D&D Lore: The Nine Hells - Volume 7

[@havoc1134]

This must’ve taken forever. Much appreciated.

[@mammonclarke]

One of the best D&D series on KZbin. All hail Asmodeus! The greatest champion of Law in the multiverse!

[@morganlefey2431]

Gotta say, Larian did a decent job of making those Merregon masks look threatening and creepy in BG3, which is quite a feat. They didn’t include those goofy wing things on the sides, which definitely helps. But dang, I like the ones you show here A LOT. 1:12:02

[@adamwee382]

8:53 They did a DND crossover MTG set, and Lolth was a planewalker card. A terror of the standard format for months.

[@chriscatmen4999]

DAMN you were digging deep on the lore. TOTALLY IMPRESSED!!!

[@cvbecelaere]

Your videos deserve way more views and exposure than the algorithm gives. Thanks for always going above and beyond with the details.

[@nunyabiznis3595]

Would probably get more love from the algorithm with shorter vids. This could be six half hour episodes.

[@cvbecelaere]

​@@nunyabiznis3595 probably true. Funny though, because I'd be less likely to watch all those than I am to watch this in 4-5 sittings.

[@e.e5377]

This cant be a thirty two... Yes. Yes it can!

[@Phoenixplaysrpgs]

I love listening to lore videos thanks for the info and hard work

[@BurghezulDjentilom]

imagine being beholden to 5e official material for your monster choice

[@Hollingsworth77]

Very well done 🫡

[@RichesandLiches]

Wow... thank you so much. Support and people like this is so humbling and mentally rewarding.

[@TheFepf]

Keep it up! I love your work!

[@agesisafk131]

AMAZING ANTHOLOGY! Thank you Rich. Your dedication has made this absolutely invaluable.

[@cakeofthepan2233]

If I knew this much about anything I’d be rich!

[@morganlefey2431]

But… he IS Rich. 😜

[@OlivierMosimann]

As long as you’re not Liche 😂

[@xerynyes1366]

Amazing work! From the lore to the imagery everything is great, lots of work went into that making, impressive!

[@Whichendup]

In regards to Asmodeus being the original ruler of Hell, and the Dragon article referencing older rulers like Satan and Lucifer: The Pact Primeval story mentions that Asmodeus did not create the Lawful Evil plane of Baator, it already existed. He was gifted the plane of Baator in the Pact Primeval story by the gods to do his dirty work there. We know from other sources that Baator was not uninhabited before Asmodeus came to it. There is an ancient race of fiends called the Baatorians which resided and presumably ruled Baator before Asmodeus transformed the plane into the Nine Hells. To say Asmodeus is the first and only true ruler of the "Nine Hells" is *technically correct*. Baator was not the Nine Hells before Asmodeus. The plane of Baator was, I assume, a Lawful Evil plane before Asmodeus and the Baatezu conquered it. Lucifer and/or Satan could have been ancient Baatorians who ruled Baator before it became the Nine Hells. Meanwhile the information from the "Politics of Hell" article that introduces Lucifer and Satan as former rulers of "Hell" is a short-sighted conflation of Baator with the Nine Hells by a mortal loremaster. Baator has always been Baator, Baator has not always been the Hells.

[@machina-mundi]

I regard him as me, and you can call me Daniel 🤘😈🤟

[@HybridDom]

It took me a few days, but I finally finished the video. This was awesome

[@RichesandLiches]

I am glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@samuelnewton1312]

OMG I cannot WAIT to start watching this tonight!!

[@geoaltman9344]

Good to study up on what the country will be soon

[@Shammoria]

I was under the impression that while the Kocrachon does prefer not to fight, when they do they add their intelect mod to hit chance as well as when they hit it is always a crit as the fiend knows exactly how and where to hit you just right because of their knowledge of physiology. Making these guys a very dangerous encounter on mass or if you end up in a fight of attrition as they will drop your numbers fast if you dont own the action economy. Which is why having them this high in the ranking perfectly justerfiable.

[@temmy9]

In some lore nupperibos are also the form taken by the original baatorians before the arrival of asmodeus. A larva left alone will transform into a nupperibo, and thse naturally occuring nupperibos will, after aeons begin to transform into vastly more potent tentacled monstrosities. The devils hunt done these nupperibos and promote them to lemures to prevent this.

