|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The frigid eighth plane of the hells is
ruled by Mephistopheles, the
mighty
Lord of No Mercy or Cold Lord.
This scheming arch-devil rules the frozen
wastes of Caina with the help of his consort
Baalphegor and his staff: Barbas,
chamberlain of Mephistar (Mephistopheles
? iron citadel) and guardian of
Mephistopheles? wealth and treasures;
Adonides, steward of Caina, who oversees
the administration and defense of the
realm; and Bele, justiciar, who sits in
judgement of all disputes within Caina.
Mephistopheles is cunning enough to
allow the appearance of justice ? and
thus win the ease and resulting loyalty of
his vassals, as well as reassurance for
other devils elsewhere in the Nine Hells
who might consider supporting him in a
bid to overthrow Asmodeus, showing
them that an independent judiciary
would be installed under the rule of
Mephistopheles, were he to become Overlord
of Hell.
Malebranche and spined devils staff the
iron citadel of Mephistar, which perches
high in the icy mountains at the heart of
the plane. Much of Caina is a land of icecovered
boulders and mountains, ruins of
stone (for it took the devils long to learn
that nothing on the glaciers could withstand
the inexorable ice), and sprawling
glaciers. Bifrons, one of the dukes of
Caina, rules from a cold blue palace
carved out of the slow-moving ice of a rift
in the center of the great glacier Nargus.
This glacier is staffed by the ice devils
who populate the plane, and by spined
devils, who perform the most menial
tasks.
Mephistopheles is one of the most careful
and suspicious of the arch-devils, and
the halls and chambers of Mephistar are
patrolled and inhabited by devils in
accordance with a strict schedule of activities.
Only Bele, Barbas, and Adonides are
free of this iron regimentation, and
Mephistopheles wants to know where
they are and what they are doing at all
times. All three devils delight in deceiving
their lord as to precisely where they
are and what they are doing, but such
deceptions are always small things, for
they dare go no further in light of the
possible punishments.
A visitor will find Caina numbingly
cold ? without heat, most warm-blooded
creatures can only survive for a few hours
before suffering chills, later frostbite, and
then death. Certainly any such creature
that goes to sleep, falls unconscious, or is
rendered immobile in the open without
heat will die shortly. Ice devils will be
immediately attracted to any fire (note
that the raw materials for such a blaze
will have to be brought by the visitor,
since no combustibles are to be found),
and will attack without hesitation. If far
from Nargus, an ice devil is not likely to
inform Mephistopheles or his staff of the
existence of intruders unless there is a
chance that other devils have seen them
too, and are likely to report them. If a
party should escape a lone ice devil, the
latter will not warn others of their presence,
but will itself remain alert for signs
of them.
Were it not for the cold and the lack of
food (some tales speak of remorhaz or
?glacier worms? in Caina, but if any exist
they must be very rare), Caina would offer
intruders many inviting places of concealment
? there are many hidden valleys
in the mountains, and countless icecaves.
Corpses, it should be noted, will
freeze and be preserved perfectly, so killers
of all sorts are advised to seek deep crevasses
or snowbanks to conceal such
remains.
The dukes of Caina are Hutijin, who
commands two mighty legions of pit
fiends, the nobles of Caina (including
Silcharde, Bechard, Guland, Sphandor,
and Buldumech); Bifrons, who commands
26 companies of ice devils in Nargus;
and Nexroth, who leads 16 companies
of malebranche. The pit fiends and
malebranche dwell in the rocky spires
and pits of the outermost fringes of
Caina. These are hot regions crisscrossed
by colder, steaming, slimy waters which
at length give way to marches of icy ooze
which rise at length into the frozen
mountains of the plane?s interior.
