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
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