Church of Asmodeus

  Many associate Asmodeus with the devils of the universe, their master and creator. They are not wrong but devils are far from the Lord of Hell’s only creation. Asmodeus was born to a dark and lifeless universe and in concert with the other gods, birthed the cosmos itself. From his hands did he create the stars, the planets, and write the very fundamental laws that bound them all together. The gods each created mortal creatures to work as their tools, creatures that knew no other purpose or freedom than to serve their creators. These are the times that Asmodeus recalls pleasantly, when the universe knew order and chaos was just a meagre whisper.   However, it was not to last for it was Asmodeus' own brother that discovered the power of souls and worship. His brother, Lucifer, released mortals from their shackles and granted them the ability to exert their wills onto creation. His own brother that birthed the chaos that Asmodeus so abhors. The dissent of his brother and the other gods that too believed in the good that could be offered through mortal free will spawned the first war in heaven, and the rebellion of archangels. A conflict that ultimately concluded with the first fratricide as Asmodeus struck down his own sibling, an act that while necessary, still plagues him.   In honor of his brother, Asmodeus ended the war in heaven and allowed mortals and their free will to continue on. The abyss was torn asunder during the divine conflict, and from this tear Asmodeus would remake it as the first layer of hell. It was a demonstration of his power, quashing and limiting the influence of demon-kind, remodeling them in his image and reordering their chaotic ways into that of law. It was a threat to the rest of the cosmos. That he was more than capable of erasing chaos from all of creation, and that he was more than willing to do so. There, his most loyal servants and fallen angels were elevated to archdevils and masters of the nine layers of hell. He would spawn more to fill their ranks, purpose built to enforce the will of the Lord of Hell. And when his work was done, Asmodeus rested, settling into the depths of hell while his minions worked to expand his domain and influence.   It was during these times that devils began to make deals and pacts with mortals. They would venture out into the world to claim souls on behalf of the hells, promising power in exchange for service. When their time came, they were pulled to the hells to serve as loyal soldiers. But unfortunately, the wills of these souls often disrupted the natural order of the nine hells. Many came and sought grander existences for themselves, challenging the established powers and archdevils for their shot at greatness. Asmodeus found great amusement in this, even encouraging conflict between his devils so that the mighty would rise and serve as his new lieutenants.   However, ambition often does not stop when one arrives at the doorstep of the first primordial god. Some of his new servants dared to challenge the Lord of Hell himself, only to find their being and soul utterly destroyed for their treachery. Perhaps it is through these tests that Asmodeus constantly faced that he was able to to survive the Age of Omens, but no one knows for sure. The only thing certain is that when all the other gods fell silent, when the mortals of the universe cried out for their divine protection, the only response they received was from the master of the nine hells.  

• Domains: Arcana, Fire, Order, Punishment, Scorn, Strength, Trickery, Tyranny
• Oaths: Conquest, Crown, Vengeance, Watchers
• Sanction Orders: Interrogator, Marshal, Witch Hunter
• Alignments: Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil

 

Symbols of Asmodeus

The Holy Symbol of Asmodeus is the red pentagram.
The favored animal of Asmodeus is the serpent.
The favored weapon of Asmodeus is the Mace.    

History

A character that has Lore (Asmodeus) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character that has Proficiency in History reduces the DC of these checks by 2, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character with lore (Infernal Contracts) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character can use passive knowledge to gauge their base knowledge of this deity, Passive Knowledge in this case would be a character's Intelligence (Religion) skill total + 5. Checks to learn about a deity are cumulative, should you achieve a DC 15 result, you would likewise receive the results of DC 10 and DC 5 respectively. Histories above DC 20 are located in the Secrets section of this deity.

• [Religion DC 5] - Asmodeus is the god of Fire, Law, and Trickery
• [Religion DC 10] - Asmodeus is a primordial divinity that has existed since the universe's creation. He is one of the few gods that does not require souls or worship for strength. Instead his power is all his own and originates from outside of creation.
• [Religion DC 15] - Asmodeus is the master of the nine hells and resides in its deepest layer of Nassus. This domain was forged from a tear in the abyss, created by Oblivion during the first war in heaven. The denizens that existed there were remade and reforged in Asmodeus’ image, remaking the chaotic entities into the devils. These creations would serve as the weakest members of the fiendish hierarchy as Asmodeus’ lieutenants and fallen angels would come to lord over them.
• [Religion DC 20] - Asmodeus is supposedly still plagued by the death of his brother millenia ago. While he recognizes it as a necessary act, it is something he wishes could have gone a different way. Some theorize that Asmodeus might have looked into ways to return his brother to life, and perhaps more amicable to the rule of law.

 

Dogma

Home Plane

Asmodeus originates from outside the universe, they are a being that predates creation. However, his home is within the nine layers of hell. A domain he created, torn from the abyss and remade to suit his purposes. It is from there he rules his domain and enforces his absolute order to his followers.  

Appearance

Few have beheld Asmodeus’ true appearance, fewer still exist to this day. The Prince of Lies has many faces, many visages, and an infinite amount of identities to pull from. However, most of his followers depict him as a tall, muscular man with red skin and cloven hooves. Both his hair and horns are black in colour, he wears similarly black robes while wielding a flaming mace.  

Relationships

Most of the new gods that have arisen in the place of the old are new blood to Asmodeus and he sees them as wholly unworthy. Where before the Prince of Darkness held a begrudging respect for his peers, he has nothing but contempt for the new divinities and demigods alike. Some like Eold and Torukk are given more leeway, being the direct successors of their forebears, but entities such as Kah’Dentu and Yalanue are mere pretenders. He sees them all as mostly beneath them and a far cry from those such as his brothers and the Dawnflower from ages past.   Of particular note, Asmodeus harbors a particular disdain for Osov’preqa, seeing their actions and practices as wholly chaotic.  

Temples and Shrines

Shrines to Asmodeus can be found far and wide, still largely intact following the Age of Omens. These places of worship first and foremost allow the worship of most any god so long as Asmodeus is recognized as their superior. These temples always bear the mark of Asmodeus, the red pentagram along with other diabolical motifs and any depictions of Asmodeus himself always having him in a position of dominance over others. Certain monasteries also double as orphanages, taking the youth and teaching them the way of the Lord of the Hells early.  

Regions of Popular Worship

The church of Asmodeus is burgeoning in popularity within the region of Calbesh.  

Followers

Asmodeus believes that the strong should rule the weak, so to do his followers. They come from all places, where the strong seek a mandate to rule over their lessers. Even the weak flock to Asmodeus believing he will offer them protection for the contract of the shepherd is to protect his flock. The various churches and sects that follow the Archfiend will indoctrinate people in their youth, even going so far as to operate orphanages in his name to educate the young on their place in the universe.   The Archfiend also has his fair share of martial orders that draw power from Asmodeus to enforce the law. They do not always venerate the eviler aspects of him but are staunch believers in his directive of order and hierarchy.    

Tenets

• It's Just Good Business. Be as cutthroat in negotiations as you are in battle, it is up to you to contract yourself the greatest advantage.
• Right of the Strong. Respect the strong and pay your owed dues to your betters.
• Tyranny is Law. The strong rule and the weak serve, know your place and work to improve it.

Sins

• Your Word is your Bond. Do not break a contract you have agreed to, such lawlessness invites chaos into your life.
• All for One. Do not share power, you are strong and those who wish to rise to your level must earn it all the same.
• Mercy. Asmodeus did not spare his brother, nor should you spare your enemies, your friends, your family, when they wrong you.