D&D 5E Bounded Accuracy and Asmodeus

[FormerlyHemlock]

A secret weapon that can destroy Hell if [Asmodeus] is overthrown is a good plan. Well crafted rumors of the secret weapon work almost as well as the real thing (maybe better, it is hard to destroy a weapon that doesn't exist).

Also, rumors are a necessary component to even a real doomsday plan. A doomsday weapon is no deterrent unless people know you've got it.

An interesting question: what would a hypothetical doomsday weapon do that the inhabitants of Asmodeus' domain would hate and fear more than the status quo?

 

[Caliban]

Also, rumors are a necessary component to even a real doomsday plan. A doomsday weapon is no deterrent unless people know you've got it.

An interesting question: what would a hypothetical doomsday weapon do that the inhabitants of Asmodeus' domain would hate and fear more than the status quo?

All the angels, celestials, and artifacts devoted to good that he's captured over the millennia. Imprisoned in a pocket dimension that will collapse if he is killed by a fiend.

Which is why they try to trick a group of mortal adventurers into doing it...

 

[TheCosmicKid]

An interesting question: what would a hypothetical doomsday weapon do that the inhabitants of Asmodeus' domain would hate and fear more than the status quo?

Put them under the jurisdiction of the Heavens.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

Put them under the jurisdiction of the Heavens.

Why would they hate that? Would you rather be:

(1) Tormented for eternity by Asmodeus and his cronies? Or
(2) In heaven studying music, painting, and doing whatever else people in heaven do?

I could maybe buy it if the threat was "tormented by Tanar'ri for eternity", since those guys are just as cruel as Baatezu but they hate you even more. I could also buy a hierarchy-inversion scenario ("Asmodeus has a weapon that turns all lemures into Pit Fiends and all Pit Fiends into lemures", etc.). I don't think threatening bad guys with rule by kindness, goodness, and compassion works as a doomsday threat, though, compared to the other two scenarios.

From a gameplay perspective, I think the most interesting doomsday weapon would be one which introduces a new faction. "Asmodeus has a doomsday weapon which releases the Valheru from their eternal imprisonment in Tartarus" is like "ruled by Tanar'ri", only scarier, because the Tanar'ri are the devil (demon) you know and the Valheru are not, except maybe for some ancient legends.

 

[Shiroiken]

An interesting question: what would a hypothetical doomsday weapon do that the inhabitants of Asmodeus' domain would hate and fear more than the status quo?

There is a spell known only to the Lord of Hell that permanently destroys the essence of any devil. When Asmodeus rose to power, he had only a short time to discover the secret of the spell before the disposed Lord would return (and wreck eternal vengeance upon the usurper). Before time expired he discovered the truth... there is no spell, only the fear of it to keep the devils in line.

 

[Ancalagon]

Are there published stats for Asmodeus? He may have "old school" style immunities.

 

[dave2008]

Asmodesus is a God...

I don't think that is officially the 5e lore. He was a god in 4e, but I don't think he is considered a god in any of the other editions.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

There is a spell known only to the Lord of Hell that permanently destroys the essence of any devil. When Asmodeus rose to power, he had only a short time to discover the secret of the spell before the disposed Lord would return (and wreck eternal vengeance upon the usurper). Before time expired he discovered the truth... there is no spell, only the fear of it to keep the devils in line.

Heh. I see what you did there, Parry.

Sent from my Moto G Play using EN World mobile app

 

[dave2008]

Are there published stats for Asmodeus? He may have "old school" style immunities.

There was an incredibly weak version in the playtest (CR 20), but that is the only 5e WotC version of Asmodeus. There are two version on the DM's Guild that I know of and of course there is my 5e Epic Updates version of him on these forums.

 

[MNblockhead]

It isn't really that hard to keep the rabble in line if they fear you enough. All you have to do is keep them so scared that nobody wants to risk their neck by being the first voice of the revolution.

Yeah, if [insert petty, ridiculous, real-life dictator] can keep his people controlled, it isn't hard for me to imagine Asmodeus keeping hell in line.