recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
The Thing

The Thing was the assembly of the Germanic peoples, a forerunner of a number of Northern European parliamentary structures of the modern day. They involved the entire community and were used to debate major affairs. Before the assembly was held, the leading individuals in the community were made aware of the topics for debate, so they could properly consider them.

Except in response to an emergency or accident that had to be debated, they were held when the moon was either in its crescent or gibbous phased, owing to the belief that these were the most auspicious times to begin an enterprise. The dependency on night was a universal in ancient Germanic society (i.e. meetings wouldn't be scheduled for x number of days, but after x number of nights), owing to the idea that night is the usher of day.

The meeting would take place over the course of two or three days so they could spend time catching up and enjoying themselves both before and after the meeting. When the meeting actually started, the leading figures would speak in turn, decided by their relative rankings determined during the meeting. Voting would be done through the following ways: verbal sounds indicate dissent, clashing of spears indicated approval.

Accusations and charges could be brought before the Thing, with punishments based on the crime: traitors and deserters were publicly hung from trees, whilst cowards, shirkers, and violent criminals would quietly drowned in swamps. For other crimes, fines were paid in the form of horses and cattle, with part being paid to the king/state, and others to the injured party or their family. These councils were also used to elect the leading citizens of each district and village, who could dispense justice in these places. These leading citizens would be granted one hundred attendants drawn from the common folk.

When a boy came of age, they were brought before the assembly and granted a shield and a spear by a leading citizen, their father, or another male relative.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.11
2. ↑ Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.12
3. ↑ Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.13
Thestylis

Thestylis was the slave of Simaetha in *The Sorceress*.

## Biography

After days of lovesickness, Simaetha sent Thestylis to Timagetus' wrestling school to find Delphis of Myndus, get him alone, tell him "Simaetha invites you", and then bring him to her home. She did so.

When Simaetha is casting her Love Binding on Delphis, Thestylis helps her with the casting by making sure all the necessary materials for the binding are present, adding some of the materials to the fire, and later completing the binding by taking the ashes of the fire and smearing them on the threshold of his house while whispering the final incantation of the binding.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Theocritus. *The Sorceress*
Abred

Abred is the name of the innermost of the three concentric circles representing all of existence in Celtic mythology.

The circle is the part of existence representing struggling against and eventually overcoming Cythrawl (Evil).

## See Also

* Barddas
* Celts

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Spence, L. (1920). *An Encyclopædia of Occultism*. 2 ed. pg. 2
Abracax

Abracax was an Egyptian god who was demonised over time.

The Basilidians Gnostics conflated him with the Christian God, supposedly because the Greek letters that formed his name made the number 365. He was said to command a number of geniuses who controlled over three hundred and sixty five heavens or gods, as well as three hundred and sixty five virtues, each assigned to a particular day of the year.

The Basilidians also believed that Abracax was responsible for sending Jesus to earth as a benevolent ghost.

It is thought that Abracax was the origin of the word "Abracadabra".

## Appearance

On amulets as a god, Abracax is depicted with the head of a rooster, dragon feet, and a whip in his hand.

As a demon, he has the head of a king and snakes for feet.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Spence, L. (1920). *An Encyclopædia of Occultism*. 2 ed. pg. 2
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.3
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.4
4. ↑ Spence, L. (1920). *An Encyclopædia of Occultism*. 2 ed. pg. 1
Tap

Tap is a President of Hell and one of its Princes. He commands four of the Kings of Hell. He serves Byleth. He rules the demons who serve Amaymon, and commands sixty legions.

De Plancy occasionally refers to Tap and Gaap individually even within the same sentence, as well as also referring to one or the other separately, which could mean that this demon has multiple aspects with individual identities, personalities, and abilities.

## History

A group of necromancers summoned him, offering him libations and mass slaughter, in accordance to instructions they believed to be from Solomon, but were actually from Cham, Son of Noah.

To honour Byleth, he composed a work of art and a book on mathematics.

## Summoning

The summoning of Tap has the following prerequisite:

* He must be summoned at noon.

Instructions for summoning him as Gaap are supposedly found in a book quoted by the prophets Elijah and Elisha, and require the names of God mentioned in the Keys of Solomon.

If the art created by Tap for Byleth is known to the summoner, then both Tap and Gaap will be compelled to obey the summoner.

## Knowledge

Tap and Gaap can teach his summoner the following:

* How to get people to fall in love with them
* How to cause people to hate them

## Other Abilities

He can quickly transport his summoner (and others) to other locations of their choice.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.651
Caacrinolaas

Caacrinolaas is a President of Hell, who commands thirty six legions. He serves as a mount to Nebiros.

## Appearance

When summoned, he looks like a dog with the wings of a griffon.

## Knowledge

Caacrinolaas can teach his summoner the following knowledge:

* Liberal arts
* Homicide
* The future
* How to turn invisible

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.125
Love

Love is something of which there are many superstitions.

## Superstitions

In 19th century France, it was believed that a man whose hair was naturally curled was generally loved.

In Roscoff, Brittany, women would sweep the dust from the Chapel of the Holy Union after mass and would blow it in the direction from which their husbands or fiancés were expected to return, a spell meant to reinforce their love for them.

In some places outside France, it was believed that people could make themselves loved by others by attaching certain words to necklaces, with crosses separating the words.

## Legends

People were said to occasionally sell their soul to the devil to marry the person they loved, with de Plancy mentioning one account of a servant who did so to marry the daughter of his master, becoming miserable afterwards.

There are legends about people falling in love with statues, such as Pygmalion, a man who fell in love with Praxiteles' *Aphrodite of Cnidus*, and an Athenian who killed himself at the feet of the statue of Nike when he found it inanimate. De Plancy shows his disgust towards these legends, calling them the results of demonic influence.

## Further Reading

* *Journey of Mr. Cambry in Finistere*
* *Infernal Legends*

## See Also

* Philtres
* Rhombus

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.28
18th Card (Book of Thoth Tarot)

## Upright Position - Libeller/Forger

In its upright position, this card has the following meanings:

* Foolish
* Hypocritical
* Fanatic
* Imposter
* Suborner
* Corruptor
* Betrayal
* Hypocrisy
* Fanaticism
* Disguise
* Dissimulation
* Ruse
* Deceit
* Imposture

## Reverse Position - Libeller

In its reverse position, this card has the following meanings:

* Hermit
* Anchorite
* Solitary
* Sleepwalker
* Hidden
* Concealed
* Disguise
* Politic
* End
* Ruse

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Etteilla, (1790). *Cours theorique et pratique de livre de Thot*. App
Flauros

Flauros is a Grand General of Hell, and directly commands twenty legions.

## Appearance

When summoned, he appears generally as a leopard.

Alternatively, he can appear in a human form, with an ugly face and fiery eyes.

## Knowledge

Flauros can teach his summoner the following:

* The past, present, and future

## Other Abilities

When summoned, Flauros is willing to raise all the forces of Hell against his summoner's enemies.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.278
Sol

Sol was a Roman sun god.

## Legends

According to Tacitus, beyond the land of the Suiones (modern day Sweden), one came to a sluggish sea at the edge of the world (the arctic ocean). It was believed this was the outer sea because once the sun set, light would linger until dawn, implying proximity to Sol. It was rumoured that the sound of his chariot could be heard as the sun set, and that the silhouettes of his horses heads could be seen in the sunset.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.45
Behemoth

Behemoth is a demon who much is debated about. What is known for certain is that he is the lord of gluttony. Bodin claims that he's the demonic spirit of the Pharaoh of Egypt from the *Book of Exodus*, and Wierus speculates that he could be a guise of Satan himself.

## History

According to Chapter XL of the *Book of Job*, Behemoth is an ox so huge that each day he eats the grass of a thousand mountains, and that God killed his mate towards the dawn of time to prevent them from having similar children. He is to be sacrificed for the feast of the Jewish messiah, where he will be the piece de resistance.

## Appearance

In the *Book of Job*, Behemoth is thought to be either the whale or the elephant, or one of the other monsters now extinct.

De Lancer says that Behemoth is often mistaken for a monstrous animal because he often takes the form of various animals, more often than not large ones, with particular mention of him taking the form of dogs, elephants, foxes, and wolves.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.86
Paymon

Paymon is one of the Kings of Hell. He is obeyed by two hundred legions of angels of the Order of Powers.

## Appearance

When summoned, Paymon is not necessarily visible. If he decides to become visible, he takes the form of a man with the face of a woman, riding a camel and wearing a jewel-encircled tiara.

## Summoning

As well as the general requirements for summoning, Paymon has the following additional requirements:

* A sacrifice or libation must be offered as part of the summoning.

When summoned, be brings Bebal and Abalam with him.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.521
Baal

Baal, also known as Ba'al, is the name given to many ancient Semitic gods, who were eventually merged into the single god Baal. The word itself means "master, owner", or more simply "lord". Female deities with this name were known as Baalat, and the gods that were merged into Baal are collectively known as the Baalim.

As a word, Baal still survives as an element in a number of Yiddish words.

De Plancy theorises that Baal and Bael are one and the same, which, by extension, means he and Belzebub are likely the same. He also says that Baalberith was one of the many gods known as "Baal", and lists a few more examples.

