Ashmadai

Ashmadai Symbol

A secret society of devil worshippers, the Ashmadai have been operating behind the scenes in the areas surrounding Neverwinter for some time. Loyal to Asmodeus, ruler of the nine hells, this group of cultists hides in plain sight, and is comprised of members from all walks of life. Membership is far from exclusive, and individuals can be recruited regardless of their race, or social class. Asmodeous demands nothing more than complete and utter loyalty.

Rumours and speculation suggest a large amount of activity by the group at Helm's Hold, a sanctuary located less than a day's journey outside of Neverwinter. However, the Prophet Rohini, who leads the inhabitants of the monastery, seems unconcerned, discounting the rumors as nothing more than stories created by a group of individuals who wish to stop offering refuge to the spellscarred at Helm's Hold.

Were the Ashmadai to establish a power base at Helm's Hold, it could be devastating for the region. With nowhere else to turn, the town's population has swelled in recent years, filled with the spellscarred, sick, and injured, who have nowhere else to go. This would provide a ripe field for the Ashmadai to harvest victims to be sacrificed in their worship of Asmodeous.

Lore

ASHMADAI PODS

The Ashmadai use a pod system to protect themselves from being discovered. Members of equal ranking report separately to their superiors and almost never know each other. Those superiors then report separately to their superiors and almost never know each other, and so on up through the ranks, or so it is assumed.

Because of this system, the Neverwinter Guard investigators have had an extremely difficult time learning any information from the few Ashmadai cultists they manage to identify and capture. Whoever is at the top of the chain of command is in little danger of being discovered any time soon.

Investigator Rannigan came to the conclusion that the Nashers have been infiltrated by Ashmadai. A tiefling hero can be asked to look for Ashmadai Marks used by the concealed cultists to recognize themselves. This is the only way to get the following Lore.

DIABOLIC PACTS

Many mortals wish for power. Some work for it, some steal it, some study to learn it, and some take it by force. Some, however, are willing to buy it from the denizens of the Nine Hells. Such a transaction typically comes at a high price if the mortal wishes to be granted great power, but many devils delight in bargaining and will gladly haggle what they can out of mortals for a lesser boon as well.

There are no rules when it comes to bargaining with devils, except those that are agreed upon. Any who wish to take such a risk would do well to remember that devils are irredeemably evil creatures that consume mortal souls to fuel their grand infernal designs. No matter what the devil may say or do, no matter how much it claims to value fairness and openness in its dealings, its ultimate goal will be to take from you your mortal soul.