Devil, Titivillus ‘Patron of Scribes’

Titivillus was a demon said to work on behalf of Belphegor, Lucifer or Satan to introduce errors into the work of a scribe. The first reference to Titivillus by name occurred in Tractatus de Penitentia, c. 1285, by Johannes Galensis, John of Wales. Titivillus has also been described as collecting idle chat that occurs during church service, and mispronounced, mumbled or skipped words of the service itself, to take to Hell to be counted against the offender.

He has been called the “patron demon of scribes,” as Titivillus provides an easy excuse for the errors that are bound to creep into manuscripts as they are copied.

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TITIVILUS, Herald of Dispater
Duke of Hell
Medium outsider (Devil, Evil, Extraplanar, Lawful)
Symbol	An iron colored scroll with red bat-like wings sprouting from either side on a black, inverted triangle.
Duelist 10/Rogue 10
Hit Dice	20d8 + 10d10 + 10d6 + 240 (560 hp)
Initiative	+21
Speed	50 ft., Fly 90 ft. (good)
Armor Class	63 (+8 armor, +12 Dexterity, +9 canny defense, +21 natural, +3 profane), touch 34, flat-footed 63
Base Attack/Grapple	+30/+31
Attack	Tongue Lasher +47 melee (1d6+6 + 2d6 (precise strike) + 2d6 (unholy) + 1 Charisma damage per wound /18-20/x2 plus confusion
Full Attack	Tongue Lasher +47/+42/+37/+32 melee (1d6+6 + 2d6 (precise strike) + 2d6 (unholy) + 1 Charisma damage/18-20/x2 plus confusion)
Space/Reach	5 ft./ 5 ft.
Special Attacks	Acrobatic charge, call devils, Infernal Presence, precise strike +2d6, Scathing Tongue, sneak attack +5d6, spell-like abilities, Twisting Tongue
Special Qualities	Duke of Hell qualities, damage reduction 20/good and silver, Darkvision 60 ft., Deflect Arrows, elaborate parry, enhanced mobility, evasion, grace, immunity to fire and poison, improved uncanny dodge, Power of the Pen, regeneration 6, resistance to acid 20 and cold 20, see in darkness, slippery mind, Spell Resistance 41, telepathy 500 ft., trap sense, uncanny dodge
Saves	Fort +28 Ref +40 Will +35
Abilities	Strength 13, Dexterity 35, Constitution 23, Intelligence 28, Wisdom 36, Charisma 29
Skills	Appraise +22, Balance +41, Bluff +52, Climb +22, Concentration +29, Decipher Script+13, Diplomacy +60 (+66 with evil beings), Disable Device +16, Disguise +44 (+49 when acting), Escape Artist +32, Gather Information +20, Hide +45, Intimidate +29 (+35 against evil beings), Jump +40, Knowledge (arcane) +31, Knowledge (nature) +10, Knowledge (the planes) +36, Knowledge (religion) +27, Listen +44, Move Silently +45, Open Lock +17, Perform (oratory) +29, Search +41, Sense Motive +31, Sleight of Hand +22, Spellcraft +45, Spot +51, Survival +13 (+15 on another planes, +15 when tracking), Tumble +47.
Feats	Corrupt Spell-like Ability B , Dark Speech, Dodge, Combat Expertise ,Fly-by Attack, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Negotiator, Quicken Spell-Like Ability (blasphemy), Spring Attack, Weapon Finesse.
Epic Feats	Epic Evil Brand B , Epic Reflexes, Epic Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Superior Initiative
Environment	Dis, Second of the Nine Hells of Perdition
Organization	Solitary, or troupe (1 – 6 erinyes and 1 – 2 pit fiends)
Challenge Rating	29
Treasure	Triple standard plus Tongue Lasher and +8 bracers of armor
Alignment	Lawful Evil

One of the best known of the Courtiers of Perdition, Titivilus the Duke of Misinformation has long served as Dispater’s Herald and advisor. It is believed that Dispater keeps Titivilus close for two reasons. First, the clever Lord of the Second values Titivilus scheming, crafty nature, recognizing a kindred spirit in the Duke. Second, Dispater knows better than to ignore one almost as crafty as himself, aware that Titivilus, despite his weak physical strength, could be a threat to Dispater’s power.

