What are Demons exactly!

[Mad_Irishman]

Hello all. I love the Elric and Stormbringer role-playing games. The only thing I am confused about or curious about are the demons in the games and books. What are they exactly? Do they come from Hell or some other foul place? Or are they more from another plane, or aliens? Any input on this would be helpful. I would not say I am an overly religious person, but the thought or idea of the demons being from Hell kind of bothers me, making the game very dark, but I realize it is a dark setting. But the other side of me in intrigued about it and the mechanics behind summoning and what not. Anyway any input would be great, especially from you Mr. Moorcock. Thanks again.

-Ian

[The Dark Mage Of Melnibone]

Hello all. I love the Elric and Stormbringer role-playing games. The only thing I am confused about or curious about are the demons in the games and books. What are they exactly? Do they come from Hell or some other foul place? Or are they more from another plane, or aliens? Any input on this would be helpful. I would not say I am an overly religious person, but the thought or idea of the demons being from Hell kind of bothers me, making the game very dark, but I realize it is a dark setting. But the other side of me in intrigued about it and the mechanics behind summoning and what not. Anyway any input would be great, especially from you Mr. Moorcock. Thanks again.

-Ian

Greetings friend, and welcome! I know nearly just about everything demonic... Demons are my specialty when it comes to information... Now, let me say this, not all demon are from "Hell"... The ones in the books and games are not exactly from the Christian version of "Hell"... They are more like from other planes that are similar to Hell, or from the Underworld which is not exactly hell to begin with... Yes, they do come from a darker plane, but don't all demons? Yes, indeed... I hope that helped you some... I hope I have aided thee well...

Your comrade, The Dark Mage Of Melnibone

[Mespheber]

First, you have to consider the notion of Multiverse: our univers is not three or four dimensions but is composed by "a thousand of spheres" which are the different planes crossing each others to compose our reality. However, on each plan or on another plans conjunction, live other creatures. They are gods, spirits, demons... These plans are generated by the harmony of two values: Law and Chaos.

In Erlic's saga, demons are creatures from the Chaos, they are not good or evil but chaotic. Chaos is the energy of creation, symbolized by the eight arrows star, the Chaostar (which is also the name of a brilliant greek band), that is creation with no direction, complete disorder which leads it to entropy. Order is given by the Law, however, Law is not good without Chaos: a law with nothing to rule is meaningless...

Most of all, you have to consider that thes creatures are fictionnal. As a believer, I have no ethic problem to play Stormbringer or In Nomine Satanis/Magna Veritas. Does an actor will feel bad to play the devil in Faust from Goethe? As well, Pasolini was a communist and made the most beautiful adaptation of Matthew's Gospel...

Faith is a thing, arts and games are others...

[The Dark Mage Of Melnibone]

First, you have to consider the notion of Multiverse: our univers is not three or four dimensions but is composed by "a thousand of spheres" which are the different planes crossing each others to compose our reality. However, on each plan or on another plans conjunction, live other creatures. They are gods, spirits, demons... These plans are generated by the harmony of two values: Law and Chaos.

In Erlic's saga, demons are creatures from the Chaos, they are not good or evil but chaotic. Chaos is the energy of creation, symbolized by the eight arrows star, the Chaostar (which is also the name of a brilliant greek band), that is creation with no direction, complete disorder which leads it to entropy. Order is given by the Law, however, Law is not good without Chaos: a law with nothing to rule is meaningless...

Most of all, you have to consider that thes creatures are fictionnal. As a believer, I have no ethic problem to play Stormbringer or In Nomine Satanis/Magna Veritas. Does an actor will feel bad to play the devil in Faust from Goethe? As well, Pasolini was a communist and made the most beautiful adaptation of Matthew's Gospel...

Faith is a thing, arts and games are others...

I agree with you comrade, you have explained well... Besides, these demons that our friend speaks of, are not exactly from the christian Hell anyway...

[Mespheber]

ARIOOOOCH!!! Blood and souls for Arioch!!!

Damn, that was a long time I hadn't...

[Hieronymus]

However, if you check out in some "Grimoire" you can find Arioch as a demon's name as other "fallen" angels.
If I remember he is the "demon of revenge"
Arioch is a jewish name who exists in the Bible, if I remember right

[Dan Vince]

However, if you check out in some "Grimoire" you can find Arioch as a demon's name as other "fallen" angels.
If I remember he is the "demon of revenge"
Arioch is a jewish name who exists in the Bible, if I remember right

There was an Arioch in Paradise Lost. I don't recall any demons named Arioch in the Bible though, nor in any grimoires.

[johneffay]

There was an Arioch in Paradise Lost. I don't recall any demons named Arioch in the Bible though

He only has a walk-on part and he isn't a demon:

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphal king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Cherdorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations (Genesis, chapter 14, verse 1).

[Mespheber]

Elassar sounds like Elessar... Arioch = Aragorn?

[johneffay]

Elassar sounds like Elessar... Arioch = Aragorn?

Ellasar was a city state(?) in Assyria. I omitted the words 'king of' between Arioch and Ellasar. I have amended it now.

[redbeard]

Here be DEMONS.

[Hieronymus]

Yes, Arioch is a demon but only in demonology, in the Bible Arioch is ( if I remember right ) a king's name.

[Ian]

Demons are merely denizens of other realms/planes/spheres.

In the Corum saga, a Nhadragh summons a "demon" at the behest of Glandyth-a-Krae.
This demon is none other than Prince Yyrkoon of Melnibone.

Ian

[Mespheber]

Yep, I remember that many humans considered melniboneans themselves as demons because of their magic and dragons riding. It is also a common human attitude to deny humanity to those who are hated. As well, in Corum, the Vadhrags (Corum's alike people) are named "shefanow" by the Mabden, which seems to have an evil meaning...

Reminds me an Elvis's song:

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

You fooled me with your kisses
You cheated and you schemed
Heaven knows how you lied to me
You're not the way you seemed

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

I thought that I was in heaven
But I was sure surprised
Heaven help me, I didn't see
The devil in your eyes

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel

But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

[The Mythanian]

Personally, I'd describe a demon as anything you summon out of some sucky universe.
Hey, we live in a sucky universe. Shit, I'm a demon.