Early Access
Demons are formless spirits of the dead tortured in nether realms until all that was good or caring in them was burned away, forging a being of spite and hate.
A demon remembers only fragments of its former life—every good memory is cauterized, and every slight, misfortune, snub, and pain is amplified, motivating the creature to tempt others into the same state.
Having no flesh to call its own, a demon is a shadowed, ephemeral horror able to possess others. A demon can cause great harm in a short time by forcing its host to lie, steal, and hurt loved ones.
Motive: Hunger for others’ pain and fear
Environment: Anywhere
Health: 25
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound
Movement: Short; immediate while flying in immaterial form
Modifications: All stealth as level 7 in immaterial form; deception as level 6
Combat: A demon in its immaterial form can touch a foe, automatically succeeding against a block defense and either inflicting a moderate wound from supernatural rot or allowing the demon to attempt to possess the foe’s body and mind. If the foe fails an Intellect defense roll, the demon’s immaterial form disappears into the foe.
On the first round, the possessed character is still in control and can act normally. On all later rounds, the demon can use its action to give the host a command. If the host succeeds at an Intellect defense roll, they do nothing on their turn; otherwise they do as the demon commands. The possessing demon can only issue commands, allow the host to act normally, or use its action to leave the host.
Each time they use a ten-hour non-rest recovery, the possessed character can attempt an Intellect defense roll to eject the demon, but starting on day eight this attempt is hindered for each day (more than seven) they’ve been possessed. Otherwise, the demon remains until it chooses to leave, someone uses an exorcism ritual to force it out, or the host dies. An ejected or cast-out demon is powerless for one or more days, confined to its immaterial form and unable to attack or possess anyone.
While possessing a character, the demon is immune to most attacks, which instead affect the host character. A demon usually tries possessing a creature before they’re aware of its presence, but it might choose to possess a victim in combat. One way to exorcise a demon is to command it out in the name of an entity that has power over it. This can be attempted once per day. It grants the possessed character an additional Intellect defense roll to eject the demon.
Interaction: A demon allows a possessed host to act normally, as long as they don’t reveal the demon’s presence. If its presence is known, the demon might negotiate, but only after a tirade of lies and obscenity, and the demon likely betrays any deal reached.
Use: An ally of the PCs has begun acting differently, and not for the good.
GM Intrusion: A successful exorcism transfers the demon from its previous host into the character performing the exorcism. The demon gets one round within the new host before the character can attempt an Intellect defense roll to expel it.