Asmodeus Character in Golarion | World Anvil
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Asmodeus

Hail, Asmodeus! Deliver us from chaos that we may serve you in eternity. Unmake the lies of our bodies and reshape our souls in your design. —Asmodean Monograph

The Prince of Darkness, the First

Asmodeus is the First, the Dark Prince, the lord of darkness and law, and the ruler of the plane of Hell. If Asmodeus’s own scriptures are to believed—and they are corroborated by certain other accounts, like the angel-penned Book of the Damned—he is one of the oldest beings of the multiverse. Fragments of heretical tomes like the Asmodean Monograph, the Book of the Damned, and the Script of Flies claim Asmodeus and his brother Ihys were among those responsible for the creation of the stars, the planets, and the first mortal things. During these unnamed ages, the two gods quarreled over the fate of the souls of their creations, and Asmodeus slew his brother. Confident that Ihys’s act of granting mortals free will was folly, Asmodeus made his own convictions known: that existence is best served by absolute order and discipline, sparking a war between order and chaos. The bravery of the goddess Sarenrae forced him to abandon the battlefield, swearing that one day his opponents would understand the true depth of the conflict—a time when he would return and his inferiors would beg for the order he embodies. While many theologians and immortal agents of the gods deny the legitimacy of this Asmodean account of the multiverse’s prehistory, the supreme age of the topic and blurring between truth and lies make these records difficult to outright dismiss.
Asmodeus is a god of rigid hierarchies, imposing systems where every creature knows its place, the strong rule over lesser beings, and the weak are properly subservient to their superiors. He is an omnipotent tyrant who creates and destroys as he sees fit. What mortals call “evil” is the natural order of the multiverse to his vast and ancient understanding—water flows downhill, fire burns, and the strong dominate the weak.
Despite his fiendish depiction and the widespread knowledge of his disdain for free will, many mortals worship Asmodeus. Setting aside the question of good and evil (he most certainly is evil), Asmodeus is an immensely powerful divine being—perhaps one of the most powerful in existence. He represents strict discipline, as he was a being of order long before the concepts of right and wrong were created. This representation of Asmodeus as a champion of law means that his worship is not limited to cults and hushed whispers. Even though it is heavily frowned upon in most areas of the world, his worship is nevertheless widespread, though in most parts of the world this is limited to power-hungry diabolists, small cults, and harsh militaristic orders. In Cheliax—and by extension, Isger and Nidal—his worship is open and public, and to many those places are synonymous with devil-worship. However, Asmodeus does not seek worship; he merely wants obedience and acknowledgment that his will is both truth and law. He grants his worshippers magic not as a reward for their prayers, but to help bring the rest of the universe into his service. He revels in the art of negotiation and delights in deals that appear fair but that actually give one party a disparate advantage—those of superior intellect should recognize when such methods are used against them, and those who don’t see these traps deserve to have their dullness exploited.
Servitors of Asmodeus include power-hungry priests, diabolists, lawyers, and the decadent nobility of Hell-bound regions like Cheliax. These followers find the inherent structure of Hell a virtue and even seek to emulate it through clever use of the law. Making use of such order allows followers to vie for higher positions of power, usually by taking advantage of complicated bureaucracies. This is a skill that most Asmodeans share, as the church’s holy text, the Asmodean Monograph, is itself a tome with several supplemental volumes and appendices that together require a deep understanding to even navigate, much less exploit. Asmodeans are careful in their pursuit of power, however, as a quick ascension or an overextension can leave one vulnerable to those intent on finding weakness.
Beyond his clerics and priests, Asmodeus has hold over several other types of worshippers. Soldiers and other martially minded individuals might welcome Asmodeus’s gifts and the dogma of force and dominance required to wield them, but regardless of their role, anyone seeking great power or wealth likely finds themself facing the Dark Prince’s temptations. These might take the form of a local Asmodean priest offering such gifts through questionable yet technically legal means. Other times, devils appear to offer literal infernal contracts accepting the signer’s soul in exchange for greater abilities, such as spellcasting or the ability to summon that devil.
Asmodeus himself is handsome, eloquent, tactful, patient, and incredibly brilliant. When crossed he is wrathful, terrifying, and destructive, though these periods are always brief, and he quickly regains his composure. He believes one’s word is a binding contract, with consequences should it be broken. As such, he is always careful with what he says or agrees to. He opposes freedoms if they interfere with the process of governance, and thinks humility is a burden only the weak must bear. He is a domineering and manipulative deity, hell-bent on discovery and conquest. He has little use for qualities such as gentleness, compassion, or nurturing. He considers those who indulge in such as weak, unworthy, cowardly beings. Following his example, his servants espouse selfish, emotionless, and merciless behaviors, viewing romance, tenderness, and sincerity only suitable for their uses in manipulation.
In art Asmodeus is frequently shown as a red-skinned human with black horns, hooves, and a pale aura of flames. As an ancient being, countless interpretations of his appearance have fallen into and out of fashion among his mortal followers, yet always the features of a fearful immortal tyrant prevail. Most believe his devilish form is his true one, though persistent lore speaks of a more fiendish shape with constantly bleeding wounds. Asmodeus can take the form of any creature and uses this ability to intimidate, manipulate, or intrigue those he speaks with. He favors red gemstones and usually appears with a large ruby pendant, mace, or even a breastplate made entirely of a single dazzling gem.
Asmodeus has little interest in direct interaction with mortals, including members of his faith. He assumes mortals are weak but useful dupes and won’t go out of his way to aid most. Occasionally, however, mortals of particular power, mercilessness, and finesse attract his attention. If the desire strikes him, he might manipulate fate to aid such tyrants, so long as doing so ultimately furthers his own ends. He does not hesitate to punish failure or even lethally assure that incompetence is not repeated. For casual infractions, he might taunt a mortal with a brief sensation of burning agony or cause writing to appear to burst into flame or weep blood. He has been known to assign lesser devils to guide potent but troublesome worshippers, letting his infernal servants prod them in useful directions as necessary.

