The Demonic Steppes

The Primary Steppes

Steppe of Wrath

The Steppe of Wrath is a common image of the Demonic Steppe that appears in most people’s minds. Similar to the Elemental Plane of Fire the Demonic Steppe of Wrath is covered in fire, unlike the Plane of Fire however, this fire is a mix between Fel Flame, Vrai Flame and normal fire. It is chaotic and simply being in the space infects one with increased anger or rage. The origin of this phenomenon is believed to be Aggromaraphar, his very rage enveloping all of the Steppe. There are few structures and the heat radiated by the fires within burns up the most creatures on entry.   Incinerators are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Aggromaraphar.  

Steppe of Ice

The Steppe of Ice is what is often referred to as “hell” by Giantbloods. It is a nightmarish place of intense darkness and unyielding cold, being locked in a state of permanent deep freeze, the extreme temperatures are so lethal that not even Winter Elves or their Near-fey cousins Snowinds can last seconds inside. Heat and fire do not exist within the Steppe. The realm possesses dark clouds covering the skies, a sapphire-coloured thin fog and mist, mountains of ice, structures made of stone and statues of notable demons. An ever-present blizzard always blows throughout the entire realm.   Extinguishers are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Tyranos.  

Steppe of Plague

The Steppe of Plague is the most filthy place on the World Tree (contrary to what some might say about Armusian State sewers). It is a place filled with all kinds of disease, filth, poison and rot. The very air is filled with a sickening green miasma and the bodies of several creatures around the Steppes and the Prime Materia used to create and hold diseases aswell as develop them. Rot is another aspect that seems to spread from biological creatures to the surrounding environment. Within the green Steppe is a spire that use to be controlled and owned by the last the Demonic Prince of Plague, Balgrath.   Despoilers are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Magraphos.  

Steppe of Chaos

The Steppe of Chaos is filled with corruption so potent that turns things into sickly black or grey colours. The ground is solid black and breathing in the air feels like breathing through a paper bag. There is no structure or being on this plain that is not corrupted and thus there is nothing on this Steppe that acts as it should. Cats would bark, dogs would meow, the ground may float, and fires may start and stop. Sometimes death does not occur when it should or happens at random or growth becomes degrowth. The Steppe is truly chaos in a physical place and it seems like a permanent night without stars to those who ventured there. Strangely one can see normally, however. Somewhere in the space is Angraphos’ castle, constantly twisting and turning as he resides within.   Eradicators are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Angraphos.   ((While within the Steppe of Chaos, Corruption takes 1 less day for each Tier.))  

Steppe of Deciet

The Steppe of Deceit is never always the same, constantly changing and shifting beneath the forever fog that sits over it. The ground is usually white but also shifts from time to time. It has been said that there are structures but when those same adventurers return they find that they are gone. Some who enter speak of visions of the future, past or present or of hearing the laughter of loved ones. The Deceivers who reside within truly seek to trick and play with those who enter their lord’s domain unannounced and without permission. There is one constant among several stories to the Steppe, however, and that is of a sideways cathedral that floats in the mist.   Deceivers are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Moloch.  

Steppe of Desire

The Steppe of Desire is one of the only Steppes that calls for creatures across the Steppes to enter, specifically the city within. It is here that Kindred feast on desire as well as breed its creation. The city itself is an architectural mash-up of cultures across the Steppes and of the Prime Materia. The sky is filled with orange and black clouds that thunder but do nothing. A castle made of basalt bricks rests within, where Zraeste keeps her personal collection of creatures from across the Steppes and the Prime Materia.   Kindred are the primary resident of the Steppe and it is currently ruled by Zraeste.  

Steppe of Torture

The Steppe of Torture is another Steppe that fits the picture of the Demonic Steppes in most people’s minds. Maintained by Archdemon Toren, it is a place of normal fire and brimstone and exists solely to torture the creatures and souls that wind up there. Within this step, they perform all forms of torture as well as develop new ones. The demons there are ever eager to make deals with mortals in exchange for a new plaything.  