Titivilus is completely and wholly evil. The Herald of Dispater easily disguises his corrupt nature behind his vast, and amusing, command of language. Often speaking in complex rhymes, Titivilus is considered one of the best tempters in Hell. As such, Titivilus splits his time between meeting with other members of Hell’s nobility (including the other Lords of the Nine), various gods and other beings of power on Dispater’s behalf, as well as actively pursuing the most debased souls in Mortal Coil and elsewhere that have betrayed their ethics. When in the Material Plane, Titivilus offers mortals cruel gossip, debauched tales, and lewd rumours that serve only to distract their minds from more important concerns, like salvation and helping their fellows. These fools become so caught up in the scandals of distant personalities and lands that they are never aware of the threats in their own backyard. They continue to witlessly toil under the heel of invisible masters, the trivial information they have been given serving as pacifiers.

To Titivilus, knowledge for the sake of knowledge is worthless. He could not care less about knowing why celestial winds stink with goodness, or why Dark Speech causes the ears of mortals to bleed. What he does care about is the fact that there are so many out there interested in all manner of information. Titivilus is ever ready to acquire such information and sell it to the highest bidder. Most amusing to Titivilus is the fact that he himself is rarely certain if the news he comes by is accurate or not. This attitude puts him in a bizarre relationship with the Dukes of Cania, for whom thought and knowledge are pursued for their own sake. On the one hand, the Courtiers of Cania value the information Titivilus teases them with, hoping that some of it will lead them to the next big discovery. On the other hand, the Dukes of Cania despise the fact that the well-traveled Titivilus always seems to know a little bit more than he lets on, not to mention the fact that much of what he reports is incomplete if not totally untrue. Titivilus is not like the Dukes of Cocytus (Maladomini) who seek information for the sake of controlling others. Instead, Titivilus is interested in scraps of paper and sound bytes that
sound interesting and seem filled with promise that he then turns around and offers to those too foolish to do enough research for themselves. He passes on worthless information that sounds as important as it is meaningless. And, more importantly, he hoards information that could be used to help others not because he needs the information but because he can. Thus, the Dukes of Cocytus (Maladomini) and the Order of the Fly find a kindred spirit in Titivilus, although not a single one trusts him.

As Dispater’s Herald, Titivilus has access to more information about Dis and its Iron Duke than any other Courtier in Perdition. Consequently, Titivilus is accorded a great deal of respect due to this position, even among higher-ranking nobles. He has also garnered no little hatred from his peers as he has routinely reported on the activities of his peers if he felt that doing so would increase his already enviable station. Most have done well to conceal their animosity towards the Herald to date, although if any opportunity ever arises to cast the -Little Duke- (a derogatory term often used when it is believed that Titivilus is not around) down, all will take it. Needless to say, Dispater trusts Titivilus to be honest with him up to a point; after all, Dispater knows his Herald’s mind as well as he knows the mind of anyone and is well aware of what would prompt Titivilus to betray him (the certainty of greater power). Dispater always keeps close observation on his Herald and, as Titivilus knows this, the Duke of Misinformation tends to do his jobs for Dispater well knowing that to betray Dispater would mean long-term, grisly torture. Among the other Courtiers of Dis, Titivilus counts only Merorem the Darkwind as a somewhat trustworthy ally. For reasons known only to the Grand Duke of the Ebon Gale, Merorem has regularly assisted Titivilus in efforts to discredit not just fellow Peers of Dis, but Dukes and Grand Dukes across Hell. So far, Merorem has not called in any favors, and Titivilus is beginning to consider finding the means to greatly embarrass the Darkwind and ensure that he is never in the position to receive payment for his many services. After all, no good deed goes unpunished in Hell. Beyond his liege and Merorem, Titivilus treats all other Dukes in a friendly fashion, although he always makes it clear that he knows more than they know and that he is more than willing to sell more information to them if offered the right price.