[@Mortablunt]

*DEmote Nupperibo is technically above Lemure, but has no promotion path.

[@Iceblade269]

You’re doing god’s work with these videos. Thank you

[@Esakosarara]

Thanks for this videos, man! I used to be an avid reader, but the only thing about the Forgotten Realms I ever read was The Drizzt Do'Urden saga, when I was a pre-teen/teenager (and I played Neverwinter nights 1 and 2, Icewind dale, and Temple of elemental evil). I know this is a matter of taste, but... Would you kindly... recommend any books from forgotten realms? Would you recommend the Elminster saga? I know it's a lot, but It's always picked my interest.

[@RichesandLiches]

@Esakosarara I believe the only Elminster novel I have completed is Elminster in Hell and that was about two decades ago. :) Recommending novels is always subjective and there are MANY almost certainly amazing novels I have missed. That said some of the novels off the top of my head that I enjoyed most would be (in no particular order and I do not remember all the authors at the moment but i may come back and update this list): - Erevis Cale Series by Paul Kemp - Evermeet Island by Elaine Cunningham - Vampire of the Mists by Christie Golden - Abolethic Sovereignty Series by Bruce Cordell (I have only read the first two in this trilogy) - Azure Bonds - War of the Spider Queen Series (various authors, pretty sure i have read them all) Like I said I am certain to be missing some standouts, maybe others will chime in but this is a good start. Also if you are into any dark fantasy novels outside of the realms, I can recommend the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, which are among my all time favorites! Thanks for commenting!

[@robertross5201]

Brief note on the merrogon; I always had their mask identical to those promoted by same named devil. This made several legions, each with a few unique points but still easily identifiable, much along the lines of the Roman legions. Given the ordered, almost industrial logistics of hell this also explains reinforcements to units Dana in the Blood War but surviving.

[@RichesandLiches]

I absolutely LOVE this!

[@mblacklow]

Right at the start of my commute! Nice!

[@mortalterrorRE]

These videos are really cool and very well done and edited. Earned you a sub 🎲🎉

[@jayrigger7508]

Okay I am confused on something about the devils.. nope do all devils start as the bottom and work their way up... If so you mentioned later that certain devils come from spellcasters or warriors... Did that mean that they bypassed the lemur stage and we're promoted up automatically

[@RichesandLiches]

@jayrigger7508 This is a great question that I will go into pretty deep when I finish the script for Kelemvor (5e Judge of the Dead) but at the VERY high level it goes like this: First, when a mortal dies, their soul travels to the fugue plane where the soul waits approximately 10 days for the various representatives of the outer planes will come to "claim" the soul. This is Kelemvor's domain and he presides as the judge of the dead. However that is a little bit misleading because he only "judges" if there is a contested soul. Few are the those that spent the entirety of their "live" in one alignment, so it is not uncommon for two or more representatives of various alignments (say a Devil from the Hells and a Demon from the Abyss). The default for 99% of "mortals" (regular people) that lived a majority "lawful evil" life will start as a Lemure and have no real leverage to be anything else. However, the accomplished, infamous, powerful, etc. will have some options presented during this 10 day "layover". Once the various reps (especially the devils because they love to bargain) come to make their claim, they may negotiate with the soul - if and only if - the soul is worthy or accomplished enough to warrant this privilege. In these scenarios, the soul may be told, they can skip the lemure stage and become something else. For example if you were a veteran solider, you may be offered the Bueroza role. I am skimming over a lot of detail, but like I said I will cover it when the Kelemvor profile is finished but I hope that helped.

[@Lachdonin]

In defense of the strict terms of the Ice Devil's promotion requirements, it's likely to work both ways. While perfection for 777 years is required, failure only results in a reset of that period, meaning DEMOTION is far less likely. It means Gelugons are more secure in their position, and less likely to run afoul of their superiors tempers. Their competitors on the other hand maintain positions which are highly vulnerable to the whims and temperaments of superiors, with less clearly established rules for advancement. Sure, you may make it to Pit Fiend within a century, but it could also take you 100,000 years if your boss never notices you. Or, if you DO get noticed, a minor screw up could get you sent down to Nupperibo because you forgot to carry the 1 and now your boss looks like they're behind on quota. An Ice Devil needs to colossally screw up to be demoted. It's competitors only need to catch their boss on a bad day.