The 46 Other Steppes

46 Steppes are controlled by daemons of various strengths. Below is a list of known ones besides the primary 7:   Warped Steppe
This Steppe (also called the “Warped Lands”) has been turned cyan and has dead trees and whatnot lying around as well as giant fossils, etc. There's also a black fog that surrounds the entire Steep, making it hard to see. While inside, people suffer from terrible hallucinations of all sorts and be attacked by local demons of the area. Strangely, no one can die and all injuries remain on creatures for the end of time as people also are unable to heal. Within the Warped Lands are two things, a giant maze that twists and shifts to get people lost in it featuring monsters that roam around to hurt people and a tower which also has monsters that will fling people off of it among other dangers. The Steppe is controlled and created by Seleref the Two Faced, a being that made its way from Niwaedau to the Demonic Steppes long ago.   Steppe of Pride
The Steppe of Pride is said to contain Crushers. Crushers are a type of demon with a clear purpose. When a Crusher shows up, it will rampage, corrupt, and destroy everything it can get its hands on or throw its fel magics at until it is banished.   Steppe of Gluttony   Steppe of Sloth   Steppe of Envy

Climate

The climate of the Demonic Steppes is entirely dependent on the Steppe itself.  

Corruption

Having a demon in an area for a period of time longer than a few days will cause physical warping of the plane. Crops will start to grow strangely, sometimes they’ll grow twice as fast, sometimes they will appear to grow normally, but when you cut into one it is filled with hundreds of dead insects instead of the flesh of the crop, and sometimes they will just wither in the field. Similarly, wild animals (and the most savage of Beastfolk) will begin to go mad, behaving in unpredictable, unnatural ways, or sometimes simply becoming uncontrollably aggressive. Their presence within a few miles can spark the spontaneous outbreak of new diseases, can rapidly age mortals, or suddenly generate mental illnesses within people if they’re allowed to stay in a place for long. Finally, their mere presence in a place for a long period of time has the ability to corrupt infants in the womb, causing people to only produce offspring with demonic characteristics or stillborns.   One can imagine that an entire plane filled with these beings can have a lasting effect on those who remain for too long without proper protection.   Stages of Corruption on Organic Newcomers:   T0: The person in question is fine, and completely normal in every regard. Days 0 → 3.   T1: The person in question begins to experience Rank 0 of corruption. Days 4 → 5.   T2: The person in question begins to experience Rank 1 of corruption. Days 6 → 7.   T3: The person in question begins to experience Rank 2 of corruption. Days 8 → 9.   T4: The person in question begins to experience Rank 3 of corruption. Days 10 → 11.   T5: The person in question begins to experience Rank 4 of corruption. Days 11 → 12.   T6: The person in question begins to experience Rank 5 of corruption. Days 13 → Infinity.  

Materials

The studying of demonic materials brought back from the Steppes has been outlawed in most religious places, save for those who worship demons themselves. Thus it has been left to the hands of the pragmatic to know and for you to find out.

Flora

Flora is entirely dependent on the Steppe itself. The Steppe of Plague has flora that are decaying and rotting while the Steppe of Desire has flowers that can entrance.  

