Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

LORDS OF THE NIN

E

From his throne at the bottom of the Nine Hells,
As-

modeus commands a sprawling bureaucracy tied to a

massive war apparatus dedicated to turning back the

demons that invade the uppermost realm
of Avernus,

and to taking the fight to the other
planes, including the

Abyss, whenever the opportunity
arises.

Asmodeus and the other archdevils rule over the nine

layers that comprise the Hells. T he devil lords make

up a hierarchy that is both rigid and fragile. Although

Asmodeus is
more powerful than any other lord, he has

to be constantly
wary of treachery within his ranks. It

could be said that the true ruler of the Nine Hells is the

immense body of rules and regulations that dictate how

all devils, even Asmodeus, must conduct themselves.

LAYERS AND RULERS OF THE NINE HELLS

Layer Layer Name Ruler

l

Avernus Zari el

2 Dis Dispater

3 Minauros Mammon

4 Phlegethos Belial and Fierna

5 Stygia Levistus

6 Malbolge Glas ya

7 Maladomini Baalzebul

8 Cania

Mephistopheles

9 Nessus

Asmodeus

ASMODEUS

I LITERALLY SIT BENEATH EIGHT TIERS OF SCHEMING,

ambitious entities that represent primal law suffused with

evil. The path from this

realm leads to an infinite pit of

chaos and evil. Now, tell me again how you andyour ilk are

the victims in this eternal struggle.

• Asmodeus addresses the celestial jury,

from The Trial of Asmodeus

Asmodcus

is an unmatched strategist and orator. The

most

epic of all his achievements is chronicled in The

Trial of Asmodeus, a play based on purportedly true

events as researched by the aasimar bard Anodius.

In ancie nt times, as the Blood War raged, the angels

of law and good that dwell on Mount Celestia issued a

decree accusing Asmodeus of terrible crimes. Outraged

by such claims, the Lord of the Nine Hells petitioned

for the right to answer the charges before his accus-

ers. The angels, although shocked at his impudence,

accepted his petition and agreed

to hear the bargain he

proposed. Both sides, he

suggested, would present their

case to Primus, leader

of the modrons. As a creature of

absolute law, Primus could be trusted to issue a fair and

impartial verdict. Asmodeus drafted a contract to seal

the deal, and the angels-after carefully scrutinizing the

term

s-agreed to the trial.

CHAPTER l I THE BLOOD

WAR