Titivilus is small compared to most Courtiers of Perdition, just 5’5″. He has a cherubic, perpetually smirking face with large child-like eyes, small horns, pointed ears, and red hair under a small hat. Relatively small bat-like wings sprout from his back, and his legs are like those of a goat. At first glance, he resembles a cute, well-groomed satyr. Titivilus dresses in elaborate heraldry bearing the symbol (an iron rod) and colors (red and steel gray) of Dispater, although his flowing cape is a majestic blue. Depending on the situation, Titivilus’s voice may be like that of an announcer, or a whispering conspirator; when he is in an especially theatrical mood, Titivilus loves shouting like a fire and brimstone preacher. Despite these changes, everything Titivilus does serves the benefit of himself, Dispater, and the Legions of Hell.

Combat

Titivilus loathes physical confrontations. Used to talking his way out of dangerous situations, he tends to do his best to avoid fights. However, as a Duke of Hell, Titivilus is more than capable of dealing with any foes foolish enough to attack him. Typically, he will try to scare off attackers with his Infernal Presence.

Titivilus will usually begin with an assault from his Scathing Tongue against foes he believes are incapable of dealing a lot of damage. He will then begin casting charm monster against various attackers, typically targeting burly fighter types, who he then orders to occupy any troublesome spellcasters. Although evil, Titivilus has too many important matters to attend to; as a result, after a few of his enemies are dead, he’ll typically teleport away and leave the situation to resolve itself.

Against more dangerous foes, Titivilus will summon cornugons or gelugons to occupy enemies and then teleport away to a safe distance where he can cast unholy aura and greater invisibility on his person. He will then teleport back within 20 feet of the combat and cast deeper darkness. He will follow up with greater dispel magic and desecrate. Then, he will target arcane spellcasters with destruction and ranged attackers with mass hold monster. If after two rounds of this kind of assault most of his foes are still standing, Titivilus will summon in more cornugons or gelugons and cast a meteor swarm. He will pepper the field with verbal assaults from his Twisting Tongue.

Only the gravest of circumstances can force Titivilus into melee.

Call Devils (Sp): Once per day, Titivilus can automatically call 12 lemures, 8 barbazu or erinyes; 6 hamatula or osyluths, 4 cornugons or gelugons, or 2 pit fiends. Since these devils are called rather than summoned, they have the ability to summon their own reinforcements if so ordered. Conversely,

3/day, Titivilus may summon 12 lemures, 8 barbazu or erinyes; 6 hamatula or osyluths, 4 cornugons or gelugons, or 2 pit fiends (Titivilus may either call or summon in a day; he may not do both). Titivilus does everything possible to avoid a fight, but if pressed, he will call one pit fiend and then instruct it to summon more devils. In most cases, Titivilus is accompanied by two erinyes-bookkeepers; these erinyes are advanced to 27 HD and can attempt to summon assistance at Titivilus’ command.

Infernal Presence (Su): Titivilus’s Infernal Presence has a Will save DC of 29. His caster level is 29 th .

Power of the Pen (Ex): As Dispater’s major domo, herald, and chief diplomat, Titivilus is very active with all beings the Lord of the Second deals with, particular greedy mortals. Titivilus oversees most of the most lucrative arrangements and agreements between Dispater and those mortals looking for more power. Knowing how keen his master is on having every agreement signed and in writing, Titivilus always procures the necessary documents from clients and often uses this power to facilitate such meetings. Thrice per day, Titivilus can use the Power of the Pen. Essentially, Titivilus can accomplish one of three things with the Power of the Pen each day. Firstly, Titivilus can draft a document with a set of terms favourable to him and his master and detrimental to the client; the client sees something entirely fair unless he succeeds in a Will save DC 29. Second, Titivilus can magically alter any scripted document, almost completely hiding the fact that it’s been manipulated; this power is so potent that it can completely adjust a former pledge or agreement. Victims gain another Will save DC 29 to avoid their fate being adjusted. Finally, Titivilus can use Power of the Pen to draft up to nine spell levels of scrolls as if he had the Scribe Scroll feat, although he has no cap on the spell level, cannot add any metamagic feat to the spell(s), and can complete the scroll as one standard action per spell level.

