The Demons are beings born from the corrupting influence of Khaos, twisted remnants of Celestial and divine beings who were cast down from grace. Their existence is the embodiment of chaos and sin, and their origins are deeply tied to the downfall of the first eight fallen archangels, led by Asmodeus, after their corruption and banishment from the Plane of Helion.
Origins of the Demons
The first demons were once angels, celestial protectors who resided in the divine Plane of Helion, serving the Unknown. After The Aeonic Struggle, as the mortal world began to shift and the Elf realms rose up against their True Dragon creators, these angels became corrupted by sin—pride, wrath, envy, gluttony, lust, sloth, and treachery. Chief among them was Asmodeus, an archangel who fell the furthest.
Unable to tolerate the taint of sin within his celestial court, Unknown, the god of life and leader of the Pantheon of Primus, cast down these fallen angels to the Plane of Khaos, where they would be banished for eternity. There, in the depths of Khaos, the very essence of chaos and corruption twisted their once-pure forms. The fallen angels became monstrous and horrifying creatures, their souls steeped in darkness. Over time, these beings became known as demon princes, each embodying one of the sins they were consumed by.
The Nine Hells
In the depths of the Plane of Khaos, these demons created their dominion: The Nine Hells. This realm serves as both a prison and a kingdom where the souls of the wicked are drawn. Those mortals who commit evil deeds in life are condemned to the Nine Hells, where their souls are twisted and tormented by the demon princes until they, too, become demons. Over time, they lose their humanity and become mindless fiends that crave only the suffering of others.
Each of the Nine Hells reflects a different sin or torment, from the endless hunger of Galor, the first level of gluttony, to the scorched, bload-soaked battlefields of Irath, the level of rage. These hellish planes are maintained by the demon princes and lesser demons, all of whom serve Asmodeus, the Archdevil and Warden of Hell. While the terms "demon" and "devil" are often used interchangeably, Archdevil is a title uniquely reserved for Asmodeus due to his status as the ruler of the Nine Hells.
Corruption of Khaos
Demons are the byproduct of Khaos, the primal chaos that permeates the Plane of Khaos. It is this chaotic energy that warps the form and mind of any being exposed to it, making them reflections of their craven and sinful nature. No two demons are alike; each takes on a monstrous form based on the sin that corrupted them. From the hulking, rage-driven Balors to the slithering, manipulative Succubi, the sheer variety of demon forms is a testament to the infinite possibilities of Khaos.
Demon Princes and the Nine Hells
At the top of the demon hierarchy are the Demon Princes, who rule over the different layers of the Nine Hells. Each prince represents a specific sin and commands legions of lesser demons to carry out their will. These include figures such as Asmodeus, the Archdevil and Warden of Hell, who rules the Nine Hells with an iron fist.
While these demon princes command vast power, their realms are often plagued by internal strife and constant power struggles, as demons, by their very nature, are prone to sowing chaos and rebellion.
Mortal Souls and Demonic Transformation
The souls of mortals sent to the Nine Hells are subjected to unthinkable torment and twisted beyond recognition. In life, these mortals committed acts of vile sin, and in death, they are punished by demons who feed on their suffering. Over time, these souls lose their identities and are transformed into lesser demons. Imps, dretches, and other fiendish creatures are the byproducts of this transformation, each one driven by a single, consuming desire to inflict torment on others.
As they are drawn deeper into the Nine Hells, these newly formed demons gradually become more powerful, clawing their way through the demonic hierarchy. Only the most ruthless, cunning, and vicious souls manage to rise to positions of greater power, but all are ultimately bound to the will of the demon princes.
Of Demons and Mortals
While confined to the Plane of Khaos, demons still manage to exert their influence on the Prime Plane through cults, dark rituals, and rift tears. It is through these rifts—tears in the fabric of reality—that demons can enter the mortal world and spread chaos. They often seek to tempt mortals into committing sinful acts, knowing that such acts will lead to further corruption of their souls.
Demons are also called upon by dark magic users such as warlocks and necromancers, who make pacts with these infernal beings in exchange for power. Such bargains rarely end well, as demons are notorious for twisting the wishes of mortals, turning their desires against them.
Eternal Conflict with the Primus Gods
The demons of the Nine Hells represent everything that the Pantheon of Primus stands against. Born from angels who once upheld divine justice and order, demons now revel in the collapse of those very ideals. The gods of Primus, particularly Helios and Talos, are eternally opposed to the demons, and they actively work to prevent their influence from spreading into the mortal world.
Despite the efforts of the gods, demonic corruption has always been a threat to the balance of the cosmos. As long as mortals continue to sin and fall prey to the temptations of power, demons will always find ways to spread chaos and destruction.