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| Asmodeus, Ruler of the Nine Hells |
This guide is an outline of the rulers and major players of Hell in Dungeons & Dragons. I did my best to compile information from all the major sourcebooks from past editions to try to help you figure out how you want to use the archdevils in your campaign.
Good Resources: I found that the single best resource for this was Dragon Magazine #400. It contains both parts of the legendary article on the Nine Hells by Ed Greenwood. There is a ridiculous amount of information and this thing only costs five bucks.
Other useful products:
Layers and Lords
I always repeat this, because it took me years to understand the difference between devils and demon in D&D.
- Devils are lawful and they live in Hell.
- Demons are chaotic and they live in the Abyss.
There are 9 layers of Hell, each with its own ruler. Some rulers were replaced a the editions of D&D went on. This is the current 5th edition roster:
- Avernus, ruled by Zariel
- Dis, ruled by Dispater
- Minauros, ruled by Mammon
- Phlegethos, ruled by Belial and Fierna
- Stygia, ruled by Levistus
- Malbolge, ruled by Glasya
- Maladomini, ruled by Baalzebul
- Cania, ruled by Mephistopheles
- Nessus, ruled by Asmodeus
The Role of Archdevils in Hell
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| Glasya as she appeared in 1st Edition |
Archdevils: An archdevil is a unique devil. Pit fiends are the top of the food chain among normal devils. Only archdevils are more powerful than them. All of the current and deposed rulers of the Nine Hells as well as dukes, duchesses and advisers are archdevils.
Things to know:
- Each archdevil has a court of advisers and nobles.
- Can form avatars of themselves to go into other realms.
- The rulers can shape their layer in their image.
- In some editions, they don't deal with the blood war - that's the job of the Dark Eight, the pit fiend council.
- Archdevils, even dukes, are above the Dark Eight in the hierarchy.
- A devil's name gets longer as it is promoted. Archdevils actually have it shortened.
Mabrahoring: Also known as High Infernal, this is an archaic form of the language spoken mostly by archdevils. Only unique devils can learn and speak it, though comprehend languages can decipher it.
The Archdevils
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| The Archdevils of 2nd Edition |
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| Asmodeus, Lord of the Devils and a God. |
“I have heard it said evil is nothing more than good’s absence, as if evil was the darkness to good’s light. A comforting thought, I imagine, for those seeking redemption, but, I tell you, put such thoughts from your mind. You need only peer into a demon’s eyes to know evil is not some vacuum waiting for virtue to come and fill its emptiness. Evil is a force. It is an influence in the cosmos, an agency equal to or perhaps even greater than its antithesis. There are two sides in this eternal struggle, one light and the other dark. You might find evil’s works reprehensible, yet to those whose hearts belong to corruption, good deeds are equally deplorable. Understand, there is no redemption, only treason against the side you were born to serve.”
—Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine Hells (from the 4e Book of Vile Darkness)
Asmodeus: He is as strong as a storm giant and his palace is on the floor of the lowest rift in Hell. Once per year he can command the archdevils to attend his court and pay homage.
He has a ruby rod worth one million gold that has all sorts of powers.
His origin changes in each edition. In 4th edition, in ancient times, the was a deity known as He Who Was. Asmodeus served him, but tried to overthrow him along with angels. They failed and fled to Baator, now known a Hell.
Over time, Asmodeus became an actual god a well as an archdevil.
The Angels are Warder Devils: The bloodthirsty angels of protection that fought alongside Asmodeus in the rebellion have become warder devils, bodyguards and protectors.
The Malsheem Guard: 1,001 brazen devils who protect the palace of Asmodeus.
The Pact Primeval: An agreement signed by lawful deities that established the system of punishing the damned. Asmodeus exploits the loopholes and uses it. There are three copies of it. Asmodeus has his in a heavily-guarded vault deep in Nessues.
Graz'zt the Demon Lord was a Devil: According to some4e sourcebooks, Graz'zt was once a devil and a trusted advisor of Asmodeus. Asmodeus sent Graz'zt to invade the Abyss to seize the seed of evil. Graz'zt took three layers of the Abyss, but Orcus and Demogorgon were able to halt his rampage. Graz'zt ended up staying in the Abyss and became corrupted and he is now a demon lord who rules the three realms that he took.
Glasya Almost Killed Graz'zt: This did not go over well with Glasya, daughter of Asmodeus. When Graz'zt first betrayed the devils, she attacked him. He was on the verge of defeat, when his pilled blood formed into a type of demon now known as babaus. Glasya was swarmed and had to flee.
How Asmodeus Became a God: In the 5e Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide it is said that Asmodeus consumed the divine spark of Azuth (the forgotten realms god of wizards) and through it achieved godhood.
