Dispater (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, Dispater is an Arch-Devil of Hell (Baator
in later editions of the game), and the Lord of the Iron City of Dis.
Dispater was one of the few arch-devils that retained his position after the Reckoning of Hell
. Dispater is lord of Dis, the Second Plane of Hell.
His symbol is a fortress embossed on a reinforced metal shield.
of Roman myth, a name for Pluto, god of the underworld.
's "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon
#75 (1983).
Dispater did not initially appear in 2nd edition, but he did feature prominently in the Planescape
line, particularly in the adventure Fires of Dis (1995). His history as part of the Reckoning of Hell
was detailed in Guide to Hell (1999).
In third edition, Dispater appeared along with the other lords of the Nine Hells in the Book of Vile Darkness
(2002). Dispater was further detailed in the Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
(2006).
The 4th edition Monster Manual mentions that Dispater is still the lord of Dis.
Dispater is incredibly cautious to the point of paranoia
. He always has at least nine different back up plans for any situation. He is also always polite and calm even in very troubling and stressful situations. Dispater's iron tower is itself a powerful magic item which makes Dispater almost impossible to kill as long as he remains inside it. Dispater never leaves his tower unless forced, most notably for the yearly council with Asmodeus which all the Archdevils are required to attend.
and is allied with Mephistopheles
and as such most of his plans focus on the destruction of Baalzebul. His consort is Lilis
.
, goblins
, and similar humanoids.
created Baator
, he, Mephistopheles
, and Dispater were the first of the baatezu to set foot on the plane. Dispater has controlled Dis ever since.
Thousands of years ago, Dispater helped broker the pact between Tiamat
's red dragon
consort Ephelomon and Gith
, first leader of the githyanki
. In return, he claimed Gith's soul, which he has kept imprisoned in his iron city ever since.
In the Reckoning
, Dispater's legendary tower was the first to be attacked and was laid siege to by Zariel
. However, Mammon
managed to help Dispater beat the besieging army back and then they both invaded Maladomini to attack Baalzebul.
After the Reckoning, Dispater retained his position as ruler of Dis. He is still an ally of Mephistopheles
and he, Mephistopheles, Baalzebul, and Belial
form the only two real alliances in Hell.
In the adventure Fires of Dis, Dispater was behind a plot to ruin a noble crusading paladin and prevent the ascension of the gate-town of Fortitude.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Dispater is an Arch-Devil of Hell (Baator
Baator
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Baator, also known as the Nine Hells of Baator or the Nine Hells, is a lawful evil-aligned plane of existence...
in later editions of the game), and the Lord of the Iron City of Dis.
Dispater was one of the few arch-devils that retained his position after the Reckoning of Hell
Reckoning of Hell
In the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Reckoning of Hell was a civil war that shaped the political landscape of the Nine Hells into its current form...
. Dispater is lord of Dis, the Second Plane of Hell.
His symbol is a fortress embossed on a reinforced metal shield.
Creative origins
Dispater was inspired by the Dis PaterDis Pater
Dis Pater, or Dispater was a Roman god of the underworld, later subsumed by Pluto or Hades. Originally a chthonic god of riches, fertile agricultural land, and underground mineral wealth, he was later commonly equated with the Roman deities Pluto and Orcus, becoming an underworld deity.Dis Pater...
of Roman myth, a name for Pluto, god of the underworld.
Publication history
Dispater first appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977). Dispater's realm was further detailed in Ed GreenwoodEd Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
's "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#75 (1983).
Dispater did not initially appear in 2nd edition, but he did feature prominently in the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
line, particularly in the adventure Fires of Dis (1995). His history as part of the Reckoning of Hell
Reckoning of Hell
In the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Reckoning of Hell was a civil war that shaped the political landscape of the Nine Hells into its current form...
was detailed in Guide to Hell (1999).
In third edition, Dispater appeared along with the other lords of the Nine Hells in the Book of Vile Darkness
Book of Vile Darkness
Book of Vile Darkness is an optional supplemental sourcebook for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The book was written by Monte Cook and published by Wizards of the Coast in October 2002. Described as a "detailed look at the nature of evil," it was the first Dungeons &...
(2002). Dispater was further detailed in the Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:...
(2006).
The 4th edition Monster Manual mentions that Dispater is still the lord of Dis.
