#raphael fiendish savior

[pileofpawns]

Someone played this card

at last night’s friday night magic and of course my immediate response was to look up and say “like the ninja turtle?”

[adarlingmess]

Call out in the middle of the night For when else would I hear you? Fall out in the cold starlight I can save you if you do

Ghost’s Call Me Little Sunshine is living in my head rent free and I've listened to it an obscene amount of times now. I can’t help but think it sounds like fiend patron reassuring their warlock.

What if one way of multi-classing to warlock in the game is to enter a pact with Raphael? Fortune's my first D&D character and with how her story ended, I can see her escaping Avernus and walking into the events of BG3. There's definitely a feeling of deja vu once Raphael gets involved. Let's see if she makes the same mistakes with a new cambion. I can't wait for the game to come out.

Timelapse:

[bitethedevil]

Why does Raphael hate Mephistopheles and why does he live in Avernus?: Raphael as an outcast

(It has been a little while since my last analysis post. I would like to remind everyone that what I’m talking about is purely my own theories and I always love to hear other people’s thoughts on them no matter if you agree or not <3.)

As we know, Raphael lives in Avernus and not in Cania where Mephistopheles rules. All devils essentially somehow serve an archdevil. The Nine Hells is a super hierarchical place and everyone below the archdevils are basically little worker bees who live to serve their respective archdevils in one way or another.

Raphael collects souls, so one can expect that his job is to some extent to harvest souls for whoever is above him. One would expect that the archdevil he serves is Mephistopheles, but he indirectly helps us rob his father of quite a lot of souls by telling us about Cazador's ritual. That seems like an incredibly stupid and risky move if he worked for Mephistopheles, so I am not quite sold on the fact that he serves his dear old papa.

We know from the Archivist that Zariel’s people keep a bit of an eye on him and comes and goes in his house. Given he also lives in Avernus, it would make more sense that he is forced to serve Zariel at least to some extent. My money is on the idea that his official superior (or his boss, if you will) is Zariel and not Mephistopheles, though I think he might have once served Meph.

Here is a super interesting piece of information that I found about Avernus (this is from the Fiendish Codex II):

“Avernus is home to the outcasts of Baator, also known as ‘the rabble of devilkin.’ Few lesser devils survive more than a few moments as outcasts, so this group is composed almost exclusively of unique devils who are equals of any duke.”

My theory is that Raphael is an outcast and that’s why he’s in Avernus. Perhaps his father got tired of him and got rid of him, fully thinking that he would not survive. I am almost certain that cambions would fall under the ‘lesser devils’ category, or at the very least they are not on the level of dukes. I feel like it’s also often said that Raphael is pretty OP compared to a simple cambion, which is most likely the only reason he has survived (I’ve also heard people talk about him as a duke, which fits into this little theory as well).

There’s more though, and this is where it gets really kind of speculative:

“Some outcast devils, such as Azazel and Dagon, have been stripped of their original names to reduce the chances that they will be summoned to the Material Plane.”

Now, Raphael is a cambion, so he can move between planes regardless, but it would still be a very shitty and dehumanizing thing to strip someone of their name. Mephistopheles being Mephistopheles probably would do something like that if he was pissed at someone.

I have always thought a lot about his name. “Raphael” is a name that we would mostly associate with angels, and not devils. It furthermore does not really sound like any other devil names I’ve come across. It literally means “God’s healer” or something along those lines.

Wouldn’t it be so in character for his dramatic ass, who loves to play human and to play benevolent savior, to choose an angel name for himself? At the Last Light Inn, he literally says that Mol would not believe that he’s a devil because of his “angelic complexion”.

Finally, there’s this:

“Treacherous and scheming, the outcast dukes constantly seek ways to either reclaim their former positions or ranks in the Nine Hells or to destroy or displace the current order. […] Either way, they serve as important pawns between feuding archdukes and dukes.”

