The Dukes of Hell

[BOZ]

PHLEGETHOS

Belial rules from the huge, hollowed-out shell of a dead volcano. His stronghold is known as Abriymoch, “The Mount of Leaping Flames.” The archdevil is attended by his consort Naome, his legate Chamo, and a few malebranche (notable among them the great scarred specimen known as “Night Fang”) under the command of the pit fiend Zapan.
Abriymoch consists of several tiers of chambers, opening into the central shaft like balconies, and connected to each other by stairs, shafts, and a great spiral path that winds about the central gulf or shaft of the dead volcano. Some chambers stretch through the sloping walls of the volcano and have windows or doors opening out onto the volcano’s outside flanks. The lips of the volcanic crater are crowned by Abriymoch’s basalt towers. A few erinyes under the command of the pit fiend Zaebos, Belial’s lieutenant, serve as messengers within Abriymoch and between it and vassal dukes or outlying patrols. These erinyes are often bullied and are quite miserable, and as usual have their eyes always on bettering their own positions in the hells. Chamo suspects that the erinyes have served as the spies of Asmodeus, Baalzebul, and perhaps other archdevils in the past, but he has not yet been able to prove anything.
Abriymoch is staffed by spined and bearded devils, and has a kennel of hell hounds that can be used by Zapan’s forces to help defend and guard the palace.
The vast, smoking plains surrounding the volcanic heart of Phlegethos are the domain of Belial’s vassals: Balan, who commands 40 companies of bearded devils; Bathym, who can muster 30 companies of barbed devils; and Gaziel, who leads 11 companies of bone devils. These vassals are usually dealt with and commanded by Zaebos, speaking for his master Belial, who, assisted by Chamo, is usually occupied with matters of diplomacy and intrigue within the Nine Hells.

Most of this translates over fairly well into 3.5, except for the mix-up with the pit fiends, and the split of allegiances (the same lords are still around though).

Naome is consort to Belial, the ruler of Phlegethos. She spends much of her time in Abriymoch, but is highly regarded in the hells for her settling of disputes when others have failed, and her shrewd bargaining ability. In battle she uses her spells and a long scimitar; although she rarely engages in combat, it is said she enjoys a good fight…
Her gaze can, if she so wills, cause fear (save vs. spell to avoid)…
Description: Naome is a short, burly, middle-aged female devil, with long brown hair and cold, pale blue-green eyes. She has a tinkling laugh and a surprisingly light, easy sense of humor. Quick-witted and glib-tongued, she rarely makes enemies (although she bears no love for Glasya, the consort of Mammon, or Lilith, the consort of Moloch), and is most friendly with Baftis, the consort of Baalzebul. When clad in flowing robes (she prefers green or claret-colored silken garments), only her tiny horns, gray hooves, and crimson forked tail betray her diabolic nature. Her face, shoulders, and hands have a pale, human-like complexion, but the rest of her body is deep crimson in color. Her hands have long red nails.

Chamo serves Belial as legate, and plans one day to supplant his master. He fears Naome more than Belial, for Chamo and she too often think alike to suit him. Polite but abrupt, Chamo always appears calm and fearless. He is said to know every hiding place in Phlegethos, and possesses an iron-shod staff capped with the linked (by rings of beaten brass) skulls of sixteen paladins defeated by him over the years. This staff is +1, parts or negates all web spells, wizard lock spells, hold spells, and other locks or bindings at a touch, and it can detect good; the skulls upon its top glow with a pearly white radiance when a creature of good alignment is within 9”…
Twice per day Chamo can reverse gravity (for as long as desired, or until his concentration is broken by events or attack), and once per day he can petrify (flesh to stone of permanent duration) one creature, by touch. He causes fear by his stare (save vs. spell to avoid), and can employ a symbol of stunning once per day…
Description: Chamo appears as a white-haired, middle-aged man with big brown eyes. He has upward-pointing horns, black hooves, a forked tail, and black bat-like wings. His skin is scarlet, darkening to blue on his long-nailed hands. He usually wears loose robes of black with a high stand-up collar.

