Appendix[Daemons]

Problem 

The Time has come once again. A beloved slime enthusiast has called for bloggers from across the land to an "Appendix[Initial]" blog wagon.

Thankfully, you won't have to suffer through reading a niche blogger's inspirations list through disassociate prose. Instead, bloggers w/ initials A-P could rewrite their own take on ye olde Appendix[Initial] from ADnD.

Unfortunately, the original Appendix D was shockingly uninspiring. Despite being an entire section about "Generation of Creatures from Lower Planes," the actual content boiled down to: "refer to this monster on page x" + a series of random tables.

While there's nothing wrong w/ a good table, it feels like something's missing...

(A) Solution

Narratively speaking, what's so interesting about Demons? Is it succumbing Temptation? What about a fall to Corruption? Obviously Faustian Bargains are a classic trope.

Gameplay wise, what can you do with a Demon? You can definitely fight them, Appendix D makes that clear. But what about those who want to dabble in the occult?

Simple, we can focus on the "Deal w/ the Devil" aspect, but make them less ontologically evil by re-contextualizing them as Daemons.  

Appendix[D]: Summoning Daemons

A Platonic Daemon (Malice Domain) Awaiting Orders

What are Daemons?

Contrary to popular belief, a Daemon is not the same as a Demon. While both Angels and Devils originally came from them, a Daemon is simply a spirit bound to the mortal plane to perform a task.

Thus Daemons are not inherently good or evil. While they do have their own wants and needs, their actions are a reflection of the summoner's desires. 

Essentially, all Demons are Daemons, but not all Daemons are Demons (or Angels, Genies, Oni, etc.).

Summoning Procedure 

The primary reason to interact with Daemons is to make a Deal. The Deal be anything (wealth, power, protection, an item, etc) the Daemon could feasibly do.

To summon a Daemon, you'll need the proper incantation and a thematically appropriate offering. You learn the following invocation by studying an occult grimoire or by interrogating those who've invoked a Daemon:

Roll	Tier	Type
1	Low	Platonic
2	Low	Berkelian
3	Low	Decartesian
4	Standard	Darwinian
5	Standard	Maxwellian
6	High	Laplacian

 

An offering's quality is relative to the summoner's opinion. For ongoing Deals, the summoner must trade their soul, or something as important to them. 

Once the Deal is made, the Daemon is bound to uphold it until:

• The terms of the agreement are met
• They have been Exorcised
• The summoner betrays their end of the Deal

Temperament

After making a deal, roll 2d6; 1 for the Daemon's opinion, the other for the complexity of the Deal.

• <6: Kakodaímōn- Will plausibly twist the Deal against the summoner's best interests. Revels in their misery. 
• 7-8: Daímōn- Strictly Professional. Will follow the Deal's exact phrasing, for better or worse.
• >8: Eu̯dai̯monía- A Guardian angel. Will follow the intent behind the Deal rather than the exact phrasing.

Does the Daemon like/hate the summoner? Then raise/lower the Opinion die to d8/d4.

Is the Deal simple/complex? Then raise/lower the Complexity die to d8/d4.

Types of Daemons

Platonic

Info: A supernatural personification of a concept, social construct, or naturally occurring event. Domains Include:

• Sins (7 Deadly Sins, 108 Defilements of Buddhism, Local Heresies)
• Misfortunes (Natural Disaster, Curses, Tragedy)
• Natural Elements (Fire, Shadows, The River)
• Phobia/Fears
• Maladies (Disease, Depression, Apathy)
• Constructs (Commitment, Judgement, Wealth)

Tier: Lower Tiers have minor influence over their domain with actions confused with happenstance. Higher Tiers can cause mass devastation or great societal impact. 
 

Appropriate Offerings: A physical token or specific act representing their domain.
 

Exorcism: Exposure to an Antithetical Element (E.g. Fire vs Water) or an Element that Supersedes it (E.g. Shadows < Darkness).

Berkelian

Info: Truly alien creature who's very prescience mocks mortal comprehension. Often sought by scholars and madmen to gain passing glimpses past the veil of reality.   
 

Tier: Lower Tiers can only offer true 3 dimensional insight (an event in 3d space at the current time). Higher Tiers can answer questions not even the GM knows.
 

Appropriate Offerings: Depictions of the Daemon, Eyes, Windows.
Exorcism: Blinding the Daemon, Truly understanding the Daemon.

Decartesian

Info: A completely conceptual telepath capable of completely overriding all senses. Those who've interacted w/ this Daemon often question if they're still in the dream  
 

Tier: Lower Tiers can only manipulate 1-2 senses of a target. Higher Tiers can override an entire town's perspective, including math and physics.
 

Appropriate Offerings: Methods of (self) reflection, Philosopher's Mind, Sensory Narcotics.
 

Exorcism: Proof of its non-existence.

Darwinian

Info: A highly adaptive, amorphous creature. Most commonly summoned by those wanting to drastically change their own forms.

 

Tier: Lower Tiers are evasive scavengers doing anything and everything to survive. Higher Tiers are apex predators perfectly malleable to any environment you put them in.
 

Appropriate Offerings: Clay, Blood, Rubber, other malleable substances.
 

Exorcism: Starvation, Chaotic Pressure, Stagnation.

Maxwellian

Info: A high strung micro manager. Everything MUST go in its correct place. Carries entire projects on their back. 

 

Tier: Lower Tiers are able to manage a single project to its utmost efficiency. Higher Tiers do the same for entire organizations.
 

Appropriate Offerings: Contracts, Promises, Favors.
 

Exorcism: Burnout, a Midlife Crisis, Doubt, Critical Disorganization.

Laplacian

Info: True Divination. The Future is Now, the Present is in the Past, and the Past is merely an extrapolation of what will be.

 

Tier: Lower Tiers can offer vague insights about upcoming events. Higher Tiers can see everything that will ever be and what may have been.
 

Appropriate Offerings: Burnt history book, artifact smashing, precious memories.
 

Exorcism: Defying Fate, Spotting an oversight.