Asmodeus and Pazuzu: In the 4e Demonomicon, it mentions that the demon lord Pazuzu tricked Asmodeus some way long ago.
Asmodeus, Enemy of Fire Genies: Some believe that fire genies once served Asmodeus but rebelled against him long ago.
Reignited the Blood War: In 4th edition, there was a ceasefire in the Blood War. It was believed that Asmodeus was planning an attack very carefully that would reignite the war. In 5th edition, the Blood War is back on, possibly thanks to Asmodeus.
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| A Hellship |
The names of the hellships are named after the form of torture that powers them. Here's three:
- Eyeball-gouger
- Chew Your Own Heart Out
- Fourfold Impaler
- Dire Command: Grant an ally an attack
- Clever Switch: Cause two people to switch places as one is about to be hit.
Nobles and Allies
(Dead) Bensozia, Queen of Hell: Cold and haughty, she was dominated by Asmodeus. She had long white hair, black eyes, red skin and a ruby-studded diadem worth 26,000 gold. Levistus tried to educe her and killed he when she refused.
Adramalech, Chencellor of Hell: Cruel and Malicious, Adramalech has a massive network of spies and maintains The Infernal Records that contain the truenames of thousands of devils. He likes to watch people be tortured and he secretly hoards magic items taken from prisoners. He has a gray beard, is balding, and his eyes change color according to mood.
Phongor, Inquisitor of Hell: His job is to keep up with the news of Hell. He forces Adramalech's spies to report to him first, and he also has hi own agents, the indwelling devils. He is perhaps the most skilled torturer in the multi-verse and he literally can not feel pain. Phongor is the master of the indwelling devils, devil spirits who inhabit the bodies of others. He has white skin, pink eyes, purple or black robes and always has hi whip with him.
Buer: He commands 15 companies of pit fiends. Buer pretends to be depressed or a practical joker to keep those close to him on their toes. He is a devil centaur with silver skin and white hair. Six massive tentacles grow out of his back.
Bune: He commands 30 companies of war devils. Greedy and manipulative, Bune treats those he fears poorly. He looks like a war devil with green scales
Morax: Leads 9 companies of pit fiends and he despises weakness. He has a bull-like head, bat wings, dark skin and red eyes. Spines grow from his chest.
Rimmon: Leads 5 companies of ice devils. He is nasty and sarcastic, but loyal to Amodeus. Rimmon looks like an ice devil with a human head.
Zagum: Commands 30 companies of barbed devils. Zagum is ambitious and he prefers humor to cruelty. He has Red skin, yellow eyes and a 15 foot long tail.
Baalzebul, Lord of Maladomini, the 7th Layer of Hell
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| Baalzebul |
Baalzebul: It is said that there was once an angel named Triel who was one of the most beautiful and powerful angels. Asmodeus corrupted him and Triel transformed into an archdevil named Baalzebul.
Duke Baalzebul: Baalzebul thrived and became an archdevil who ruled two layers. He eventually lot control of one. At that time, Baalzebul was a devil with red-orange skin and a six-tailed lightning whip.
The Reckoning of Hell: There was an uprising where most of the archdevils tried to overthrow Asmodeus. Asmodeus repelled the attempts and only Baalzebul was punished for it.
Baalzebul the Slug: Asmodeus turned Baalzebul into a bug creature, and then years later he changed him into a massive sluglike creature. Baalzebul's lair reflects his current state - it is full of garbage, flies and filth.
Redemption: Baalzebul is trying to win Asmodeus over by proving that Mephistopheles and Dispater are plotting against him.
Pit Fiend Ban: All pit fiends are banned from Malbolge, as Baalzebul thinks they are all spies and puppets of Asmodeus
Meazels: The meazels, a race of monsters similar to goblins, were tricked by Baalzebul. He offered to save them from a plague. He did, but they found that food did not nourish them anymore. Only the flesh of sentient humanoids sate their hunger.
Servants: He is served by swarm devils, flies who form humanoid-shaped masses.
Brand of Maladomini: This magical boon offered by Baalzebul gives a bonus to stealth. It also gives powers:
- Corrosive Grab: You secrete a slime through your pores that burns those who touch it.
- Foul Excretions: You can leave a slime trail that can cause people to fall prone.
Tartach, Former Legate to Moloch: Tartach has a cruel sense of humor and he enjoys tormenting the weak. He has orange skin and his feet have the pads and fur of a lion.
Bileth, tribune of Baalzebul: Bileth has red skin, bat wings and eyes of lavender hue. She is elf-conscious about the skin on her back - it looks like the skin of a caucasian human.