Now that definitely sounds like someone we know. I would very much say that wanting the Crown of Karsus to take over the Hells falls under “destroying or displacing the current order”. However, Raphael still has mentions of his father around his house and he has a portal to Cania.

It would not surprise me that Mephistopheles started to show interest in him again after he survived and thrived in Avernus. It would also not surprise me if Raphael, despite all the hate for what his father has done to him, licks Mephistopheles boots to gain favor with him behind closed doors (or at the very least to gain information to give to Zariel behind his father’s back).

Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.

[dark-and-kawaii]

𝐹𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒟𝑜𝓋𝑒

Haarlep x Reader/Tav

Summary: Haarlep is torn between their nature as an incubus and unexpected feelings for you as they comfort you through a nightmare.

Notes: This was supposed to be apart of the soft Haarlep series but I preferred it on its own. Maybe I’m wrong for that, but still enjoy our favorite incubus xoxo

Ao3

Haarlep stirs from their slumber as they sense your body wracked with silent tremors. Their groggy gaze, heavy with the remnants of the void, lands upon you. There, in the dim lighted boudoir, they watch your features contort in silent agony.

Your brows knitted in distress; eyes flickering in a frenzied dance behind their veils, fists clenched to the point of blanching, and oh, those delectable beads of sweat adorning your brow, rendering you a vision of tortured grace. Trapped in the clutches of a nightmare, how Haarlep’s dark heart revels in the sweetness of your fear. You looked beautiful like this.

Yet, as he languishes in the sight of your torment, a bitter reminder gnaws at them; you are Raphael's precious "little mouse”. A reluctant savior, the incubus nudges your shoulder, coaxing you back to the waking world of Avernus. Your eyes flutter open, brimming with tears that carve trails of sorrow down your cheeks.

"Such agony etched upon your face, a sight so deliciously tragic," Haarlep muses, propping themselves up on one elbow, drinking in the view of your disheveled form. Your breaths come in tattered heaves, your gaze locking onto theirs with a terror that suggests you're still ensnared by the nightmare's tendrils.

"Haarlep?" you whisper, the name a feeble breath of sound.

"Last I checked," Their tone laced with an edge of mockery.

You scan them, searching, clinging to the reality of their presence. "I... You were-,” You hesitated, your eyes twitching from the vivid nightmare, “You were dead…- taken from me in that nightmare…," you confess, your voice a fractured whisper as you burrow into their warm chest, seeking solace. "The fear was-, the thought of losing you… I-”

Those words strike a dissonant chord in Haarlep's shadowed heart. Their expression falters, unseen by you. Shouldn't your heart be laden with dread at the thought of losing Raphael, not them, a mere incubus bound to the infernal depths? The revelation is a torment all on its own, a twisted irony that stirs within their damned soul.

Your head remained buried in their chest, Haarlep could feel the cascade of tears soaking into their skin, each drop a testament to your fears. Your grip on them tightens, as if afraid to let go, as if desperate to anchor yourself to Haarlep to assure you of their existence. Fingers dig into their fiendish skin, a grasp so desperate it borders on pain, a silent plea for him to remain at your side, "It felt so real, Haarlep," you murmur against them, the weight of your sorrow imbuing your every word. "To lose you… I- I couldn't bear it… I was so scared."

How Haarlep longed to devour those precious tears, to gorge themself on your terror. But, there, in that moment, with your trembling form nestled against their chest, your words meant for them rather than Raphael, they feel the ache to embrace you, to soothe away the shadows of your nightmare.

"You should watch your words, dove," Haarlep purrs, stroking the back of your neck, fingers threading through your hair. "What would Raphael do, should he hear these words?"

You stiffen at the mention of his name, your breath caught in your throat, but the tears continue to spill.

"What would you have me do?" Haarlep hums. "Would you have me vanquish the devil that taints your dreams?" They punctuate the question with a nip to your shoulder, savoring the flavor of your skin, your body responding with a shudder.

