Somniatus Devil
<Sawm-nee-ah-tuss>
A somniatus devil is a devil who preys on sleeping mortals. They are able to enter the dreams of others and trap them in horrifying dreamscapes under their control. Most somniatus devils gather souls through extortion, and often by threatening a mortals child. They will enter the child's dream, trapping them in a sickening coma. Soon after, they will demand the soul of one of the parent's in exchange for the child's safety.
Somniatus devils are very lowly ranked in the demonic hierarchy, made from damaged souls with little expectation of success. Most are familiars and aids to stronger devils, planting false visions and bad dreams to help manipulate mortals for their masters. Though they are of the soul gathering caste, they are generally not expected to accomplish much on their own due to their weak form.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Somniatus devils often appear as small harmless animals such as squirrels, raccoons, lizards, and cats. They have little control over their appearance, with most only able to master one such form. Their true forms often resemble a more demonic, skeletal version of their animal form. In the dreamscape, they can appear however they like, and use this to great effect in manipulating and frightening mortals.
Somniatus devils are created from the souls of lazy mortals, and require only a single soul to craft. Because of this, many have more memories of their previous life than other demons.
Abilities
Somniatus devils have vast control over a mortal's dreamscape, but are incredibly weak outside of it. They have the ability to become invisible and have to remain relatively close to the creature they are dream-haunting. This distance can be increased if they have an object of sentimental value to the creature - stories of Somniatus demons often begin with a child losing their favorite toy and soon after entering a coma. In some societies it is considered a terrible omen for a child to lose their favorite thing. Somniatus devils can exert their full influence in the dreamscape, which can be lethal if given enough time - but it leaves them vulnerable. Unlike most demons traveling to another plane, if killed while in this state, they are permanently destroyed. Due to these weaknesses, these devils primarily only prey on those who are unlikely to know much about demons.Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
Tixx, an incredibly successful somniatus devil that manipulated adventurers in the late 3890s.
