Er, not sure if this is the place to make these requests, but here are two things I'd like more info on about demons:
1) Appearance! SMT demons obviously look weird but are for OCs there may be some limitations on PBs and so forth. So...are there any guidelines for what demons look like? Or is it all down to how they choose to present themselves since it seems like they kinda choose their own physical forms?
2) History! Do demons just exist in hell, are there any fallen angel-types, are there any demons who were once humans who made contracts and have clawed their way up the infernal hierarchy...? What are backstory options for demons?
3) OK less an information request and more of a suggestion: I totally think there should be an "good" faction, who ALSO want to make pacts and get souls and get the mysterious artifact, but who present themselves as being TOTALLY GOOD NO REALLY!! NOT LIKE THOSE EVIL DEMONS.
I want a faction of self-righteous hypocrites basically. Just floating out the suggestion because I'm not sure I have any ideas for an OC that's like this myself.
1: It's all personal choice of form! A lot have more human forms in Gehenna, because it makes it easier to contract and also live in a human city where the doors are made for humans and not like, a hive of flies in the rough size and shape of a dragon. But hypothetically, if someone had the PB for it, they're free to be as non-human as they like as well.
Ooh, interesting... Though that raises a second question for me, since demons have malleable physical forms, are they able to shapeshift at will (i.e. adopting a more monstrous form during a conversation in order to intimidate someone else)? Or would demons be locked into a certain physical form each time they manifest?
I think shape-shifting is potentially a fairly powerful second set of powers, on top of the typical ones demons get, so I think I'd say no, just because it'd be hard to powercap and make even. They choose their form, but get just one.
Makes sense! Will there be any restrictions on demons' manifestations beyond the practical, like the example you gave above about the doors? Since a demon might well choose to be a giant dragon for their one form because who needs doors anyway, but that would be uneven compared to someone who was person-sized because going through doors is awesome.
If someone wants to use a form that gives them an uneven advantage, I'd like if it was evened out in some other way, by an equal disadvantage, but I'll wait to make any firm calls until it actually comes up.
2: History: With the way they can't enter Amabilis Sanctum, the Church's territory it's pretty fair to say they come from the typical set up of Fallen Angels-- some of them. Some are native to the underworld, created or born after the Fall, and some are ex-humans who've made contracts. However, them coming into the world of Gehenna enmasse was a long awaited event-- demons slipping into that world to make contracts before wasn't common. Ex-humans that made pacts probably went out of their way to summon one up intentionally. That said, if something seems interesting, it's probably not hard to come up with a backstory reason as to why something out of the ordinary happened to allow for it. If someone has an idea that's interesting for a demon's backstory, I'll probably allow it. So basically, don't worry about it too much! Does that all make sense?
DEMONS CAN BREED, THOUGH TYPICALLY THEY ARE NOT SUPER FERTILE. However, since demons don't die of natural causes, there's plenty of time for their ranks to have swelled. (Also, new demons are just as frequently created through other means, like it anyone wants to say X SPRUNG FROM NIGHTMARES, or whatever, go ahead)
Also, while demons can breed with humans, the offspring isn't reproductively viable, and don't have the longevity of the demon parent. But considering that Gehenna was invaded by demons like, 6 years ago, this hasn't really been too relevant so far. Tiny half-demons are not about to keel over of old-age any time soon.
3: whatever factions people want to make up are fine with me!! (now that I've said this someone will come up with one that's not, THAT IS HOW MURPHY'S LAW WORKS) but also yes if you want to play hypocritical templar demon that is like IMMA BE THE BEST DEMON AND FIGHT AGAINST THOSE OTHERS AND PROVE HOW GOOD I AM, USE THE ARTIFACT TO UNFALL!! while ignoring whoops sure am causing a lot of collateral damage and the powers they give out still corrupt, sure. Or any other variation of that, yes, totally cool. Go for it.
Okay, how much do demons of different 'classes' (I dunno what you'd call the different power sets--would it count as a 'corruption' if you're a demon? are they referred to by which circle of hell they're from?) intermingle? Is there a caste system between them--idolators are more/less (politically) powerful than tempters, etc? Or is it more like states or sports teams, people have their favorite but in most cases they coexist? Or is it more like races--usually/commonly, certain things are done only/mainly with your 'demon class' but are no restrictions to interacting with others?
It's definitely going to change the way demons and humans interact if there're shit caste demons that barely get treated any better, so...
I thiiiink more like states. Like there's different cultures between them, like Kentucky vs California is different, but there's no super formal caste system, tho there are sterotypes about each type.
