Arch Devils: overview

The Arch Devils are among the mightiest of their race and answer directly to Asmodeus alone. Unlike the arch demons, they are thought to have no true form and appear however they please, from breathtakingly beautiful humanoids to monsters too horrible to describe. There are believed to be thirteen, each with its own field of knowledge.

A summoned Arch Devil will grant a wish instead of a service, but only if the summoner solemnly promises to do it a favor at some later time; it rarely says what the favor will be and almost never when it will be called in. If asked for a service instead, no such bargain is needed. Arch Devils gladly help capable summoners who simply swear loyalty to Asmodeus, but after that the summoner cannot deal with demons or spirit entities without bringing down the anger of all devils. A service will be performed only if it falls within the Arch Devil's own specialty.

If a summoner threatens or attacks one, it usually either gates in up to four Shedim to fight on its behalf while it returns to the underworld, or takes on the shape and powers of whatever monster the rash caster fears most. Each can take the shape of any creature of up to 24th level whenever it likes and can cast any Enchantment or Black Magic spell at will, at 24th level. Each has also mastered one profession at 24th level: Andromelus is a Rogue, Balaam an Astrologer, Barbatos a Warlock, Belial a Wizard, Dantalion a Mystic, Forneus a Scholar of languages and writings, Furcas a Scholar of arts and sciences, Maltheus a Warrior, Murmus a Necromancer, Oriax a Shaman, Paimon a Scholar of spells and rituals, Stolos an Alchemist and Valek a Hunter.