Page 179 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe

T'ITIVILUS ulated everyone along his path to power, either to win
them over to his cause or to remove them as a threat.
The gloomy Lord of the Second, Dispater, rules from
Since gaining his position, Titivilus has convinced
his iron palace, seeming to hide surrounded by its lab-
Dispater that countless plots are being hatched against
yrinthine corridors, iron walls, diabolical traps, and
him and that Asmodeus himself seeks to remove Dis-
monstrous servants. So intense is his paranoia that he
pater from power. In response, Dispater has withdrawn
almost never travels farther than the sprawling city that
to his palace and left day-to-day decisions to Titivilus,
lies outside his magnificent palace. Dispater knows he
while also authorizing him to answer and negotiate bar-
has enemies on all sides- enemies who would do to him
gains with mortals who attempt to summon Dispater.
what has been done to the likes of Geryon, Moloch, and
Titivilus now represents his master and speaks with his
so many others.
voice, a turn of events that leads some to whisper that ei-
Dispater is correct to fear, but the true threat comes
ther Titivilus is Dispater in disguise, or that Titivilus has
not from without. The lord's great error was allowing
removed the archduke and replaced him altogether.
himself to be seduced by Titivilus, who beguiled his way
Titivilus recognizes the inherent precariousness of
into being the primary advisor in Dispater's household.
his position. After all, Dispater's acceptance of his plans
Although he is inferior in physical strength and power
and his advice can last only so long before some other
when compared to other archdevils, Titivilus compen-
plotter steps in and reveals the truth. For insurance,
sates with cunning. A shrewd and calculating politician,
Titivilus has begun recruiting outsiders to deal with
he has clawed his way up through the ranks to become
problem devils, to insulate himself against criticism,
the second-most powerful fiend in Dis, entirely by say-
and, above all, to create complications that he can solve
ing just the right thing at the right time to get what he
so as to reinforce his value in the eyes of his master. Titi-
wanted. Charming and pleasant, he is a master at nego-
vilus finds adventurers well suited to the tasks he needs
tiation, able to twist words in such a way as to leave his
performed and recruits them directly or through inter-
victims confused and believing they have found a friend
mediaries, expending them later as his plans require.
in Titivilus. Through these skills, Titivilus has manip-
CHAPT.ER 6 I BESTIARY