Transitions
Being based on a pagan Roman god rather than a Christian demon, Dispater was one of the few archfiends not suppressed during TSR's crackdown on demons and devils. He was the only Lord of Baator from first edition AD&D mentioned in the Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set, and the only one of the Lords of the Nine not to undergo a change in name, appearance, or station in second edition AD&D. As a result, he survived the Reckoning, which was how the various second edition changes were eventually explained in-game, more or less unscathed. In the Book of Vile Darkness, Monte Cook described him having iron skin, a feature he had not possessed in previous sources.Description
Dispater stands at seven feet tall, is evilly handsome and looks human except for his small horns, tail, and cloven left hoof. He has a rod which acts as both a rod of rulership and a staff of striking that deals double normal damage.Dispater is incredibly cautious to the point of paranoia
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
. He always has at least nine different back up plans for any situation. He is also always polite and calm even in very troubling and stressful situations. Dispater's iron tower is itself a powerful magic item which makes Dispater almost impossible to kill as long as he remains inside it. Dispater never leaves his tower unless forced, most notably for the yearly council with Asmodeus which all the Archdevils are required to attend.
Relationships
Dispater is the sworn enemy of BaalzebulBaalzebul (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Baalzebul is a fictional character, described as an Arch-Devil of Hell , also called the "Lord of the Flies."Baalzebul is lord of Maladomini, the Seventh Plane of Hell...
and is allied with Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Mephistopheles is an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Lord of No Mercy" and the "Cold Lord"....
and as such most of his plans focus on the destruction of Baalzebul. His consort is Lilis
Lilis (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Lilis is the consort of Dispater, the ruler of Dis, the second layer of Baator. She is sometimes referred to as the Iron Maiden.-Creative origins:...
.
Vassals
The following beings are among the most notable subjects of Dispater. The forces at their disposal are listed, where appropriate:- AlocerAlocer (Dungeons & Dragons)Alocer is a Duke of Hell in the service of Dispater, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Alocer first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
- 36 companies of erinyes (DR75). - AriochArioch (Dungeons & Dragons)Arioch is a Duke of Hell in the service of Dispater, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Arioch first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
- Avenger (DR75). - BiffantBiffantBiffant is a Duke of Hell in the service of Dispater, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Biffant first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
- Provost (DR75). - BitruBitru (Dungeons & Dragons)Bitru is a Duke of Hell in the service of Dispater, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Bitru was first detailed in Gary Gygax's article "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: New Denizens of Devildom," in Dragon #75 ....
- 70 companies of erinyes (DR 75). - LilisLilis (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Lilis is the consort of Dispater, the ruler of Dis, the second layer of Baator. She is sometimes referred to as the Iron Maiden.-Creative origins:...
- Consort to Dispater (DR75). - MerodachMerodach (Dungeons & Dragons)Merodach is a Duke of Hell in the service of Dispater, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Merodach first appears in Ed Greenwood's article "The Nine Hells Part I" in Dragon #75 ....
- 21 companies of hamatula (DR75). - TalosTalos (disambiguation)Talos was a giant bronze automaton in Greek mythology.Talos may also refer to:*Talos , a mythological Greek inventor.*RIM-8 Talos, a U.S...
the Triple Iron Golem - Ancient iron golem who serves Lord Dispater. - TitivilusTitivilus (Dungeons & Dragons)Titivilus is Dispater's nuncio, serving as his ambassador and viceroy, and a powerful Duke of Hell, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:...
- Messenger of Dispater, Nuncio (MM2). - Ustyhrin-Ja - Pleasure Devil Desciple who serves her master with frevor and leads his warrior harem.
- Zaggutch - Pit fiend lieutenant (FoD).
Former vassals
The following beings once served in Dispater's court:- BaalzephonBaalzephon (Dungeons & Dragons)Baalzephon is a fictional devil in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.Baalzephon is one of the Dark Eight, the pit fiend generals of the Blood War. He is the former prime minister of Dispater.- Baalzephon in Greyhawk :...
- Before the Reckoning of HellReckoning of HellIn the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Reckoning of Hell was a civil war that shaped the political landscape of the Nine Hells into its current form...
, this pit fiend served Dispater as Prime Minister. - BelBel (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Bel the pit fiend, is the Arch-Devil currently in charge of Avernus, the First Layer of the Nine Hells of Baator...
- Before entering the service of ZarielZarielZariel is an archdevil who once ruled Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:Zariel was first mentioned in the second edition book Guide to Hell ....
on Avernus, Bel commanded three companies of horned devils known as the Iron Guard.
Dogma
Dispater is extremely conservative, representing evil in its most stagnant form. The doctrines of Dispater are about contingencies and options.Worshippers
Dispater's cult appeals to those who value stability as much as cruelty. They tend to build impregnable fortresses, carefully reviewing defensive protocol and possible escape plans. They include many hobgoblinsHobgoblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, hobgoblins are a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing form of goblins. They are smaller and weaker than bugbears, but better organized. Hobgoblins are humanoids that stand nearly 6'6" tall on average, a little taller than orcs...