The Baaltein ceremony, also known as Bellain, was a ritual dedicated to Baal in the hopes that the farmers' flocks would be protected from birds of prey.

## Myths

The baalim were originally fertility deities, either associated with the land, or with domesticated animals. Each baalim had an associated sacred place where they were said to dwell, and there is no evidence of baalim who were not associated with physical places. It is thought that they were originally deified locations that were important to desert agriculture, such as springs and oases.

Worship of Melkart, the Baal of Tyre, spread to Palestine and reached prominence under Princess Jezebel and her husband Ahab, leading to conflict with Hebrew prophets due to the religion being considered a rival to the worship of Yahweh, as well as its practice of human sacrifice.

According to de Plancy, Baal is a grand duke of Hell with an extensive domain, with some saying they are the chief general of Hell's armies. In parts of the middle east, they were worshipped as a Sun god. According to Arnobius, Baal did not have a set gender , which fits with the idea of the baalim including goddesses known as Baalat. Baal not having a set gender implies that, in modern terms, they can be considered genderfluid.

## Known Baalim

* Adad - Associated with storms, Baal of Mt. Lebanon.
* Baalberith - Associated with oaths
* Baalgad - Associated with wealth
* Baalpharas - Associated with evil
* Baalsemen - Associated with rulership
* Baalzephro - Associated with border protection
* Baël - Associated with rulership
* Belphegor - Associated with invention
* Belzebub/Melkhart - Associated with flies and pestilence
* Melkart - Hero-God

## See Also

* Assyrian Mythology
* Astarte
* Babylonian Mythology
* Bel
* Canaanite Mythology
* Israelite Mythology

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Unknown. (1972). "Baal or ba'al (feminine *baalat*; plural *baalim*)", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. p.100
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.71
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.89
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.69
5. ↑ Unknown. (1972). "Adad or Hadad", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. p.8
Baaltein

Baaltein, also known as Bellane, was a ceremony that took place on May 1st, according to Pennant, in honour of Baal or Bel.

## Procedure

A cake is ceremonially baked, it is then cut into small pieces, which are scattered for birds of prey to eat. The outcome of the ritual is meant to cause the birds to spare the farmers' flocks.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.69
Lechies

Lechies are a type of demonic satyr from Russia. Their voices are horrible, but they can mimic those they hear, using this ability to separate groups and get individuals to go alone to their cave-lairs, after which they tickle them to death.

## Appearance

Lechies have a human body from the waist up, and the hindquarters and legs of a goat. They also have the horns, ears, and bears of a goat.

## Other Abilities

Lechies have the ability to alter their height, being the same height as the grass when they walk in a field, and growing to the height of the trees when in the forest.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.402
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.403
Ronwe

## Ronwe

### Occupation

Marquis of Hell
Count of Hell

## Appearances

### Appears in

Dictionnaire Infernal

Ronwe is a Marquis and Count of Hell. He commands nineteen cohorts.

## Appearance

When summoned, he takes the form of a monster.

## Knowledge

If his summoner swears allegiance to him, he can grant the following knowledge:

* Languages
* Improved well-being

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.584
Germanic Horse Divination

This method of predicting the future was, according to Tacitus, the most trusted method of predicting the future by the Germans. The principle behind it is that, while humans are the servants of the gods, horses are their confidants.

Second to this method was a method of predicting the future from the flights and sounds of birds.

## Method

The horses required for this ritual should be pure white, kept in sacred groves, and shouldn't have horseshoes, saddles, or any other equipment made by humans. This ritual is performed by a priest, king, or chief.

* The horses are to be yoked to a sacred chariot.
* The performer of the ritual rides in the chariot as the horses drive it.
* The performer of the ritual notes down the neighings and snortings of the horses.
* These are then interpreted.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.10
Furfur

Furfur is a Count of Hell who is known to only say lies unless bound in a magical triangle and forced to speak the truth. He commands twenty six legions.

## Appearance

When summoned, he appears in the form of a deer with a flaming tail.

Alternatively, he takes the form of a hoarse-voiced angel, and it is in this guise he helps married couples.

## Knowledge

He can teach his summoner the following things:

* How to maintain a marriage
* Abstract knowledge

## Other Abilities

He can control storms and lightning, and his summoner can compel him to use this ability in places of their choice.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.290
The Emerald Tablet

This text claims to have been written by Hermes Trismegistus, and was supposedly carved into a tablet of emerald (though the word also applies to green granite, green jasper, and green glass), and was apparently found in his tomb being held by his corpse. It serves as the foundation for the western alchemical tradition.

