Sammael, known as the Arch-Devil of Venom, embodies a terrifying blend of lethal elegance and malevolent beauty. His form is a chilling mockery of celestial grace: a tall, imposing figure with an unnaturally lithe frame that exudes a coiled, serpentine menace. His skin, pale as frost-kissed marble, is etched with veins of sickly green ichor, pulsing subtly as if the venom coursing through him fuels his very existence. His eyes are twin pools of liquid emerald, shimmering with malice and burning with an unnatural, hypnotic intensity. A crown of twisted black horns frames his angular face, accentuating the cruel curve of his thin lips, which always seem on the verge of a mocking smile. His wings, vast and leathery, stretch like a demon’s shroud, their veins glowing faintly with venomous hues. Draped in robes woven from shadows and stained with the blood of those who dared defy him, Sammael carries his iconic rapier, Defamator, a golden blade glistening with a poisonous green groove that throbs in time with his heartbeat.
Behavior: Coldly calculating and deceptively soft-spoken, Sammael is a master of manipulation and psychological warfare. He delights in the suffering of others but rarely expresses this joy outwardly; instead, he watches with an unsettling calm, a detached spectator savoring the pain he orchestrates. He often appears detached, even apathetic, which belies his intense hatred for all who stand against him. Sammael’s demeanor is unnervingly patient—he savors every second of torment he inflicts, preferring subtle corruption and the slow unraveling of his enemies’ sanity over outright brutality. His words, dripping with venomous malice, can inflict wounds deeper than any blade. His voice alone has driven powerful beings to madness, twisted allies into enemies, and turned loyal followers against their masters.
Habitat: Sammael rules from the Venal Fortress, a nightmarish citadel of green-black obsidian set in the wastelands of Hell’s seventh layer, Malbolge. The fortress, perched atop a mountain of charred bones and cursed emeralds, oozes an aura of malevolence that corrupts everything in its proximity. Its halls are a labyrinth of shifting walls and venomous traps, echoing with the screams of damned souls trapped in emerald statues. The air is thick with the stench of venom, and every surface is slick with caustic ichor that seeps from the very walls. Only the most twisted or utterly broken dare to enter Sammael’s domain willingly, for here, even the shadows writhe with malevolent intent.
Modus Operandi: Sammael’s preferred method of operation revolves around manipulation, lies, and the use of his insidious Caustic Words. He studies his targets meticulously, cataloging every weakness and vulnerability. Once he engages, he uses his venomous rhetoric to reopen old traumas, incite self-destructive rage, and sever the bonds between allies. When facing enemies of physical might, he uses Open Old Wounds to amplify their past pain, while against spellcasters, he leverages Scathing Words to shatter their concentration and corrupt their spells. His combat strategy is to never directly engage unless victory is certain; instead, he uses summoned devils and demons as pawns, watching from the shadows as they battle for him. When finally cornered, Sammael wields Defamator with terrifying precision, every strike carrying the weight of centuries of cruelty and venom. In summoning rituals, he appears drenched in venom, offering corrupting power in exchange for irreversible self-mutilation, forever tainting the souls of those foolish enough to summon him.
Motivation: Sammael’s motivations are layered and convoluted, born from a millennia-long fall from grace. Once a being of pure order and law, he now revels in the twisted mockery of those principles. He seeks the slow, inevitable unraveling of all who oppose him, relishing in corruption and betrayal. Above all, he harbors a burning hatred for the other Lords of Hell, particularly Asmodeus and Mephistopheles, whom he views as both rivals and betrayers. His ultimate goal is to overthrow them, replacing their ironclad order with his own vision of Hell—one where betrayal, hatred, and malice are the only laws. Until that day comes, he bides his time, twisting souls and breaking wills, inching ever closer to his moment of vengeance.
