Demons

The term “demon” is an evocative one that summons up images of realms filled with fire and brimstone, populated by twisted, serpentine entities that long to corrupt the souls of humans, leading them to _ ruin and death and then consuming them. While this image is somewhat dramatic and overly simplified, there’s a kernel of truth in it. Demon-kind originated in a distant realm very similar to the one chat most uneducated people imagine, but they have evolved just as humanity has evolved and thus are very different creatures today.

Most of the creatures humanity classifies as demons are, in essence, extra-dimensional spiritual parasites. Their home realm borders closely on the prime dimension, and contact between people and demons first took place very early in history. While demons are easily as varied as humans, there are certain innate qualities that all posses that can be used to gain a better understanding of their enigmatic race.

First and foremost, demons appear to be immortal. Occult lore indicates that demons contacted centuries ago can still be reached in their home realm by conducting the proper rituals. Some paranormal experts have theorized that the laws of physics are radically different in the demons’ home realm and that the passage of time simply does not exist.

In addition to immortality, demons are immune to poison and disease, as well as many sources of physical injury. If somehow killed while in another realm, demons reform in their home realm, weakened but alive. The only apparent means of destroying a demon is to kill it in its home realm, a task that might well be impossible.

Demons also possess at least some degree of mystical power. Again, this appears to be a manifestation of the radically different laws of physics that govern their dimension. In the case of some lesser imps, these powers are limited to minor prestidigitation, whereas the so-called demon lords possess powers far in excess of any human mystic. The varying degrees of power suggest chat demons are either classified by species or possibly a caste system, though neither of these can be confirmed.

Finally, demons appear to be at least partially parasitic. While they do not require it to survive, they can feed on the life essence, or soul, of intelligent beings. They are patient creatures, willing to impart portions of their power to humans in exchange for harvesting their souls upon death. While the creatures will gleefully manipulate events to hasten the death of one with whom they have made a bargain, they can neither violate the terms of their agreement, nor harvest the souls of humans who do not willingly surrender them. This parasitic feeding appears to increase a demon’s power, and it may be possible for lower demons to ascend to demon lord status by feasting on a sufficient number of souls. It’s theorized that demons are capable of feeding upon one another, but this has not been proven and would seem to imply chat very few would still exist.

Quantifying the many different types of demons encountered to date would be an exhaustive task. Instead, they have been grouped into broad categories based on approximate power level and average abilities.

Imp

Imps are minor demons, with few physical or mystical powers to their name. Ironically, they seem to have a much easier time crossing the barriers that separate their home realm from the mortal world. Some occultists believe that this is a result of a natural filter that prevents large amounts of infernal power from leaking into other worlds. Imps, then, have so little power that the filter does not affect them.

In any event, imps tend tD be physically small, no more than a meter in height when standing. They almost always have wings, and they flit about like malicious hummingbirds. The rest of their physical form varies wildly, but they tend to have minor magical abilities that are limited to causing devices to malfunction, bringing bad fortune to intelligent beings, and concealing themselves from detection by the senses or machines. s~ I~

These demons are significantly more powerful and sinister than the annoying yet dangerous imps. The gender of a Succubus or incubus appears to be mutable, as they can rake either form as they wish. These creatures cannot access the mortal realm without direct assistance from some mortal source, whether intentional or accidental. Dark rituals, dimensional science accidents, and even attempting to translate ancient texts have allowed these creatures access to the world in the past, and pain and suffering inevitably follow.

Succubi and incubi appear as extremely attractive humans, usually the opposite gender of their intended target. They win their prizes through manipulation, temptation, and seduction. While they draw power from chose who forfeit their souls just as other demons do, these insidious creatures also relish in the effects of causing others to sin against their personal belief system. It’s as if these beasts feed on corruption and immorality, making them a threat not only to individuals, but to society as a whole as well.

Demon Lords

The term “demon lords” is used to refer collectively to an assortment of demons that have achieved power unlike anything that can be comprehended by mortal minds.

