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Fiendish Codex I released this past June; and so, the corresponding D&D Alumni article looked back at the game’s demons. Only fitting that with the release of Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells, we should do the same for the devils! After all, how many of us out there (and my hand is certainly raised) chose to play a paladin after ogling the 1st edition Player’s Handbook illustration: A Paladin in Hell?
So it’s only nature to start with this compelling scene, repeated through the game’s editions:
From there, we offer a sampling of the devils themselves. As mentioned in the previous D&D Alumni, 1st edition devils and arch-devils were largely introduced in the Monster Manual and Monster Manual II. Back then, Tiamat ruled the 1st layer of Hell, and Moloch ruled the 6th as the viceroy of Baalzebul (who looked much less slug-like and far more fly-eyed).
In 2nd edition, the term “devil” was dropped in favor of baatezu: “an extremely lawful, hierarchical order of creatures native to the Nine Hells. If a baatezu spends enough time in its current form and performs its tasks well, it will eventually be “promoted” to the next higher form of baatezu.”
With 3rd edition, the term devil returned, though returning the baatezu subtype. What other differences came about? 1st editions horned devils (malebranche) have since split into two distinct devils, the horned devils (cornugon) and malebranche. The Lords of the Nine have waged their own power struggles, with Bel now ruling the 1st layer, Levistus ruling the fifth, and Glasya the sixth (a far lovelier ruler than the former Hag Countess). And for a special look back at lemurs vs. lemurs (you didn’t know about that conflict?) we’d also point you to the magicthegathering.com article on the subject.
 Trivia Time
Q: What's this? An early holiday present of sorts, for folks to try their hand at a bit of trivia, and enter for their chance to win a copy of the D&D Cartoon on DVD!
Here's how it works: each day, we'll ask a new trivia question somewhere on the website (in one of each day's articles or features). Questions will appear by noon PST each day. Answer the question correctly, and you'll be entered in a chance to win a copy of the D&D Cartoon: the Complete Series, on DVD.
5 questions, 5 DVDs to give away. Here's your second chance:
Today's question involves -- what else? -- devils. As mentioned, Levistus now rules the fifth layer, but who was the original ruler?
A: Know the answer? Send it in to dndcontest@wizards.com, with Cartoon Answer #2 in the subject line. One winner for the second DVD we're giving away will be chosen from among all correct answers submitted for this question. Tomorrow there will be a new question, and a new chance to win!
Complete rules can be read here. Good luck!
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Click on any thumbnail below for a larger image.
The Devils
Abishai
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Amnizu
| 2nd Edition |
3.0 Monster Manual 2 |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Barbed Devil (Hamatula)
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Bearded Devil (Barbazu)
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Bone Devil (Osyluth)
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Chain Devil (Kyton)
| 2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Erinyes
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
FC II (Brachina) |
Miniature |
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Hellcat (Bezekira)
| 1st Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Horned Devil (Cornugon)
| 2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Ice Devil (Gelugon)
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Imp
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Kochrechon
| 2nd Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
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Lemure
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Malebranche
| 1st Edition |
3.0 Monster Manual 2 |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Narzugon
| Manual of the Planes |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Nupperibo
| 2nd Edition |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Pit Fiend
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
2nd Edition |
3.5 Monster Manual |
Miniature |
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Spined Devil (Spinagon)
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Lords of the Nine
1st: Bel
| 2nd Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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2nd: Dispater
| 1st Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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3rd: Mammon
| 1st Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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4th: Belial and Fierna
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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5th: Levistus
| Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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6th: Glasya
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Fiendish Codex II |
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7th: Baalzebul
| 1st Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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8th: Mephistopheles
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Miniature Handbook |
Fiendish Codex II |
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9th: Asmodeus
| 1st Edition |
2nd Edition |
Book of Vile Darkness |
Fiendish Codex II |
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Feedback
Have your own tales of adventure against the game’s demons? Either on sortie into the Abyss, or battling those crawling their way into the Prime Material Plane? Thoughts on the game’s demons, past or present? We'd love to hear, either on the message boards or sent directly to us at: dndcolumn@wizards.com.
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