Devil

Various types of devils

> "Entreat not the Devil, for its words are honeyed venom and its gifts are gilded knives."
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> - An old Allartian saying
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**Devils** are a lawful evil race of **fiends** who hail from the Nine Hells of Baator. Malicious, self-serving, and cruel, they act as the primal representation of opression and malice.

## Description

> "Perhaps moreso than any other species, devils exhibit a broad array of subraces with fundamental differences that would have them classified as separate races if it weren't for their unique biology."
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> - *The Bestiarium Maleficum, Volume I: Fiends*
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In opposition to their structured nature, devils vary in appearance and mentality. Some are hulking masses of muscle and scales that can tear their enemies in half. Others are portly blobs of fat surrounding an incredible intellect. Others are merely simplistic twigs of infernal tissue with little impressive or redeeming qualities.

## Personality

> "As with all fiends, one must especially watch what they say to devils. Insult is easily derived from compliment, and consent is readily interpreted from refusal."
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> - *Petitioner's Guide to the Outer Realms: The Nine Hells*
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Devils are vicious creatures who are capable of attacking and killing others for what could essentially be perceived as no reason. In turn, they hate being the target of misery themselves. This leads to the most iconic trait of devils: their extreme vindictiveness, combined with a lack of ability to accept their mistakes. Devils have an instinct to look for others to blame when they suffer setbacks and have the drive to exact vengeance against whomever they hold responsible, even when they are demoted to a weaker station. They will pursue any means available to them to ensure they get their due. With enough provocation, they can be made to act in ways that are detrimental to their ultimate goal, up to the point of death in pursuit of such vengeance.

Devils often delegate their work to others. This does not mean that they are lazy, however, as the primary personality trait for any devil is ambition. They constantly look for routes to promotion. The goal behind this behavior is the fulfillment of the devil's own desires. They try to rise up the hierarchy to modify rules in ways that suit them, while simultaneously trying to make it harder for their rivals to advance.

## Combat

> "Expect little honor when fighting a devil. They may seem orderly and restrained, but that's a facade. They have an intense desire to succeed in everything they attempt, no matter the cost."
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> - *Advar's Advice III: Avernus*
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Devils tend to prefer fighting in orderly, distinguished ranks or sections. Utilizing the strengths and negating the weaknesses of one's forces is the first lesson any infernal tactician learns on campaign. By exploiting their subordinates' desire for promotion and yearning for power, greater devils create disciplined armies of fearsome and powerful soldiers that can cut a bloody swath through the battlefield.

Devils often have magical abilities. Most devils have some kind of evocation or conjuration abilities, which are used to inflict mass casualties among their foes. A common use of their powers is to wreathe their enemies in hellfire, or summon other devils as support. They abuse their enemies' inability to counter their infernal forms by thowing themselves into brutal melees. If an enemy has the means to overcome their resistances, such as a silvered weapon or potent magic, then the devil will often switch to skirmishing in order to whittle down the oponent's resources.

### The Blood War

Devils are at a stark numerical disadvantage in the Blood War, where they fight chaotic and numerous denizens of the Abyss. Despite their numerical inferiority, devils still manage to emerge victorious in a majority of their engagements with demonkind. Infernal doctrine tends to emphasize quality over quantity, utilizing superior equipment, training, and manuevering to counter their foes.

### Tactics

Being at a severe numerical disadvantage against most of their enemies, devils have developed a few distinct strategies they commonly employ:

* Devils never fight on Baator when they can help it. The reason for this is that they will actually perish if they die on Baator.
* A large amount of devils have the ability to fly or be summoned. They make frequent use of hit-and-run-tactics using this ability. A common tactic they utilize will be to attack a group of enemies, use magic or flight to maneuver away, heal themselves, and then charge back in. By cycling three or more groups of devils they can maintain a continuous assault while preserving their combat strength.
* When fighting anything living, their combat philosophy is to decisively finish off their enemies. They don't leave enemies alive if they can help it. A devil will kill an unconscious enemy before moving on to a new target. This is done to remove any chance that the unconscious creature could return to the fight.
* When they fight on Araam Vestii, they know that dying will not kill them, but they also know that dying there might cost them a lot, including their rank. Therefore, they have no issue with running away when a battle does not go their way.
* When devils have the chance, they try to deplete their enemies' resources by sending their underlings to engage them first. When they do this, they usually keep tabs on the importance of those they send away. Those who are less important are sent first, while those who are of significant rank are only sent if their power is necessary or victory is assured.

These tactics oftentimes make devils predictable opponents. However, given the potency of their forces, knowing what is going to happen next in a battle against devils more often than not means that one simply knows how and when they are going to die.

#### Against Demons

Thanks to their infernal biology, devils are immune to fire. One common tactic that is deployed against demons in the Blood War is wreathe the battlefield in flame. Thus, devils can pass through field of battle unharmed, while only substantially powerful demons like Balors remain unimpeded. This effect is achieved by any means available, be it through the use of innate abilities or the recruited talents of a sorcerer or wizard.

#### Against Celestials

When fighting powerful celestials like chosen, planetars, or solars, devils with the ability to fly often form the vanguard. They will engage the airborne warriors, distracting them to give their spellcasters and artificers enough time to use entangling spells and traps to force their opponents to the ground. There, swarms of ground-based devils will make quick work of them. They also often make use of fire against celestials in ways that are similar to the devils' anti-demon tactic, making the battlefield itself a hazard to their foes.

#### In Lairs

When devils fight, they do so to efficiently achieve their objective, refusing to divert their attention to other matters. Their lairs reflect this stance, namely in how they are laid out. Lairs are arranged in ways that maximize a devil's strengths while minimizing their opponents'. The outline of a lair can be different from species to species. For example, an erinyes can arrange its lair in a way that allows it to engage in aerial ranged combat, while a hamatula will arrange its lair so it will become a cramped space to force opponents into groups, prime targets for their barbs and fire blasts.

Apart from modifications regarding space, devils are fond of exploiting their immunities and adding dangerous elements that will hamper all creatures but themselves. For example, a gelugon may lair in a frozen cavern, while devils with immunity to poison might choose locations that are naturally filled with poisonous substances as their lairs.

Given their structured nature, however, there are some commonalities among devils:

* First, devils are fond of traps and will riddle their lairs with them while educating their minions on their whereabouts.
* Second, they are fond of limiting their enemies' movements. Part of the common skills of devils working as a military engineers is to know how to construct obstacles in ways that will eventually lead enemies into a bottleneck where they can utilize their superior qualities to massacre their foes.
* Third, devils that work in areas that are instilled with Baator's magic will try to duplicate one of Hell's fearsome sights. This is not done out of nostalgia, but rather because for non-Baator-natives, looking at a Baatorian sight was disturbing in ways that might affect their combat readiness and prowess.

As mentioned above, devils have no compunctions against fleeing when they believe they cannot securely win a battle. Therefore, a devil lair most certainly has at least two escape routes built in. First, an obvious one that the devil does not actually intend to use, but where its enemies will believe they've fled through. Second, a secret, heavily trapped escape route that is the actual way out.

### Information

Information is sacred to a devil. Born information brokers, devils hoard secrets and blackmail in the hopes of it one day turning them a profit or gaining them an edge over a competitor. Whether it be their true names, the locations of powerful items, or the misdeeds of their rivals, devils will note down anything they learn. Devils go to extreme lengths to protect their information from falling into the hands of rival devils or opposing factions. They will fight to the death to preserve their information. If all seems lost, devils will destroy their records, or wage an unending war to retrieve stolen information. It is ill-advised to take or retain infernal tomes or brimstone tablets.

### Wealth

Material wealth is, compared to souls, of no real worth to devils if it does not further their own goals. Therefore, devils are willing to relinquish material wealth if it allows them to evade harm. However, there is one exception to this rule: devils beholden to Mammon. These devils see worth in material wealth and are willing to take risks to protect it, unlike their brethren.

Souls are the main currency of the Hells. Devils that own a large amount of souls hold greater status over their peers, in turn making devils keen to protect their hoards. A devil will never give up on a soul they have or held claim to, pursuing it until they retreive it or are ultimately destroyed.

### After a Battle

Provided a devil does not kill its enemies, the future of mortals defeated by devils is grim. Their fates are almost universally agonizing.

A captive enemy of a devil is often handed over to a kyton or excruciarch for torture. These devils' usual specialty is torturing souls, but they often learn mundane torture skills to obtain additional marketable skills in order to increase their value and wealth. The primary objective for any infernal torturer is to determine if the offending mortal knew about the devils' plans, and if so, how they came to know of them. After that, knowledge about landmarks, terrain, important figures, army compositions and movements, and enemy operations are also extracted. Above all, however, is any information regarding readily corruptible mortals.