Neabaz, herald of Baalzebul: Physically weak, Neabaz uses magic items to compensate. He can unleash a foot-long probiscus from his mouth to suck blood with. He spreads the word of the great slug far and wide. The flies of Phlegethos are his eyes and ears. He wear a red cape that can emit an aura of flame. He also wields a flame tongue sword.
Barbatos, Marshal of Maladomini: He controls Baalzebul's armies. Barbatos is very reserved and seemingly loyal. He has red skin, green eyes and a rich, persuasive voice.
Abigor: He commands 60 companies of war devils. Abigor is black-skinned, hairless and has large red bat wings.
Zebar: Zebar commands 28 companies of war devils. He likes to take his problems out on lemures. He wear red armor, has one hoof and one human-like foot that has retractable claws.
Belial and Fierna, Rulers of Phlegethos, the 4th Layer of Hell
Belial and Fierna: A father-daughter team with a perverse relationship, together they rule the fourth layer of hell. As time goes on, Belial is becoming increasingly wary of Fierna's close relationship with Glasya, daughter of Asmodeus.
Belial spends a lot of time spying on his daughter and believes she is being manipulated.
Former Consort Of Belial: Belial's late consort was named Naome. She was murdered, possibly by her own daughter, Fierna. Fierna actually replaced her mother as Belial's consort.
Servants: Fierna is served by passion devils, shapechanging infiltrators. She is also served by pleasure devils, who are seducers that are promoted from erinyes.
Brand of Phlegethos: This magical boon offered by the rulers of Phlegethos gives a bonus to diplomacy. It also offers magical powers:
- Wicked Fantasy: You can touch someone and fill them with unspeakable desire or horror.
- Pleasure from Pain: You enjoy pain and actually get bonuses to rolls when you take damage.
(Dead) Naome: She was Belial's consort and she was good at resolving disputes and bargaining. She was short, burly and middle aged.
Chamo, Legate of Belial: Chamo has a staff that holds the skulls of sixteen paladins. He is a red-skinned, white-haired middle-aged devil with horns and hooves
Balan: He is violent and unliked. He's a giant yellow-skinned man with a beard.
Bathym: Batham wears all black armor and rides a nightmare. His skin is a dead fishbelly-white color.
Gaziel: Leads 11 companies of bone devils.
Gazre: Gazre is a pit fiend lives in a crystal castle on Phlegethos. He oversees the first 4 layers of Hell using his army of 5,000 hamatula to enforce his will. He is always guarded by 20 hamatula.
Dispater, Ruler of Dis, the 2nd Layer of Hell
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| Dispater |
Dispater, the Iron Duke, the Father of Strife: He is handsome, influential and he runs the Iron City of Dis. The city is filled with zombies, erinyes and "a sprinkling of barbed devils and malebranche." He has a rod that acts as a staff of striking and a rod of rulership.
The Rod of Dispater: Made of adamantine and shaped like two serpents entwined together. It can fire acid bolts and acts as a magic mace.
Raging Paranoia: In 3rd edition, Dispater had paranoid and tried to make friends with all of the archdevils, which was impossible. He became paranoid of his own servants and had them spy on each other.
In 4e, he wasn't so paranoid anymore. He was renowned for his powers of persuasion. He groomed mortal agents who had political influence in their cities and kingdoms.
Bodyguards: Most of the warder devils of hell serve him as bodyguards. They once served Asmodeus as escorts.
Isaldurax the Fallen Dragon: Isaldurax was an agent and ally of Bahamut, the good god of dragons. Dispater attacked his earthmote in the astral plane and stole a mortal who had a shard of Bahamut's essence inside of them. Isaldurax was overcome with self-loathing and has become sullen and sinister. Dispater thinks Isaldurax is being corrupted. It's possible this is some kind of ruse by the dragon
Dispater and Hestavar: In 4e, he is linked to Hestavar, a city of earthmotes that floats in the astral plane. The city has a special pact that allow angels and devils to live and work together.
Brand of Dis: This magical boon lets you grow eyes all around your body so that you can see everywhere at all times
Nobles and Allies
Lilis, Consort of Dispater: She has orange skin and looks like a short, plump "well-preserved" female of human middle-age with horns and wings. She can cause insanity by touch and she is a clever strategist.
Arioch: He is in charge of avenging slights to Dispater's honor. He has a flat, reptilian head with a lion's mane. His skin is dark red and he has bat wings.
Biffant: He is a portly, blood-red devil who always smiles. He's an administrator-type.
Merodach: A winged wolf who leads 21 companies of barbed devils.