Armor Class 30 (natural armor) Hit Points 1,500 (100d12 + 700) Speed 50 ft., fly 70 ft. (hover)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
32 (+11)
32 (+11)
32 (+11)
30 (+10)
30 (+10)
34 (+12)
Saving Throws Str +21, Dex +21, Con +21, Int +20, Wis +20, Cha +22 Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks Damage Immunities Poison, Psychic; Fire, Cold, and Acid (from spells) Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned Senses Truesight 120 ft., Blindsight 60 ft., Passive Perception 30 Languages All, Telepathy 120 ft. Challenge 35 (250,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +10
Legendary Resistances (5/Day)
If Sammael fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Spellcasting
Sammael is a 20th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 70, +22 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following spells prepared:
5th Level (3 slots): Cloudkill, Contagion, Dominate Person
6th Level (2 slots): Circle of Death, Contingency, Flesh to Stone
7th Level (2 slots): Power Word Pain, Finger of Death, Etherealness
8th Level (1 slot): Mind Blank, Power Word Stun, Disintegrate
9th Level (1 slot): Wish, Meteor Swarm, Gate
Actions
Multiattack. Sammael makes three attacks with Defamator.
Defamator.Melee Weapon Attack: +21 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 90 (14d10 + 11) piercing damage plus 88 (16d8) poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 70 Constitution saving throw or suffer one of the following effects (Sammael’s choice):
Wounded: The target cannot regain hit points for 24 hours.
Venomous Affliction: The target is poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Caustic Words (Recharge 5-6). Sammael can unleash a torrent of venomous speech. Each creature of his choice within 100 feet must make a DC 70 Wisdom saving throw, taking 105 (30d6 + 10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. A creature that fails its saving throw is also affected by Wounded for 1 minute.
Diabolical Aura. Sammael radiates a malevolent aura in a 1,500-foot radius. Any creature that starts its turn in the aura must make a DC 70 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. Creatures frightened in this way take 55 (10d10) psychic damage at the end of their turns.
Bonus Actions
Touch of Malice. Sammael can cause his taloned fingers to bleed venom. He can apply one of the following poisons to a weapon or creature within 5 feet: Drow Poison, Infernal Poison, or True Death Poison. The DC to resist is 70. The effects last for 7 rounds.
Reactions
Twisted Regeneration. When Sammael is hit by a critical hit, he can instantly teleport up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see. He regains hit points equal to the damage dealt by the critical hit.
Traits
Presence of Hell. Spells cast in Sammael’s presence with the Good descriptor are treated as if cast at 7 levels lower. Additionally, all spells with verbal components cast in this area are maximized.
Regeneration. Sammael regains 50 hit points at the start of his turn unless he is in an area of sunlight or has taken radiant damage in the previous turn.
Spite (Recharge 5-6). Sammael can offer a target a chance to harm themselves in exchange for power. The target must make a DC 70 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, they must take an action to harm themselves, granting them a bonus to their next attack roll or saving throw against Sammael equal to the amount of damage they dealt to themselves.
Legendary Actions
Sammael can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Sammael regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Scathe (Costs 2 Actions). Sammael targets one creature he can see within 100 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 70 Wisdom saving throw or take 120 (30d10) psychic damage and be incapacitated until the end of their next turn.
Call Devils (Costs 3 Actions). Sammael summons up to six pit fiends, twelve gelugons, or twenty-four lesser devils of his choice. These devils appear in unoccupied spaces within 60 feet of him and act on their own initiative.
Rotting Words (Costs 3 Actions). Sammael unleashes a devastating wave of malice. All creatures of his choice within 100 feet must make a DC 70 Constitution saving throw, taking 105 (30d6) necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much on a success.
Mythological Context
Sammael, the Arch-Devil of Venom, is a manifestation of malice, temptation, and suffering. His presence embodies the dark forces that manipulate mortals into acts of betrayal and corruption. Revered by demons and feared by mortals, he commands a legion of fiends and wields immense power over poison and deception. His weapon, Defamator, serves as a symbol of his authority and malevolence.
Artifact: Defamator
Weapon (rapier), artifact (requires attunement)
Properties: +6 axiomatic, humiliating, unholy power rapier.
Effects: Upon a successful hit, the target must make a DC 70 Constitution saving throw or suffer the inability to heal damage for 24 hours. Additionally, once per long rest, the wielder can cast the spell Contagion at 9th level without expending a spell slot.
