Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)
The first edition Monster Manual arrived in 1977 with a simple list of creatures. Gary Gygax introduced the barbed devil, the bone devil, and the horned devil to players that year. Don Turnbull reviewed the book in White Dwarf magazine during August and September of 1978. He noted that these devils were strong and compared favorably to existing demons. The original text included the imp as a frequent servant alongside the greater devils like the pit fiend. Dragon #28 published an article called "The Politics of Hell" in August 1979 featuring Astaroth, Belial, and Satan. This early content did not connect to the established canon of the Nine Hells yet.
A series of articles appeared in Dragon magazine throughout 1983 to expand the lore significantly. Gary Gygax wrote "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom" for issue #75 in July. Ed Greenwood contributed two parts titled "The Nine Hells Part I" and "Part II" to issues #75 and #76 respectively. These articles introduced dozens of new lesser devils including the black abishai, blue abishai, green abishai, red abishai, and white abishai. They also added dukes like Amon, Bael, Bitru, Hutijin, and Titivilus. The Monster Manual II released in 1983 contained the nupperibo and the spinagon among other creatures. The Fiend Folio from 1981 had already introduced the Styx devil before these expansions.
The second edition brought a name change that persisted until the third edition rollout. TSR dropped the words devil and demon from all descriptors due to protests from religious groups. James M. Ward documented this shift in Dragon #154 under the title "The Games Wizards: Angry Mothers From Heck (And what we do about them)." The company substituted baatezu and tanar'ri instead. This naming convention lasted through the Planescape campaign setting which utilized devils exclusively as baatezu under second edition rules. The Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix appeared in 1991 listing the barbazu, cornugon, erinyes, gelugon, hamatula, lemure, nupperibo, osyluth, pit fiend, and spinagon. The Monstrous Manual followed in 1993 with similar entries.
Third edition restored the original terms while retaining baatezu as a specific subset of powerful devils. The Monster Manual for this edition arrived in 2000 featuring the barbazu, cornugon, erinyes, gelugon, hamatula, hellcat, imp, kyton, lemure, osyluth, and pit fiend. Monsters of Faerûn published in 2001 listed the five colored abishai for that specific setting. The Fiend Folio released in 2003 included the advespa, amnizu, malebranche, paeliryon, and xerfilstyx. Savage Species from 2003 presented the hamatula, imp, and kyton both as races and playable classes. Dragon #306 in April 2003 introduced the hellforged devils including the coal devil, glass devil, lead devil, obsidian devil, sand devil, and spiked devil.
Religious groups viewed the game as an entryway into Satanic worship during the late 1980s. A televangelist described the Deities and Demigods sourcebook as exactly like witchcraft. Pat Pulling and Kathy Cawthon cited Asmodeus's appearance in Dungeons & Dragons as evidence for Satanism in their 1989 book The Devil's Web. They argued that Judeo-Christian devils were standard repertoire monsters within the game. Fabian Perlini-Pfister considered demons like Asmodeus among the standard repertoire of monsters.
TSR responded to these concerns by dropping the words devil and demon from all descriptors. James M. Ward wrote about this decision in Dragon #154 under the title "The Games Wizards: Angry Mothers From Heck (And what we do about them)." The company substituted baatezu and tanar'ri instead. This change persisted until the rollout of the third edition when the original terms were reinstated. Since then the term baatezu has been retained as a specific subset of powerful devils. The inclusion of Asmodeus and other Judeo-Christian devils was discussed in Pegasus magazine as well.
The moral panic forced TSR to rename devils as baatezu during the late 1980s. This renaming effort continued through the Planescape line of products where devils appeared exclusively as baatezu. The Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix listed creatures like the barbazu, cornugon, erinyes, gelugon, hamatula, lemure, nupperibo, osyluth, pit fiend, and spinagon under this new terminology. The name change remained in effect for over a decade before the third edition restored the traditional names.
Zariel currently rules Avernus which is the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator. She was previously deposed by her chief warlord Bel thousands of years ago. Zariel reclaimed her position after Bel proved inadequate in managing the Blood War. Originally she was an angel of Celestia charged with watching the Blood War. Instead of just observing she marshaled forces and charged into Hell. Zariel succumbed to the corrupting nature of the plane and fell from grace. Asmodeus then put her in charge of Avernus.
Archdevils known as Lords of the Nine govern different regions within Baator. They follow a strict hierarchical structure progressing through various forms as they rise in rank. The hierarchy includes lesser devils like the barbed devil and bone devil alongside greater devils such as the horned devil and ice devil. The pit fiend serves as Lord of Devils with great strength and deadly power. Osyluths act as informers and police of the Nine Hells while Paeliryon function as disgusting spymasters with deforming fingernails.
Adramalech serves as Chancellor of Hell and Keeper of Records according to Dragon #76. Alastor the Grim acts as Executioner while Baalberith functions as Major domo. Bensozia was Consort of Asmodeus and Queen of Hell before her death. Glasya is Daughter of Asmodeus and Bensozia now serving as Lord of the Sixth. Martinet operates as Constable and Phongor serves as Inquisitor of Hell. Rimmon commands five companies of gelugons while Zagum leads thirty companies of hamatula. The Spark Hunters form Lord Asmodeus's personal guard of thirteen hamatula rangers who capture or slay mortals.
The Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells suggests that Asmodeus began as a servant of lawful gods. He was described in some versions as an angel though this contradicts the time period during which this would have occurred. He was the bravest toughest fiercest and most beautiful of angels. His fellow angels were created to fight demons of the Abyss so that gods could concern themselves with creating worlds and sentient beings. After eons of fighting creatures from the abyss they grew similar in appearance and methods to the demons they fought.
The gods put Asmodeus on trial and demanded he be cast out of Upper Planes. However he argued effectively and correctly that he and his fellows had not violated law. Asmodeus and his followers successfully sued for access to Upper Planes and honors to which they were entitled. When gods created worlds and sentient beings demons attacked these too. Gods created mountains oceans and wastelands to seal gates to Abyss but their creations defied orders and explored worlds accidentally unsealing gates.
Asmodeus explained that system did not work because it relied solely upon voluntary compliance. He invented concept of punishment to ensure obedience. The Pact Primeval allowed Asmodeus and devils to take residence in abandoned realm Baator. They punished souls wicked mortals and extracted magical energy from souls under care to fuel powers. Otherwise gods would need grant powers of godhood to do job which current gods surely find unacceptable. Asmodeus offered alternative giving him power create own plane existence from torture souls breaking heavenly law. Gods agreed and Asmodeus and devils left creating Nine Layers of Hell.
Devils participate in Blood War a centuries-long conflict against demons. This war defines their existence within the D&D universe. Orthon serve as foot soldiers of Hell's armies specializing in killing demons. The Pit Fiend oversees Blood War against chaotic demons and demon prince leaders. Zariel reclaimed her position after Bel proved inadequate managing this long-running struggle. The conflict involves numerous creatures including lemures acting as cannon fodder in Blood War.
The Planescape campaign setting utilized devils extensively during second edition rules. Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix detailed creatures like barbazu cornugon erinyes gelugon hamatula lemure nupperibo osyluth pit fiend spinagon for that setting. The kocrachon lesser baatezu and kyton appeared in Planes of Law boxed set released 1995. Monstrous Compendium Annual Three featured kyton again in 1996. These entries show how deeply integrated these conflicts were into game mechanics and lore.
Asmodeus has special hatred for Levistus while overseeing Blood War against chaotic demons. The war continues to shape political landscape of Nine Hells into current form. Reckoning received fullest treatment in sourcebook A Guide to Hell published 1999. This civil war shaped political landscape allowing Asmodeus to maintain control over Baator. The conflict remains central to devilish identity across all editions.
Similar characters have appeared in products by publishers other than TSR or Wizards of the Coast. The character is Wizards intellectual property but name and associated demonic characteristics may be used without infringing copyright since original mythical being exists in public domain. Asmodeus became official part of Judge's Guild City State of Invincible Overlord setting with publication of Azurerain Pirates in 1981. Green Ronin's Book of Fiends series mentions Asmodeus under OGL license. Another OGL product was Asmodeus Den of Deception part of Devilish Dens series from Fast Forward Entertainment.
Asmodeus features prominently in Pathfinder Roleplaying Game setting which uses similar concepts. His appearance in Dungeons & Dragons was cited as evidence for Satanism by Pat Pulling and Kathy Cawthon in their 1989 book The Devil's Web. Setting-specific versions appear in Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide and Eberron Campaign Guide. Realms Asmodeus differs from core character having only become full god after Spellplague while core version has been god for millennia. Much information presented as retcon to justify changes from previous edition settings.
Eberron Asmodeus remains consistent with generic presentation as undisputed master Nine Hells though his deity status less clear since deities much more aloof there. Sword Coast Adventurers Guide shows Realms Asmodeus retains same recent history as fourth edition version. He consumed divine spark Azuth achieving godhood during Spellplague. Before Spellplague he was Lord Nine Hells powerful immortal being becoming god only after event. This means his power level shifted significantly across different campaign settings.
Common questions
When did Gary Gygax introduce the barbed devil bone devil and horned devil to players?
Gary Gygax introduced the barbed devil the bone devil and the horned devil to players in 1977. These creatures appeared in the first edition Monster Manual which arrived that same year.
Why did TSR drop the words devil and demon from all descriptors during the late 1980s?
TSR dropped the words devil and demon from all descriptors due to protests from religious groups who viewed the game as an entryway into Satanic worship. James M. Ward documented this shift in Dragon #154 under the title The Games Wizards: Angry Mothers From Heck (And what we do about them). The company substituted baatezu and tanarri instead.
Who currently rules Avernus which is the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator?
Zariel currently rules Avernus which is the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator. She was previously deposed by her chief warlord Bel thousands of years ago before reclaiming her position after Bel proved inadequate in managing the Blood War.
What creatures were listed in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix that appeared in 1991?
The Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix appeared in 1991 listing the barbazu cornugon erinyes gelugon hamatula lemure nupperibo osyluth pit fiend and spinagon. This volume detailed creatures for the Planescape campaign setting which utilized devils exclusively as baatezu under second edition rules.
How did Asmodeus become a devil according to Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells?
Asmodeus began as a servant of lawful gods who was described in some versions as an angel. He and his fellow angels grew similar in appearance and methods to the demons they fought so the gods put him on trial and demanded he be cast out of Upper Planes. The Pact Primeval allowed Asmodeus and devils to take residence in abandoned realm Baator where they punished souls wicked mortals and extracted magical energy from souls under care to fuel powers.