LXVII - MALPHAS

67 - Malphas - Appears in Book of Incantations, The Discoverie of Witchcraft, The Book of the Office of Spirits, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, The Lesser Key of Solomon, and Dictionnaire Infernal

FROM THE LESSER KEY

The 39th spirit in order is called Malphas, he appeareth at first in ye forme like a Crow, But affterwardes will put on a humane shape at ye request of ye Exorcist & speake wth a hoarse voyce; he is a mighty president and powerfull he can Build houses & high Towers & he can bring quickly artificers togather from all places of ye world; he can destroy ye [thy] Enemies desires or thoughts, and wt [all that] they have done; he giveth good familiars, & if yu make any sacrifices to him, he will receive it kindly and willingly, But he will deceive him yt doth it; he governeth 40 Legions of spirits; his seal is Thus to be made and worne as a Lamen &.

FROM PSEUDOMONARCHIA

Malphas is a great president, he is seene like a crowe, but being cloathed with humane image, speaketh with a hoarse voice, be buildeth houses and high towres wonderfullie, and quicklie bringeth artificers togither, he throweth downe also the enimies edifications, he helpeth to good familiars, he receiveth sacrifices willinglie, but he deceiveth all the sacrificers, there obeie him fourtie legions.

FROM THE DICTIONNAIRE INFERNAL

Malphas, great president of Hell, who appears in the shape of a raven. When he shows himself in a human face, the sound of his voice is hoarse ; he builds citadels and impregnable towers, topples the enemies' walls, helps find good laborers, gives spirit familiars, receives sacrifices and deceives those who perform the sacrifices. Forty legions are under his command.

Original Text: Malphas, grand président des enfers, qui apparaît sous la forme d’un corbeau. Quand il se montre avec la figure humaine, le son de sa voix est rauque ; il bâtit des citadelles et des tours inexpugnables, renverse les remparts ennemis, fait trouver de bons ouvriers, donne des esprits familiers, reçoit des sacrifices et trompe les sacrificateurs : quarante légions lui obéissent.

Appearance: Crow humanoid

Subrace: Unknown

Abilities: Secrets, Familiars, Construction, Destruction

Legions: 40

Rank: President

Notes:

Malphas is notable in the explicit mentions of him accepting sacrifices. One would think that would be more common or explicit in these texts, but its actually quite rare.

I read Malphas as a sort of infernal general contractor. The citation about bringing together laborers and artificers is fairly explicit in this matter. Given that his work seems to be that of structures and citadels, he makes for a sensible fit under the offices of Balaam. Perhaps Malphas has some role in construction and demolition? I can imagine that hell would be in need of constant expansion, renovation, and reorganization. If president is clerical role, it would make Malphas a sort of hellish urban planner.

Brand of the Architect - When active, the marked gains a sixth sense pertaining to the construction of inanimate objects. Their mechanisms, physical composition, methods of construction, and potential weaknesses all become immediately apparent. However, the brand cannot be “aimed” and the amount of information can be extremely overwhelming if not subjected to careful practice.