Pathfinder Religion Guide: Demons and Demon Lords

My latest Religion Video focuses on Demons and the Demon Lords of the Abyss. Today we look at common demon types as well as a bunch of abyssal demigods.

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

0:00 - Intro & Preamble
4:30 - Types of Demons
15:28 - Abraxas
17:14 - Aldinach
18:27 - Andirifkhu
19:57 - Angazhan
21:47 - Areshkagal
23:05 - Baphomet
23:22 - Cyth V'Sug
24:45 - Dagon
25:07 - Deskari
26:31 - Flauros
27:58 - Gogunta
29:17 - Haagenti
30:36 - Jezelda
32:21 - Jubilex
33:38 - Kabriri
34:58 - Kostchtchie
36:54 - Mazmezz
38:35 - Mestama
39:30 - Nocticula
41:33 - Nurgal
43:22 - Orcus
44:41 - Pazuzu
46:20 - Shax
47:44 - Shivaska
48:57 - Sifkesh
50:32 - Socothbenoth
52:11 - Urxehl
53:26 - Xoveron
54:33 - Yhidothrus
55:38 - Zura

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CREDITS

#paizo #pathfinder #golarion #innersea #roleplaying #rpg #history #lore #d&d #demons #demonlords #abraxas #aldinach #andirifkhu #angazhan #areshkagal #baphomet #cyth-vsug #dagon #deskari #flauros #gogunta #haagenti #jezelda #jubilex #kabriri #kostchtchie #mazmezz #mestama #nocticula #nurgal #orcus #pazuzu #shax #shivaska #sifkesh #socothbenoth #urxehl #xoveron #yhidothrus #zura

[stillyourgoth]

I have been waiting for your take on Nocticula. She is a favorite.

[rabbithaze]

Having a blast playing as a succubus (enchanment wizard) demon in Wotr, love the content.

[dominickfinch]

We're currently playing 5e in my custom world, not PF2e or Golarion. But I did take the bit of lore that demon lords have to be killed twice within a short period of time or else they gain their Abyssal resurrection ability, and the group is currently on an excursion to kill Orcus permanently, coming off the tail of events in my world. So this is coincidental timing.

I find Paizo's interpretation of demons, being personifications of sin, to be a breath of fresh air compared to D&Ds, which sort of kill and destroy just to kill and destroy. In fact I find that the fact that all of the fiendish outsiders embody a certain ideal like sin for demons or death for daemons is very useful to to quickly figure out at a glance what makes a balor demon different from a nalfashnee.

[yuyuyu]

This is perfect timing, I'm making a campaign right now that has a Demon Lord invading the world and I've been thinking about which one to use!

[zeldaaddicted]

A tip on distinguishing Demons & Daemons in pronounciation, pronounce Daemon as you would Matt Damon or alternatively as Diamond. Most people I've heard that come across the Daemon spelling use the Matt Damon variant but both are very good to separate them from demons in speech I think.

[davidmoss]

These guides are so great to listen to while doing chores. They give me so many campaign ideas. Thanks for the content!

[israelmorales]

Awesome! thx for this work. I didn't know about the redemption and ascention of Nocticula

[ColinGrym]

I've been looking forward to this video and it delivered - well done again :) My favorite is still your Dark Tapestry episode because I adore unknowable Lovecraftian realms and eldritch gods, but this contends. Now here's an expansive rogue's gallery to sink one's teeth (or more likely swords and spells) into. Demons embody actual human vices cranked up to max. That means killing, outsmarting, or conspiring with them is especially compelling because they are relatable or horrifying temptations/failings from real life made manifest.