A torture session often concludes with the devil offering to make a pact with the mortal. These kind of pacts are called Faustian Pacts, and the initial offer is usually to free the captive from their continued suffering. Agreeing to this kind of offer does not usually offer up the captive's soul to the devil, since any decision to do so would be made under duress, and can thus be challenged in the courts of Baator. A prisoner who does not accept a pact with the devil is confronted with ever increasing positive incentives to agree. The typical procedure involves sending other devils to the captive relatives and loved ones in an attempt to secure a ransom. This ransom usually stipulates an exchange of the contacted mortal's soul or large amounts of material wealth in exchange for the captive. It is custom after the ordeal has concluded for the torturing devil to ensure the mortal can never trouble other devils again. This most often occurs by way of contract, where the mortal swears to never act against Baator again or forfeit their soul. Other, more unfortunate insurances that are occassionally taken include maiming or insanity.

### Retaliation

When defeated, a devil's retaliation is not always swift. Devils have an urge to exact vengeance after every setback because such setbacks can oftentimes result in painful demotions. If a setback ultiomately results in nothing consequential, then a devil might choose not to immediately act on its desire for vengeance. The likelihood of retribution increases with the importance of the plan that is derailed. Regardless of whatever plan was thwarted, however, a devil will typically avoid pursuing vengeance if the act of doing so would prove to be more trouble than its worth. Do note that devils pushed too far — whether it be by severe demotion or the derailment of significant plan — will ignore this stipulation and pursue retribution to their own detriment.

Beyond personal reasons, devils oftetimes feel an obligation to act on perceived slights. This is done to maintain their reputation as creatures not to be trifled with. Therefore, devils may send their minions to publicly and brutally kill the offending creature. Killing targets while they sleep in some attention-drawing fashion is the usual way to conduct vengeance, since the target will be too incapacitated to fight. To fulfill the deterence aspect of such attacks, devils indiscriminately kill any bystanders, regardless of age, profession, or health, to add to their brutal reputation. Such attacks could be limited to one offending individual, or be extended to an entire family, organization, or town if the slight was significant enough.

While the above method is the most typical means of retribution, killing the target through assassination, lethal traps, or poison is all fair game for a devil.

Whatever the method, a devil who wants to take vengeance needs to know the whereabouts of the targets. In most cases devils will utilize their nortal minions for reconaissance, given their abundance and minimal value. When their target is in a more secure location or uses wards to protect themselves, a devil might use more magical means to find the targets. Occasionally this can lead to a target being hounded by bezekiras or cazekiris. When the devil is simply unable to find its target, it tries to draw them into the open. The usual method is extortion, where they will kidnap somebody of importance to the wider community or to the target. This method is doubly effective, as the community that hides the target may expose them if the perceived danger from the devil is too great.

## Society

> "When you attack one demon, you attack a single creature. When you attack one devil, you attack them all."
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> - Riccard of Astana, Paladin of Saint Asta
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The vast majority of devils are baatezu. They live in strict caste society, with greater devils exerting tyrannical control over lesser devils. This makes devils continuously seek to improve their station in life. The metric by which promotion is granted is most often the number of souls in a devil's possession. Mortal souls in particular are the basis of the infernal economy, providing power and sustenance to devilkind. The Pact Primeval, a contract between Asmodeus and the Elder Gods, ensures that devils can continue to corrupt mortals on the Prime Material, preventing Baator from being stricken from the Realms for their actions.

### Economy

The infernal economy is built around the bartering and exchange of souls. Little else matters to devils, making it the prime commodity by which their society operates.

#### Souls

The infernal economy primarily operates on souls: raw positive energy that sustains their plane. In order to draw a soul from the Fugue to Baator, they corrupt mortals while they are still alive using pacts. These contracts establish the relevant devil as the sole owner of the mortal's soul, overriding any other Divine Precedent that would allow a god or other bering to claim it. When the mortal dies, their soul is wrenched from their body and delivered into the hands of the relevant devil, where it will be tortured. This torture is done to wring out magical energy from the soul. Once all potential energy has been harvested from the soul, it is discarded in the Foul Pit, where it is reborn as a lemure.

