devils in the details

[Ghost0]

Wow, thank you so much for all the great responses. These are great suggestions all.

Yeah, I've played through a few campaigns with portals opening, and really it does have to come down to some form of breach or summoning ritual in order to get those threats to the Natural World (at least initially) to hook the PCs.

I fully realize the rules are merely guides and I can make whatever happen that I want, but I look at those devils in the monster manuals et al, and it just looks difficult for them to be walking around in public, insidiously manipulating people. 4e seems to put a lot of emphasis on devils as soldiers instead of corruptors, but it does have a few that look like they could work. For instance it seems less easy to bring a Barbed Devil to the natural world than a succubus. MM2 has this Misfortune Devil and The Plane Above has this new devil that can enter a creature (great suggestions on Possession too btw) and control them to seek out people who have escaped hell.

I do like the idea of this breach taking place (either a ritual or portal) and the devils holing up in the underdark or something like that, so they are not indeed out and about on the surface, but building a small army while sending out spies to infiltrate the civilized folk.

Anyway, thanks again for the swift and creative responses!

 

[Rechan]

I fully realize the rules are merely guides and I can make whatever happen that I want, but I look at those devils in the monster manuals et al, and it just looks difficult for them to be walking around in public, insidiously manipulating people. 4e seems to put a lot of emphasis on devils as soldiers instead of corruptors, but it does have a few that look like they could work.

Actually no. That was one of the big splits between Devils and Demons for 4e. Demons are destruction, Devils are slow corruption. I.e. Devils are intelligent, are subtle, and have a plan, demons are fairly straightforward and blunt. Devils are all about nabbing souls, and the best way to get souls is through temptation. Getting them to sign the contract, so to speak.

I mean, the Top Devil, Asmodeus, is a God of Tyranny and Domination. Let's see what it says about him in the DMG:

He rules the Nine Hells with an iron fist and a silver tongue. Aside from devils, evil creatures such as rakshasas pay him homage, and evil tieflings and warlocks are drawn to his dark cults. His rules are strict and his punishments harsh.

*Seek power over others, that you might rule with strength as the Lord of Hell does.
*Repay evil with evil. If others are kind to you, exploit their weakness for your own gain.
*Show neither pity nor mercy to those who are caught underfoot as you climb your way to power. The weak do not deserve compassion.

From reading this, it gives me the impression more than just mustache twirling evil cultists would follow Asmodeus. Dictators, politicians, and anyone seeking political power at all costs. Those who venerate Asmodeus the most could even be rewarded with the service of a Devil as a general or elite force to complete some task!

Remember, they don't have to be offering gold or magic or sex. Devils might be saying "Do this for me, and I shall give you the power of hell to smite your foes." "I can give you great strength and prowess - IF YOU DO THIS." They could even do something as simple as "I can give you the means to take vengeance".

Even though the succubus may be the only one wtih the combat power to change shape, remember that you, the DM, can give any devil the ability to take shape. However the shape the devil can take is limited. Maybe it looks deformed, maybe it has cloven hooves or smells of sulfur, thus anyone who is clever enough or insightful enough may get the notion that Something Is Up. Since Succubi have no such telltale signs, they are the best at infiltration.