detect malevolence, immunities, invisibility, magic or silver to hit, magic resistance, polymorph, regeneration, save as 7th level, suggestion, telepathy, venom

Imps are minor demons with limited physical strength but an impressive array of natural abilities that make them highly dangerous despite their small size. These abilities, coupled with their cunning, allow imps to be formidable foes when underestimated. They are most commonly encountered as familiars, bound to serve a mage or another powerful figure. Imps rarely, if ever, manifest on the Prime Material independently; their presence is almost always tied to their service under a master, to whom they dedicate their abilities exclusively.

Legends tell that imps were not created as demons but were once mischievous elemental spirits, playful and curious by nature. Their corruption is said to have begun during the War in Heaven, when they were enticed by more powerful demonic entities with promises of power and freedom. Those who accepted were forever twisted into malevolent beings, their playful nature perverted into schemes of chaos and trickery. Though now firmly entrenched among the ranks of demons, imps still retain vestiges of their curious, clever origins, which they often channel into serving their masters—or subtly undermining them if given the chance.

Because of their history, imps are sometimes seen as both cursed and cunning, creatures capable of great loyalty or treachery depending on the terms of their binding. This duality, along with their sly intelligence, contributes to their reputation as both invaluable tools and unpredictable risks for those who summon them.

Familiar Advantages

The following advantages or abilities possessed by the imp can be shared with its liege under when the imp is a familiar, so that both may enjoy these benefits when within 60 feet of one another.

Although inherently evil, imps are specifically created to serve and are therefore incapable of acting independently. If their master is killed or removed from their presence — such as by a teleport or similar spell — the imp immediately returns to its home plane, either Hades or the Abyss.

Imps maintain a continuous telepathic connection with their masters, allowing them to commune without the need for verbal orders. They instinctively understand their master’s desires and act accordingly. This connection enables any mage possessing an imp to "run" the creature as though it were an extension of themselves, granting full access to the imp’s many abilities. This makes having an imp an extraordinary advantage. The master can see through the imp’s eyes and hear through its ears, gaining unparalleled insight into the imp’s surroundings.

Imps possess several notable defenses. They are immune to magical cold, fire, and electricity, though they remain vulnerable to natural forms of these attacks. They save as 7th level creatures and have a 25% magic resistance. Additionally, imps can regenerate 1 hit point per round.

Each of these defenses can be transferred to the imp’s master, provided the master remains within 10 feet — or two combat hexes — of the imp. This proximity allows the master to share in the imp's resilience, making the partnership not only potent offensively but also a powerful asset defensively.

Non-transferable Advantages

These abilities are inherent to the imp and cannot be shared or transferred to its liege under any circumstances. They remain exclusive to the imp and contribute to its individual utility and effectiveness as a familiar.

Imps require a silvered or magic weapon to hit. They are completely immune to normal weapons, regardless of the form they take.

Magic. Imps naturally possess a range of magical abilities. Once per day, an imp can detect magic and detect malevolence, performing these actions as naturally as breathing, with effects identical to the spells of the same names. They are also capable of casting a suggestion once per day, typically using it to distract or mislead, such as encouraging a target to move away from the imp’s master with simple instructions like “go get” or “go see.” These abilities are efficient, costing the imp only 1 action point to perform. Beyond these specific spells, imps can become invisible at will, a talent most often used for spying or evasion. While invisible, an imp can observe others undetected, though any aggressive action immediately cancels the effect.

Polymorph. When an imp needs to operate covertly for extended periods or serve as an assassin, it can polymorph into one of four forms: raven, goat, giant rat, or large spider. In these forms, the imp retains its original hit dice and intelligence, allowing it to remain cunning and effective. Additionally, some forms grant special capabilities; for example, as a giant rat, the imp can spread disease, while as a large spider, it gains access to the spider’s natural venom. These polymorphed forms are particularly useful for reconnaissance, infiltration and subterfuge.

Venom. The imp’s venom, delivered through its tail in combat, is one of its most dangerous abilities. Whenever the imp successfully hits an opponent, the victim must save against poison. A failed save results in the victim taking 1-4 points of damage per round until a total of 18 points is sustained. While no antidote exists for this poison, cure spells can slow or reduce the harm over time. The imp’s venom is relentless, requiring a saving throw with every successful hit. Despite these potent offensive capabilities, the imp lacks effective claws or fangs, relying instead on its venomous tail and polymorphed forms to engage in combat effectively.

See also,
Bestiary
Find Familiar (spell)