Pit fiend

Scholars say that there are sixteen standard ranks of baatezu and pit fiends are right at the top of this hierarchy. Pit fiends are the generals of baatezu armies, the orchestrators of mass corruption and the bullies of their lesser devils.

Description
Pit fiends were both majestic and horrifying, with a hulking, tall humanoid form that weighed 800 lbs (360 kg). Their bodies were armored with scales and were quickly inflamed in response to their rage or excitement. A pair of massive, bat-like wings gave pit fiends a gargoylish appearance and they often wrapped their wings around their fearsome, red figures. Their huge fangs dripped with hissing, green venom and their prehensile tails could be cracked like whips.

Abilities
Armed with superhuman combat prowess, the intelligence of a mighty wizard, an array of powerful spell-like abilities, and usually the resources of a devilish army as well, pit fiends are incredibly dangerous foes.

Society
The next step up from pit fiend in the infernal hierarchy is the rank of duke. Only dukes are allowed to become an archdevil. The process of becoming a duke does not involve a ritual as other devilish ranks do; it just means that a pit fiend gains even more prestige.

Pit fiends are the most powerful of the infernal legions. They serve not only as the generals of Hell’s armies, but also as the lower nobility of the infernal courts. These monstrous fiends are only surpassed in power, prestige, magic, authority & overall, by the archdevils.

Powerful conjurers can summon a pit fiend to make deals. Contracts are usually written up in order to have the deal honored, but pit fiends are masters of such things and always have ways of perverting the contract to their own ends.

Notable pit fiends

 * Dark Eight
 * Baalzephon
 * Koraboros
 * Abarax
 * Tanetal

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Gauntlgrym
 * Video games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
 * Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
 * Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer