Chains of Asmodeus

Sins to the Self

• Anger. The sin of anger fuels wrath, vengeance, and inner turmoil. It takes root in Avernus, the domain of the archdevil Zariel.
• Greed. This sin leads to a life of accumulating wealth and sharing very little—a sin nurtured in Minauros, the domain of the archdevil Mammon.
• Jealousy. The jealous are never satisfied with what they have. Phlegethos, the domain of the archdevils Belial and Fierna, is where jealousy thrives.
• Pride. Some say that this is the original sin which led to all other sins and is the sin that led to the fall of Asmodeus and thus is his domain.

Sins to the Other

• Betrayal. Betraying a loved one, a god, or a sovereign can damn one's soul to Stygia, the domain of the archdevil Levistus.
• Deceit. Lying that leads to harm is, like Maladomini, the domain of the archdevil Baalzebul.
• Harm. Mutilating or torturing an enemy is wicked work that warms the ice-cold heart of Mephistopheles, the archdevil who presides over Cania.
• Murder. Killing an innocent or family member is evil business that comes home to roost in Dis, the domain of the archdevil Dispater.
• Oppression. Unjustly imprisoning enemies and denying their freedom is the devil's work and reflective of Malbolge, the domain of the archdevil Glasya.

More details on the different archdevils, including their stat blocks, can be found in appendix A, "Lords of the Nine."

[image: The bitter smell of sulphur and the agonising screams of tormented souls fill the air of the Nine Hells]

Magical Equipment

Each new high-level character should be allowed to pick either 1 very rare magic item and 1 uncommon magic item or 2 rare magic items. These items should be selected from the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Brother (Anger)

From the day he was born, your brother was a problem child—impulsive, aggressive and violent, though never toward you. He was constantly getting into fights—most of which he started—and you were constantly coming to his rescue and cleaning up his messes. But despite his flaws, you always knew he had your back. His temper grew worse as he grew older, and his fights often resulted in people getting hurt. He fell in with an unsavory crew, and you drifted apart. Now you've learned he was foolish enough to sign an infernal contract with Asmodeus, and his soul is trapped in the Nine Hells. You can't deny your brother deserves his fate... but he's still your brother, and you're not going to turn your back on him.

• Phylactery Location. The War-Slough on Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. While you possess your brother's phylactery, you can channel your brother's rage. When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn, but attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.

Bounty (Murder)

Someone of your reputation and talent is always in high demand. If the price is right, you'll take on any job... but you don't work cheap. Still, this is the strangest adventure you've ever been hired for. The ruthless matron of a powerful noble family has disappeared, and you've been hired to find her. Your first assumption was that she'd either been kidnapped for ransom, murdered by a rival family, or killed by one of her own ambitious kin. But during your investigations, you discovered the shocking truth: decades ago, she signed an infernal contract to help advance her family's fortunes, and Asmodeus came to collect his payment. Tracking her soul through the Nine Hells wasn't part of the original deal, but the reward for bringing her back is too high to pass up, and you never leave a job unfinished.

• Phylactery Location. The Agora of Floating Knives on Dis, the second layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. While you possess your bounty's phylactery, you're more adroit at killing. When you miss with a melee weapon attack, you can choose to hit instead. Once you use this benefit, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

[image: Brother (Anger) and Bounty (Murder)]

Business Partner (Betrayal)

For years, you and your business partner shared the fruits of your adventures in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Sure, they were always trying to squeeze a few extra drops from your cut on every mission, but you never thought they'd actually betray you. On your last adventure, however, they double-crossed you, stealing a rare and powerful magic item you'd spent years questing for. They disappeared with your treasure, leaving you high and dry. You searched for the precious item in vain, only to discover that your old partner's soul is trapped in the Nine Hells because of an infernal contract they signed with Asmodeus. The only way you'll ever get back what is rightfully yours is to track them down and bring them back to life so they can tell you where the treasure is hidden.