This episode is rich with potential adventuring hooks and campaign-defining villains. Devils will drown you in paperwork, put you into morally difficult situations, and can be deceptively reasonable. The impression I got of daemons of Abaddon is that they are destruction incarnate and only want to obliterate everything. Contrasting that we have demons who are at least as beholden to their immediate desires as mortals and that gives them weaknesses to be exploited. Out-bargaining a devil for gain is basically impossible and likely very tedious. Conversely the potential for manipulating a short-sighted demon presents an incredibly high-risk, high-reward venture that toes the line between dumbest thing a player could do and thrilling lucrative adventure. Plus very few entities frown if you deceive a demon to your gain and it's detriment. If want a hook to toss your players into a maelstrom of intrigue, violence, or temptation and reward clever play you could do far worse than a demon's temptations or interference.

Ideologically I'd probably oppose Abraxas most readily because I love knowledge but I also fervently believe widespread education and transparency are critical social ethics. On the flip side, I view secrets used to exploit and control others (e.g. buying politicians under the table, criminal syndicates bribing authorities, insider trading etc.) as causing an inordinate amount of suffering. Thus Abraxas' portfolio of hiding knowledge and making sure secrets never come to light particularly motivates me. I also had a moment of hate when you discussed Areshkagal, but that's entirely because her temple dungeon in WotR is such a pain in the ass :) Nocticula's story is nice because it's good to know that while angels may fall, demons can also ascend - a compelling theme that also came up in the WotR game actually.

[rhymeaholik]

The timing on your last two couldn't have been more serendipitous. I just finished wrath of the righteous. These videos are great. Thank you sir 🙏

[pfostenbob]

Hey, love your videos! I really like lore deep dives, especially these since I've been GMing Pathfinder games for years now and your videos already helped me add some background knowledge for my players. I would love a region deep dive of Absalom and the Isle of Kortos

[lakkakka]

Like I love returning to golarion in kingmaker or wrath of the righteous I love to watch and listen to your lore videos.

[gianghuynh]

This video scratches a nice nostalgic itch to the days I played Wrath of the Righteous. Still the game with the most play hours in my Steam library. Thank you.

[JamesAdams-ndtd]

I don’t much care for the Fiends, but I’m happy to have this and your video on Devils and Daemons since I’m already using your videos on Celestials/Empyrral Lords in one of my (many) homebrew settings as the major religious sects, and I figure it’s also good to know the bad guys. So, thank you to introducing me to some compelling villains (or beings villains can worship)

There are also a couple of demon lords I like: I’ve always enjoyed the concept of the Gorilla King (and Angazhan just looks cool) and I LOVE Nocticula as the Redeemer Queen.

I also have to wonder about Aldinach. Given her association with deserts and scorpions I have to imagine her cult comes into conflicts with the followers of Selket regularly.

[Halthior]

An incredible video. I recently got into Wrath of the Righteous and its quickly become an obsession. Your lore videos are amazing to listen to while i am at work and need to indulge. Keep up the awesome work. Also...

49:38 **HONK**

[grinningbuck]

Mazmezz is a new favorite! Thanks again, MythKeeper!

[winterkalte]

Instant like. Haagenti seems very interesting to me. Planning to add to my campaign his sect, who sell more and more devastating weapons to both sides of the military conflict to keep it going.

[AmericanAurochs]

Always glad to see a new video by you.

[Vaksharules]

Thank you so much for making a video that goes over so much lore so efficiently! I'm glad even more niche demon lords have gotten attention here!

Just a nitpick, you pronounce daemon as "demon, " but in Pathfinder it's pronounced "DAY-mon" to differentiate the *daemons* of Abaddon from *demons* of the Abyss. I hope this doesn't come off as snarky, just wanted to point that out because I know it can be confusing to have both demons and daemons running around as very different fiendish species.

[jedimasterajlee]

One of Gogunta's edicts being "aid amphibians" is so funny to me. Like, just imagine undergoing this huge ritual to commune with your dark god, asking what her will is, and she just goes "help a frog today :)"

[cliffwood]

Another great video! I do think it's funny that demons "evolve" like Digimon (I have not seen much Digimon tbf), they look totally different as they get stronger forms. Very fun overview!