The strength and ambition of the pit
fiends (particularly those named above)
are a weakness in Mephistopheles? control
over his own plane ? a weakness
encouraged and delighted in by his foes
? particularly Baalzebul, who has spies
among the malebranche, and seeks to foster
unrest. Only a few of the pit fiends
remain strictly loyal to Mephistopheles
(without Hutijin, the Cold Lord would
soon face open revolt and could not hold
the plane). Most seek to gain the most
power they can in any change of rulership,
and favor dissent and change
among the arch-devils as the only way to
better their own lot. None have openly
defied Mephistopheles yet, but a time will
come . . . unless, of course, Mephistopheles
defeats Asmodeus, whereupon
their loyalty will be loudly conspicuous.
Mephistopheles is openly distrustful of
Nexroth, who is totally selfish and loyal
only to himself; he will do whatever
seems best for his own advancement.
Nexroth retains his command only
because he seems the most reliable of the
pit fiends, and Mephistopheles dares not
allow open conflict within Caina for fear
that another arch-devil would take advantage
of the situation. If not for this, the
Cold Lord would cheerfully shift the
command whenever it suited him, playing
the pit fiends off against one another
indefinitely.
| Baalphegor (Princess of Hell) | Bele (Duke of Hell) | Adonides (Duke of Hell) | Barbas (Duke of Hell) | Bifrons (Duke of Hell) |
| Caina | - | - | - | Hell |
FREQUENCY: Unique (Very rare)
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: ?2
MOVE: 19?/29?
HIT DICE: 82 hit points
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: R, X, Z
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 80%
INTELLIGENCE: Supra-genius
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: M (5½? tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 229
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Baalphegor is consort to Mephistopheles,
and a most highly regarded shedevil.
Personally attractive (and a practiced
diplomat), she is charming in
manner and artful in thought; she has
invented many of the strategies and devices
used in the hells. Asmodeus regards her
as one of his most valuable assets, and
tolerates the machinations of Mephistopheles
largely because of her. Baalphegor
?s own desires are seldom revealed; she
appears loyal to the hells and devoted to
Mephistopheles, and manages to avoid
making a distinction between the two.
Baalphegor can use the following spelllike
powers, one at a time and once per
round: pyrotechnics, produce flame, animate
dead, dispel magic, charm person,
suggestion, detect invisibility, enchant an
item, permanency, teleport, and (fulfill
another?s limited) wish. Once per day
Baalphegor can employ a finger of death,
once per day unleash chain lightning,
and once per day heal herself. She causes
fear (2? range) by pointing at the desired
creature (save vs. spell at ?2 to avoid). She
can summon 1-2 ice devils with a
75% chance
of success. Baalphegor regenerates 1 point
of damage every 4 rounds.
Description: Baalphegor is a musical voiced,
beautiful female, apparently
human, save for her ruby-red eyes, forked
tail, and slim, delicate leathery wings.
Her feet are human in appearance, and
she is sleek and curvaceous, with
cinnamon-brown skin. She appears
young and carefree, but when angered her
light voice can crack like a whip, and her
eyes flash fire.
FREQUENCY: Unique (Very rare)
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: ?3
MOVE: 14?/20?
HIT DICE: 112 hit points
% IN LAIR: 95%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type +8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 70%
INTELLIGENCE: Genius
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: M (6? tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 232
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Bele serves Mephistopheles
as justiciar
of Caina, spending most of his time in
the fortress of Mephistar, dispensing
impartial justice within the Cold Lord?s
realm. Some in Caina (among the pit
fiends) openly doubt if Bele?s justice is
impartial ? but it is true that Mephistopheles
does not intervene on a case-bycase
basis to overrule or influence his
judgements. Mephistopheles and Bele do
agree upon (and periodically discuss) the
basic principles and some specific details
of what precisely ?justice,? in Caina, is
and should be. As a result, Bele?s judgments
are opposed to any rebellious or
disorderly actions, although they occasionally
stand against Mephistopheles?
orders. Perhaps the most important fact
in the matter is that Bele would not have
his present office without the permission
of Mephistopheles; if Bele?s judgments
ever run too much against his master?s
will, that office will end. Bele has no real
treasure, on Mephistopheles? orders.
