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{{Character
{{Character
|image1 = Repentantdevil.png
|image1 = Repentantdevil.png
|caption1 = "Repentant". Art from Sunless Skies.
|caption1 = Those 'burns could level a city. Art from Sunless Skies.
|location = [[Port Avon]]
|location = [[Port Avon]]
|allegiance =  
|allegiance = Independent
|alias = The Impenitent Devil (before 1906)
|alias = The Impenitent Devil
}}''"Control what something consumes," he says, "and you control what it is."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Repentant Devil|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
}}<blockquote>''"He looks younger than most Devils, but he is significantly older. His gaze is blank and yellow, a wall against speculation. He grooms his sideburns artfully, and knows how to be tactful with less seasoned members of the crew."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|The Repentant Devil|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''"I have studied the souls of men and of angels, I have extracted the penitence of Saints, I have removed the knowledge-lust from an Astronomer through a borehole in the back of his head. I have seethed a Crown Princess' sister in mares' milk until there was no more jealousy in her."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Ask him about the state of your soul|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote>'''The Repentant Devil''' is a senior [[devil]] who claims to reject the infernal practices of his kind.__FORCETOC__


Compared to most devils in the world of Fallen London, the Repentant Devil is a bit odd. He is not interested in you soul, or most other souls for that matter. He isn't trying to get you to trust him. He really doesn't hide that he has a non-human view of the world. And he most definitely has a habit of mentioning significant events in the devils' history as if he was around for them. In short, he is a very unusual devil.
==Really Repentant?==
== In Fallen London ==
<blockquote>''"He looks younger than most of his kind, but he is not. His eyes are pale fire, and his cheekbones are gaunt as a parliamentarian's sense of decency.''</blockquote><blockquote>''"I can't say I'm sorry for the company," he tells you after a pint at the Singing Mandrake, "But I shan't be here forever. So do make the most of me." He makes no comment on your own soul, and seems entirely disinterested in its contents. "Don't worry," he says, "You're safe with me.""''<ref name="FL devil">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Impenitent_Devil|An Impenitent Devil|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>The Repentant Devil is an odd fellow. Unlike most devils, he is blunt as a hammer and honest as a saint, but is also rather rude and very vocal about the fact that he's "seen it all." The Devil also seems to have little interest in the [[Souls#The Soul Trade|soul trade]].
''He has done everything at least once. Or, almost everything. His gaze lingers on yours, fierce as a coal on the hearth.''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://fallenlondon.fandom.com/wiki/Impenitent_Devil|Impenitent Devil|Fallen London|}}</ref>


Back in the days of Fallen London, the Repentant Devil was known as The Impenitent Devil. Unlike most devils, he is not lying when he says he is not interested in your soul. He shows up at the Feasts of the Exceptional Rose as a possible companion.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Piranesi|Piranesi|Fallen London|}}</ref>
In 1897, during the [[Feast of the Exceptional Rose]], he paid a visit to [[London]], having fallen out of favor with the [[Brass Embassy]] and the rest of his kind. During this time, he was known as '''the Impenitent Devil'''.<ref name="FL devil" />
{{major spoiler small}}
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="show" data-collapsetext="hide" width="100%"
! colspan="3" |
== In Sunless Skies ==
|-
|
''He has been everywhere at least once, including several places that don't yet exist.''


The Repentant Devil comes aboard the Captain's engine looking to leave Port Avon. It turns out someone has been following him for some time. In fact, someone followed him onto the Captain's engine.
As of 1905 in the ''Sunless Skies ''timeline, he has taken up residence in [[Port Avon]], desperately looking for a way out.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Port_Avon#Recruit_a_Repentant_Devil|Recruit a Repentant Devil|Sunless Skies}}</ref> He is also being stalked and harassed by mysterious individuals who seem to want to hire him for some mysterious purpose.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Ask him about the recently departed|Sunless Skies}}</ref>


At the Captain's suggestion, the Repentant Devil decides to track down the enemies who would most likely be after him. He does so and finds out that his old employer, the Sapphir'd King, the Judgement over the Blue Kingdom, wants him back working for him again. Apparently the Sapphir'd King really likes how the Repentant Devil can make souls taste.
The Repentant Devil also has an interest in the [[Avid Horizon]]'s [[Avid Horizon#The High Wilderness|Home Office]], and wants to improve things there to prove that it is "a testament to the folly of honest work."<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Avid_Horizon#The_Devil_at_the_Avid_Horizon|The Devil at the Avid Horizon|Sunless Skies}}</ref> His strategy seems to consist of keeping the orderlies as drunk and high as they can possibly get,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Avid_Horizon#The_Devil_at_the_Avid_Horizon|Talk to the Devil|Sunless Skies}}</ref> and to liven things up for them a bit with fireworks displays and other amusements.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Prospects#London|Fizz and Bang: Munitions for the Avid Horizon|Sunless Skies}}</ref>


