Asmodeus

Asmodeus was a powerful Exarch of a Gods whose name is not now remembered by mortal kind. As commander of his god’s Angelic host, Asmodeus wielded considerable power and was considered a hero of the Dawn War. During the confusion of the War’s mid-period, he slew his god and absorbed the divine spark of godhood, becoming a god himself. Horrified by this act of deicide, the other Gods sealed Asmodeus and his followers within the Mourned God’s realm in the @Astral Sea. Now rechristened Hell, this realm became Asmodeus’ realm and his prison. He and his followers became Devils, twisted reflections of what they had once been.

Some theorize that Asmodeus was corrupted by the seed of evil that Tharizdun planted in the Elemental Chaos. This theory suggests that Asmodeus encountered either Tharizdun itself or the seed during a mission in the Chaos. Innocent of its nature, he touched pure evil and became wholly corrupted.

The other, more popular theory is that Asmodeus rankled at his position of servitude, believing that his god remained behind in relative safety while he ventured forth to battle. Asmodeus resented that his god remained safe while he was always in danger of destruction. Finally, his ambition and resentment overcame him, and he took action. This is bolstered by popular tales of Asmodeus saying, "Better to reign in my own Hell than to serve in your Heavens."

In Asmodeus' own words, he felt that the Gods, including his own, were not taking decisive enough action to stem the tide of Demons from the Abyss that eventually gave rise to the Blood War . He killed his god in order to gain the power to more effectively combat the demons that he believes would eventually overrun the cosmos.

As part of their punishment, Asmodeus and the other devils cannot leave the Hell without mortal assistance. Since he cannot leave his realm, Asmodeus sends forth his devils to tempt and vex mortals whenever the opportunity comes, especially humankind.