#### Other Currency

The infernal economy primarily runs on souls, but money, precious metals, and other goods can used for trade. It should be noted that devils see no intrinsic value in these goods. Their value lies in their use to gain souls. Devils require money to finance their actions on the Material Plane. Starting with establishing cults, they require currency to pay off officials, pay for services like assassinations, and to secure goods and influence. Among the goods they buy were the souls of people who sell their souls for money, information, magic, or other goods and services. Among the most commonly offered services are the devil itself. Devils funnel the money they obtain into Baator, so it can be distributed to others or used for their own projects. These methods garner them credits that can eventually lead to promotion.

### Hierarchy

Infernal society has a number of castes, with each role being expressly defined. Devils and visitors to Baator are expected to show the proper decorum to each caste, and address them by relevant titles, honorifics, respect, or contempt based on their place in the heirarchy. Devils live and and die by their place in the infernal pecking order, oftentimes literally.

At the bottom of this hierarchy are the inferior devils, with low life expectancies and little in the way of rights and respect. They are reviled by most all other devils in Baator, and their opportunities for advancement are minimal. It is entirely plausible that an inferior devil will spend its entire existence as an inferior devil.

Above the inferior devils are the lesser devils. They are most often found in the soul trade, negotiating contracts, handling or minting soul coins, and providing services to their superiors. Some specific devils could also be found working as guards, messengers, and soldiers in the infernal legions. Opportunities for advancement for lesser devils are numerous, and, barring extreme circumstances, a lesser devil will ascend in ranking quickly.

Above the lesser devils are the greater devils, headed by the tyrannugons. They act as the nobles, generals, elite guards, and merchants of the Hells. Greater devils enjoy many priveleges and rights in infernal society, oftentimes with numerous lesser devils and enslaved humans at their beck and call. Life for greater devils is generally lavish and enjoyable, but also frought with danger and intrigue. The more powerful a devil is, the more rivals it will have vying for its position. Tales of precipitous falls from grace are common gossip in the many grand palaces of Baator. However, despite all their power and splendor, these devils are not at the top of the infernal hierarchy.

Above all other devils stand the archdevils, imposing beings whose infernal empires span entire layers of the Hells. They exert absolute, tyrannical control over their subordinates, and are constantly occupied with squashing would-be usurpers and rising rivals. The archdevils are akin to lesser gods, nearly omniscient and extraordinarily powerful. At the top of these beings are the Lords of the Nine, Asmodeus' court and the overlords of the nine layers of Baator.

As a general rule, the higher a devil stands, the more chances for further advancement exist. However, the more powerful a devil becomes, the more oversight it suffers at the hands of its superiors, and the more they are exposed to the prospect of punishment and demotion. As a result, high-ranking devils are fearful of demotion and vent their fears on their subordinates in a violent manner. This makes said subordinates act in a similar manner towards their subordinates, who in turn abuse their subordinates, and so on until the literal bottom of the hierarchy was met with violence and pain.

When a devil manages to corrupt a mortal, his or her soul lands in Baator upon death. Such souls have a unique mark that can be attributed to the devil that corrupted said mortal, granting that devil prestige and influence. Accruing these credits is basis for a devil's promotion. Another form of accruing credits is to provide Baator with material goods. This form of gaining credits is not held as high as the soul trade, but devils who are looking for ways to improve their résumé do this nonetheless.

#### Promotion

Promotion is the process by which a devil evolves from a lesser form to a greater one. It is done when a devil's superior believes that the devil merits such a reward. The superior's superior can reverse this decision any time. Regardless, the promotion within inferior devil status is very rarely halted, as these devils are considered too insignificant to warrant consideration. Promotion to any of the lesser devil statuses requires the promoted devil's greater devil superior to agree with it, while promotion to greater devil-status requires the archdevil the promoted devil serves to agree. When the devil is somehow not sure which archdevil it is serving, Asmodeus is considered the default lord to report to. Rising to the status of a unique devil requires the agreement of an archdevil. Tyrranugons that desired the title of duke require then explicit approval of their superiors. To become an archdevil, Asmodeus himself needs to agree to the promotion.

