In the realm of tabletop fantasy adventures, few campaigns deliver the mix of high-stakes infernal politics and deep moral choices quite like Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus. Among the many characters who emerge from this descent into chaos and fire, Vaaz stands as a lesser-known yet fascinating figure. Tied to the grim city of Elturel and the dark dealings that plague the Sword Coast, Vaaz offers players a glimpse into the loyalty, discipline, and danger that define the infernal war machine. Understanding Vaaz’s role in Descent into Avernus adds richness to any campaign and brings flavor to the conflicts faced by adventurers exploring the Nine Hells.
Who Is Vaaz?
Vaaz is a Hellrider of Elturel, one of the elite warriors sworn to protect the city and uphold its moral integrity. However, like many who become entangled in infernal contracts, Vaaz’s path is not as pure as his oath might suggest. Though not a central villain in the campaign, he plays a significant role in side quests and party interactions, particularly around the events unfolding in Elturel’s descent into Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells.
Background and Allegiances
Vaaz is associated with the Hellriders, the famed cavalry of Elturel, but his actions suggest deep internal conflict. His loyalty is tested as he navigates the corrupting influence of the devils and the failing leadership that allowed the city to be dragged into Hell. Vaaz may serve as an ally, rival, or even antagonist, depending on the choices made by the player characters and the Dungeon Master’s storytelling approach.
Vaaz in Descent into Avernus
While not a central character like Zariel or Thavius Kreeg, Vaaz is found within the layers of the story that focus on the military and political structure of Elturel and its descent. He appears most often during the players’ investigations into how the city fell into ruin and what can be done to save it.
Where Players Encounter Vaaz
Vaaz may appear during sequences set in Elturel or in interactions with survivors of the fall. He is typically found in missions dealing with:
- The surviving Hellriders seeking redemption or revenge
- Conflicts between factions within the city
In some campaigns, the DM might include Vaaz as a soldier trying to hold order among chaos, while in others, he may have lost faith entirely and turned to desperate measures.
Role-Playing Vaaz
For Dungeon Masters, Vaaz is a versatile tool. His personality can be shaped to reflect the tone of the campaign. In a morally gray adventure, he may be bitter and disillusioned. In a redemption-themed story, he might seek forgiveness and assist the party. His Hellrider training and experience make him a formidable fighter, but it’s his internal struggle that makes him interesting.
Possible Character Traits
- Loyal: Despite everything, he maintains his commitment to Elturel.
- Haunted: Plagued by guilt over his perceived failure to protect the city.
- Vengeful: Seeks retribution against those who betrayed Elturel.
- Pragmatic: Willing to make hard decisions if it means survival.
Alignment and Morality
Vaaz typically falls under lawful neutral or lawful good alignment, but his experiences may shift him toward neutrality or even lawful evil, depending on his circumstances. He represents the difficult choices many characters face in Avernus: whether to stay true to ideals or adapt to survive the horrors of Hell.
Combat and Abilities
As a Hellrider, Vaaz is a capable warrior. In combat scenarios, he can provide a serious challenge or a valuable ally. His stat block may resemble that of a Knight or Veteran NPC, enhanced by divine or infernal items depending on his path.
Combat Tactics
- Mounted Combat: If still equipped with a steed, he can engage in swift charges and trample attacks.
- Leadership: Inspires nearby allies with battle cries or aura effects.
- Devotion or Desperation: If corrupted, may wield infernal powers granted through pacts.
Dungeons Masters should adjust Vaaz’s strength based on his narrative arc. A broken soldier may be hesitant and cautious, while a vengeful one could fight with reckless fury.
Vaaz as a Quest Giver or Antagonist
Vaaz’s position and knowledge make him ideal as a quest giver. He might send the players to retrieve sacred artifacts, rescue captured Hellriders, or investigate devil activity. Alternatively, if he’s fallen from grace, Vaaz could become an enemy who seeks to protect a failing cause at any cost, believing the end justifies the means.
Sample Quest Ideas
- The Oath Reforged: Help Vaaz rally remaining Hellriders for a last stand against demonic forces.
- Vaaz’s Redemption: Convince a guilt-ridden Vaaz to aid in saving Elturel rather than giving in to despair.
- Fall of a Knight: Stop Vaaz from unleashing a forbidden weapon he believes will destroy Zariel’s army.
Symbolism and Thematic Impact
Vaaz embodies many of the campaign’s themes: loyalty, sacrifice, corruption, and redemption. His story can reflect the choices players themselves must face as they delve deeper into Avernus. In a world filled with literal devils, characters like Vaaz ground the story with human emotion and moral conflict.
Mirroring the Party
If the party includes paladins, clerics, or characters with a strong code of honor, Vaaz becomes a mirror. He challenges them to reflect on what their own oaths mean in Hell. Can honor survive when justice fails? Is faith still worth following when gods seem distant?
Integrating Vaaz into Your Campaign
Though Vaaz is not a central figure in official modules, DMs are encouraged to expand his role to fit the campaign’s tone and pace. Whether as a short-term companion, a long-lost Hellrider with secrets, or a fallen knight seeking vengeance, he offers compelling interaction and development.
Customization Tips
- Backstory Tweaks: Connect Vaaz to a player’s past as a mentor or rival.
- Infernal Temptation: Have Vaaz tempted by devils, paralleling the party’s struggle with corruption.
- Unexpected Ally: Reveal Vaaz in a surprising moment, saving the party or betraying them when stakes are high.
Vaaz in Descent into Avernus may not be the flashiest character, but he carries weight as a symbol of the campaign’s internal conflict. His background as a Hellrider, his potential for growth or downfall, and his adaptability make him a valuable NPC for DMs seeking to enrich their storytelling. Whether players find in Vaaz a friend, foe, or fellow sufferer in the torment of Avernus, his presence adds a layer of realism and gravitas to a world filled with fire, fury, and difficult choices. In a campaign that challenges the very nature of good and evil, Vaaz is a reminder that even in Hell, the human soul still wrestles with hope.