Devil

Devils are the powerful deities of the demonic world, which descended to the terrestrial realm during the Demonic Invasion, ending the Second Age. Their arrival was only possible once sufficient intensity of predation and corrupting energies accumulated in the world, largely attributed to the wars inflicted by Kratos, the God of Conquest. Now established in Gaia, most Devils seek to conquer, enslave, or destroy humanity, though each pursues their own agenda amid complex rivalries among their kind.

Devils share many characteristics with the Gods. They possess defining attributes and powers aligned with their nature, can reform in the world after death (taking decades to achieve), and possess a counter to Sacraments known as "Devil's Marks" that can curse their subjects with powerful enchantments.

Devil's Mark

Devil's Marks are powerful enchantments that Devils place on a subject's heart; similar to the Sacraments possessed by the Gods. Each Devil has their own unique Devil's Mark, which is related to their archetype. Some Devil's Marks grant the subject powerful magic, while others are designed to inflict a heavy cost to the victim. Some are obvious, capable of powerful visible transformations, while others cannot be detected without extraordinary supernatural means.

Individuals with a Devil's Mark are known as the "Marked" and cannot receive additional Devil's Marks. A Devil's Mark that grants its subject unique abilities requires tremendous power, and is limited to roughly twice per year. The Marked tend to live slightly shorter natural lives than usual.

Devil's Marks cannot be purged from a subject unless they are willing to have it removed. This process requires a Saint, or an extremely powerful Priest. Amara herself is the only known being who can purge a Devil's Mark from unwilling subjects.

Devil Archetypes

• Devils of Transformation
  • Osmos, Devil of Assimilation (Wendigos)
  • Vorax, Devil of Predation (Demon Lords)
  • Thespia, Devil of Mimicry (Doppelgangers)
• Devils of Ensnarement
  • Avarice, Devil of Deals (Binding Agreements)
  • Lusia, Devil of Vices (Succubi)
  • Umbra, Devil of Whispers (Inquisitors)
• Other Devils
  • Calibra, Devil of Details (Kaijin)
  • Malthus, Devil of Corruption (Chimera)

Osmos, Devil of Assimilation

Osmos is driven to achieve "perfect" life through forced evolution by consuming powerful victims and assimilating the most desirable traits. He possesses no singular identity, instead existing as a blend of multiple personalities woven together. He can retain between 7 and 10 assimilated victims simultaneously, with the exact number based on the complexity of absorbed powers and how much the skills have degraded over time.

New assimilations are acquired every year or two to keep skills fresh. After identifying a bloodline with particularly promising traits, Osmos may observe for generations until an ideal specimen emerges. Only after a meticulous selection process will he assimilate a valuable target or release a previous acquisition. The result is a mix of savant-tier talents that allow him to rule over one of the strongest demonic kingdoms.

Wendigos

Wendigos, the Direkin who receive Osmos's Devil's Mark, can consume the hearts of their victims to assimilate their skills and traits. Only two to three potent assimilations are possible, but they become versatile and unpredictable threats if their victims are chosen wisely. Visually, they adopt traits that resemble their victims, but still retain a clearly demonic form.

Vorax, Devil of Predation

Vorax rules the largest kingdom among the Devils, embodying the savage glory of predation in its purest form. As the ultimate apex predator, he can transform rapidly into any demonic form that suits his needs, possessing overwhelming physical attributes that make him nearly unstoppable in combat. His remarkable healing capabilities ensure that even grievous wounds mend themselves quickly, allowing him to engage in battle after battle with minimal recovery time.

His kingdom thrives on a brutal hierarchy where the strongest dominate and prosper. Vorax himself chooses to feast exclusively on "delicacies of the highest order," seeking the most powerful prey available from other kingdoms.

Demon Lords

Vorax's Devil's Mark creates the Demon Lords, who gain power and immortality as long as they feed on the hearts of others. These terrifying entities possess an insatiable bloodlust that must be satisfied regularly, but grow increasingly powerful with time.

As they age, many Demon Lords develop more discriminating tastes, thirsting for increasingly impressive meals. Fairkin hearts are noticeably "sweeter" than those of demons, and powerful individuals provide far more satisfaction than weak ones. Many seek out powerful demons or attempt to capture elite humans from the Titan forces. Some of the oldest have even attempted to consume Vorax himself, though all such challenges have so far ended with these ambitious Lords becoming meals themselves.

Thespia, Devil of Mimicry

Thespia can modify her form at will to appear as any creature, shifting her entire form within mere seconds. She can perfectly mimic a subject's appearance, vocals, behaviors, and mannerisms after a brief psychic identification; much like detecting a scent. Though she rarely visits Fairkin society, her control over Miasma is strong enough that she can fully disguise its presence, allowing her to blend in seamlessly.

Rather than rule her own kingdom, Thespia spreads her influence through all of the demonic kingdoms and Fairkin society through widespread covert infiltrations with her Doppelganger agents. Unlike her Doppelgangers, Thespia does not need to consume her targets to mimic them. She can assume identities through a psychic reading akin to scent, and her mimicry extends beyond humanoid forms to many creatures, though she visibly struggles with forms that are too small or too large. Cities saturated with Prana are difficult for her to endure, becoming unbearable after a few hours.