## Earliest Known Version (Translation)

> A truth without a doubt is true.
>
>
> The higher is from the lower as the lower is from the higher,
>
>
> The work of wonders is from One, just as all things are from One by the plan of One.
>
>
> His father is the sun, his mother is the moon.
>
>
> The wind carried him in its belly, and the earth nourished him,
>
>
> The father of spells, the guardian of wonders, complete in power,
>
>
> Fire became earth; separate the earth from the fire.
>
>
> The gentle is more honourable than the harsh,
>
>
> With gentleness and wisdom, it ascends from the earth to the heavens, and descends to the earth from the heavens
>
>
> And in it is the light of lights, and therefore darkness flees from it,
>
>
> The power of powers,
>
>
> The gentle overcomes everything; it enters into that which is rigid.
>
>
> On the formation of the greater world, the work was formed,
>
>
>
> For this is my glory, and therefore I am named Hermes Trismegistus, possessing the three parts of the wisdom of the whole world.
>
>
Belzebub

Belzebub is the Supreme Leader of Hell, second only to Satan in power. He is a god worshipped by the Canaanites, and is identified with a number of other deities, from Roman Pluto, to Slavic Belbog/Belbach. He is likely to be the same being as Baël.

## History

As a god of the Canaanites, he produced a number of oracles, one of which was consulted by King Ochozias about a sickness, who was later reprimanded by the prophet Elisha for this.

## Appearance

As a god, Belzebub was represented as a fly with attributes of royal power.

As a demon, his appearance is different for each individual. Some known appearances are as follows:

* Milton says he has an imposing form and a look of great wisdom on his face
* He is said to be as tall as a tower
* He is said to be the same size as a human
* He is said to be a snake-woman hybrid
* Palingene, in *Zodiaco Vitae*, says he's a black-skinned giant, seated on a likewise giant throne surrounded by a ring of fire, with a swollen chest, puffy face, bright eyes, raised eyebrows, a menacing air, extremely wide nostrils, two large horns, two large bat wings, the feet of a duck, the tail of a lion, and hair that reaches his feet.

## Knowledge

Through his oracles, Belzebub was able to grant the following knowledge:

* The past, present, and future

## Other Abilities

Belzebub has the power to control flies to prevent them from causing poor harvests.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.89
Anguekkok

Anguekkoks are a type of sorcerer from Greenland.

## Role

When there were not enough seals, the Greenlanders would go to an anguekkok to find the woman who is said to have dragged the island of Disco from the River Baal to its present location. She is said to live under the sea in a large home guarded by seals. She has fish-oil lamps where sea birds swim, and the creatures of the depths gather around her because of the light her headdress emits. The anguekkok has to dive to her home and remove her headdress, stopping the light and allowing the animals to leave.

Anguekkoks also serve as doctors, healing both the body and the spirit.

## Further Reading

* *Expedition of Captain Graah in Greenland*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). Dictionnaire Infernal. 6ed. pg.36
Vampires in Ancient Babylon and Assyria

There are numerous vampiric monsters mentioned in the mythologies of Babylon and Assyria. Montague Summers has suggested that vampires may have had a major role in Mesopotamian mythology.

## Seven Evil Spirits

The seven evil spirits are considered the closest equivalent to the traditional European vampire in Mesopotamia. They are described in the following poem:

> Seven they are! Seven are they!
>
>
> Spirits that minish the heaven and earth,
>
>
> That minish the land. Spirits that minish the land,
>
>
> Of giant strength, Of giant strength and giant tread,
>
>
> Demons (like raging bulls, great ghosts),
>
>
> Ghosts that break through all houses,
>
>
> Demons that have no shame, Seven are they!
>
>
> Knowing no care, they grind the land like corn;
>
>
> Knowing no mercy they rage against mankind,
>
>
> They spill their blood like rain,
>
>
> Devouring their flesh (and) sucking their veins.
>
>
>
> They are demons full of violence, ceaselessly devouring blood.
>
>

## Ekimmu

An *ekimmu* was a spirit of a person who was left unburied.

Kur, the Mesopotamian underworld, is portrayed as a dark, miserable place where a spirit's quality of life depended on them getting a proper burial with their corpse being treated well. This is elaborated on in the *Gilgamesh and the Netherworld*, where the degrees of comfort for the dead are explained. At the end is a passage describing how a person who dies unburied in the desert does not have their spirit rest in the earth (i.e. the underworld), and have to maintain their existence using leftovers. Summers understands the passage as meaning that the sprits, the *ekimmu*, linger on the earth, and then links them to earlier passages about exorcising ghosts. More recent scholarship though has instead suggested that the passage instead means that, though in the underworld, they cannot rest there, but roam around. Being spirits of Kur, they are corporeal, and not merely insubstantial ghosts. A more recent version of the passage than what Summers used, thanks to modern scholarship, is as follows (translation by David Ferry):

> And he whose corpse was thrown away unburied? He wanders without rest through the world down there.
>
>
> The One who goes to the Netherworld without leaving behind anyone to mourn for him?
>
>
>
> Garbage is what he eats in the Netherworld. No dog would eat the food he has to eat.
>
>

The *ekkimu*, who Summers used as the main evidence for his theory on the prominence of vampires, being underworld vampires means that they were probably not as prominent in Mesopotamian mythology owing to them being clearly separated from the ghosts Summers was confusing them with.

