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Midjourney by Aphterlyfe
Lost Souls in Avernus
Though they swore to protect their homes and realm from the ravages of the demonlord Yeenoghu, the Hellriders find themselves eternally entangled in the Blood War. Their once saintly protector, the angel Zariel, has now become a master of Hell, the Archduke of Avernus, a Devil commander in the endless war against the chaos of the Abyss.
How could this once-mortal army hope to overcome the endless hordes of the Abyss? And what does Zariel want with the city of Elturel and it's people? Destiny has called mighty heroes forth to the uncover their secrets in the hopes of saving the doomed city--but what, if anything, can be done to for the Hellriders themselves? Or, after hundreds of years performing deeds of unspeakable evil in service to their dark mistress, are they too far gone to be worthy of redemption?
How could this once-mortal army hope to overcome the endless hordes of the Abyss? And what does Zariel want with the city of Elturel and it's people? Destiny has called mighty heroes forth to the uncover their secrets in the hopes of saving the doomed city--but what, if anything, can be done to for the Hellriders themselves? Or, after hundreds of years performing deeds of unspeakable evil in service to their dark mistress, are they too far gone to be worthy of redemption?
About
Hi I'm Aphterlyfe, and I am a Dungeon Master running Descent into Avernus in 5th edition D&D. Crypt of the Hellriders is my own head-canon branch rife with heavy themes exploring morally grey quandries, difficult ethical choices, and asking big questions about the very nature of immortal souls.
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Avernus
Location
Ruled by Archduke Zariel, Avernus is the first layer of the 9 Hells and the first plane all travelers come to when arriving in Baator.
Zariel
Character
Zariel is the Archduke of Avernus, making her one of the Lords of the 9 Hells and the general on the forefront of the Blood War against the demons of the Abyss.
Faye Mournhell
Character
Faye Mournhell was an agent of the Cult of the Dragon who was recovering precious artifacts sacred to her masters. She befriended a group of Flaming Fists in fighting Zarielite cultists beneath Baldur's Gate.
Charlemagne Martel
Character
Charlemagne Martel is an aged Hellrider Elite who stands for moral purity and holds Hellriders under his command to a higher standard of ethical conduct.
Shield of the Hidden Lord
Item
Gargauth yeah
Elturel
Location
The Holy city of Elturel is the capital of the Elturgard, and home to the honorable knights known as the Hellriders.
Hellriders
Faction
The Hellriders of Elturel were a noble and honorable class of knights who protected the Elturgard from any evil that sought to disrupt the life of good people.
Yeenoghu
Character
Yeenoghu is a savage, bestial Demonlord of the Abyss, and the chief being worshiped by gnolls. Dedicated only to destruction, the Ruler of Ruin seeks the collapse of civilization and he would brutally butcher all that stands between him and his rabid slaughter.
The Abyss
Location
The Infinite Layers of the Abyss is the birthplace of demons, a chaotic evil universe unto itself with unaccountable layers of infinite variety connected haphazardly.
The Nine Hells of Baator
Location
The Nine Hells of Baator, sometimes shortened to Hell or Hells, and named Baator in Infernal is the home of devils and the plane that embodies lawful evil.
Xanthites
Faction
Xanthites are a faction within the Hellrider organization who believe in an ends-justify-the-means mentality. Their most daring endevour is in attempting to use the energy of The Abyss itself, seeing it not as an enemy to destroy but also as a tool that can be wielded.
Lady Yael
Character
Lady Yael was one of the Three Generals who served in Zariel's mortal army assembled in the material plane with the intention to chase down Yeenoghu, and the romantic partner of Lord Olanthius.
Finnen
Character
Finen held Morgan as she died in his arms at the Battle of Avernus, but refused to follow Sven Lyons in retreat; instead he and Edmond fought bravely alongside Zariel to the end.
Sven Lyons
Character
Sven Lyons was a Hellrider who fought at the Battle of Avernus. Seeing the devastation, he led others to abandon Zariel and the generals in retreat back through the portal to escape.
Estellen Sohl
Character
When the city of Elturel was swallowed by Hell, she witnessed cultists brutalize and murder her family. As a former Hellrider Battlemage, she burned them all alive in her family's house, before wandering the streets in agony, slaying devils and cultists in retribution.
