Bel

Bel

The Blood Lord

Languages	Abyssal, Common, Giant, Infernal
Affiliations	The Ten Hell's, Bel's Militia
Aliases	The Blood Lord, the Deposed Duke
Date of Death	925 PR
Place of Death	The Bronze Citadel
Species	Pit Fiend
Height	12 Feet tall
Eye Color	Yellow

Bel is a Pit Fiend Archdevil and former ruler of Duumal. In 925 PR they led a violent takeover of Duumal during the Infernal Insurrection and managed to capture the current ruler of Duumal, Elytria, At Elytria's execution, Bel's efforts were interrupted when he was betrayed by the Hill Giantess Angrboda before he was then slain by the Hellraisers, and adventuring party composed of Aivan Factorovich, Aliria Servine,Nyrgoth, Sylphine Nightfall, Balaam, and Endine di Valpadana.

Bel is the first major antagonist in the D&D 5e Campaign The Paragon Protocol.

Physical Appearance

Bel is a towering red pit fiend with dry scaley skin stained with crimson sand. His large muscular frame allows his to tower over other devils, and his wings are vast enough to fill an entire room. He wears a dull gold chest plate forged in the fires of the Ten Hells, once a symbol that denoted him as the ruler of Duumal. Over it he wears a tattered black cloak worn by the ages and across his back he stows his flaming great sword stained with the blood of devils and demons alike. His visage is brutal and bestial yet carries the stoic demeanor of an experienced commander. His face is not unrecognizable as what ruined structures remain from his rule carry his likeness carved in stone.

Personality

Bel is cold and calculating, patiently waiting for the day when he can retake the layer he believes is his right to rule. Bel was once of the greatest military minds in all the Hells, leading devils to countless victories in the Blood War. It was these achievements that allowed him to rise to become the first archduke of Duumal. But as the years passed and he was deposed by Asmodeus in favor of Zariel and later Elytria, a fiery anger began to burn inside him. Over the years this anger burned away at his patience, causing him to become more brash in his movements, preferring large shows of force rather then meticulously planned and calculated strikes. But what didn't diminish was his capacity to gather many devils beneath his banner, as time and time again Bel was able to build armies of devils from almost nothing. Bel would do anything if it meant becoming the ruler of Duumal once more.

History

Bel was one of the first Pit Fiends promoted by Asmodeus, rapidly rising the ranks from a wretched soul to an infernal warlord. After the creation of the Ten Hells, it was Bel whose helped first turn the tide in the everlasting Blood War. For his achievements on the battlefield and for his loyalty Bel was given rulership of the first layer of the Hells, Avernus, which would later become Duumal. During this time, he ruled from the Bronze Citadel, a massive metal dome that served as the only major infernal settlement in all of Avernus. But after countless centuries ruling Avernus, Bel was unceremoniously replaced by Zariel, a fallen angel who Asmodeus had taken great interest in. Asmodeus put Bel under Zariel's command and for long years Bel began to stew in his hatred.

After the First Infernal Emergence when a hole between the continent of Pteris and the Hells was created and the Underdark sea flooded Avernus, Bel took his opportunity to strike. He gathered a small army and after executing a short campaign across Pteris, descended back into Avernus in an attempt to claim it as his own, competing against the many other devils and infernal warlords who were attempting the same. It is believed that during this time, Bel was the one responsible for getting Zariel locked up inside the prison plane of Carceri, but Bel has never taken credit for such actions. When it almost looked like Bel was about to reclaim his title of Archduke, Bel's forces were sundered by the newly arisen archdevil Elytria who scattered his armies and quickly rounded up his routed forces. After this defeat, Bel retreated into the shadows of the dunes and began planning his revenge.

After he was deposed, Bel was banned by Asmodeus from ever again ruling the Bronze Citadel. In the intervening centuries, the Bronze Citadel had been commanded by an Amnizu named Governor Solme, and one of Bel's first actions after the First Infernal Emergence was to force Solme under his thumb and into his service. From there Bel commanded the Bronze Citadel and the surrounding regions from the shadows, taking advantage of the newly christened and chaotic Duumal and taking power wherever he could get it.

The Infernal Insurrection

After the River Styx mysteriously and without warning dried up, all demons across the realm disappeared and all connections with the Abyss were severed. With no more demons to fight, the centuries long Blood War seemed to conclude, leaving thousands of devils without purpose. Seeing an opportunity, Bel began to draw these now purposeless legions under his banner claiming that they would finally bring order back to Duumal. During this time Bel was able to draw many devils to his side and formed a heavily armed militia stationed in the Bronze Citadel. To arm his new soldiers, Bel began trading artifacts and souls with the Lord of Iron and the Archduke of the Second Layer of the Hells, Dispater, in return for weapons and war machines.

During this time, Bel's militia came across the broken and beaten Ratatrosk, the last remaining demon in the realms who had just been betrayed by the Ordained after helping them destroy the River Styx. Seeing the potential value in the demon, Bel captured Ratatrosk and held him in a cell within the Bronze Citadel. It was around this time a team of holy warriors sent by the Archangel Gabriel arrived in Duumal searching for Ratatrosk. But it wasn't long before they caught the ire of Bel who skinned them alive. Bel would then sell Ratatrosk to Dispater in return for a massive war machine called the Soulnaught, a massive mechanical bull-like war machine that Bel could use to conquer Duumal.

As Bel continued to consolidate power in Duumal, his efforts were hindered by other infernal warlords and factions trying to do the same. Most notably Bel came into conflict with the Fingers of Barroth, draconic devils in service to the Red Dragon Barroth the Unredeemable who were trying to gather an army for their draconic master, and the Sinners League, a cabal of fiendish warlords and mercenaries who banded together after the conclusion of the Blood War. Bel's attempts to conquer Duumal were also made even more difficult as he was unable to locate the realm's ruler, Elytria.