Balan is a duke in the service of Belial, and leads 40 companies of bearded devils into combat. Like his soldiers, he is cruel and aggressive, given to wild, lustful rages and violent sport. Little liked even among his fellows on Phlegethos, Balan is at the most respected, and at the least tolerated. He will never back down from a fight, although he is shrewd enough not to be drawn into conflict with superior foes, given any choice in the matter. In battle he fights with his spined limbs and a weapon, favoring large axes, blades, or halberds (but he has no special or magical arms). Balan is belligerent, roaring, and loves a rough-and-tumble fight with opponents he considers weaker than himself.
Along his forearms from his elbows to the backs of his hands run rows of spines six to eight inches in length. These spines pierce and rake for 2-4 points of damage per arm per attack, and a struck opponent must save vs. poison or immediately develop a burning rash which reduces dexterity by 1 point per round for six rounds after the attack. Subsequent poison attacks on the same target will not hasten the loss of dexterity points, and a 6-point loss is the most that can be suffered. Recovery of lost dexterity points begins, at the rate of 2 points per round,
on the round after the victim reaches the maximum penalty of -6. Any poison strikes suffered by a victim during the recovery period will drive the victim back toward the maximum dexterity loss of 6 points, counteracting points gained back up to that time and delaying further recovery…
Balan causes fear with his roar (save vs. spell at -1 to avoid) in all creatures within 2”…
Description: Balan appears as a giant, yellow-skinned man with fierce black brows and a beard which grows in tufts (somewhat resembling the lower barbels of a catfish). He has gray hooves and a body which darkens to scarlet about his legs and his forked tail. He typically wears a leather weapon belt and girdle, but shuns armor. He has red, flaming eyes visible at some distance, and a hoarse voice. He is quite a wit (despite a coarse sense of humor), although few converse long enough on friendly terms with him to discover this. He wears a badge upon his belt depicting his own head next to a bull’s head (signifying his brutal, aggressive nature) and a ram’s head (denoting the lusty side of his nature). Balan is polite and respectful to Naome, his master‘s consort, but other she-devils will rarely tolerate his presence.

Bathym is a duke in the service of Belial, and leads 30 companies of barbed devils. He is sometimes called “The Black Duke,” after his custom of wearing jet black armor (with full helm) and a black cloak. In battle Bathym wields a black +3 mace which dispels light, continual light, and faerie fire radiances upon contact with the affected area, and causes dancing lights to fade away. Bathym is also armed with a long-bladed, envenomed knife (treat as a dagger of venom), and his spell-like abilities. He rides a nightmare into battle. If summoned or bargained with, he will reveal (for a high price) knowledge of the magical lore of gemstones, herbal lore, and low-level magic-user spells (material components, casting, and general principles)…
He causes fear by pointing at a target (one creature only per round, effective only within 5” range; save vs. spell to avoid)…
Description: Bathym dresses in black, and has black-hued eyes, black hooves, and black nails. His skin, horns and tail are a dead, fishbelly-white color. Bathym’s forked tail is short and curled like a pig’s; he is most sensitive about it and keeps it concealed. When angry, Bathym hisses like a snake when he speaks.

Gaziel is a duke in the service of Belial, and leads 11 companies of bone devils into battle when called upon by his master. He does nothing he does not have to do, and appears to spend much of his time brooding. In battle, Gaziel is cold and mechanical - a perfect general, never missing or forgetting any aspect of a skirmish or possible tactic. On rare occasions he appears to take some personal interest in such a fight, whereupon he becomes most savage. He fights by spitting acid up to 2” with his forked tongue (3-12 corrosive damage, will eat through metal, hide or cloth), and with whatever weapons are at hand…
Once per day he can slay living (one creature, by touch), and twice per day he can paralyze a victim within 4” by pointing at the character or creature (save vs. paralyzation to avoid)… Gaziel radiates fear in a 2” radius at will…
Description: Gaziel has a white, skull-like head with hollow eye sockets and small, curling pink horns, so that from a distance he resembles a bone devil. He has a brown to blood-red hued humanoid body, a red forked tail, and black hooves. His tongue is long, slim, purple-red, and forked. His wrists and knees have bulbous, bony joints, and his elbows have hooked spurs (1-6 gash damage).

Two of his (her?) lieutentants - Zaebos and Zapan - went on to become members of the Dark Eight. The fiend Naome (also of intermediate gender) stands by the lord as consort, and the duke Chamo stands with them. Chant is Chamo's looking to take over, but hey - if I can find out this information, it sure as Sigil means the lord can, too.

Didn’t I read somewhere that Naome had been killed? Did Belial take on a new consort (besides Fierna, heh)?