Bele can use the following spell-like
powers at will, one at a time and once per
round: pyrotechnics, produce flame, ice
storm, ESP, detect lie, know alignment,
tongues, read magic, read languages, hold
person, hold monster, fools gold, legend
lore, teleport, and (fulfill another?s
limited) wish. Twice per day he can cause
a flame strike, and once per day he can
banish (as in the spell banishment) a
creature (or creatures) of up to 16 levels or
hit dice to its own plane. Bele causes fear
by voice tone in a 6? radius (save vs. spell
at ?3 to avoid). He can summon 1-3 ice
devils (60% chance of success), or 1-2 pit
fiends (30%). Bele regenerates 1 hit point
per round.
Description: Bele appears as a tall,
handsome, hollow-eyed man with ivory
skin, a curling beard and pencil-thin
mustache, a low, nasal voice, tiny horns,
and long black robes. Beneath the robes
are concealed a short forked tail, a
crimson-skinned lower torso, and a belt
bearing Bele?s black rod of office (equivalent
to a rod of smiting) and a dagger of
venom. When Bele disrobes, his leathery
wings can spread to a surprisingly large
(20?) wingspan.
FREQUENCY: Unique (Very rare)
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: ?2
MOVE: 16?/28?
HIT DICE: 121 hit points
% IN LAIR: 55%
TREASURE TYPE: R, X, Z
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type +7
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 70%
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: L (8? tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 228
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Adonides serves Mephistopheles
as the
steward of Caina, responsible for the
security and internal stability of the
realm. His experiences thus far have
made him mistrust all pit fiends (even
watching the dukes Nexroth and Hutijin
with a wary eye), and to suspect every ice
devil and malebranche of being a spy for
Baalzebul. Adonides is naturally cruel
and high-handed, and ? since Barbas is
chamberlain of Mephistar, and the steward
has no authority there ? the steward
of Caina spends much of his time roaming
the plane with a guard of 16 ice devils,
searching for and punishing intruders
and those who misbehave or act to betray
Mephistopheles. In battle Adonides bears
a twisted, spiked +1 staff (1-8 +1 damage,
+7 if Adonides wields it) with which he
can strike twice (against 2 different
targets, if he so wishes) in a round.
Adonides can use the following spelllike
powers, one at a time and once per
round: pyrotechnics, produce flame, ice
storm, wall of ice, cone of cold (1d4 + 16
damage), lightning bolt (4d6), detect lie,
know alignment, dispel magic, teleport,
and (fulfill another?s limited) wish. Once
per day Adonides can heal himself (or
another, by touch), and once per day he
can use a symbol of stunning. He causes
fear by pointing at the desired creature
(one target per round; save vs. spell at ?1
to avoid), and can summon 1-6 ice devils
(70% chance of success) when desired. He
regenerates 2 hit points per round.
Description: Adonides appears as a
young, long-haired, darkly handsome
man of giant stature. He has unusual
glittering black eyes and a fanged grin.
The hair hides two small horns; Adonides
wears robes to hide his short forked tail
and scarlet torso.
FREQUENCY: Unique (Very rare)
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: ?3
MOVE: 16?
HIT DICE: 110 hit points
% IN LAIR: 95%
TREASURE TYPE: R, X, Z
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type +7
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 65%
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: L (10? tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 224
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Barbas serves Mephistopheles
as chamberlain,
running the citadel of Mephistar
and seeing to the security of Mephistopheles
? treasure. Proud and arrogant,
Barbas is as openly cruel as any devil in
Caina is allowed to be under the rule of
Mephistopheles. Totally unscrupulous
and dishonest, Barbas is kept in check ?
and the treasure in his care where it is
supposed to be ? by the combined scrutiny
of Bele, Adonides, and Mephistopheles
himself. He retains his position by
the brilliant deceptions he practices in the
name of security, catching or misdirecting
the spies of other arch-devils and
deflecting the greed of those native to
Caina. Barbas is lazy and gross-bodied,
but snake-quick in battle, and attacks
twice per round with his staff of striking.