• Phylactery Location. The Chasm of Found Things on Stygia, the fifth layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. While you possess your business partner's phylactery, you have advantage on saving throws against illusion spells and effects that would make you have the charmed condition.

Childhood Friend (Sinless)

Growing up, you never seemed to fit in. You were always different—perhaps that's why you became an adventurer. Your childhood was lonely until you met your childhood friend. Like you, they were completely ignored by other children on the good days, ruthlessly bullied on the bad. But in each other you found a kindred soul. You formed a powerful bond of friendship that allowed you to rise above the taunts and torments of the other kids. Together, you found the strength to survive and flourish. You became a successful adventurer. Your friend chose a different path, one of domestic bliss with a family and a quiet, fulfilling life. Years would pass between seeing them, but you still remained close—united by your childhood bond. But when your friend's youngest child became ill, they didn't turn to you for help. Instead, they signed a contract with Asmodeus, condemning themselves to an eternity in the Nine Hells.

• Phylactery Location. Use an encounter and location from the remaining lost souls not chosen by the players.
• Phylactery Benefit. Possessing your childhood friend's phylactery grants you advantage on Wisdom and Charisma saving throws.

[image: Business Partner (Betrayal) and Childhood Friend (Sinless)]

Father (Greed)

You loved your father. He helped shape you into the hero you're now. He supported your ambitions, gave you advice when you needed it, and was there for you when things looked darkest. Your mother loved him even more, for he was personable, funny, and kind. But everyone has a flaw, and your father's flaw was gambling. The risk-taking behavior that you inherited from him made you into a hero, but he didn't have your outlet. Instead, he took risks with money. His debts grew, as did his shame, but you never knew. Your mother didn't tell you about it until it was too late. Asmodeus used his shame to convince him to sign an infernal contract.

• Phylactery Location. The Ineffable Trove on Minauros, the third layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. Possessing your father's phylactery grants you extra luck. Whenever you make an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can roll an additional d20. You can choose to use this benefit after you roll the die, but before the outcome is determined. You choose which of the d20s is used for the attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. Once you use this benefit, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Mentor (Oppression)

You learned your craft at the feet of a true master. Recognizing your raw talent and potential, your mentor took you under their wing and trained you. Your mentor was a difficult master and demanded complete obedience. Over the years, they taught you everything you needed to know about adventuring and life, shaping you into the hero you're today. They shared all their secrets with you... except for one. Long ago, your mentor signed an infernal contract with Asmodeus. Now your mentor has been whisked away to the Nine Hells, and it's time to use everything they taught you to save them from an eternity of torment and suffering.

• Phylactery Location. The Sign of the Hag's Arms on Malbolge, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. Possessing your mentor's phylactery grants you protection. You gain a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws.

[image: Father (Greed) and Mentor (Oppression)]

Mother (Pride)

Your mother was kind and loving, but also strong and independent. She raised you on her own, supporting you by telling fortunes and performing tarot readings for the locals in the town where you grew up. Once you began your adventuring career, her reputation grew quickly. Officials and nobility of ever-increasing rank and importance began to come to your mother for insight into their futures, amazed at the accuracy of her predictions. What you didn't know was that her rapid rise in stature was due to her signing an infernal contract with Asmodeus to enhance her gifts.

• Phylactery Location. The Sign of the Hag's Arms on Malbolge, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. Possessing your mother's phylactery grants you foresight. When you finish a long rest, roll a d20 and record the number rolled. You can replace any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check made by you or a creature that you can see with this foretelling roll. You must choose to do so before the roll. This roll can be used only once. When you finish a long rest, you lose an unused foretelling roll.

Sister (Jealousy)

Your sister was fearless. There was no challenge she wouldn't tackle, no dare she wouldn't take. She became an adventurer, living a life filled with thrills and excitement. She even inspired your own career, pushing you to ever greater accolades. But over the years, her risk-taking became a compulsion she couldn't control. She became more and more reckless, embarking on foolhardy quests and what seemed like suicide missions. What you didn't realize was that it was your sister's envy of your accomplishments that drove her recklessness. Asmodeus exploited her need to be your equal, convincing her to sign an infernal contract in exchange for the ultimate adventure.

