I think yugoloths are by definition the worst of the fiends, as unlike devils who want to rule all tyrannically or demons who want to destroy anything, yugoloths just want everyone (including themselves) to suffer as much as possible, forever.
I would argue they aren't and my argument is thus: Demons are the only faction who you could not rise up against and resist after their victory. If the devils "won" and ruled everything, you could conceive of a potential, possible resistance movement. If the yugoloths "won" and ruled everything, you could conceive of a potential, possible resistance movement. If the demons "won" and ruled everything, they'd kill and destroy it all and there would be nothing left. So basically, demons are the only ones who essentially end all hope, and therefor that is the most evil, IMO.
@@yotamz.r.6948 Thank you. I certainly can see your point though, I might choose death over living under the Yugoloths too lol. Just because there is hope doesn't mean it's feasible, after all.
Thank you so much for your hopeful and uplifting epilogue Esper. I know how easy it is to fall for the trappings of cynicism and nihilism, so your words are extremely welcomed. Again, thank you. ❤
people frequently misrepresent nihilism, its not "nothing has meaning so give up" its "nothing has INHERENT meaning, life is your canvas to paint your own meaning onto"
I would not call it redeeming value, though something of a mitigating factor. He's not devoting 100% of his time to corrupting mortals and spreading despair because he also spends so much time administrating, politicking, and overseeing the Blood War against the demons.
"Back on the first level of Avernus, we find Bael. His role is a powerful Duke of Hell, he commands legions in the Blood War." That might just be the most faithful adaptation of a devil in the entirety of D&D, relatively speaking. He's not as far off from the Goetic Bael as the other archdevils seen here are from their respective sources.
@@ShadowedBattlegroundsCre-tk9md When I say "Goetic", I refer specifically to the _Ars_ Goetia. As Abaddon isn't mentioned in the Ars Goetia, he's not Goetic.
Got a job offer today & Esper the Bard drops a video early enough to enjoy with my morning coffee?! Today is going great! Edit: Woah! And the video is 41 mins long! This’ll hold me over for my coffee & while I do some dishes!
An understated aspect of the satanic figure, is that in his opposition to the Divine he is ultimately pathetic. Asmodeus is the ruler of his realm, Mephistopheles is Chief amongst schemers, and Baalzebul at least can roam. Levistus for all his want, has nothing.
Ah... The fun part is, Asmodeus is not even who he appears to be. He is greater than any of these simple devils, and his devilish form is entirely a facade. He is The Serpent, twin to another holy serpentine creature who both were part of the creation of the cosmos. His true form is there, at the bottom of hell where the river ends. Slowly consuming souls to regain his strength from his fall.
Fun fact "Dis" means chaos. "Pater" means father. "Dispater" translates to father of chaos. And the father of chaos rules the city of chaos. And he is lawful evil Edit: dis doesn’t translate to chaos but to both wealth and god. This makes this fun fact way less funny
The older descriptions in the Planescape setting describe Dis as a city that is effectively impossible to maneuver due to the layout changing whenever you turn your back, according to rules no one knows. So you could argue that the Chaos is something that visitors of his city are inflicted upon. (And of course it all comes from a time when fact-checking through the internet was not an option :P)
Dis is not chaos, it's a version of the afterlife. Not heaven or hell, just a neutral afterlife. So like, "The Father in the Afterlife/Father of Death"
@@Pilgrim98 looked it up and we’re both wrong. Dis is most likely derived from both “dives” meaning “wealth” and dius meaning “god” or “god-like”. He was originally associated with agriculture and wealth (minerals to be specific) and was synchronized with hades by the romans later on because he had associations with the underground. I Should’ve looked up wikipedia before commenting, though I’m not sure where i first heard that dis meant chaos.
@@lechevalier-ns2pt probably because in Dante, the city of Dite is an actual fortified city inside of Hell. I know at least that's where I got confused.
So Dispater was was an alternate name for Pluto. as the ruler of the underworld he was a dark reflection of Jupiter the sky father. As Jupiter was the leader of the celestial gods Pluto was the leader of the cthonic or earthly gods
That speech at the end was quite beautiful and unexpected. I think devils may be the most interesting creatures in D&D, like the complex politics and conflicts thats going on between them while theyre fighting a much greater battle at the same time
I was just sitting down to write a campaign in which the party is contracted by devils to hunt demons on the prime material plane... this video is the perfect background for my writing process
Thank you for this video. That intro you wrote to lay the groundwork for the video helped me figure out something that's been bothering me for a long time.
Incredibly cool and information-dense video, I loved it! Though for me personally, I'd go with Baalzebul, with Levistus being a close second. Something about being turned into a horrific monster, but wanting to go back to being beautiful, all the while making contracts with mortals to give them a change for revenge, but at the same time having clauses in those contracts that will ultimately be the mortals' demise, if they take the contract...it's just so devilish. I love it.
Personally, I think it makes more sense for all the lofty devil rulers and generals to be human like in appearance, with only subtly monstrous features, unlike the humongous pit fiend, the insectoid Beelzebub, the half serpentine Mammon, or the Typhon wannabe, Geryon. That would help cement their thematic differences with the overtly monstrous demons of the abyss, who get more gruesomely inhuman the more powerful they are.
I like this, especially if we have devils that grow MORE humanlike, and lest bestial, the more powerful they are. Humanity's evil twins. The more vile, and nasty, and terrible they are, they more they look just like you. Because let's be honest - we could all become that horrible monster. It's just a moment's decision away. Give in to rage, or temptation, or pride, or greed for just a second and there you are.
