Hell
There are many different species of demons found in Hell, not all of which have been catalogued in Heaven. Many simply don't have a large enough population to have been taken note of, others are recent creations resulting from shared adaptations amidst a population of an existing species. Unlike angels, demons do not rank themselves socially into formal hierarchies, but they rely wholly on strength to enforce discipline (or at least obedience) among their ranks. The cutthroat nature of demonic culture ensures a high attrition rate in nearly every aspect of their society, which helps account for the relative scarcity of demons who attain sufficient strength to Awaken. Lesser demons are forced to genese replacements for those destroyed in squabbles between various factions, and many who rise too quickly are seen as threats by their superiors and subsequently eliminated.
There are few variations in appearance between members of the same species beyond skin tone and the occasional inclusion or absence of wings and other trivialities, and few demons, except the most powerful, arm themselves with any sort of weapon or armor, relying instead on hide, tooth, and claw in battle.
There are few variations in appearance between members of the same species beyond skin tone and the occasional inclusion or absence of wings and other trivialities, and few demons, except the most powerful, arm themselves with any sort of weapon or armor, relying instead on hide, tooth, and claw in battle.
Demon Princes/LordsDemon princes were already the most powerful demons in Pleroma at the moment of their awakening at the dawn of existence. Their appearances vary greatly, from humanoid to monstrous, small to gargantuan, but each is wholly devoted to his own survival and the attainment of further power. Demon lords began their existence as lesser demons and attained sufficient strength that they forced the demon princes to acknowledge them as equals. Most demon lords retain some physical traits of their origins, but more than one has cast aside all vestiges of its heritage as though loath to accept such common beginnings.
DaemelansThough few in number, daemelans are among the most powerful demons in Hell. An unknown flaw in their species has prevented all but one from fully Awakening. (Bau was not only the sole daemelan to Awaken, he simultaneously achieved the rank of Demon Lord, a rare accomplishment in itself.) Daemelans stand between ten to twelve feet tall, with a four-armed humanoid torso atop a scaled, equine-like body with cloven hooves. Unlike most demons, daemelans arm themselves with massive weapons forged from steel, from eight-foot hammers to swords with foot-wide blades. The few dozen daemelans that survived the Great Schism serve exclusively as personal bodyguards to the King of Demons, and their population has been kept under strict control to keep them in line.
BalrogsBalrogs typically serve in positions of authority in demonic forces and keep demons and damned souls alike in-line through brute force. The horned demons are heavily muscled, nearly always winged, and arm themselves with whips woven from leather cut from the flesh of the damned, or else from another demon. (Some even cut the flesh from their own bodies.)
DrolkulsThese four-armed demons serve as the lowest level of authority in most demonic forces and are ubiquitous throughout the infernal plane. They are capable of tunneling through solid rock at speeds the finest dwarven miners can only dream of.
ChildrisChildris are among the most-feared of all demon species due to their speed and ruthlessness in battle. They closely resemble the Lokkan creature known as the praying mantis, though they are as tall as an average human. Their thick, chitinous armor protects every inch of their bodies, and they commonly carry short spears made from the same substance that are thrown into battle before they close to attack with sword-like upper limbs.
BloodhawksBloodhawks are minor demons that form the bulk of any aerial forces. They breed prodigiously and fly in vast swarms, overpowering their foes through sheer numerical advantage. Their wings are featherless and covered in the same leathery skin that coats their bodies. Bloodhawks are approximately the size of a Lokkan deer, with short hind legs and long tails used in combat and flight. Foreclaws are optional and may be created or removed at need.
GremlinsAs gnomes are the creative builders in the mortal world, so are gremlins the engineers and mechanical minds of the demon realm, as well as its janitors and jailers. They sometimes act as minor overseers for bloodhawks, but more often they build structures at the behest of more powerful demons, create and maintain mechanical constructs of war, and ensure the smooth functions of all aspects of demonic society. Due to their relative intelligence, they are more reliable than the bloodthirsty drolkuls for certain responsibilities, though their comparative weakness makes them ill-suited for commanding any but the weakest of demons in battle.
HellhoundsThe hounds of Hell are among the least intelligent of all demons and are little better than the true mortal canines they resemble. Hellhounds run in packs led by an alpha demon, which is usually smarter and/or more powerful than its subordinates, and hellhounds will only follow an alpha raised from their own pack. Pack mates are virtually identical, but the physical traits from one pack to another may vary greatly. The differences between packs are significant enough that Heavenly scholars have speculated they might qualify as distinct subspecies. Most hellhounds are the size of Lokkan greyhounds or retrievers, but it is not unknown for one (particularly the pack's alpha) to grow as large as a pony.
ImpsImps are minor demons that act as the scavengers of Hell. The small demons are virtually mindless and feed off the lingering bodies of other demons and souls cast aside by more powerful creatures. They have cat-like faces with crimson eyes and leathery skin, and bat-like wings extend down from small, clawed hands. No known imp has ever reached the point of individual awareness and personality to Awaken.
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