Inhabitants

The creatures that inhabit the Demonic Steppes are frequently and simply referred to as Demons. They come in as many varieties as the infinite Demonic Steppes do, and while some can be clearly understood, there are just as many who are as unlikely of abominations as anyone could possibly conjure up in their most twisted of fever dreams. What is clear is that each demon has some sort of purpose, which they pursue with single-minded, never-ending determination. Some demons, such as the Crushers have a clear purpose. When a Crusher shows up, it will rampage, corrupt, and destroy everything it can get its hands on or throw its fel magics at until it is banished, and this is a motivation that mortals can understand. What purpose, though, could a Deceiver have, lying, twisting and leading mortals astray, and why are they immune to the magics of mortals? This behaviour and their immunity to Truths has led to their name, but beyond the name, and beyond the fact of their actions, it is impossible to truly tell what they desire. This is a common theme among demons, and far more of them are complete enigmas than apparently rational beings. Further, it is difficult to tell some demons from the beings which roam the rest of the Primordial Dream, or even some of the more friendly extraplanar beings. Not all demons will always act in direct, or even indirect, hostility to mortals, and there are stories of heroes and villains who have gleaned critical aid from a creature they would later refer to as a demon. For this reason, it is wise to be extremely cautious around any extraplanar being, for even those apparently kind and just could be working towards an end millennia in the future, to which you are just a pawn. Though there are 53 steppes, and thus possibly more than 53 different types of demons, below is a list of the most common demons, who dwell on the largest steppes. The leaders of these demons do so by force, any who oppose them are slain, and so their leadership is unquestioned, even by those so chaotic as the demons.   Incinerators
Most Incinerators are generally what most people see when they think “demon”. Red, sinister with large horns, vestigial wings, claws, cloven hooves, and a prehensile tail with a vicious scorpion stinger on the end. They have short tempers and usually prefer domination over negotiation.   Despoilers
Arguably the rarest among the demon types Despoilers are sickly green demons who look like your average demon mashed and warped with rot, illness and sometimes bug-like features. In terms of ugliness, the only other type to match are some Eradicators.   Deceivers
This type of demon is by far the most common on the Material Plane. It has been theorized that their goal is the destruction of the Truths which hold the plane together themselves, as they are entirely immune to any Truth generated by a mortal.   Eradicators
Eradicators as the name suggest eradicate the natural order of the world. Their corruption is far more potent and harder to purify than any other demons. It is very clear that Eradiocators exist solely to destroy life itself directly.   Extinguishers
Not all of the Demonic Steppes is fire and brimstone, infact one the worst places in all the 53 is the Steppe of Ice, home to the Extinguishers. The clear goal or ability of Extinguishers is the destruction of heat and fire.   Kindred
Also referred to as Succubi or Inccubi, this class of demons is one of the most common on the Material Plane. It is very clear this type of demon's sole goal is to break down the boundary between mortal and demon, they do this by using a mortal’s desires against them and copulating with them via ritual or the traditional way.   Other Demonic Creatures include:   Imp
Imps are repugnant little creatures, about a meter tall, which look much like tiny, emaciated, dark-red skinned humanoids with short, wickedly sharp horns and a stinger for a prehensile tail which is as long as they are tall. A pair of wings which are just large enough to bear them aloft adorns their back, and though they appear to be humanoid in form, their faces are typically twisted, garish and ugly things.   Meat Sludge
Much like a Crawling Ooze, meat sludge is a foul-smelling, slow-moving ooze, which continuously moves in the direction of anything it finds edible, which is just about everything. It seeks out an organic matter in particular and finds stone and crystal to be hard to digest, meaning that it mostly attempts to devour metals and any creature or plant unfortunate enough to be in the area.   Summoner
Once a Meat Sludge has birthed thirteen Imps, it ceases to make any of them, and simply begins to bide its time as it grows. Once it reaches a few hundred kilograms of weight, it will devour several of the imps it has made, usually four to six, and reconstitute them into something new, a Summoner, in much the same way as it spawned the imps. Summoners are born into the world with knowledge of a Truth, enacted by a ritual, which uses the bodies of several dozen sentients, living flesh-and-blood sacrifices.

At the dawn of time, when the World Drake smashed together his hammer amongst the anvil of The World Tree, sparks flared throughout the illimitable cosmos. Being a Primordial Entity with the posit as to ascertain order and structure across the multiple planes he engendered, this rippling force that emanated from Naezeiros seemed to surprise him. The Celestial Conclave was created, and alongside this burning flame, the Demonic Steppes came into being as well. The scourges of pristine evil surged amongst the many different Steppes as pristine unrelenting chaos pounded along the war-torn dimension of absolute rapture. In the initial creation of The Demonic Steppes, Naezeiros, The Great Drake, required something which would meld together as his beings of destruction. The ability to create something from nothing needed its counterbalance, and that laid within the oncoming prevalence of beings with a drive to do nothing but undo and destroy. As such, the Creation Primordial constructed together a vast branch amongst Etes H'evelm , a plane whose original purpose lay within the ability to eradicate the mistakes that Naezeiros saw during his time slowly building the planes.   It is said that there were originally 6 all-powerful demons created alongside the plane but each met their own demise through their own ways and the title of Demonic Prince was passed to their murderer or successors. Thus, the tradition of their always being 6 demonic princes has remained. Those who are on the same level of powers as a prince best refer to themselves as Archdemons or face the wrath of one of the 6.