Relationships
Mephistopheles: Sammael despises this rival and often seeks to undermine his authority, battling for dominance over the infernal hierarchy.
Lilith: The creator of Defamator and his former ally; their relationship is complex, marked by both cooperation and enmity, with occasional treachery.
Demons (Balors, etc.): Though an outcast of Hell, Sammael commands respect from demons, particularly Balors, who are compelled to obey him.
Weaknesses
Light and Radiance: Sammael takes double damage from radiant damage and is severely hindered by areas of bright light.
Good-Aligned Spells: He is vulnerable to the effects of spells with the Good descriptor, especially if cast within his aura.
Regional Effects
The region containing a lair of Sammael is warped by his presence, creating the following effects:
Poisoned Land: The ground within 1 mile of Sammael’s lair is perpetually tainted. Plants wither, and water sources become contaminated. Any creature that drinks from these sources or eats the plants must succeed on a DC 70 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 24 hours.
Incessant Whispering: Creatures within 1 mile of Sammael’s lair hear faint, malevolent whispers in their minds. These whispers create paranoia and fear. Each creature must make a DC 70 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn. On a failed save, they are frightened until the end of their next turn.
Fiendish Weather: The weather within 1 mile of the lair is often dark and foreboding, with perpetual overcast skies, rain, or acid drizzle. Creatures within this area must succeed on a DC 70 Constitution saving throw at the start of their turn or take 11 (2d10) acid damage.
Manifestation of Shadows: Shadows within the region take on a life of their own, often forming into terrifying shapes that can interact with the environment. At dusk and dawn, creatures must succeed on a DC 70 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of their next turn.
Aura of Venom: Any creature that enters the lair or starts its turn within 1 mile of Sammael’s lair must make a DC 70 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 22 (4d10) poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Infernal Summoning: Once per day, Sammael can summon 1d4 lesser devils within a 3-mile radius of his lair. These devils are drawn to the area and will serve Sammael’s will until they are either defeated or the effects are dispelled.
Ending the Regional Effects
If Sammael is defeated or banished from the region, the regional effects fade over the course of 1d10 days, returning the area to its natural state.
Before his fall Sammaelwas an important archangel, a figure who is accuser, seducer and destroyer, and has been regarded as both good and evil. He was the guardian angel of Esau and a patron of the sinful empire of Rome.
Also called Sammael and Samil, he is considered in legend both a member of the heavenly host (with often grim and destructive duties) and a fallen angel, equatable with Satan and the chief of the evil spirits. One of Samael’s greatest roles in Jewish lore is that of the Angel of Death. In this capacity he is a fallen angel but nevertheless remains one of the Lord’s servants. As a good angel, Samael supposedly resides in the seventh heaven, although he is declared to be the chief angel of the fifth heaven.
There is no devil in existence closer to true evil than Sammael, the reviled Arch-Devil of Venom. Exiled in his Venal Fortress in the Gray Wastes, Sammael seeks nothing less than to infect all Creation with evil and vice. Sammael is on the brink of abandoning the last vestiges of order and law as he is willing to do almost anything to achieve his goal.
Sammael is the personification of those that seek to manipulate perceived and actual weaknesses in organizations, kingdoms, or individuals in order to bring about a new order. The master of infiltrating any environment like a terrible virus, Sammael has mastered the use of words to bring ruin to even the most upstanding person or ideal. Sammael delights in petty acts of jealousy and envy, as eager to poison friendships or the love between two individuals as much as he pursues the crumbling of ancient treaties, timeless alliances and benevolent religions.