"Just… stay with me," you breathe. "Please. Don’t ever go."

Haarlep sighs. How cruel this night proves itself to be, taunting them with a morsel of desire and then robbing them of its sweet sustenance. But they oblige, allowing you to wrap yourself around their frame, their limbs coiling around yours.

"Sleep," Haarlep whispers against the nape of your neck.

Their command seeps into the air. It beckons to your consciousness, dragging you back into the realm of sleep. Haarlep watches as your muscles relax, a contented sigh escaping your lips. A smirk graces their lips, yet the expression fails to reach their eyes, an emptiness lurking behind their crimson gaze…

An emptiness that is foreign, unwelcome. A feeling unbefitting of a creature born of darkness and lust. Haarlep's nature dictates they relish in the despair of others, and feed off their pleasure, not offer comfort, not feel the pang of something akin to... concern? But as you lie there, clinging to them, Haarlep cannot deny the shift within, the stirrings of a sentiment they dare not name aloud.

In the quietude of the boudoir, with only the flickering shadows as their audience, Haarlep contemplates the enigma you've become. To them, you are Raphael's, yet, in this moment, you are undeniably theirs. The incubus is caught in a web of their own making, one thread of true care woven into the fabric of deceit and seduction.

"Little dove," Haarlep murmurs, their face pressing into your shoulder. You nestle closer, a silent affirmation of the security you feel in Haarlep's arms as you drift off.

Haarlep remains still, allowing the quiet rhythm of your breath to wash over them, a calming counter to the chaos of their thoughts. Soon a new day will bring reality, and with it, Raphael's return. Haarlep knows that when the time comes to relinquish you back to their master, the incubus will do so with a heavy heart, a heart that should know no such weight.

For now, they allow themselves this indulgence, to watch over you as you sleep, to be your silent protector against the night's terrors. And when you awake to greet Raphael, Haarlep will retreat behind their mask of indifference, their role as your companion tucked away like a shadow at daybreak.

Yet, as Haarlep's eyes finally close, surrendering to the weary pull of their own slumber, they cannot escape the truth that has been whispered in the dark: they do not wish to let you go. And that realization is perhaps the most terrifying dream of all.

[thoselittleboats]

Raphael + MTG Cards

(With exception of Raphael, Master of the House and Korilla, the cards are based on preexisting ones. If you're curious I included them below)

Raphael, Fiendish Savior is his official card

Raphael's Final Act = Kardur's Vicious Return

Infernal Contract = Demonic Pact

Doomed, Detected, and Caught = Blazing Hope

I'm a longtime MTG fan and felt like playing again after finishing BG3! I made these for fun. If you play MTG Arena too, feel free to reach out!

[atrueneutral]

I had an idea for a cute scenario for Raphael x Tav involving Scratch and the baby owlbear. Now, Raphael probably wouldn't be a fan of the two, but Tav either comes with the fur-babies or not at all. However, one day Raphael (and, to a lesser degree, Tav) are tricked into a trap by other fiends - maybe implying a desire to negotiate with Raphael - where Raphael ends up being drawn away and separated from Tav while other fiends/warlocks ambush his little mouse, either to kill or maybe use as a hostage, (a 'If you're here, Raphael, then who is watching out for your little mouse?' kind of situation) and the only reason the scheme fails is because Scratch and the owlbear intervene to fearlessly protect Tav until Raphael arrived and could help Tav put the attackers in their place.

Judging by their protective body language and their overall wariness of their surroundings, the owlbear cub and the mongrel didn’t trust the devil Mez’gal.

They were smart creatures, at times, but they were also filthy, malodorous, and an unfortunate, bothersome consequence of his… partnership with Tav.

“I was summoned to hear you grovel, and yet I hear none,” Raphael said with a sneer and a gesture to the pit fiend.

Mez’gal had ‘surrendered’ to his little mouse as soon as she and her four-legged hunting party had found him outside a village, and she aptly called a mortal appearing Archdevil Supreme to hear the fiend's final pleas.

