Page 10 - Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes

LORDS OF THE N INE ASMODEUS
From his throne at the bottom of the Nine Hells, As-
I LITERALLY SIT BENEATH EIGHT TIERS OF SCHEMING,
modeus commands a sprawling bureaucracy tied to a
ambitious entities that represent primal law suffused with
massive war apparatus dedicated to turning back the
demons that invade the uppermost realm of Avernus, evil. The path from this realm leads to an infinite pit of
and to taking the fight to the other planes, including the chaos and evil. Now, tell me again how you andyour ilk are
Abyss, whenever the opportunity arises.
the victims in this eternal struggle.
Asmodeus and the other archdevils rule over the nine
- Asmodeus addresses the celestial jury,
layers that comprise the Hells. The devil lords make
up a hierarchy that is both rigid and fragile. Although from The Trial of Asmodeus
Asmodeus is more powerful than any other lord, he has
to be constantly wary of treachery within his ranks. It Asmodcus is an unmatched strategist and orator. The
could be said that the true ruler of the Nine Hells is the most epic of all his achievements is chronicled in The
immense body of rules and regulations that dictate how Trial of Asmodeus, a play based on purportedly true
all devils, even Asmodeus, must conduct themselves. events as researched by the aasimar bard Anodius.
In ancient times, as the Blood War raged, the angels
LAYERS AND RULERS OF THE NINE HELLS of law and good that dwell on Mount Celestia issued a
Layer Layer Name Ruler decree accusing Asmodeus of terrible crimes. Outraged
by such claims, the Lord of the Nine Hells petitioned
l Avernus Zari el
for the right to answer the charges before his accus-
2 Dis Dispater
ers. The angels, although shocked at his impudence,
3 Minauros Mammon accepted his petition and agreed to hear the bargain he
4 Phlegethos Belial and Fierna proposed. Both sides, he suggested, would present their
5 Stygia Levistus case to Primus, leader of the modrons. As a creature of
6 Malbolge Glas ya absolute law, Primus could be trusted to issue a fair and
7 Maladomini Baalzebul impartial verdict. Asmodeus drafted a contract to seal
the deal, and the angels- after carefully scrutinizing the
8 Cania Mephistopheles
terms-agreed to the trial.
9 Nessus Asmodeus

CHAPTER l I THE BLOOD WAR