I agree. I generally present devils as basically looking like tieflings with black wings or bat wings or something. Generally though, I just combined devils and demons in custom settings and based on their 'sin' they're more monstrous in a particular way. So gluttony and envy are usually particularly disgusting, while pride and lust are always beautiful to behold.
Wow, your voice, narration and the very words you say are amazing. Keep up the good work. Btw, I was always intrigued by the lords of the nine hells...especially the reckoning.
That last bit deserved a sub. I work in ems, been on 3 suicide calls and countless attempts. I'd like to share what you said with the survivors, because it cones from a different pov than what I say.
I really needed to hear this, dude. 😊 I have a close friend, his favorite quote, from Warhammer: "Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment." I understand his viewpoint, but I just can't agree entirely. Hope is the first step on the road, yes; and roads go many places. Some hopes lead to disappointment, but others lead to joy. Warhammer has a god of hope as well, Tzeench; also the god of magic and change. While his hopes aren't always good - they do directly oppose Nurgle, the God of death and comfortable stagnation. I think it is always better to get on the road; no matter where it leads - after all, the destination isn't the story; the story is the journey. Thank you, for reminding me of that!
I'm glad my words resounded with you. Best wishes to your friend. Perhaps tell him to look around at everything in the world-the buildings, the cars, the art, the music, the games like Warhammer, the computers, the energy grid, and countless systems that operate in order to sustain life and provide us endless innovations and expressions of culture-every single thing began as just an idea in somebody's head, and those people only acted because they had hope that the idea could come to fruition and provide something valuable. If it weren't for hope, we'd all just be wallowing in the mud, stabbing each other with sticks.
I think an argument can be made for both Asmodeus and Levistus based on what rendition of Satan you look at. Asmodeus better fits the original Judaic interpretation of him simple being "Ha Satan" aka "The Adversary" the one and only trusted by God to arguably the most important job of tempting mortals against his plan, to test mortals. It's evil to us, and he may take joy in it, but he serves a greater purpose and greater being Whereas Levistus is more close to the Christian interpretation of an absolute evil for the sake of it, tearing mortals away from God bc he likes it, delighting in their misery. And like the Devil in Dante's Comedy he has been eternally punished for it, imprisoned in ice deep in Hell, immobile, but not harmless, he still does evil bc evil must exist for good to. That's my take anyway
According to what I had read in the lore Levistus was frozen in ice because he plotted and achieved to murder the consort of Asmodeus and mother of Glasya, therefore getting to be punished in that block of ice forever, every time he is inches away from being free again he gets transported back to the center of it.
Great message at the end, and a completely true one! To anyone who needs to hear this: even though the world isn’t perfect, it’s better with you in it ❤️
I honestly don’t think Belial is a particularly applicable devil to co-opt into a devil of masculine sexuality. IIRC, in Judeo-Christian lore he directly leads an army of demons, and his name directly translates to “the worthless one”.
Can't wait for your 50th Bardstream. Also I feel that Asmodeus is based on Lucifer because I believe he is a fallen angel himself, and is the true ruler of the Nine Hells.
Another way to look upon temptation is the desire to get what is good or useful or desirable, in a way that isn't proper. Lust is wrong, bot because we shouldn't go forth and multiply, but because it goes and multiplies without making a foundation to raise tgose children optimally or it harms another in the attempt. Wrath is wrong not because there aren't proper times and things to destroy in anger, but because the act either went too far, or was upon the wrong target. Just as a couple of examples of that way of seeing the sins. After all, one of the translations from the roman word used for sin, is to have error in one's aim.
I think that the official justification is that he is so foul and disgusting that attracts swarms of flies and other insects. Still a weak explanation, but an explanation nonetheless
@@samfleming4527 Kobolds from Germanic mythology were little faerie people that hung around your house and often appeared as small children, but could also take the shape of animals or a candle. They were generally cool until you annoy them, then they'd play all manner of mean tricks on you, like most fey types. The whole "kobolds are little dragon people" thing is 100% a D&D thing. One that I appreciate, I love the little yappy lizards, but it's far removed from real world mythology. But even then, we didn't get to the lizard form until 3rd edition iirc. 1st Edition D&D they were little goblinoid-type people, and 2nd edition they were fuzzy dog-like critters. Wasn't until 3rd Ed. that we got the lizard form. One thing I never figured out is WHY that happened. And I wonder what other D&D critters have evolved like that over time.
@@esperthebardWell yes, but all of those had external reasons if I’m not mistaken. I’m curious what the external reason for making Beelzebub a slug was.
So if I'm reading this right, if someone who wanted to drown those that had wronged them in hellfire went looking for a devil that could grant them that power Zariel or Geryon would be the most likely to respond?
I know that ive asked this a lot, but i still want the abominations to be ranked. The abominations are such an interesting and tragic monster type, and one that i feel some degree of sympathy for.
When looking at the Abrahamic Satan, and trying to figure out what fantasy archdevil is closest. I find I have to figure out which satan I am trying to figure out. The name translates to 'adversary', but there are more then one in the old testament, and while only one in the new testament, they are more akin to a prosecuting attorney, that uses entrapment to then convict. Many episodes of the tv series cops showed this happening. For me Asmodeus fits that well. This was fascinating, and I like the Archdevil Levistus, so yeah he could be one that fit's the title. But in my head cannon I see him as an avatar of another being, and before I found the other being in the books for the game, used him as a stand in.
Sire the troops have been fighting for months for this victory but are burdened with much weariness and sorrow. What can we do for these men? Not to worry I have sent for entertainment for the troops, the great Bard Roberto Esperanza! He is bringing Ann Margert and Rachel Welsh!