The standards a devil needs to meet to be promoted is to learn its caste's infernal lesson and to show exceptional performance in the execution of its duties and loyalty to its superior. The latter is valued much higher than the former. Devils consider someone who is competent enough to do its job but who is at the same time not a danger to its superior's position an ideal subordinate. Due to this reason, high-ranking devils try to maintain comparatively few subordinates, lest the number exceed their ability to maintain and prevent treasonous activities. This combined with the fact that the souls required to ascend in rank increase in proportion to the desired station means that the upper rung of the infernal hierarchy is relatively stable. Normally promotion is done when a position becomes free, whether by death or demotion. Some devils try to facilitate the former, which is punishable by death, and therefore carries a lot of risks. Another valid method for devils is to wait until the latter happens. That said, successful devils are promoted more frequently to positions they had a hand in opening up.

#### Demotion

Every devil is entitled to demote a devil that is its subordinate. Asmodeus can demote any devil he so desires, while an archdevil is allowed to demote any devil that could trace a line of authority back to the archdevil, and a greater or lesser devil is only allowed to demote those that are under its direct command.

That said, demotions are generally not done on a whim. They are usually done as a form of punishment. Demotion to nupperibo status is the most dreaded one, usually done to punish sloth or greed. Beyond the scope of punishment, there is an additional rationale for the demotion of a devil. As mentioned above, promotion requires the expenditure of a large amount of energy. Demotion frees energy to be used for something else. Devils whose operations do not work as intended will occasionally try to collect additional energy by demoting their subordinates. This prospect of demotion for energy-harvest purposes is a great motivator for devils to work as hard as possible to prove their worth.

A unique form of demotion that exists within infernal society is called lateral demotion. There are a few castes within the infernal hierarchy that are technically fairly high in rank but are not very popular among devils. These forms come with immense physical prowess but negligible mental capabilities, making it difficult for them to advance further. As a general rule, devils want to gain positions that allow them to have a keen mind over physical strength, as it will allow them to pursue more subtle and subversive means of promotion. Being advanced to such a form is called lateral demotion.

The reasons for lateral demotion are varied. From time to time there is genuine need for physically strong servants. Occasionally, however, lateral demotion allows a superior to effectively put a problematic subordinate out of commission. As one might imagine, it is often used as a means to expose subordinates who were suspected of treason. It allows the superior to confirm its suspicions and kill the traitor or find that the subordinate has no ill intentions, thus allowing the superior the excuse that it never treats its subordinates in an unfair manner. It is a generally accepted excuse, albeit grudgingly.

### Gaining Credits

As mentioned above, devils covet mortal souls. They consistently try to change a mortal's ethical and moral outlook into that of a lawful evil individual. When the person dies in this state, that mortal's soul is sent to Baator and the devil who has the biggest hand in the mortal's outlook's change gets the credit for it. When a devil manages to change a mortal's outlook, it often tries to organize the death of that person as soon as possible. The reasons for this are twofold. First, it helps expedite the retrieval of the soul, placing it in the devil's possession sooner, and accelerating their promotion. Second, it ensures the mortal dies in that state, preventing their redemption or the interference of another devil. Despite this, devil's require mortals on a macro level. They are useful to change the outlook of their fellows as well as to pursue other infernal agendas on the Prime for Baator. Therefore, devils need to acquire permission to kill somebody to send their soul to Baator for each and every case, a process that can get bogged down in bureaucracy and litigation.

The most well known method of achieving this result is the use of infernal pact magic, otherwise known as Faustian Pacts. This does not mean it is the most common, however. In reality, devils acquire most of their credits theough other means.

#### Hunting Grounds

The vast majority of souls that come to Baator do not arrive there because a devil changed the mortals' moral alignment, but because they had it to begin with. Devils organize Prime territories in so-called "hunting grounds": regions that held an abundance of lawfil evil individuals. Every hunting ground has a devil assigned to it. These devils hold the title of undercontroller or factotum, which is a coveted assignment only those favored by the archdevils received. Every soul that goes to Baator without another devil swaying that mortal to lawful evil is accredited to their relevant undercontroller. The title of undercontroller is not without its responsibilities, however.

First, devils have a tendency for infighting, especially when the soul of an especially remarkable or powerful mortal is at stake. The undercontroller's job in this regard is to keep their section under the control of their direct superior. When mortals and lesser devils fight each other, the source of the conflict can usually be traced to a disagreement between undercontrollers or their dirext superiors. This happens when a high-standing devil wants to relegate trouble-makers. The process is a win-win for the superior, since if a trouble-maker dies fighting over turf, the trouble-maker ceases to be an issue. If the trouble-maker is successful at securing the hunting ground, then the superior increases the number of souls its subordinates gain for Baator alongside its own standing.