Alocer: He is a lion-headed humanoid who can blind you just by looking at you. He leads 36 companies of Erinyes.
Bitru: 70 companies of erinyes
Furcas: 12 companies of bearded devils
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| Titivilus |
Titivilus: Nuncio - messenger of Dispater. Notorious for his ability to twist words. Looks like a satyr with bat wings. Pale skin, ruddy cheeks.
Glasya, Ruler of Malbolge, the 6th Layer of Hell
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| Glasya |
Glasya: She is the daughter of Asmodeus. For a long time, she was a socialite. She eventually matured, to the relief of Asmodeus. The ruler of the 6th layer named the Hag Countess suddenly grew into a helpless mass of flesh that covered the layer. Glasya took over Malbolge, turning the Hag Countess into terrain for the sixth layer.
Variety of Servants: Her court is dull of erinyes and paeliryons. She is served by hellwasps, who live in the Garden of Delights. They are her loving and grateful shock troops and bodyguards. They
She hates Levistus.
She once tried to kill Graz'zt when he defected to the Abyss, but his bulezau demons drove her off.
Brand of Malbolge: This magical boon gives a bonus to thievery and offers abilities:
- Brimstone Escape: Teleport away, causes intense pain. Glasya cares nothing for her servants - she only wants their souls.
- Stolen Power: Steal spells from the minds of wizards.
Levistus, Lord of Stygia, the 5th Layer of Hell
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| Levistus pre-ice |
Levistus: At one time, Prince Levistus lived in a keep of ice and seaweed. Then he tried to seduce Bensozia, wife of Asmodeus. She refused him and he killed her. As punishment, Levistus was encased in a glacier by Asmodeus. He still rules the layer, issuing telepathic commands to his loyal followers.
Encased in a glacier by Asmodeus, because Levistus tried to seduce Bensozia, wife of Asmodeus. Levistus ended up killing her.
Geryon once ruled this layer, but Asmodeus booted him and put Levistus in charge of Stygia.
Levistus is now is trying to turn Asmodeus' court against him, and Glasya as well.
Brand of Stygia: This magical boon gives you a bonus to acrobatics and offers powers:
- Stygian Prison: Encase foes in ice
- Icy Panoply: Summon armor of ice (resistance to damage)
Cozbi: She was Geryon's consort. She was quiet. She is an unnaturally tall woman with chalk-white skin and long pale green hair. At one point, she was so sickly that she needed to stay in a tnt filled with special gas just to stay alive.
Gorson: Bailiff. A quiet schemer.
Herodias: Magistrate. He thinks he will one day rule the nine hells. He is portly and has tiny, useless wings.
Agares: He commands 31 companies of bone devils. He looks like an old man who has a hawk on his wrist. He likes to train hawks.
Mavhalas: Commands 11 companies of barbed devils. He has black scaly skin and a red head that is ugly and batlike.
Amon
Mammon, Ruler of Minauros, the 3rd Layer of Hell
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| Mammon |
Mammon: Rules the third plane of hell. A boundless series of rifts and slime streams. Mammon at one time liked to ride a nightmare through his realm with a pack of hellhounds at his heels. He is red-gold, gleaming winds. He is bloated but strong.
Two-faced, insecure and vindictive. He promotes and demotes devils constantly.
In 3e, Mammon has a scheme to wage economic warfare on citadels of good on the material plane. He wants collapse economies of good-aligned nations. This often leads to evil and souls that belong to him.
Nobles and Allies
Former Consort: Glasya, daughter of Asmodeus. Powerful, influential. Copper skin, has a dagger of venom.
New Consort in 3e: Glwa
Brand of Minauros:
- Cringing Presence: Appear weak and pathetic, feeble.. strike when guard is down.
- Mammon's Cunning: Learn everything about enemies, use it to defeat them
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| Bael, Duke of Hell |
Focalor: He is Mammon's bailiff. He is thin, silent and a master strategist. He looks like a human with feathered wings and cloven hooves.
Caarcrinolaas: He is a dog-headed humanoid with red bat wings, hooves and a forked tail. He's in charge of 36 companies of barbed devils.
Melchon: He's a dude jealous of the other dukes.
Mephistopheles, Ruler of Cania, the 8th Layer of Hell
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| Mephistopheles |
Mephistopheles, Lord of No Mercy, the Cold Lord: He rule the eighth hell. He wants to take the 7th from Baalzebul. Then he wants to challenge Asmodeus for rulership. He is blue-black, muscled and has deep blue wings. "His normal speech is whispering wind."
In 3rd edition he was obsessed with developing a new kind of magic fire called hellfire. He is spreading himself thin with the thought that expansion through hellfire will pay off in the end.