I was gonna comment this when this dropped, so I'm probably late on this. Speaking of hope, wouldn't the continuous scheming to climb to the top mean that even though they are devils, fiends, creatures of evil, they would have hope that it was even possible?
How does Levistus tempt mortals while frozen in Ice? Can he mentally communicate with mortals from hell, or create an avatar on the material plane or something?
The official D&D books unfortunately do a very poor job of explaining or developing the cosmology of things (something I am working to correct in my own setting of Ichoros). But yes, the general idea is that archdevils, demon lords, great old ones, gods, and other beings of great power cannot readily just teleport into the Material Plane, and therefore interact with people by way of telepathic communication, dreams, visions, signs, avatars, and of course their assorted mortal followers.
I can't help but notice Glasya layer is so short. But you should really explain why it has its name. It was ruled over by a supremely powerful Hag for I believe most of 2nd editions DnD. Then she was cursed by Asmodeous himself into becoming the lair for his daughter. He litterally made her expand and explode replacing that level of Hell with herself. Then he made her daughter in charge of it. There is ALOT to say about this philisophically
My most insidious devil cult in a campaign, was a cult made up mostly of very noble people, believing they are fighting the right cause against the demons and want to still fight after they die in the Blood War. Asmodeus himself was even assigning more honest and honorable (still evil) devils to be summoned by them or working with them. Because those were good mostly good and neutral people in that cult, they were drawing in a lot more of good and neutral souls, which are worth much more.
In older scriptures the term satan is more a role than a specific devil. Asmo is prolly closest to lucifer, if we knew his true origin story... but the guy makes up a lot of stuff so who knows.
Personally I’m fascinated by Gargauth the lord of the tenth circle of hell because I think he personally is the closest to Satan because his entire existence is to corrupt all good and he takes joy in the moral destruction of powerful people. There are theories as to why he was cast out of hell and one of them is that he was so evil and twisted that Asmodeus feared him
I haven't watched the video yet. But I'm excited to see what you have to say, because most people. Get to meaning of the word (Satanic) wrong. The word (Satanic) means (Characteristic of or befitting Satan.) And the word (Satan) is a (Title.) That means (Accuser or Adversary.) So technically evan a hero who opposes. A devil is still (Satanic.) And simultaneously holds the (Title) of (Satan.)
Despair... Would purposely continuing a war you could win count as causing despair? Continuing the soul trade to empower himself is pretty insidious. Think of the despair Asmodeus causes casually. Mephi has nothing on the despair Asmo causes without a single care. Asmo causes despair amongst his own devils. Asmo could win the Blood War at any time. That is without question. Asmo has progrogated a war of attrition for his own reasons, reasons that are counter to his own stated goals in order to empower himself at the expense of everyone. Asmo promises hope, and delivers despair. If he won the war, a great deal of suffering caused by his generals schemes and bargains would disappear. The soul trade would end. The devils would no longer have a reason to bargain with mortals for their souls. The devils would be out of work. The conflict would end. To continue a war that has the costs of the Blood War for petson reasons, when victory is achievable, is causing despair of the highest order. None of the other devils could cause despair without that one single decision. Asmo is the root of despair, while promising hope. He is the father of temptation by continuing a system that creates profit from despair. And he dies it from pride. He wants to be at the top. He creates despair because its his only path to the power he desires. That is the conditions the video set forth as "satan".
so true. from my point of view the problem in modern dnd is desacrelisation of evil and detachment of the aspect of evel from the virtue. Making it its own thing. Theres no drama, no moral chalenge in this modern approach.
You've fallen for Asmodeus' greatest lie. That he's "not that bad, just look at who he's keeping in check, you can totally trust him more than these other bozos." He's the Lord of the Nine Hells, King of Lies, and God of Sin for a reason. 😉
Not sure how you got that impression. I literally laid in detail how he's just barely less satanic than Levistus, then said that you could make a solid argument that he's actually the most evil.
@@esperthebard That was intended to be sort of tongue-in-cheek. Akin to the old saying "the greatest lie the devil ever told was that he wasn't real". Basically, I think everything every archdevil does is outshined by how spread out Asmodeus' attention is, yet he is still able to maintain complete dominion over the Nine Hells. He does everything they all do, and still sits at the very top of the hierarchy. He's also a greater deity. Every temptation and all despair across the entire plane is an extension of his will and power. That's the sort of thing that makes him the most satanic, in my opinion.
In judeo-christian theology it is. Starting in 2e they tweaked the pronunciation as part of their attempt to separate DND's tanari (sp?) and Bazatue from "real world" demonology in response to the Satanic Panic.
Great fun, err maybe not the best choice of words, entertaining video. Interested to know more DnD lore. Since WotC owns Forgotten Realms as well do they have the same 9 layers?
Forgotten Realms is just a DnD setting. The planes are pretty consistent across the different settings. You have a few where the outer planes aren't accessible for various reasons, Ravenloft and Darksun for instance, but they still exist. So yeah, the nine layers exist across all official settings, although their significance varies wildly.
Not in my world, alignment is done differently. There isn't even "cleric" or "Paladins " my world is more morally gray and brutal. "Clerics" and "Paladins " is more closer to mages then anything Divine. In my world a cleric can just kill who ever they want and say God told me to and most likely the NPCs will believe or risk getting run threw with a blade themselves. Who needs evil when people are doing just fine. Can you play an actually morally good character yes. Just keep in mind the campaign I run you will have to make hard decisions that is morally gray. And I will make you at some point ask yourself "are you really good? Or are you the bad guy?" To kill or not to kill that is the question. And in my world actions have consequences. Had one player go murder hobo. A serial killer that was in the city though it was a challenge and killed him. Even the "good" aligned creature aren't exactly "good" I have something called evil light. Where they protry themselves as good and does good things when everyone is looking but does evil or selfish things when they're not. And I have the darklight where they seem evil but it's more for the greater good. More like Anti-hero.