• Phylactery Location. The Elemental Preserve on Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. While you possess your sister's phylactery, any effect that applies the frightened condition on one or more targets has no effect on you.

[image: Mother (Pride) and Sister (Jealousy)]

Spouse/True Love (Deceit)

True love is real—you know this because you were lucky enough to find yours. In a world too often filled with darkness and danger, you were blessed to find someone to stand by you through thick and thin. They supported you when you needed it most, helping you to reach your full potential. Together, you made a life for yourself: a wonderful, perfect life. But now you have learned that your love kept a secret from you: they made an infernal contract with Asmodeus to help keep you safe during your adventures. They made the ultimate sacrifice to protect you, and now they're paying the ultimate price.

• Phylactery Location. The Eye Market on Maladomini, the seventh layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. Possessing your true love's phylactery grants you advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Student (Harm)

You started at the bottom and clawed your way to the top, forging your reputation over the years. As your legend grew, others came to you seeking guidance, but you always turned them away. One day, you discovered a student who was different than the others. Although the student was willful and prone to violence, you still saw a spark in them that reminded you of your own humble beginnings, so you took them under your wing. You helped them reach their full potential, growing skills until their ability and reputation rivaled your own. But despite all you taught them, your student still made a tragic mistake. They signed an infernal contract with Asmodeus, foolishly convinced they could get out of it before it came due. Now it's up to you to help them one last time.

• Phylactery Location. The Sorrow Mine on Cania, the eighth layer of the Nine Hells
• Phylactery Benefit. While you possess your student's phylactery, you can use a bonus action to heal a number of hit points equal to twice your level. Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

[image: Spouse/True Love (Deceit) and Student (Harm)]

Categories of Sin

The Chosen One (Pride)

[image: The Chosen One (Pride)]

You always knew you were special. Even from a young age, it became clear that you were better than everyone else. Because of this, you thought nothing of using, manipulating, or exploiting others for your own benefit. Stepping on the insignificant as you climbed your way to the top was simply the natural order. The fame and glory you achieved in your life only proved you were right all along... though looking back, maybe you pushed things too far. After all, you did end up in the Nine Hells.

• Character Punishment. Your greatest fear in life was being inadequate. Now you're haunted by a recurring nightmare in which you compete in trials of skill against other heroes but find yourself weak, overmatched, and helpless.
• Phylactery Location. The Agora of Floating Knives, on Dis, the second layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is forced to compete in a series of events showcasing strength, skill, and intelligence. But their soul is merely a weakened shell of what it once was, and they're constantly overmatched by their fellow competitors. With each loss, they're humiliated, mocked, and made to suffer painful punishments for their failure. To free their soul, the character must take their place in these events; they must compete and win.

The Furnace (Anger)

There has always been a fire inside you, a dangerous fury, just waiting to be unleashed upon the world in a storm of violence. The rage gave you strength and power. It helped you defeat your enemies and forge your legend... but there was a cost to your anger. Those around you quickly learned not to try your temper, but over the years it was inevitable that something would set you off from time to time. When it was unleashed, your wrath was terrifying to behold... but it also led you to do things you'd later regret. People suffered. People died. Some deserved it, but many did not. Given what you've done—what your anger made you do—you've known for a long time where you were going to end up when you died.

• Character Punishment. The color of your sleep is red: blood, fire, burning rage. You don't dream—not in the normal sense. When you close your eyes, all you see is red. You wake bathed in sweat, with your heart pounding, but you can't remember any details beyond that single color. Red.
• Phylactery Location. The Elemental Preserve, Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is forced to shovel coal into a massive furnace, whipped to greater and greater efforts by several efreet with flaming scourges. No matter how much fuel is thrown into the furnace, the roaring flames instantly devour it in a burst of searing heat. To free this character's soul, the characters must defeat the efreet and then find a way to quench the magical fires of the furnace.