“Might we conduct business within your House of Hope, my lord?” Mez’gal proposed. His large fiendish body bowed - a sign of desperate submission.

“I’d sooner let that dog step foot in my House than you, but, seeing as how eliminating you here would only send you back to the hells, and I desire to end you completely...”

Raphael looked back to Tav. She gave him a nod and a small smile, and he raised his hand in preparation to snap. 

It was at the last second, just as friction was applied to thumb and middle finger, that he caught a malevolent glimmer in Mez’gal’s infernal eyes.

Snap!

They materialized in the entrance hall, and Raphael shed his mortal visage.

“Grovel,” the Archdevil Supreme demanded.

Mez’gal smirked.

“I was under contract, my lord,” he spat. “And by bringing me here, I’ve just fulfilled it.”

“By bringing you here… I’ve guaranteed your death.”

Mez’gal's face turned mocking as his arms opened wide. “I’ll be a martyr - by the time you kill me, your little pet will be dead from the ambush.”

Rage boiled, spilling over, and Raphael ascended - to rip and bite and tear the pit fiend asunder as quickly as possible.

—

When he reappeared, no longer ascended, there was nothing but the scent of bloodshed; the bodies of three warlocks were scattered about with gashes in their clothes, bite marks in their skin, and arrows embedded in limbs.

The two remaining enemies were busy throwing panicked spells at the filthy, malodorous animals coming for them.

Snap!

Snap!

Hellfire consumed the warlocks - their screams deafening as they instantly fell to the ground.

The two creatures watched, growling and posed defensively as they waited for the last breaths to leave the warlocks. When death came, smelling of burnt flesh and blood, Tav went over to the cub and mongrel. Raphael was somewhat irritated to see how non-plussed she appeared - as if attempts on her life were an amusing everyday occurrence.

And she was ignoring their true savior!

“My two good boys, yes, you are!” she said, giving them pets and scritches that delighted the animals greatly. Tav then leaned her ear towards the mongrel’s head. “What’s that, Scratch? Why, yes! I do think Raphael owes you both a ‘thank you’!”

Raphael’s irritation increased; he knew she could not speak to animals.

She was grinning at him, and he was weak for loving her smile so.

“Thank you,” he bit out.

Tav grabbed the mogrel’s muzzle , and the mongrel allowed her to move his jaw as one would a puppet.

“Rawrrororor,” went the mongrel.

“You’re most welcome, Saer Raphael,” said Tav as the mongrel.

Yes, filthy, malodorous, and sometimes helpful creatures they were.

[ultrakatua]

Alright, who did Raphael had to bribe for his MTG card title to be "Fiendish Savior"?

Did he submit it himself???

[littleplasticrat]

Raphael, Fiendish Savior by Livia Prima

From the 2023 Magic the Gathering set Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate

[cambion-companion]

Hi! I am fiendish-appreciation (not my main account, an therefore, cant send asks from it, which kind of sucks😒) Look, I know I said that I liked your oneshot about saving Raphael from Cania, but I need to go into detail! 😤   

first than all, it needs to be said, Korilla is underrated as hell (this beautiful sexy warlock is one of the many npcs that should be romanceable, and I will not hear otherwise😭) and is the best employee ever, maybe too good, but since I love Raphael so much, I am ok with it( but still!🤣) but what I am trying to say is, my poor baby girl really pulled through for Raphael with what she thought would be her last breaths didn’t she?😢 

“Who’s the damsel in distress?”  Astarion asked"  

I need to ask, is this a reference to what he said when Volo needed rescuing? "This damsel may be middle-aged, but let's get him out of distress." because if so, it applies perfectly here too, and I love it🤣  

"A direct confrontation with the archdevil himself was out of the question."   

