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An archfiend was a particularly powerful fiend, usually a demon lord or an archdevil. An archfiend typically ruled a layer of the Abyss or the Nine Hells. Some archfiends were worshiped as gods, while others preferred to discreetly accrue power.[1]

Types of Archfiends[]

Demon Lords[]

Main article: Demon lord

Demon lord was a self-proclaimed title used by the most powerful demons of the Abyss. Though there were no formal criteria for the title, most demon lords were extremely powerful, controlled at least one Abyssal layer, and commanded armies of lesser demons. Each of them had a unique set of powers and abilities. The most powerful demon lords sometimes called themselves demon princes. Prominent demon lords included Demogorgon, Orcus, and Graz'zt.[2]

Archdevils[]

Main article: Archdevil

Archdevils were the greatest of devils, and the archdukes of the Nine Hells. As befitting their kind, their position was strictly dictated by the hierarchy of the Nine Hells. Only nine archdukes ruled at any given time, one for each layer of Baator. Deposed or banished archdukes were also referred to as archdevils. Prominent archdevils included Asmodeus, Zariel, and Mephistopheles.[3]

Altraloths[]

Main article: Altraloth

Altraloths were yugoloths that were transformed by night hags into powerful archfiends. It was believed that there were no more than half a dozen altraloths in existence. Like the yugoloths as a whole, altraloths were much less well-known than their demonic and diabolic counterparts.[4]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

References[]

  1. Monte Cook (October 2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Edited by David Noonan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
  2. Monte Cook (October 2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Edited by David Noonan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
  3. Monte Cook (October 2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Edited by David Noonan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 143. ISBN 0-7869-3136-1.
  4. Ed Bonny (1997). “Pox of the Planes”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon Annual #2 (TSR, Inc.) (2)., pp. 100–111.
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