The Great Con (Deceit)

You've always been a grifter, using your wits to trick and manipulate others for your own advantage. But when you unknowingly made a deal with one of Asmodeus's agents, you learned that even you can be conned. Before you could fulfill the seemingly simple terms of the deal, you were murdered by the Avatar of Bhaal, consigning you to the Nine Hells. On the one hand, you admire the devil's cunning trickery... but on the other, you want payback for how you were played.

• Character Punishment. You were once a master of deceit, but in your dreams you're trapped in a labyrinth of your own lies, forced to run through the maze while being hunted by shadowy enemies and never able to find a way out.
• Phylactery Location. The Eye Market in the territory of Memnoriac, on Maladomini, the seventh layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is pursued by the pit fiend's gang of devils through the very streets Memnoriac designed. The route is littered with illusions and convoluted traps. Deadly spiked pits appear as normal floors or seemingly safe doorways lead into rooms filled with deadly fire. As the soul flees the devils, it constantly "dies," forcing it to begin again. To free this character's soul, the characters must fight their way through the narrow streets, defeating the monsters and avoiding the tricks and traps.

[image: The Furnace (Anger) and The Great Con (Deceit)]

The Heartless Master (Oppression)

You were used to the finer things in life; due to your fame and fortune, you surrounded yourself with servants to answer every need and fulfill every desire. You paid them well, but in exchange you demanded flawless perfection. Unbeknownst to you, the head of your household achieved this impossible standard through brutal training and punishments for any servant that failed even the smallest task. Despite your ignorance, you were ultimately responsible for the well-being of those under your charge... a responsibility you blissfully abdicated.

• Character Punishment. Your sins weigh heavily on you. At night, you're plagued by disturbing dreams. In them, you're a servant under control of a cruel master who makes impossible demands. When you inevitably fail at your tasks, you're brutally punished over and over.
• Phylactery Location. The Sign of the Hag's Arms, on Malbolge, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is a servant ordered to perform a series of impossible tasks: cleaning out entire stables in a single day; serving a perfectly cooked meal despite a fire that won't stay lit; delivering a message across deadly terrain without weapons or armor. With each failure, the character's overseer—a ruthless hag—subjects the character's soul to a series of brutal tortures to "teach" them the error of their ways. To save their soul, the character must find a way to complete these impossible tasks, then defeat the overseer.

The Infinite Treasure (Greed)

You were never afraid to take what was yours—or what was anyone else's, for that matter. You lusted after material wealth in all its forms—money, possessions, magic items. During your life, you accumulated a vast hoard of treasures, but you couldn't take it with you when you died. In the end, the only thing your avarice got you was a one-way ticket to the Nine Hells.

• Character Punishment. Your dreams are filled with the endless counting of gold coins—hundreds, thousands, millions, all piled in an enormous chamber. Each one must be counted by hand, and you can't stop until you're done... but the mountain of coins just continues to grow and grow. Worst of all, you know in your heart they aren't even yours; you're just counting them for someone else.
• Phylactery Location. The Ineffable Trove, on Minauros, the third layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is forced to count a massive mountain of gold coins one by one. This task is overseen by a powerful red dragon—the true owner of the coins. At the end of each day, the mountain of coins shifts and topples, crushing the character under the coins' weight. It takes all night for the character to claw their way out, only to begin the count again. To free this character's soul, the characters must defeat the dragon and leave the coins. (Taking even one causes the dragon to come back to life.)

[image: The Heartless Master (Oppression) and The Infinite Treasure (Greed)]

The Merciless (Harm)

Throughout your adventuring career, your one true love was always with you, fighting by your side. You looked forward to a long and happy life together after your adventuring days were done, but that future was ripped away. Your partner was killed in a surprise attack by servants of an enemy from your past, their body disintegrated so they couldn't be raised. You hunted down the one responsible. But in your grief, it wasn't enough to merely defeat or kill them. You spent days torturing your enemy, making them feel as much pain as possible in the hopes it would soothe your own tormented heart. In the end, it didn't help... but your cruelty was such that upon your death your soul was consigned to the Nine Hells.

