Demon

**Demons** are a supernatural species consisting of sinners, dead humans that were damned to Hell, or hellborns who are basically infernal creatures native to Hell.

## Description

The term demon can be applied to any creature that is native to the underworld. Demons can come in all shapes and sizes, possessing anthropomorphic features that can be chimeric, simple, or outright otherworldly. A majority of demons are humanoid in shape while some can be more monstrous and beastial.

The shape and form that sinners assume when they are damned is said to be connected to the inner darkness and malice in their souls. In addition, during their transfer to either Purgatory or Hell, the souls are seen wearing masks usually worn during a masquerade ball. The souls in the Macabre Orient that are marked for Hell transform into whatever the mask is modeled after, and after entering Charon's ship they undergo a painful transformation into their demonic forms they will remain for the rest of their torment.

A demon or sinner's appearance changes based on what Circle they were sent to or live in. Examples like the Envy Circle which has aquatic or marine based demons. The Gluttony Circle has insectoid demons as well as demons literally shaped after food where the insectoid demons get to devour them. And the Wrath Circle has demons with fiery and beastial appearances befitting their sinful actions they committed in life through wrath and violence.

## Culture

Demon society follows cultural lines similar to that of humanity in some regards. There are laws that are upheld, facilities that provide goods and services (shops, news stations, bars, etc.), and even emergency services such as fire departments. As Hellborn demons were never human, nor did they ever live on Earth, they have no experience of humanity or the human world. As such in the beginning they were seen as savages and tribal in nature but over the centuries, however, hellborns would be influenced by the advancement of humanity and eventually learned their ways from the sinners that would be sent down to Hell since time immemorial.

Technological developments in Hell appears to mirror that of Earth, albeit with a twisted and demonic influence in the design outcome courtesy of Belphegor. However, some of Hell's technological developments, specifically weapons and firearms, have also been influenced and inspired by angelic technology to some unknown degree. Angelic weaponry is strictly forbidden to be used by sinners and Hellborns in the case that the damned would decide to engage in an uprising against the sovereigns of the Inferno though the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. This is why such weaponry is sold on the black market where even other royal demons enlist the aid of assassins that're permitted to use such weapons against their adversaries.

Demons are shown to be quite diverse though the main three in the societal structure consists of sinners, hellborns, and fallen angels. Sinners are bound to the respective Circles concerning the sin they committed in life, and they cannot travel to other Circles as well. Hellborn demons and other infernal spirits can freely traverse any of the Nine Circles and their islands. Sinners are also shown to be able to enter the human world, but compared to hellborn demons, their stay on Earth is very limited. It is revealed that all sinners are spiritually shackled and collared to Hell which may explain as to why they cannot enter other Circles and cannot stay on Earth for very long. When their time expires they are forcibly dragged back into Hell. It is actually possible for a sinner to enter another Circle but to do so they require special permission from Minos, the Judge of the Dead. The sinner would plead their case and reasoning for entering a Circle, Minos would evaluate the documentation with the other judges, then see if they are eligible to be permitted to enter a Circle. In the events that their request is granted, the sinner will have a limited time while inside the Circle.

### Religion/Tradition

Surprisingly, demons practice their own form of religion though the practice itself isn't quite prevalent. However, demons appear to worship Satan and the other emperors as gods with Satan being the most widely revered. Effigies of the emperors were even shown be erected in the midst of a city that resides in one of the Circles.

Demons also celebrate their own holidays and have their own festivals. Rather than Christmas they celebrate Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, where they wait for Krampus. They also celebrate Halloween, and while similar to Earth's modernized tradition of Halloween, in Hell the demons would wear costumes and receive/leave gifts lest they be hunted down by the chthonic spirit known as Samhain.

In regards to festivals, two have been shown with one involving Mammon throwing the Prima Gold Gatz which is famous for being the "biggest party in all of Hell". The other is the Pentagram Parade where Baphomet hosts a rock concert for all demons and sinners to fully embrace and unleash their indulgences and vices. In Angel Dust's words the parade is basically "one big orgy where everyone gets higher than a kite that's latched onto their asses" and "drunker than Husk after winning a game".

## Hierarchy

Demons of Hell are governed by a crude form of hierarchy, in which one's position in the hierarchy is determined purely by the strength of the individual. The hierarchy involves a form of monarchy and feudalism similar to medieval Europe and the United Kingdom. Sitting above all demons, including the lesser royals, are the emperors who rule with absolution and unopposed power. While the emperors all rule with an iron fist they are not equal in terms of power. Instead the only three who are categorized as equals are Lucifer, Satan, and Beelzebub who together make up the Satanic Triumvirate.

The existence of the tiers demonstrate exceptions to the hierarchy system. The first being that a demon's status is treated variably. For instance, Charlie, despite being the princess of Pride, is not respected by the populace due to their spiteful climate. Rather, respect is dependent on the power and intimidation of one's character, like in Lucifer's case or Charlie's extended family. In rare instances, a fallen angel in particular may choose to disown their own title and position as emperor such as Belphegor who has no interest in ruling over his own kingdom yet the tactic of receiving respect and worship remains the same: through intimidation and exertion of unspeakable power.

### Imps

Imps are also said to have their own hierarchical structure, but is bureaucratic and more "street-level" compared to the higher ranking demons. Imps are separated into species where they are only identified by color. Red imps are the most prominent while there are others such as blue imps, green imps, yellow imps, and pale imps. Each species of imp is defined by their characteristics and talents in their labor amongst Hell's environment.

### Overlords

Sinners are unique in that they can elevate their status by accumulating powers, which they receive by faustian deals or the Devil's Pact. These beings are colloquially known as Overlords who are seen as the "super mafia" of Hell. Overlords typically obtain or enhance their powers by making deals with other demons, as well as dominating them in battle and taking in their dark energy. Once a sinner signs a contract, a small mark or deformity, known as a Devil’s Kiss, will appear on the body, with the mark itself assuming the likeness of the Overlord's symbol. In some cases such as Valentino who works under Asmodeus, Valentino's mark will bear features of Asmodeus' sigil indicating that the sinner who would be under contract for Valentino is by proxy under contract for Asmodeus as well.

Overlords in particular seem to rule over a genre of entertainment that has influenced and changed the course of mankind for centuries. Said entertainment genres would hold sway over the humans would live and behave as well as change their standards of living. As such, by exerting the power of the genre they represent, they can draw in many sinners and increase their power.

## Gallery

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## Trivia

* Demons native to Hell experience dreams that consist of their proudest achievements but ones that are abhorrent in the eyes of sinners. One example was when Moxxie was dreaming of killing his father.
* Succubi and Incubi are collectively known as "Lilim".
* Each demon or demonic entity represents a biblical fear or vice. The witches and demonic horsemen are an allusion to the holy inquisition, the harpies and satyrs could represent the fear of paganism, the Lilim refer to the temptation of lust, and the anthropomorphic animal demons have allegorical associations with corruption and wickedness in both biblical scripture and practices.
* When sinners enter foreign underworlds their appearance change to accommodate the cultural myth behind said underworld celebrate by those of different faith. This is shown when the Hazbin crew entered Mictlan and (barring Charlie) had their appearance change to that of the white sugar skull aesthetic that is used during Día de Muertos.