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As you travel through the lands ofBaldur’s Gate 3, you’ll encounter many characters acting as friends or foes. One whose allegiance isn’t so clear at the beginning is Raphael, the Devil offering you a way out from your problems in Act 1.
You can ignore him at every turn, but then you won’t have a chance of knowing who he really is, and what he’s actually after. He isn’t just another Devil from hell, since his connections go deep and his power is mighty, not to mention that his ambition involves every infernal layer.
Who Is Raphael?
Raphael is a Cambion, meaning he’s the offspring of a mortal woman and a fiend. Yethis sire isn’t just any fiend, but Mephistopheles, the lord of the Eighth layer of hell, which explains Raphael’s overwhelming power.
A fiend is a creatureborn from the evil planes.
The term is used to talk about Devils and Demons interchangeably, but itcan also be used when talking about Yugoloths.
It’s in the very nature of Devils to plot against each other, and as Mephistopheles dreams of taking the crown of the Nine Hells,Raphael dreams of taking his father’s place.
One opportunity Raphael saw to fulfill his dreams wasduring Karsus’ Folly, when a mortal Wizard created a Crown too powerful for his mind to withstand.
Such an artifact wouldallow Raphael to rule over the Nine Hells, but his fatherseized the Crown before him, and locked it away. While infuriated by this, Raphael would lie in wait for millennia until the time was right to seize his prize.
The House Of Hope
Rapahel’s lair is known as The House of Hope, andhe can enter it from anywherein the Material Plane while also taking with him whoever he desires. While it’s never specified,the House is likely located in Avernus, since agents of Zariel are often sent to his House to keep tabs on his work.
Zariel is the leader of Avernus, the first layer of Hell.
Said House is made to look inviting,looking like a mansion out of a dream; filled with high-class architecture and food to feast on.Here is where Raphael conducts most of his deals, while also being where he keeps his prized possessions and prisoners.
Out of all the denizens of the House, the most notable isHaarlep, an incubus working as Raphael’s lover.Yet,Haarlep is actually working for Mephistopheles, who tasked him with distracting his son; the reason why is unclear, but it’s likely Mephistopheles knows that Raphael is always plotting against him.