a smart decision, common sense, has clearly been applied here (...having said that, ever since learning about Raphael's fate should he die, I have been dying to beat Mephistopheles into HIS final death... but I like the idea of a Tav who has gotten more powerful going as support for Raphael, so that HE can kill his dad and eat him (for the sake of poetic justice) even more!🥰)  

Tav, my dear oblivious fool, I think that when you decide to go to the hells, more specifically, breaking into an archdevil's vault, all to rescue someone, that at this point is more of a hindrance than a help...  you should not be THAT surprised that your emotion is "unexplainable relief" that they are ok🤣 (idiots to lovers)   

Raphael really thought it was the end, didn’t he? I can't imagine how surprised and confused he must have been, to see the person, that he, is totally not crushing on, coming to save him, when it would only be an "inconvenient waste of time" (by devil standards, since, what use is he to Tav now???), time that could be better spent by chasing after those who DO have the orphic hammer, plus, now that Raphael is out of the equation, tav would be getting to keep the crown for themselves, so... why would they save him???🥺😭  

"his tail moving to and fro in agitation"   

his tail is moving 🥺 (I just have a weakness for when Tieflings, Dragonborns and truly, any race who has a tail, moves it in a show of emotion🥹)   

““It’s a magical seal.”  Raphael breathed, his voice low yet sharp with anger born of desperation. “Now’s not the time to play the fool.””   

Did I misunderstood severely, or he was suggesting for Tav to leave him and save themselves???😭   

“You owe me a favor. A big one. I don’t know yet what I will ask of you, but you will deliver. Understood?”   

funnily, I think Tav did the poor thing a favor, by bringing a transaction, a language he understands, to the table, now it kinda makes more sense! 😢 

(I am also wondering what will your Tav ask Raphael IF they were even planning of asking him something in the first place 🤭 (I know what MY Tav would ask of Raphael if they were in this situation and were planning to collect, and its honestly such an hilariously easy thing for Raphael to do, since he has many underlings but it's something that would be life changing for my poor Tav XD   

Raphael: really??? This is the price of my life???😡  

Tav: no??? This is the price of mine!!!😠😤  

Long story short, she would ask Raphael to protect IN GOOD FAITH the life of her 8 intelligence chaotic stupid, bard of a brother, so that he may die peacefully of old age, and she be free of the constant stress of worrying for his safety) But other things I can imagine a Tav could ask “let's spend time together just for the sake of spending time together” “let's go on a date" “marry me” “Make me your consort” 😳🤭) 

I love how Raphael just shoos away the rest of the poor party none too gently 🤣 (how ungrateful to Astarion, the savior of middle-aged damsels in distress!😒) and brings Tav back to his house “away with you losers! I have to talk to someone who actually matters!”😤  

“Korilla asked me to.  It was her dying wish.” sure, it was her last wish before she died, true... but she is still very much alive, isn't she? I like the evasion there😏 (...although maybe Tav really does think Korilla is dead here, they may not have the knowledge that Korilla is fine from the notes of the author, if so, ouch😢)   

still! Tav really should tell Raphael that Korilla is still alive (if they are aware ofc), I am pretty sure she is the closest thing he has for a friend, and I don't believe for one moment that he is not, at the very least "annoyed" if that's what we wanna call it, that Korilla, who is his best employee, who he has a good enough rapport with to make friendly wagers, who, as this event shows, is loyal beyond the use they have for each other, used her last breaths of life to try to get help to save him, and save him she did (Korilla and Raphael are a beloved brotp for me😌)   

like, Tav is not the only one with a paltry excuse to save him, and now Raphael will have to deal with being genuinely liked by more than one person, I can't imagine what the poor bastard is thinking, he is aware of it logically, since the excuses don't hold water, but emotionally? I don't think he can quite process it (i would kill for his pov during this whole situation😩)  

"In an unexpected move, Raphael strode to you and took your hand, placing a kiss to your knuckles. His breath hot on your still chilled skin. “You may even assist me, if you so desire.”  He straightened.  