Sammael is one of the original hellspawn and was the first Lord of the Seventh Hell. Alongside Dispater, Mammon, Adrammelek, Leviathan, Lilith, and Mephistopheles, he numbered among the original Lords of the Nine, his station as Lord-Regent of Cocytus (Maladomini) appointed by Lucifer the Satan during the Days of Antiquity. Among the eight Lords of Perdition, Sammael was second only to Mephistopheles and the contests between these two paragons of Hell were monumental. While Mephistopheles favored cold, logical thought and the damnation of souls ripe with intellect and flawed Wisdom, Sammael promoted secrecy, lies, and corruption of the spirit due to emotional imbalances and misplaced anger. Sammael personified these aspects perfectly, believing that he alone was worthy to rule not just Hell, but the Depths Below and eventually the entire Cosmos. He and Mephistopheles warred perpetually during the Days of Antiquity, their conflicts an amusing farce to Lucifer the Satan and a deadly game of politics among the other Lords. While Mephistopheles gathered the likes of Dispater and Mammon to his side, devils interested in possessions and ownership, Sammael led the faction of devils dedicated to acts of evil indignation and hunger, counting Leviathan and Lilith among his allies. Much like his cold rival, Sammael believed that in dominating at least half of the Hells, he would acquire the strength to smash his adversary and bring ruin to Lucifer. However, unlike Mephistopheles, who tended to keep his allies strictly among the forces of Hell, Sammael was not above consorting with lesser beings like demons and the denizens of other planes. In short order, Sammael appeared poised to quash Mephistopheles and his faction when the Battles of Light and Greed erupted. Rather than risk throwing support in with the likes of Asmodeus, Adrammelek, and Mephistopheles, Sammael determined that supporting Lucifer was a safer position.
However, Lucifer was soundly defeated by Asmodeus who, in a startling and unexpected act of treachery, took the Serpent’s Throne for himself. Rather than punish those devils who supported the fallen Lightbringer, Asmodeus allowed the Lords, including Sammael, to retain their positions. Believing this decision the act of a coward and fool, Sammael resumed his plotting.
Then The Great Fall occurred and thousands of fallen angels were cast into Hell. Asmodeus welcomed these new servants, and many were conscripted into the various Courts of Hell. Among these was Beelzebul the Great, now called Beelzebub, The Fallen, who joined the Court of Cocytus (Maladomini). Sammael saw in the fallen solar what he thought was a pale reflection of himself, a being who knew about loss and anger, but did not know how to control it. Sammael believed that he had the perfect pawn to eventually use against both Asmodeus and Mephistopheles. Sammael named Beelzebub as his Chancellor and gave him a great deal of authority over his holdings, believing that the fallen solar would do well enough to keep him abreast of all of his foes’ activities. Alas, Beelzebub, now referred to as the Lord of the Flies, proved not only up to the task, but the greatest adversary Sammael had encountered. An even greater liar and charlatan than Sammael himself, Beelzebub used the power Sammael granted him to isolate the Poison of Perdition completely from his allies; indeed, not only was Sammael trapped within his fortress Venal, but his strongest supporter among the Lords, Lilith, was besieged by Beelzebub‘s Viceroy, Moloch. Worst still, the fact that Adrammelek had been removed from his station as Lord of the Fourth revealed to Sammael that Asmodeus himself favored the fallen angels. Filled with resigned wrath, Sammael fled Cocytus (Maladomini), using ancient magic that caused Venal to relocate to the Gray Wastes.
In some ways, Sammael’s defeat in Hell was a boon to him. No longer chafing under the rule of another and wasting time and effort battling an immediate rival, Sammael has been able to concentrate on his goal: corrupting all existence. On the brink of abandoning his hellspawn heritage, Sammael is almost Neutral Evil in his behavior, if not his goals, and has become a powerful force in the Wastes. Sammael commands the respect of legions of demons, particularly the ones who likewise work from the shadows while manipulating the weaknesses of others. In scores of worlds, Sammael is The Adversary or the Prince of Poison. A master manipulator of language and a destroyer of reputations and kingdoms, Sammael’s presence is felt but rarely seen as he seeks to use words to slowly poison friendships, alliances, and morals in the worlds he infects. Indeed, Sammael has learned from his former enemy, Beelzebub, having adopted song and speech to empower his own works. Countless gods count Sammael as a vile foe, but because he hides behind the words of often innocent, witless mortals and even some celestials, most cannot directly deal with the Arch-Devil of Venom. Now, at least a dozen worlds are on the brink of revolutions that could bring about the direct rule of Sammael as his forces have shattered the worship of gods and ruined concepts related to goodness and virtue. If these ploys reach fruition, Sammael may well become a Arch-Fiend or even a full-fledged god.
