In demonology, Malphas is a mighty Great President of Hell.
Rank
Malphas is a Great President and a Prince to some authors, having forty legions of demons under his command.
Appearance
Malphas is depicted as a crow that after a while or under request changes shape into a man, and speaks with a hoarse voice.
Powers
Malphas builds houses, high towers and strongholds, throws down the buildings of the enemies, can destroy the enemies' desires or thoughts (and/or make them known to the conjurer) and all what they have done, gives good familiars, and can bring quickly artificers together from all places of the world. Malphas accepts willingly and kindly any sacrifice offered to him, but then he will deceive the conjurer.
Quotes
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. - Pseudomonarchia daemonum - Johann Wier (1583)
The Thirty-ninth Spirit is Malphas. He appeareth at first like a Crow, but after he will put on Human Shape at the request of the Exorcist, and speak with a hoarse Voice. He is a Mighty President and Powerful. He can build Houses and High Towers, and can bring to thy Knowledge Enemies' Desires and Thoughts, and that which they have done. He giveth Good Familiars. If thou makest a Sacrifice unto him he will receive it kindly and willingly, but he will deceive him- that doth it. He governeth 40 Legions of Spirits, and his Seal is this, etc. - Goetia - S. L. MacGregor Mathers (1904)
Art/Fiction
- Several Castlevania games (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) feature an enemy named Malphas, which varies between low-tier boss or high-tier common enemy, which looks like a black-robed humanoid with black wings, and can attack with crows and feathers. It is called Karasuman (Karasu meaning crow) in the English releases of Symphony of the Night.
- In the Steve Jackson role-playing game In Nomine, Malphas is the Demon Prince of Factions, dedicated to causing division and strife among humanity.
- In the game Savage 2- A Tourtured Soul, if a player collects enough souls, he can sacrifice himself to become a malphas.