So, interesting video, but I have a semantic nitpick- this isn't about the most *satanic* archdevil, it's about which archdevil is the most like Satan. Satanic, as an adjective, generally is used to mean "relating to Satanism, as a religion." Which means, that the most Satan-like archdevil is, obviously, Asmodeus, because he is literally Satan with the serial numbers filed off for D&D. But that's just my two cents *as a satanist* and literal advocate for the devil who, as the video ends, suddenly feels very out of place here.
I don't see why so many people insist that pride is the worst of sins. Lust is much more pervasive, more insidious, more damaging, and more difficult to fight. It has become so ingrained in society that it can not be avoided or ignored. There are plenty of people who never really struggle with pride, but lust is biologically wired into everyone.
@@esperthebard It isn't though. Addiction can lead someone to commit horrific crimes so they can get their fix, whether it be a physical substance they take or a mental/emotional addiction. I know people who got dragged so far into evil through addiction that they attempted suicide over it. They couldn't see any other way to escape the things they were doing and the person they had become. They didn't have pride driving them to intentionally defy morality. They tried something they really shouldn't have for one reason or another, then they couldn't ever find a way to make themselves stop.
buuuh zariel, bel is our man! and i think you forgot one of the exiled archdevils gargoth, who is said to rival asmodeus "If, however, Gargauth decided he wanted the Overlord's throne rather than to forge his own path, Asmodeus's days could very well be numbered. Gargauth was once a power in Hell second only to Asmodeus, and with his support, Mephistopheles, Baalzebul, or even one of the less powerful archdukes had some chance of ousting the King of Hell" plus the dude is very devil-ish looking
Satan: Gets a new pseudonym D&D designers: "Let's attach this to some lore and a statblock" D&D players: Find a way to defeat this new version of Satan, often quite easily and anticlimactically, until he becomes a joke
All humans are born with Lust then that lust is turn to greed, greed turn to pride, once pride is broken it turn to wrath,pride or greed can become sloth,pride or lust can lead to gluttony. But the truth these so call sins have a upside as much as they have a downside.
Fun fact: In demonology, Titivilus is a demon of.. scribal errors. His entire job was to induce mistakes in scribes as they transcribed the Bible.
Sounds like a very convenient demon to me.
@@Dereliction2 could you be the demon of downplaying? Or could I be the demon of misdirection? Omg now we have a Hazbin Hotel episode…
ah, the demon of “thou shalt commit adultery”!
@@hal9713 More like New World Translation
@@Plzcheese The demon of spilling coffee on your report you are working on
Being both a D&D nerd and a religious history nerd, these videos are right up my alley. Keep it up, Esper!
You and me both!
I think yugoloths are by definition the worst of the fiends, as unlike devils who want to rule all tyrannically or demons who want to destroy anything, yugoloths just want everyone (including themselves) to suffer as much as possible, forever.
I would argue they aren't and my argument is thus: Demons are the only faction who you could not rise up against and resist after their victory. If the devils "won" and ruled everything, you could conceive of a potential, possible resistance movement. If the yugoloths "won" and ruled everything, you could conceive of a potential, possible resistance movement. If the demons "won" and ruled everything, they'd kill and destroy it all and there would be nothing left.
So basically, demons are the only ones who essentially end all hope, and therefor that is the most evil, IMO.
@@johnteixeira6405 I agree. I think the winner of this contest of Esper's actually lives in the Abyss.
Fraz Ur'Blu
@@johnteixeira6405 interesting argument
@@yotamz.r.6948 Thank you. I certainly can see your point though, I might choose death over living under the Yugoloths too lol. Just because there is hope doesn't mean it's feasible, after all.
You forget the terrible gehreleths
Thank you so much for your hopeful and uplifting epilogue Esper.
I know how easy it is to fall for the trappings of cynicism and nihilism, so your words are extremely welcomed.
Again, thank you. ❤
Thank you too for sharing in the beacon of hope!
people frequently misrepresent nihilism, its not "nothing has meaning so give up" its "nothing has INHERENT meaning, life is your canvas to paint your own meaning onto"
Re: Asmodeus having redeeming value because he wants to preserve life. No dictatorship can stay in power if it destroys it's own power base.
I would not call it redeeming value, though something of a mitigating factor. He's not devoting 100% of his time to corrupting mortals and spreading despair because he also spends so much time administrating, politicking, and overseeing the Blood War against the demons.
A fun topic to consider! But most of all I loved the ending. It's easy to forget that the future doesn't have to be doom and gloom.
Zariel reminds me more of Lucifer/Satan in John Milton's Paradise Lost.
"Back on the first level of Avernus, we find Bael. His role is a powerful Duke of Hell, he commands legions in the Blood War."
That might just be the most faithful adaptation of a devil in the entirety of D&D, relatively speaking. He's not as far off from the Goetic Bael as the other archdevils seen here are from their respective sources.
The Goetic general of hell is actually Abaddon and the heavenly version is Castiel
@@ShadowedBattlegroundsCre-tk9md When I say "Goetic", I refer specifically to the _Ars_ Goetia. As Abaddon isn't mentioned in the Ars Goetia, he's not Goetic.
Got a job offer today & Esper the Bard drops a video early enough to enjoy with my morning coffee?!
Today is going great!
Edit: Woah! And the video is 41 mins long! This’ll hold me over for my coffee & while I do some dishes!
