The Adversary

No human can enumerate the forces of Hell. Though hedge magicians collect and hoard the names and ranks of demons as if they were treasure, it is a futile task. Those who have explored the dark side of the world believe that there is not merely one Hell, as the Church claims, but innumerable levels of pain and damnation. Some believe that Hell is not a structured place with separate realms of punishment, but a bleak emptiness in which the Fallen Angels and demons have built their habitations.

Lucifer
Lucifer is first among the Fallen Angels. He led the rebellion in Heaven and continues to work against all good in the world. In the Book of Job he is portrayed as a servant of God sent to test mankind. According to the Church he was Prince of the World until Christ made a new covenant with humankind. At this point, he became the Adversary, violently resisting the works of the Lord and fighting a battle that would only be resolved on judgement day. His name in Heaven was Samael, the angel of light; he became Lucifer when he fell, and has been named Abaddon, the Destroyer, and Apollyon, the Angel of the Bottomless Pit.

The Princes of Hell
The human mind cannot realize the scope of the infernal forces set against the world. Hell's hierarchy is seen as a dark reflection of Heaven's angelic hosts, with the following orders of Fallen Angels leading the unholy legions:

First Hierarchy
The most powerful of the fallen angels are the Seraphim. The Seraphim are ruled by Beelzebub, who tempts men with pride; Leviathan, who is the ringleader of the heretics and leads men into sins repugnant to faith; and Asmodeus, who is the prince of wantons and burns with the desire to tempt men into sins of luxury. Below the Seraphim are the Cherubim, lead by Balberith, who stirs the blood to murder and blasphemy. Lowest in the first hierarchy are the Thrones, lorded over by Astaroth, who promotes sloth and idleness; Verine, who causes impatience to lead to sin; Gressil, who wants mankind to wallow in filth; and Sonneillon, who tempts men into hatred against their enemies.

Second Hierarchy
There Lords of Hell are the Dominions, commanded by Oeillet, who tempts people to break their vows; and Rosier, Queen of Succubi, who opens the path of sinful pleasure and tainted love. Their work is supported by Verrier, Prince of the Principalities, who whispers rebellion against authority and incites people to refuse their lords. The final level of this hierarchy is the Powers, headed by Carreau, who makes men harden their hearts against love and faith; and Carnivean, who makes people love obscenity.

Third Hierarchy
The least among the demon lords are the Virtues, governed by Belias, who leads humanity into arrogance and worldliness, distracts them from virtue with vulgar fashion and teaches children to be wanton and disregard the Gospels. Olivier, of the Archangels, is the lord of cruelty and delights in abusing the poor and weak. Finally the infernal Angels, led by Iuvart, are merely servants and vassals of the other lords of Hell.

The Demons
The true host of Hell is made up of countless demons. It is these beings who are brought into the world by infernalists and most readily take an interest in the affairs of mankind. Most of them are subservient to their masters in Hell, but there are some who seem worryingly independent. According to religious scholars, six broad types of demons have access to the world:

Fiery Demons
The demons who dwell in the vast darkness between the stars and planets are a varied breed. Most have little interest in humanity, prefering to pursue their own strange intrigues - it is said that the pagan gods drift in the darkness remembering their days of power, that there are strange demons based upon ideas, constructions of mathematics, manifestations of human reason and emotions. They are called daemons to distinguish them from their more comprehensible kin.

Aerial Demons
These demons swarm invisibly through the spirit world, seeking entrance to the material world in order to tempt or attack humans. They conspire with infernalists for the destruction of mankind.

Terrestrial Demons
Terrestrial demons are the most dangerous sort, for they have been cast out of the spirit worlds and dwell on Earth among humanity. They are often confused with werewolves and fae, for they are adept at changing their forms and casting illusions. The weakest among them possess the bodies of animals, creating Hell-beasts, while the more powerful pose as human beings and work their corruption secretly. If a terrestrial demon is slain, it is truly dead rather than merely dispelled.

Aqueous Demons
These demons dwell in rivers, lakes and the ocean depths. They delight in drowning humans, especially children, and use both guile and outright force to claim their due. The aqueous demons of the ocean are colossal monsters capable of crushing ships in their coils or tentacles.

Subterranean Demons
Subterranean demons dwell deep within the earth and in caves and caverns. They attack those who disturb their domains, but are otherwise encountered by humankind only when summoned to the surface. They are slow and malicious, appearing as hybrids of armor, flesh and stone.

Bound Demons
Least among infernal powers are bound demons. These demons are so pitiful that they can be summoned and commanded to work by mere human magicians. Bound demons are usually small and brutish, often appearing as overly large toads or other vermin, and serve either as familiars or as guards set over places or treasures.