Descent into Avernus

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

ADVENTURE BACKGROUND


On the plane of Mount Celestia, the angel Zariel chas-


tised her peers for not getting involved in the Blood War.


She felt that it was the responsibility of the angelic host


to destroy evil in the multiverse, rather than stand back


and watch demons and devils annihilate one another,


destroying vast swaths of the multiverse in the process.


In defiance of her superiors, Zariel left Mount Celestia


and went to Elturel, where she rallied an army of war-


riors and trained them to fight in the Blood War. She


promised them that when they were ready, she would


lead them into battle on Avernus.


Zariel led her army out of Elturel amid a throng of


cheering well-wishers and proud citizens in 1354 DR.


ln an epic charge known as the Ride, Zariers army en-


tered Avernus and took the fight to the archdevi1 Bel and


his infernal legions. Many of Zariel's warriors fought


bravely, but for others, the horrors of the Nine Hells


proved too great. They fled back through the portal, seal-


ing it behind them and never revealing their shameful


retreat and betrayal. The Hellriders. as they were called.


would wear this badge of shame to the grave.


ZARIEL'S FALL


Zariel lost more rhan her army on Avernus. She also lost


a hand, which was severed in battle. As her sword fell to


the ground, Zariel ordered Yael, her most devoted gen-


eral, to take the weapon and hide it, so that the devils


would not destroy or corrupt it. Yael took the sword and


fled, along with Zariel's faithful hollyphant companion,


Lulu. Zariel's other two generals, Olanthius and Haru-


man, refused to leave Zariel's side. All three were cap-


tured and sent to Nessus, the lowest of the Nine Hells.


There, Zariel was brought before Asmodeus, who wel-


comed her with open arms. The Lord of the Nine com-


mended Zariel for her battle prowess and the strength


of her convictions. He offered her rulership of Avernus,


much to Bel's chagrin. By swearing fealty to Asmodeus


and the Nine Hells, Zariel could bring her rage to bear


against the demons and continue to fight in the Blood


War, with legions of devils under her command. Zariel


accepted Asmodeus's terms, completing her fall from


grace. Harurnan followed his master into damnation


willingly and was transformed into a narzugon devil,


while Olanthius, who took his own life rather than bow


before Asmodeus, was brought back to serve as a death


knight under Zariel's burning gaze.


THE COMPANION


Zariel never forgot her betrayers-those who ran from


the battlefield. She kept a close eye on Elturel, waiting


for the day when she could enact her revenge. Thar day


came in 1444 DR, when Elturel was conquered by a


vampire lord. A priest of Torm named Thavius Kreeg


appealed to any power to help him save bis holy city. In


that instant, Zariel emerged from a pillar of fire and of-


fered him a deal, which Thavius readily accepted.


In the sky over Elturel, a radiant sphere called the


Companion appeared, blazing like a second sun. Pow-


ered by a planetar imprisoned within it, the Companion


bathed Elturel and the surrounding countryside in holy


ABOUT THE ADVENTURE
7
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