Belial

Belial was was the lord of Phlegethos who, along with Fierna, his daughter, were the only archdevils allowed to share rulership over one of the Nine Hells by Asmodeus. Belial was the veteran schemer in their abnormal alliance, contributing diabolical deviousness and greater conspiratorial experience.

Description
Belial was the most handsome of the archdevils, appearing as an impressively built, tall figure of masculine beauty. He was tall, dark and sensual, practically oozing carnality through the regal garments that clung to his body in such a way as to promise pleasure and further his libidinous image.

Before Mephistopheles took on a more infernal appearance, Belial was also the most devilish looking Lord of the Nine, an impression enhanced by the ranseur he always held in his claws. Some said his skin was scaly and ash-black while others purported it was red, and early reports claimed he had a glossy black tail and wings. Other signs of his hellishness could be seen in the small horns, the same black as his tail and wings, that emerged under his hairline, and his large, slanted eyes that glowed and smoldered red with lustful intent. His monstrous features however did little if any to detract from his aura of civility and overall mesmerizing physique.

Personality
Greatly confident, mesmerizing in personality, and said to be incredibly vain, Belial delighted in the use of manipulation and domination. He was a profane being of great lust with an insatiable hunger for physical pleasure and pain, as fond as killing and the feeling of hot blood against his skin as he was in traditional debauchery and gratification.

Despite his deep passions, Belial was also intelligent and experienced, not so rash as to become so caught up in his amusements that he didn't take proper precautions and prepare contingencies. The old devil was of shrewd judgement and cunning political prowess which, along with his good looks, aided him in his ambitious, diabolical machinations. He was also of glib tongue, always coming off as civil even despite the threatening, underlying messages that could be found in some of his words.

Powers
Several of Belial's abilities were as archetypically infernal as his appearance and personality; his magic could produce flames and create walls of fire as well as beguile and make his enemies prone to suggestion. His more powerful abilities allowed him to mentally dominate his foes, instill fear with his gaze or in an aura around himself, and create symbols of pain and insanity,  and he used these abilities to scatter his enemies and turn them on each other.

He was far more patient than Fierna when it came to combat, always casting spells such as magic circle and see invisibility before the fight began. He could summon baatezu ranging in power from spinagons, black abishai, barbazus, hamatulas, and cornugons, all the way up to summoning a pit fiend. Only once his summon or summons, typically a pit fiend, were distracting his opponents and only when his opposition was disorganized, weak, and quarreling would he move in and allow the pleasure of melee blood-spilling begin.

Possessions
Belial's ransuer, or military fork, was his favored, iconic weapon, and wasn't any regular polearm. It was a minor artifact that filled those it struck with wracking pain, slowing them down as their bodies and minds dealt with the agony and said to be powerful enough that a heal or break enchantment spell was needed to fully recover from the crippling torment.

Realm
Belial resided in the city of Abriymoch in a palace of jagged obsidian built on one lip of the caldera.

History
Following the Reckoning, Belial was demoted from official to unofficial ruler of Phlegethos, with Fierna taking the mantle of rulership and Belial wearing the mantle of leadership. This situation suited both just fine until Glasya's ascension to rulership of Malbolge. Since then, Fierna struck a fast friendship with Glasya, and at her urging was moving to gain greater independence from her father (and rumored consort). Moreover, since the death of Fierna's mother Naome (Belial's former consort), both devils now shared the mutual grief of having a dead mother. This fact caused them to become even more united.

Belial, for his part, was attempting to keep tabs on his daughter's behavior without provoking her to greater autonomy, even putting many of his schemes against Levistus, Lord of Stygia, on hold. Belial was also considering various actions against Glasya to make her a less appealing role model for Fierna. He was fully aware that the line he trod was thin, however, as any obvious strikes against Asmodeus's daughter could not only inspire his own progeny to rebellion, but be construed as moves against Asmodeus himself.

Background
Belial is based on the Belial of medieval demonology, who is in turn based on various early Jewish and Christian references.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights