Asmodeus Poisonteeth

Gender: male

Species: adder

Appears In: Redwall

Mentioned In: Mattimeo and Doomwyte




Asmodeus - derived from Asmodai, the Biblical demon of wrath - is a huge resident of the Quarry who lives in the many tunnels that have been smoothed over by the innumerable generations of snakes slithering through. He is the ancestor of Baliss and known as "Giant Ice Eyes" by the GUOSIM due to his hypnotic stare, which he uses to paralyze his prey before devouring them (his surname is also taken from the fact that he has venomous fangs). He is feared throughout Mossflower for his ability to sneak up on others, often appearing beside creatures who are hiding, and is known to collect various trophies such as feathers and tails. His most prized possession is Martin's sword which he steals from Bull while he and Greytail (who is killed by the adder) are hunting in the woodlands. Many seasons later he continues to torment the forest during the Late Rose Summer Wars, and Matthias sets out to find Martin's sword. The young mouse learns that Asmodeus is keeping it in the Quarry so he goes there with Guosim and Log a Log, and after the former is slain by the snake Matthias eventually finds him sleeping with the sword nearby. The gigantic adder suddenly awakens and pursues the two creatures, eventually trapping them in a cul-de-sac and using his stare to hypnotize them. Just as he prepares to kill them, Matthias is snapped out of the trance by Martin's spirit who encourages him to strike. Log a Log regains consciousness to see a decapitated Asmodeus and a triumphant Matthias. Asmodeus is indirectly responsible for the events of Mattimeo as he attacks and horrifically disfigures Chickenhound who grows up to become Slagar.