Asmodeus

**Asmodeus** (pronounced as-MO-day-us) is the most powerful of the nine archdevils that inhabit Hell, and the only one of Hell's rulers to claim full divinity.
 It was he who is credited with the penning the contract of creation,
within which his followers believe is hidden the means for their
patron's eventual rise to supremacy.

## Dogma

Asmodeus believes that the strong should rightfully govern the weak,
who in turn owe their masters unwavering obedience. He loves
negotiations and contracts, especially those that give one of the
parties a distinct, hidden advantage over the other. He expects and
appreciates flattery, but its never fooled by it, seeing it as a
negotiation tactic, as well as a duty those in inferior positions owe
their betters.

## Realm

Asmodeus is the undisputed ruler of Hell, where he resides in the deepest circle, the volcanic desolation of Nessus.

## Appearance

Asmodeus is generally depicted in art as a large, flame-enshrouded man
with red skin, cloven hooves, and horns, surrounded by a pale flame
nimbus. He is often shows wielding a contract or a flaming mace. Though many
believe that this is his true form, some speak of a more fiendish form
with constantly bleeding wounds. Asmodeus is also capable of taking the
shape of any creature, an ability he uses to gain an advantage in
negotiations through intimidation, comfort, or pity. He is also
represented by his unholy symbol, an upside-down, red pentagram, called the **Archstar.**

## Providence

The Prince of Law generally does not lower himself to directly
interact with mortals, not even his own faithful. A particular powerful
person will occasionally grab his attention and receive Asmodeus'
support, as long as the mortal's actions coincide with the god's own
interests. Failure or incompetence is punished quite severely, generally
 via burning pain, or writing that appears in blood or fire. Asmodeus
often assigns his own infernal servants to assist these mortals, so that
 they might prod them in useful directions.

## Servants

The Prince of Darkness has many servants who rise and fall in popularity according to his whims. His divine servitor race are the hesperians, or accomplice devils, who travel to the Material Plane to help bring important mortals into Hell's grasp. In Hell (and sometimes) beyond, Asmodeus is served by a number of races that share his philosophy, including cerberi, shapechangers of all kinds, and of course, devils.

## Church of Asmodeus

Asmodeus' faith is strongest in Infernal Infernos and Demopolis.

### Worshipers

The Prince of Hell preaches strict discipline and unwavering devotion
from his worshipers; the strong should rule the weak. The Prince of
Darkness expects flattery from his followers, appreciating it for what
it is, and delights in deals and contracts that secretly favor one party
 over another. Followers of the Prince of Darkness often include nobles and
bureaucrats, especially those participating in the slave trade and in
those nations where his worship is openly accepted.

Knights
 of Asmodeus wear the typical black and red associated with the Dark
Prince, often wielding a spiked mace. They seek out order to gain power.
 Some call themselves paladins to give their behavior a gloss of righteousness.

#### Non-human worship

Beyond humans and other "civilized" races, Asmodeus is commonly worshiped by kobolds.
 His dogma of subjugation of the weak through trickery appeals to
kobolds, who live in a society with a strict hierarchy and use deception
 to make up for their physical weakness. Asmodeus is also a god of fire,
 which kobolds use extensively in mining and metalworking. Kobold
priests of Asmodeus appeal to their kindred's insecurity and lust for
power, making them easily manipulated pawns.

### Clergy

Asmodeus' priests usually dress in clean and orderly red-accented
black dress, and often wear horned masks or helmets for ceremonies.
Clothing worn is usually expensive, and clearly so, as the faith
preaches that wealth attracts wealth. In countries not under Cheliax's yoke, priests are expected to abide by
 local laws and take sacrifices only from willing victims. It is also common for individual priests to offer the sacrifice of a small animal before preparing spells.[*citation needed*] Clerics of Asmodeus may prepare *lesser geas* and a variant of *geas*, and the Prince of Darkness grants access to *infernal healing* and *greater infernal healing*.

### Unholy texts

*The Asmodean Disciplines*
Asmodeus' doctrines and the practices of his faithful can be found
within this document. It is accompanied by various additions and

supplemental documents.

*The Asmodean Monograph*
This text records a simplified version of the doctrine of the
Prince of Darkness, although it relies on many supplemental volumes and
appendices.

### Favored animals

Gods are often associated with certain animals,
 either because they possess a quality that the god favors, or because
the god's faithful feel a special kinship to it. Asmodeus's favored
animals include snakes, lions, goats, and roosters.