Fiends

Fiends, in the simplest of terms, can be seen as an inverse of celestials—hosting the devils to their angels. They come from the Lower Planes—sometimes referred to as the Fiendish Planes for the majority of the beings that reside there—and are a general family of creatures that include devils, demons, and yugoloth, along with other lesser and partial fiends. Just like in any other plane, not all of these creatures get along, with the devils and demons in particular having a nasty history of war between the two.

Due to their home emanating a primal malevolence, all fiends have the reputation—and certainly the ability—to be full of pure malice and evil. However, some do choose to leave for other planes of existence to escape this rotted, evil realm. Many may be content with a life of evil due to their nigh-immortal existence and distorted sense of time, watching centuries pass as if it were but a day.

Tactics. While knowing your neighbor dwarf or the local human innkeeper’s name is a common courtesy expected of decent citizens, knowing a fiend’s true name is a point of vulnerability. A fiend may use their own true name to rise in the ranks of their own plane, but a mortal with a fiend’s true name has complete control over the wily creature. While this may not be feasible for the common adventurer to hold over a hostile fiend’s head, know that most fiends have a certain degree of magic and like to utilize it to inspire fear and division in the mortals they come across.

Devils

“Be mindful of the temptation to make deals with evil. Devils embody a cruel and heartless order, corrupting through whispered pacts and binding contracts.”

Architects of Ruin. Originating from the Nine Hells, devils excel in corrupting souls. Known for deceptive pacts filled with inscrutable clauses, they trap even the most cautious in unbreakable servitude. Every devilish action, no matter how seemingly benign, contributes to a larger, diabolical scheme that spans across the planes. Their ultimate aim is to subjugate free will and extend their malevolent influence.

Wicked Anatomy. With meticulously sculpted horns, forked tails, and piercing eyes, a devil’s form is an affront to divine creation, ensnaring those who underestimate their malice.

Strict Hierarchy. The infernal society is a brutal meritocracy. Though every devil knows its place, they seethe and scheme to rise through the ranks from lowly imps to fearsome archdukes.

Willful Blindness. So fixated on order and control, devils fail to comprehend unpredictable acts of altruism and free will committed by the righteous—an exploitable weakness.