This leaves the Repentant Devil with several options to chose from depending on how the Captain decided to react when the Devil found his enemies.
=="WHERE'S THE SOUL SAUCE?!"==
|}
{{major spoiler small}}<blockquote>''"'Control what something consumes,' he says, 'and you control what it is. The feeding of stars is a delicate art. I had spent centuries in cultivating them, studying their palates, watching for evidence of their responsive growth. I had influence. Now, how much can any Devil say the same?'"''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Repentant_Devil|Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote>
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="show" data-collapsetext="hide" width="100%"
! colspan="3" |
== Commentary ==
|-
|
== The Repentant Devil's Role ==


The Repentant Devil is one of the oldest devils we have ever come into contact with. Especially one with this level of character development. He directly served a Judgement before the Devil's Rebellion and was present when the Devils escaped to Parabola. Most of the other devils we know of that are this old are only found in wells and idols. His non-human form makes him sound more like those types of devils too then like the usual bee-like devils found throughout Fallen London.
The Repentant Devil was the original inventor of the [[soul]] purification techniques that the devils now perform at [[Carillon]], though he considers the Carillon devils to be completely incompetent at their jobs.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Ask the Repentant Devil about his former friend at Carillon|Sunless Skies}} ''"It would be better not to attempt soul purification at all, than do such a clumsy job of it. Besides, there is the risk that I would be recognised there [...] I am the one who devised the original methods they're currently executing in parody. And... well. [...] Hero worship from the incompetent is always awkward."''</ref> His methods conflict with those of Carillon's Presiding Deviless; his priority is to prepare the foremost quality food for the [[Judgements]], while the Deviless considers that method outdated and instead prefers to purify the soul for the patient's sake.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Carillon#Discussion_with_the_Presiding_Deviless|Introduce the Repentant Devil to the Presiding Deviless|Sunless Skies}} ''"He produces from his satchel a three-volume set, bound in fire. His own work. "'Some Methods for Flavouring a Soul to the Tastes of a Particular Judgement,'" she reads. [...] "We are just a touch more modern now. It's a fine antiquarian piece [...] Besides, we find we need to appeal to the original owners of the souls... offer them an experience worth paying for.""''</ref> Perhaps the Repentant Devil's methods are superior, but they are certainly not a good time for the patient either.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Carillon#Discussion_with_the_Presiding_Deviless|Introduce the Repentant Devil to the Presiding Deviless|Sunless Skies}}''"He adjusts this mirror to reflect futures; adjusts that blade to cut off the sense of smell. He leaves the penitents howling."''</ref>


== The Repentant Devil's Legacy ==
This Devil is quite ancient indeed; he survived the devils' rebellion against the [[Judgements]], and was part of the host that fled to [[Parabola]] by way of [[Caduceus]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Caduceus#The_Place_of_the_Rose|Drop the Repentant Devil here|Sunless Skies}}''""Your kind garden when they retire, don't they?" he asks you. It is a rhetorical question. He will settle in here. [...] Before he parts company with you, he shares a few last memories of how the Devils traveled into Parabola, long ago."''</ref> He considers his people's rebellion to be a waste of time and something that was doomed to fail,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil#The_Repentant_Devil|Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements|Sunless Skies}}''"It was a waste [...] The protests, the peaceful fights and the violent ones. We were never likely to win by those methods."''</ref> and looks down on the [[Well of the Wolf]] as a "celebration of defeat."<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Ask him about the Well of the Wolf|Sunless Skies}}''"I have no taste for places that celebrate defeat. But I will go where I must."''</ref> Before the rebellion, he served for centuries as a favored chef for the Judgements, and used his position to influence affairs.<ref name="consume">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements|Sunless Skies}}''"The feeding of stars is a delicate art. I had spent centuries in cultivating them, studying their palates, watching for evidence of their responsive growth. I had influence. Now, how much can any Devil say the same?""''</ref> To this end, the people pursuing the Devil today are agents of the [[Blue Kingdom]], who would like him to serve the [[Sapphir'd King]] as its chef.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Assemble the Devil's Evidence|Sunless Skies}}''""I have the measure of my attacker now," he says. "If I were a younger Devil, I would even be flattered. My old abilities are in demand. The Sun of the Blue Kingdom has put out a reward for the first person to kidnap me and bring me [...] to assist in the service of its appetites.""''</ref>


