Demon

The origins of Demonkind are obscure, and what little is known with certainty about them is frequently contradicted by folklore. This article will approach the topic from both angles - that of fact and popular belief.

The common factor uniting all of demonkind is their otherworldly origin; for they are not native to Anoth, instead having been brought there during the so-called Ending War, in which the First first slaughtered one another, and finally departed the known universe.

Demonkind encompasses astonishing variety, from lowly insects (which, in fact, are one of the first and most significant demonic presences in the world) to the lordly and powerful Ganeksul?; the lithe and deadly Teyavatch? and reclusive Gomog? also worthy of note, and therefore falling somewhere in-between. Most demons exhibit potent physical strength and prowess, in addition to being supernaturally hardy and resilient - most possessing voracious appetites for flesh, given the obvious requirement of their powerful bodies. Not all demons have physical form, however - the Puragh? are incorporeal creatures (which resemble tiny, slimy toads when viewed by aid of spell) that feed on ambient and radiated arcane energy.

Although many demons are violent and bloodthirsty, it is not a universal property even among particularly violent species; there exist more peaceful species like the Esadih?, and there exist some small few of the ordinarily-vicious Merope? which dedicate themselves to agriculture and economic success with neighboring humanoid lands.

Most demon species have exceptionally short life-spans; the Gnerel? in particular, which (despite being more or less sentient) live less than twenty years. Conversely, a number of species have no known maximum age; the previously-mentioned Puragh, for instance, have been known to inhabit museums, armories, or other arcane-active locations for hundreds of years.

This is, however, yet distinct from true immortality?, as even the hardiest of demon-species are still vulnerable to death from various methods of harm.

Another hallmark of demonkind is the high rate of mutation; typically some twenty percent of demon-births are aberrant in some way or another, with many more developing mutation later in life, either as a result of arcane exposure or even with no obvious toxic or energetic cause. Most of these mutations are debilitating or fatal, but occasionally rapid evolution can occur over the space of a few generations.

Demon species are sometimes inexplicably capable of interbreeding, much like the Human? and Syr species-pair. The resulting offspring are often sterile, but equally often far more powerful than their parents.

Another instance of demon hybridization is observed between demons and humanoid species - and can furthermore be categorized as full hybrids, infection hybrids and genetic hybrids:

• Full hybrid is the product of physical and biological combination of demon material with an already-existing nondemon, and typically presents as a humanoid augmented to varying degrees. Specific examples include the Vampire?, where the original human's body becomes far stronger but also much more vulnerable to certain kinds of damage, and the Liscon? which are somewhat too complex to be explained here.
• Infection hybrid is when part of a demon's body (physical or otherwise) is grafted into a human, giving the human isolated advantages or disadvantages provided by the new organ. It is possible for these organs to metastasize, corrupting and changing the rest of the host body. Known incidents include the insertion of Teyavatch material into a Syr child.
• Genetic hybrid is when a child is conceived between one human and one demonic parent, resulting in a child with properties of both parent in the manner of a full hybrid.

Casual testimony given by the Seer at an unknown point indicates that the arrival of demonic animals in Anoth was perpetrated by The Quisling? himself. This revelation, as with all other revelations offered by the Seer, is to be treated cautiously given her frequent dispension of misinformation and other assorted meddling.

According to popular opinion, demons are the unholy (true) creations (untrue) of evil Gods, often attributed to Bazra. Common powers ascribed to demonkind include the power to consume souls from corpses, induce lust in the chaste, curdle milk and spoil eggs, and to see out of mirrors. The fact that most of these effects (save the absorption of souls from corpses, which is so ridiculous it need not be commented upon further) may be replicated relatively simply with commonly-available spells is generally not considered relevant.

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