• Character Punishment. The brutal revenge against your enemies brought you no solace. Instead, it only twisted and corrupted the memories you have of your true love. Now when you sleep, you dream of them not as your companion, but as your sadistic tormentor, torturing you in a prison cell from which there is no escape.
• Phylactery Location. Imprisoned in the mining town at the foot of the Sorrow Mine, on Cania, the eighth layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is imprisoned by devils with the face and form of their one true love. In the prison, the soul is relentlessly tortured over and over by these doppelgangers. To free this character's soul, the characters must break into the heavily guarded cells, find a way to reveal the true forms of the guards, then defeat them and escape the prison.

The Oathbreaker (Betrayal)

In the early days of your adventuring career, you swore an oath of loyalty to a patron. It was only much later you discovered you served a monster. When you were ordered to slaughter a political rival's children, you refused. Despite your good intentions, you broke your solemn vow to serve, condemning your soul to the Nine Hells on a technicality when the patron's hired assassins killed you.

• Character Punishment. Every night, you're haunted by a recurring nightmare in which you're trapped in a room with strange, feral children. They cry and beg for mercy, even as they attack you over and over.
• Phylactery Location. The Chasm of Found Things, on Stygia, the fifth layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul is imprisoned in a room filled with polymorphing devils. These creatures alternate between two forms: devils that attack the character's unarmed soul relentlessly and crying children begging for mercy. To free this character's soul, the characters must defeat all the devils before they transform back into children.

[image: The Merciless (Harm) and The Oathbreaker (Betrayal)]

Patricide (Murder)

You murdered your father. It wasn't premeditated, and you loved your father. But an argument escalated to the point where violence was involved. It was an accident that you will forever regret. Before you could use your considerable influence to have a priest raise him from the dead, you were imprisoned for your crime and then hanged.

• Character Punishment. Your dreams are haunted by the screams of your suffering soul. Each dream is the same—a replay of your fatal argument with your father. Instead of killing your father, he overpowers you and then whips you relentlessly with a spiked belt. You know that you must end this cycle of violence.
• Phylactery Location. The Agora of Floating Knives, on Dis, the second layer of the Nine Hells. The character's soul has been imprisoned in a flesh golem that has the character's face. It is constantly whipped with a spiked belt by a devil bearing the face of the character's father. Both the flesh golem and devil must be defeated to free the character's soul and reclaim it.

The Queen (Jealousy)

Nobody said life was fair... but why was it always unfair against you? You were talented and skilled. You worked hard. But even with all you accomplished, there was always somebody more richly rewarded than you. More fame. More wealth. More attention. An easier life. It left a bitter taste in your mouth; it soured everything you had, diminishing you and your accomplishments. It seemed like the world was always against you. And then you ended up in the Nine Hells, proving death was against you too.

• Character Punishment. You have strange dreams not connected to your life. In them, you're a lowly servant... yet somehow your sister is the Queen, and she is beloved. Other servants, guards, diplomats, members of the court—they all go on and on about how smart she is, how beautiful, how perfect, while you toil in the shadows, forgotten and ignored.
• Phylactery Location. The War-Slough, on Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. Each day, the character's soul must go from room to room in a castle, clad in soiled rags, and clean the opulent chambers under the watchful eye of the Queen and her followers. They constantly deride and chastise the soul for the poor job they're doing. Often, they abuse the character, beating them with sticks and switches to spur them to work harder. To free their soul, characters must defeat the Queen... but even if she is slain, she simply reappears on her throne, completely unharmed. The only way to truly defeat the Queen is to first destroy her throne.

[image: Patricide (Murder) and The Queen (Jealousy)]

Hellrider's Blessing

The Hellriders know better than most the evils found in the Nine Hells and would never send anyone there without protection. After spending the entirety of a long rest in the Nine Hells, you gain the benefit of a Greater Restoration spell.

