About Daimons

​

Daimons are the aether’s arbiters of morality and universal law. Created by the Ascendants as the fulfillment of Gaia’s final wish - to guide the species of the aether - daimons are integrated into just about every aspect of civilization throughout all of history. They are angels and fiends, fey and mystical beasts, operating from the shadows to answer prayers and tempt the corrupted. 

 

A daimon’s power comes from the inherent magic of language. This is embodied in the truename - a string of syllables, sometimes many hundreds long - that possesses the power of creation and command itself. Daimons can lend this power to other beings, or even cut off slivers of their name to create more of their own kind. When mortals make pacts with daimons, they can ‘gain’ syllables that are taken off the patron daimon’s name - becoming what are known as warlocks.

 

Daimons can take innumerable appearances, but common features include horns, halos, claws, strange or glowing features, odd growths, and fantastical tails and wings. They are inherently capable of shapeshifting to carry out their goals secretly.

​

All daimons have a caveat associated with their power - a rule that always tests a daimon's willpower, but must never be broken. This is called the Divine Law. A daimon must remain true to their word and obey this Law, otherwise they risk becoming corrupted - and turning to Chaos.

 

Daimonic Hierarchy

​

• Ascendants - There are only seven Ascendants, serving as the true ‘gods’ of daimonkind. Each is a neutral, immeasurably powerful force. Their divine law is that of noninterference - they may not directly answer mortalkind or aid them, therefore they task their legions of descendant daimons to do so.

• Elders  (Waxing and Waning) - These daimons possess demigod-like powers, with many living for eons. They are among the aether’s strongest beings, alongside the Arcania nebulon and Paragon aethrin. The eldest of this rank are called Waning Elders, who command entire legions and are known as “Daimon Lords”. They may rule over several of the younger Waxing Elders, who themselves command networks of Sovereigns. However, some Elders prefer to work alone.

• Sovereigns  (Rising and Setting) - These daimons command a local region, operating out of a lair within this area and tasking their subservient Chevaliers and Servitors to carry out tasks. They command several domains and are the most common daimons to make pacts with warlocks, aiming to strengthen themselves. Rising Sovereigns, the younger, command smaller regions while Setting Sovereigns, the older, might command an entire pearl or small section of the aether.

• Chevaliers - These daimons are the creations of Sovereigns and serve as taskmasters to the Servitors, personal agents, knights, and vassals to their lords. They are the lowest sentient daimon class but still possess significant power. Powerful warlocks are permitted to summon Chevaliers to their aid.

• Servitors - These are semi-sentient beings made of a handful of syllables from the Sovereign’s name. They resemble bestial, fey, angelic, or demonic beings such as imps, cherubs, spiritual animals, and other supernatural creatures. They are capable of speech and communication, but their powers and capabilities are limited to the purpose for which they were created. A Servitor can grow in rank if they prove themselves worthy to their Sovereign sire. They are the most common summons gifted to warlocks.

 

Domains of Power

​

Daimons always serve under one of the Seven Ascendants, representing aspects of morality, virtue, sin, and natural laws. A list of the Ascendants can be found on the Gods of the Sevensix page. Under each of the Ascendants, who are themselves always Neutral, daimons may have three alignments: Good, Neutral, or Evil.

 

A daimon’s domains are rules of nature, morality, or themes that the daimon commands. The more powerful a daimon, the more domains they have jurisdiction over. When a domain comes into question, an elder daimon will call upon its descendant who specializes in that domain - such as a prayer to recover a lost memory being answered by a daimon of Historia who specializes in lost memories and forgetfulness.

 

Alignments

​

Good daimons are called Beneficai, analogous to angels and celestial beings. They are guardians, protectors, guides, and saviors to mortalkind who seek them in prayer. Their goal is to preserve goodness and resist evil throughout the aether, serving their sire and Ascendant through increasing the balance of good. Many are associated with the Ascendants Doma and Licentia. When they lend their syllables to mortals, the recipients are called Clerics.

 

Neutral daimons are called Nu, analogous to fey and spirits. They are either ambivalent to morality, care little for it, or actively work to promote both Good and Evil. They are primarily sought out for knowledge, secrets, insights, and the power to preserve the natural balance of all things. Many are associated with the Ascendants Mundus, Aetas, Historia, and Ananka. Their warlocks are known as Druids, Bards, Scholars, Oracles, or Monks depending on the nature of their power.

 

Evil daimons are called Maleficai, analogous to devils or fiends. They are manipulative, cunning beings keen on undoing all that is good and right in the aether, preying on mortals with corrupted souls or delighting in subtly steering a good soul toward darkness. While they are malicious beings, they are still fundamentally adhered to their divine laws, and they never tell an outright lie or violate a contract. They are commonly associated with Atropos, but may overlap with other Ascendants. Their warlocks are called “True Warlocks”, those who have bargained a part of themselves or their souls in exchange for power.

 

Lastly, there are Chaos daimons of any alignment. To violate the fundamental Lawful alignment of their kind is to be forever ostracized, and even hunted by other daimons. They serve the Chaos Triad and make bargains with mortals in much the same way as the other daimons, although the nature of their power is more erratic - but sometimes more powerful as a result. Their mortal servants are called Corrupted, or Chaos Warlocks.

 

Daimons in Society

​

Daimons are social creatures. They very rarely distance themselves from mortalkind, as their purpose is to serve as stewards of the species in the aether. Their hands shape the course of fate and history, and their machinations work to steer the future toward one of balance. Daimons blend in with society, serving just about any role from the wealthiest rulers to the most unassuming peasants. They are capable of disguising themselves as any other species, or even regular animals, in addition to their true daimonic forms. They are the creatures that answer mortals’ prayers and wishes, and the voices that tempt mortals toward the darkest evils. There is nowhere in society that daimons cannot be found working behind the scenes.

 

Daimon Naming Conventions

​

Daimons have three names, all equally important: the common name, the title, and the truename. The truename is a string of syllables in the Daimonic tongue that together form all that a daimon is, was, and ever will be. To know this name is to know the daimon’s very soul, and therefore assume complete control over them. This name is kept a strict secret, never to be revealed even at the cost of a daimon’s life, and is only known by the daimon themselves and their sire. When they give power to warlocks, daimons draw syllables from this name. 

 

The common name and title are what daimons are normally known by. The common name is decided by the daimon, given by their sire, or anointed to them from reputation. It can take any kind of flavor, and can even be made up of parts of their truename, either scrambled or made up of the syllables they’ve lent out to mortals (and therefore no longer exist in the truename to risk exposing it).

 

The title is a distinct feature given to Chevalier daimons and higher, so long as they have individuality. This title is always structured as “Daimon of the (Adjective) (Noun)” and relates to the daimon’s unique features, symbolism, domains, or powers.

 

Example: 

Common name - “Jack”

Title - “Daimon of the Igneous Wrath”

Truename -  Jakarishkal-tavateilekunatan-ishtulekakiristu-nathikra-el