[@RichesandLiches]

That is an excellent point! Noted and thank you for taking the time to share!

[@Mortablunt]

Hey, that sounds like the American workplace for anyone who hasn’t made it to at least middle management! My boss is going to keep his job unless he gets caught doing something horrible like with his wang in a clearly unwilling child. I can lose my job because somebody deemed more important to the business model than me didn’t like a joke of mine they heard whilst they were walking by.

[@WesleyMcLain-kj5if]

I’d listen to a 32 hr volume

[@TheAsmo314]

Ooh, I do like this kind of super-long-form D&D content! Thank you for this! If I may suggest, it would be cool to have something analogous to this on for example the races of the Underdark and/or the demons of the Abyss.

[@RichesandLiches]

Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to comment. The Abyss is most definitely going to get this type of treatment. I already have started the outline. It will be long, maybe longer and I have written down your comment on the underdark, so stay tuned :)

[@Pacific-NW-Native]

I'm so excited to listen to this. I will give it my undivided attention tomorrow!

[@WesleyMcLain-kj5if]

Lets GOOOOOOOOO! 3 HOUR VIDEO!!!!!!

[@glennemannen]

finally!!! been waiting for this one!! :D

[@cynickain1239]

One of the best by far - Dogai was quite interesting. I hope you do one on Demons as well ---because I don't know the difference haha.

[@DEricTodd]

1:03:30 Is this devil taking a selfie giving a 'thimbs up'?

[@5stringking]

37:00 I just choked on my alignment

[@smoke600k]

the artwork goes so hard

[@namelesssomebody2557]

You missed Mizzikim. They are listed as (Lesser Baatezu) in the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 2ND EDITION WIKI. But their lore is weird and more like a punishment state like the Gulthir for Lesser devils. Mezzikim only appeared in Guide to Hell (1999), p.63-64 for AD&D 2E

[@RichesandLiches]

@namelesssomebody2557 They were not missed. The mezzikim from 2e are awesome and well covered in one of the outlander volumes (6 or 6.5 linked below - 6 i believe) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bajYpniDj9iosM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKOXqZSnf6dopck

[@namelesssomebody2557]

@@RichesandLiches damn. I missed that.

[@davidjarkeld2333]

1:21:16 Calvary? I think you mean Cavalry !

[@duanebradway1627]

Wonderful! Another masterful deep dive. Digging into the real world origins of some of this is fantastic. This list is quite extensive. Where would you rate the Pie Fiend? Definitely an outlier in my book. Especially since it was created as an April Fool's joke. Out of all that was covered in this great tome, my favorite of all the Devils is still the Dogai and the Falxugon. Keep up the awesome work.

[@Jimmy-p9n]

Rogues or torturers would love a supply of any of the imp's poisons

[@matthewdutrow392]

I got a random if uneducated question; what’s a Balor demon???

[@RichesandLiches]

In its simplist form, the Balor is the demonic (Tanar'ri) equivilent of a devil (Baatezu) Pit Fiend. That is a pretty broad brush I just used because the demons and devils are so different. For example the demons do not - generally speaking - have any type of hierarchy or class/caste system but the Balor is the big daddy of the non-named/special demons. While they are only slightly taller than a pit fiend, they are much "larger" weighing about three times as much. They too can fly but prefer elemental swords or whips as weapon types. Hoped that helped!

[@matthewdutrow392]

@@RichesandLiches Fantastic!! Thank you very much!!!

[@HeatherParks-r6v]

Absolutely EPIC!! Thank you for all the hard work you put into not only this video but all of your videos!! LOVE this channel!!! #RICHESANDLICHES for the win!!

[@valp.4131]

Great artwork in this! Where is it from?

