Welcome to Avernus
Shattered Realms TTRPG is a system built to work with Dungeon's and Dragons 5th edition 2014. We've built our system to be the power level of the players handbook so that modules can be run without much effort. Enjoy the article below!
Welcome To Avernus
Welcome to Avernus is a reskin of the DnD 5e module Descent to Avernus. It uses the core concepts of the show Hazbin Hotel to make the world a little more dark humor and comedic rather than having the doom and gloom tones.
The Hotel
Your adventurers are going to be helping Charlie Morningstar, Daughter of Lucifer Morningstar, recruit demons they feel could be eligible for rehabilitation. Vaggie (Zariel) has lost faith in Charlie's mission and has decided to take matters into her own hands and punish demons. Your party is hired to help Charlie get back in touch with Vaggie before she is too far gone.
The Vanthampur Family
If you're DMing lore dumping can be annoying for you and the players. Instead I created a "team rocket" like trio that can represent the Vanthampur Family's plan to foil their plans at every corner. Don't let your party kill them but do a more or less "until next time send off" as they are defeated so that you can use the trio in ways to engage the party with familiar characters that you can lore dump on them in comedic sections as needed using these 3 character's lack of intelligence to give away the plans. The trio is always following the party to try and be annoying to their cause, just like team rocket, but they are not there to kill the party for the most part.
Vanthampur Family — Hell’s Most Fabulous Troublemakers
Thalamra (Talia) Vanthampur — The Diva Matriarch
- Role
- Head of the family and queen of infernal fashion and manipulation.
- Personality
- Dramatic, commanding, and utterly convinced she’s the star of Hell’s show. Loves monologuing and grand gestures.
- Quirks
- Constantly fusses over her elaborate outfits and demonic makeup, carries a venomous wit.
- Catchphrase
- “You can’t extinguish my spotlight, darling!”
- Goal
- Maintain the family’s grip on Baldur’s Gate’s underworld and crush the Hotel’s meddling hope.
- How she “fails”
- Often distracted by her own vanity or underestimates the party’s cunning.
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 14 | +2 | +6 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +6 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +8 |
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 16 | +3 | +6 |
| WIS | 12 | +1 | +3 |
| CHA | 18 | +4 | +8 |
Amphibious. Can breathe air and water.
Innate Spellcasting. Charisma (spell save DC 14). At will: minor illusion, vicious mockery, dancing lights; 4/day each: identify, ray of sickness; 3/day each: hold person, locate object, bestow curse, counterspell, lightning bolt; 3/day each: phantasmal killer, polymorph; 2/day each: contact other plane, scrying; 1/day: eyebite.
Mimicry. Can imitate voices and sounds (DC 15 Wisdom check).
Illusory Appearance. Magical disguise as another humanoid.
Invisible Passage. Turns invisible until attack or spell.
Claw Strike. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
Dark Command (Recharge 5–6). Charm one creature in 60 ft. (DC 14 Wisdom save).
Bestow Curse. Curse a creature within range (no spell slot).
Dark Retort. Counterspell with psychic damage (DC 15 Con save, 1d8+5 damage on fail).
Serkel (Seth) Vanthampur — The Bumbling Brute
- Role
- Thalamra’s loyal but clumsy enforcer and “muscle.”
- Personality
- Loud, blustering, and easily frustrated. Doesn’t get subtlety, but has a big heart beneath the muscle.
- Quirks
- Always knocking things over accidentally, tries to be intimidating but sometimes ends up comic relief.
- Catchphrase
- “I’m gonna smash ‘em... or at least try!”
- Goal
- Protect his family at all costs, but often gets in his own way.
- How he “fails”
- Trips over his own weapons or bumbles plans unintentionally sabotaging them.
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 20 | +5 | +7 |
| DEX | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +6 |
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 6 | -2 | -2 |
| WIS | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Clumsy. Disadvantage on Dexterity saves and Acrobatics checks due to awkward movements.
Brute. Melee attacks deal one extra damage die.
Greatclub. +8 to hit, 5 ft., 16 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. On a 1 on d6, hits ally or object instead.
Clumsy Smash (Recharge 5–6). 10 ft. radius (DC 14 Dex save) 18 (4d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage + prone on fail.
Staggering Swing. +8 to hit, 5 ft., 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage with disadvantage. On hit, target must save (DC 14) or be knocked prone and pushed 10 ft.
Unsteady Block. Impose disadvantage on attack roll against Serkel when hit by melee attack.
Zireael (Zara) Vanthampur — The Sneaky Schemer
- Role
- The cunning mastermind plotting behind the scenes.
- Personality
- Cold, calculating, and sarcastic, with a dry sense of humor. Has an elegant, unsettling calm.
