Demons are evil entities from H-E-double-hockey-sticks[Note 1][1]. They are extradimensional[Note 2] magical creatures[Note 3], and are (traditionally) Truly Evil.[Note 4] General demon lore (such as their abilities, habits, tactics and weaknesses) is covered by Hidden Lore (Demons).[2]
Demon Physiology[]
Demons are not considered "living" for most purposes, possibly powered off of some abstract magical, esoteric, or unholy energy. They still have some manner of logical physiology, however, and a clever adventurer may use Physiology (Demons) to identify weak points in DR, locations of Vitals, or other vulnerabilities.[Note 5] There is some debate on if demons are affected by Pressure Points techniques--while they don't count as living, they're certainly full of some kind of energy that likely flows through channels and rivers through the body.
Sympathy for the Devil[]
Healing a Demon may be rather tricky. Medical skills like First Aid and Diagnosis likely have a penalty when treating a wounded demon--in fact, Esoteric Medicine or healing magic may be the only way to heal them! Note that Hellhounds are a further exception--they're damaged by healing magic, and may need some other, stranger source to heal.[Note 6]
Poisons and Potions[]
Many demons are simply immune to poisons. Depending on your setting's cosmology, demons may be immune to all poisons... or merely all mundane poisons, and are only affected by specialized, demon-affecting "holy poisons" or other blessed tinctures, similar to undead-destroying specialty concoctions.
Deals and Negotiations[]
Some demons seek only the thrill of battle[Note 7], but some can be negotiated with. Note that Spirit Empathy helps with all kinds of "not-quite-living" things, including demons!
List of Dungeon Fantasy / DFRPG Demons[]
| Demon | Description | Book |
|---|---|---|
| as-Sharak | Post-mortal--now demon--sorcerers. They take lives in hopes of breaking their curse. | [Bk 1][Bk 2] |
| Demon of Old | Demons from the birth of creation who escaped the wrath of the gods. Big, powerful, and immensely durable. They love chains and chain motifs. | [Bk 1] |
| Doomchild | Disposable, demonic detonators. They explode. | [Bk 1][Bk 2] |
| Hellhound | Fire-breathing hounds with wolf-pack tactics. Fireproof, vicious, and semi-alive -- their flesh is injured by healing spells. | [Bk 1][Bk 3] |
| Peshkali | One of the Big Bads of demonkind, with six arms and a sword in each hand, with a lower half like a monstrous snake tail | [Bk 1][Bk 2] |
| Toxifier | Ghost-like unclean ones who taint the air. | [Bk 1][Bk 2] |
| Demonic Cloud[3] | A demonic cloud, vaguely humanoid, with the chilling touch of a winter gale. | [Bk 4] |
| Centipedaur | [Bk 5] | |
| Demon Stallion | [Bk 5] | |
| Expituum | A sort of "slime demon", twisting the natural decaying force of slimes to malicious purpose. Like the toxifier, they're terribly unclean. | [Bk 5] |
| Hellfire Skull | A fiery, skull-shaped, semi-tangible demon. They really like burning mortals. | [Bk 5] |
| Lilithid | Physically seductive demons. Surprisingly durable. Charismatic to mortals and other demons, often supported by a cohort of followers. | [Bk 5] |
| Zaffeer | Possibly describable as "salty ghosts", zaffeers embody a sort of magical "sink", supposedly left by sorcerers when their souls are taken by demonic deals. | [Bk 5] |
Furthermore, divine servitors with the Unholy template can be demons![4] To be added:
- Flame Servant Demon from Mirror of the Fire Demon, of course.
- Psychic as-Sharak and Odifier from DF 14: Psi
- Chara the half-demon, half-demon, from Pyramid #3/101, p.16
- Glurch, bloaty demons who like swallowing up things; from Pyramid #3/108, p.29
- Also Dolboks, Goldipox, and Succubi
- Needlemen from Pyramid #3/113
Summoned Demons[]
| Demon | Description | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Petty Demon[5] | Smallish, squat demons with low strength but great utility. They have a lot of quirks. | [Bk 6] |
| Devilkin[6] | Tiny[Note 8] but vicious devils with wings and venomous stinger tails. | [Bk 6] |
| Standard Demon[7] | Lots of variety in this subtype! In general, "standard" demons are tough, strong, and damage-resistant. | [Bk 6] |
| Imp[8] | Imps are similar in size and strength to Devilkin, but with a less evil reputation. They can turn invisible, making them effective scouts. | [Bk 3] |
Different Ways To Run Demons[]
Just Jerks[]
The various and sundry demons of Dungeon Fantasy revolve around a fairly traditional Good/Evil cosmology--they're the traditional Corporeal Bad Guy Spirits. Demons will tend to be evil for evil's sake. Some follow subtle rules, gaining bad-guy-points for subterfuge and temptation -- others are rogue wrecking machines, summoned foolishly into the mortal plane, only stopped by bold heroes.
Hoof Heel Theory -- Pro Wrestler Rules[]
What if Creation isn't overrun with demons, not because of wars with angels or lack of numbers, but simply because they are "Heels" on the stage of life, meant to test, challenge, and humble mortals. "Pro Wrestler Rules" for Demons in your game means that demons seldom deal a killing blow to mortals, but will cause a whole lot of mischief until they're knocked back into Heck around 0 HP.
Dark Sorcery[]
In sword-and-sandals type adventures, like Conan or Reality Nergal, demons are the dreadful sources of magical might--usually exclusively. While magic items may be usable, magic itself will be part of a Faustian bargain.
See Also[]
- Harriad -- a tiny, flame-like demon. They operate on contracts and deals -- they're puzzle monsters, not combat encounters.
Notes[]
- ↑ Hell
- ↑ Affected by the Banish spell
- ↑ Affected by Pentagram and Seek Magic, for instance.
- ↑ Which means they are affected by spells like Protection from Evil!
- ↑ Those without this skill may still strike at the torso and hope for the best! It's usually a 1/6 chance of hitting the vitals.
- ↑ High heat? Raw meat? Bones? Belly rubs?
- ↑ Fanon
- ↑ Around 2 feet tall
Book[]
References[]
- ↑ DFRPG: Monsters 1, p.14
- ↑ DFRPG: Monsters 1, p.4
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 6: 40 Artifacts, p.22
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 5: Allies, p.13
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 9: Summoners, p.32-33
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 9: Summoners, p.33-34
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 9: Summoners, p.34-35
- ↑ Dungeon Fantasy 5: Allies, p.26