[@Uncookednote]

So do Steel devils go straight from entry to hell into their current form? Or do they pass through the typical promotion pathway first? It seems like the specificity of the origins would benefit from some remaining knowledge of the past life

[@RichesandLiches]

@Uncookednote That is a great question. I have covered this across a few videos but most as part of a larger conversation, it probably deserves its own chapter. However the Hierarchy is primarily a "default" ladder utilized when "all things are equal". One could make the case that more often than not, special circumstances apply just as the scenario on the Bueroza you mentioned. At my table, the hierarchy is used for the mortal souls of "normal" people, which to be fair to far outnumber the heroes and villains of any note (we just do not ever hear about them, right? :) My interpretation of the lore would as follows: 1. Mortal dies, normal, hero, villain, whatever 2. Soul travels to the Fugue plane ruled by Kelemvor where the soul waits for various reps of one or more domains to claim the soul 3. Based on the alignment of the soul (i.e. the life they lived) their fate is determined (chaotic evil, lawful evil, lawful good, et al.) 4. If there is a dispute from 2 or more domains, then Kelemvor decides 5. During this process said to last 10 days, the claimants can make "deals" with the soul, something the devils are particularly good at 6. It is here that a soul of a particularly well known warrior or soldier type would be given a "get out of the maggot pit free card" and go straight to steel devil status. But at the end of the day, its really up to the DM/World Builder :) Hope that made sense, and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kipedwidie9696]

Question on the Brazen devil. Are they loyal to Asmodeus specifically? His Ruby Rod? The throne he sits upon? I ask because we know it is the ambition of just about every devil to depose Asmodeus and take his place. If they were succesful, who would the Brazen Devils serve?

[@RichesandLiches]

@kipedwidie9696 That is both an excellent and layered question! The lore is pretty specific about the Brazen Devil promotion process, outlining that the fiends were literally carved into pieces and "fused" with hellforged brass all in order to purge them of the same ambition that say - a pit fiend has. The only canonical lore I am aware of is in the 4e Manual of the Planes where it states "Unlike pit fiends, brazen devils lack ambition and crave only to serve their evil lord". So I think ultimately it would be up to the DM/World Builder. For my setting I have written some added non-canonical lore that further details that as part of the promotion process, the hellforged brass used has been imbued with infernal magic that has Asmodeus' signature meaning they are loyal to Asmodeus under any and all circumstances. I personally think this is important because of their role as the elite of the elite in the Malsheem Guard, but at the same time if a world builder wanted to alter their lore to say the guard are loyal to "Malsheem" and thus whoever rules it... well that's also kind of cool :) Hope this helps!

[@lord_viper_amk5155]

thank god some good escapism. thx bro

[@Shadow200001]

21:26 choice? CHOICE? There is no CHOICE, There is Only the Iron rule of BAATOR! That your FEEBLE MORTAL MIND BELIVES there is a choice shows your Ignorance of the Planes of BAATOR! Now, Drama Aside I am enjoying your series alot.

[@craigray7519]

The Brazen are D&D's version of the Adeptus Custodes.

[@SireD-si2xt]

"It is prudent to keep in mind that the blackest of hearts will; if given a choice, elect for an advantageous outcome to their encounters with you. Whatever your perceived alignment may entail. In doing so you will quell the shrink of fear and the burn of regret." - An excerpt from the book: Demons and Monsters for the Devil’s Advocate, by Alu’udt Ra’an

[@RichesandLiches]

I love this! Thank you for sharing!

[@SireD-si2xt]

@@RichesandLiches Glad you enjoyed it!

[@machina-mundi]

Dark Sun? 😮

[@666LonerWolf]

I love this video,so much i knew nothing about and will definately add to my table! I am looking at your patreon, i see the two packs but the over 30 page one will be exclusive for "lich kings"? does that mean it will not be available for purchase in your shop? i am working on the details of the realms of the fiends for my own tables and this would be a massive help rather than me needing to use only the stuff i own...which is only 5e stuff at the time due to only having gotten into DnD in the past 4 years

[@RichesandLiches]

@666LonerWolf The final pack has grown to over 30 pages and will be available to all, it is just free to lich kings. It should be up in the next 48 hours. Sorry for any confusion and thank you so the kind words.

[@666LonerWolf]

@@RichesandLiches AWESOME!!! what you made here is awesome and i was worried about missing out. I cant wait to populate the hells with so much more than they officially gave us with 5e! now i just need to find this level of info for the Demons and Yugoloths, i wonder what creatures that have been forgotten to the depths of the previous editions!