Relations with Other Religions


Asmodeus is willing to deal with any god or entity as long as he believes that being will uphold its end of the bargain, which means he is open to all but Lamashtu and Rovagug. Even wily Calistria has worked with him in the past, though he typically considers the fickle goddess beneath his notice. Despite ethical differences, he has been a patron of Shelyn, an aide to Nethys, a supplier to Gorum, and an advisor to Iomedae, though it is not something his sometime partners care to admit. Though he is evil, he is quite charming and can often persuade reluctant deities to temporarily set aside their differences with him for the purpose of mutually beneficial arrangements. When dealing with potential enemies, he is careful to keep the terms of any agreement clear and obvious lest these parties become too suspicious of treachery, which would damage his perfect bargaining reputation. Multiple cadres of lesser deities serve Asmodeus. The least of these are the infernal dukes, countless tyrants who rule fiefdoms throughout Hell, and the malebranche, burgeoning infernal dukes who seek dominion and power through the conquest of mortal worlds. These deities hold very specific areas of concern and might be worshipped by mortal cults or honored as saintlike patron beings among Asmodeus’s faithful.
Of corresponding rank to infernal dukes but enjoying far greater infamy are the Whore Queens: Doloras, Eiseth, Mahathallah, and Ardad Lili. These four female infernal dukes number among the oldest beings in Hell, with Ardad Lili having supported Asmodeus since his original rebellion against Heaven. Although they hold Asmodeus as their liege, they have a close alliance and often skirt the laws and will of the Prince of Darkness to further their own often unified goals. As such, they often attract Asmodeus’s suspicion and ire, though for mysterious reasons they rarely provoke his direct wrath. Those who serve the Whore Queens typically refer to them as the Queens of Light or Angels of Vengeance and are less likely to form strict hierarchies than most other servants of Hell. Greatest among Asmodeus’s followers are the Archdevils: Baalzebul, Barbatos, Belial, Dispater, Geryon, Mammon, Mephistopheles, and Moloch. Each holds absolute rule over one of the nine layers of Hell, with Asmodeus himself dominating Nessus, the deepest layer. Several have served Asmodeus since the earliest days of the multiverse and number among his most fanatical servitors and devoted allies. The archdevils are held as revered beings, second only to Asmodeus himself within the Prince of Darkness’s church, and all encourage their own cults across the planes.
Asmodeans regard other religions with amusement. They worship young gods who possess a fraction of the power of Hell’s master, deities who will eventually fall in line with Asmodeus’s will. They confidently assert power when dealing with other churches, and as their lord is officially recognized as the patron deity of Cheliax, they can generally be assured that in that country, at least, other faiths must show them respect. They are naturally inclined toward the followers of lawful deities, for they understand the need for order, and their dedication to law means they can at least agree upon rules within which to operate, while the congregants of chaos earn nothing but scorn.