## Further Reading

* *Gilgamesh: A New Rendering in English Verse*, Ferry, D.
* *Myths and Legends of Babylonia and Assyria*, Spence, L.
* *The Vampire: His Kith and Kin*, Summers, M.
* *The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia,* Thompson, E.
* *Semitic Magic: Its Origin and Development*, Thompson, E.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Melton, J. G. (1999). *The Vampire Book*. 2 ed. p.27-28
Malphas

Malphas is a President of Hell, and is in command of forty legions.

## Appearance

When summoned, he most often takes the form of a raven.

When he chooses to appear in human form, he has a hoarse voice.

## Other Abilities

Malphas is skilled at building citadels and towers, as well as overcoming those of his summoner's enemies.

He is skilled at finding good workers.

He is able to provide his summoner with a familiar.

He is notably skilled at deceiving priests and making them direct their worship to him without them knowing.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.439
Delphis of Myndus

Delphis of Myndus was the unfaithful lover of Simaetha in Theocritus' *The Sorceress*.

## Biography

On her way to see her friend take part in a parade to Artemis' grove, Simaetha came across Delphis and his friend Eudamippus on their way back from Timagetus' Wrestling School. She went home and was unwell for a time before eventually sending her slave, Thestylis, to Timagetus' Wrestling School to invite him to her home.

Delphis, having just won against Philinus in a sprint (or so he claims), went to Simaetha's home, claimed (in a way portrayed as false) that he was planning on coming to see her that night with some of his friends to have a party with her. He then confessed his love, thanking both Aphrodite and Simaetha herself. He then had sex with Simaetha.

In the period following this, he would visit her three or four times a day, leaving his Dorian oil flask at her home. He then went ten days without visiting Simaetha, instead having fallen in love with someone else. He started requesting unmixed wine to drink, something that symbolised the solemness of his love, and covering his lover's home with garlands to symbolise his love.

The next night, Simaetha, with the help of Thestylis, performed a Love Binding to both punish Delphis and to make him fall in love with Simaetha again. If that failed, she was going to poison him the next day.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Theocritus. *The Sorceress*
K'daai Maqsin

K'daai Maqsin is the leading blacksmith in the Yakut religion, residing in their underworld.

## Legend

In Yakut religion, all mortal blacksmiths gain their smithing power from K'daai Maqsin. He also introduced shamanistic magic into the world.

To make his iron supernaturally hard, he tempers it in the blood of a lion, tears of a seal, blood from the lips of a young man, and blood from the cheeks of a young girl.

## Appearance

K'daai Maqsin seems to be both made of iron and a giant. His forehead is covered in nine-fingers-thick dirt, his cheeks with three-fingers-thick rust, and his eyes are normally closed due to the stiffness of his iron eyelids. When he wants to open them, sixteen men with hooks are needed to open a single eye, eight pulling on the upper eyelid, and eight on the lower one.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Unknown. (1972). "K'daii Maqsin", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. p.573
Barbatos

Barbatos is a Duke of Hell who commands thirty legions. He was once an angel of the order of Dominions.

## Appearance

When summoned, he appears as a hunter or archer. Four kings appear with him and sound horns before him. These kings likely aren't demonic nobility, as they would then be serving a lower ranking noble, so are likely spirits of kings (who may have been transfigured into other forms, such as demons) who sold their souls to Barbatos and now serve him.

## Summoning

As part of the summoning ritual for Barbatos, the following condition must be met:

* Ritual must be performed in the woods.

## Knowledge

Barbatos can teach his summoner the following knowledge:

* Divination from the sounds of animals
* Locations of treasures hidden by magicians
* How to reconcile with a friend who the summoner isn't sure if they're still friends with
* The past & future

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.79
Astaroth

Astaroth is a powerful Duke of Hell. He is said to rule over the west. He was worshipped by the Sidonians and Philistines. He is notably loose-lipped when it comes to secrets, and is happy to tell them to his summoner. He claims that his fall was an unjust punishment. He commands forty legions.

## History

He has been involved in many possessions over the years.

According to the English tradition, he was one of the seven Princes of Hell to visit Faust.

