The Descent

The Descent follows Bel's Angels, a group of adventurers pressed into service by Bel, Duke of Avernus in order to dethrone Zariel, the current ruler of Avernus. It takes place between 1492 and 1493 BR, after the events of Out of the Abyss, The Band of Fortune & the Heist of Dragons, and The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, making it the fourth campaign chronologically.

## Player Characters

* Aluvian Darkstar - An Elven Wizard who was one of the adventurers Bel contracted to dethrone Zariel. She later became a succubus and a "daughter" of Asmodeus.
* Cain Mantlemorn - A Hellrider who was brainwashed by Bel to serve him and escort the party. He later broke free of this brainwashing, and became the chosen of the Sword of Zariel.
* Nanako - A Half-Elf Druid and former eco-terrorist who was contracted to join Bel's Angels by Bifrons. She grew as a person after becoming attached to Kasha.
* Pitu - A Tortle Cleric of Amaunator who once led a life of mercenary work. His journeys in Avernus reunited him with his adoptive mother, Hazel, a member of the Hellriders.
* Robius Tyumi - An old Lizardfolk who once was an artificer due to a deal with Mahadi, but later broke the contract. He eventually acquired the Hand of Vecna and the Eye of Vecna, and became a warlord working for Tiamat.
* Venin Phendrele - An Eladrin Rogue who died during the descent of Elturel, and was forced to join Bel's Angels. She was once employed by a copy of the vampire Jander Sunstar, and reunited with him in Avernus.

## Major NPCs

* Andraste Darkstar - Aluvian's mother, and realms-renowned Bard. She was pulled into Hell alongside Elturel, and joined up with her daughter before their travel into The Abyss to find the Sword of Zariel.
* Aribeth de Tylmerande - A mute woman who was once imprisoned by Mephistopheles, and now seeks to return to Faerûn.
* Asmodeus - The Lord of the Nine Hells, Ruler of all Devils, and God of Indulgence. He appeared in the guise of Varis Darkstar in order to manipulate Aluvian towards a greater goal.
* Bel - The former Lord of Avernus who was deposed when Zariel took power. He formed the group Bel's Angels to unseat her, and set the events of the campaign into motion.
* Bifrons - Bel's highest-ranking soldier, and a former angel of Mount Celestia. They were responsible for several of Bel's Angels' contracts and deaths.
* Hazel - Pitu's adoptive mother, and a former Hellrider. She once went by the name Yael, and was imprisoned by Zariel, who tried to use her to find the location of the Sword of Zariel.
* Jander Sunstar - A vampire and former Hellrider who attempted to stop Elturel's plunge into Avernus before it began. He failed, and was taken prisoner by Haruman.
* Kasha - Mahadi's daughter. She was captured by Arkhan the Cruel and rescued by Bel's Angels, unofficially joining the group afterwards.
* Mahadi - The owner of the Wandering Emporium, and maker of many contracts. He has provided support and shelter for Bel's Angels on multiple occasions, despite Robius's numerous attempts on his life.
* Olanthius - A former Hellrider and one of Zariel's generals. He betrayed her after speaking with Bel's Angels and learning that they planned to set Zariel free.
* Reya Mantlemorn - Cain's sister and a fellow Hellrider. She was pulled into Avernus with Elturel, and joined up with Bel's Angels after they reached the city.
* Seth - A former Hellrider whose spirit was bound to the Sword of Zariel. He guided Cain through visions, and eventually helped him acquire the sword.
* Varis Darkstar - Aluvian's father and the one who sold her soul to the Devils. After his death in Elturel, his spirit was transported to the Pillar of Skulls while his body became puppeted by Asmodeus.
* Zariel - A former angel of Mount Celestia, and the Archdevil of Avernus. She pulled Elturel into Hell due to a contract with Thavius Kreeg, and was the target of Bel's ire.

## Trivia

* *The Descent* started out conceptually as a campaign with a similar concept to *The Suicide Squad*, but was later edited to fit with the *Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus* adventure.
* *The Descent* takes place at the same time chronologically as The Band of Fortune and the Curse of Strahd (both start in Nightal, 1492), although due to the campaign's drastically differing settings, there is very little overlap between the events of both campaigns.
* *The Descent* was the first campaign to have a Beach Episode.