Changeling (27 page)

The most numerous and varied of the nether-creatures, demons and djinn make up over ninety per cent of the Netherworld’s population. Some have inhabited the Netherworld as long as it has existed; others have been created – summoned into existence by sorcerers and practitioners of dark magic. A vast hierarchy exists for demons and djinn, the cause of many fights and even wars in the history of the realm. Demons are by far the most powerful group, with djinn often submissive and obsequious in their company. While not as powerful, djinn are far more numerous, and this imbalance between power and population has been a major source of friction between the two groups.

The most powerful demons, with their knowledge of magic, are extremely difficult to kill, but every demon has an Achilles heel: a unique and secret name that was given to it at its creation. They guard and cherish this name above all else, knowing that should it ever be discovered, they are forever bound to obey the commands of the individual (demon or human) who has used it.

While technically separate orders of nether-creatures, the djinn like to consider themselves as ‘true demons’ (even referring to themselves as such and inventing their own caste-like system of nomenclature). Demons, on the other hand, consider the djinn as being lesser in worth, power and status. The demon hierarchy is a complicated system, separating demon species into strict categories that determine role and status in the Netherworld.

Level-Four Demons
: The most powerful demons. An elite echelon that has traditionally ruled over the Netherworld. Hell-Krakens, Pit Shedim, Infernals and Terrorfiends are among this group.

Level-Three Demons
: Still important, these demons are often found in positions of prominence in the Netherworld. Examples include Shadow Demons, Bone Grells, Ghuls, Ashnon and Murkbeasts.

Level-Two Demons
: The majority of demons fall into this group. Incubi, Nargwan, Succubi, Maug, Hordelings, Necrotrophs, etc.

Level-One Demons
: The lowest echelon of demon society, these creatures often lead wretched lives, existing only to carry out the work that others would not consider doing. Orgons, Krell and Sprites are all examples.

The Djinn also have a four-level system of nomenclature, although this is dismissed by the demon communities. To them (even to the lowly level-one demons), the djinn are little more than upstarts and underlings – creatures created with relatively simple magic that have spread and multiplied to problematic numbers in the Netherworld.

The diversity in both demon and djinn orders is further complicated by how these creatures must adapt to cross over into the human realm: both species are separated into
indies
and
deeps
. Independents are capable of existing in the human realm on their own, adopting a human mantle to disguise themselves. Deeps, or dependents, must take possession of a human body to live in the human realm; like parasites, these creatures move from host to host, indifferent to whatever death or madness they leave in their wake.

Maug:
Large, powerful demons. Not particularly intelligent, but ferocious fighting skills and a powerful sense of loyalty to any employer make them the ideal choice for security and bodyguard work.

Shadow Demons:
Impossibly fast, these demons revel in their reputation as ruthless killers. They often set themselves up as mercenaries or assassins for hire. They are particularly effective in darkened places, where their skin seems to absorb any light, making them impossible to see until it is too late. They are effective killing machines.

Incubi/Succubi:
Shapeshifting demons able to take on the appearance and attributes of men and women respectively. They have a unique ability to perceive their intended victim’s fantasies and desires and adopt a disguise to lure them. At heart they are cowardly, but they feed on the gullible and conceited and are widely used to infiltrate the worlds of the wealthy and glamorous.

Necrotrophs:
Parasitic creatures. They infest their human host by crawling in through their open mouth and setting up home in their intestines. From here they send out hundreds of tentacles with which they hook into the host’s brain and spinal column in order to take control. Once they have finished with a host, they move on to the next, leaving the first hopelessly insane or, if fortunate, dead.

Ashnon:
An extremely rare form of demon that is capable of the ultimate camouflage: the perfect reproduction of any human being. Unlike the incubi and succubi, the Ashnon are invisible to other nether-creatures and, unlike the necrotrophs (whom they hate and kill on sight), they cause no damage to the person they are imitating. They are able to charge huge fees to double as heads of state, monarchs and VIPs in danger of assassination or kidnapping. Unlike the Necrotrophs, the relationship between the host and demon is symbiotic rather than parasitic.

Only the most ruthless and powerful demons are able to maintain a position of power within the Netherworld. In a realm driven by hatred, destruction and treachery, it is impossible to know who is truly on your side and who is merely plotting to usurp you. Thus the most powerful demon lords have always ruled through fear and tyranny, creating armies of nether-creatures to destroy their adversaries at the merest sign of any uprising. But in recent times they have become complacent; too comfortable in their power, too indulgent of their desires, they did not react to the Machiavellian machinations of the vampire Caliban and foolishly allowed him to form a powerful army of his own.

Like earth, the Netherworld is host to a diverse array of animals and plants, and many of these are employed by its inhabitants to bolster their arsenal. The Spiders of Nrgal, Skaleb’s Brood, the Hell-Boar that guard the gates to Helzog’s Palace – all these are common examples of nether-fauna used by the more powerful nether-creatures to protect property, secrets and treasures. The flora of the demon realm is no less deadly. Poisonous Hagthorn bushes leave anyone unfortunate enough to be stung by them paralysed so that the plant can feed on their flesh at its leisure. Bael Ivy has been known to infiltrate the bedrooms of its victims at night to strangle them in their sleep, dragging the bodies to the plant’s roots to rot and compost there. Almost all the plants are poisonous and their properties are widely used by practitioners of dark magic.