View source for A copy of Ateghu's Guide to Demonology

<pre>The Theory and Practice of the Summoning and Binding of Demons

                       Ateghu, Dedicant of the Void


        As most learned are aware, void magic, unlike no other, commands
and draws its power from the sentient denizens of that plane. While the
individual scholar can accomplish impressive feats through the use of
channeling negative energy, the most potent of invocations require that
the scholar of void be capable of summoning and binding demons to his
will. 
        This fact, more than no other, has lead to the unfortunate bias the
practice of void magic has experienced in the past. Skilled practitioners
will realize that just because on has traffic with the denizens of the lower
regions does not imply that one necessarily will become their unwitting
pawn. Of course, this risk, along with the risk of death at the hands of
that which we summon is a real one, and it is the purpose of this work
to introduce journeyman in our craft into the safe and efficacious methods
of controlling such entities. 

        Before the formal training begins, let me give a Warning:
Demons, like all the denizens of the planes of Order, are creatures bound
by Laws. Our control of them is a direct reflection of our capability to
understand and implement our understanding, however imperfect,
of these Laws. Departing from the way of careful, disciplined studies
into the realm of chaotic, random experimentations is to be avoided
at all costs, for in that path lies the way to our own undoing.



CHAPTER 1

The first requirement of any demonic conjuration is of primary
importance. The scholar must first determine the diabolical sign which
holds dominance over the demon that is to be summoned. 

        It is one of the great mysteries of our craft why certain demons
are attracted to, and inevitably, bound by, particular symbols. Certainly,
the symbols which bind a particular demon have some connection to both
the origins and the mystical allegiance of the demon. For instance, it will
often happen that a denizen of the demon city of Logor will be drawn by
sigils and runes native to that place. 

        The theory of this author is that the Symbols are abstract
representations of the true forms and names of demonic life and locales.
The principle of sympathy applies to these forms, and thusly, demonic
life is drawn to and contained by the symbols.

        Unfortunately, the ability to inscribe such symbols is not
a matter of simply memorizing the right angles, distances, curvatures,
and so forth. The scholar must be first find the "prime form" of the symbol,
and then through study and experience burn the memory of it into the very
fabric of its being. The "prime form" of a symbol is not simply a particular
instance -- rather, they are typically the result of unique mystical contact
between our world and the void. For instance, the death of a powerful
demon, or the completion of a truly terrible curse, might leave behind
such a symbol as a residue. That such pure, or prime forms must be
seen and experienced before the void scholar can faithfully replicate them
is only more evidence that they exist on a more abstract plane of
existence.



CHAPTER 2

Once the scholar has decided on the symbol he is to use, he then
decides on what material with which to inscribe it. The choice of material
tends toward alchemical in flavor, though typically our knowledge of the
proper ones is jealously guarded, being won through dark divination,
long study with infernal sages, or at last resort apprentices used in
carefully controlled experiments.

        Typical fluids or crushed powders, the materials also vary in
rarity and availability. Common materials, such as charcoal, silver
dust, or the simple powdered bone are often sold in guilds, schools,
or apothecaries. Rarer ingredients, such as the blood of celestial beings
or the ground bones of the undead may be much harder to come by.

        It is this very rarity that make scholars loathe to trivially conjure
demons to do their bidding. In times of crisis, lacking the proper supplies
can be painful, if not lethal, to the caster. This rarity also makes masters
of our craft ill-disposed to reveal ingredients which they might consider
valuable.



CHAPTER 3

Once the scholar has decided on the symbol he is to use, he then
decides on what material with which to inscribe it. The choice of material
tends toward alchemical in flavor, though typically our knowledge of the
proper ones is jealously guarded, being won through dark divination,
long study with infernal sages, or at last resort apprentices used in
carefully controlled experiments.

        Typical fluids or crushed powders, the materials also vary in
rarity and availability. Common materials, such as charcoal, silver
dust, or the simple powdered bone are often sold in guilds, schools,
or apothecaries. Rarer ingredients, such as the blood of celestial beings
or the ground bones of the undead may be much harder to come by.

        It is this very rarity that make scholars loathe to trivially conjure
demons to do their bidding. In times of crisis, lacking the proper supplies
can be painful, if not lethal, to the caster. This rarity also makes masters
of our craft ill-disposed to reveal ingredients which they might consider
valuable.



CHAPTER 4

Once a symbol has been inscribed in a particular material, the scholar
must then prepare the magical invocation which will call forth the demon.
In general, there are three tiers of demonic invocation, each more potent,
lengthy, and exhausting than the last.

        It should be clear that the more powerful the ritual, so is the more
potent the demon, but what is less obvious is that the same symbol, and the
same ritual can often be used with different rituals to produce differing
demons.

        Most importantly, though, is the knowledge that not every
combination of ritual, symbol, and ingredient will result in a viable
conjured being. Indeed, moreover, these "dissonant" combinations,
as they are known, tend to have dire effects on the caster. Sometimes,
exotic will be summoned which will turn on the caster [as the pattern
does not truly control them, being at odds with the laws of demonology].
Other casters have been known to simply vanish after such castings,
or leave behind a dessicated corpse, and so forth.



CHAPTER 5

When faced with a demon which is the result of a successful
conjuration, there then arises the matter of the Price. For reasons
which elude scholars, this price must be paid in order to bind the
demon to the scholars will. Failure to do so generally results
in unfortunate consequences. 

        The obvious question which arises, of course, is why such
obviously powerful beings would allow themselves to be bound by
we pitiful mortals. In part, we know that the symbols represent
a barrier, or even a trap to demonkind. Still, what compels the demon
to keep once the agreement has been reached?

        It is my belief that while we do have spells which control the
demon, in truth they are not powerful enough to compel their will. Rather,
they are like the token chains that bind a powerful animal. Long ago,
the chains truly bound the creature, but even though they are now more
powerful, they are still restrained by the memory of the chain. Of course,
I do not think this is literally the truth in the case of demonkind. Instead,
I conjecture that either the gods, the ancient alatharya, or some other
powerful entities, took advantage of the inherent rules of the void
to set in place a system of bargains, contracts, and prices that governed
the passage of demons to our world. Those bindings are still in place,
and we tap into them through the use of our elemental magic.



CHAPTER 6

This brings us to the final section, which concerns the control
of demons once they have been summoned and their price has been
paid. There are really two categories of demons -- those that perform
specific services, and then return to the void, and those that stay at the
scholars side, performing in response to his direct commands.

        Of the ones who remain at the side of the scholar, great care
must be taken. They are bound for various periods of time, which is
determined by the relative power of the demon. At the end of this
period, the scholar must infuse the demons binding with more
magical energy, in order to renew his control for an additional
time interval.

        Sadly, each subsequent infusing of energy into the bond
must be greater than the last. Eventually, the scholar will be unable
to pay the cost in magic to renew the bond, it will break, and there
will be dire results. Fortunately, just as there are summoning spells,
magical research has resulted in an equal and opposite spell to
banish demons back to whence they came. Be warned: Not all
demons are eager to return!


CHAPTER 7

Demonkind are a fascinating and diverse lot. Some will
fight for the caster, willingly rending flesh and snapping bone
with great enthusiasm. Others, used to service to greater demon
sultans, will act as bodyguard, substituting chitin and blasphemous
growth for soft flesh. And there are a multitude of others -- 
succubi, blobs of alien tissue, spined horrors not the least of them.

        Tread cautiously. Memorize the combination of symbol,
material, spell, and price, so that demons will serve you, rather than
you them.