[handwritten]

[cleanestwitch]

Dear Community,

What do you know of demons? I am curious to see if there are differences or similarities amongst our different worlds on the topic. Are they real and true where you come from, or are they mere fiction? Are the beings of darkness, or perhaps something less harmful?

I would appreciate anything you have to say on the matter. Thank you.

Comments

[glimmerous_fop]

I don't know much about demons outside of a religious and fantasy aspect. They tend to be ominous creatures that you'd avoid association with.

Any particular reason for the association?

[cleanestwitch]

Simple curiosity. The topic had come up, and I thought to hear what the community had to say on the matter.

Is there anything said of demons who make pacts with humans?

[glimmerous_fop]

Well in religion there is the "Deal with the Devil" which has to do with archaic Christian ideas and witchcraft.

[cleanestwitch]

And how are such deals usually conducted?

[glimmerous_fop]

Well, speaking from a mythical point of view, you make a pact...it's usually a written pact in which the person trades their soul for favors: money, power, revenge, youth...

[rosejam]

Devils are real where I come from. They come from the depths of Hell itself...trying find a way to make a deal with anyone foolish enough to agree.

[cleanestwitch]

Then they are wholly evil, where you are from?

[rosejam]

I believe so. Their deals may be made in good faith but in the end they always get the best out of it.

[cleanestwitch]

What is it that they usually bargain for?

[fortheworld]

Fictional where I'm from, though there's something that could be considered close. What of yours?

[cleanestwitch]

I have heard tales of them, though perhaps such tales might have some truth to them.

What is the something that might be considered close?

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[fortheworld]

They don't call themselves as such, but they meet the criteria in the faustian sense; they appear as animals, and will claim your soul for a wish.

I'm simplifying considerably I admit, but you can see the similarities.

The Witches of my world could also be held as something akin to a demon in the unintelligent sense; they exist and feed upon misery and despair, temping those that fall into their grasp into insanity and suicide.

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[cleanestwitch]

Certainly. Is it common for people to make deals with these beings?

[selene]

I'm not so sure about demons, but there's monsters in my world, if that counts. They're pretty dangerous, so they are a lot like demons then, right? We generally call them "youma"..

[cleanestwitch]

What kind of danger do they pose?

[selene]

They're attacking people and trying to drain their life force that way. If me and my friends don't beat them, then it'll be like all those people are practically dead if it comes to the worst..

[cleanestwitch]

You are fighting these monsters?

[handwritten]

[smokepraylove]

I wouldn't go so far as to call them fiction here at home, but they're not quite the tangible, active manifestations they are on some corners of this place.

[handwritten]

[cleanestwitch]

What are they like, then?

[handwritten]

[smokepraylove]

Discreet enough sane people can get by not believing in them at all. Or maybe I should say if you seriously attributed anything modern to demons or devils, you'd get hauled off as a madman.

[handwritten]

[cleanestwitch]

I see.

Is magic prevalent in your world?

[text]

[croibhristeoir]

That's something of what one would call a 'gray area' where I come from. I can't say we had 'demons' under quite such a name, but harmful entities that were far more than human did indeed exist.

[text]

[cleanestwitch]

Do such beings form bargains or pacts with humans?

[text]

[croibhristeoir]

I don't think it was unheard of, but nothing specific comes to mind.

[text]

[cleanestwitch]

Have you ever encountered one of these beings yourself?