## Appearance

Astaroth looks like a very ugly angel. When summoned, he rides a demonic dragon and holds a viper in his left hand. He also has a terribly smell that is the first challenge to making a deal with him. This stench can be overcome using a magical silver ring.

According to the English tradition, he appeared before Faust in the form of a snake with a colour-changing tail, two short, yellow feet, a yellowish white belly, reddish brown neck, and hedgehog-like spines the length of a finger.

## Summoning

As part of the summoning ritual for Astaroth, the following special requirement must be met:

* It must be a Wednesday

## Knowledge

Astaroth can teach his summoner the following knowledge:

* How to become friends with powerful individuals
* The past & future
* Secret things, including the creation, the character of individual angels, and the fall from heaven.
* Liberal arts (implied to be to a greater degree than other notable demons)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.56
Magpie

Magpies are a type of bird. In folklore they are generally considered in the same vein as ravens, blue jays, eagles, falcons, owls, roadrunners, turkeys, crows, grouses, and chickadees.

## Beliefs

Magpies are clan animals amongst the Hopi and other Native American tribes in the southwest of the United States. Even as a clan animal, the link between these humans and magpies is slight at best.

The magpie was said to have been adopted into the Hopi tribe in their early history when they were still wandering and happened to come across him.

Magpies appear in a number of myths of Pueblo tribes. In the beliefs of the Keres tribe, Spider Man sends the Magpie to cover the rising sun with a wing to make the sun shine on one of two sisters who are engaged in a contest, preventing it from shining on the other sister first. The Taos tribe has Magpie-Tail Boy as a mythical figure who does many miraculous deeds. The Tewa tribe has a magpie help people cross a river by having its tail serve as a bridge. Amongst the Pueblo peoples in general, the East direction is associated with magpies, grey wolves, and the colour white.

According to some tribes from British Columbia and non-coastal parts of the northwest of the United States, Magpies could act like humans during the mythical age, but have since lost this ability.

While magpie myths are generally rare amongst other Native American peoples, many use magpie feathers in ceremonial outfits, with the Yokuts people of south-central California using magpie feathers to make tall dance headdresses, along with crow feathers at the base.

In Brittany and other parts of Europe, magpies are considered birds of bad omens. If a Basvanal (tailor who acts as a matchmaker) saw a magpie while on route to make a proposal, they would immediately return home and give up on the proposal at that time. It was also believed that a number of older witches had their demonic familiars take the form of magpies, which were considered the symbol of chatter. There was a belief, propagated by a Mr. Berbiguier, that magpies were a type of imp or sprite.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Vogelin, E. W. (1972). "Magpie", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. pp.664
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.539
3. ↑ Spence, L. (1920). *An Encyclopædia of Occultism*. 2 ed. pg. 264
Cesar Aevoli

Cesar Aevoli was an author who either wrote or compiled the *Opuscules on the Divine Attributes and the Power Given to Demons to Know Secret Things and to Tempt Man*. He published his work in Venice in the late 16th century.

## Works

* *Opuscules on the Divine Attributes and the Power Given to Demons to Know Secret Things and to Tempt Man*. Published 1589

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.9
Germanic Marriage

According to Tacitus, the ancient Germans only married a single man or woman. The husband paid the dowry to the wife's family, which they had to approve. These gifts would be oxen, horses with reins, shields, spears, and swords. The wife would then provide some weapons as a gift from her family to her husband. The exchange of weapons was meant to signify that, even in marriage, they are never free from the threat of war, and the husband should make sure he is prepared for it at all times, while the wife is to share her husband's toils, dangers, sufferings, and adventures as his constant companion. These weapons given by her husband are expected to be given to her sons to pay as dowries for their future brides. Once the exchange of arms is completed, a holy ceremony involving the invocation of marriage deities is performed.

## References

1. ↑ Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.18
Soul of the World

The Soul of the World is a force that exists in all things. It is by manipulating it that humans can perform magic.

## Nature

The Soul of the World is defined by Cornelius Agrippa as "The ever-changing force, from the bosom of which so many wonders flow and rush upon us".

De Plancy states that the Soul of the World is in everything, both natural and artificial, and that it infuses them with celestial properties. He says that, through science, we can use these properties to our benefit for a wide variety of purposes.

According to Chevalier Gougenot des Mousseaux, it is by manipulating the Soul of the World that people can create magical objects and perform spells.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.27
Volac

Volac is a President of Hell. He commands thirty legions.

## Appearance

When summoned, he appears as a child with angel wings, riding a two-headed dragon.

## Knowledge

Volac can teach his summoner the following:

* The positions of the planets
* The hiding places of dragons

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.696
Chi Lung Wang

Chi Lung Wang is a Dragon King invoked in China to aid in the use of hand-pumps and fire-fighting mechanisms.

