Asmodeus: Lord of Lies

[PurpleIrises]

I have several manuals at my disposal, concerning information over archfiends and the like, and planar related things in general, as well as manuals over Forgotten Realms too. My brother and I own a lot of manuals needless to say. One of which is entitled “Advanced Dungeon and Dragons: Guide to Hell”, and the other is “Book of Vile Darkness”. When I was reading both of them the other night I kind of got confused on some things.

In the “ADnD: Guide to Hell”, it pretty much tells you why Hell exists, who the most powerful beings in the planes are, and why Asmodeus does what he does, etc etc. It’s a very interesting manual if you want to know how things operate within the 9 layers of Hell. It will teach you why there is even 9 layers for that matter. The “Book of Vile Darkness”, it pretty much tells you how to be evil and helps DM’s make a good evil campaign, and gives you information to other things (But I wont touch into detail on either manual specifically)

But anyway! In the book “Guide to Hell”, it states that Asmodeus doesn’t grant clerical spells and doesn’t grant arcane spells (No it doesn’t say that specifically, but that’s just the gist of it.) However in the Book of Vile Darkness it states that Asmodeus has a cult and says that “Clerics who have Asmodeus as a patron are imperious, powerful figures with great personal magnetism and political influence.” It goes on to say that his clerics have access to the Diabolic, Evil, and Law domains.

So I am confused =\ Does Asmodeus grant clerical spells or not?

I assume he doesn’t because he, well I can’t say he isn’t a greater power, but he doesn’t wish to act like one for his own secrets (That refers back to the Guide to Hell). I’m skeptical about giving out anymore information than this concerning Asmodeus, for the fear of angering DM’s and giving out “Too much information”. Though if given permission to quote things, I’ll gladly do it. : )

[DM the Usurper]

While I don't have any immediate info on the question at hand, I do know that there will be a book out later this year dealing with the little devils. Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells. Perhaps that will give updated information.

Through subtle plotting and brutal aggression, the forces of the Nine Hells seek to corrupt or dominate all who stand against them. These fiends, as ancient and terrible as any in the multiverse, forge armies out of the souls of the wicked and use them to enforce their iron rule. Can your adventurers stand against the might and tyranny of the Nine Hells?

This supplement for the D&D game presents the definitive treatise on devils and their malefic home. Along with information about the physiology, psychology, society, and schemes of the devils themselves, you’ll find feats, spells, items, and tactics commonly employed by these infernal creatures and those who oppose them. This book also provides detailed information on various devils, archdevils, and the layers of the Nine Hells.

[PurpleIrises]

abdul75 said:

While I don't have any immediate info on the question at hand, I do know that there will be a book out later this year dealing with the little devils. Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells. Perhaps that will give updated information.

Through subtle plotting and brutal aggression, the forces of the Nine Hells seek to corrupt or dominate all who stand against them. These fiends, as ancient and terrible as any in the multiverse, forge armies out of the souls of the wicked and use them to enforce their iron rule. Can your adventurers stand against the might and tyranny of the Nine Hells?

This supplement for the D&D game presents the definitive treatise on devils and their malefic home. Along with information about the physiology, psychology, society, and schemes of the devils themselves, you’ll find feats, spells, items, and tactics commonly employed by these infernal creatures and those who oppose them. This book also provides detailed information on various devils, archdevils, and the layers of the Nine Hells.

Looks cool so far hehe. Hopefully it comes out soon

[Gabusta]

I believe I read somewhere that clerics that doesn't focus on a particular deity, but instead something general purpose of the multiverse such the struggles between law and chaos, harvest and fertility, the sun, death, etc... can chose Asmodeus (as well as any other Duke of the Nine Hells or a Demon Prince)
as a focus for his/her worship of those ideals...
Don't remember where, perhaps Book of Vile Darkness, but I am not sure, and this CAN be rubbish

[Grozer]

Asmodeus does not grant spells and cannot support clerics. Just to clarify another point posted, FRC does not allow clerics of general interest. We expect all clerics to select one of the current FR deities and select appropriate domains for those gods. Domains are listed in detail in the Lore section of this forum.

As to the discussion about Asmodeus as a god and granting spells you may wish to read this thread:

frc.proboards37.com/index.cgi?board=dmqa&action=display&thread=1147867029

The topic was discussed previously.

[Munroe]

More broadly than Grozer's statement, Forgotten Realms itself does not allow clerics of general interest. All divine spellcasters in Forgotten Realms setting must have a patron deity, even druids and rangers.

Everything else you asked is answered in that thread Grozer posted, I believe.

[PurpleIrises]

That makes things much better. Thanks everyone : )

[Thrym]

While I look forward to Fiedish Codex II, I think the Archdevils will be made as ridicously weak as the Demon Princes.

They were already to weak in BoVD. Asmodeus once threw the whole orc pantheon out of the nine hells... wonder how he did it with those stats.

Sure, the new stats are actually fightable if you go epic, but... feh. I prefer the archdevils etc. on line with the deities. Fortunately there are still the dicefreaks versions of them.

Just a little rant of mine.