Daemonic Classification

The Faculty of Daemonology At the University of Teutonia
An Essay by Professor Viktor von Geshalt Teutonic Sage of Daemonology
with updates from Professor Boris von Kaiserstein
Spring 1111 Edition

When attempting to classify and document Daemons in the past, many have failed to come up with a clear and comprehensive system that accurately defines the different types of Daemons that are encountered throughout Erdreja and other planes.

The reason for this failure comes down to incompetence, as most failures inevitably do. Previous daemonologists attempted to classify daemons according to the primary element from which they drew their powers. This resulted in almost 70% of Daemons being uselessly classified as 'Void Daemons', and the rest were split between 'Fire Daemons' and 'Unknown'. As is quite evident this form of classification was Far from helpful.

Other bright sparks decided to attempt to classify Daemons according to their Familial backgrounds. This was initially reasonably effective, bringing forth such categories as 'Wasir Daemons' ‘Impaler Daemons', 'Nosta Ka' and 'Chaos Daemons'. It was only after a period of time that it was realised that this form of classification didn't actually define the capabilities and evolutionary paths of each individual tribe member. The method proved to be as effective as attempting to catalogue all the different breeds of humanoids on Erdreja by making them stand in alphabetical order.

So, through years of careful study, and extensive conversations with intelligent and well-informed Daemon Princes I have devised a simple and accurate method of Daemon classification.

partial edit icon Components of Daemonic Classification

There are three different aspects to every Daemon, which give it its defining characteristics.

Evolutionary stage - Daemonic Phylum - Elemental Nature

These three aspects are required to fully define a Daemon. More powerful Daemons may have secondary and tertiary' phyla and secondary and tertiary elements. But their primary phyla will always dominate their lesser phyla and Elements are the means by which you may determine their origins, desires and modus operandi.

The only exception to these rules is the Imp, which will be explained later.

partial edit icon Evolutionary Stages
The evolutionary stage of a daemon determines the current level of power that it wields. Daemons may amass power in a variety of different ways. The first and most frequent way is to consume large amounts of magical energy from the element of their choice. The second way is through the consumption of patterns, either the dark spirits of their Daemon brothers, or through the consumption of mortal patterns dedicated to them. The final way is through being gifted power by a more highly evolved Daemon.

Imp

Alternative Names: Daemon Spawn
A Daemonic imp represents a Daemon in its infancy. An Imp has yet to amass any power or energy whatsoever, it is, in essence a blank template. Imps have no phylum or elemental ties, having yet to accrue enough power to evolve into a recognisable form.

Once an Imp has chosen a phylum and an element and gathered enough energy to metamorphose itself into its new form, it may then be classified properly. The other option available to Imps is that of the Familiar, which I will deal with separately.

Familiar

Alternative Names: Servitor Imp, Pet Daemon
An Imp may attach itself to a being of greater magical power. It will then be like a parasite, and it’s powers and its fate will be directly linked to the being the Familiar bonds itself to. A Familiar is strongly bound by a very limited Phylum, which is often defined for it by the creature it has chosen to serve.

To become a Familiar is normally an Imp's last choice, normally done purely to preserve its own life. A Familiar will never be able to evolve beyond this stage as it becomes physically dependent on the energies of its host to live. Once the host has died, the Familiar must then find a new master of it will fade into nothingness and never return.

Minor Daemon

Alternative Names: Daemon Foot Soldier
A Lesser Daemon is the next stage up from Imp and is often the highest point of evolution that the majority of Daemons will reach. Only 30 percent of daemons will ever evolve beyond the minor Daemon stage, not because they lack the potential, but frequently because they lack the wit or the ambition to do so.

A Minor Daemon is completely dominated by his Phylum and Element. His nature is very limited and fairly predictable and can easily be calculated by an observant daemonologist.

Lesser Daemon

Alternative names: Daemon Sergeant
A Lesser Daemon is a step above a minor Daemon. Normally he is a more powerful individual than his peers. If he is part of an army, he is normally in charge of small unit of other daemons, being strong enough to dominate them into recognising him as their commander.

A Lesser Daemon is still dominated by his Phylum and Element, although there may be hints of a secondary Phylum.

Greater Daemon

Alternative names: Daemon Captain, Daemon Champion
A Greater Daemon is formidable creature, which has normally excelled within his own phylum, wielding some of the most potent powers of his form. He will often be the trusted aide and commander for a powerful Daemon prince, leading a Daemonic army into battle or working independently as a scout or spy. Occasionally Greater Daemons may have their own horde, but they are rarely large enough to be conquering very much.

