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 hwas betrayed by the Hill Giantess Angrboda before he was then slain by the adventurers 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.

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 greatsword 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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