Congratulations! I hope that job is awesome, you are happy there, and you make a lot of $$$ to donate to Esper. :D
...and it's Friday!
Congrats on the new job!
Love seeing random wholesome comments. Congrats friend!!
@@esperthebard thank you!
An understated aspect of the satanic figure, is that in his opposition to the Divine he is ultimately pathetic. Asmodeus is the ruler of his realm, Mephistopheles is Chief amongst schemers, and Baalzebul at least can roam. Levistus for all his want, has nothing.
The way you described despair. . . Sounds exactly like the real world to me.
Sorry to hear this, continue to reach out to those around you, and find professionals to speak with.
Ah... The fun part is, Asmodeus is not even who he appears to be. He is greater than any of these simple devils, and his devilish form is entirely a facade. He is The Serpent, twin to another holy serpentine creature who both were part of the creation of the cosmos. His true form is there, at the bottom of hell where the river ends. Slowly consuming souls to regain his strength from his fall.
Fun fact
"Dis" means chaos.
"Pater" means father.
"Dispater" translates to father of chaos. And the father of chaos rules the city of chaos. And he is lawful evil
Edit: dis doesn’t translate to chaos but to both wealth and god. This makes this fun fact way less funny
The older descriptions in the Planescape setting describe Dis as a city that is effectively impossible to maneuver due to the layout changing whenever you turn your back, according to rules no one knows.
So you could argue that the Chaos is something that visitors of his city are inflicted upon.
(And of course it all comes from a time when fact-checking through the internet was not an option :P)
Dis is not chaos, it's a version of the afterlife. Not heaven or hell, just a neutral afterlife. So like, "The Father in the Afterlife/Father of Death"
@@Pilgrim98 looked it up and we’re both wrong. Dis is most likely derived from both “dives” meaning “wealth” and dius meaning “god” or “god-like”. He was originally associated with agriculture and wealth (minerals to be specific) and was synchronized with hades by the romans later on because he had associations with the underground.
I Should’ve looked up wikipedia before commenting, though I’m not sure where i first heard that dis meant chaos.
@@lechevalier-ns2pt probably because in Dante, the city of Dite is an actual fortified city inside of Hell. I know at least that's where I got confused.
So Dispater was was an alternate name for Pluto. as the ruler of the underworld he was a dark reflection of Jupiter the sky father. As Jupiter was the leader of the celestial gods Pluto was the leader of the cthonic or earthly gods
That speech at the end was quite beautiful and unexpected. I think devils may be the most interesting creatures in D&D, like the complex politics and conflicts thats going on between them while theyre fighting a much greater battle at the same time
I was just sitting down to write a campaign in which the party is contracted by devils to hunt demons on the prime material plane... this video is the perfect background for my writing process
Any thought as to if the devils will be associated with a particular archfiend?
That sounds like a cool idea
Thank you for this video. That intro you wrote to lay the groundwork for the video helped me figure out something that's been bothering me for a long time.
I'm glad it was able to help you with whatever thorn had been in your side.
I love it that Mephistopheles is not seen as the epitome of Faustian bargains
Incredibly cool and information-dense video, I loved it!
Though for me personally, I'd go with Baalzebul, with Levistus being a close second. Something about being turned into a horrific monster, but wanting to go back to being beautiful, all the while making contracts with mortals to give them a change for revenge, but at the same time having clauses in those contracts that will ultimately be the mortals' demise, if they take the contract...it's just so devilish. I love it.
Glasya seems to be based on Glasya-Labolas of the Ars Goetia.
I say this, because she differs from him in all but name.
Personally, I think it makes more sense for all the lofty devil rulers and generals to be human like in appearance, with only subtly monstrous features, unlike the humongous pit fiend, the insectoid Beelzebub, the half serpentine Mammon, or the Typhon wannabe, Geryon.
That would help cement their thematic differences with the overtly monstrous demons of the abyss, who get more gruesomely inhuman the more powerful they are.
I like this, especially if we have devils that grow MORE humanlike, and lest bestial, the more powerful they are. Humanity's evil twins. The more vile, and nasty, and terrible they are, they more they look just like you. Because let's be honest - we could all become that horrible monster. It's just a moment's decision away. Give in to rage, or temptation, or pride, or greed for just a second and there you are.
I agree. I generally present devils as basically looking like tieflings with black wings or bat wings or something. Generally though, I just combined devils and demons in custom settings and based on their 'sin' they're more monstrous in a particular way. So gluttony and envy are usually particularly disgusting, while pride and lust are always beautiful to behold.
Playing in an epic campaign during the time of troubles and my fiend warlock wants to take over the 9 hells…. Should be fine….🤦🏻♂️
Good luck!
What could possibly go wrong?
@@esperthebard level 26 but yes. Lol
Problem is nobody in the multiverse is more intelligent than Asmodeus. he saw your warlock coming the day he was born.
This was such a cool listen, thanks for ending the video on such a lovely and genuine note around hope. Much appreciated man
Powerful bit of affirmation at the end for all those in need of it. Hat's off to you, lad o7
Cool video! Talks about Demons and Devils are always fun to listen to !
Lucifer actually exists within the cannon of dnd. He was originally the leader of the nine hells, Asmodues overtook him
Wow, your voice, narration and the very words you say are amazing. Keep up the good work.
Btw, I was always intrigued by the lords of the nine hells...especially the reckoning.
That last bit deserved a sub. I work in ems, been on 3 suicide calls and countless attempts. I'd like to share what you said with the survivors, because it cones from a different pov than what I say.
