Demons

Demons are the perceived authors of all mankind’s woes and temptations. They are spirits of the air, the upper atmosphere, and darkness. They widely are believed always to be evil, but this is untrue, because some (rare) demons are neutral or even good.   These beings always are ravenous and nothing will sate them or offer them relief besides possessing a mortal’s body. They can also possess and animate statues and fetishes at will, and animals’ bodies.   All demons are terrified by iron, which explains why necromancers are always armed with swords and other iron implements. Iron burns demon flesh, or the flesh of demonically possessed people, as if the weapon were super-heated. Demons are also terrified by loud, clanging noises, especially bells. The clamor of blessed church bells will damage demons.   The base starting point for demons’ erratically wild features is: simian ape-like torsos; with goat-like legs and split hooves; a prehensile barbed or forked tail; long talons; ape- or goat-like heads; ram’s horns; forked tongues; goat’s eyes; and functional bat wings. Their skin is scaly green and icy cold to the touch. Every demon appears different, and each has a mix of random features and grotesqueries. When armed, it is usually with a military fork, trident or scourge, although other weapon types are possible. When on Aarthus, demons can manifest in their primary form or choose to remain unmanifest and incorporeal. They can launch attacks from either state and when incorporeal they can attempt to enter humans or animals and potentially posses them.   When demons manifest on the mortal plane, they often bring a powerful aroma of sulfur and may leave water or slime in their tracks. Their presence may also cause nearby walls and surfaces to emit slime.   Demons speak all human languages, but they prefer Classical Karmithian. The native language of Hell is Nhetherspeak.   Demons usually come to Aarthus when summoned by a necromancer. Many necromancers study demonology for noble reasons, but long-term association with evil demons slowly corrupts the mage’s soul.   Once on Aarthus, most demons do not wish to return to Hell, and will resist attempts at sending them back.    

Powers

  Named demons, the so-called Powers and Principalities, have wide-ranging powers. The higher the demon’s rank in Hell, the greater its powers.    

Familiars

About half these demons are noteworthy for delivering good familiars to those sorcerers/witches who request them. Such familiars often are used to trap or deceive the sorcerer. Some few familiars even know the virtues of all herbs and precious stones, and rare familiars even can find treasure. These demons may even transfer familiars from the custody of one magician to a new mage of the demon’s choice.    

Powers

Archdemons have the following powers:

Uncommon

Destroy all the sorcerer’s enemies by burning them up

Generate sonic attacks

Make trees bend at will.

Make women barren

Reveals where serpents are located and deliver them unharmed to the mage

Shield a mage from temptations from any other spirit or form

Sing beguiling melodies than enslave men

Throw down walls or buildings

Less Common

Freely punish thieves and wicked people.

Gather human-sourced demons onto their sepulcher

Inflict insanity

Make men insensible or ignorant.

Make people bare themselves naked

Make runaways come home

Make souls of the dead appear and answer all questions

Make thieves return stolen goods

Make those who stand still run.

Making the victim believe he is the creature or thing the magician desires

Shuffle the bodies of the dead from one grave or location to another place, as evidenced by witch lights above graves.

Take away the sight, hearing and understanding of any person

Transform dead souls into demons

 

Harm

Archdemons may heal all infirmities and either cause or heal diseases. When a human is wounded, the demon can cause the mortal’s wounds or sores to putrefy and turn gangrenous, filling them with worms so the victim will die three days hence. Demons cannot raise the dead, per se, although nothing prevents them from animating a dead body, possessing it, or investing a ghost into a dead body on a short-term basis.    

Grant

Archdemons may grant men many things, such as:

Most Commonly

Eloquence

Invisibility

Wisdom

Wit and charm

As well as

Abundance

Astral Projection

Favor of friends and foes

Good and loyal servants

Long life

Make a copy of the man, but with warrior skill and equipment

Power over serpents

Subtle in all things pertaining to Mensuration

Understanding of the voices of birds, bullocks, dogs and other creatures

Valiant

 

Teleportation

A few demons have the power of conjuration, allowing them to teleport themselves, the magician and anyone the magician desires. This conjuration may be from any place on earth to another in mere seconds. This includes apporting a distant person into the magicians presence, or asporting them away to another place. For example, the demon can quickly conjure artificers together from all over the world and bring men from one country to another. Conjury is usually limited to Hell or Aarthus; most archdemons cannot leave hell and appear on earth without a magician to facilitate such a summoning.    

Elements

Archdemons may command the elements, creating powerful storms, tempests, thunder, lightning and blasting winds. With their power over the wind and sea, they can warm bodies of water, make waters very rough and/or stormy, and make the sea appear full of ships (see also “glamour.”)    