Which isn't to say there's not a hierarchy of power between demons, it's just not based on "type". It's pretty typical demon prices, dukes, marquises, ect. More powerful demons usually have their own legions, more political clout, and have command over lesser demons of their same type, usually, it's pretty rare for like a Tempter prince to have a Devastator lieutenant but it does happen. Fallen Angels are usually the highest, having been around for goddamn ever. Ex-humans are usually at the bottom, since they start working directly underneath someone that may not be super powerful. But Hell respects power, so if you're willing to get your hands dirty, and have the power or cunning to back it up, there's ways to advance. (Hell is full of backstabbing)
So then is 'type' passed on to descendants (whether created or turned) as well? Or can you pop out both a tempter & devastator baby? Is that class determined at level 10 after the demon hits a certain age (an equivalent to baptism or church confirmation, perhaps)?
Type is passed on, yes. If you contract with a tempter = tempter powers, and if they become a demon, also a tempter. If the parents are of differing classes, and they have a kid the way mammals do, that's the only time you'll maybe see a difference, they'll be the "class" of the more powerful parent.
I wanna say this is noted somewhere but just to confirm: demons are only vulnerable to 1) holy stuff (presumably created in only 1 place or by 1 person, and that's why humans just didn't holy water the hell out of them to begin with?) and 2) demonic powers. These can be either cast by people who've made contracts with demons, or other demons themselves??
So, a human doesn't necessarily have to contract with a demon if they can somehow otherwise convince them to mess up the demon they want to hurt??
Demons can (and do) fight and bicker amongst each other, using their powers?
Holy powers are rare and no humans wield offensive holy powers. Defensive exists, but being able to ward things doesn't allow them to fight back, though it does allow the existence of things like Amabilis Sanctum. Hypothetically someone could seal a demon, but it doesn't kill or really harm them, just takes them out the picture.
So yes, humans can convince demons to fight amongst each other, and demons can and do fight, powerplay, backstab, and murder each other.
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ABOUT DEMONS
Re: ABOUT DEMONS
1) Appearance! SMT demons obviously look weird but are for OCs there may be some limitations on PBs and so forth. So...are there any guidelines for what demons look like? Or is it all down to how they choose to present themselves since it seems like they kinda choose their own physical forms?
2) History! Do demons just exist in hell, are there any fallen angel-types, are there any demons who were once humans who made contracts and have clawed their way up the infernal hierarchy...? What are backstory options for demons?
3) OK less an information request and more of a suggestion: I totally think there should be an "good" faction, who ALSO want to make pacts and get souls and get the mysterious artifact, but who present themselves as being TOTALLY GOOD NO REALLY!! NOT LIKE THOSE EVIL DEMONS.
I want a faction of self-righteous hypocrites basically. Just floating out the suggestion because I'm not sure I have any ideas for an OC that's like this myself.
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Also, while demons can breed with humans, the offspring isn't reproductively viable, and don't have the longevity of the demon parent. But considering that Gehenna was invaded by demons like, 6 years ago, this hasn't really been too relevant so far. Tiny half-demons are not about to keel over of old-age any time soon.
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It's definitely going to change the way demons and humans interact if there're shit caste demons that barely get treated any better, so...
Re: ABOUT DEMONS
Which isn't to say there's not a hierarchy of power between demons, it's just not based on "type". It's pretty typical demon prices, dukes, marquises, ect. More powerful demons usually have their own legions, more political clout, and have command over lesser demons of their same type, usually, it's pretty rare for like a Tempter prince to have a Devastator lieutenant but it does happen. Fallen Angels are usually the highest, having been around for goddamn ever. Ex-humans are usually at the bottom, since they start working directly underneath someone that may not be super powerful. But Hell respects power, so if you're willing to get your hands dirty, and have the power or cunning to back it up, there's ways to advance. (Hell is full of backstabbing)
Re: ABOUT DEMONS
at level 10after the demon hits a certain age (an equivalent to baptism or church confirmation, perhaps)?Re: ABOUT DEMONS
Re: ABOUT DEMONS
1) holy stuff (presumably created in only 1 place or by 1 person, and that's why humans just didn't holy water the hell out of them to begin with?) and
2) demonic powers. These can be either cast by people who've made contracts with demons, or other demons themselves??
So, a human doesn't necessarily have to contract with a demon if they can somehow otherwise convince them to mess up the demon they want to hurt??
Demons can (and do) fight and bicker amongst each other, using their powers?
Re: ABOUT DEMONS
Holy powers are rare and no humans wield offensive holy powers. Defensive exists, but being able to ward things doesn't allow them to fight back, though it does allow the existence of things like Amabilis Sanctum. Hypothetically someone could seal a demon, but it doesn't kill or really harm them, just takes them out the picture.
So yes, humans can convince demons to fight amongst each other, and demons can and do fight, powerplay, backstab, and murder each other.