I really needed to hear this, dude. 😊
I have a close friend, his favorite quote, from Warhammer: "Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment."
I understand his viewpoint, but I just can't agree entirely.
Hope is the first step on the road, yes; and roads go many places. Some hopes lead to disappointment, but others lead to joy.
Warhammer has a god of hope as well, Tzeench; also the god of magic and change. While his hopes aren't always good - they do directly oppose Nurgle, the God of death and comfortable stagnation.
I think it is always better to get on the road; no matter where it leads - after all, the destination isn't the story; the story is the journey.
Thank you, for reminding me of that!
I'm glad my words resounded with you. Best wishes to your friend. Perhaps tell him to look around at everything in the world-the buildings, the cars, the art, the music, the games like Warhammer, the computers, the energy grid, and countless systems that operate in order to sustain life and provide us endless innovations and expressions of culture-every single thing began as just an idea in somebody's head, and those people only acted because they had hope that the idea could come to fruition and provide something valuable. If it weren't for hope, we'd all just be wallowing in the mud, stabbing each other with sticks.
As someone who goes thru some pretty bad anxiety and depression I appreciate your ending statements
Love your videos on the mythological/religious/folkloric roots of TTRPGS! Definitely my favourites.
Love the thumbnail looks killer! Your best one yet
Thanks, I've been trying improve my thumbnails.
What a nice video with a surprising message at the end to tie this all up.
Looking healthy today Brother. Good to see.
I think an argument can be made for both Asmodeus and Levistus based on what rendition of Satan you look at. Asmodeus better fits the original Judaic interpretation of him simple being "Ha Satan" aka "The Adversary" the one and only trusted by God to arguably the most important job of tempting mortals against his plan, to test mortals. It's evil to us, and he may take joy in it, but he serves a greater purpose and greater being
Whereas Levistus is more close to the Christian interpretation of an absolute evil for the sake of it, tearing mortals away from God bc he likes it, delighting in their misery. And like the Devil in Dante's Comedy he has been eternally punished for it, imprisoned in ice deep in Hell, immobile, but not harmless, he still does evil bc evil must exist for good to.
That's my take anyway
OH hey look 3 of the 4 finalist are the 3 beings Satan is usually called or compared to irl, hm sounds about right
Baalzebul: Once upon a time he was very handsome, now he is a slug-like creature with a grotesque visage.
Me: Same, brother
According to what I had read in the lore Levistus was frozen in ice because he plotted and achieved to murder the consort of Asmodeus and mother of Glasya, therefore getting to be punished in that block of ice forever, every time he is inches away from being free again he gets transported back to the center of it.
Great message at the end, and a completely true one! To anyone who needs to hear this: even though the world isn’t perfect, it’s better with you in it ❤️
I honestly don’t think Belial is a particularly applicable devil to co-opt into a devil of masculine sexuality.
IIRC, in Judeo-Christian lore he directly leads an army of demons, and his name directly translates to “the worthless one”.
Can't wait for your 50th Bardstream. Also I feel that Asmodeus is based on Lucifer because I believe he is a fallen angel himself, and is the true ruler of the Nine Hells.
Another way to look upon temptation is the desire to get what is good or useful or desirable, in a way that isn't proper. Lust is wrong, bot because we shouldn't go forth and multiply, but because it goes and multiplies without making a foundation to raise tgose children optimally or it harms another in the attempt. Wrath is wrong not because there aren't proper times and things to destroy in anger, but because the act either went too far, or was upon the wrong target. Just as a couple of examples of that way of seeing the sins. After all, one of the translations from the roman word used for sin, is to have error in one's aim.
..Why did they make Beelzebub, the _lord of the flies,_ a slug?
Because gorgons are bulls and lamias are lion-centaurs and kobolds are little dragon people.
@@esperthebardI get the first two but I’m curious, what else are koblolds known to be like? I’ve only heard of them in the dnd context myself
I think that the official justification is that he is so foul and disgusting that attracts swarms of flies and other insects. Still a weak explanation, but an explanation nonetheless
@@samfleming4527 Kobolds from Germanic mythology were little faerie people that hung around your house and often appeared as small children, but could also take the shape of animals or a candle. They were generally cool until you annoy them, then they'd play all manner of mean tricks on you, like most fey types.
The whole "kobolds are little dragon people" thing is 100% a D&D thing. One that I appreciate, I love the little yappy lizards, but it's far removed from real world mythology. But even then, we didn't get to the lizard form until 3rd edition iirc. 1st Edition D&D they were little goblinoid-type people, and 2nd edition they were fuzzy dog-like critters. Wasn't until 3rd Ed. that we got the lizard form.
One thing I never figured out is WHY that happened. And I wonder what other D&D critters have evolved like that over time.
@@esperthebardWell yes, but all of those had external reasons if I’m not mistaken.
I’m curious what the external reason for making Beelzebub a slug was.
So if I'm reading this right, if someone who wanted to drown those that had wronged them in hellfire went looking for a devil that could grant them that power Zariel or Geryon would be the most likely to respond?
Cosmic questions: What does Mammom spend all his money on? What is he saving up to buy? Didn't realize the 9 Hells had a currency based economy!
I know that ive asked this a lot, but i still want the abominations to be ranked. The abominations are such an interesting and tragic monster type, and one that i feel some degree of sympathy for.
Wow! Nice theme!! Cant wait to hear!
Ohh, MethSorbo, we love you.
