Avernus

Avernus is the first layer of Baator and is a vast charred wasteland of rubble over which the iron towers of the Dukes of Hell stand. Legions of devils march across the plains in continual readiness for the next battle of the Blood War. A red light suffuses the sky and huge fireballs fly across the layer, randomly exploding wherever they hit.

Government
Lord Bel, a powerful pit fiend, is the current ruler of Avernus, having betrayed the former lord, Zariel, to obtain the position. He resides in a personal fortress at the center of the Bronze Citadel.

Landmarks
The Bronze Citadel is a huge fortress city, housing massive numbers of devil troops and war machines. It is constantly being added to in the form of new fortifications against attacks.

The Pillar of Skulls is a hideous landmark of trophy-skulls of those killed in the Blood War that reaches a height of more than a mile. It is very close to the entrance to the second layer, Dis.

Connections to the Forgotten Realms
A porta to Avernus was erected in the Burial Glen of Myth Drannor by banites loyal to the High Imperceptor of Mulmaster but under the influence of Zhentarim agents and, by proxy, a cabal of Alhoon living in the ruins. The Alhoon had it erected so that the devils it spawned would prevent the local phaerimms from attacking the liches while they searched the city for magic.

Although the portal was closed by the Knights of Myth Drannor, the devils it had already unleashed continued to infest the ruins until Seiveril’s Crusade.