Demons

Throughout the many cultures of Varda, malevolent entities are often intertwined with folklore and myths, as well as being a very real threat in the current day. Most will refer to these as Demons, although this varies depending on language and region. Historical documents and research shows that such beings have been an ever-present threat to Varda since the Time of Elves and Dragons, over four thousand years ago.
Although it is rare for Demons to find their way on to the Material Plane, it is not unheard of, even in current times. Often talked about in hushed whispers, organisations across the world have been set up to seek out and prevent any incursions from Demonic entities. This often-times aligns with the religions of the world, and faith in particular deities is said to ward of Demons.
Demons often vary in form, intelligence and behaviour, but where they haunt one is sure to find destruction and the corruption of souls.

Appearance and Behaviour

It is thought that there are an untold number of Demons seeking to breach in to the Material Plane, and with this it is said that Demons come in countless shapes and sizes. For every record of a Demon's appearance matching a previous report, there are dozens if not hundreds that describe them differently. Many will be manifestations of a particular domain, such as war, undeath, pestilence or a variety of “sins”.
The true matter is that Demons are innumerable and so are their forms. They may resemble twisted forms of mortal creatures, with horns atop their heads and leathery wings, or a simple shadowy presence with undefined features. What is true is that each has a horrifying presence and often takes a form born of dread and nightmares. Even if they at first seem beautiful beyond all measure, this appearance can soon fade to reveal the twisted being underneath.
The behaviour of Demons can also vary, but one key element always seems to be present; corruption. What a Demon may first want may be unclear, and even seem to be offering aid. Methods for swaying mortals to their influence differ, with some seeking to make deals, others to use fear and violence, and others with elaborate schemes. Demons appear to be able to directly communicate with the Material Plane in various ways, but only in locations that have a history of violence and fear, or a link to The Weave.
However, to be able to enter the Material Plane is no simple act, and Demons must rely on mortals to first bridge the gap to their domain.
Possession
It is very unlikely for a Demon to find itself fully formed on the Material Plane. Even to hold its True Form on the Material Plane for any amount of time requires a great amount of power, so other methods are needed to corrupt mortals. One method of interacting with the physical world is the act of possession. This is most often a sentient being, but animals and even inanimate objects have been reported.
A Demon cannot simply possess a host whenever they wish. The willpower and mental fortitude of the victim must first be crippled. This is done with manipulation; whispers and voices, visions and the haunting of the individual. Once the host has been whittled down, the Demon can move in and exert full control.
Signs of possession include sudden personality shifts, inexplicable strength, and physical deformities such as blackened veins, glowing eyes, or unnatural voices. The longer a possession lasts, the harder it is to remove the Demon, and in advanced cases the hosts body may become irreparably damaged.
Many cultures have those that practice different forms of Exorcism; the mean of expelling a Demon from its host. These often take the form of religious rituals, but others may use their magical prowess and link to The Weave to similar ends. However, Exorcisms are no simple ritual, and the disruption of such spellwork can have catastrophic consequences, including the death of the host or even the summoning of the Demon's True Form.
Summoning
The door to the Material Plane is not left open for Demonkind, and is only possible to open from the other side. It is possible for the mortals of Varda to open the pathway though, an this is done via complex summoning rituals. Precise incantations, rare components and often an unwitting sacrifice are all key elements to Demonic summoning. The reason for summoning a Demon is unique to the individual, but usually the Demon has manipulated the summoner's intent to their own purpose.
Summoning is a perilous task, and rarely ends well for the summoner. Even if the summoner manages to avoid the Demon's deceptiveness, a poorly executed summoning ritual can lead to possession or death. Expert demonologists warn that no summoning is truly safe.

Signs of Presence

Von Carsten's Guide to Monster Hunting details he following on spotting the presence of a Demon or Demonic possession:

• Sudden drops in temperature or unexplainable shadows.
• The movement of objects that typically look like Ghost hauntings.
• Individuals acting out of character, especially with violent or malicious tendencies.
• Foul smells, often likened to sulphur or decay, appearing with no source.
• Markings or sigils that seem to appear overnight in blood or ash.
• Animals showing signs of aggression, particularly to an individual or locations where no one is there.
• Disembodied voices or whispers, often in unknown or foreign languages.

Known Lore (In-World)

Across Varda, the existence of Demons is often viewed as simple fairytales and folklore, meant to keep children in line. There are those that do believe n their existence, and this can vary from nation to nation. It is typically agreed that they are agents of evil, tied to dark forces and curses. Stories tell of the temptation of Demonkind with promises of wealth, happiness and power, all in exchange for one's soul. In some cultures, they are associated with natural disasters and war.
For those that are privy to the knowledge of Demonkind's existence, a constant battle against the forces of evil is a matter of life. Entire organisations are dedicated to this war, with specific types of Demons being catalogued and forbidden lore sought after. Demonologists and exorcists are constantly studying and preventing possessions to combat the influence of Demons, although many have often fallen to the corruption they seek to prevent.

True Origins

The following is for world-building purposes only – no Character or mortal found within Varda will be privy to such information (although Divine Beings and Demons themselves may be).
All living beings are born with a slice of The Weave within them, often referred to as the Soul. When a creature dies, this soul returns to The Weave and the magical currents within. However, a soul can become stained and corrupted. This often takes an act of extreme malice or cruelty. These corrupted souls, upon returning to The Weave, are reborn as Demons.
Within The Weave, Demons are in constant turmoil, jostling for power and influence in a ceaseless struggle. Their ultimate goal remains singular: to breach the Material Plane and sow chaos. Overseeing this infernal hierarchy are the Demon Lords—immensely powerful entities that rule over their own sub-domains within The Weave. These lords act as both tyrants and patrons, using their influence to command lesser demons while perpetuating schemes to extend their reach into the mortal world. Their dominions are said to reflect their twisted nature, each a realm of torment and malevolence, and even the Demons that follow them often take on forms more in-line with the Domain of their master.
The form a Demon takes will be a direct manifestation of their deeds, their mortal life and their death. A murderer may take the form of a shadowy predator, a greedy tyrant may be bloated and gluttonous, or one that died of disease may be covered in poxes and rot.
Each Demon awakens with different memories of their mortal life, although most of this is forgotten in time. What they do have is an eternal hatred for those mortals still in the Material Plane, and an everlasting jealousy that they will never truly return to the lands of the living. This is what drives a Demon's desire to return to the Material Plane, if even for a fleeting moment. There they can sow chaos and corruption, and bring more souls to the Plane of Magic where they will also be reborn a Demon.

List of Demons

• Shadow Demon
• Vrock
• Succubus
• Crossroads Demons 
• More to be added!

"There is perhaps no greater evil that threatens this world than that of the Demon. Other creatures simply seek to claim life; for food, for sport, it does not matter.
But the Demon - he will corrupt the very soul. We must not permit such atrocities to taint our land!"
Attributed to the great monster-hunter, Wilhelm Von Carsten