Gazra is Fierna’s constant companion and consort. While she luxuriates in magma-filled pools, he goes about many of the mundane affairs of state that she ignores. Levistus – through his servants – has attempted to convert Gazra to his camp on many occasions. Eventually, the pit fiend might indeed succumb to the temptations offered by Levistus. For now, he is loyal to Fierna. Should she ever turn her affections from him, however, things could change. Gazra is jealous and hateful toward Belial, but he keeps those feelings hidden.

Fierna is nominally served by several dukes, including the unique devils Balan, Bathym, and Gaziel, plus the pit fiend Gazra. Balan and Gaziel are still loyal to Belial, but Bathym and Zapan have cast their lot with Fierna. The loyalties of Chamo (Legate of Abriymoch) and his deputy Zaebos remain unknown.

Now that’s confusing – Zapan and Zaebos left to join the Dark Eight didn’t they? (so far that book had been good about keeping the Dark Eight out of the Lords’ courts!) you said above that Gazra now does Zaebos’s old job, in addition to the other things he’s known for. We agreed that Merikel from Weapons of Legacy would take over Zapan’s cornugons.

 

[Ripzerai]

Didn’t I read somewhere that Naome had been killed?

That's from FC2, though I can't give a page number.

Did Belial take on a new consort (besides Fierna, heh)?

Just Fierana, I think.

 

[BOZ]

heh...

yes, FC2 does say in Phlegethos' intro that Naome is dead (now that i've looked it up), but i think i've seen it elsewhere previously. for the life of me, i can't remember where. oh well, do we have any theories on what actually happened to her?

would it seem best to just count the Zapan/Zaebos thing in FC2 as a mistake and move on from there? although, oddly enough, i noted on p36 that Pearza commands Fierna's armies? *shrugs*

 

[Ripzerai]

yes, FC2 does say in Phlegethos' intro that Naome is dead (now that i've looked it up), but i think i've seen it elsewhere previously.

She was alive in Faces of Evil, and ignored in Guide to Hell and Book of Vile Darkness.

would it seem best to just count the Zapan/Zaebos thing in FC2 as a mistake and move on from there? although, oddly enough, i noted on p36 that Pearza commands Fierna's armies? *shrugs*

Guide to Hell made Gazra the commander of the army of Phlegethos (page 42).

It seems very difficult to make any sense of Fiendish Codex II's presentation of the Dark Eight. I'd rather it was ignored, but it's your call.

 

[BOZ]

yeah, i concur. let's just pretend it never happened.

Naome's death must be a mystery then. and no one cares, even her husband and daughter.

 

[BOZ]

Or better yet, they probably had something to do with it. Or someone else did, but they don't care because... they have each other don't they?

anyway...

Here’s a system that’s definitely gone through some changes.

STYGIA

One of the most powerful members of Geryon’s retinue is Herodias, whose title is magistrate. Herodias is responsible for the security of the realm and the training and ordering of Geryon’s legions of bone devils, and for assuming command of the defenses of Tantlin whenever Geryon is hunting.
Geryon’s bailiff, Gorson, concentrates on external matters. It is Gorson who observes the day-to-day activities and internal politics of the other planes of the Nine Hells, and who (unless Geryon steps in to do this directly) orders and coordinates the styx devils in their individual missions about the planes.
Geryon is perhaps the most satisfied or contented of the archdevils, and the least interested in the endless political struggle among the devils for more power, although he never misses a chance to act to the detriment of his foe Moloch, ruler of the sixth plane, or his other neighbor, Belial. Herodias and Gorson safeguard his interests (under the watchful eye of Cozbi, Geryon’s consort), gaining much actual power while always acting in Geryon’s name, and allowing Geryon to continue his “hunts” by, if not increasing his force and influence, at least preventing their erosion…
Geryon’s vassals are outwardly loyal, and are often called upon to protect their master’s interests. They include Amon, who commands 40 companies of bone devils; Agares, who commands 31 companies of bone devils; Machalas, who leads 11 companies of barbed devils; and the pit fiend Fecor, who leads 8 companies of malebranche.
The fiefs of these dukes lie between Tantlin itself and the rockiest heights of the endless, frozen mountains, consisting of rising land and many long, twisting rocky canyons and hanging valleys. There are a few remote volcanic rifts in the mountains, commonly known as “steam trenches,” where the Malebranche dwell unless ordered elsewhere.

