Devils

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the world, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of the Divine; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the uttermost heights of the mount. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Devils are celestial beings who once served in Heaven as Angels of the Divine but rebelled against His authority. Their rebellion, led by pride and a thirst for power, resulted in their expulsion from Heaven. Stripped of their former glory, they were cast down to the world far from the Divine’s light. Despite their defeat, devils are far from powerless, and they have since dedicated themselves to corrupting the Divine’s creation and undermining His will.

The Spiritual War

The devils are locked in eternal spiritual warfare against the angels. This unseen battle rages in both the spiritual and physical realms, influencing the events of the world. While angels fight to protect and uplift mortals, devils strive to tempt, corrupt, and destroy them. Devils often work in the shadows, manipulating mortals through lies, half-truths, and seductive promises. They rarely act directly, preferring to plant seeds of doubt, pride, and greed that grow into full-blown sin. Devils are the antithesis of angels, and their battles often manifest as conflicts between good and evil in the mortal world. Miraculous events may be countered by acts of destruction, while virtuous leaders face temptation and betrayal orchestrated by infernal forces.

Corruption of Creation

Devils despise the Divine’s creation, seeing it as a constant reminder of their failure and exile. They seek to corrupt it, twisting mortals and beasts into reflections of their own fallen nature. Devils exploit the moral weaknesses of mortals, tempting them to abandon their faith and virtues. By leading mortals into sin, they further their ultimate goal of separating creation from the Divine. The most devoted mortals who turn to devil worship may be granted infernal powers. These followers, known as warlocks or cultists, act as agents of corruption, spreading chaos and evil in the world. Mortals who pledge themselves fully to the devils may be transformed into Tieflings, dark counterparts to the Aasimar. These humanoid fiends are cunning, charismatic, and skilled at sowing discord, often working their way into positions of power to spread infernal influence among kings, leaders, and the common people.

Power Behind Summoning Spells

Devils are the source of power for many summoning spells used by faithless or corrupt mortals. Like the angels, they lend their power willingly, relishing in those who use that power to sow discord and evil in the world. Mortals who summon devils or infernal creatures directly often do so at a great cost, sacrificing their own soul or the souls of others. Devils are skilled negotiators, ensuring that their terms favor them in the end.

The Binding of the Serpents

In their quest for power, the devils whispered lies and promises into the hearts of the serpents, ancient beings of great wisdom and strength. These serpents were persuaded to bind their souls fully into the Weave, resulting in their transformation into the Dragons. This act granted the devils access to the Weave’s power, allowing them to influence magic in the mortal world. Some sorcerers draw their magic from infernal sources, whether knowingly or not, as a result of the serpents’ binding. These sorcerers often find themselves plagued by infernal visions and temptations.

Infernal Hierarchy

Devils are organized into a strict hierarchy, reflecting their origins as angels accustomed to order and rank.

• Archdevils: Formerly powerful angels, Archdevils rule over the legions of lesser devils. They are the masterminds behind infernal plots and the chief adversaries of the Archangels.
• Greater Devils: These devils serve as generals and lieutenants, enforcing the Archdevils’ will and overseeing major operations in the mortal and infernal realms.
• Lesser Devils: The foot soldiers and agents of the infernal armies, lesser devils carry out the day-to-day work of corrupting mortals and spreading chaos.

Philosophy of Devils

Devils are driven by their rebellion against the Divine, but their motivations go beyond mere spite. Devils seek to prove that they are greater than the Divine, asserting their dominance over creation as a way of justifying their rebellion.Some devils believe their actions are a form of justice, punishing mortals for their flaws and failings. This self-righteousness makes them all the more dangerous, and many approach the altars of the Divine merely to make accusation against humanoids in the hope that He casts the sinner down to be condemned with them.

Devils are patient, playing the long game to achieve their goals. They understand that the corruption of a single soul can ripple outward, affecting entire communities or generations.

The Condemnation of the Devils

At the end of creation, the devils are destined to be cast into Tor—a place designed specifically for their punishment. Tor was created by the Divine as the final prison for the devils, a realm of eternal suffering where they will face the consequences of their rebellion. Though they rarely admit it, devils are acutely aware of their impending doom. This knowledge drives much of their malevolence, as they seek to drag as many mortals as possible into Tor alongside them, corrupting souls to share in their fate.