That was as close to a “thank you” as you were going to get.""  

I- I think that expresses how he feels quite well, then again, it could be just me😳 

long story short: i loved this

Just. The fact you wrote essentially an analysis on that oneshot I made is...beyond my scope of current comprehension, friend.

I am so glad you like it and grateful you decided to share your thoughts with me and for sharing insight on your own Tav's backstory! I love all of it!

Oh, and I genuinely didn't know about Astarion's in-game "damsel in distress" line, haha, it just struck me as absolutely something he would say!

Also cheers to Korilla, she is a cool cat.

[wanderingcotabussurgetank]

Raphael, Fiendish Savior by Livia Prima

[phasepandemonium]

compelling argument to play rakdos commanders.

[tukumoteiog]

MTGプレイヤーのための「バルダーズ・ゲートの戦い」ひとこと解説その3

「バルダーズ・ゲートの戦い」プレビューのひとこと紹介、その3

ジャヘイラの休息

　ジャヘイラはコンピューターゲーム版「バルダーズ・ゲート」の登場人物で、内紛によって貴族の立場を追われ、ドルイドとともに暮らしていた女性。

秘儀の印鑑、統率の塔

　再録。キオンという人物は情報が見当たらず。新規キャラクターのカードで登場するかも。ダーラグの塔はバルダーズ・ゲートから南に存在する、アンデッドなどで埋め尽くされた危険なダンジョン。

ダイアモンド各種

　再録。それぞれ死者の神ケレンヴォー、鍛冶の神モラディン、太陽神ラサンダー、豊作の神チョーンティーア、知識神オグマについてフレイバーに書かれている。

ノーチロイド船

　次元の間を航行することができるジャマーシップのうち、マインド・フレイヤーが用いるのがノーチロイド船である。その外観や内部についてはバルダーズ・ゲート3のでもムービーでも見ることができる。

君はタラスクを見ている

　走って隠れる方が賢明と言えよう。残念ながら、どちらにせよ助かる見込みはない。

Bhaal, Lord of Murder（殺戮の主バハル）

　バハル神は小説「シャドウデイル・サーガ」シリーズで描かれる神々の戦いによって大きく弱体化し、最終的にフォーゴトン・レルム世界に魂の欠片を隠すことになる。いくつもの欠片に分かれた魂は人々の魂によって受け継がれ、新たな肉体にふさわしい人物が現れることを待っていた。その一人がアブデル・エイドリアンである。アブデルがバハルのカルトと戦う姿を描いたのがコンピューターゲーム版「バルダーズ・ゲート」であり、アブデルがバハルのカルトによって殺害され、冒険者がバハル復活を阻止するまでを描いたシナリオが「殺戮のバルダーズ・ゲート」である。

Gale, Waterdeep Prodigy

　ゲイルは若くして天才的な魔術師であり、魔術の女神ミストラの熱心な信奉者であった。彼女の寵愛を得ようとした冒険の結果、ゲイルは魔術の織からエネルギーを吸収して破壊をもたらす危険なオーブを体内に宿すことになる。

　ゲイルはマインド・フレイヤーによって捕らえられて幼生を植えけられるが、変異する代わりにアブソリュートの魂と呼ばれる限定的な超能力を獲得してしまう。

Raphael, Fiendish Savior

　ラファエルはカンビオンと呼ばれるハーフ・デヴィルである。「バルダーズ・ゲート3」でキャラクターたちに「マインド・フレイヤーの幼生を取り除く代わりに悪魔と契約を結ぶ」ことを迫る。

Astarion, the Decadent

　アスタリオンはエルフの吸血鬼である。「バルダーズ・ゲート3」のキャラクターで、マインド・フレイヤーの幼生を植えつけられたことによって日中も自由に活動し、招かれずに家に入ることができる能力を手に入れた。他者が幼生を取り除きたがるのに対し、彼はそれを制御し、新たな力を得ようと試みている。