Still, Sammael does retain contacts with Hell. In an interesting turn, he and Mephistopheles have a very secret alliance forged upon a mutual hatred for Beelzebub and the fallen angels that have impacted Hell. Sammael also maintains some manner of association with Lilith, the Lord of the Sixth. During Antiquity, Lilith and Sammael were consorts of a sort, and as close as two Lords of the Nine could get; indeed, it was this relationship, albeit filled with lust, loathing, and misplaced passion, that Beelzebub and Moloch addressed by isolating the two original Lords of the Sixth and Seventh Hells. Now that Lilith has returned to her former station, she is cautious about interacting with Sammael, but believes that an alliance with such a powerful outcast (and potential god or Arch-Fiend) would be to her benefit in the future. Aside from his servants in the Wastes. Sammael also has a passing acquaintance with Pestilence of the Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse. To date, Sammael has limited political deals with The Abyss, although it is known that he has sent envoys to meet with Demogorgon the Prince of Demons, as well as Apollyon. It remains unknown what the goals and results of these meetings were, but to date there have been no further interactions between these groups.
Sammael appears as a 10-foot tall humanoid male with an athletic, broad shouldered body with pale, gold skin and long, golden hair. He tends to wear tight-fitting garments reminiscent of a young courtier’s attire at court, black and pale red the dominant colors. A pair of great, golden bat-like wings typically rest cape-like against his back. Sammael’s face is incredibly handsome, in spite of the pair of large horns that sprout from his forehead, with a ready smile that typically does not reveal his needle-like fangs. The smile never reaches his golden eyes, which seem to stare unblinkingly with an uncomfortable intensity as if Sammael can see things hidden to others. His voice is likewise pleasant, although a hint of cynicism, sarcasm, and downright cruelty can bubble up without warning. Sammael always wears an elaborate rapier at his side.
Combat
Sammael loves combat and relishes the suffering it causes others. In spite of this however, Sammael appears aloof, filled with cold detachment in martial situations and seemingly unwilling to bloody his claws. In this perhaps, Sammael yet retains some of the fundamental principles and restraint of a being of order and law.
Sammael always enters combat with his Diabolical Aura and Presence of Hell. Once engaged in melee he will always attempt to use the Open Old Wounds facet of his Caustic Words ability on those of a more martial bent and will always attempt to Scathe His Words against spellcasters regardless of creed and way.
Sammael’s natural weapons, as well as any weapons he wields, are treated as epic evil lawful-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Call Devils (Sp): As a standard action Sammael can attempt to call devils. He may attempt to call up to three times per day, 3 pit fiends, 9 gelugons or cornugons, or 18 of any lesser type of devil. Sammael has a 50% chance of success with each calling attempt. Since these devils are called, they have the ability to summon other devils as their descriptions allow. Sammael used to be very fond of cornugons and still calls on them from time to time; only in extreme situations will he look to gelugons or pit fiends, as he despises Mephistopheles and Asmodeus and their favored servants. In spite of his station as an outcast of Hell, Sammael has garnered a great deal of respect from the demons, particularly Balors. Three times per day, Sammael may call 3 Balors or 9 of any lesser type of demon; when called these servants of evil never dare to question or challenge Sammael, knowing that they will be well rewarded for their efforts.
Diabolical Aura (Ex): Sammael’s Diabolical Aura can be ignored on a successful Will save DC 57.
The Presence of Hell (Su): Sammael’s Presence of Hell has a 1,500-foot radius, and all effects are as those cast by a 64th level sorcerer.
Regeneration (Ex): Sammael takes normal damage from epic good-aligned silvered weapons, and from spells or effects with the good descriptor.