Doppelgangers

Doppelgangers, the Direkin recipients of Thespia's Devil's Mark, gain the power of mimicry. Upon killing a target and consuming their heart, Doppelgangers become that individual, replicating their appearance, skills, traits, and personality down to the nuanced mannerisms. They even gain access to the victim's memories, allowing them to move seamlessly through social circles without raising suspicion. The only limitation to their mimicry is the inability to replicate Anima, which is bound to the soul itself.

Doppelgangers cannot handle Prana for long. Most can endure only a few days in cities before needing to retreat to Shadowlands to recharge, creating absences that careful investigators may notice. The longer they are exposed to Prana, the more they revert toward their demonic forms and behaviors. After a day or two, they become agitated, make mannerism slips, and begin reverting to demonic instincts.

Avarice, Devil of Deals

Avarice rules over a large kingdom of riches through a network of supernaturally binding agreements and pacts. He presents himself as a provider of extraordinary opportunities, offering wealth, resources, or power to fulfill desires. He knows precisely what his victims desire, and the exact limits of their willingness to barter for it. He is also a meticulous collector who never fails to claim what he is owed.

Binding Deals

The deals made by Avarice are supernaturally binding. Once a subject agrees to his terms, he binds them with his Devil's Mark. Their heart becomes physically linked to the agreement. If they even consider betrayal, their heart begins to tighten and squeeze as a warning. Should they knowingly violate the terms, their heart will be crushed instantly, killing them. This enforcement mechanism is seemingly limitless, as Avarice's Devil's Mark requires very little essence on a willing target, allowing him to maintain a vast bounty of favorable deals without fearing betrayal.

Through these pacts, Avarice commands legions of subjects bound to his service. His influence extends far beyond his physical reach, as each agreement adds another loyal servant to his ever-growing collection. Even Fairkin Warlocks sometimes seek power from him, willing to risk their lives and service for the tempting offers he can provide.

Lusia, Devil of Vices

Lusia embodies temptation and indulgence. She projects an irresistible aura that transforms her own wishes into others' obsessions. Her presence convinces others to act according to her desires by making them believe these impulses are their own. Demonkin are completely helpless against her. Direkin and Fairkin have the capacity to resist, though extreme willpower is required.

Lusia is herself defined by obsessive tendencies, constantly demanding more, with an insatiable hunger for new experiences. This perpetual craving for excess extends to her fascination with human artifacts and vices. She particularly enjoys keeping human captives, toying with their emotions and converting them to her service.

Succubi

Succubi, the Direkin recipients of Lusia's Devil's Mark, experience a euphoric passion when serving their mistress, and a deep apathy and repulsion for anything else. They obsess over Lusia's ambitions and desires, becoming extensions of her will, and carrying her influence deep into demonic and Fairkin territories where she does not personally venture. Succubi also gain magical powers of persuasion and emotional influence, particularly as it relates to enticement, attraction, and acting on vices.

Umbra, Devil of Whispers

Umbra represents the subtle power of manipulation and hidden knowledge. He is the supreme master of Umbral Miasma, able to perceive through Miasma as though it were an extension of himself. He monitors events and engages in psychic conversations up to several kilometers away within Shadowlands.

Umbra values subtlety and patience over immediate gratification, and adapts his strategies to each target's unique vulnerabilities; trickery, temptation, deals, and more. He prefers to cultivate sleeper agents and develop long-term plans that unfold over decades or centuries. His influence is remarkably wide-reaching, extending through both demonic and Fairkin territories, though it remains mostly unknown to others.

Inquisitors

Inquisitors, the Direkin recipients of Umbra's Devil's Mark, are the ultimate infiltrators. They forget Umbra entirely, interpreting his whispers as their own thoughts, and allowing Umbra to reach, read, and influence their minds from anywhere within a contiguous Shadowland. They don't know they're working for Umbra and are unable to betray what they don't know. These agents have infiltrated key positions with other Devils, Warlock clans, and Fairkin society.

Calibra, Devil of Details

Calibra is the ultimate strategist and artificer, embodying precision, analysis, strategy, and exploitation of weakness. He has created the most sophisticated demonic technologies in the realm; Miasmatech of unparalleled ability. His technological advantage has enabled him to maintain his kingdom in the Darklands for centuries, in defiance of Haven's repeated invasions and overwhelming odds.

Unlike most Devils who demand worship, Calibra expects results and innovation from his followers. He tests his Kaijin with seemingly impossible challenges to force creative solutions. Failure is tolerated if it produces useful data, but repeated stagnation is punished severely.

Calibra understands the principles of Aethertech and is able to corrupt and transform it into Miasmatech. His Kaijin oversee an extensive Aethertech smuggling ring through the Warlock clans, making them a critical part of his operations.

Calibra allies himself with other Devils when it serves his purposes, all while exploiting their weaknesses to benefit himself. He sees little value in war between demonic societies, preferring to focus his resources on technological advancement and strategic positioning.