- Quirks
- Loves sarcastic quips and always seems one step ahead—or at least thinks she is.
- Catchphrase
- “If only they were as clever as me…”
- Goal
- Weave webs of influence and betrayal to outmaneuver enemies, including her own family.
- How she “fails”
- Overcomplicates plans and occasionally underestimates the party’s unpredictable moves.
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| DEX | 17 | +3 | +5 |
| CON | 14 | +2 | +4 |
| Score | Mod | Save | |
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 14 | +2 | +4 |
| WIS | 11 | +0 | +2 |
| CHA | 18 | +4 | +6 |
Innate Spellcasting. Charisma (spell save DC 14). At will: dancing lights, minor illusion, vicious mockery.
Mimicry. Can mimic voices and sounds (DC 15 Wisdom check).
Shared Spellcasting (Coven Only). Casts powerful wizard spells while in coven.
Claw Strike. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Illusory Appearance. Magical disguise as another humanoid.
Invisible Passage. Turns invisible until attack or spell.
Dark Command (Recharge 5-6). Charm one creature in 60 ft. (DC 15 Wisdom save).
The Nine Layers of the Nine Hells — Detailed Lore & Denizens
Avernus
Overview: Avernus is the first layer and the front line of the eternal Blood War between devils and demons. It is a hellscape of blazing rivers, blasted plains, and fortresses built from infernal metal. The sky burns red and ash constantly rains down.
- Zariel – Fallen angel, archduchess and ruler of Avernus.
- Bel – Former archdevil of Avernus, now overthrown.
- The ruined city of Elturel, now trapped in Hell.
- Battlefields of the Blood War with never-ending infernal armies.
- The Fortress of Displaced Souls.
- Hell Hounds
- Barbed Devils
- Bloodletters (demons)
- Hellfire Elementals
Dis
Overview: Dis is a city of towering iron spires and choking furnaces. Its streets are filled with devils enforcing strict laws, bureaucracy, and ceaseless industry. The air smells of soot and sulfur.
- Dispater – The Iron Duke, master of infernal contracts and law.
- The Iron Spires
- Hall of Infernal Law
- Forge of Eternal Chains
- Spined Devils
- Erinyes
- Imps
Minauros
Overview: Minauros is a vast, stinking swamp of mud and decay, filled with sinking ruins and poisonous mists. The layer is drenched in a foul stench of rot and greed. Mammon rules here, his greed manifest in every twisted corner.
- Mammon – Archdevil of Greed, lord of Minauros.
- Palaces built from blackened bones and sludge
- Swamp ruins of ancient fallen cities
- Horned Devils (Barbazu)
- Nalfeshnee Demons
- Swarm of insects and poisonous plants
Phlegethos
Overview: Phlegethos is a world of burning fire and molten rock, home to torturous landscapes of volcanoes and lava seas. The archdevil Belial and his consort Fierna rule with cruelty and cunning.
- Belial – Archduke of Fire and Deceit.
- Fierna – Archduchess and co-ruler of Phlegethos.
- The Smoldering Spires
- Palaces forged in eternal flame
- Fire Elementals
- Imps
- Hellfire Devils
Stygia
Overview: Stygia is an ocean of freezing black ice dotted with icy fortresses. The cold seeps into all souls and the archdevil Levistus remains imprisoned in ice, scheming endlessly.
- Levistus – The chained archdevil trapped within the icy prisons.
- Iceforts and frozen cities
- Sunken ships and drowned souls
- Ice Devils
- White Dragons
- Winter Wolves
Malbolge
Overview: Malbolge is a twisted labyrinth of chasms, tunnels, and filth. It’s a city of punishment and corruption, ruled by Glasya with iron cruelty.
- Glasya – Archduchess of Malbolge and mistress of trickery.
- The Torturer’s Warrens
- Labyrinthine catacombs
- City of punishment and exile
- Chain Devils
- Ropers
- Devil Spies
Cania
Overview: Cania is a savage arctic hellscape ruled by the archduchess Mephistopheles. The storms are relentless and the cold bites through mortal flesh.
- Mephistopheles – Archduke of Cania, master of sorcery and secrets.
- Ice spires and crystal towers
- Frozen wastelands
- Ice Mephits
- Winter Wolves
- Frost Giants
Nessus
Overview: Nessus is a vast pit of eternal darkness and torment. It is the seat of Asmodeus, the supreme ruler of the Nine Hells. The landscape twists in impossible geometry and endless torment.
- Asmodeus – The Lord of the Nine Hells, master of all devils.
- The Black Citadel
- Infernal Courts of Asmodeus
- Pit Fiends
- Hellfire Elementals
- Nightwalkers
