Zariel

Zariel is a character in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an archdevil who once ruled Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator.

Publication history

Zariel was first mentioned in the second edition book Guide to Hell (1999).^[1]

Zariel was mentioned in third edition in the Manual of the Planes (2001),^[2]:117 and Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells (2006).^[3]

The 5th edition Monster Manual notes Bel as a former lord of Avernus, with Zariel the current lord.

Description

Zariel is described as a female devil.

Relationships

When Zariel ruled Avernus, her chief warlord was a pit fiend called Bel. She was also served by Amduscias and Malphas. Zariel was allied with Baalzebul, Belial, and Moloch during the Reckoning of Hell.

Realm

Zariel was ruler of Avernus until a few thousand years ago, when she was deposed by Bel.

The fireballs of Avernus are said to be manifestations of Zariel's helpless rage.

History

The Reckoning of Hell began on Avernus: Zariel had prepared a great army, supposedly to lead an assault on the tanar'ri in the Blood War. At the last minute, she diverted her army to Dis and laid siege on the Iron Citadel of Dispater. Her allies continued the assault, although the faction of Mephistopheles organized a counter-offensive which turned the tide, and Zariel retreated to her home layer of Avernus.

When he deposed Zariel, Bel imprisoned her beneath his new palace and is slowly draining her of her power. Bel actually gets his power from removing and consuming pieces of flesh from Zariel herself who is currently imprisoned and continually tortured in the basement of the Bronze Citadel where the Lord of the First has his headquarters. Now he is the Lord of the First in all but name.

References