The Repentant Devil

"Control what something consumes," he says, "and you control what it is."

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.

In Fallen London

He has done everything at least once. Or, almost everything. His gaze lingers on yours, fierce as a coal on the hearth.

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.

"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.

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. 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. 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.

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's Legacy 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.

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."

Repentant Devil: "A temple devoted to meddling where man should not? Splendid."

Repentant Devil: "I took an interest in Piranesi once, but it espouses change for the sake of change. It lacks direction."