Ashmadai

The Ashmadai are a secretive devil worshiping cult based in Neverwinter dedicated to the god Asmodeus. The cult was well connected in Neverwinter prior to the cataclysm in 1451 DR and is even better connected now. In the years prior to Neverwinter's destruction, the Ashmadai worked as agents of Thay although since the cataclysm, the Ashmadai are no longer allied with Szass Tam.

The Ashmadai have the ability to summon devils. However, whenever they summon a fiend, they must bind its essence to the body of a mortal. Because of this the Asmadai kidnap residents of Neverwinter in order to make them vessels for summoned devils.

Under Thay
Years before the cataclysm of Neverwinter, cultists of Asmodeous allied themselves with Thay. The exact nature of the bargain between the cult and Szass Tam is unclear, what is known is that Thay's regent, Valindra Shadowmantle, possessed a staff that the Ashmadai considered precious. The Ashmadai served Thay as they held the staff. Originally Szass Tam mobilized the Ashmadai to Neverwinter Wood to help his agent, Sylora Salm, make a dread ring in the forest. Neverember himself.

Diverging Intentions
After trying to make the primoridial of Gauntlgrym attempt to destroy New Neverwinter again, Sylora Salm was defeated by Drizzt Do'Urden. Sylora fled the country and causing the Ashmadai to waver their power over to Valindra Shadowmantle. Szass Tam then retook the Valindra's staff from her, though the Ashmadai still believe her to have it.

Though many Ashmadai still serve Valindra Shadowmantle, the cult's aims have diverged from that of Thay's. This caused the Ashmadai to divide into two sectors, one slavishly worshipping Asmodeous and the other who care more about acquiring power than paying homage to it.

The group that slavishly serves Asmodeous still serve Thay out of the fact that they hold the staff is led by the dwarf Favria. The other sector is led by the tiefling Mordai Vell. Vell has made overtures to Lord Dagult Neverember, the Lord Protector of Neverwinter, by providing him with mercenaries. Vell has turned General Sabine of New Neverwinter and plans on turning Lord Dagult himself. While the two sect's do not interact, the sect's leaders have meetings to determine the future of the cult.

Mordai Vell and his sect of the Ashmadai control all of the Chasm by having all of its mercenaries be Ashmadai.

New Neverwinter
The Ashmadai try to corrupt New Neverwinter supporters at every opportunity. Cultists haven't been able to sway Mayor Soman Galt, so they've begun focusing on the Mintarn mercenaries instead. Mordai VeIl has his suspicions about Galt, but the sect leader wants more evidence before he marks the mayor for death. For now, Mordai is working on General Sabine, whom he regularly invites to his estate. Ultimately, the devil-worshipers aim to corrupt Lord Neverember and send him back to Waterdeep so the Ashmadai can actively run both cities. As for Neverember, he thoroughly enjoys Mordai's company, and the two spend time together often.

Thay
The Ashmadai cultists still pay some fealty to Valindra-at least enough to keep her from seeing the knife they hold poised behind her back. Once they recover the scepter or find her phylactery, they intend to move against the lich.

Shadovar
The devil-worshipers are in awe of the Netherese, whose representatives have approached Mordai on several occasions. The cultists cannot allow the Thayans to see them in bed with the Netherese, however, so such meetings are kept a close secret.

While the Shadovar Prince Clairburnus sees the Ashmadai as simple lapdogs of the Thayans, other Shadovar do not. The Netherese cleric Orthinos Eln has dispatched troops to learn if the Ashmadai are diverging from the Thayans.