We also decided above that Baalzephon would have worked for Geryon before the Reckoning, as easy access to the Styx would help greatly in his future role as supply master. Rumjal was once a lieutenant of Geryon, banished to Avernus

Amon is a vassal of Geryon, mustering and commanding up to 40 companies of bone devils recruited from his fief He is large and strong, typically attacking with a huge +3 mace and delivering a vicious bite as well. He has a winter wolf of the largest size as a companion and guardian…
Amon causes fear in any individuals he gazes upon, unless they make a saving throw vs. spells… On the Prime Material Plane, Amon can summon and control all wolves within 1 mile of him. Amon is wolf-headed but otherwise appears human. His torso is well-formed and muscled.

Cozbi is consort to Geryon, ruler of the fifth plane of the Nine Hells, and is perhaps the quietest and least forceful of the diabolic princesses - but she is no easy mark. Cozbi watches her master’s interests carefully at all times, for she knows well the hatred that both Moloch and Belial hold for Geryon, and she is aware of Geryon’s relative weakness among the archdevils. She mistrusts both Herodias and Gorson, and is said by some to be friendly with the outcast devil Nergal (see Avernus section). In battle, Cozbi throws poisoned knives (Insinuative Type D; DMG, p. 20), and fights with a +1 spear…
She causes fear by speaking to an individual (save vs. spell to avoid)…
Description: Cozbi appears as a beautiful, unnaturally tall woman with chalk-white skin and long (thigh-length) pale green hair. Her eyes are fiery green and her long nails are black. She wears belted robes and jewelry when in Tantlin, but when fighting or otherwise active strips her garments away, whereupon her diabolic nature is revealed. Her hooves are tiny and delicate, easily concealed by boots, and Cozbi customarily wraps her forked tail about her waist, or hangs it over one arm. Her skin is shaded pink to red on her belly, and red from the hips down, but her arms and upper torso are chalk-white. Her hair usually hides two tiny horns that form a crescent upon the crown of her head, and her canine teeth are slim, vampire-like fangs (1-2 points of biting damage, but in a serious fight Cozbi will rarely let an opponent get close enough to allow her to employ this bite).

Gorson is Geryon’s bailiff, and in this capacity is up to his neck in the intrigues and activities of the hierarchy of the hells. A quiet, careful devil who says nothing he does not intend to, and plans ever for the future, Gorson is acutely aware of Geryon’s relative weakness in comparison to the other archdevils. As a result, he always acts to strengthen the standing of “The Great Beast,” but in such a way as to make Gorson himself appear useful, reasonable, and noncommittal to diabolic observers - future masters or allies - outside of Stygia. He will be quick to deal with intruders to Stygia, but will seek to keep any items seized or any knowledge gained about intruders from others as much as possible…
Gorson causes fear by pointing at a target (one creature per round) within 6” range, and can use a symbol of stunning once per day…
Description: Gorson appears as a yellow-skinned, hawk-nosed man with black-hued eyes, small horns, a tufted lion-like tail, and black hooves. He wears saffron robes and bears a scimitar. His voice is soft and cultured; his advice and arguments always appear sound, sensible, and convincing. In battle, Gorson appears to let out all of his pent-up feelings and go berserk, exulting in the rough-and-tumble, This is the origin of a saying in the hells, referring to someone hurrying, that the individual looks like “Gorson unleashed.”

Herodias serves Geryon as magistrate, and is a devil of great pride and ambition. He fully expects to one day be master of the Nine Hells, and favors any change in the present regime as a step in his inexorable rise to the top…
Herodias causes fear by touch (save vs. spell at -2 to avoid). Once per day he can disintegrate one creature or item of up to twice his own size, and twice per day he can cast feeblemind…
Description: Large and portly, Herodias has a humanoid body of scarlet hue, and massive, muscled arms. He has a small forked tail and small, bat-like (useless) wings. His face is round and sinister and startlingly human in appearance, and his horns are tall, curving inward and then out again like a goat’s. His hooves are black.