Caustic Words (Ex): Sammael is second only to Asmodeus among Hell’s more powerful members in his ability to bring others to their knees with his venomous words. Indeed, there are those who believe that Sammael was once an angel who fell so long ago that he himself has forgotten his true nature; such individuals point to Sammael’s command over words and sonic energy, powers traditionally held only by spirits from the Realms Above. Sammael is always looking for and remembering weaknesses in every situation and in every soul in order to use these weaknesses in the future.
Seven times a day, Sammael may use his Caustic Words as a standard action. This extremely potent power is manifested in a variety of ways, but all require that the target or targets can hear, although not necessarily understand, what Sammael is saying (language is irrelevant since the threat comes from hearing the intent in Sammael’s voice rather than understanding specific words). The radius for Caustic Words is 70 feet (in which Sammael may select targets) and the saves are DC 57 unless otherwise noted.
Open Old Wounds: This version of Caustic Words allows Sammael to re-open the wounds of those who have been wounded over the past 24 hours. All those within range must make a Fortitude save. Failure indicates that any being that suffered any kind of physical damage within, again takes the greatest amount of damage that was dealt in one round during the past 24 hours.
Thus, if a fighter was in battle against a group of pit fiends 16 hours before his fateful meeting with Sammael and, during the confrontation with the pit fiends, he suffered a total of 58 points of damage in one round from all three, he would again suffer 58 points of damage from Sammael’s Open Old Wounds. Such wounds may be healed per normal.
Offend: When Sammael offends with his Caustic Words, he causes those who fail a Will save DC 57 to become enraged. An enraged victim gains a +2 bonus to Strength and Constitution, suffers a -4 penalty to attacks, saves, and skill checks, must make a Concentration check to cast any spell or spell-like effect, and cannot perform any task that requires patience (like taking 10 or 20 on skill checks). Furthermore, the victim will not use any feat that has a prerequisite base attack bonus of +4 or higher, Combat Expertise, or Dodge. The victim’s only thought is to punish Sammael for his cruel words. The effect lasts for up to 50 minutes, although Sammael may end the effect as a free action. Once the Offense ends, the victim is fatigued.
Slander: Sammael may present doubts in the minds of animal companions, cohorts, familiars, and called/ summoned creatures. Such beings are forced to make a Will save to avoid turning against their leader. While animal cohorts and familiars use their master’s Will save modifier to overcome the effect, cohorts and called/ summoned creatures use their own modifiers. The effects of Slander last for up to 7 rounds or until the master is killed. Sammael can probably cancel the effect, but has never bothered to do so.
Rotting Words (Su): Sammael’s presence empowers evil spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural effects driven by language, making them sound all the more horrible. Even Dark Speech is more dreadful when spoken in the presence of the Arch-Devil of Venom. Sammael affects language and magic of this nature within 70 feet of his person and may enact the power of Rotting Words once a day, the effects persisting for up to 21 rounds.
When Dark Speech or Corrupt spells with verbal components are used within the appropriate range, the speaker/caster suffers only ½ of the corruption cost. Any spell bearing the Evil descriptor requiring verbal components are Maximized when cast in Sammael’s presence.
Sammael may select which speakers/casters benefit from this aspect of Rotting Words once such individuals enter the radius.
The same seething evil Sammael radiates that empowers evil words also stifles words of peace and hope. Words of Creation or Sanctified spells with verbal components within 70 feet of Sammael are treated as though they the casters level were seven lower; further more, such effects always require a full round action to perform.
Scathing Words (Su): Any damage dealing spell or spell-like ability cast by Sammael deals an additional 50% of pure sonic damage at the fullest possible amount if he so chooses. Thus, if Sammael casts a delayed blast fireball, not only will it deal 20d6 points of fire damage but an additional 60 points of sonic damage.
Spite (Su): Sammael loves few things better than to watch the powerful and the strong brought into ruin due to the anger, malice, and wrath of others’ particularly those who seek greater power for themselves at any cost. Thus, Sammael rewards those who are willing to harm themselves just a little in order to hurt another even more.