Planar Allies

All manner of devils serve Asmodeus, and he has little use for other fiends who do not submit to his infernal hierarchy. The libraries of many churches keep expansive, mostly accurate records of prominent devils appropriate for summoning, whether they be common devils or the accomplice devils that eagerly aid Asmodeus’s clergy. The other deities who serve Asmodeus have their own diabolical vassals, favored breeds of devils, and unique agents, making it not uncommon for those priests who identify with Hell’s lesser nobles to summon a wide array of infernal minions. The following are just a handful of the fiends most often summoned by the church of Asmodeus.
Arro the Ashensun: This lean, jet-black pit fiend is sullen and disinclined to converse, but is ruthless in battle and a strategic mastermind. He reports directly to the infernal duke Iaozrael, the Untarnished Angel, and bears with him a deadly orb he calls the Ashensun—a foul relic similar to an orb of pure law that also has the ability to quench any flame and spread utter darkness. Those who offer Arro the tongue of a freshly slain archpriest or goodly prince gain a bonus on Charisma checks when dealing with the pit fiend.
Basileus: This corrupted, angel-like creature serves as Asmodeus’s herald. Down through the millennia, dozens of immortal beings have served as heralds of the Prince of Darkness, yet without fail, each herald has eventually garnered Asmodeus’s disfavor, facing a quiet, ignominious, and likely torturous end within Nessus’s depths. Asmodeus holds Basileus as the most perfect of all his current emissaries, for rather than elevating the messenger from among the ranks of his diabolical legions, the lord of Hell personally crafted his servant to meet his every expectation. An infernal automaton of sorts, Hell’s herald is a being zealously devoted to the Prince of Darkness, even beyond the allegiances of devilkind. Although he rarely visits the mortal realm, wherever he treads he takes the form of the greatest terror of the age. This leads to highly varied reports of the herald’s nature, even among Asmodeus’s worshippers, and the confusion and apprehension seem to please both Basileus and his master greatly.
Fristax: This bright red imp has served more than 30 famed diabolists in his time, taking a role in some of the greatest diabolical incursions in history. Quite clever and insightful despite often acting like a fool, Fristax is skilled at suggesting brilliant and terrible machinations that his master takes as his own ideas. Those who offer the imp rewards in the form of kingly accoutrements—crowns, scepters, orbs, and so on—appeal to his egotism and gain a bonus on Charisma checks.

Holy Books & Codes

The Archfiend’s doctrine is recorded in the Asmodean Monograph, though that work is greatly simplified and relies on numerous appendices and supplementary volumes. The common version of the text is a mere 1,000 pages, and covers history, the writing and exploitation of contracts, the nature of power, the purpose of law, the fallacy of evil, propaganda, diplomacy, subtleties of speech, the hierarchy of Hell, and dozens of other topics related to rulership, all within the context of the faith. Its supplemental texts number in the hundreds, each focusing on, interpreting, and expounding on particular topics. To those unfamiliar with the complete library associated with the Asmodean Monograph, a religious discussion between two zealots might appear to be a battle over who can produce the most obscure reference. Because the church idealizes laws and rules, knowing which ones trump others and which ones need to be bent or broken to advance a greater cause is crucial. A worshiper could commit an egregious crime against the church but still be forgiven or even rewarded if he found a way to justify it by brilliantly citing some forgotten bit of scripture and proving the act was beneficial to Asmodeus.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Asmodeus’s symbol is an inverted pentagram, though some cults use a pentacle instead.

