Levistus

Lord of the Fifth, Archdevil of Stygia

For more information on all Archdevils, see: Archdevils

Levistus is the Lord of Stygia, and possibly the most hated of the Archdevils in the Nine Hells. The self-titled "prince" is known for his treachery and was imprisoned in an ancient iceberg, often referred to as his tomb. Unable to move his body in his frozen state, Levistus' brooding mind is not only fully aware of his surroundings, but incredibly perceptive as a result of being detained for so long. With few distractions to occupy his mind, he can fully concentrate on maintaining and controlling his otherwise unfathomable network of agents and masterminding his plans, in Stygia or otherwise, to the smallest details. Even before his imprisonment, Levistus had proven himself clever, charming and capable, enough so for him to be given control over Stygia in the first place. Regardless however, Levistus, who relished his graceful agility, desires first and foremost to be free of his humiliating and ironic immobility.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Levistus' true appearance is widely unknown, as from the outside of his glacial prison he can only be seen as a small black blot a quarter-mile within the mountain of dark ice. The ice is also transparently blue enough that onlookers can perceive his frustrated posture from any angle. On close inspection, Levistus appears to be a 6 foot tall humanoid male with dark hair, a neat goatee and an extremely pale complexion, but would be able pass for a human if not for his traditionally fiendish traits; his pointed teeth and coal-black eyes that practically radiate darkness. In the days of his freedom, he wore loose, silken clothing and carried a shining rapier, now donning fanciful garments and other finery when meeting mortals in projected form. When appearing as an aspect, the air around him is chilling and his clothes are always partially frozen and dripping with water.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Of all the Archdevils, Levistus is likely the most hated by his peers, for who he holds a mutual enmity. He is ridiculed and reviled by them not because of his poor standing with Asmodeus, the reason why they would rather not associate with him, but because of his constant attempts to elevate himself at the clear expense of others and his refusal to play by established rules. Their combined disdain for the Frozen Prince leaves him unable to succeed in his plans, since he is one of the few beings whose schemes they unite in order to ruin, even those who normally would never consider alliances. His pursuance of freedom further ostracizes him from the others, since each Archdevil rightfully believes that, were he to escape, he would likely betray all of the Nine Hells to opposing forces. This applies especially so to Asmodeus, who Levistus holds a special hatred for due to his imprisonment and a lack of gratitude towards for his returned dominion.
Belial, the former Lord of the Fourth, is troubled by his reappearance, since as a similarly "old school" devil, he proved a worthy opponent capable of decimating his armies. At one point, he planned to march his armies into Stygia, confident that he could take Malbolge from Malagard afterwards, but the introduction of Glasya forced him to reconsider his plans. His daughter, Fierna, has no interest in taking the frozen wasteland from Levistus and, thanks to Glasya, has begun to take an active role in managing Phlegethos, forcing Belial to put his plots against Levistus on hold.
The Rogue Archdevil was one of the first to attempt to overthrow Asmodeus, having yearned for power beyond his station shortly after first being granted control over Stygia. However, unlike what some believe, the crime that had gotten Levistus imprisoned was far more despicable than betraying the hollow promise of loyalty to Asmodeus, and in truth, made the punishment he received seem generous. As the story goes, Asmodeus' consort, Bensozia, was travelling throughout Stygia inspecting the layer. Levistus ambushed her, although exactly how and why is disputed. Some say he non-violently approached while others report that he had first slain all her pit fiend bodyguards with the exception of one escapee, Asmodeus' constable, Martinet. Then, Levistus either offered to make her his queen if she helped him oust her husband, confident she would know if he had a weakness, or simply tried to ravish her. When Bensozia refused him, Levistus angrily murdered her and, if her pit fiend guards were still alive by that point, them as well.
That was the tale told throughout the Nine Hells but is quite possibly propaganda made to cover up Levistus' true crime and the role of another party. Bensozia is believed to have hated Asmodeus, and if she refused such an offer, it would have been for a reason other than loyalty. Instead, the alternative telling describes the two as co-conspirators, each selfishly using the other as both a lover and as a means to undermine Asmodeus. However, the arrangement was jeopardized when Glasya became smitten with Levistus during one of his visits to Nessus, and seeing an opportunity to further turn Asmodeus' household against him, began a secret tryst with Asmodeus' daughter as well.
Levistus knew too well that Glasya was immature and would react with violent envy if she discovered the truth, and that Bensozia would be similarly furious about his illicit activities, but continued his façade regardless. Eventually, after one of her regular disputes with her father, Glasya fled to Levistus' arms only to find Bensozia already occupying them, turning her already hateful feelings towards her mother into raw, murderous rage. Glasya supposedly killed her mother herself, sneaking into her palanquin later and slitting her throat. Martinet, charged with upholding Asmodeus' regime, framed Levistus for the murder so Asmodeus could save face and slaughtered the pit fiends in order to leave no potential witnesses.
If the alternative story is to be believed, rather than out of fiery fury for his murdered consort, Asmodeus' choice to imprison Levistus was a cold, rational move, done more for the sake of precedent than personal satisfaction. Glasya's hatred for Levistus would also be fundamentally different, not the righteous fury of a grief-stricken daughter, but the heartbroken anger of a betrayed partner. She is said to be obsessively focused on Levistus, suddenly switching between rage and pining, although some say her anger towards him is merely a ruse.

Social Aptitude

Levistus almost always challenged his enemies to one-on-one duels to the death when he was not imprisoned, not simply because he normally had the advantage in such situations, but because of his own sense of honor and fair play. Yet, despite the Archdevil's strange chivalry, he is also infamously treacherous, having earned a reputation as a traitorous yet dashing debonair. His own rebelliousness is in fact one of his greatest flaws, as he can hardly restrain himself when given the chance to double-cross someone, even at his own detriment. His schemes have become more gradually paced and wider in scope while he is imprisoned, but the Rakish Rogue's inherent nature is to betray, leading him to hasten his plans. Further impeding him is that his typical, devilish megalomania is exacerbated by his blinding hatred and need for revenge after being trapped.

Divine Traits

General Information

Alternative Name(s)
Archdevil of Stygia
The Frozen Prince
Lord of the Fifth
Lord of Stygia
The Rakish Rogue
The Rogue Archdevil

Alignment
Lawful Evil

Pantheon
Lesser Idol - Archdevil

Areas of Concern
Betrayal, Revenge, Survival

Favored Weapon
Rapier

Symbol
Rapier encased in ice

Worshippers
Rogues, ruffians, seekers of revenge, shunned outcasts

Plane
The Nine Hells - Stygia

Pathfinder 1e

Domains
Evil, Law, Trickery, Water

Subdomains
Deception, Devil, Espionage, Ice

Pathfinder 2e

Domains
Cold, Perfection, Trickery, Zeal

Alternate Domains
None

Divine Ability
Dexterity or Charisma

Divine Font
Harm

Divine Skill
Deception

Cleric Spells
1st: Chilling Spray
3rd: Phantom Prison
4th: Glibness