Musings

Journal Entry #472: Musings on the Nature of Demon Magic

By Lyra Lunareth

Of all the chaotic forces birthed from the Goddesses' meddling, demonkind represents the most twisted and curious form of creation. It is said that demons were once incorporeal spirits, just like how we elves were, back before we were untethered from the primordial forests of old. Unlike us, demon spirit's were derived from mortal remnants that escaped from the Underworld (as some call it), bleeding out into the rest of Mayko.

Early human mythologies teach us that a rogue "Goddess of Corruption" twisted these spirits, shaping their forms to mock both the other goddesses and their divine creations.

Thus, the demons were given flesh--not perfect, harmonious flesh like the mortal races, or even we elves, who were mostly spared of taint, despite our inadvertent creation by the goddesses. They became the grotesque hybrids that we see dominating much of Mayko, in the modern age.

It is my observation that they seem to blend humanity with the beasts of the land. Some appear as cunning predators, while others embody their role as seductive temptresses, but all reflect a perverse imitation of life. Interestingly, most demons take on the forms of women. I have theorized this is not coincidental: the Goddesses, in their hubris, allowed for the female form to become worshipped as reflections of their own image. Thus it stands to reason that demons--a dark reflection of the goddesses creations, would take on feminine bodies to achieve the inverted power structure we see today. Humanity's own myths tell us that men were created as a counterpart to women as their partners, which is likely why men so often fall prey to demons.

This brings me to the crux of my study: the magic of demons. It is both peculiar and potent, rooted in their nature as spirits and their eternal mandate from the Goddess of Corruption herself--to spread sin. Unlike the orderly systems of elven magic, demon magic operates on the whims of desire and intent. It is a magic of bargains, of granting wishes. Yet this is no benevolent act. Demon magic thrives on twisting the desires of mortals, and seemingly solely exists for this purpose: to distort the intentions of mankind into something foul and abhorrent.

For example, should a human man wish for wealth, a demon might enflame their ambition and inner ruthlessness, allowing them to claim the wealth of others through violence. A similarly vague wish, such as asking for power, could result in the man transformed into a tyrant in a matter of years, only to become hated and eventually slain by his own subjects. The wish is granted, yes, but the path to fulfilling it will always be steeped in sin, which fuels the demon's magic.

The source of this power is sin itself--a corruptive force that grows over time, feeding a demon's strength. However, it is a double-edged sword. A demon's magic is exceptionally weak when used for their own personal gain, to the point where it could be considered benign. Sin desires to be spread to mortals, thus there is a limit to what a demon can achieve alone. Yet, when a demon acts on behalf of a mortal, or even if a mortal were to unwittingly benefit from their actions, their power is amplified manyfold. This becomes especially potent when directly granting the wish of a mortal, especially wishes that are rooted in greed, lust or envy.

Side Note: Demon magic, when tied to long-term wishes, often manifests as a "demon's mark," a lingering tether that binds the mortal's soul to the demon. It's not atypical for mortals to seek out demons for these marks, as they are known to grant boons, such as improved vitality or strength beyond human capability. These marks often allow the demon to track their charge and ensure the wish fulfills their agenda, often spreading sin in subtle ways. While some mortals live and die without facing repercussions, their marked souls inevitably return to the demon, becoming their possession. Such bonds, though seemingly fortunate, are almost always a trap.

I have also observed that demon magic, while inherently selfish, is not incapable of selflessness. Rare are the occasions, but I have seen demons act against their nature, using their power to protect or aid without malice. Such acts, however, come at a steep cost. Their power diminishes with each selfless act, as if the very fabric of their existence unravels when untethered from sin. Thus demons would eventually be unmade, should humanity go extinct.

A version of this phenomenon can be observed in the history of Mayko itself. When the Goddesses disappeared, the world teetered on the brink of utter destruction. It was the demon lords--conquerors and tyrants though they were--who safeguarded what remained. They cast mighty spells to protect their domains, not out of compassion but to jealously guard their spoils of war. This selfish desire allowed their magic to function, though the act drained much of their strength. Had they acted out of altruism, their magic would have surely failed, and the world would have been left to ruin. It is for this reason, I believe that intention plays a powerful role in the utilization of demon magic, although how one would replicate this without themselves being a demon is yet beyond my understanding.

With this knowledge, one begins to see the cruel irony of demon magic. It is inseparably bound to the flaws of mortals, yet it cannot function without leaving destruction in its wake. This precarious balance sustains our fractured world, a balance doomed to falter. While demons may revel in the ruin their magic brings to others, they cannot escape the reality that, in time, it will lead them--and all they claim to rule--into oblivion.

Addendum:

I would end these musings here were it not for a troubling discovery. The Daughters of Corruption, offspring of the Goddess of Corruption herself, have extended the reach of their sin-fueled magic far beyond our world. By exploiting the desires of men in parallel realms, they have begun summoning unsuspecting victims into our own. This innovation seems to have bought demonkind yet more time, but it leaves me questioning: if they can manipulate desires across worlds, what else might be within their grasp? The implications of such power are as fascinating as they are deeply unsettling.

For now, I will simply observe their machinations without getting entangled in them myself.