Seven times per day, Sammael may offer Spite to any being that calls on him. In return for the information and the ability to harm the power, reputation, or support of another individual, the victim must bring about some small form of harm, emotional or physical, to himself. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the act. The following is a general list of potential sacrifices and ‘rewards’ for those who take Sammael’s Spite:
Nothing Lost, Nothing Gained: In return for one permanent hit point loss, the client receives a +1 permanent skill increase in Bluff, Gather Information, Intimidate, or Sense Motive. Each additional loss accepted increases a given skill or can be used for another skill.
Gouge the Eye, Reveal the Truth: The client must blind himself with a sharp object. In doing so, the client can then curse another person to blindness if the target fails a Fortitude save = 10 + ½ the client’s character level + the client’s Charisma modifier. The client may regain his sight, but only through a servant of Sammael; the victim may regain his sight only if the spiteful one is forced to admit to the act.
Drain the Soul: In return for one point of Constitution drain, the client may select any feat for which he qualifies (the drain cannot be returned by any means).
Cut Nose, Spite Face: The client must hack off his nose. In doing so, the client can then curse another to insanity if the selected target fails a Will save 57. The nose can be healed, but only by a servant of Sammael. The victim may be cured of insanity, but only if the spiteful one is forced to admit to the act.
Misery and Company: In return for a two point Charisma drain, the client forces another to make a Will save = 10 + ½ the client’s character level + the client’s previous Charisma modifier. If the victim fails, he suffers a -2 drain to his Charisma. While the spiteful one’s Charisma drain cannot be returned by any means, the victim’s may be if the client is forced to admit to the act and honestly asks for forgiveness.
Leech the Soul: In return for one character level, the client can force another to make a Will save DC 57 or suffer the effects of bestow curse; the victim suffers all of the effects on the list. The curses may only be removed if the client is forced to admit to the act and honestly asks for forgiveness. If the spiteful one sacrifices three character levels, the victim suffers from Bestow Greater Curse.
Sell Soul to Sammael: The client willfully sells his soul to Sammael, becoming irrevocably Lawful Evil. He is then granted three wishes that can be used for one of three purposes (or a medley of the three):
Ruination of another’s political power/economic standing;
Increase one’s own political power/ economic standing;
Engage in an act of vengeance.
The wishes take effect over the course of seven days, after which the client lives as he chooses for up to seven years. After that time elapses, the victim dies from an allergic reaction and his soul is sent to the Venal Fortress where is becomes Sammael’s plaything
(note: Sell Soul to Sammael does not stack with the Soulsworn feat).
Regardless of the nature of the act of Spite, the client’s alignment always moves one step closer to Lawful Evil (and, at the DM’s discretion, any one of the above may count for an immediate adjustment to Lawful Evil). Once the client becomes Lawful Evil, his soul is forfeit and he is essentially damned to the Venal Fortress. The only way to escape this damnation is to seek the Atonement of a 31st level good-aligned cleric and complete a quest offered by the same cleric that seeks to redress the harm caused by the client’s Spite. The victim has 7 weeks to complete the quest; if the victim fails, he dies from a vicious allergic reaction and his soul is damned to the Venal Fortress in the Gray Wastes.
Touch of Malice (Ex): As a move equivalent action, Sammael can cause his taloned fingers to bleed any kind of poison or venom from the Dungeon Master’s Guide, Book of Vile Darkness, Epic Level Handbook, or any other source selected by the DM. Thus, all poisons and venom are transmitted due to injury; the Fortitude save DC is 55 for all poisons and venoms. Sammael’s Touch of Malice lasts for seven rounds after which he can select to allow it to persist or change to another kind of poison as a move equivalent action. Sammael may transfer the poison to any weapon he wields.
Defamator (Major Artifact):
Sammael is rarely without his rapier, Defamator. The blade is golden with a sickly green groove running lengthwise down the middle, seeming to pulse with a life of its own. Images of vines and ivy have been carved along the two sides of the blade; these meet in the middle, forming an intricate and flawlessly beautiful pattern of sparse leaves on vines. These images hold no small power of their own and spell out the title ‘Venom of God’ in the Infernal tongue. A single, tear-shaped emerald is insert in the cross hilt, while an ovoid emerald forms the pommel. The long, gold shaft has on close inspection veins of green quartz running through it; these too appear to pulse occasionally.