Agares, vassal to Geryon, is a duke who commands 31 companies of bone devils. He and Amon, Geryon’s most powerful duke, bear no great love one for another, and several times Herodias has had to head off open warfare between the two. Agares customarily fights with a +1 ironshod staff, but will use any weapons at hand in a fight…
Agares radiates fear in a 1” radius, at will (save vs. spell to avoid)…
Description: Agares appears as an old man, and has a brittle, quavering voice. He often bears a hawk at his wrist; these birds he captures or bargains for on the Prime Material Plane when summoned thence, and he enjoys training them as messengers or companions. He has gray-scaled, clawed reptilian feet, and a ruddy facial complexion that deepens to a scarlet body skin hue (usually concealed by robes). Agares has a stumpy, gray reptilian tail, and a humanoid body with curved, irregular-looking ribs that make his ribcage look knotted and deformed. Tufts of gray beard are matched by small, stubby gray horns. Agares has watery red eyes and red hooked nails.

Machalas is a duke commanding 11 companies of barbed devils at the direction of his master Geryon. The least of Geryon’s dukes in both personal power and influence, Machalas encourages the feuding between his fellow dukes Amon and Agares, while taking the side of neither, and hopes to appear Geryon’s most steadfast and reliable vassal so as to gain the favor of “The Wild Beast.”…
Once per day he can cause insanity (save vs. spell at -1 to avoid; see DMG for types) by touch, and once per day he can use a symbol of stunning. He radiates fear in a 1” radius at will…
Description: Machalas appears as a tall, thin humanoid with black, scaly skin, a black forked tail, black cloven hooves, large black batlike wings, and large jaws (2-8 damage from bite in combat). A nimble flyer, he usually wields a +2 axe or a normal spear in combat. His horned head is a startling fiery red, and his eyes are slanted and entirely white, so that they appear to have no pupils or irises unless examined very closely. His face appears ugly and batlike (the jaws most prominent), and his voice is a soft, menacing, hissing tone.

Levistus, Lord of the Fifth, has gained the services of the duke known as Amon the Wolf. The lord relies on the Wolf's keen nose and insight to sniff out the schemes of his enemies across every swamp and ice floe of Stygia.

So, maybe Levistus had Amon’s services for awhile, but he was banished to Avernus anyway once Geryon was destroyed?

Erridon Alaka is a gelugon sorcerer. He and Zanth, a half-fiend rogue, along with a hellcat named Trinity, serve as Levistus’s hands and voice beyond the solid ice he is trapped within. Through an arcane ritual, Erridon and Levistus are linked telepathically at all times. Erridon tells Zanth what Levistus wants, and they interact with others on the archdevil’s behalf.
Zanth eats only the flesh of good-aligned children, a rare commodity in hell. Thus, his one weakness is the minor devils that capture and kill children for him to eat—they work for Mephistopheles and frequently influence his actions to subtly serve their master.

At least Levistus does have a few servants!

In the wake of Geryon’s humiliation, the dukes of Stygia were forced to battle for influence, just like any other devils. Some, such as Cozbi (Glasya's consort), Gorson (Geryon's baliff), and the pit fiend Fecor were destroyed. Others, such as Amon (a powerful general), and Herodias (Geryon’s magistrate), were driven into exile. A few, including Agares and Machalas, found new positions as commanders in service to Levistus.

I imagine that Amon and Herodias, like Rumjal, would seek a return to the hierarchy of Hell in some capacity. Not sure how they would interact with each other though, if at all. I could see Amon being independent, but I could see Herodias wanting to ally with someone to increase his chances of survival. I could see Amon wanting to continue his feud with Agares, and seeking to destroy and replace him. Asmodeus likes Rumjal, as do Tiamat and her dukes, so he’s not going to buy the farm any time soon.

Rip also suggested making the outcast Malarea a former consort of Levistus before Asmodeus froze him, seeking to become a consort of him or anyone who’ll have her. Has Levistus noticed her yet? Does he even care? No one knows.

 

[BOZ]

Here’s another thing I wondered about Stygia. Since we are establishing Malarea as a former consort of Levistus, I wonder who else worked for him? A whole entirely different set of lords in place beside Geryon’s court, or maybe some of them had been there since Levistus was first in charge? Maybe Geryon himself was a member of Levistus’ court. Maybe some of Levistus’ court besides Malarea were banished or destroyed. A lot of that should definitely remain mysterious though.

 

[Ripzerai]

So, maybe Levistus had Amon’s services for awhile, but he was banished to Avernus anyway once Geryon was destroyed?

I think Amon was trying to play both sides, openly working for Levistus but also assisting in Geryon's attempt to recover his throne in A Paladin in Hell. During the course of those events, Levistus' amnizu spies must have noticed what Amon was doing, so he was not welcomed back after Geryon's attempt failed.

