Impurities of Passion

Devotees of Belial

Of all the lower planar creatures, devils are probably the most openly worshipped evil creatures. Although Cheliax and Isger most openly promote diabolism, other nations have official churches of Asmodeus at the very least. There is more to Hell than just the Prince of Law and the Archdevils  have many worshipers of their own. We look this week at Belial. Known as the Pale Kiss, Thorned Caress, Father of Whores, Duke of Many Forms, and the Lord of the Fourth; Belial is the Archdevil of Adultery, Deception, and Desire. He is also the one who forges the souls that flood into Hell into devils to fill the ranks of the diabolic army.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Belial. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Archdevil. What character do you make?

For more information on Belial

Belial’s Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Belial’s Archives of Nethys Page 

The Forged

Belial oversees the fourth level of Hell, Phlegeton. It is in this realm where the Archdevil oversees the soul forges, which temper the souls of the damned into true devils. Like their patron, The Forged seek to temper their souls before they reach the realm of Belial. They believe that in doing so they will be forged into more powerful devils to fight in the armies of Hell.

The Forged are a monastic order who mix martial arts with divine power from the Lord of the Fourth. They live by strict rules to better prepare themselves for the absolute order of Hell. Although the sect only contains between half a dozen and a dozen members at a time, they are each highly trained warpriests. They will occasionally work with both the royal Chelaxian army and the Hellknights if they find the goal fits into their lord’s agenda.

The House of the Gruff

The sign above the door is a placard with a fiendish looking goat on it. The House of the Gruff is one of the premiere houses of ill repute in all of Egorian. Whereas in other countries Calistria’s follower will master the flesh trade, in the land of devils it is Belial’s chosen who oversee such things. To the Calsitrians selling sex is just a means to spread pleasure, to the Father of Whores it is a means to corrupt more souls.

The House of the Gruff specializes in some of the most bizarre carnal acts. Once someone has tasted of their basic amenities the master of the house tempts them with more peculiar pleasures. When the returning patron can no longer find pleasure without performing the most depraved acts then the House buys his soul for their patron. Each member of the House of the Gruff is a skilled tempter. Once the forbidden fruit is tasted it can never be uneaten.

The Forbidden Kiss

Although Belial’s worship is most prominent among the diabolists of Cheliax, it is not the only place that his followers call home. The decadent aristocracy of Taldor is the perfect breeding ground for the lusts that the devil known as The Pale Kiss peddles. It is here that his minions, The Forbidden Kiss, work their wiles on the rich and powerful—those who have more money and time on their hands than sense.

The Forbidden Kiss uses blackmail to their advantage to gain control of politics by proxy. They tempt politicians, aristocrats, merchant lords, and nobility alike with the pleasures of flesh. Once they’ve cheated on their loved ones, the sect moves in to hold that knowledge against them. Belial looks to recreate Taldor in the image of Cheliax but under his own guidance rather than that of Asmodeus.

The Duke of Many Forms and Father of Whores has followers who are just as passionate as he is. Who is your follower of Belial? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Lord of the Fourth? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

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