The Repentant Devil was the devil who came up with all the methods the devils use to refine and purify souls. He came up with these methods to influence the Judgments he was feeding souls to and takes great pride in his skill at knowing what Judgments like when it comes to the eating of souls. It is highly likely that all the methods we see devils using in Fallen London to manipulate souls ultimately were invented by him.
Underneath his humanoid guise, the Devil is a being far above his bee-like brethren; he is similar in description to the [[Saints of Hell]].<ref name="wings">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil|Agree to a private rendezvous|Sunless Skies}}''"[...] he too uncoils. Winged, burning, elliptical. This being could throttle a volcano, could summon back a comet from aphelion."''</ref> During his time as a denizen of [[Hell]], he had a friend known as '''the Baroness''', who belonged to the old aristocracy of Hell.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil#The_Repentant_Devil|Ask him about the friend in London|Sunless Skies}}''"My contact in London belongs to the old aristocracy [...]"''</ref> However, he later betrayed his roommate and the rest of the aristocracy, and worked with the republican devils to overthrow them. He simply considered it something to keep him occupied.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Repentant_Devil#The_Repentant_Devil|Talk about the Baroness|Sunless Skies}}''""I used to live with her," he says. "For centuries, before the republic. She gave me a safe haven. I gave her the wreck of power. I had been something, and now I was not. You've seen how she is. [...] The uselessness and hiding wore on me. Overthrowing the aristocracy was something to do."''</ref>
|}
== Quotes ==
''"He too uncoils. Winged, burning, elliptical. This being could throttle a volcano, could summon back a comet from aphelion."''
 
''"I have studied the souls of men and of angels, I have extracted the penitence of Saints, I have removed the knowledge-lust from an Astronomer through a borehole in the back of his head. I have seethed a Crown Princess' sister in mares' milk until there was no more jealousy in her."''
 
''"I have rarely seen such a combination of stains, flaws, and disappointing features," he admits. "You are to be congratulated: I assume this was intentional. You could hardly have done it by accident."''
 
''Repentant Devil: "Brabazon! Such efficiency! Such moral apathy! My people should be taking notes."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/The_Brabazon_Workworld|The Brabazon Workworld|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
''Repentant Devil: "A temple devoted to meddling where man should not? Splendid."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/The_Royal_Society|The Royal Society|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
''Repentant Devil: "I took an interest in Piranesi once, but it espouses change for the sake of change. It lacks direction."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/Piranesi|Piranesi|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
{{Scroll box|text=<references/>}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Nonhumans]]
[[Category:Devils]]
[[Category:Formatted]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 5 February 2025

"He looks younger than most Devils, but he is significantly older. His gaze is blank and yellow, a wall against speculation. He grooms his sideburns artfully, and knows how to be tactful with less seasoned members of the crew."[1]

"I have studied the souls of men and of angels, I have extracted the penitence of Saints, I have removed the knowledge-lust from an Astronomer through a borehole in the back of his head. I have seethed a Crown Princess' sister in mares' milk until there was no more jealousy in her."[2]

The Repentant Devil is a senior devil who claims to reject the infernal practices of his kind.

Really Repentant?[edit]

"He looks younger than most of his kind, but he is not. His eyes are pale fire, and his cheekbones are gaunt as a parliamentarian's sense of decency.

"I can't say I'm sorry for the company," he tells you after a pint at the Singing Mandrake, "But I shan't be here forever. So do make the most of me." He makes no comment on your own soul, and seems entirely disinterested in its contents. "Don't worry," he says, "You're safe with me.""[3]

The Repentant Devil is an odd fellow. Unlike most devils, he is blunt as a hammer and honest as a saint, but is also rather rude and very vocal about the fact that he's "seen it all." The Devil also seems to have little interest in the soul trade.

In 1897, during the Feast of the Exceptional Rose, he paid a visit to London, having fallen out of favor with the Brass Embassy and the rest of his kind. During this time, he was known as the Impenitent Devil.[3]

As of 1905 in the Sunless Skies timeline, he has taken up residence in Port Avon, desperately looking for a way out.[4] He is also being stalked and harassed by mysterious individuals who seem to want to hire him for some mysterious purpose.[5]

The Repentant Devil also has an interest in the Avid Horizon's Home Office, and wants to improve things there to prove that it is "a testament to the folly of honest work."[6] His strategy seems to consist of keeping the orderlies as drunk and high as they can possibly get,[7] and to liven things up for them a bit with fireworks displays and other amusements.[8]

"WHERE'S THE SOUL SAUCE?!"[edit]

"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"

Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.