The second job of an undercontroller is to ensure that a lawful evil society stays that way, or is steered into lawful evil directions if it begins to deviate. They achieve this by modifying customs and rules of their hunting grounds. When a society establishes customs where authority is unconditionally respected, exhibits signs of a police state with draconian punishments, keeps brutally honest records, and protects its ruling castes from the laws they create, it is likely the handiwork of an especially effective undercontroller. Other traits that lead to the same conclusion are when the general population believes in a form of collective thinking that leads to the persecution or purging of minorities, or that their system is not just superior, but also the only viable system. Devils have an infinite lifespan, which allows their plans to take on a scope measured in decades, centuries, or even millenia.

Undercontrollers are often absentee-lords and do not spend a lot of time on the Prime. They split their assigned territory, giving the richest parts to their own subordinates who show particular loyalty. Territory handed over this way can be broken down into even more parts and given to even lower ranking devils, developing a form of feudal system in parallel to whatever society forms in the Prime.

#### Devil Worship

One way for a mortal soul to enter Baator is for the mortal to be a devil worshipper. Worshipping a devil is a secure way to enter Baator on death. Usually, devil worshippers dedicate themselves to a single archdevil or, less frequently, to a greater devil. These cults are a means for devils to further their agenda on the Material Plane. Such cults fall in to categories, the so-called revealed cults and hidden cults.

A revealed cult is not necessarily a cult that acts in the public eye, but one whose members are fully aware that their object of worship is a devi.

A hidden cult is one where only a high-ranking inner circle knows that their object of worship is a devil. Recruited people are molded bit by bit as they rise through the hierarchy. Only once they reach membership in the inner circle themselves is the truth revealed to them. These cults are rusually run by erinyes or falxugons when they are small and by greater devils when grow to sufficient size.

#### Fugue Plane Bargains

The usual destination for a dead person's soul is the Fugue Plane. Due to a deal with Yndol, devils are allowed to talk with souls in the time between their arrival to the Fugue Plane and being picked up by Imir's servants for their journey to the Halls of Contrition. The content of these talks is an offer to change the final destination to Baator. Some souls agree to this because they fear the fate Imir will give them, are sent to Baator, get tortured and wrung out of energy, and start their new life as a lemure. It is also possible for such souls to work out additional goods for themselves. For example, a-not-so-egoistic deal is to secure that the bereaved family of the soul is provided for by the devil, while a more egoistic deal is to secure early promotion from lemure status or promotion right away into some other devil form.

### The Blood War

Infernal society is built with two main activities in mind: gaining souls for energy and fighting the Blood War. On the infernal side, Avernus is the primary battle ground. Fighting the Blood War is a valid and profitable occupation devils can pursue for their careers. Those who fight in the Blood War are exempt from meeting any quota of souls and can still receive promotions by virtue of their military deeds. There is something of a rivalry between soul harvesters and Blood War veterans. The former claim superiority because it is the energy they harvest that allows the latter to fight in the neverending meatgrinder, while the latter claim superiority because the leisure to harvest souls is guaranteed by the veterans. Among unique devils, only Bel and Zariel are continuously engaged in the Blood War, for fighting it is considered necessary, though entirely uninteresting for them to do.

The devils' winning condition regarding defending Baator from the demonic hordes is to keep Avernus from falling into their hands. The reason for this is that the entire plane of Baator has a magical condition that makes it impossible for demons to teleport from one layer to the next. Because of this, demons need to take one layer at a time to win and reconsecrate the entire thing before moving on. Keeping Avernus from them prevents this from happening.

### Hobbies

Devils pick up consuming good food and drink or sexuality as a form of hobby. They cannot get drunk or otherwise alter their minds with substances, though this does not stop them from using them. However, there are a number of magical substances that are used as a substitute for drugs. Gughalaki made in Maladomini from fiendish giant centipedes is drunk as a hallucinogen. Infernal wine made in Phlegethos from fire grapes, ash blossoms, and fire lillies is drunk like wine.