Celestial Cavalry

While much of the journey through the Nine Hells follows the River Styx, it is likely that you will occasionally leave on excursions or scouting missions. While you remain in the Nine Hells, you may cast the Phantom Steed spell at will, as a ritual.

Hellrider's Salvation

You're taught a ritual to help save missing Celestials. The ritual requires 1 minute to complete and targets all Celestials within 100 feet. Once the ritual is complete, if the Celestial is willing, they're transported to a location on the Material Plane of their choosing.

Ramius as a Contact

Ramius doesn't have the personal ability to cast Plane Shift—instead, he has been given a magic item that allows him to visit with the party every few days. When he arrives, he brings general supplies such as food and water, and treats any wounds, curses, or diseases the party has (to the best of his ability). Afterwards, he offers a selection of useful magic items for purchase, or, if the party already has excess magic items, he offers to purchase them for keeping or disposal.

Arcane Communication

The Conclave of Halruaa gives you a Sending Stone and a Halruaan Ethereal Vessel. The Sending Stone can be used to communicate with a member of the Conclave who has the matching stone.

The Halruaan Ethereal Vessel is a magic item that allows two people to attune to it. You and a member of the Conclave are attuned to the vessel. The vessel is a transparent case that can contain up to 12 cubic feet of nonliving material (3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet). When not in use, it exists on the Ethereal Plane. While the vessel remains on the Ethereal Plane, you can use an action and recall it (as can the Conclave member also attuned to it). It appears in an unoccupied space on the ground within 5 feet of you. You send the vessel back to the Ethereal Plane by using an action.

Arcane Quartermasters

The Conclave has amassed a collection of useful magic items and material spell components. You can use your Sending Stone to request one of the items on the Conclave Items table. You must then pay the cost of the item, placing the payment in your Halruaan Ethereal Vessel and returning the vessel to the Ethereal Plane. The money is then removed by the Conclave member attuned to the vessel and replaced with the requested item, which you can then retrieve from the vessel.

Zythan as a Contact

Using his Divination magic, Zythan keeps tabs on the party, occasionally checking in when he deems appropriate. When he checks in, he can provide access to some magic items. He will also purchase any excess Spell Scrolls or spellbooks found by the party, and can, upon request, attempt to hunt down specific magic items. If successful, he brings the desired magic items on his next visit.

Death Token

Each member of your party is given a Token of Bhaal. For its magic to work, the token must be in your possession. The first time you fail a death saving throw that doesn't kill you outright, the token magically transports you, along with any equipment you're wearing or carrying, to a demiplane that resembles an empty chamber with no exits. Any ally within 30 feet of you is also transported to the demiplane, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, if the ally has 0 hit points and is either stable or dying when the token activates. Each creature that appears in the demiplane regains 10 hit points. Any creature that starts its turn in the demiplane is transported back to the space it left, or, if that space is occupied, the nearest unoccupied space. The token can be used only once, after which it turns to dust.

Deathstalker's Blessing

Your party receives the blessing of Bhaal. This manifests by making you deadliest when you get the drop on your enemies. You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in combat yet. In addition, any creature that hasn't taken a turn in combat has disadvantage on saving throws against your spells. The blessing applies only while in the Nine Hells.

Soul Coin Market

Much like the archdevils of the Nine Hells, Bhaal desires souls. Specifically, he desires Soul Coins (see "Soul Coins" in appendix D). When you're in possession of one or more Soul Coins, you can whisper to the coin what it is that you desire from the Deathstalker Items table. If you have the requisite number of coins, the Soul Coins vanish from your possession, and the item that you asked for appears within 5 feet of you.

Sarevok as a Contact

Though he lacks Divination magic, Sarevok keeps tabs on the party's progress and checks in whenever he feels like it. During his check-ins, he will offer a small assortment of magic items, as well as a large variety of potions. He also has a vast treasury and is willing to purchase Soul Coins for 1,000 gp per coin. In addition, for the price of 10,000 gp, he grants one character a blessing (see "Supernatural Gifts" in the Dungeon Master's Guide) that allows them to become a host for his god, Bhaal.