It is thought that the invocation of him is a carry-over from historical worship of Lung Wang, the benevolent Dragon King who supplied the Earth with water and rain.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Unknown. (1972). "Chi Lung Wang", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. pp.219
Germanic Ritual Combat

According to Tacitus, ritual combat was used by the ancient Germans to predict the outcomes of their wars.

## Method

To perform this ritual, you require a captive of the enemy nation, equipped in their standard equipment, and you must have a willing champion of your own nation, equipped in your standard equipment.

1. The champion and the captive are taken to a place they cannot escape from.
2. They are told to fight to the death.
3. The victory and defeat of this fight are used as a "test case" for the war as a whole.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tacitus, P. C., (98). *Germania*. Ch.10
Johann Valentin Andreae

Johann Valentin Andreae was a Lutherian Wurttemberger author active in the early 17th century. He is often associated with the Rosicrucians and, by extension, Freemasonry.

## Rosicrucianism

According to de Plancy, the general lack of information on him and his works advocating the presence of secret societies has led to him being considered the founder of the Order of the Rosy Cross, and if not the founder then at least a person who caused a major reorganisation of the Order.

## Legends

De Plancy claims that he was revered amongst Freemasons.

He is said to have gone on marvellous journeys, led a mysterious existence, and performed acts of conjuring similar to those of Cagliostro.

## Works

* *Christianopolis Republic*
* *Tower of Babel*
* *Chaos of Judgement*
* *Idea of a Christian Society*
* *General Reformation of the World*
* *The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.32
Eagle

Eagles were considered a bird of omen in ancient Mediterranean cultures: an example of this is Valerius Maximus' report that King Deiotarus used the movements of birds to determine all his actions, and that the movement of an eagle caused him to refuse to stay in a house that had been prepared to him, which collapsed the next night.

## Legends

Historically, scholars thought that eagles had magical powers. One such claim, in *Les Admirables Secrets d'Albert le Grand*, is that the dried brain of an eagle, if powdered and mixed with hemlock juice and eaten in a stew, causes those who have eaten it to tear out their hair and scratch at themselves until they have completely digested it. This was supposedly due to the heat of the eagle's brain, which causes hallucinations by blocking airflow and filling the head with smoke.

## Alchemy

In the alchemical tradition, a number of compounds are known by a name including eagle:

* Celestial Eagle is essence of mercury, said to be able to cure anything.
* Eagle of Venus is a compound of verdigris and ammonium chloride, which form a saffron-like substance.
* Black Eagle is a compound of Cadmium which some consider to be the same as philosopher's mercury.

## Further Reading

* *Les Admirables Secrets d'Albert le Grand*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.11
Cerberus

Cerberus, formerly the guard dog of Hades, is a Marquis of Hell, and commands nineteen legions. He is known for his eloquence and kindness.

## History

De Plancy traces the origin of Cerberus to to mastiffs who would be stationed near Ancient Egyptian tombs to guard them.

Hesiod describes Cerberus as possessing fifty heads, though generally only three are recognised.

He is said to have made a deal with Marie Martin Picard in 1586.

## Appearance

Cerberus normally appears as a three-headed dog with black, sharp teeth that immediately kill whatever they bite into.

Sometimes when he is summoned, he appears as a raven with a hoarse voice.

## Knowledge

Cerberus can teach his summoner the following:

* Fine arts

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.149
Simaetha

Simaetha is the eponymous sorceress of Theocritus' *The Sorceress*.

## Biography

Simaetha's friend Anaxo, the daughter of Eubulus, was serving as the basket-bearer in a parade to Artemis' grove, accompanied by wild beasts. At the urging of her neighbour, the Thracian nurse of Theumaridas, Simaetha went to watch the parade while wearing a shawl lent to her by Clearista. On her way, near the home of Lycon, she came across Delphis and Eudamippus on their way back from the wrestling school. She immediately fell in love with him and went straight home.

She spent a week bedbound, feverish, eating little, while her skin yellowed and her hair started falling out. She then started visiting the homes of witches looking for a cure, before she accepted that she was suffering from love-sickness and had her slave, Thestylis, invite Delphis to her home.

When she saw him, she was unable to speak. He claimed that he had been planning on visiting her that night with some of his friends to party with her, bringing apples and wearing a poplar wreath, and that nothing would have stopped him from getting to her. He then confessed his love for her. She believed him and immediately had sex with him.

Sometime later, ten days since she had last seen him, the mother of Melixo and Philista (Simaetha's flute player) told her that Delphis was in love with someone, and that he was constantly getting unmixed wine and toasting to love, and rushing out to cover his lover's house with garlands.

