Bael (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
Bael is a powerful Duke of Hell in the service of Mammon, in the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game.
's article "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom," in Dragon
#75 (TSR, 1983). He also appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
Bael was briefly detailed in Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
(2006). Bael was detailed in the online version of Dragon
, in issue #360 (October 2007) in the "Infernal Aristocracy" feature.
and the more fickle members of the Dark Eight are well aware of how formidable he'd be on the front lines of the Blood War
, but for now Bael is content to serve Mammon instead. Many believe that Bael could easily rise to the status of archduke, ruling one of the layers of Hell in his own right, if only he was a more able politician; as it is, he is easily outmaneuvered by more able players, consigned to the shadows of a master less deserving of his title than Bael would be. Some think he would have been a more legitimate successor to the Hag Countess
than Glasya was.
Bael has many enemies, of course, who would exploit or discredit him. Most of these are within Mammon's court. Focalur and Glwa work to maneuver Bael into a position where he is forced to overthrow Mammon. Then, Focalur hopes to rule Minauros as the power behind the throne. Caarcrinolaas
and Melchon
, on the other hand, are plotting to murder Bael and seize control of his legions. With these additional forces at their command, they hope to launch their own coup against Mammon.
, diabolists often credit Bael with far more power than he actually has, sometimes naming him as King of Hell. Some credit him with granting the first invisibility spells to mortals, though most arcanists deny that this spell has any infernal taint. Bael is often depicted in artwork as a toad, cat, man, or some fusion of the three.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
roleplaying game.
Publication history
Bael was first detailed in Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
's article "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom," in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#75 (TSR, 1983). He also appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
Bael was briefly detailed in Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:...
(2006). Bael was detailed in the online version of Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, in issue #360 (October 2007) in the "Infernal Aristocracy" feature.
Description
Tall and roughly humanoid, Bael has a bovine face, a mane of red hair, two massive bull-like horns, golden skin and watery golden eyes. His wide mouth is filled with sharp teeth. He has the power to sense corruption in others. He fights with a magical morningstar of great potency.Relationships
Bael is a servant of Mammon and one of the greatest generals in Baator. BelBel (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Bel the pit fiend, is the Arch-Devil currently in charge of Avernus, the First Layer of the Nine Hells of Baator...
and the more fickle members of the Dark Eight are well aware of how formidable he'd be on the front lines of the Blood War
Blood War
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Blood War is an eternal conflict between the fiends of the Lower planes. The Tanar'ri are the demonic forces of the Abyss, an evil plane of chaos. Representing the equally evil but lawful realm of Baator are the Baatezu, the dominant caste of...
, but for now Bael is content to serve Mammon instead. Many believe that Bael could easily rise to the status of archduke, ruling one of the layers of Hell in his own right, if only he was a more able politician; as it is, he is easily outmaneuvered by more able players, consigned to the shadows of a master less deserving of his title than Bael would be. Some think he would have been a more legitimate successor to the Hag Countess
Hag Countess
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Hag Countess, also known as Malagard, is the former ruler of Malbolge, the Sixth Layer of the Nine Hells of Baator...
than Glasya was.
Bael has many enemies, of course, who would exploit or discredit him. Most of these are within Mammon's court. Focalur and Glwa work to maneuver Bael into a position where he is forced to overthrow Mammon. Then, Focalur hopes to rule Minauros as the power behind the throne. Caarcrinolaas
Caarcrinolaas
Caarcrinolaas is a Duke of Hell in the service of Mammon, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Caarcrinolaas first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
and Melchon
Melchon
Melchon is a Duke of Hell in the service of Mammon, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Melchon first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
, on the other hand, are plotting to murder Bael and seize control of his legions. With these additional forces at their command, they hope to launch their own coup against Mammon.
Worshipers
On the Prime Material PlanePrime Material Plane
The Prime Material Plane is the central plane of existence in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
, diabolists often credit Bael with far more power than he actually has, sometimes naming him as King of Hell. Some credit him with granting the first invisibility spells to mortals, though most arcanists deny that this spell has any infernal taint. Bael is often depicted in artwork as a toad, cat, man, or some fusion of the three.