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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardNessari (Tyrant Devil)

When an army of devils invades to bathe a region in bloodshed and hellfire, it is likely that one of the nessaris masterminded the incursion. Cunning, powerful, and ruthless, nessaris often serve the archdevils directly. They rule infernal duchies, subjugate mortal worlds, and usurp infernal rivals using unparalleled despotism and calculated ferocity. To realize their tyrannical machinations, nessaris claim mortal souls that they corrupt into ort servants, which can then be shaped and transformed through infernal manipulation into the terrifying devils that form Hell's formidable legions. They often select the most wicked and vicious orts for their armies, drawing upon these lesser devils' depravity during powerful magical ceremonies to create hideous and terrifying abominations that can cow and eviscerate the nessari's enemies.

Each nessari is crafted deep within the nightmarish bowels of Nessus, the ninth layer of Hell, to serve the whims of archdevils and infernal dukes. Those nessaris that don't leave Nessus to command infernal legions in the upper layers of Hell often form the courts of Hell's elite, gathering cronies and sects that shape Hell's political landscape through subterfuge and manipulation. But many nessaris see themselves as living embodiments of hellfire, the all-encompassing wrath of Hell, and thus prefer to dwell in realms consumed by fire. In Avernus, Dis, Malebolge, Nessus, and Phlegethon, nessaris build vast citadels of brimstone wreathed in flame to lord over.

Rather than being above the constant power struggles of the diabolic ranks, nessaris are in the thick of it. Even apocalyptic schemes to conquer or despoil mortal worlds usually begin from a desire to claw a single rank up the immortal hierarchy of Hell. For this reason, the best, yet also most dangerous, ally against a nessari is the nessari next to them.

Nessaris tower over other devils, standing at least 16 feet tall, weighing over 1,000 pounds, and brandishing wingspans in excess of 20 feet.

Infernal Dukes

Elite members of Hell's political infrastructure and leadership hierarchy, the dukes of Hell are chosen from among the most tyrannical, oppressive, and conniving devils. While not all infernal dukes are nessaris, a nessari's natural disposition toward conquest and oppression often makes them an ideal candidate for this position. To create an infernal duke, adjust the nessari to be between 21st and 25th level. Because of their physical prowess, manipulative nature, and powerful spellcasting abilities, infernal dukes make excellent villains for long-running campaigns.

Recall Knowledge - Fiend (Religion): DC 40
Unspecific Lore: DC 38
Specific Lore: DC 35

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

NessariCreature 20

Large Devil Fiend Unholy 
Source Monster Core pg. 92
Perception +37; greater darkvision, truesight
Languages Common, Diabolic, Draconic, Empyrean; telepathy 100 feet
Skills Acrobatics +34, Arcana +32, Athletics +33, Deception +39, Diplomacy +34, Intimidation +39, Religion +37, Society +36, Stealth +34
Str +9, Dex +8, Con +9, Int +8, Wis +9, Cha +8
Shape Devils (divine, downtime) The nessari reshapes a large number of orts within a 600-foot emanation into more powerful devils to swell Hell's legions. The nessari must have available the number of orts listed on the table in the sidebar below. The nessari can shape 100 orts per day, to a maximum of 1,100 orts in 11 days. Devils created in this way are in thrall to the nessari and follow their orders, with the exception of created nessaris or other devils of similar power, which are always independent. As a result, few nessaris choose to create peers. At the end of the Shape Devils activity, the nessari attempts an incredibly hard Religion check of the desired devil's level, with results as follows.
Critical Success The nessari shapes two devils from the massed orts instead of one.
Success The nessari shapes a devil of the desired type and level.
Failure The devil shaped from the orts is 2 levels lower than the intended devil.
Critical Failure The nessari fails to shape any devils and draws the ire of an archdevil for their waste of resources.
AC 46; Fort +37, Ref +32, Will +35; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 335, regeneration 30 (deactivated by holy); Immunities fire; Resistances physical 15 (except silver), poison 15; Weaknesses holy 15
Commander's Aura (aura, divine) 100 feet. Commanded or allied unholy creatures in the aura of lower level than the nessari gain a +1 circumstance bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, AC, saves, and skill checks.Frightful Presence (aura, divine, emotion, fear, mental) 20 feet, DC 42Reactive Strike [reaction] The nessari can make a Reactive Strike when a creature within reach uses a concentrate action, in addition to the usual trigger. The devil can disrupt triggering concentrate actions, and they disrupt actions on any hit, not only a critical hit.
Speed 35 feet, fly 50 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +40 [+35/+30] (magical, poison, reach 10 feet, unholy), Damage 4d10+17 piercing plus nessari venomMelee [one-action] claw +38 [+34/+30] (agile, magical, reach 10 feet, unholy), Damage 4d6+17 slashingMelee [one-action] tail +36 [+31/+26] (magical, reach 10 feet, unholy), Damage 4d10+17 bludgeoning plus Improved GrabMelee [one-action] wing +36 [+31/+26] (magical, reach 15 feet, unholy), Damage 4d6+17 slashingDivine Innate Spells DC 42; 10th falling stars, manifestation; 9th seize soul (at will); 8th dispel magic (at will), divine decree (at will), fireball (at will), scrying, wall of fire (at will); 5th translocate; 4th translocate (at will); Constant (8th) truesight
Rituals DC 42; 1st diabolic pact
Constrict [one-action] (unholy) 2d10+17 bludgeoning, DC 43Fast Swoop [one-action] The nessari Flies and makes a wing Strike at any point during its movement.Masterful Quickened Casting [free-action] (concentrate) Frequency once per round; Effect If the nessari's next action is to cast an 8th-rank or lower innate spell, reduce the number of actions to cast it by 1 (minimum 1 action).Nessari Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 43 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 10 rounds; Stage 1 6d6 poison damage and drained 1 (1 round); Stage 2 7d6 poison damage and drained 2 (1 round); Stage 3 8d6 poison damage and drained 3 (1 round)