A Paladin in Hell treated Amon as if he were exclusively Geryon's servant, in contradiction of the vague, in-character notes in Faces of Evil. It's possible that Regnus Roy, the "human basher from Sigil" who wrote that part of Faces of Evil, was simply misinformed. But I like the "playing both sides" theory better.

Rip also suggested making the outcast Malarea a former consort of Levistus before Asmodeus froze him, seeking to become a consort of him or anyone who’ll have her. Has Levistus noticed her yet? Does he even care? No one knows.

Being a consort seems to imply a level of intimacy that Levistus is not currently capable of. What's more, Levistus' rule is somewhat tenuous, as he can control his servants only through telepathic commands. Having an unimprisoned consort with a physical presence would threaten that control; she might be able to sway more of his nobles to her side.

Finally, Levistus was out of all contact for many thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of years, and during that time Malarea tried to whore herself to anyone who would take her. Why should Levistus trust her anymore? If she has any allies now, she's probably closest to Nergal, who seems the most likely of the exiles to become a Lord of the Nine.

Levistus' current hierarchy might look like this:

Levistus

Agares: 31 companies osyluths
Erridon Alaka (gelugon): Magistrate
(unnamed pit fiend): 8 companies cornugons
Machalas: 11 companies hamatulas
Trinity (bezekira): Bailiff
Zanth (half-fiend): 40 companies bone devils

For Fecor's replacement, I suppose Greth (from the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix I, page 29) would work. Perhaps he was promoted quickly as part of Levistus' rush to replenish his ranks after his purge of Geryon's loyalists.

On the subject of his previous administration, what if the nobles he exiled or killed upon his reascension were those who served him once before, but betrayed him to serve Geryon? So before Geryon's reign, his servants included Gorson, Herodias, Fecor, and perhaps Geryon himself (though Geryon might well have been a trusted servant of Asmodeus in Nessus instead). Amon, Agares, and Machalas all ascended during Geryon's term, and thus were blameless.

 

[BOZ]

I think Amon was trying to play both sides, openly working for Levistus but also assisting in Geryon's attempt to recover his throne in A Paladin in Hell. During the course of those events, Levistus' amnizu spies must have noticed what Amon was doing, so he was not welcomed back after Geryon's attempt failed.

A Paladin in Hell treated Amon as if he were exclusively Geryon's servant, in contradiction of the vague, in-character notes in Faces of Evil. It's possible that Regnus Roy, the "human basher from Sigil" who wrote that part of Faces of Evil, was simply misinformed. But I like the "playing both sides" theory better.

me too. while it would be easy to dismiss odd references that don't seem to fit in properly, with Baator it seems wiser to keep it and come up with some convoluted explanation to make it fit. that works much better with the devils' character.

Amon definitely strikes me as ambitious (probably one reason for his popularity), and i could see him supporting both Levistus and Geryon to see who wins out in the end. that fits well.

Being a consort seems to imply a level of intimacy that Levistus is not currently capable of. What's more, Levistus' rule is somewhat tenuous, as he can control his servants only through telepathic commands. Having an unimprisoned consort with a physical presence would threaten that control; she might be able to sway more of his nobles to her side.

Finally, Levistus was out of all contact for many thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of years, and during that time Malarea tried to whore herself to anyone who would take her. Why should Levistus trust her anymore? If she has any allies now, she's probably closest to Nergal, who seems the most likely of the exiles to become a Lord of the Nine.

good point. she's trying to get his attention, and he's not having it. and whoring herself out is right, as she'll basically hook up with anyone right now who'll give her a high position. she seems desperate to me.

Levistus' current hierarchy might look like this:

Levistus

Agares: 31 companies osyluths
Erridon Alaka (gelugon): Magistrate
(unnamed pit fiend): 8 companies cornugons
Machalas: 11 companies hamatulas
Trinity (bezekira): Bailiff
Zanth (half-fiend): 40 companies bone devils

For Fecor's replacement, I suppose Greth (from the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix I, page 29) would work. Perhaps he was promoted quickly as part of Levistus' rush to replenish his ranks after his purge of Geryon's loyalists.

that sounds reasonable. i remember noting him before, but i promptly forgot about Greth. i appreciate the irony of advancing him quickly, since that's the story he's known for with a hamatula. also, he first appeared in MC8 along with Bel, Gazra, and the concept of the Dark Eight, and since he was the last remaining "named" baatezu from MC8/PSMC1, might as well bring him along!