"'Control what something consumes,' he says, 'and you control what it is. The feeding of stars is a delicate art. I had spent centuries in cultivating them, studying their palates, watching for evidence of their responsive growth. I had influence. Now, how much can any Devil say the same?'"[9]

The Repentant Devil was the original inventor of the soul purification techniques that the devils now perform at Carillon, though he considers the Carillon devils to be completely incompetent at their jobs.[10] His methods conflict with those of Carillon's Presiding Deviless; his priority is to prepare the foremost quality food for the Judgements, while the Deviless considers that method outdated and instead prefers to purify the soul for the patient's sake.[11] Perhaps the Repentant Devil's methods are superior, but they are certainly not a good time for the patient either.[12]

This Devil is quite ancient indeed; he survived the devils' rebellion against the Judgements, and was part of the host that fled to Parabola by way of Caduceus.[13] He considers his people's rebellion to be a waste of time and something that was doomed to fail,[14] and looks down on the Well of the Wolf as a "celebration of defeat."[15] Before the rebellion, he served for centuries as a favored chef for the Judgements, and used his position to influence affairs.[16] To this end, the people pursuing the Devil today are agents of the Blue Kingdom, who would like him to serve the Sapphir'd King as its chef.[17]

Underneath his humanoid guise, the Devil is a being far above his bee-like brethren; he is similar in description to the Saints of Hell.[18] During his time as a denizen of Hell, he had a friend known as the Baroness, who belonged to the old aristocracy of Hell.[19] However, he later betrayed his roommate and the rest of the aristocracy, and worked with the republican devils to overthrow them. He simply considered it something to keep him occupied.[20]

References[edit]

  1. The Repentant Devil, Sunless Skies
  2. Ask him about the state of your soul, Sunless Skies
  3. 3.0 3.1 An Impenitent Devil, Fallen London
  4. Recruit a Repentant Devil, Sunless Skies
  5. Ask him about the recently departed, Sunless Skies
  6. The Devil at the Avid Horizon, Sunless Skies
  7. Talk to the Devil, Sunless Skies
  8. Fizz and Bang: Munitions for the Avid Horizon, Sunless Skies
  9. Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements, Sunless Skies
  10. Ask the Repentant Devil about his former friend at Carillon, Sunless Skies "It would be better not to attempt soul purification at all, than do such a clumsy job of it. Besides, there is the risk that I would be recognised there [...] I am the one who devised the original methods they're currently executing in parody. And... well. [...] Hero worship from the incompetent is always awkward."
  11. Introduce the Repentant Devil to the Presiding Deviless, Sunless Skies "He produces from his satchel a three-volume set, bound in fire. His own work. "'Some Methods for Flavouring a Soul to the Tastes of a Particular Judgement,'" she reads. [...] "We are just a touch more modern now. It's a fine antiquarian piece [...] Besides, we find we need to appeal to the original owners of the souls... offer them an experience worth paying for.""
  12. Introduce the Repentant Devil to the Presiding Deviless, Sunless Skies "He adjusts this mirror to reflect futures; adjusts that blade to cut off the sense of smell. He leaves the penitents howling."
  13. Drop the Repentant Devil here, Sunless Skies ""Your kind garden when they retire, don't they?" he asks you. It is a rhetorical question. He will settle in here. [...] Before he parts company with you, he shares a few last memories of how the Devils traveled into Parabola, long ago."
  14. Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements, Sunless Skies "It was a waste [...] The protests, the peaceful fights and the violent ones. We were never likely to win by those methods."
  15. Ask him about the Well of the Wolf, Sunless Skies "I have no taste for places that celebrate defeat. But I will go where I must."
  16. Ask more about rebelling against the Judgements, Sunless Skies "The feeding of stars is a delicate art. I had spent centuries in cultivating them, studying their palates, watching for evidence of their responsive growth. I had influence. Now, how much can any Devil say the same?""
  17. Assemble the Devil's Evidence, Sunless Skies ""I have the measure of my attacker now," he says. "If I were a younger Devil, I would even be flattered. My old abilities are in demand. The Sun of the Blue Kingdom has put out a reward for the first person to kidnap me and bring me [...] to assist in the service of its appetites.""
  18. Agree to a private rendezvous, Sunless Skies "[...] he too uncoils. Winged, burning, elliptical. This being could throttle a volcano, could summon back a comet from aphelion."
  19. Ask him about the friend in London, Sunless Skies "My contact in London belongs to the old aristocracy [...]"
  20. Talk about the Baroness, Sunless Skies ""I used to live with her," he says. "For centuries, before the republic. She gave me a safe haven. I gave her the wreck of power. I had been something, and now I was not. You've seen how she is. [...] The uselessness and hiding wore on me. Overthrowing the aristocracy was something to do."