Devil

Devils were a lawful evil race of fiends who hailed from the Nine Hells of Baator.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Devils had numerous forms but one organ called the ovatorium was shared by all of them. It was a mushy and white organ consisting of sacs, inside of which were miniature versions of devil-forms. On promotion, meaning changing into a specific form, the corresponding sac's content grew until it burst through the skin of the old form and the promotion was done.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Devils did not need to eat or drink. This did not mean they could not. To them eating and drinking were either a hobby, where fine food and drink was concerned, or a show of power and domination, when they were eating one of their enemies. They could not get drunk or otherwise alter their minds with substances. Getting drunk or otherwise taking mind-altering substances was not well-seen and often outright forbidden. Such substances were usually handed to devils as a form of rewards or in the context of rituals. The one group of devils that had the position to take these substances on any regular basis were high-ranking devils. However, this was acknowledged as hypocritical for they were the same ones who forbade it to their subordinates.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Devils lived in strict caste society. The vast majority of devils were baatezu, former evil mortals whose souls, due to diabolical deed or infernal contract, were condemned to Baator. All devils continuously tried to improve their station in life. The measure by which promotion was granted was the number of mortals swayed to corruption. The swayed mortals' souls were the source of energy on which the devils' society was built on. The Pact Primeval, a contract between Asmodeus and gods, was the legal basis on which the devils' right to corrupt mortals was based on.

Average Intelligence

Baatezu changed their physical form when they were promoted or demoted, and with the physical change came a psychological one. Some believed that a baatezu lost its memories whenever they were changed, but in truth they almost always retained their minds. With an increase in power came usually also an increase in intelligence, and with it the ability to tap into their memories, possibly centuries-worth for each station in their lives. It was often the case that the sheer amount of their memories exceeded their capacity to sort through it meaning they would need a long time to remember particularly unimportant pieces of knowledge. If one were to remain out of their mind for long enough, causing them to be classified as insignificant, one could use the time frame it took the baatezu to remember them to make their move.

Civilization and Culture

Historical Figures

Asmodeus

The deity of indulgence and ruler of all devils. Asmodeus was a patron of oppression and power, the greatest devil, inventor of the Infernal language, and the Lord of the Ninth and overlord of the Nine Hells as a whole.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Deities
Some deities lived on Baator. While fights between infernal forces and that of evil gods' happened from time to time, they generally were not on the level of the battles between Baator and the Abyss. The reason for this was that both Baator and the deities had an additional enemy in the form of the forces of good and resolving this conflict was a matter that was to be done after the forces of good were done away with. Ultimately, devils considered gods, including lawful evil ones, not as something inherently worth showing deference to. In fact, for the devils gods were targets to be destroyed, just not high enough of a priority to do so immediately.
Demons
Devils fought against the demons in the Blood War. Collectively, devils called the demons tanar'ri ignoring that the tanar'ri were but one of the demonic races.
Mortals
The devils' overlord Asmodeus understood that the devils were essentially only force that kept the multiverse from being overrun by demons and hated the beings of the Upper planes for leaving his people alone at fighting the demons. One of the few allies devils managed to get on their side were mortal members of infernal cults.

Genetic Descendants

• Tiefling