On the subject of his previous administration, what if the nobles he exiled or killed upon his reascension were those who served him once before, but betrayed him to serve Geryon? So before Geryon's reign, his servants included Gorson, Herodias, Fecor, and perhaps Geryon himself (though Geryon might well have been a trusted servant of Asmodeus in Nessus instead). Amon, Agares, and Machalas all ascended during Geryon's term, and thus were blameless.

that explanation works just fine. i could see Geryon in Asmodeus' court, but at the same time there've been so *many* devils in his court that i'd rather see Geryon more "home-grown" in Stygia. he was very loyal to Asmodeus, probably sucking up a lot, and when Levistus had to go, he was Asmo's first choice.

what about Rumjal? i could see him working in Levistus court and remaining when Geryon took over, or first coming on while Geryon was already in charge. either way, it was his messing with Cozbi during Geryon's reign that got him kicked out.

 

[BOZ]

moving on then!

MALBOLGE

The sixth plane of the Nine Hells is ruled by Baalzebul through his viceroy Moloch (Baalzebul’s own abode is not on this plane). Moloch is continually ordered about by his lord and watched by the tribune Bileth, for Baalzebul fears that to allow the Grand Duke to rest undisturbed here for long would enable him to somehow wrest control of Malbolge from the Lord of the Flies…
Malbolge is continually patrolled by pairs of malebranche who report to their commander, the pit fiend Bethage; to the legate Tartach; or to Moloch himself (or to Baalzebul, if the Lord of the Flies is present). Intruders are always brought alive to the horned devils’ commander for torment and questioning (or the malebranche patrol themselves will suffer in the intruders’ place). Few intruders escape, and fewer still are allowed to live for any length of time, for Baalzebul jealously grasps and guards all power and knowledge that he can, seeking to keep it from other archdevils (particularly Mephistopheles and Asmodeus), so as to eventually gain the power to rule all of the hells.
Moloch moves with his consort Lilith from fortress to fortress of the malebranche upon Baalzebul’s orders (usually brought by the herald Neabaz). Tartach is Moloch’s deputy and ambassador to the vassal dukes and to visitors, and Bileth is the tribune installed by Baalzebul as a watchdog upon Moloch and others who would take control of the plane. Baalzebul
finds it a continual struggle to retain two planes under his own sway, in a diabolic society where all are ambitious and there are not enough planes to go around. All of the vassals and assistants to Moloch, including Lilith, are regarded as loyal to Baalzebul, although Tartach and Lilith (who feel largely powerless in the current regime) might support a strong bid to seize Malbolge by another arch-devil.
The defensive forces of Malbolge consist of nine companies of malebranche under the command of the pit fiend Bethage, and sixteen companies of bone devils led by the pit fiend Herobaal.

Moloch has got to be the most pitiful soul among the outcast dukes, since he used to actually be one of the Lords of the Nine. I can’t imagine that his every waking moment is not consumed with the idea of getting a spot as one of the Lords. It was bad enough that the Hag Countess got his position through manipulating him, but now Glasya has usurped it when it should have been him doing the usurping!

As established earlier from Dragon #91, Beherit would have been lord of Malbolge before Moloch took over. As with Stygia, I have to wonder what lords were in place before Moloch took over. We did establish already that Kochibel and Nergal would have worked for Beherit at one point. Kochibel was Beherit’s marshall and banished when he was destroyed, but we don’t know what role Nergal would have had before his banishment or when he was sent to Avernus. The two lords are still rivals now, regardless. I have to assume that any other members of Beherit’s court have been destroyed, since all of Moloch’s vassals were on loan from Baalzebul.