These beings are incredibly potent, so much so that they cannot manifest outside their home realm without assistance from outside parties, and even then only for very short periods of time. Other realms seem to abhor these creatures and attempt to force chem out or destroy chem, much as a germ is overrun with antibodies upon entering a human’s system. Demon lords can bestow incredible powers and abilities to those with whom they enter into compacts, but the risk for such an agreement is considerable.

Demon lords are deceitful, manipulative, and intelligent beyond measure, and they will take any means necessary to betray those they interact with while still abiding by the terms of their mutual agreement.

There’s no way to accurately sum up the appearance of demon lords save to use the term hideous. They are monstrous, twisted things made from the stuff of nightmares, and more than one hopeful adherent has been driven mad at the sight of their dark lord’s manifestation in the physical realm.

Their mystical powers are easy to describe in brief, however: vase. There’s little that a demon lord wishes that it cannot accomplish with the incredible array of infernal powers at its disposal.

Typical Imp

Reflexes 3D: brawling 3D+1, dodge 5D, flying 5D+1, sneak 6D

Coordination 2D: sleight of hand 4D

Physique 3D: running 3D+1

Knowledge 2D: languages 5D+2

Perception 3D: hide 4D+2, search 5D

Presence 2D: con 4D, intimidation 3D+2

Magic 3D: alteration 3D+2, conjuration 3D+2

Strength Damage: 2D

Move: 10

Fate Points: 0

Character Points: 2

Body Points: 19

Wound levels: 3

Disadvantages: Devotion (R2), to causing mischief; Infamy (R1), demonic nature; Quirk (R1), giggle incessantly

Advantages: Size: Small (R1), scale value 3

Special Abilities: Flight (R2), flying Move 4D; Immortality (R1), may not be destroyed, only banished to their home realm; Invisibility (R4), +4 to all dodge, sneak, and hide rolls and +4 to relevant difficulties while invisible

Typical Succubus/Incubus

Reflexes 3D: brawling 4D, dodge 5D+2, melee combat SD

Coordination 2D: sleight of hand 4D

Physique 3D+2: stamina SD

Knowledge2D: forgery3D+2, languages 5D+1

Perception 3D: hide 4D, streetwise 6D

Presence 4D+1: charm 7D, con 6D+1, disguise 6D, persuasion 6D+2

Magic 4D: alteration 5D+2, conjuration 5D, divination 6D

Strength Damage: 2D

Move: 10

Fate Points: 0

Character Points: 3

Body Points: 21

Wound levels: 3

Disadvantages: Devotion (R2), to sex; Infamy (R1), demonic nature; Quirk (R3), irrepressible lecher

Advantages: none

Special Abilities: Immortality (R1), may not be destroyed, only banished to their home realm

Equipment: exquisite clothing and accessories

Typical Demon Lord

Reflexes 3D (+4): brawling 6D, melee combat 5D

Coordination 3D (+4)

Physique 3D (+8): lifting 5D, stamina 5D

Knowledge 3D (+4): business 5D, languages 7D, scholar 7D+2

Perception 3D (+4): gambling 4D+1, investigation 4D, streetwise 5D, cracking 4D+1

Presence 3D (+4): command 5D, con 4D+2, intimidation 5D +2, willpower 6D

Magic6D: alteration 7D, apportation 7D, conjuration 7D+2, divination 8D

Strength Damage: 3D (+8)

Move: 10

Fate Points: 5

Character Points: 15

Body Points: 19

Wound levels: 3

Disadvantages: Achilles’ Heel (R4), incapable of leaving home realm without assistance from an outside source; Infamy (R3), demonic nature; Quirk (R2), have difficulty telling the truth

Advantages:Authority (R4), over lesser demons

Special Abilities: Immortality (R1), may not be destroyed, only banished to their home realm; Increased Attribute: Reflexes, Coordination, Knowledge, Perception, Presence (R4 each), +4 to related totals; Increased Attribute: Physique (R8), +8 to related totals

D6 Adventure Creatures (WEG 51021), © 2005 Purgatory Publishing Inc.
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