Getting drunk or otherwise taking mind-altering substances is rare and often outright forbidden. The aforementioned substances are usually handed to devils as a form of reward or in the broader context of rituals. The one group of devils that is allowed to take these substances on any regular basis are high-ranking devils. However, this is acknowledged as hypocritical, as they aere the same ones who forbid it to their subordinates.

### Relationships

Being absolutist tyrants, devils tend not to have positive relationships with each other, let alone other species. This is reflected in most aspects of their lives, from politics to social endeavors.

#### Deities

Some deities live on Baator. While fights between infernal forces and that of evil gods happen occassionally, they generally are not on the level of the battles between Baator and the Abyss. The primary reason for this is that both Baator and these deities have an additional enemy in the form of the forces of good. Resolving this conflict is a matter requiring attention after their mutual enemy is defeated. Ultimately, devils consider gods, including lawful evil ones, as beings entirely unworthy of deference. To most devils, Asmodeus is their god, with his chosen Nine acting as his lesser deities. To most devils, gods are targets to be destroyed, just not high enough of a priority to do so immediately. The primary exception to this rule are the Elder Gods, whose absolute command of their domains warrants at least a modicum of respect. However, since the Divine Mandate forbids their entry into any plane but their assigned celestial realm, conflicts between devils and the Elder Ones are rare, and most always executed on the Prime.

#### Demons

Devils fight against the demons in the Blood War. Collectively, devils call the demons tanar'ri, ignoring the fact that the tanar'ri are but one of the demonic races. Relations between the two species are nonexistant, and any encounter between a devil and a demon will always result in combat.

#### Mortals

The devils' overlord Asmodeus understands that the fiends are the only force that keeps the multiverse from being overrun by demons. It is because of this the he despises the beings of the Upper Planes for leaving his people alone in the Blood War. One of the few allies devils manage to get on their side are mortal members of infernal cults. Some mortals even manage to immigrate to Baator, working alongside devils in the soul trade or fighting in the Blood War. A common stipulation in a Faustian Pact is a mortal's service in the Blood War after a certain allotted time has passed.

## Ecology

> "When fighting a devil, remember the Three S's: silver, sorcery, and spare pants."
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> - *Advar's Advice III: Avernus*
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Devils have numerous forms and a plethora of varied organs, but one organ called the ovatorium is shared by all of them. It is a mushy, white organ consisting of many sacs, inside of which are miniature versions of devil forms. On promotion, the corresponding sac's content grows until it bursts through the skin of the old form, marking the completion of the promotion.

### Biology

Most all devils share a similar fundamental biology. All devils possess a form of circulatory system known as a Cordis Exterioris, or Outer Heart. Common among all denizens of the Outer Planes, the Cordis Exterioris is not one organ but rather a simplification of a universal trait among Outer Plane beings: their immunity to poison.

#### Resistances

In devils, their blood burns hot and serves as an insulator, rather than a method of circulation. This renders them immune to conventional poisons, as well as non-magical diseases. Fire also has no effect on them for the simple fact that their blood is effectively fire already. This is their form of the Exterioris Cordis.

Aside from blood, devil skin is known to be as hard as dragon scales, and naturally resistant to harm. Unless a weapon is coated in silver or imbued with magic, conventional arms can do little to affect a devil.

Silver is a known diabolicide, its innate magical properties and curative nature making it exceptionally effective at stripping devils of their innate resistances. In high enough doses, silver can cripple or even kill a devil. As such, purified and enhanced silver dust is a common ingredient in oils, poisons, and weapons intended to combat devils.

#### Senses

All devils can see in darkness. Being able to see while lacking light is normal for outsiders, however devils take this to the extreme. Their vision can also penetrate magical darkness, like that of a Darkness spell. However, their senses have some peculiarities. They sense everything in a destructive and/or despairing light. For example, an otherwise healthy flower will look wilted or lacking in beauty to a devil. Likewise, they can distinguish the differences in smell between a cesspit and good perfume, but will register these differences not as one being more pleasant than the other, but as one being less unpleasant than the other.

### Diet

Devils do not need to eat or drink. This does not mean they cannot. As mentioned above, to devils eating and drinking are either a hobby (where fine food and drink is concerned) or a show of power and domination (when they eat one of their enemies).