In 4e it says that he dreams of displacing Asmodeus and that Baalzebul loathes him.
Brand of Cania: +2 arcana
- Secret of Hellfire: Hellfire aura, no resistance
- Rising Anger: Each time you miss you gain cumulative bonuses as your rage builds.
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| Hutijin |
Hutijin: commands 2 companies of pit fiends. Those pit fiend are the aristocracy of Hell. Hutijin is one of the most powerful Dukes in Hell. He looks like a rust-red pit fiend with smaller wings and a larger head.
Baalphegor, consort of Mephistopheles: Asmodeus loves her strategic mind and she is the reason Asmodeus tolerates Mephistopheles. Cinnamon-brown skin, red eyes that flash with fire when she is angry.
Bele, justiciar of Cania: Dispenses justice, though he and Mephistopheles don't agree on what "justice" is. He is much more inflexible than Mephistopheles. Ivory skin, lower torso is red, his wings are massive 20 foot wingspan.
Adonides, steward of Cania: He doesn't trust any pit fiends, he is very paranoid of spies. Always has 1 ice devils guarding him. Black eyes, red torso.
Barbas, chamberlain of Mephistopheles: Proud, arrogant, extremely cruel. Dishonest and unscrupulous. He keeps his job by coming up with brilliant schemes for Mephistopheles to partake in. Big beard and belly, red kin, oily black hair.
Bifrons: Leads 26 companies of ice devils. Philosopher, very intelligent and detached. "Good promotes incompetence and mediocrity." Gray skin, huge muscles, snake-like lower half.
Zariel, Ruler of Avernus, the 1st Layer of Hell
Zariel: Long ago, Zariel ruled Avernus but she was ousted by the pit fiend Bel. Recently, she took back the layer and is the current ruler.
Brand of Avernus: Bonus to Intimidation
- Make weapons burn with green flames
Amduscias: He's a duke who can shape change into a dirty yellow unicorn with eyes of flame and a purple horn! I am going to die of thrills, that is so fantastic. He has other forms, too. He can be a hawk-headed man in robes of red or black. His favorite form is that of a wolf with a serpent's prehensile tail. He is a skillful negotiator.
Malphas: He's a "dark-complexioned" man in lack velvet robes with 333 gems on them. He also takes the form of a large crow. Tiamat orders him around.
Nergal: He is a lion-headed winged toad enveloped by magical darkness. "His mottled pinkish-grey, warty skin is covered with sore which ooze a clear colorless ichor" (don't drink it, it's poisonous to humans). He is a schemer who hoards information.
Bist: She is like a hellcat and a selfish master of duplicity. She can't leave the Hells without being summoned. She is invisible except for her fiery eyes. Awesome.
Caim: A gossip and a sneak. Loves to eat elves and men. He often appears as a thrush with a belt.
Former Rulers of Hell
Tiamat
Geryon: He once ruled Stygia but was ousted by Asmodeus. He wanted his old position back and began building a mercenary army. It didn't work out. He was found on an abyssal layer called Demonwing and now he is nothing more than a vestige.
Malagard the Hag Countess: Can bring down avalanches. She would go with Blieth, her pit fiend tribune, to make surprise inspections of their bronze citadels to see how they were holding up against the constant rolling boulders of the layer.
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| Moloch |
Bel: A pit fiend and cool military genius who achieved glory in the Blood War. He displaced Zariel and took over Avernus. Then Zariel displaced him and here we are.
Molikroth: In the 2e Planes of Law, there is a mention of a former ruler of Cania named Baron Molikroth. He is either hefty or a handsome giant with blue-black skin. He had no mercy and despised Asmodeus. lord eighth is Baron Molkroth in citadel Mephistar, overlooking the glacier Nargus.
The Government of Hell
The Dark Eight: This is a council of pit fiends. Their individual names are sort of honorary titles. When someone becomes the new marshal of the pits, their name becomes Dagos. They do act like they are the same person, though.
- Baalzephon: Supply master
- Corin: Spy
- Dagos: Marshal of the pits
- Furcas: Mortal relations
- Pearza: Chief of research
- Zaebos: Minister of promotions
- Zapan: Immortal diplomacy
- Zimimar: Minister of morale
- They decide promotions of devils
- They plan the Blood War strategy.
- They have 106 cornugons in their retinue.
- The Dark eight was founded by Cantrum, who was slain by a paladin from Mount Celestia. The paladin didn't survive.
- They are gathering millions of larvae for The Bringing, a ritual in which they will sacrifice millions of potential devils for a mysterious event.
The hellforged devils enforce his edicts. Hellforged devils are rigid, enforce the hierarchy and police the devils.