Archfiend
| Archfiend | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Evil |
| Type: | Outsider |
| Subtype: | Fiend |
An archfiend is a particularly powerful fiend, usually a demon lord or an archdevil. An archfiend typically rules a layer of the Abyss or the Nine Hells. Some archfiends are worshiped as gods, while others preferr to discreetly accrue power.[1]
Types of Archfiends
Demon Lords
Demon lord is a self-proclaimed title used by the most powerful demons of the Abyss. Though there are no formal criteria for the title, most demon lords are extremely powerful, controll at least one Abyssal layer, and command armies of lesser demons. Each of them has a unique set of powers and abilities. The most powerful demon lords sometimes call themselves demon princes or princesses. Prominent demon lords include Demogorgon, Orcus, and Graz'zt.[2]
Archdevils
Archdevil is a collective term referring to the greatest of devils, and the Dukes of Hell. "They include the various lords, the nobles who owe them fealty, and some exiles and outcasts who have fallen out of favor."[3]
As befitting their kind, their position is strictly dictated by the hierarchy of the Nine Hells. Devils are ruled by Dukes, who are in turn overseen by Archdukes, who are also called the Lords of the Nine and are also technically archfiends.[4]
Only nine archdukes rule at any given time, one for each layer of Baator. Prominent archdevils include Asmodeus, Zariel, and Mephistopheles.
Altraloths
Altraloths are yugoloths that are transformed by night hags into powerful archfiends. It is believed that there are no more than half a dozen altraloths in existence. Like the yugoloths as a whole, altraloths are much less well-known than their demonic and diabolic counterparts.[5]
See Also
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Cook, Monte. Book of Vile Darkness. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002. Item code 88161.
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Archfiend on the Forgotten Realms Wiki (view authors. |
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baael (Archfiend) | Deity | Dragon magazine #206 | 43 | |
| Baael (Archfiend) | Deity | Ivid the Undying | SEE Baalzephon (Devil) | |
| Baael (Archfiend) | Deity | WG8 Fate of Istus | 69 | |
| Baalzy (Archfiend) | Deity | Reference | SEE Baael | |
| Baalzy (Archfiend) | Deity | Reference | SEE Baalzephon (Duke of hell) | |
| Yet More Archfiends (D&D 3.0) | Adventure | Book of Vile Darkness, D&D 3.0: Web Enhancement |