, goblins
Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, goblins are a very common and fairly weak race of evil humanoid monsters. Goblins and Kobolds are commonly non-human monsters that low-level player characters will face in combat. In D&D, goblins aren't smaller cousins of orcs, but are a part of...
, and similar humanoids.
Clergy
Clerics of Dispater wear gray clothing and conceal their faces behind iron masks. They wield heavy maces and are usually heavily armored. Disciples of Dispater verge on paranoia and are distrustful of all around them.History
According to Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells, when AsmodeusAsmodeus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Asmodeus is an Arch-Devil: a lord of the game's version of Hell . There he is the Overlord of the Dukes of Hell...
created Baator
Baator
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Baator, also known as the Nine Hells of Baator or the Nine Hells, is a lawful evil-aligned plane of existence...
, he, Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Mephistopheles is an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Lord of No Mercy" and the "Cold Lord"....
, and Dispater were the first of the baatezu to set foot on the plane. Dispater has controlled Dis ever since.
Thousands of years ago, Dispater helped broker the pact between Tiamat
Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)
Tiamat is the name of a powerful draconic goddess in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The name is taken from Tiamat, a goddess in ancient Mesopotamian mythology who is substantially different ....
's red dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
consort Ephelomon and Gith
Gith
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Gith is the fictional leader of the thrall rebellion that toppled the illithid empire thousands of years in the past, and founder of the githyanki and githzerai races.-History:...
, first leader of the githyanki
Githyanki
The githyanki are a fictional humanoid race in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. They are cousins to the githzerai. In the Dark Sun setting, they are simply called gith...
. In return, he claimed Gith's soul, which he has kept imprisoned in his iron city ever since.
In the Reckoning
Reckoning of Hell
In the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Reckoning of Hell was a civil war that shaped the political landscape of the Nine Hells into its current form...
, Dispater's legendary tower was the first to be attacked and was laid siege to by Zariel
Zariel
Zariel is an archdevil who once ruled Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells of Baator, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:Zariel was first mentioned in the second edition book Guide to Hell ....
. However, Mammon
Mammon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Mammon is an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Lord of Avarice." His symbol is a pair of red scaled hands open and looming over a black gemstone, or gold medallions emblazoned with the image of a snake-bodied devil.Mammon is the lord of Minauros,...
managed to help Dispater beat the besieging army back and then they both invaded Maladomini to attack Baalzebul.
After the Reckoning, Dispater retained his position as ruler of Dis. He is still an ally of Mephistopheles
Mephistopheles (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Mephistopheles is an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Lord of No Mercy" and the "Cold Lord"....
and he, Mephistopheles, Baalzebul, and Belial
Belial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Belial is an Arch-Devil of Hell , lord of the Fourth Hell, Phlegethos. He retained his rule after the Reckoning of Hell, though he now shares this responsibility with his daughter Fierna who serves as his mouthpiece...
form the only two real alliances in Hell.
In the adventure Fires of Dis, Dispater was behind a plot to ruin a noble crusading paladin and prevent the ascension of the gate-town of Fortitude.
Additional reading
- Richard BakerRichard Baker (game designer)Richard Baker is an American author and a game designer who has worked on many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings.-Early life, education, and military:...
, Rob HeinsooRob HeinsooRob Heinsoo is an American tabletop game designer. He has been designing and contributing to professional roleplaying games, card games, and board games since 1994. He has also designed and contributed to miniatures games and a computer game.-Career:...
, and James WyattJames Wyatt (game designer)James Wyatt is a game designer and a former United Methodist minister. He works for Wizards of the Coast, where he has designed several award-winning supplements and adventures for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
. Manual of the Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008. - McComb, ColinColin McCombColin McComb is an American writer and game designer born in Evanston, Illinois. He is married to musician Robin Moulder. They currently live in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, with their two children...
. Faces of Evil: The Fiends (Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 1997) - McComb, Colin. "The Lords of the Nine." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#223. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR 1995. - Schwalb, Robert JRobert J. Schwalb-Career:His works for Dungeons & Dragons include: Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells , Drow of the Underdark -Career:His works for Dungeons & Dragons include: Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells (2006, with Robin Laws), Drow of the Underdark -Career:His works for Dungeons &...
." "Tu'narath, City of Death." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#377. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2009. - -----. "A Tyranny of Souls." DungeonDungeonA dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Dungeons are generally associated with medieval castles, though their association with torture probably belongs more to the Renaissance period...
#168. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2009.