### Reproduction

The majority of devils start their life as dead mortals turned into lemures. Reproduction by sexual means is almost impossible for devils because female subraces are not capable of becoming pregnant, with the exceptions being brachinas and erinyes. Male devils can father half-fiends, though this is usually done as part of a wider plot rather than by accident or out of any desire for fatherhood. Other exceptions to this rule of infertility are unique devils. Among them, both male and female devils are fertile, and a child between them will always be a unique devil. However, this rarely happens, for a child as powerful as a unique devil is a dangerous asset if turned on its parents. Infernal society does not create stable relationships of loyalty between parents and children, making the practice ill advised. Some devils appear spontaneously into being from Baator, while others (specifically erinyes) are fallen angels and their scions.

In general, sexuality is enjoyed more like a hobby by devils, especially so among the more powerful members of society.

### Death

A devil that dies on Baator is truly dead. When a devil dies outside of Baator, it vanishes in a flash of hellfire, leaving behind a pile of useless and toxic ashes. On Baator, the killed devil comes back, fully recovered and in the form it was killed in. However, it can take them up to ninety-nine years until they resume their old form. Quite often, especially when the devil in question was of low rank, demotion awaits the slain devil.

Devils have eternal life and youth. A devil that does not look healthy is either under some curse or supernatural disease, or is somehow cut off from a sufficient supply of divine energy.

## History

> "Some question why the Gatekeeper allows such flagrant violations of the Holiest Mandate. The answer is obvious when one considers what exactly these devils fight."
>
>

> - Bishop Mordecai Invedilus, *On the Issue of Devils*
>
>

There are various stories about the origins of devils, all originating from ancient myths and of questionable validity.

### Origin Story - The Pact Primeval

According to one origin story, devils were originally angels that were created to fight for the cause of law against the demonic hordes of the Abyss. The most effective of these warriors was an angel called Asmodeus. After millenia of ceaseless war with little reprieve or aid, Asmodeus revolted, establishing his own corrupted empire of order at the edge of his eternal battleground. Those angels who followed him would eventually become the first devils.

To avoid being stricken from reality for his betrayal, Asmodeus appealed to Yndol, God of Forbiddence. He pledged his eternal service in the maintenance of the Lower Planes' Divine Gate, driving away intruders, interlopers, and demons who would seek to wander the realms and violate the Divine Mandate. In exchange, Yndol would act as their advocate to the other Elder Ones and the lesser pantheons, ensuring Asmodeus' empire would remain unbothered so long as demons remain a threat.

## Subraces

> "Devils obsess over status and decorum. If you introduce yourself, a devil will be compelled to reply with one of its chosen names and a brief list of its titles. It's advised that you use this brief reprieve as a chance to evaluate your situation. If the devil's three titles in and showing no signs of stopping, then you better pick a god and start begging for favors."
>
>

> - *Advar's Advice III: Avernus*
>
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Despite their uniform nature, devils actually vary greatly in terms of appearance, function, and biology. There are many subraces and unique classifications of devil, with each serving its own unique purpose in the greater machine of the Nine Hells.

### Archdevils

Archdevils are powerful, unique devils. They are the rulers of the Baator and its denizens. Archdevils are often considered a form of archfiend.

### Baatezu

The baatezu are the dominant subrace of devils in the Nine Hells. Once evil mortals whose souls, due to diabolical deed or infernal contract, were condemned to Baator, they fill most of the infernal hierarchy.

### Diávolos

The diávolos are a small subrace of devils that fill unqiue roles in the infernal hierarchy. Often solely intended for the temptation and manipulation of mortals, it is rare to encounter one actually in Baator.

### Other Devils

Beyond the archdevils and baatezu, there exist a variety of other fiends that serve other roles in Baator.

* Advespas: intelligent, malevolent insects native to the Nine Hells. They have a thick protective carapace, thin metallic wings, and strong legs ending in swordlike talons.
* Bezekira: also called hellcats, bezekira are massive, stealthy, feline devils that act as monstrous pets or elite scout troops.
* Cazekiri: fire-breathing fiends that take the form of powerful dogs, hell hounds commonly serve evil creatures that use them as guard animals and companions.
* Kytons: cruel tortuerers and sabateurs that delight in causing suffering.
* Fimbralzus: frigid devils that are said to sap the very life from the flesh of the living
* Kalabons: warped remnants of a defeated hag.
* Rakshasa: vile manipulators and collectors of valuable artifacts.
* Mirnveshna: small, weak devils with bat-like wings and a venomous, scorpion-like tail that are typically used as messengers and servants.