Scathing Tongue (Su): In combat Titivilus can use this ability to confuse and enrage his enemies. All within 20 feet of Titivilus, tired of his insults and prancing about, act rashly and without confidence, earning -3 circumstance penalties to their AC, attacks, initiative, and saving throws unless they succeed in a Will save DC 29. Titivilus can initiate his Scathing Tongue as a free action. The ability lasts nine rounds.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will – animate dead, blasphemy, charm monster, create undead, deeper darkness, desecrate, detect good, detect magic, fireball,
flame strike, greater dispel magic, greater invisibility, greater teleport (self plus 1,000 pounds), magic circle against good, mass hold monster, mirage arcana, persistent image, polymorph, power word stun, produce flame, pyrotechnics, suggestion, unhallow, unholy aura, wall
of fire;

3/day – destruction;

1/day – meteor swarm (any), symbol of pain;

1/week – wish.

Caster level 29th ; DC 19 + spell level.

Tongue Lasher: A gift from Dispater, Titivilus always carries this elaborately designed and bejeweled +5 unholy humiliating rapier, although he rarely finds cause to use it. On a successful critical hit, Tongue Lasher automatically casts confusion on victims as a 29th level caster with no save; confused victims babble senselessly for the duration of the effect.

Twisting Tongue (Su): Aside from his master, Dispater, and Asmodeus himself, there are no devils in Hell that can challenge Titivilus’s mastery of language and verbal manipulation. In conversation or in combat, Titivilus’s ability to confuse and obfuscate is legendary. 3/day as a standard action, Titivilus can use his Twisting Tongue. In normal conversation, Titivilus can speak so fast and use such strange words that it becomes difficult to determine if he is being honest, while he in turn causes his victims to fall over their own words, revealing potentially vital information. Titivilus gains a +20 circumstance bonus to his Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive while all those within 20 feet of the Herald of Dispater suffer a -10 circumstance penalty to their Bluff, Diplomacy, and Sense Motive checks if a Will save DC 29 is not achieved. Effects associated with Twisting Tongue persist for nine rounds after leaving the area of effect.

Possessions: Tongue Lasher and +8 bracers of armour. As a Duke of Hell and the most influential member of Courtiers of Perdition serving in the Iron Tower of Dis, Titivilus has access to three times the treasure for his CR. However, he rarely has the time (or in his mind, the need) for it, preferring to use his wit and charm to overcome his enemies.

Summoning Titivulus

Titivulus does not have a sacrifice per se that he requires in order to successfully summon him. Rather, he requires that the summoning be performed using alternate words to those normally used · specifically, a lengthy sonnet that incorporates the necessary formulas in such a fashion as to hide its purpose. The same sonnet never works twice, and thus it is necessary to arrange for a new composition at each summoning. For those able to compose poetry themselves, the research and development cost is 1,800gp. If a bard or similar must be hired to do the work, the cost is 3,600gp. This development is taxing on the soul, costing the composer 1/25 th of the development cost in XP.

As the composition is read and the summoning draws near to fruition, the words spoken start to take on the manifold hues of the rainbow, darting from the caster’s mouth to the middle of the summoning area. These words then reform and twist themselves into the visage of the Herald of Dispater himself. When he is entirely summoned, Titivulus gives a small bow, and usually makes a response to the prose with some off-the-cuff poetry of his own. Once this is done, he is ready to get down to business, although his words demonstrate throughout the exchange how willing he is to play with words and meanings in order to gain the upper hand · or even for amusement.

When the summoning is at an end, Titivulus once again breaks into prose; with each phrase, he appears to unravel, leaving the words as glowing sigils in the air. This prose is not related to the summoning, and each who listens hears something different. If the recommended magicks are not in place to protect the summoner and his aides, each creature present is targeted by a suggestion that they make a new composition and attempt to summon Titivulus again (even if the target cannot perform the summoning, they nonetheless make the attempt and toil needlessly to the delight of the Herald of Dispater). A successful Will save DC 12 negates this effect.