MANUAL OF THE PLANES (4th EDITION, 2008)

The 4th Edition of D&D really features a completely different planar cosmology, but there is some
continuity here that makes it potentially worthwhile to take a peek.
Zariel is not referenced, but “a circle of pit fiends known as the Dark Eight serve as Bel’s vassals
and councilors. Bel governs only at their pleasure, and he must constantly consider whether his
actions will meet with the approval of the Dark Eight.”
Note: They are both his vassals AND he serves only at their pleasure? Go home,
4th Edition, you’re drunk.

What we’re seeing rather bluntly manifest in this text, however, is an uncertainty and
confusion which has crept into who and what the Dark Eight are: They were originally
established as being based out of Nessus (i.e., Asmodeus’ court) and could be seen as a
parallel power to the Lords of the Nine: In other words, there were eight archdukes who
ruled the layers of Hell (plus Asmodeus, the ninth) and there were the Dark Eight who
served as military generals.

But somewhere along the way they had slid from Nessus to Avernus and ended up in the
power structure of the Archduke of Avernus.

Having the Dark Eight be the generals of Avernus became my head canon more or less
by accident, as I had not fully delved into their history yet when I started thinking about
them in relation to the history of Gargauth and Bel.

DUNGEON #197 – CODEX OF BETRAYAL: GLASYA, PRINCESS OF THE

NINE HELLS (2011)
This article by Robert J. Schwalb seems to be the only reference to Zariel in 4th Edition. She
remains the original Lord of Avernus and she “ruled thus for many eons.”