World-building Notes
Duat Residents: Demons
World-building notes on the beings and creatures that reside in DEITIES Project. This section focuses on Demons.
Demons appear as beast-like or anthropomorphic beings that reside in Duat, particularly the uninhabited lands and within the primordial waters of Nun. Demons are considered neither mortal nor divine in nature, but many behave as primal beings that can display potential danger to others, and that thrive best in the presence of chaos and disorder.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION & COMMENTARY
Within DEITIES verse, demons originate as the physical manifestations of chaos energy. They appear as beast-like or anthropomorphic beings that reside in Duat, particularly the uninhabited lands and within the primordial waters of Nun.
Demons are considered neither mortal nor divine in nature, but many behave as primal beings that can display potential danger to others, and that thrive best in the presence of chaos and disorder.
[EX: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.]
DEMONS AND CHAOS ENERGY
Unlike deities and mortals, demons lack the ka aspect of the soul that grants access to True magic. Thus, they are unable to channel or use any form of magic, including casting spells or transforming into various divine states.
Instead, demons are naturally attuned with chaos energy — the same energy that demons directly originate from — and they are able to channel this energy through their physical forms. Demons rely on free-flowing chaos energy as a form of sustenance, and to enhance their supernatural abilities and traits. They also have a tendency to gravitate towards areas that become saturated with chaos energy.
[EX: A common ability that many demons possess is adjusting their physical size — see Behaviors and Abilities, below.]
Because demons can survive solely off chaos energy rather than their soul, they are able to live for indefinite periods of time, similar to the trait of immortality that deities possess. However, demons do not experience death in the same way that mortals and deities do. Demons that are slain or otherwise die will revert back to a state of chaos, and may later be reborn from the primordial waters where they originated. For this reason, demons are able to regenerate multiple times, so long as there is ample chaos energy to do so.
DESIGN NOTES
There are few limitations on the visual variations of different demons, and few formal classifications of different “species” within the category of demon. However, there are similar features that many demons share among their kin, which – along with their behavior and abilities – can help distinguish them from deities and other divine creatures.
FEATURES
Demons can vary greatly in their displayed forms and features. The usual forms of demons can range from those that appear similar to small animals, to those that appear as larger-than-normal creatures. Many demons also take composite, hybrid forms, displaying several different features from various creatures. It is also common for some demons to be equipped with poisons or venom, that are enhanced to be more potent due to chaos energy.
SIZE
A demon’s size is a mutable trait, and can be an indicator of their age and their access to chaos energy and souls. Older demons, and demons with access to high amount of chaos energy, can grow themselves to larger proportions that can dwarf mortals and deities. Younger demons (including those who’ve recently “respawned”), and those with less access to chaos energy, will remain in smaller forms.
Demons can also extend their time appearing in large proportions (as well as enhance their other abilities) by preying on the souls of other beings.
COLORATION
While there are some exceptions, many demons often appear in dark, muted colors with occasional accents of brighter markings. “Tamed” demons may gradually adopt markings that appear closer to that of overworld animals and creatures, but often still appear unusual or darkened in comparison.
BEHAVIORS, ABILITIES, & RELATIONSHIP WITH DEITIES
Most demons are not necessarily malicious in nature, but are instead known for their feral behavior — mainly relying on their survival instincts and primal attraction to chaos. However, encounters with demons can prove to be unpredictable; while most demons prefer to target potential prey, the same individuals are capable of displaying defensive and/or aggressive tendencies towards other beings. Furthermore, demons can prove to be powerful forces, with many able to overpower mortals, and also hold their own and pose a serious threat to deities and divine creatures. Demons that have been provoked into attacking, or in pursuit of their targets, are difficult to subdue or calm.
While demons have the ability to channel and survive off of free-flowing chaos energy, they are opportunistic feeders with a ravenous appetite — willing to consume additional sources of energy when available. They tend to prey on anything they can find, including other (relatively smaller) demons, but have a strong appetite for souls that cannot be easily satiated. Any demons would find it fortunate to consume the aspects of mortal souls — particularly the Ka, Ba, and Ib — but some ambitious demons may hunt and pursue the souls of deities as well, given the chance.
Although demons hold a status as wild and feral beings, they may display a level of intelligence and cunning that compare to their divine and mortal counterparts. More sentient demons may even choose to align with other beings, including deities and other stronger demons — a factor that often separates the benign or benevolent demons from those who prove to be malevolent.
[EX: Nak and Sebau are both known as malevolent demons who align with Apep, and who hunt for both divine and mortal souls. They both possess high sentience and the ability to speak.]
[EX: Ammit is considered a benevolent demon who aligns and interacts with the deities and displays a level of sentience. But she is by no means “harmless,” and is tasked with consuming the souls of the damned.]
Despite this potential, most wild demons display a level of indifference and caution around deities. While some demons may choose to align with deities, and can prove to be strong allies and companions, no demon can ever be fully “tamed” into suppressing their primal instincts and affinity for chaos energy. Demons can also be persuaded or coerced into serving others, but may not commit to the most stable or loyal partnerships; instead, they seem to be most content when given some form of autonomy and respect.
NOTABLE DEMONS
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