Demon

Demons are a type of powerful being that exist within the Mindscape. They are able to be summoned with certain circles/symbols and incantations, and can make deals with those who summon them. They have a wide range of powers and abilities and can do nearly anything, given the right sacrifice and contract. The more powerful the summoned demon, the more powerful magic the contract will have.

Creation/Birth

Demons are born when two demons procreate, which is an exceedingly rare occurance. Demons are all inherently competitive, in a constant struggle for power. When a baby happens, it is generally because two demons wished to bring more chaos into the world.

Once a demon “egg” is created, the parents leave. Demon parents who stick around after this point is unheard of; it’s a miracle enough they tolerated each other through courtship and birth (which happens quickly, and it’s more like fish fertilizing eggs then skedaddling out of there).

For hundreds of years, the egg exists in the demonic world, slowly developing and seeping knowledge from other worlds. The rate of absorption is proportionate to the combined talent of its parents. By the time the demon emerges from its embryonic cage, it’s already what most humans would equate to an adult. It’s fully capable of fending for itself - within moments the demon realizes its name, its symbol, it’s summoning circle. From that moment on, the demon is drawn to the human world where it can best feed, gain power, and enjoy the disaster of chaos. At this point, the demon already knows every language applicable, and inherently knows how to make good deals… but they do hone those skills through use. A newly born demon is far more likely to make a “bad” deal than one that’s been around the block a time or two.

In addition, newborn demons don’t always have a set specialty. It’s over the next hundred years or so that the demon finds its particular talent, and grows into a faction like “dream demon”, “fear devourer”, “sea demon”, etc.

Demons also don’t have a concept of family. If the parents come across the child later on, they’d treat it like any other demon - a rival.

Ranking

Demons are categorized into three (a fourth being theoretical) ranks - Legion, Spirit, Elite, (and Exalted). 

When getting more detailed however, there is a ranking scale that go from F to A to S and SS, least powerful to most powerful. F-class demons tend to be little more than smoke or tiny creatures, barely able to pop into the physical realm only when summoned or during a magical storm with natural portals opening. A-class demons are capable of destruction on a national level. S-Class demons could potentially endanger the entire world. SS-Class demons are more of a theoretical class that goes hand in hand with Exalted, and was actually proposed solely to accommodate Dipper Pines, who can pop into the physical realm at will, and harbors a possibly unlimited potential that could eventually give him the power to alter reality itself.

It’s exceedingly rare for a demon to change ranks from birth. It can however happen, if a lower demon gathers immense power - it will transform and become a new entity. For example, a Legion who devours 100 souls could potentially become a Spirit. An Elites could potentially be weakened enough with attacks from multiple forces over long periods of time to diminish into a Spirit. 

Summoning

Demons, by default, exist in a non-physical state in which they cannot directly affect the material world or communicate with the majority of beings in that world. Humans or other physical beings wishing to make contact with a demon must summon the demon to the physical plane.

To summon a demon, a person must typically draw a specific circle (usually one with symbols specific to the demon and a binding circle element to protect the summoner), recite an incantation with the demon's name or title, and make a sacrifice or offering (typically blood or a dead animal, but everything from candy to human sacrifice can be used successfully with the right demon). Summoners typically draw circles in chalk or blood on a solid-surface floor and surround the circle with lit candles. Candle scent and chalk color may be changed according to the demon being summoned, as different demons have different preferences and may be more or less likely to show up based on these details.

In most cases, the intent and will of the summoner are more important than the physical details of the summoning. A person with a strong desire to summon a demon will likely be able to even with a pencil-and-paper circle, botched incantation, and small offering, as long as the demon is not exceptionally powerful or busy.

Cults

The Cult of Dippingsauce

Main article: Cult of Dippingsauce

The Gathering of the Seven Hands

Main article: Gathering of the Seven Hands

Cult of Unending/Unceasing Hymns

Main article: Cult of Endless Hymns

Types

Dream Demons

Masters of the mind. They also kept nightmares (and in Alcor's case, dreams) as their subordinates. The appearance of these nightmares changed to fit their current master. Ex: Alcor has sheep.

Barrier Demons

A type of demon potentially able to break through the very "barriers upholding reality".

Time Loop Demons

A looper demon will look for a likely victim; preferring mortals of the heroic, wilful, stubborn or highly tenacious variety. They study their victim for weeks or months on end and look for weaknesses.

Then they setup a way to lure them towards a semi-remote location with some form of physical limitation on the outside, generally along with various other people, loved ones, friends, maybe some enemies or acquaintances.

Then they cause a series of unfortunate events, manipulating thoughts, illusionary sights, arranging accidents, pushing others to kill each other- all throughout the span of a single night.

Making sure to leave their intended victim as the last survivor, then they appear, with an offer:

“You have met with a  terrible fate have you? But dear child I offer you a way out. To undo all that’s happened. But first I want to play a game. The clock shall turn back to when the moon rose and your fellows shall rise again, no memory, no injury. A clean start for all including you, but your mind shall remind unchanged. Here is my game; Save your fellows before Sunrise and you may avert your fate, but fail and it shall all begin again. Defeat me and you may go with your fellows. But if at Sunrise you have failed I shall stand before you and offer you the option of surrender or to try again. Surrender and your soul is mine, and your friends may pass over, refuse and you may continue until you find the answer.”

Of course such a highly specialised is good at short term Temporal manipulation and apt on a general level with most forms of manipulation.

When they are in the middle of a looping cycle they have an incredibly powerful source of power fuelled by the deaths, the emotion, the trapped souls and the stubbornness of the main victim and the subsequent emotions from the victim slowly going mad.

Of course this also means that these locations are their weak points. If someone can enter the temporal loop.  They can cause the entire thing to unbalance by introducing unknowns into the entire problem crafted by the looper demon

The other solution is that the main Victim is able to actually beat the demon, an almost impossible proposition since the Demon holds all the cards.

Looper demons react badly if they see with someone who isn't supposed to be in their loop.

Torture Demons

A type of demon that specialized in torturing people. They often took offerings in exchange for performing torture.

Bodysnatchers

Bodysnatchers are low rank demons that don't have the ability to make deals. Their only powers involve being able to possess bodies without having to make a deal. Most bodysnatchers need to make physical contact with their target in order to possess them, but that's it. The most powerful ones don't even need contact.

Knowledge Demons

Knowledge demons are demons that specialize in deals focusing on the exchange and trade of knowledge. Depending on the demon, they will often take items like books as their half of a deal. However, they are still dangerous and many will still try to trick and kill humans if given the chance.

In full form, they cannot exist in less than six dimensions. Depending on the summoning circle, they can be reduced down to a three-dimensional projection. However, this will limit the extent of their power.

See Also

• List of known demons
• List of minor demons