Demons

The term "demon" refers to a type of fiend that is native to the Dread Abyss, they are typically described as being ferocious creatures that exhibit malign and bestial qualities. They are also bound to the everchanging nature of the abyss, and because of this they possess an innate affinity towards chaos which produces a variety of different qualities between them, meaning that the initial description of demons is in fact an inaccurate one, especially when describing greater demons.

## History

Demons are, relatively speaking, a young race of creatures when compared to many other extraplanar races, this is due to the fact that demons first began to manifest after the Astral Fracture. The first demons that came into being were the Sibriexes, chaotic amalgamations of flesh, the Sibriexes are said to dwell within the heart of the Dread Abyss, where they channel the mutagenic power of the abyss to create new demonic creatures from the flesh of others. Their first creation was the demon lord Demogorgon, a demon that fed on madness and consequently gave rise to the first demonic broods which similarly fed on madness.

This first brood still comprises the majority of lesser demons, bestial and feral monstrosities that are driven to destroy anything they encounter. However, as the Dread Abyss grew and consumed other lesser planes, more varied mutations began to appear amongst the various demons as the Sibriexes began to fashion more diverse creations. It was these mutations that led to the creation of Greater Demons which are far more powerful than their lesser kin.

With the conception of these greater demons, the denizens of the abyss began to exhibit more varied appetites, with new broods subsisting on different emotions and beliefs, no longer fuelled solely by the desire to destroy, some began to exhibit a deeper cunning and more complex desires. The most powerful amongst them would grow to rule over entire domains and in so doing achieve a form of quasi-divinity, ascending to become new demon lords. Even though they ascended, none could truly challenge Demogorgon's supremacy within the abyss and none were ready to pit their might against the Prince of Chaos, wary that the effort would leave them vulnerable to assault by their kin. Even though they rule different domains, many demon lords are still to some degree slaves to their bestial instincts. It is uncertain just how many demon lords truly exist, but the infinite size of the abyss, leads many to believe that a great many demon lords still linger in its depths. Their desire to war amongst each other and expand their dominion has kept their numbers in check to some extent, although this has slowly begun to change.

During the First Demonic Incursion, many different demons united in service to the Demon Prince Valkorion and his Firstborn generals, leading to the destruction of the northern continent of Phalos, leaving a blighted wasteland in their wake. This unity was short-lived however, as Valkorion's defeat would leave the invading abyssal hordes in disarray, with many casting aside their alliance and turning on each other.

In the year 1087 AoD, the Heroes of Ankararam would also have their fair share of encounters with demons, especially the demon lord Camazaath who sought to claim Kaji's soul in order to fulfill a bargain. In the end, the heroes would thwart the demon lord's attempt to claim his soul, with Alena Darkfire offering hers in exchange for that of her friend's an offer that was satisfactory for the demon lord. However, during their investigation into the demon lord's origins, the party would come across a tome regarding the denizens of the abyss, and would also uncover the notes of a maddened scholar who believed that the abyss was slowly but surely uniting beneath one leader.

The theory of a unified abyss is one that has horrified many scholars, especially those in service to the Archdevils of Infernus, who in the year 1953 AoD would uncover the horrifying truth that Demogorgon had finally been dethroned. The new ruler of the abyss was an entity that the demons reverently referred to as the Lifemother. The origins of this archdemon are unknown, but this being's ascension has been accompanied by the appearance of new and horrifying demons, many of which have been sighted in what has been dubbed as the Second Demonic Incursion.

## Properties

Demons are said to exist in two different forms, the form they choose to take while inside the abyss which is said to be their true form, the form itself is dependent on the demon's power, with more powerful demons possessing more imposing appearances. When demons manifest within different planes, they are able to create a new form by manipulating the weave, with more powerful demons able to more easily manipulate the weave and shift their appearances to ones that are more to their liking. The ability to manifest is also related to the amount of abyssal corruption present in an area, with highly corrupted areas able to sustain greater amounts of demons as well as more powerful ones.

The forms that they manifest within different planes, are more akin to magical constructs, which in most cases are bound to the weave, requiring a great deal of arcane energy for demons to maintain this form. This process is likened to a form of projection, where the demonic spirit within the abyss is projecting a part of its essence into the plane. This process requires a great deal of power from a demon, and lesser demons that are killed while in this form have their essence consumed by the abyss, and their spirit is used to create another of their kind. Greater demons however, are able to avoid this fate, instead their essence returns to the abyss where they reform, a process which varies from demon to demon.

Some greater demons however, may choose to circumvent this process entirely, a choice that is not made lightly as it requires that the demon pledge itself to the service of a demon lord. As stated previously, originally the first demonic broods fed on madness, however the ascension of new demon lords led to a wider range of aspects on which they could sustain themselves. The different demon lords hold dominion over many of these aspects, and to draw upon them for sustenance requires that a demon bind itself to a demon lord. Those that choose to do this gain a great deal of power but in exchange they must surrender their true name to their master and become an extension of that demon lord, their forms and essence shifting to resemble their new master as do their abilities.

This has led to a greater variety of demons within the abyss, as whilst the different demonic broods are themselves identifiable possessing similarities to their masters, they also possess new abilities that reflect their allegiance. This makes it extremely difficult to adequately prepare for a demonic assault as the variety of demonic powers leads to them being an unpredictable foe.

The power of these creatures tempts many spellcasters who seek to channel their destructive power, however controlling them is a difficult prospect as many will seek to destroy those who summoned them. Some demons, especially lesser creature will seek to do so directly, greater demons however, may seek more indirect means, in fact they may choose to fight their desire to kill the mortal who summoned them, especially if they believe that aiding the mortal serves their purpose. Regardless, bending a demon to the spellcaster's will is a difficult process as it requires that the mortal possess the power to cow the demons' bestial instincts. There are ways however, for a mortal to more easily do this, greater demons possess what is referred to as a true name. A demon's true name possesses a great deal of power, as uttering it is said to draw the demon's attention regardless of where it is said. A greater demon will never willingly relinquish its true name, in most cases doing so only out of desperation as to know its true name grants one power over it.

Demons are also the only fiends that are capable of possessing mortals, demonic possession is a process that requires a great deal of time and effort from the demon. Usually this begins with a single drop of abyssal corruption in a mortal soul. This corruption will slowly grow, as the demon finds aspects that it can latch onto. It draws upon the host's desires and emotions, fuelling them as it begin to slowly but surely corrupt the mortal's soul, eventually allowing it to completely consume it and take control of the mortal's body, and possibly manifest in their place. Technically this can happen to anyone, but those most vulnerable are spellcasters who draw upon corrupted aspects of the weave, allowing demonic corruption to more easily attach itself to their soul. These spellcasters turn into horrifying Maleficari, a type of demonkin that holds a powerful connection to the weave.