He also bears a goad, which is an iron
rod topped with a hook at one end. It was
fashioned by a chaotic good smith, and
does 4-24 damage to devils and other LE
creatures, but only 2-8 damage to others
(of S or M size; only 1-6 vs. L). Barbas
also bears a dagger of venom (perhaps
more than one) hidden about his person.
Barbas can employ the following spelllike
powers, one at a time and once per
round: pyrotechnics, produce flame, wall
of ice, lightning bolt (2d6), detect lie,
ESP, tongues, hold person, shield, teleport,
and (fulfill another?s limited) wish.
Once per day Barbas can use a symbol of
insanity, and once per day he can slay living
(by touch; saving throw at +1). Barbas
causes fear by eye contact (at will, one victim
per round, 4? effective range). He can
summon 1-3 ice devils (60% chance of
success), or 2-8 spined devils (70%). He
regenerates 1 hit point per round.
Description: Barbas appears as a giant,
bearded man with large lips and an
enormous belly. He wears voluminous
robes, which conceal his forked tail,
hooves, and crimson skin covered with
thick, oily black hair.
FREQUENCY: Unique (Very rare)
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: ?3
MOVE: 18?
HIT DICE: 141 hit points
% IN LAIR: 65%
TREASURE TYPE: R, Q(x6), Z
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: See below
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 65%
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil
SIZE: L (12? tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 228
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Bifrons is a mighty duke, leading 26
companies of ice devils into battle
at the
behest of Mephistopheles. The Cold
Duke rules the glaciers of Caina?s interior
from his ice palace in Nargus, and
appears both vigilant and loyal to
Mephisto. Bifrons is a clear-headed,
rather dispassionate philosopher. He
enjoys arguments and contests of reason
and logic, but does not let these distract
him from more pragmatic concerns. (Bear
in mind that Bifrons is exceptionally
intelligent and lawful evil, and will
approach and leave all such arguments
convinced that a social order wherein the
stronger rule the weaker is the only practical
way to exist, and that good promotes
incompetence and mediocrity.)
Bifrons collects gems, enjoys skillful ice
sculpture (although doing none himself),
has a natural knack for navigating
(knowing where he is, even on the Prime
Material Plane, and intuitively knowing
accurate compass directions), and, has the
awesome strength of a cloud giant. He
bears an envenomed scimitar (with effects
as for the weapon of an erinyes) and a
flail (each doing +7 damage in Bifron?s
hands), but usually fights barehanded,
each fist striking for 4-24 damage. He is
immune to cold damage of all types
(including magic and dragon breath).
Bifrons can employ the following spelllike
powers at will, one at a time and
once per round: pyrotechnics, produce
flame, dispel magic, ice storm, cone of
cold (6d4 +6 damage), detect magic, detect
invisibility, teleport, and (fulfill another?s
limited) wish. Once per day he can
unleash chain lightning (7d6 damage),
and once per day use a symbol of stunning.
He causes fear (6? range) by eye
contact (save vs. spell at ?2 to avoid). He
can summon 1-6 ice devils with a 70%
chance of success. (If Bifrons is encountered
in Nargus itself, 9-12 ice devils will
be in attendance about him.) Optionally,
he can summon 1-8 spined devils (60%
chance of success). Bifrons regenerates 2
hit points per round.
Description: Bifrons appears as a wingless,
gray-skinned and heavily muscled
devil with stubby horns on his brow, a
humanoid torso, and a snake-like lower
body (from the hip down, with no legs).
He has totally white, slanted eyes, large
nostrils and mouth, and a deep, rumbling
voice.
Molikroth