Defamator was a gift from Lilith during the Days of Antiquity. It is a +6 axiomatic, humiliating, unholy power, woundingrapier, cold forged from iron drawn from the blood of thousands of humanoid beings. Those who suffer damage from the blade must make a Fortitude save (DC 55) or lose the ability to heal any type of damage either magically or naturally. Should the creature possess regeneration or fast healing, this ability is suppressed as well. The only way to remove the condition is to consume an entire gallon of holy water which has been blessed by a good aligned caster of at least 21st level.
If any creature touches Defamator without Sammael’s permission, that creature must make a Fortitude save DC 55 or die; those that survive suffer three negative energy levels.
Possessions:
As the master of the Venal Fortress, Sammael has a tremendous cache of treasure and is not above wearing items to enhance his deadliness.
Summoning Sammael
The summoning of Sammael cannot be done without the willing self-mutilation of the primary summoner as part of the incantation. Furthermore, each additional participant must also harm themselves during the ritual. The mutilation of the primary summoner is a painful affair, usually involving the severing of a finger, toe or ear; this deals damage to the summoner of 1/10th of his total hit points, as well as 2 points of Constitution damage. The mutilation can be healed once the summons is concluded (but see below). For secondary summoners, the wounding is either a cut across the upper abdomen, just below the heart, or a slit in the tongue. This deals 7 hit points damage. All ritual mutilation and wounding must be performed with daggers set with emeralds as pommel stones, each to the value of at least 666gp. Furthermore, the magic circles must be traced using a mix of emerald dust alongside the silver dust; the value of this dust should be in excess of 9,999gp.
With blood on hand and hilt, each Dagger is placed so that the pommel rests on the edge of the outer magic circle, with the point facing inwards. Fell words of hate and malice are spoken, and the blood within the magic circle responds, running in rivulets directly into the center of the inner circle and forming a gruesome pool of liquefied hate. The color changes by degrees to a virulent green, and then begins to pulse with an evil energy. Slowly, Sammael rises from the pool, his body dripping with venom, and his eyes glowing and pulsing with enmity.
If the summoners have not put in place a summoning sanctuary, Sammael shows his hatred for them by instantly pronouncing a curse, preventing the healing of the wounds suffered in order to summon him. Creatures already Soulsworn to him are not affected, as the Arch-Devil of Venom is content to wait until the time when he can torture their souls instead; otherwise, a successful Fortitude save DC 55 prevents the curse from taking effect. Whether or not the summoners save, further danger awaits them for their lack of preparation; Sammael’s very words are poison, and for each minute that they speak with him, each creature within 70 feet of the magic circles that can hear the arch-devil speak takes 1d6 points of Constitution damage. Sammael can suppress this should he desire, for all or some or none as he wishes; generally, he is not inclined to do so.
Sammael offers power to the primary summoner by means of his Spite diabolical adaptation. He does not care so much for hammering out the details of any contract being entered into as most Peers of Perdition; though he is still Lawful Evil, his Lawful nature is close to disappearing, and he will lie or cheat if he feels it is necessary.
When at last the summons ends, Sammael draws himself up and holds himself quite still. The pool beneath his feet draws up and over him, before solidifying so that a perfect emerald statue of the arch-devil remains. A poisonous mist hovers about the effigy, but before any of the summoners can think to step within the circles and seize this enormous gem, the statue shatters sending a spray of fine green slivers bulleting through the area. A summoning sanctuary prevents those without from being hit; otherwise, each creature within 70 feet takes 7d6 points of damage. A successful Reflex save DC 55 halves the damage and also prevents any splinters from lodging in the skin. Should any splinters of emerald become lodged in the skin, that creature contracts faceless hate (as described in the Book of Vile Darkness) and automatically fails his save each day until the splinter is removed. Any damage from the disease can only be healed by a good-aligned cleric of at least 31st level, but magic cannot remove the splinter, which requires a successful Heal check against DC 55 to remove. Such an operation deals 7 points of Constitution damage from trauma and blood loss.
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