Category:Demons

While the term ‘demon’ is used to describe creatures that broadly fall under this banner, the reality is removed from the traditional Biblical definition. Demons tend not to conform to specific archetypes or conventions, being idiosyncratic to an extreme, the eventual form of the creature depending on its origin. While anything can conceivably become a demon, the overwhelming tendency is for humans to do so. This is usually accomplished through the aid of magic, but while all demons are essentially magical creatures, not all of them use it. It is a long, brutal process through which a person becomes a demon, known among demonic circles as the Harrowing, a way of shedding humanity, compassion, empathy and similar traits over the course of decades. Demons are, usually, fiercely independent, preferring their own company to that of others, except for cases of tactical or strategic convenience. Younger demons will run in packs, the tribal instinct being one of the hardest human traits to dissolve, but nearly every demon of any significant age operates alone. The appearance of demons varies wildly, too. Some appear completely human, others resemble beasts, and others focus their particular abilities through fetishes and talismans. They are devious, intelligent, practically immortal and totally without mercy. Nobody knows much about demonkind, even the demons themselves, but outsiders commonly agree that while they work towards an individual cause, there is an overarching scheme in mind, service to something whose name will not be spoken. The most feared of all demons are those that were once witches themselves - the coupling of a demon’s age, experience and cruelty with the command of elemental forces being almost impossible to stand against in any meaningful sense. Ironically, the greatest strengths of demons - their ability to operate as lone wolves - is also their greatest weakness. They can be beaten, but victory always comes at a heavy price, one that people often find themselves unwilling to pay. All find it wiser to avoid their attention entirely, where possible.