When looking at the Abrahamic Satan, and trying to figure out what fantasy archdevil is closest. I find I have to figure out which satan I am trying to figure out. The name translates to 'adversary', but there are more then one in the old testament, and while only one in the new testament, they are more akin to a prosecuting attorney, that uses entrapment to then convict. Many episodes of the tv series cops showed this happening. For me Asmodeus fits that well. This was fascinating, and I like the Archdevil Levistus, so yeah he could be one that fit's the title. But in my head cannon I see him as an avatar of another being, and before I found the other being in the books for the game, used him as a stand in.
Bro got me crying at the end of this 😢
Sire the troops have been fighting for months for this victory but are burdened with much weariness and sorrow. What can we do for these men?
Not to worry I have sent for entertainment for the troops, the great Bard Roberto Esperanza! He is bringing Ann Margert and Rachel Welsh!
I was gonna comment this when this dropped, so I'm probably late on this. Speaking of hope, wouldn't the continuous scheming to climb to the top mean that even though they are devils, fiends, creatures of evil, they would have hope that it was even possible?
I really enjoyed this video. Question: is Tiamat still in Hell? If so, where specifically?
A lair in the hills of Avernus where she is imprisoned.
@@JazzyBassy thanks!
This is a great video with an excellent message to bookend it all!
How does Levistus tempt mortals while frozen in Ice? Can he mentally communicate with mortals from hell, or create an avatar on the material plane or something?
The official D&D books unfortunately do a very poor job of explaining or developing the cosmology of things (something I am working to correct in my own setting of Ichoros).
But yes, the general idea is that archdevils, demon lords, great old ones, gods, and other beings of great power cannot readily just teleport into the Material Plane, and therefore interact with people by way of telepathic communication, dreams, visions, signs, avatars, and of course their assorted mortal followers.
I can't help but notice Glasya layer is so short. But you should really explain why it has its name. It was ruled over by a supremely powerful Hag for I believe most of 2nd editions DnD. Then she was cursed by Asmodeous himself into becoming the lair for his daughter. He litterally made her expand and explode replacing that level of Hell with herself. Then he made her daughter in charge of it. There is ALOT to say about this philisophically
Great video, interesting to listen to as much as it being fun.
Before looking at the video, I'm betting on Asmodeus, who started it all, and still rules.
My most insidious devil cult in a campaign, was a cult made up mostly of very noble people, believing they are fighting the right cause against the demons and want to still fight after they die in the Blood War. Asmodeus himself was even assigning more honest and honorable (still evil) devils to be summoned by them or working with them. Because those were good mostly good and neutral people in that cult, they were drawing in a lot more of good and neutral souls, which are worth much more.
I loved this! Can you do the same for Jesus? My personal picks would be Lathander or Ilmater.
Thank you. Hmmm that could be a great video topic. I'll definitely consider it.
man I love these videos. very well done.
Just a nitpick: that Tolkien quote isn't his. It's a paraphrase at best.
Other than that, I like the explanation of evil being a thing onto itself.
Indeed it's a paraphrase or an extrapolation of a theme that occurs throughout Middle Earth. I find it corresponds to reality. Evil is parasitic.
In older scriptures the term satan is more a role than a specific devil.
Asmo is prolly closest to lucifer, if we knew his true origin story...
but the guy makes up a lot of stuff so who knows.
Personally I’m fascinated by Gargauth the lord of the tenth circle of hell because I think he personally is the closest to Satan because his entire existence is to corrupt all good and he takes joy in the moral destruction of powerful people. There are theories as to why he was cast out of hell and one of them is that he was so evil and twisted that Asmodeus feared him
I haven't watched the video yet. But I'm excited to see what you have to say, because most people. Get to meaning of the word (Satanic) wrong. The word (Satanic) means (Characteristic of or befitting Satan.) And the word (Satan) is a (Title.) That means (Accuser or Adversary.) So technically evan a hero who opposes. A devil is still (Satanic.) And simultaneously holds the (Title) of (Satan.)
Very wordy. This was twice as long as it needed to be.
Bible also says that one of the aspects of the devil is a hatred for all mankind.
Its Fierna. You're welcome.
Despair... Would purposely continuing a war you could win count as causing despair? Continuing the soul trade to empower himself is pretty insidious.
Think of the despair Asmodeus causes casually. Mephi has nothing on the despair Asmo causes without a single care. Asmo causes despair amongst his own devils.
Asmo could win the Blood War at any time. That is without question. Asmo has progrogated a war of attrition for his own reasons, reasons that are counter to his own stated goals in order to empower himself at the expense of everyone.
Asmo promises hope, and delivers despair. If he won the war, a great deal of suffering caused by his generals schemes and bargains would disappear. The soul trade would end. The devils would no longer have a reason to bargain with mortals for their souls.
The devils would be out of work. The conflict would end. To continue a war that has the costs of the Blood War for petson reasons, when victory is achievable, is causing despair of the highest order.
None of the other devils could cause despair without that one single decision. Asmo is the root of despair, while promising hope.
He is the father of temptation by continuing a system that creates profit from despair.
And he dies it from pride. He wants to be at the top. He creates despair because its his only path to the power he desires.
That is the conditions the video set forth as "satan".
so true. from my point of view the problem in modern dnd is desacrelisation of evil and detachment of the aspect of evel from the virtue. Making it its own thing. Theres no drama, no moral chalenge in this modern approach.
Really enjoyed this video
You've fallen for Asmodeus' greatest lie. That he's "not that bad, just look at who he's keeping in check, you can totally trust him more than these other bozos." He's the Lord of the Nine Hells, King of Lies, and God of Sin for a reason. 😉
Not sure how you got that impression. I literally laid in detail how he's just barely less satanic than Levistus, then said that you could make a solid argument that he's actually the most evil.