[@cernunnos_lives]

Thankfully Rich delivers richly....

[@PumpdaBrakes-ub8kp]

#25 Merregon - the reason you give for liking them is the reason necromacers prefer undead armies. fearless, dangerous. obedient. 😁

[@youngimperialistmkii]

Finally!

[@HarrisonPudding]

Can both things be true? Could Asmodeus have defeated Lucifer and absorbed his essence to push Asmodeus closer to godlike? Or perhaps Asmodeus is the evolution of Lucifer/Satan, literally mutating into a more powerful form that that other names couldn't contain properly? Just ways to justify the retcon to separate this hell from the Christian version, I suppose, but it could have world-building applications for homebrews if there is a powerful enough party.

[@HungHo001]

R u telling me in order to become a pretty female devil, i need to become a fat, bearded, metal dude, orthon first ? This is a strange evolution chain. This is what mizora in bg3 need to go through to acieve her current form?

[@artificerprime4154]

Mizora is a cambion, a half-fiend. So she had a mortal (likely human) parent, and always had her humanoid-like form.

[@jfkjkshjpppppppppphsasi8669]

thanks!

[@ashvandal5697]

Given that little soap box rant at 30 minutes, maybe you’ll just stop playing with the evil wizards and come over to Paizo and play Pathfinder. Their company is a little weird sometimes too, especially regarding $3x and consent, but otherwise are still capable of painting some gruesome and despair filled scenarios.

[@nicholasgeere5125]

Consent?

[@Iceblade269]

⁠As a PF DM, I’m taking notes for converting some of these devils lol

[@HarrisonPudding]

Lesser Devil Wild Card: Chet from Weird Science when he's turned into a shit monster.

[@pepperino-hotterino]

the art has changed and i love it!

[@BananaTree132]

Appreciate your hard work man. Love the long videos instead of those youtubers (Mrrhex) that just post 20 min videos once in awhile to grab money where 10 min is sponsor and dare to ask to donate on patreon.

[@TheSpicyLeg]

Came for sexy devil ladies, didn’t leave unimpressed.

[@Ieatpaste23]

Fun fact: Brachina, the promoted form of erinyes, and erinyes can be either male or female.

[@Ieatpaste23]

What about the demondand?

[@CharlesOakes-j4u]

omg rich...lantern..still here..now this is the best most awsome vedio..yet..i have given u nothing but praise..and u desurve it...and i just want to disagree with one little thing..and i know what u will say and i agree but i personaly for some unnerving reason i cant put my finger on...hear a.devil use the word please. ..papers please..but thats nick picking and cunning..sneaky and all the other reasons i believe its possible...lmao..love the lore..and i wish i could bring to life in art my devils as your art does yours..breath takeing.50 points to griffind....wait what house are you..lmao😂 but seriouslly ..you smash it man..u run this..DONT STOP AND EVERYBODY HELP ME CHANT..LICHES OF FORGOTTEN RELMS..AND THE RICH SPOT LIGHT VEDIO ON EACH ONE START WITH THE WITCH KING..HES OLDER THAN SHAZZ TAM

[@RichesandLiches]

HAHA! True that Amnizu wont be "asking" for anything or saying "please"... it was a rather mediocre attempt at some historic humor and the (WWII) game of the same name. :) Thanks for watching and commenting, really appreicate all the kind words!

[@gelanghaarteweile3048]

Why is there LOBO on the thumb nail? The Main Man will not be pleased... so watch out! :P

[@ATVatcher]

Lemure here. Seems to be the best form for blending in and learning a thing or two. Plus. a reasonably tangible form. Plus, eyes are not sewn shut.🤢

[@RichesandLiches]

While I would wish for a "none of the above" option 4, I have to agree with you, Nupperibo might be the worst possible afterlife imaginable.

[@deusvault5732]

Robert j Schwalb makes a fantastic (If a bit strong) book of fiends for 5e. Adds a lot of good stuff and puts stuff back in under different names. As for dark sun I'm getting tired of settings with no actual problems beyond small time crooks trying to destroy the universe. I want actual problems. I want there to be slavery so we can fight and destroy it. I want the world to have hard times so that as a party we can be a bastion of light. Wotc is getting a bit old for me as storytelling is concerned.

