Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is one of the greatest among the Dukes of Hell, second only to Asmodeus himself (something he is acutely aware of). He appears as a nine foot tall humanoid with crimson skin, giant horns, a penchant for capes of utter darkness, and a flaming ranseur. He is patient, cunning, and thoroughly diabolical in his thought and action yet alone he is said to be vengeful, impulsive, and filled with rage. His greatest ambition and reason for existence is to seize the throne of Asmodeus, with his second being the demotion and destruction of Baalzebul.

### History

Mephistopheles (then called Thra'axfyl the Ambitious, his true name) was the court sorcerer of Nessus and one of the first mortals to fall in service of Asmodeus. He plotted against Duke Rimmon and took control of Cania, becoming Lord of the Eighth. Soon after his ascension to power he became embroiled in the intrigues leading up to the Reckoning of Hell, where he attempted to unseat Asmodeus once and for all, but was utterly thwarted by his master. Mephistopheles was protected from outright destruction by the influence of Baalphegor and instead Mephistopheles found himself and Cania frozen in a block of ice.

Concerned that he would be overthrown and regathering his strength, Mephistopheles plotted against himself under the guise of Baron Molikroth in order to buy himself time and get in front of any potential rebellion. When Mephistopheles revealed himself at the end of the ruse, showing he had been freed from the ice, he had each of the "Baron"'s co-conspirators destroyed.

Mephistopheles had once gotten onto the bad side of an avatar of Mask, who attacked and wounded him shortly after his release from the ice and was then betrayed by Mammon which left him feeling vulnerable, leading to his latest research which has consumed his thoughts and utterly changed the structure of Cania. Mephistopheles has devoted himself to the control and manipulation of Hellfire in the hopes of being able to offer it to his followers.

His endless use of power and time in the harnessing of Hellfire has made his acquisition of souls torturously slow, so he has been siphoning souls from Dispater (who willingly serves Mephistopheles and is blinded by power) and Levistus (who could not possibly resist him). It seems that his goals are coming ever-closer.

### Relationships

Mephistopheles has long been the consort of Baalphegor, who some believe may have been pulling his strings and directed his assault against Rimmon. He has taken the risk of repercussions from Asmodeus while she has protected him.

Asmodeus is aware of his ambition and hatred towards him, but also relies upon Mephistopheles to guard the only portal into Nessus. Perhaps Asmodeus is just confident in his rule, but there are some who believe that the lord of the Nine Hells may genuinely be afraid of his second in command, especially since he has started wielding Hellfire.

Dispater is attached to Mephistopheles because he covets his power, but this relationship has proven itself mutually beneficial.

Baalzebul is deeply hated by Mephistopheles and is likely the first Duke to be removed from power when he starts making his next moves. He also has a deep hatred for Mammon and is said to be keeping spies in the Outlands searching for news of Mask's return.

### Worship

Mephistopheles has had difficulty gaining influence in the material plane, in no small part due to Asmodeus who has disseminated the narrative that he and Mephistopheles are one and the same.

Temples to Mephistopheles are hidden places where black pyres are loaded with kindling and humanoids are sacrificed upon the flames. The clerics of Mephistopheles are granted dark blood and fire magic abilities for their service, hoping to one day be able to wield the fires of Hell like their master.

In Cania, Mephistopheles leads a legion of ice devils, barbazu, cornugons, and pit fiends.