The next evening, Simaetha, with the aid of Thestylis, performed a Love Binding on Delphis to both punish him and make him faithfully love her, before recounting her story to the Moon in the hopes that Selene would help with the magic. She was not confident in the magic's effectiveness though, and had acquired some Assyrian poisons and was intending to make her own poison the next morning, to kill Delphis with if her magic did not work.

## Powers and Abilities

Simaetha knew how to perform a Love Binding, though she was not confident in its effectiveness. She was more confident in her ability to kill her target with poison than to use magic to make him fall in love with her.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Theocritus. *The Sorceress*
Bel

Bel, meaning "lord" or "master" is the Babylonian version of Baal.

The word was, like Baal, originally applied to gods of particular places, but over time it became a title of important gods, and finally became a name of the principle god of the pantheon (Anlil, Marduk, or Ashur). The biblical Bel refers to Marduk, and it is a safe assumption that, when Bel is mentioned and the identity of the god isn't specified, Marduk is the one they are referring to. The title signifies power over the Earth, and the god who had the name was part of a triad including Anu and Ea, representing the gods of the Earth, Sky, and Water. Bel is given as the name of the god who caused the great flood.

As Bel is a title for the head of the pantheon, his consort was similarly known as Belit, or "the Lady".

The Bellane ritual, also known as Baaltein, was a ritual performed in some places on May 1st in an attempt to protect farmers' flocks from birds of prey.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Unknown. (1972). "Bel", in Leach, M. (ed) *Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend*. 3rd ed. p.132
2. ↑ de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.69
The Devil's Almanac

The Devil's Almanac was an almanac for the years 1737-1738 that claimed to have been published "from Hell".

## History

The Devil's Almanac was written by Quesnel, a Jesuit hardware merchant from Dijon, as a jest against the Jansenists.

It was suppressed because of some of its particularly daring predictions, resulting in it being considered a very rare book within a century of its publication. For the most part, the book was not serious in its content and was mostly a joke.

The Jansenists responded by publishing a much more serious book containing anti-Jesuit propaganda. This book was called *God's Almanac*, was dedicated to a Mr. Carre de Montegron, and claimed to have been published "in Heaven".

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.21
Hermes Trismegistus

Hermes Trismegistus originated as a Hellenistic syncretisation of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth.

## History

In the rabbinic tradition, Hermes Trismegistus found Abel's book *Liber de virtutibus planetarum et de omnibus rerum mundanarum virtulibus* in a rock after the great flood, and from that volume learned the art of making talismans under the influence of constellations.

He supposedly died some time after writing the Emerald Tablet, as that was supposedly discovered in the hands of his entombed corpse, the earliest known translation of which dates to the early 9th century CE.

Etteilla gives Hermes Trismegistus as the originator of the Book of Thoth, and states he serves as a guarantor for its effectiveness.

## Works

* The Book of Thoth
* The Emerald Tablet

## References

1. ↑ de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.2
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Etteilla, (1790). *Cours theorique et pratique de livre de Thot*. Ch.1
Madeleine Amalarie

Madeleine Amalarie was a witch active in the 16th Century.

## Biography

According to de Plancy, Madeleine attended the Sabbath.

She was accused of eleven counts of homicide and found guilty at the Royal Court of Montmorillon in 1599. Se was sentenced to death and executed.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.24
Angel (Disambiguation)

Disambiguation page for Angel (Disambiguation)The following is a list of links to pages that might share the same title.Please follow one of the disambiguation links below or search to find the page you were looking for if it is not listed. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.
* Angels - heavenly messengers of the Abrahamic God
* Angel (Buffy) - a vampire from *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*
Jeannette d'Abadie

Jeannette d'Abadit was a girl from the village of Siboure/Siboro in Gascony.

## History

The *Tableau de l'inconstance des démons* recounts that she was sleeping during the holy mass on Sunday 13th September 1609, when a demon removed a protective necklace from her, kidnapped her, and took her to the Sabbath. She claims that the one who presided over the Sabbath was a Janus-like figure with two faces on his head, and that toads were dressed as royalty and honoured by the witches. Once the Sabbath was over, the demon who kidnapped her returned her to her home. She recounted this to a priest and by confessing them and trying to repent, was spared being burned at the stake.

She later returned to the Sabbath and did whatever Satan or his representatives told her to do, telling herself that she was not responsible for her evil actions because she was forced to do them.

## See Also

* Sabbath
* Balgoin
* Werewolves

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 de Plancy, J. C., (1863). *Dictionnaire Infernal*. 6ed. pg.1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Spence, L. (1920). *An Encyclopædia of Occultism*. 2 ed. pg. 1