Tenets of Faith

True followers of Asmodeus believe in law, order, and knowing their place in the grand scheme; in many cases, they aspire to a higher position and work to prove they are worthy of it. They study their betters to learn necessary skills, watch their equals and jockey for position, and keep an eye on their inferiors for signs of exploitable talent or dangerous ambition. They keep their friends close and enemies crushingly closer, usually acting through the proper channels rather than resorting to base tactics like assassination. Most Asmodeans find it far more effective to eliminate a rival by unearthing evidence (showing your skill in the process) than by a wasteful murder.

Holidays

A truly ancient being, old even among the gods, Asmodeus’s concept of time is boggling to mortals, and he couldn’t care less about marking a specific day of the week, month, or year as more important than any other—they all belong to him, and mortals should bow to him every day. However, the church does recognize a few holidays based on mortal traditions, often set in counterpart to the holy days of opposing good faiths. Thus, 10 Sarenith (countering Sarenrae’s Burning Blades) and 16 Arodus (countering Iomedae’s Armasse) are particularly popular. Most temples also celebrate Leap Day (31 Arodus), seeing it as an extra day to serve their god, giving him additional prayers.
Cheliax has its own set of national holidays somewhat associated with the faith. They celebrate the solstices and equinoxes as the Days of Wrath, holding bloodsport tournaments. 19 Calistril is Loyalty Day, marking the date when House Thrune cemented its hold over Cheliax. 14 Neth is Even-Tongued Day, a remembrance of bringing Andoran, Galt, and Isger under Chelish control (now more a day of mourning for these lost territories). It is likely that if Cheliax grows, these quasi-Asmodean holidays will grow with it.

Relationships

Cayden Cailean

enemy (Important)

Towards Asmodeus

-5

Honest


Asmodeus

enemy (Trivial)

Towards Cayden Cailean

-3

Dishonest


Symbol
Edicts
negotiate contracts to your best advantage, rule tyrannically and torture weaker beings, show subservience to your betters
Anathema
break a contract, free a slave, insult Asmodeus by showing mercy to your enemies
Areas of Concern
contracts, pride, slavery, and tyranny
Divine Classification
Deity (Ancient, Devil)
Religions
Church/Cult
Date of Birth
before time
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Ruled Locations
Centers of Worship
Cheliax, Isger, Nidal
Allies
Abadar
Enemies
Besmara, Cayden Cailean, Grandmother Spider, Iomedae, Irori, Lamashtu, Rovagug, Sarenrae, Shelyn
Relationships
Ihys (deceased brother)
Temples
dark temples near government buildings
Sacred Animal
serpent
Sacred Colors
black and red
Domains
confidence, fire, trickery, tyranny
Alternate Domains
duty, glyph
Divine Ability
any, though characters who commit themselves to Asmodeus this way have their souls bound to the Dark Prince for all eternity
Divine Font
harm
Divine Skill
Deception

Aphorisms

There are countless blessings and exclamations in use by Asmodeus-worshipers, born of superstitions, ancient books of forbidden magic, and references in the Asmodean Monograph. Yet most are merely variants of three themes.
Great is Asmodeus: A simple yet widely used exultation declaring that Asmodeus is the supreme deity and no other is worthy of veneration. It is proclaimed with pride by his followers who know of his inevitable rule, or whispered as a sign of trust from one cultist to another in places where his worship is not accepted. “Hail, Asmodeus!” and “Power and glory to Asmodeus!” are also common.
Lend me your might: Asmodeus’s power is great, but it is not freely given—there is always a price. Such an appellation is never spoken by a worshiper of Asmodeus without the willingness and readiness to offer something of great personal value in return, lest their cry indeed causes a devil to appear in a blast of smoke and brimstone.
What once was his shall be again: As Asmodeus claims to have once held power over all of creation, his faith envisions an hour when all the multiverse will come under his dominion once again. This exclamation serves as a validation among the faithful, a call to arms for infernal warriors, and a threat to all who would oppose his zealots. “The kingdom shall be his” is a common variant.
By his flames!: A passionate cry for help, and a request for divine intervention. The more devout followers of Asmodeus know all too well the danger of this request, for all contracts exact a price, and the cost of Asmodeus’s favor is far higher when the petitioner is in dire need and has no room for negotiation.

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