Lilith is consort to Moloch, viceroy of the sixth plane of the Nine Hells. She is held in high regard by many witches on the Prime Material Plane, who hold (and keep secret from others) the rituals for summoning her thence. Lilith serves Baalzebul, but her loyalty is not what it used to be; she feels largely powerless in the current regime, and resents being moved here and there at Baalzebul’s behest. She often works with the legate Tartach, who is of like mind. Lilith is personally most attractive, and many devils will do her small favors as a result…
She radiates fear at will in a 2” radius (save vs. spell at -2 to avoid)…
Description: Lilith appears as a beautiful, curvaceous human female of giant stature, save that her eyes are glowing white (pupils and all), her skin is crimson, and she has hooves, a serpent’s tail, and small curving horns. She rarely wears garments, cloaking herself in darkness (see above) when summoned if she deems it necessary. She fights with any weapons available but prefers to strike with her tail, which does 2-12 constriction damage per round; it is long and strong enough to immobilize one M-sized target. She usually bears a slim scimitar or a barbed whip (two 10’ strands with metal barbs; these do 1-8 base damage each and can strike the same or adjacent targets; they can entangle weapons or limbs, but she rarely employs them thus, fearing damage to the weapon). Significantly, a deep lash welt is commonly known in the hells as “Lilith’s Mark.”

Tartach serves Baalzebul as legate to Moloch, the viceroy of Malbolge. His loyalty to Baalzebul is outwardly strong, but Tartach feels relegated to a position of minor importance, when elsewhere in the hells many of lesser strength have higher standing. If an arch-devil made a bid to gain control of Malbolge that seemed likely to succeed - or if Moloch were menaced in some way - Tartach might aid the attempt, or at least not move to block it. Tartach has a dark, cruel sense of humor, and enjoys tormenting weaker creatures. He fights with a flame tongue sword and a rope of entanglement…
Tartach causes fear by eye contact (save vs. spell at -3 to avoid effects) on any creatures (one target per round) within a 4” radius…
Description: Tartach appears as a human of giant stature wearing a beard and mustache and with stubby, hooked horns on his forehead. He has no tail, but his feet have the pads and fur (but not the claws) of a lion, and his skin is of a fiery orange hue. He wears robes of black or purple silk, and walks with cold dignity.

Bileth serves Baalzebul as tribune on Malbolge, acting as a watchdog and a check on the actions of Moloch. Bileth speaks with the authority of Baalzebul, but stands apart from the regime run by Moloch, serving as a justiciar independent of the viceroy. Moloch can do nothing against Bileth, and must submit to his commands, but has tried to undermine the tribune’s effectiveness in Malbolge by spreading the word among the malebranche that Bileth is insane…
Bileth causes fear by touch (save vs. spell at -2 to avoid) and can summon 1-2 malebranche (75% chance of success) or Baalzebul himself (5% chance of success)…
Description: Bileth appears as a large man clad in gilded coat-of-plate. He uses weapons only in a pinch, preferring to fight with his fists (2-12 damage each), backed up by his massive strength. He is bearded, crimson-skinned, and has horns and hooves. He is tailless, but has large black bat-like leathery wings. Once per day he can breathe fire (in a cone 25’ long and 10’ wide at its end, doing 3-18 damage; save vs. breath weapon for 2-12), but he will do this only if angered or hard-pressed.

It's well known that Malagard [the Hag Countess] and Bileth (her pit fiend tribune) travel regularly through the layer, making surprise visits to the bronze citadels to see how the structures hold up against the torrents of stone.

So Bileth at least remained with the Hag after Moloch was banished. I doubt much that Lilith would have remained with her at all. the pit fiends Bethage and Herobaal are never mentioned again after Dragon #76 to the best of my knowledge, so who knows what happened to them. Bileth may have remained until the Hag was destroyed, then went back to Baalzebul at that point. Tartach may have also stayed on with the Hag, waiting to see if an opportunity arose, or he may have gone back to Baalzebul and returned once Glasya took over.

The Hag Countess lives in a stronghold within a gigantic boulder that rolls down the endless slopes of her layer of hell. She keeps a coven of three night hags, all with maximum hit points, in her strange palace at all times, as well as a number of anises, green hags, and medusas.
She has a stable full of nightmares. Her favorite, Bloodcurdle, is one of great might and power.

Probably nothing here that we need to be concerned with. These creatures were probably killed, driven off, or enslaved by Glasya.

Before the Reckoning, Malbolge’s dukes were all envoys from the court of Baalzebul, but these devils were all withdrawn after t he fall of Moloch. No unique devils acquired the rank of duke during Malagarde’s brief rule, and none have yet achieved that rank under Glasya except Tartach, who has abandoned Baalzebul to serve the daughter of Asmodeus.

Tartach’s abandonment of Baalzebul makes sense given his flavor text posted above. Glasya has no court besides him as of yet, although it’s quite possible that Bethage and Herobaal have joined with her.