A Greater Daemon may well have developed a secondary Phylum and may draw from several different elements for his power.

Solitaire Daemons

Alternative names: Rogue Daemons, Seer Daemons, Isolation Daemons
A solitaire Daemon is a rare creature, and its power can vary greatly. Generally they are more evolved than a Greater Daemon and some of them are as powerful as Daemon princes. But they are classified separately due to the fact that they choose to remain independent of other Daemons. They do not work for Daemon Princes and they do not run with other daemons. This is unusual, as daemons are normally pack animals, looking to serve a master of greater power. Even the most powerful Daemons are wary of Solitaire daemons as their choice to remain solitary often indicates either great power or great cunning and guile.

Solitaire Daemons will almost invariable have a secondary Phylum and secondary elements that they draw on.

Daemon Prince

Alternative Names: Daemon Leaders, Daemonic Emperors
Daemon Princes are immensely powerful beings, wielding power that makes most mortals and lesser Daemons tremble. Daemon Princes have reached the pinnacle of their phylum and often have mastered the powers of their secondary and tertiary phyla. They will draw on a variety of Elements to accomplish their goals.

Note: There are many arrogant Daemon Princes in the universe who will refer to themselves as Daemon Lords. This is a wholly inaccurate boast on their parts, and it normally means that they have never encountered a true Daemon Lord. Any Powerful daemon that tells you that it is a Daemon Lord is normally lying, as a Daemon Lord would never bother to even speak to you. As a general rule of thumb, if you are able to stand within 100 feet of it and not be dead, then its probably not a Daemon Lord.

Daemon Lords

Alternative Names: Great old Ones, World Eaters
Daemon Lords represent the pinnacle of Daemonic Evolution. These creatures have now evolved beyond their physical bodies and are now god-like creatures of inconceivable power. They do not have hordes, for they do not need them. Their very arrival on a plane normally results in that planes' complete destruction.

Daemon Lords defy definition, their thinking is totally alien and their appetite for destruction is untamed and unchecked. The best thing to do if you encounter a Daemon, Lord is to run
Immediately to the closest ritual circle and go to another plane of existence. Do not collect any of your possessions. If such an option is unavailable then attempt suicide, as it will be less painful for you in the long term.

 

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Daemonic Phylum

A Daemons phylum (or Phyla) is determined by the powers and abilities that it wields. As far as we can tell there are seven possible phyla that a Daemon may choose when it ceases to be an imp and becomes a Daemon. As a Daemon becomes more powerful it may develop other power’s from different Phyla. But its primary phylum will always define its behaviour and desires.

Note; the below Phyla names are subjective, and vary betwen daemonic texts. The abilities exhibited by each breed however do not - Number One

Turroth

The Turroth phylum is the most commonly chosen Phylum, The Turroth are the backbone of every Daemon army. Turroth Daemons are physically hardy, often wear armour and wield weapons and can become resistant to magic as they evolve. More powerful Turroth can use their elemental natures to enhance their weapons, wreathing them in flame, frost or other forms of magic, depending on their element. Turroth can also develop the ability to regenerate.

J'Roth

J'Roth Daemons have learnt to tap into their innate magical nature and are able to focus stronger and more powerful forms of magic. Magic wielding Daemons are part of this Phylum, as are Daemons capable of ritual magic.

As their power increases they gain greater and greater amounts of spells, incantations and ritual power. Highly evolved J'Roth can even begin to use magic well outside of the normally recognised powers, their abilities bordering on true or void magic.

Zar'Nosh'Ok

This Daemon phylum has focused its evolution on the remarkable malleability of their own physical bodies. Zar’Nosh'Ok are often mistaken for other phyla, as they can be as a potent as a Turroth in battle or as capable of destroying large numbers of troops with one gesture as a J’Roth.

Zar'Nosh'Ok are often known as ‘Transformation Daemons', which is a fitting description. All of their power comes from their ability to alter the composition of their physical form, whether this be spraying deadly acids or foul poisons from their glands, or changing their limbs into tentacles or growing spikes from every part of their body. Very powerful Zar'Nosh'Ok can actually change their bodies into liquid or gaseous forms making them very difficult to hunt or catch.

Drassoc

Daemons of this Phylum have gained their power through feeding off the raw emotions of mortals who are suffering. Large quantities of negative emotions fuel them, and allow them to manifest
bodies in physical plane. Drassoc are the only Daemons known to be capable of channelling. Plague Daemons, Famine Daemons and Daemons who can heal are all of Phylum Drassoc.