Glamour

Archdemons have the power to create power illusions or glamours.

Assume the similitude of any person

Create sounds such as the sound of rushing waters, or others

Illustrate knowledge through glamour.

Project a vision or illusion.

 

Knowing

These high-ranking demons can divine answers from the past, present and future. By their very nature, demons lie and twist the truth, but if commanded, they will answer questions truthfully. Among the list of items, archdemons often know:

Most Commonly

Detect divine agents

Detect hidden things or hidden treasures

Find lost things

Know of the creation of the world

Know secret things

Less Commonly

Detect dishonest dealing

Detect evil and wickedness

Detect fallen angels

Detect underhanded dealing

Detect witches

Detect natural baths.

Discover lead

Know accurate answers and accounts of subjects

Know about private matters

Know of the future of wars

Locate hidden things if they are not kept by evil spirits

Locate hidden treasures preserved by spirits or magician’s spells

Locate souls of those who died in sin

Locate souls of those who drowned in the sea

When lies are told and uses these to teach lessons

--Where to locate and hire soldiers    

Transmutation

Archdemons have the power to transmute or metamorphose:

Any metal into gold

Blood into wine or oil, and vice versa

Man into any shape, including bird forms

Turning metals into coins (i.e. gold into a gold coin, copper into a copper coin, etc.)

wine into water and water into wine

 

Mind-Control

Most archdemons have extreme mind-control powers, which they may practice until the magician is satisfied with the result. The demon can show the result to the magician via visions.

Who

Anyone, including important people such as knights, lords and rulers

Specifications

Gender combinations (male on female, male on male, etc.)

Any age, be it young, old, maiden, etc.

Between friends, foes and strangers

Effect

Alliances

Discord

Favor

Friendship

Hate

Love

Lust

Reconciliation

Other actions

Change the thoughts of anyone

Create or settle controversies

Declare the secret counsel of anyone

Destroy enemies’ desires or thoughts

Ignite or quell feuds and disputes

 

Dignities

Some demons have the power to grant, take away, or restore worldly temporal and supernatural dignities, honors, titles, prelacies, good names, senatorships, the favor of friends and foes, as well as the power to confirm said status.  

Named Demons

 

Knight/Minister

These are fourth generation demons.

Aglanok Soul Eater (F)—The Knight of Jealousy

Aspratius the Unchecked (M)—The Knight of Massacres

Cefrith the Hell Rider (M)—the Knight of Ruination

Dimbiell Empty-Eyed (M)—The Minister of Apathy

Dryagarr False Mercy (M)—The Minister of Execution and Injustice

Eilapses the Drooling (F)—The Knight of Avarice

Fisvuliel the Tumescent (M)—The Knight of Orgies

Gagath the Despoiler (M)—The Minister of Rape and Violation

Genrielles the Grinning Horror (F)—The Minister of Deception

Gholigox the Swollen (M)—The Minister of Fornication

Karkadun the Proud (M)—The Minister of Pride and Vainglory

Lhurag the Obese (M)—The Knight of Gluttony

Phrolpsiel the Charred (F)—The Knight of Nihilism

Porglatt Idle Arm (M)—The Minister of Slothfulness

Psilesmat the Unforgiven (F)—The Minister of Oathbreakers

Raksuk the Reaver (M)—The Knight of Hate and Prejudice

Reptuure Blood Eye (F)—The Knight of Anarchy

Sepsiell the Burdensome (F)—The Minister of Despair

Thakmull the Foresworn (M)—The Minister of Treachery

Thogst the Enraged (M)—The Knight of Rage

Vomtielle Drinker of Tears (M)—The Minister of Assassination

Lesser Nobles

These are 3rd generation demons, the barons and marshalls of Hell. They are also the Zodiacal administrators, overseeing the negative aspects of each astral House.  

Amiel the Lean (M)—The Marshall of theFishes House (Pisces), Famine, Indecisivity

Amortan the Stained (M)—The Baron of the Scorpion House (Scorpio), Vindictiveness, and Nihilism

Billnessus the Laughing Madness (M)—The Baron of the Sea-Goat House (Capricorn)

Cestell the Firebrand (M)—The Marshall of the Twins House (Gemini), Regret, and Unwise Council, and Changeability

Chimeniel the Gibberer (M)—The Baron of the Water-Bearer House (Aquarius), Promiscuity, and Self-Deception

Eriel the Hater (F)—The Baronness of the Archer House (Sagittarius), Betrayal, and Bitter Frustration

Hathan Hell Warrior (M)—The Marshall of the Bull House (Taurus), Atrocities, War Crimes, and Fickleness