[@tomkerruish2982]

1:14:12 _Silver_ plate mail? Surely you can't be serious!

[@RichesandLiches]

By silver I meant color, not metal type but your point is taken. I should have made that more clear.

[@tomkerruish2982]

@RichesandLiches That's what I figured, that you meant silvery. I'm a hopeless nitpicker. Magnificent video, as always. Hopefully, I'll finish it someday.

[@AndrewStonerock]

Narzugon aka Marvels Ghost Rider......

[@BurghezulDjentilom]

"times have definitely changed" - what a way to say that the hobby has been infiltrated and subverted by amoral busybodies

[@AdriatikFarma]

No Rakshasa?🧐😁

[@RichesandLiches]

Rakshasa are fiends but they are not infernal fiends that originate or primarily serve the interests of the nine hells. Volume 7 is for the infernal hierarchy of infernal fiends. That said, I love the Rakshasa and they will be getting a dedicated video.

[@AdriatikFarma]

​@@RichesandLiches thanks for this detailed answer, your videos and Chanel are amazing, good Luck in your further Work with it, as for Rak video, yes they might ne more as spirits too...snyhow, looking forward to it.🤗

[@blackgoatman.entertainment5288]

❤❤❤❤

[@machina-mundi]

🤘😂🤟

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

I agree 100% as to omitted devils. Wotc are famously sloppy, lazy and prone to self-contradiction. 5e is the least canonical in my opinion.

[@staticcharm3808]

All the editions are canon

[@Scarletpimpinhell]

I started with 5e and have the same opinion lol I can only imagine how a long time hardcore player feels

[@HarrisonPudding]

Myrmidons from Greek mythology. Add eternal body rot and, voila, cool hellion. 5e is what we call corporate sellout-ism to snowflake BS. I'm GenX. 5e is so watered down and edited by something like Sweet Baby Inc. that it's simply unusable. Going forward, most OG D&D players should refuse to see anything in 5e as canon. It's not worth it, reduces choice, and follows agenda versus storytelling. Go to various outlets to get earlier rulesets and let Wizbro die. I'm all for inclusion and diversity--use that in the party creation and dungeon design. Don't force feed stupid crap. Thank you very much, R&L for your exhaustively hard work on this and other D&D lore. I'll be back to finish.

[@moonhope5602]

🎉☕🤟✊💪

[@LeviReveriego]

Your content is awesome dude. but please, don't use IA, is wack.

[@Rambam1776]

5th edition sucks

[@Ieatpaste23]

3.5 forever.

[@Jimmy-p9n]

Yep agree. Monsters nerfed and players boosted in 5.2024. DMs should use 3.5 monsters with 5.2024 player abilities

[@tomwillett2005]

How so? I started it 5th but I’ve played a little and also used the lore extensively of the previous editions, I think it’s made the game more streamlined and new player friendly. If I’m honest it’s not perfect but that’s where you or your DM take what you like and leave what you don’t it’s not a cut and dry you must do everything in 5th but provide building blocks for you to adapt home games with.

[@robertross5201]

As to the cornugon, I look at the increasing wokeness of WotC and the make money, worry about lore later if at all mentality of HASBRO and think loyal and tough is too much toxic masculinity

[@Ieatpaste23]

dnd stops at 3.5.

[@youngimperialistmkii]

I think that wotc's unwillingness to touch dark, sexual or controversial subject matter these days. Has more to do with wishing to have their product appeal to a mainstream audience, than "wokeness" or "toxic masculinity". It's also nothing new. Even in the 90's. TSR began to tone down the official art for D&D, for the same purpose.

[@Ieatpaste23]

@@youngimperialistmkii No, they've gone woke.

[@youngimperialistmkii]

@@Ieatpaste23 You seem to only speak in right wing catch phrases. I can only imagine how many of the companies that make your favorite things, have gone "woke" in your view? It's probably a long list.

[@Ieatpaste23]

@@youngimperialistmkii I guess it's fine to you that they made orcs mexican. Are getting rid of the term race. That's all perfectly normal.