Dabus

In the Dungeons & Dragons Planescape campaign setting, Dabus (singular and plural are the same) are the personal entourage of the Lady of Pain.

Publication history

The dabus first appeared in the second edition for the Planescape setting, in the Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set (1994).

The dabus appeared in the third edition in Expedition to the Demonweb Pits (2007).

Description

Though possessing the ability of speech, dabus almost always communicate only through visual rebuses they create, filling the air near them with golden shining lines (from which the name Dabus originates). Physically, a Dabus resembles a humanoid with yellow-tan skin, goatlike horns, and a shock of white hair. Dabus float off the ground, their feet never touching the earth. The character Fell is the only exception to this.

Their agenda strictly follows the orders of the Lady of Pain, but their principal duty is to build and rebuild the living and growing buildings and streets of the city of Sigil.

Certain sources suggest that Dabus can in fact speak, but fear that if they were to do so "their thoughts would be overheard." Another, more cynical source suggests that they simply enjoy frustrating others with their puzzles, though communication with a Dabus proves them to be extremely patient, if rather aloof and alien.

The only Dabus with an identity is actually a fallen one known as Fell, who had become an outcast after he proclaimed the god Aoskar (god of portals) as his patron deity. Shortly after that, the Lady destroyed Aoskar and his temple but for reasons unknown, she let Fell live. He now runs a tattoo parlor in Sigil's Grand Bazaar where he uses his ability to dream whole stories into one picture to create unique tattoos for adventurers who visit it. Most locals still prefer to avoid him, for fear of retribution by the Lady.