Kaijins

Kaijin, the recipients of Calibra's Devil's Mark, gain significantly enhanced intelligence, augmenting their already extraordinary talents as strategists, sorcerers, alchemists, or artificers. Nyzari and Warlock sorcerers who bear this mark develop extraordinarily powerful casting abilities, mastering complex sorcery that is beyond the reach of their peers. Alchemists and artificers become technological savants, and in some cases can learn to corrupt Aethertech as Calibra does.

Malthus, Devil of Corruption

Malthus embodies the raw corrupting power of Miasma itself, serving as one of the primary forces behind the spread of Shadowlands throughout Gaia. As the supreme master of Carnal Miasma, he can reshape flesh at will and take any demonic form, adapting instantly to any threat or environment. He possesses overwhelming healing capabilities that make him nearly impossible to kill through conventional means. Even catastrophic damage to his form can be repaired in under three minutes, allowing him to continue fighting long after most opponents would have fallen.

Malthus's kingdom presides over the most powerful Shadowlands. This is in part due to his inherent corrupting power, and partially because he actively seeks out and conquers the strongest Shadowland territories specifically to expand his kingdom.

Malthus's Chimerans

Chimerans are drawn to Malthus's presence, and they instinctively heed his commands above all others. This natural authority over these creatures gives him a vast army of feral soldiers that requires no training or incentive to follow his will.

His Devil's Mark empowers Chimerans with extraordinary abilities, making their evolution into Titan-Class threats significantly easier. These marked creatures become his elite champions, sent against the Titan forces with devastating effect. Their rapid growth and development under his influence create some of the most dangerous entities that the defenders of Endros must face.

Interactions Among Devils

While all Devils share a firm hostility toward the Gods and Fairkin, they maintain complex relationships with each other that shape the political landscape of the demonic realm.

Umbra maintains sleeper agents near most other Devils, making them reluctant to directly oppose him. His network of unwitting spies ensures he remains informed of their plans and movements, allowing him to manipulate events from the shadows.

Calibra often collaborates with other Devils, providing technological assistance and access to advanced Miasmatech while simultaneously exploiting their weaknesses to gain intelligence for his own purposes.

Avarice and Umbra frequently make mutually beneficial arrangements, combining their complementary talents for binding deals and hidden manipulation. Meanwhile, Lusia is often targeted by Umbra's manipulations but maintains her own sphere of influence through her network of obsession-driven servants.

Vorax commands the largest demonic kingdom, making many others cautious about direct confrontation with him. Malthus, however, regularly competes for influence over powerful Shadowlands, and Vorax is often forced to concede.

The Adventurer's Guild's Information on Devils

Calibra, Devil of Details:

• Master of strategy and technological savant.
• His Devil's Mark creates Kaijin with significantly enhanced intelligence and sorcery power.
• Rules the demonic kingdom in the Darklands. Presumed to be in Pyraxis, his capital city.
• Has defied the odds on more than one coordinated invasion.

Thespia, Devil of Mimicry:

• Capable of imitating any form within an unknown range of a psychic link.
• Her Devil's Mark creates Doppelgangers capable of taking someone's form by eating their heart.
• Location is presumed to be in Endros.
• Believed to have between 10 and 25 Doppelgangers actively operating within Endros.
• Believed to have a kingdom in the Demonic Lands that she rules by proxy.

Umbra, Devil of Whispers:

• Capable of psychic links to identify and whisper to targets kilometers away.
• His Devil's Mark creates Inquisitors that forget about him and believe his whispers are their own thoughts.
• Presumed to be in Endros.
• Presumed to have a few dozen of Inquisitors actively operating within Endros.
• Uncertain what demonic kingdoms he is affiliated with.

Osmos, Devil of Assimilation:

• Capable of assimilating over a dozen victims, acquiring all of their skills, memories, and powers.
• His Devil's Mark creates Wendigos, capable of assimilating traits from victims they consume.
• Last known location was in Narth.
• Has established a demonic kingdom in Narth.
• Regularly harasses the navy.

Lusia, Devil of Vices:

• Location unknown, but presumed to be in the demonic lands.
• Has a demonic empire that overlaps other demonic territories.
• Her Devil's Mark creates Succubi, capable of enchanting targets to compel their will.

Avarice, Devil of Deals:

• Knows exactly what his victims want, and exactly what they're willing to do for it.
• His Devil's Mark binds a victim's heart to their deal, ensuring betrayal comes at the cost of death.
• Location unknown.

Malthus, Devil of Corruption:

• Supreme master of Carnal Miasma. Can reshape into any demonic form and heal catastrophic damage in minutes.
• His Devil's Mark strengthens Chimerans, enabling them to quickly evolve into Titan-Class threats.
• Located in the Demonic Lands, ruling over his demonic kingdom of the south.
• One of the primary aggressors against the Titan forces.

Vorax, Devil of Predation:

• Apex predator, only contested by Malthus in terms of physical ability.
• His Devil's Mark creates Demon Lords that possess immortality, as long as they feed on powerful victims.
• Has many ancient Demon Lords that assist in the war against the Titan forces.
• Located in the Demonic Lands, ruling over his demonic kingdom of the north.