Bel would eventually witness the exploits of the Hellraisers within the Infernal Rodeo, another team of adventurers sent by the Archangel Gabriel to locate Ratatrosk. The heroes proved their metal by besting Cerberus in the rodeo and Bel would call him to his private offices after learning they also had an in with the Sinners League. Bel was also familiar with them as the Hellraisers had inadvertenly assisted in Bel's efforts to traffic an Aasimar woman by the name of Bella Dawn to him so he could sell her to Dispater for more weapons. Instead of skinning the Hellraisers alive like he had with the last team sent by Gabriel, Bel gave the heroes a proposition: he would tell them where they could find Ratatrosk, but in return, they would infiltrate and betray the Sinners League for him. But to his dismay the Hellraisers declined and quickly fled before Bel could unleash his anger upon them.

But not to be dissuaded, bel approached another combatant from the rodeo, the Hill Giant Angrboda and gave her a similar offer, offering her power in return for her helping him take down the Sinners League. An offer she happily accepted. Under Bel's orders Angrboda infiltrated the league and leaked to Bel the secret location of a meeting between all of the league's high ranking members at Bloodmaw Keep. Then when Bel arrived Angrboda destroyed the leagues defenses. With the use of the Soulnaught Bel was easily able to scatter the Sinners League's forces and arrest and kill many of its members.

After his victory at Bloodmaw Keep, Bel and his forces would pilot the Soulnaught to the Devil's Anus, a massive hole in the desert that was the only was to reach the second layer of the Hells Dis, in order to sell Dispater the Aasimar Bella Dawn. But the Soulnaught would attacked by the the airship of the devil Captain Grinlocke Vorn and infiltrated by the Hellraisers. While inside the party managed to free Bella Dawn, kill Govenor Solme, and temporarily disable toe Soulnaught by freeing its power sources, imprisoned fire elemental Salamanders

But even with this setback, with the league out of the way, Bel was able to continue expanding his influence and even capture the realms Archduchess Elytria. Soon after capturing Elytria, Bel would organize a public execution so he could once and for all supplant her as Duumal's ruler and claim her piece of the Ruby Rod, an artifact that gave the wielder complete power over Duumal. But Bel's plans were interrupted by the arrival of the Hellraisers along with the surviving members of the Sinners League who engaged Bel and his militia in battle. During the battle, Bel would deploy Iron Devils he had bought from Dis, but the battlefield would erupt into chaos as Modron warriors from Mechanus, angels from Mt. Celestia, and infernal mages from Cania led by the archmage apprentice Ranzos joined the battle as well.

As Bel's plan continued to crumble before his eyes, he was betrayed by Angrboda who attacked him before stealing Elytria's piece of the Ruby Rod before disappearing. Giving into his rage, bel let loose on the Hellraisers before eventually being slain with a well aimed eldritch blast from the party's warlock, Aliria Servivne who channeled his spirit into the Book of the Dead.

Allies

Dispater

For many centuries Bel and Dispater shared a close professional relationship even before both became Archdukes. Dispater supplied Bel with weapons and war machines during the Infernal Insurrection in return for souls, with the largest trade being the last demon Ratatrosk in return for the Soulnaught.

Governor Solme

After Bel lost his position as ruler of Duumal, the rulership of the Bronze Citadel was given to the Amnizu Governor Solme. But after the first Infernal Emergence Bel was able to force Solme into his service where Solme would become Bel's loyal and charismatic right hand. Solme would become the public face of the Bronze Citadel and later Bel's militia while Bel would continue to pull the strings from the shadows.

Angrboda

After being turned down by the Hellraisers, Bel was able to convince the Hill Giant Angrboda to assist him. After she helped defeat the Sinner's League and after the death of Governor Solme, Angrboda became Bel's new right hand and a general of his militia. But during Elytria's execution, Angrboda would betray Bel to steal Elytria's portion of the Ruby Rod.

Enemies

Zariel

Zariel was promoted to Archduchess in Bel's place by Asmodeus, and Bel was forced to serve her commands in the Blood War. For many long years Bel planned his revenge against her and dreamed of supplanting her to become Dummal's ruler once again. It is believed Bel may have played a hand in Zariel's disappearance and her imprisonment in Carceri.

Elytria

Much of the hatred and disdain Bel held for Zariel was passed down to Elytria when she became Duumal's ruling archduchess. While she did not command Bel as Zariel did, Bel still despised her, believing Elytria was not worthy of the role of archduke of Duumal. As he did with Zariel, Bel bided his time and struck during the Infernal Insurrection, hunting her down and prepared her to be executed.

The Sinners League

The Sinners League was the biggest thorn in Bel's side as he tried to claim complete control over Duumal. They were the only other faction close to matching him in power and their exploits during the Blood War helped gain them favor over the scattered remnants of Hell's armies. Though Bel was eventually able to defeat them by ambushing them at Bloodmaw Keep and routing the rest of their forces with the Soulnaught.

Languages

Bel is able to speak many languages, but he is known with being most proficient in Common, Infernal, and Abyssal. But as shown with the Hill Giant Angrboda, he is also fluent in Giant.

Powers and Abilities

Like most Pit Fiends, Bel wields immense strength and power. His great sword is coated with hell fire and his golden aegis is able to repel most attacks. But it is his commanding presence and strategic mind that make him a great threat, able to push those who serve him to perform incredible feats and take on foes greater then themselves and come out victorious.

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