Mephistopheles
More actions
Mephistopheles is the archdevil ruler of 
Cania, the eighth layer of the Nine Hells[1]
Overview edit
Mephistopheles does not appear in Baldur's Gate 3, but his presence can be felt in many of the questlines and other game elements. He is known for his impressive magical skills, and Mephistopheles Tieflings descend from bloodlines affected by this archdevil; they inherit some of his proficiency with magic.
Mephistopheles specializes in infernal rituals, one of which is known as "The Rite of Profane Ascension". The ritual involves the sacrifice of seven thousand souls to the archdevil. In exchange, the vampire performing it becomes a "Vampire Ascendant", gaining additional powers and nullifying many of the traditional vampire's weaknesses, like burning in the sun or their sanguine hunger.[2]
In one of the game's questlines 
, the vampire lord Cazador Szarr (and perhaps Vellioth before him) seeks to perform this ritual, acquiring sacrifices through his vampire spawn, one of whom is Astarion. Cazador has inscribed the backs of both his spawn and sacrifices with Infernal runes, necessary if the rite is to be performed.
History edit
After the fall of Netheril, Mephistopheles sequestered the 
away in one of his archival vaults. Mephistopheles' son, Raphael, coveted the crown, but was unable to obtain it for over a thousand years. Eventually, the crown was stolen by the cult of the Absolute, and Raphael put into motion his plans to take it for himself.
The incubus Haarlep has been sent by Mephistopheles to distract his "naughty son", possibly from his ambitions for the crown.