Barralith

The Barralith are often callled 'Breeder Daemons' and that is quite an accurate way of describing them. Barralith are purely concerned with propagating new Daemonic life forms. They tend to go about this in one of two ways. The first is the path often chosen by the Daemon Brood mothers. They are huge creatures able to spawn out legions of imps if given enough time and sufficient fertilisation. Barralith of this type are essential to a large Daemon army, as they provide a large supply of fresh imps to perform the menial tasks required to keep the army supplied. More powerful brood mothers can actually grow more evolved Daemon bodies in their wombs to allow specific dark spirits to re-enter the world.

The other type of Barralith commonly encountered is the succubus or incubus. These creatures are often capable of Beguiling mortals and using their hold over them to either impregnate them or drain their patterns through sexual acts. . . However, when a daemon takes on Barralith as a Secondary phyla it usually indicates the ability to reproduce. I will not duplicate work already done, so read a book on it.

Menix

Occasionally called 'Mind Daemons', Menix have spent their energies expanding their intellects and mental abilities. Knowledge Daemons, who amass great stores of information, are of Phylum Menix. Menix Daemons often possess great powers of perception and some of the most powerful of them are even capable of a minor form of Omniscience. A Menix Daemon is always a very cunning and intelligent being and Bargains with Menix Daemons must be approached with great caution.

Powerful Menix daemons can wield psionic abilities not unlike Illithids and are often capable of disguising themselves as mortals.

S'Shelteth

Often referred to as 'shadow Daemons’ S'Shelteth Daemons are masters of stealth, spying and assassination. The claws or weapons of a S’Shelteth are frequently poisonous, and they are often able to blend in with their surroundings. Powerful S’Shelteth are able to teleport at will and can render themselves invisible. Many a mortal Lord has died in his bed due to the actions of S’Shelteth Daemons.

 

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Elemental Nature

All Daemons drawn power from the elements, and the type of element that they draw from can strongly influence the nature of their abilities. I will not go into each element here, as their properties are quite obvious. You can either obtain a copy of a Daemonic Compendium from any good Book Supplier or Library, which should list known demons and their phyla and Elements. You will then be able to understand the importance of a demon's choice of Element.

Elemental Summaries

To summarise the 16 elements, I have drawn upon Professor Dimitri von Dracmodor's work 'Magical Theory and the Universal Amalgam' - an essential ingredient to any Daemonologist.

Greater Aspect: Creation
Elemental Nature: Physical (Tomes)
Lesser Aspects: Fire, Air, Earth, Water

Greater Aspect: Existence
Elemental Nature: Concept (Runes)
Lesser Aspects: Fate, Illusion, Reality, Fortune

Greater Aspect: Void
Elemental Nature: Ethereal (Orbs)
Lesser Aspects: Time, Magic, Knowledge, Spirit

Greater Aspect: Neutrality
Elemental Nature: Alignment (Helms)
Lesser Aspects: Evil, Chaos, Law, Good

The pre-Cataclysm Items of Power were created by the Elder Races in order to master the Lesser Aspects, Each of the Elemental Nature Item Sets were made of the Same type of item, and I have added the information in parentheses next to the Elemental Nature in the above table.

Elemental Cadres

Since the Cataclysm Wars we have (re)discovered the cadres of Famine, War, Peace and Feast,

Famine: Fire, Fate, Time, Evil
War: Air, Illusion, Magic, Chaos
Peace: Earth, Reality, Knowledge, Law
Feast: Water, Fortune, Spirit, Good

Famine creatures are the most superior, closely followed by War creatures.

Note: We have yet to encounter any Daemons that actually drawn power from the element of Good. This could either be because the power of Good is incompatible with Daemonic nature, or, more likely, it is because Good is weak and pathetic.

Addendum: We have since found a use for Daemons that are aligned to Good. We have discovered in the Faculty that there are a sect of Daemons known as Ver'Alyn Daemons that have evolved using the Element of Good. These pathetic and quite useless creatures can be summoned in a ritual and bound into amulets, and when the wearer is dismissed and the incantation 'Minion, Shield me from this Dismiss' is called they will leap from the amulet and take the dismiss for the wearer, hopefully leaving the wearer enough time to get away from the head of the wedge. useful, but still utterly rubbish creatures that are a waste of skin.

Suggested Further Reading:
“Discourse on Daemonology” by Prof. D. von Trügelhof;
“Daemonic Manifestation” by Archchancellor V. von Geshalt;
“Patterns of Darkness” by Prof. S. von Groshnik;
“Patterns of Darkness Appendices” by Prof. S. von Groshnik;
“The Art of Channelling" by F. Karrash-Morr;