A Brief History of Demons
Primordial Chaos: Tharizdun’s Spawn
Before all we know, there was Altherion and Tharizdun, The Makers. Tharizdun feasted on destruction and chaos. In his vicious quest to destroy all that Altherion created, he molded the first demons and devils. These beings were manifestations of Tharizdun’s will, each imbued with a shard of his insatiable desire to unravel the fabric of reality and destroy all in their path.
Asmodeus: The Rise of a Tyrant
Among Tharizdun’s creations was Asmodeus. Asmodeus emerged as a being of unparalleled ambition and cunning. Initially a powerful demon lord, his path to ascension was marked by treachery, war, and subjugation. Through sheer might and guile, Asmodeus carved out his dominion, becoming the undisputed ruler of the Nine Hells. He was not satisfied ruling only one realm and eventually used his power to ascend to the celestial plane, making his way to godhood.
The Infernal Hierarchy
The Nine Hells, shaped by Asmodeus, are a realm of meticulous order and hierarchy, a stark contrast to the chaotic abyss from which the demons hail. Each level of the Nine Hells is ruled by a devil lord, a lieutenant in Asmodeus’s infernal army, each contributing to the grand scheme of cosmic conflict.
Notable Demon Lords
While Asmodeus reigns over the Nine Hells, the chaotic abyss teems with other demon lords, each ruling over their domain of horror and despair. Notable among them are:
- Orcus: Lord of the Undead, seeking to engulf all life in death.
- Yeenoghu: The Beast of Butchery, reveling in savagery and bloodlust.
- Baphomet: The Horned King, embodying primal and bestial violence.
- Graz’zt: The Dark Prince, a master of seduction, treachery, and dark magic.
The Sunderers’ Pact
Some gods, at that time just known as The Celestials, were drawn to the power and malice of the infernal realms. These gods forged pacts with Asmodeus and other demon lords. Two notable Celestials, Torog and Gruumsh, were the first to align with these dark forces. They would be known as the first Sunderers. They pledged their goals with Tharizdun in return for the power they saw in Asmodeus. They aligned with these dark forces, seeking to leverage their might in the ongoing cosmic struggle.
Demonic Influence
Demons possess a unique advantage over the gods when it comes to influencing the Material Plane. This unique access is largely attributed to Asmodeus’s dual role as a Sunderer god and the Lord of the Nine Hells. His ascension to godhood and deep roots in the infernal realms have allowed him to exploit loopholes in the Veil, creating pathways that his demonic cohorts can navigate with less resistance compared to the divine entities.
These pathways are often activated by mortal agents—sorcerers, warlocks, and cultists—drawn by power or deluded by promises. They conduct dark rituals and summonings, creating conduits for demons to enter Vi’el Tarin. The range of demons exploiting these breaches is vast, from the towering archdevils orchestrating grand schemes to the lowliest imps wreaking havoc in their own mischievous ways.
