Iuz

Iuz the Evil is a fictional antagonist in the Greyhawk campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons. He is a powerful demi-demon lord and ruler of the Empire of Iuz, a major political and military power in the central part of the Flanaess. From his capital, the City of Dorakaa, Iuz wields extensive necromantic, magical, and psionic power to control a large, warlike realm and to project influence over neighboring territories.

Origins and nature of Iuz are treated differently across editions, but he is commonly depicted as a mortal who grows, through contact with demonic forces, into a formidable demigod-like threat. He commands undead legions and demonic auxiliaries and rules through fear, coercion, and expansive magical warfare. His physical appearance is often described with demonic traits, though he frequently operates through avatars and agents to extend his reach.

The Empire of Iuz extends across much of the central Flanaess, with Dorakaa serving as its hard-edged capital. The regime relies on necromancy, brutal policing, and factional intrigue to sustain control over its diverse subjects. Iuz’s expansion and wars have shaped regional politics for generations, drawing in various powers from the realm of good, including factions such as the Circle of Eight, Furyondy, and Veluna, who oppose his tyranny.

In game fiction and adventures, Iuz serves as a recurring villain across multiple editions, campaigns, and modules. He is used to illustrate themes of tyranny, occult power, and the instability of magical empires, often requiring players to confront his agents, break his plots, or challenge his necromantic rule.