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Shape Devils

A nessari needs a minimum number of orts in order to shape the roiling mass into a devil of a particular level, as summarized below.
Devil LevelNumber of Orts
4 or below4
5–68
7–816
9–1032
11–1264
13–14128
15–16256
17–18512
19–201,024

All Monsters in "Devil"

NameLevel
Coart (Messenger Devil)7
Gylou (Handmaiden Devil)14
Nessari (Tyrant Devil)20
Ort (Drudge Devil)0
Phistophilus (Contract Devil)10
Sarglagon (Drowning Devil)8
Vordine (Infantry Devil)5

Devil

Source Monster Core pg. 86
Masters of corruption and architects of conquest, devils seek both to tempt mortal life to join in their pursuit of all things profane and to spread tyranny throughout all worlds. The temptations they offer mortals range from great powers granted by the signing of an infernal contract to twisted favors following a whispered pledge to a diabolic patron, or any number of even subtler exchanges. Those who succumb to these temptations find themselves consigned to an afterlife of endless torment in the pits of Hell, wherein the only hope of escape lies in the chance of being promoted to become a devil in the infernal ranks.

Every devil has a specific role to play in the upkeep of the remorseless bureaucratic machine that is Hell, from soldiers and scholars to inquisitors, lawyers, judges, and executioners. Lowly orts perform subservient labor to more powerful and specialized devils, such as infantry and contract devils, while the greatest nessaris command entire infernal armies.

Asmodeus stands at the apex of the structure he created, but the layers below him are marked by a constant jockeying for position. Most diabolic plans ultimately serve to improve the schemer's place in the hierarchy.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Archdevils

Eight archdevils rule the eight upper layers of Hell, while the deepest layer is ruled by Asmodeus. Barbatos is the doorwarden of Hell's uppermost layer, while Dispater rules Hell's largest city. Mammon guards Hell's treasuries, and Belial designs new weapons for Hell's legions. Geryon is the oldest archdevil and keeper of many secrets, while Moloch leads Hell's armies. Baalzebul is a brooding archdevil who has fallen from Asmodeus's favor, while Mephistopheles was formed from the plane of Hell itself

Sidebar - Additional Lore Diabolic Divinities

Numerous unique and powerful devils hold positions of power in Hell. The most numerous of these are the infernal dukes, many of whom were promoted to this position from already impressive statures as nessaris. The supreme ruler of Hell itself is Asmodeus, the Prince of Darkness. Between these two tiers rule the eight archdevils.

Sidebar - Locations Diabolic Locations

The nine layers of Hell are the planar home of all devils, and they much prefer its tyrannically ordered environs to anywhere else in the multiverse. Yet devils can be encountered anywhere mortals can be tempted by infernal bargains or to seek diabolic aid. On Golarion, the nation of Cheliax is particularly aligned with Hell. Its government is based upon Hell's organization, and the state church is that of Asmodeus.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Fiendish Relations

Devils view daemons' constant hunt for souls as a short-sighted waste of potential, and demons' selfish destruction of society and flesh as uncivilized and obnoxious, but they do not loathe their fiendish counterparts. Indeed, most devils are more than willing to take advantage of daemons and demons as they can to further their own machinations.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Fire and Ice

The classic depiction of Hell is of a burning wasteland of magma and volcanoes, a searing landscape rife with the screaming souls of the damned. Yet those who have visited Hell know the awful truth—for its torments do not cease at eternal burning. Some regions of Hell are perpetually frozen reaches of razor-sharp ice and flesh-scouring wind, while others are miasmic swamps filled with poison and disease. Hell does not limit its torturous toolbox merely to the fires for which it is so well known!

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Devils

The devils presented on these pages are a small sampling of the torments Hell has to offer. Other devils, like the mechanical warmonger devils, the cherub-faced and fly-bodied accuser devils, and the executioner devils beholden to the Queens of Night are but a few examples of these widespread immortal creatures.