![[ZZ_Assets/MephistophelesPathfinder-v1.webp]] # Mephistopheles _Devil Former Archdevil | [[Nine Hells]] | [[Soul Gem]]_ ## Summary Former ruler of [[Cania]], the eighth layer of the Nine Hells, and the foremost arcane scholar among the archdevils. When [[Pellowea]] was accidentally transported to Cania centuries ago, he seduced her into becoming his consort—a possessive arrangement that ended when she exploited a contract loophole to escape with [[Baba Yaga]]'s help. His obsession with reclaiming her drove him to dispatch [[Hutijin]] and other servants against the [[Heroes of Waterdeep]], and ultimately to ally with [[Rhyxali]] and the Shadow Court during the Battle of Silverbrook. There, [[Verenestra]] enthralled him using [[Manitou]]'s knowledge of his true name, and the heroes imprisoned him in a soul gem. His fall created the vacancy that [[Belaam]] now fills. %% ## Now _Imprisoned in a soul gem since the Battle of Silverbrook._ ## Appearance _Imprisoned in a soul gem. Fill in if released._ ## Personality _Imprisoned in a soul gem. Fill in if released._ ## Quote _"Knowledge is the only true immortality. Souls wither, empires crumble, even gods fade—but what I discover will persist until the multiverse itself collapses into oblivion."_ ## Stats *Official bestiary stat block — Monster Manual Expanded II.* *Large Fiend (Devil), Lawful Evil* > The Lord of Cania, Archduke of the eight layer of Hell. Over 9 feet tall with red skin, leathery bat wings, two curved horns, long black hair, and yellow eyes. Asmodeus's foremost wizard — master of hellfire magic, he willingly imparts hellfire power to followers to build his cult. Carries a ranseur, a three-pronged staff that channels his hellfire. Impatient and unforgiving, prone to killing minions he sees as distractions. **AC** 22 (natural armor) | **HP** 325 (26d10 + 182) | **Speed** 40 ft., Fly 80 ft. **CR** 26 (90,000 XP) | **Proficiency Bonus** +8 | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA | |:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| | 20 (+5) | 18 (+4) | 24 (+7) | 26 (+8) | 26 (+8) | 27 (+8) | **Saving Throws** Dex +12, Int +16, Wis +16, Cha +16 **Skills** Arcana +16, History +16, Investigation +16, Perception +16, Persuasion +16, Religion +16 **Damage Resistances** Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't silvered **Damage Immunities** Cold, Fire, Poison **Condition Immunities** Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned **Senses** Darkvision 240 ft., Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 26 **Languages** all; telepathy 120 ft. ### Traits **Hellfire Aura (Bonus Action to activate).** Mephistopheles is swathed in dark searing flames. A creature starting its turn within 10 feet, touching him, or hitting him in melee within 10 ft takes 11 (2d10) Fire damage and gains Vulnerability to Fire until start of its next turn. Lasts until he dies or dismisses it. **Innate Spellcasting.** Charisma (spell save DC 24, +16 to hit). At will: *Alter Self*, *Detect Magic*, *Scorching Ray* (5th level), *Fireball*, *Locate Object*, *Suggestion*, *Telekinesis*. 3/Day each: *Charm Monster*, *Dispel Magic*, *Unholy Weapon*, *Wall of Fire*. 1/Day each: *Divine Word*, *Meteor Swarm*, *Symbol*, *Unholy Aura*. **Spellcasting.** 20th-level spellcaster. Intelligence (spell save DC 24, +16 to hit). Wizard spells prepared (verbal only): Cantrips (at will): *Mage Hand*, *Mending*, *Minor Illusion*, *Prestidigitation*, *Ray of Frost* (4d8) 1st (4 slots): *Identify*, *Magic Missile*, *Shield* 2nd (3 slots): *Hold Person*, *Mind Spike*, *Misty Step*, *Scorching Ray* 3rd (3 slots): *Counterspell*, *Major Image*, *Lightning Bolt* 4th (3 slots): *Arcane Eye*, *Fabricate*, *Otiluke's Resilient Sphere* 5th (3 slots): *Cone of Cold*, *Dominate Person*, *Modify Memory*, *Scrying* 6th (2 slots): *Chain Lightning*, *Disintegrate*, *Soul Cage*, *Wall of Ice* 7th (2 slots): *Delayed Blast Fireball*, *Forcecage*, *Sequester* 8th (1 slot): *Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting*, *Dominate Monster* 9th (1 slot): *Imprisonment*, *Prismatic Wall* **Legendary Resistance (3/Day).** Choose to succeed. **Magic Resistance.** Advantage on saves against spells and magical effects. **Magic Weapons.** Weapon attacks magical. **Regeneration.** Regains 20 HP at the start of his turn. If he takes Radiant damage, doesn't function next turn. ### Actions **Multiattack.** Two Ranseur attacks. **Ranseur.** *Melee Attack Roll:* +13, reach 10 ft. *Hit:* 16 (2d10 + 5) Piercing damage plus 11 (2d10) Fire damage. Target has Vulnerability to Fire until end of Mephistopheles's next turn. **Hellfire Gaze (Recharge 5-6).** 120-ft long, 5-ft wide line. *Dexterity Saving Throw:* DC 23. *Failure:* 29 (6d6 + 8) Fire damage. *Success:* Half damage. Reducing to 0 HP disintegrates the target (restorable only by *True Resurrection* or *Wish*). **Word of Injunction (1/Day).** Targets one creature within 60 feet who has signed a legally binding contract with Mephistopheles (otherwise no effect). If target has ≤150 HP, Mephistopheles can reduce it to 0 HP and ashes. Otherwise, the target suffers crippling pain — speed ≤10 ft, Disadvantage on attacks, ability checks, and saves (except Con), and must succeed *Constitution Saving Throw:* DC 24 to cast spells. Target repeats save at end of each of its turns. **Teleport.** Up to 120 feet. ### Legendary Actions Legendary Action Uses: 3. **Teleport.** Uses Teleport. **Ranseur (Costs 2 Actions).** One Ranseur attack. **Cast a Spell (Costs 1-3 Actions).** Casts a 1st-3rd-level prepared spell. **Summon Ice Devil (Costs 3 Actions).** Summons an Ice Devil within 60 feet that acts as his ally. ### Notes **Combat rhythm.** Activate **Hellfire Aura** and *Unholy Aura* turn 1. Ranseur for two Vulnerability-to-Fire stacks, then Hellfire Gaze for 6d6+8 Fire (often disintegrating). *Forcecage* the cleric. *Counterspell* from legendary actions. **Word of Injunction** is a hard-counter against any contracted PC — keep an eye on past dealings. **Source.** *Monster Manual Expanded II* (Dragonix, DMs Guild), p. 81. --- %%