Layer 4 of Baator is Phlegethos, a fiery realm where the air shimmers with heat distortion, rivers flow with molten lava, and flames erupt from countless cracks in the red-hot, crystalline ground. The fire of Phlegethos possesses an intelligent and malevolent nature, targeting vulnerable flesh, including mortals and other planar travelers, as devils are immune to burns.
Phlegethos is ruled by Lady Fierna and her father Belial, who holds significant influence behind the scenes. Known for their sensual and lustful natures, their relationship fuels diabolical gossip in Baator. While there are rumors regarding Fierna's role as Belial's consort, the details remain unclear. Both Fierna and Belial possess humanlike appearances with small horns.
Belial, an ambitious schemer, has maintained his power despite setbacks and a demotion from official to unofficial ruler of Phlegethos during a power struggle called the Reckoning. With Glasya ascending as Archduchess of Malbolge, a layer Belial had hoped to conquer, the Reckoning has become history, and tensions between Belial and his daughter are beginning to show.
Fierna has developed a close friendship with Glasya and often spends time in her fortress in Malbolge. She has even started referring to herself as the Archduchess Fierna, imitating her new best friend. When Fierna returns to Phlegethos, she announces new initiatives to her father, which she claims are for her own understanding of her dominion's operations. However, this worries Belial, as he fears Fierna's potential to take control should anything happen to him.
Belial's focus has shifted to monitoring his daughter's activities without provoking her further. His plans to strike at Levistus have been put on hold, and he seeks information on Fierna's ultimate intentions. He contemplates actions against Glasya to diminish her influence on Fierna but must carefully plan them to avoid provoking both Fierna and Asmodeus, Glasya's adoring father.
Fierna should be portrayed as a cunning and manipulative individual, transitioning from her past as a "party girl" to a more mature conspirator. She enjoys toying with those beneath her but has become less quick to discard useful servants. Fierna tries to hide her admiration for Glasya but often ends up talking about her friend with enthusiasm.
Belial, on the other hand, should be depicted as a once-confident schemer who secretly fears losing his grip on power. He maintains a facade of nonchalance but becomes increasingly agitated whenever his daughter's growing independence is brought up.
Abriymoch is an infernal city located inside an active volcano, featuring streets that flow with molten lava. Constructed from obsidian and crystalline rock, it serves as the home for Baator's formidable defenders led by the pit fiend Gazra. Gazra and his minions, including bone devils, patrol Baator's upper layers, ensuring the security of the realms and checking the papers of mortals and devils alike. Gazra answers to Belial but also fulfills the demands of Bel, Dispater, and Mammon. Abriymoch is also known for housing the Diabolical Courts, an independent institution that resolves disputes among devils, primarily focusing on contract cases between devils who lack a shared chain of command. Shamane, a corpulent paeliryon, presides over the courts and is known for consuming advocates with frivolous arguments. The city is a center of the weapons and armor trade in the Nine Hells, with its magma supplying the ore for Baatorian green steel. Travel within Abriymoch is facilitated by scorched gondolas made of Baatorian green steel, piloted by barbazu while burning magma splashes into the boats.
Phlegethos is ruled by Lady Fierna and her father Belial, who holds significant influence behind the scenes. Known for their sensual and lustful natures, their relationship fuels diabolical gossip in Baator. While there are rumors regarding Fierna's role as Belial's consort, the details remain unclear. Both Fierna and Belial possess humanlike appearances with small horns.
Belial, an ambitious schemer, has maintained his power despite setbacks and a demotion from official to unofficial ruler of Phlegethos during a power struggle called the Reckoning. With Glasya ascending as Archduchess of Malbolge, a layer Belial had hoped to conquer, the Reckoning has become history, and tensions between Belial and his daughter are beginning to show.
Fierna has developed a close friendship with Glasya and often spends time in her fortress in Malbolge. She has even started referring to herself as the Archduchess Fierna, imitating her new best friend. When Fierna returns to Phlegethos, she announces new initiatives to her father, which she claims are for her own understanding of her dominion's operations. However, this worries Belial, as he fears Fierna's potential to take control should anything happen to him.
Belial's focus has shifted to monitoring his daughter's activities without provoking her further. His plans to strike at Levistus have been put on hold, and he seeks information on Fierna's ultimate intentions. He contemplates actions against Glasya to diminish her influence on Fierna but must carefully plan them to avoid provoking both Fierna and Asmodeus, Glasya's adoring father.
Fierna should be portrayed as a cunning and manipulative individual, transitioning from her past as a "party girl" to a more mature conspirator. She enjoys toying with those beneath her but has become less quick to discard useful servants. Fierna tries to hide her admiration for Glasya but often ends up talking about her friend with enthusiasm.
Belial, on the other hand, should be depicted as a once-confident schemer who secretly fears losing his grip on power. He maintains a facade of nonchalance but becomes increasingly agitated whenever his daughter's growing independence is brought up.
IMPORTANT LOCATIONS
Phlegethos, being the quintessential fiery layer of the Nine Hells, boasts landmarks that reflect its nature. These structures are designed to withstand intense heat and redirected lava flows.Fierna's Palace
Fierna's palace dominates the landscape of Phlegethos, a snaking tower of crystalline stone wreathed in blue flames. Rising from a ring of sputtering magma pools, the palace features a burning staircase spiraling down into Fierna's pleasure domes. Each cavern is dedicated to a different vice, with grates in the floors granting access to a network of prison cells below. Fierna amuses herself by using a lance to taunt captives, including paladins and unicorns. Some cells are reserved for Fierna's ex-lovers, serving as a warning to her current paramours.The Pit of Flame
The Pit of Flame is a mile-wide lake of boiling filth, where columns of searing flames shoot into the sky. Captive devils hang inside iron balls suspended by massive cantilevered beams within these flame columns. While some devils appear to revel in the fire, finding purification in its touch, most scream in agonizing pain. The Pit of Flame serves as a place of punishment for baatezu who have disobeyed orders or failed their missions. The cages and suspension equipment are maintained through contributions from other archdevils. Even flame-resistant devils can still experience intense pain, and imprisonment in the Pit is a source of terror for them. However, fiercely ambitious devils sometimes subject themselves to the flames voluntarily, either as a penance for failure or to prove their endurance. The cantilever operators can be bribed to extend the duration of the punishment.Abriymoch
Abriymoch is an infernal city located inside an active volcano, featuring streets that flow with molten lava. Constructed from obsidian and crystalline rock, it serves as the home for Baator's formidable defenders led by the pit fiend Gazra. Gazra and his minions, including bone devils, patrol Baator's upper layers, ensuring the security of the realms and checking the papers of mortals and devils alike. Gazra answers to Belial but also fulfills the demands of Bel, Dispater, and Mammon. Abriymoch is also known for housing the Diabolical Courts, an independent institution that resolves disputes among devils, primarily focusing on contract cases between devils who lack a shared chain of command. Shamane, a corpulent paeliryon, presides over the courts and is known for consuming advocates with frivolous arguments. The city is a center of the weapons and armor trade in the Nine Hells, with its magma supplying the ore for Baatorian green steel. Travel within Abriymoch is facilitated by scorched gondolas made of Baatorian green steel, piloted by barbazu while burning magma splashes into the boats.