Mordunielle the Gangrenous (M)—The Baron of the Lion House (Leo), Presumption, and Self-Entitlement

Nhyrakar the Hound of Hell (M)—The Marshall of the Maiden House (Virgo), Perverse Ambition, Dishonor, and Poorly Laid Plans

Norgallior the Rash (M)—The Marshall of the Ram House (Aries), Bloodthirst, Rage, and Battle Lust

Pansorpine the Forgotten Suckling (F)—The Baronness of the Scales House (Libra), Bribery, and Indifference

Shaezelle the Cleaver (F)—The Baron of the Crab House (Cancer), Creeping Dooms, and Abominations

 

Greater Nobles

These demons are 2nd generation, being the souls of the Nephilim (who were sired by fallen angels (see above), or demoted pagan gods). They are the counts and dukes of Hell, and many of them are the planetary archdemons or governors.  

Astrielle the Frothing (F)—The Countess of Stinging Regret, Broken Faith, and Suicide

Bollud Thrice-Damned (M)—The Duke of Uulimar (Saturn), as well as Vice, Immorality, and Perversity

Dyrak Koeln the Curious (M)—The Duke of Rheon (Jupiter) and Obsessive Curiosity

Embollius the Bloated (M)—The Duke of Salearr (Sun), Dark Lore, Wisdom, Immolation

Gorsk Bloodbane (M)—The Count of Vampirism, Desanguination, and Night

Methiel the Stubborn (M)—The Count of Disenfranchisement

Neraffus Double Dealer (M)—The Count of Duplicity and Unclean Bargains

Norculus King Killer (M)—The Duke of Sylvaen (Moon), Regicide, and Patricide

Nothiel the Reactionary (F)—The Duchess of Karron (Mars), Grudges, and Vultures

Plothod Spirit Crusher (M)—The Count of Oppression, Hopelessness, and Apostacy

Radx Viper Tongue (F)—The Duchess of Amorella (Venus), Poisoning, Unchasteness, and Infidelity

Salasch the Heretical (M)—The Count of Heresy and Discord

Suthiel/Ynfax the Root (M/F)—The Duke of Aurleoss (Mercury), Deception, and Impure Lust

Umptielle Red Handed (M)—The Count of Murder

Zylos Flesh Ripper (F)—The Duchess of Lunaei (Invisible Moon), Torture, and Black Magic

 

Cambions

Cambions result from a human male and a succubus mating, or a human female and an incubus. If the progeny are born and raised in hell, then they are simply demons. If cambions grow up on Aarthus with human parents, they become cambions. More rarely, demon lords father children on human women, but again those that grow up in hell become standard demons, and those on Aarthus are born as cambions. Most people with demonic ancestry have no abilities or modifications to show for it. Every now and again, the demon blood manifests, for the good or bad.

Social

Those suspected of demonic heritage will be regarded with suspicion, if not hate. This stain cannot be erased by good deeds. Mistrust and castigation often result from demonic heritage.  

Personality

Cambions have free will, and as with humans, they may be good or evil. Most will lean toward their demonic side, succumbing to evil and hate.

Physical

Cambions typically appear human but with a hard to quantify demonic or wicked cast to their features, and their skins are notably cold to the touch. Sometimes they will have minor deformities—this is unfortunate, because full humans with deformities might get lumped in with cambions in the public eye. Also, Cambions may have one (or more) of the following traits: light green pallor to the skin; goat-like pupils; vestigial tails; fangs; vestigial horns; or talons. They sometimes smell of sulfur.  

Powers

Some cambions are resistant to fire, radiant heat, and cold-based damage. A few cambion have the ability to detect other demons, both unmanifest and in disguise, and sense demonic portals. Most importantly, cambions’ strange natures make targeting them with curses problematic. A curse on a cambion might have the opposite effect, or rebound onto the caster, or fail altogether.  

Weaknesses

Cambion’s mortal ancestry protects them for the ill effects of holy water, consecrated ground, exorcism, blessed silver, etc. They suffer from the animal animosity disadvantage, making it hard to find horses that will abide them.

Aging

They age at normal human rates, with a normal human lifespan.  

Skills

n/a

Magic Tradition

Cambions are apt at necromantic magik, as well as spells that are based around the sky or air. Witchcraft is also open to them.

Languages

Nhetherspeak. Cambions are not born with Nhetherspeak, the demonic language of Hell, but they have the aptitude to learn it quickly in language immersion situations.

Membership

Demons will recognize the cambion as a fellow demon—the character may look convincingly human, but on a substantive level, he is demonic. Just because a demon sees you as a fellow demon doesn’t mean he’s your friend—demons fight and kill each other all the time!