The Cortar'ri

Demons, called Cortar'ri in the Abyssal tongue, are the chaotic evil fiends of the Abyss. They are the malicious embodiments of humanoid vices, feeding on and encouraging the negative emotions, desires, and urges of humanoids. Since the dawn of creation, demons have existed to corrupt, destroy, and ruin.

The Nature of Demons

Demons are reflections of humanoid vice. That is, their negative emotions, desires, and urges. This vice is integral to the demons, defining everything from their powers to their physical manifestation and their goals. It is believed that the very first demons were created by the very first instance of their vice in a mortal soul. The first demon of wrath came into being when a mortal first felt rage, the first demon of fear when fear was felt. Since, these archdemons have become immensely powerful, being the primordial and oldest demon of their type.

Demons are said to be soulless creatures, and thus latch onto mortal beings to feed on theirs. If a demon can begin to influence a mortal, it feeds on their soul until it is corrupted. On the Material Plane, demons work to influence mortals in this way. They find ways to get close to the mortal and begin to nudge them towards their vice, either through some sort of communication or simply through their presence. A demon's influence will usually begin small, then become all-consuming to the mortal. Exactly how a mortal be influenced or succumb to the demonic corruption will depend on the type of demon.

If a mortal fully succumbs to the demonic corruption, their soul is forfeit. The mortal does not simply die, but their soul is twisted and corrupted, becoming a new demon. No spell short of a Wish can even attempt to resurrect a soul that has been corrupted into a demon. As they consume the soul of the mortal, the demon corrupting them grows in power.

The main reason demons are considered such a threat to the cosmos that both Celestials and Devils oppose them, is that they destroy souls. A soul corrupted by a demon ceases to be a soul and instead becomes a demon. This means that soul is denied its after, whether it would be in Celestia, Ysgard, or the Hells.

Demonic Infestation

Demons are immortal and cannot be truly destroyed without powerful magic or rituals.

Most demons are locked away within the Abyss, seeking a way out so they may spread their corruption.

It is immensely difficult to contain demonic infestations. Once a demon has foothold in a region or on a mortal, they find ways of spreading to others nearby. As this continues, the spread rapidly becomes exponential. A demon of wrath, for example, will begin to create rage within one mortal. Once that mortal takes out its rage on others, they in turn become marked by demonic influence and other demons begin to seek them out.

Types of Demons

There exists as many types of demons as there are mortal vices, but below are some more common types.

Demon of Wrath

Demons of Wrath are embodiments of mortal rage and anger. Such demons are strong and tough and influence those around them to anger and recklessness. Demons of wrath attempt to bring mortals to the point of utter wrath, and any other mortal who is targeted by this wrath in turn becomes marked as prey for other wrath demons.

Demon of Fear

Demon of Sloth

Demons of Sloth are embodiments of mortal laziness and inaction. Such demons feed on the energy of mortals, sapping them of strength and agility, and using their force themselves.

Demon of Greed

Demon of Vengeance

Demon of Pride

Demon of Envy

Demon of Gluttony

Demons of Gluttony are embodiments of the mortal urge to consume in excess, to their own detriment.

Life-Span

Longevity: Immortal

Single: Demon

Plural: Demons

Adjective: Demonic