@@esperthebard That was intended to be sort of tongue-in-cheek. Akin to the old saying "the greatest lie the devil ever told was that he wasn't real". Basically, I think everything every archdevil does is outshined by how spread out Asmodeus' attention is, yet he is still able to maintain complete dominion over the Nine Hells. He does everything they all do, and still sits at the very top of the hierarchy. He's also a greater deity. Every temptation and all despair across the entire plane is an extension of his will and power. That's the sort of thing that makes him the most satanic, in my opinion.
@@orgixvi3I got the reference
Fun biblical fact Mammon is mentioned in the bible by Jesus. "You cannot serve both God and Mammon"
That pride bit, you pretty much just summed up the mentality of super progressive people without realizing it .
I’m about 80% sure that “Mammon” is pronounced Mam-in.
In judeo-christian theology it is. Starting in 2e they tweaked the pronunciation as part of their attempt to separate DND's tanari (sp?) and Bazatue from "real world" demonology in response to the Satanic Panic.
Great fun, err maybe not the best choice of words, entertaining video. Interested to know more DnD lore.
Since WotC owns Forgotten Realms as well do they have the same 9 layers?
Forgotten Realms is just a DnD setting. The planes are pretty consistent across the different settings. You have a few where the outer planes aren't accessible for various reasons, Ravenloft and Darksun for instance, but they still exist. So yeah, the nine layers exist across all official settings, although their significance varies wildly.
Satan is not evil, more like chaotic neutral. Suppose its all about setting. or Lucifer Morningstar rather..
stop looking at me like that. Nice video though.
Not in my world, alignment is done differently. There isn't even "cleric" or "Paladins " my world is more morally gray and brutal.
"Clerics" and "Paladins " is more closer to mages then anything Divine.
In my world a cleric can just kill who ever they want and say God told me to and most likely the NPCs will believe or risk getting run threw with a blade themselves.
Who needs evil when people are doing just fine.
Can you play an actually morally good character yes.
Just keep in mind the campaign I run you will have to make hard decisions that is morally gray.
And I will make you at some point ask yourself "are you really good? Or are you the bad guy?"
To kill or not to kill that is the question. And in my world actions have consequences.
Had one player go murder hobo.
A serial killer that was in the city though it was a challenge and killed him.
Even the "good" aligned creature aren't exactly "good"
I have something called evil light.
Where they protry themselves as good and does good things when everyone is looking but does evil or selfish things when they're not.
And I have the darklight where they seem evil but it's more for the greater good. More like Anti-hero.
So, interesting video, but I have a semantic nitpick- this isn't about the most *satanic* archdevil, it's about which archdevil is the most like Satan. Satanic, as an adjective, generally is used to mean "relating to Satanism, as a religion." Which means, that the most Satan-like archdevil is, obviously, Asmodeus, because he is literally Satan with the serial numbers filed off for D&D.
But that's just my two cents *as a satanist* and literal advocate for the devil who, as the video ends, suddenly feels very out of place here.
Fantastic
Easily Mephistopheles.
i never player dnd but the number of vids i watched over the years of dnd are stagering
I'm not going into details but I back your final decision. A good insightful self debate.if you get what I mean😊
There is no Archdevil that is Satanic in DND. The Christian Fairy tale does not exist in any D&D franchise and/or world.
Good question. Hmmmmmmmmm!
How fitting; Mine's the 666th like. ;D
I like you.
I don't see why so many people insist that pride is the worst of sins. Lust is much more pervasive, more insidious, more damaging, and more difficult to fight. It has become so ingrained in society that it can not be avoided or ignored. There are plenty of people who never really struggle with pride, but lust is biologically wired into everyone.
Think of pride as the prerequisite for all evils. One cannot willingly commit an act of evil without first having the pride to defy moral law.
@@esperthebard It isn't though. Addiction can lead someone to commit horrific crimes so they can get their fix, whether it be a physical substance they take or a mental/emotional addiction. I know people who got dragged so far into evil through addiction that they attempted suicide over it. They couldn't see any other way to escape the things they were doing and the person they had become. They didn't have pride driving them to intentionally defy morality. They tried something they really shouldn't have for one reason or another, then they couldn't ever find a way to make themselves stop.
Nice
It's just a game, why poke the bear. Let the Zealots sleep. Some of us weren't persecuted during the Satanic Panic, and it shows, Bard...
+1 Dismas!
Read about the Gnostic Christians and thank me later...
buuuh zariel, bel is our man!
and i think you forgot one of the exiled archdevils gargoth, who is said to rival asmodeus
"If, however, Gargauth decided he wanted the Overlord's throne rather than to forge his own path, Asmodeus's days could very well be numbered. Gargauth was once a power in Hell second only to Asmodeus, and with his support, Mephistopheles, Baalzebul, or even one of the less powerful archdukes had some chance of ousting the King of Hell"
plus the dude is very devil-ish looking
Hasbro
Keep fighting the good fight! Don't underestimate the positive effect that sports have on your mental wellbeing. Animus sanus in corpore sano.
Many thanks for the clap of courage!
It was a very touching , relatable message at the end. Wish you and your loved ones all the best!
Satan: Gets a new pseudonym
D&D designers: "Let's attach this to some lore and a statblock"
D&D players: Find a way to defeat this new version of Satan, often quite easily and anticlimactically, until he becomes a joke
The God of the Bible is the most reprehensible character in all of fiction.
All humans are born with Lust then that lust is turn to greed, greed turn to pride, once pride is broken it turn to wrath,pride or greed can become sloth,pride or lust can lead to gluttony.
But the truth these so call sins have a upside as much as they have a downside.
g
Nancy Pelosi.