Dagan

Siblings: The Archangels

**Dagan** was a fallen archangel and a high-ranking Prince of Hell, who was worshipped as god of agriculture and fish among the Philistines and some Mesopotamians.

## Overview

Dagan was originally perceived as the god of the Philistines. Although there was a deep affection from Dagan's worshipers to their deity, the symbol of a fish in human form was really meant to represent fertility and the vivifying powers of nature and reproduction.

In later times, Dagan become apart of the Abrahamic pantheon, where he is portrayed as a high ranking demon in the depths of Hell as well as being the chief of the Inferno. His realm was the Major Sector of Hell known as the Shadow Sea.

## Appearance

He was represented as a man with the lower body of a fish.

As a demon, Dagan's form was a mixture of both octopus and fish. Dagan sprouted countless tentacles and was covered in black, rubbery skin that was punctuated with many red, unblinking eyes. Fish scales shielded his flesh, and row upon row of long fangs jutted from his maw. He stood more than 40 feet (12 meters) tall.

## History

### Background

Dagan was originally an angel that presided in Heaven until he joined Lucifer's side during the War in Heaven, and was cast down to Hell alongside all other rebel-angels. He was present at Pandemonium during Lucifer's rally, officially declaring himself as an enemy of God forever.

### Falling to Madness

At some point in time, Dagan, going against Lucifer's orders, traversed across the thresholds of the Abyss in order to attain greater knowledge and power. However, as a consequence to his actions, he was corrupted by the presence of the Nameless Things that inhabited the Abyss and nearly consumed him by dragging him into the depths until he was liberated by Artorias.

The damage was done as the effects of the Abyss had a profound impact on his mentality and became a ravenous and mindless monster that devoured everything in his path, driven insane likely due to the insurmountable imagery that resides within the Abyss. After three Balrogs were sent to subdue and incapacitate him, Beelzebub had Mulciber merge his body with the essence of the forgotten pagan god, Dagan, which created a balanced unification between the spirit of a dormant deity and the body of a devil.

### Imprisonment

Dagan had worked with Astaroth and Mammon, overseeing the cambion named Hellboy, who holds Right Hand of Doom, the key to the Outerverse where the Ogdru Jahad reside and hoping to use them against God. But in the end he was discovered by Mundus' forces with the Dark Emperor sending the Erinyes to destroy their secluded meeting grounds and punish them with Dagan being tossed into the Cocytus river.

After the Apocalypse, however, the rippling effects left behind from Lucifer's machinations would weaken the barriers that prevented powerful and dangerous beings from stepping through the mortal plane allowed Dagan to escape Cocytus and was joined by Belial himself. Though still unhinged from the Abyss's influence Dagan still retained enough intelligence to accompany Belial in his quest to annihilate Mundus.

## Powers and Abilities

**Nether Magic:** Dagan is able to perform a form of magic that allows them to utilize nether, the infernal element, either magically manipulating it or using it to cast spells.

**Nether Physiology:** Dagan is made up of or can transform their body completely into nether, the essence that flows through the realms of the living and the dead.

## Myths and Legends

The name "Dagan" is derived from "dag" which means "fish."

Dagon was a major northwest Semitic god, reportedly of grain and agriculture. He was worshiped by the early Amorites and by the inhabitants of the cities of Ebla and Ugarit. He was also a major member, or perhaps head, of the pantheon of the Biblical Philistines. The Hebrew Bible, in an attempt to vilify the opposing religion, narrates that his temple was destroyed by a human sacrifice for him, Samson.