«Мы сожжем весь мир дотла и станцуем на его руинах!»
Also known as: Demons, Lords of Chaos.
Briefly: Demons are the embodiment of Chaos. They consider personal freedom and independence to be the only values and feel no need to justify their actions. They kill because they can or because they want to. That is why they are viewed as "evil" and dangerous, and why other factions of Ashan prefer them to remain imprisoned in their own kingdom, Sheol, created by Sar-Elam. However, among these nations there are individuals seduced by the idea of Free Will, who eventually become demon worshippers.
Inspirations: Greek Maenads/Bacchae (companions and worshippers of Dionysus), Rome during its decline (Nero, Caligula (also known as Gaius Julius Caesar), Heliogabalus, etc.), Carthaginian and Aztec priests.
Colors: black and red.
Symbolism: Ouroboros (a snake eating its own tail), Unicursal Hexagram, Spiral of Chaos.
Revered Deities: the creator of all demons – Urgash, the Primal Dragon of Chaos.
Core Worldview: "Might is Right." The ability to commit a crime is sufficient justification for doing so. Seize, loot, and kill the weak – or not, as you wish – do not deny yourself the most selfish desires, seduce fools who do not understand the true meaning of "freedom." The strong rule the weak.
Country/Kingdom: Sheol, the Fiery Prison.
Capital: Ur-Hekal, the "Gates of the Burning Heart".
Social Organization: Demon society is organized on the principles of absolute monarchy. All orders from each of the six Demon Lords are obeyed. Even the slightest manifestations of disagreement or disobedience are punished swiftly and severely. Their subjects are organized into a crude hierarchy based on strength, where the stronger commands the weaker. The most powerful demons call themselves Lords and claim certain territories in hell as their own property. The strongest among them hold entire cities and other locations at the court of their Master and defend them zealously.
Magic: Demonic magic is drawn from unrestrained chaos and is destructive by nature. In general, demons demonstrate an unsurpassed ability to use the most negative aspects of all types of magic (direct damage, damage over time, curses). Most of their spells are actually distorted versions of ordinary elemental spells.
Inferno Strategy: "Divide, Summon and Conquer" Summon as many additional troops as possible while spreading chaos and fire through the enemy ranks, then order your strike forces to finish off the foe. Inferno generals focus on swift and dangerous attacks, high offensive capabilities of their troops, as well as destroying enemy support, disrupting tactical plans, and summoning reinforcements.
Strengths: unmatched potential for attacking spells, high mobility, melee own troops are hardy and deadly, ability to control Chaos (Fate/Luck, Space and Time) for their own needs.
Weaknesses: lack of capabilities to support their own troops, low morale.
Racial Ability: Opening the Gates – Inferno troops can summon temporary reinforcements directly onto the battlefield.
The entire Demon nation is one big army. Everyone lives to prowl for prey and destroy; everyone possesses exceptional abilities to sow chaos and destruction. United together into a disciplined force, Demons are practically unstoppable.
Fortunately for their enemies, disciplining demons is much harder than it seems, and lesser demons often require control from larger masters who are skilled with the whip.
And even the terrifying presence of demon legions on the battlefield is not all; demons will resort to various tricks such as destructive area-of-effect spells, mind control, shapeshifting, curses, etc. Only when the enemy's defense has been properly softened do the demons begin their assault. If discipline reigns among the demons, they usually pierce through everything in their path like lightning. Otherwise, they turn into an unorganized, loot-hungry mob.
Demons also have other advantages over their enemies: Being able to alter the space-time continuum, they can teleport onto the battlefield. Additionally, the "Opening the Gates" ability allows them to call reinforcements directly from Sheol. Demon weapons are covered in spikes, serrations, and hooks, all designed to deal maximum damage, cause terrible pain, and make healing any wound they inflict extremely difficult.
Chaotic by nature, Demons have a wild temperament and a correspondingly unpredictable style of combat. Their unpredictable and large-area abilities are notable for the fact that they can affect their own troops, so their goal on the battlefield is often simply to ensure the opponent suffers more than they do.
Usually, it is better to sacrifice summoned troops rather than regulars, so a passive start to the game can be useful and continues at least until the commander decides enough troops have been summoned to set them upon the enemy.
Canonical Inferno Hero: Hell Knight (Sword Hero) This status is granted to demon worshippers who have excelled in service to their master. Hell Knights are not true demons, but Humans (Elves, Dwarves...), who received the "blessing" of Urgash and were "altered" by Chaos Magic. Their corrupted bodies are now hidden in armor capable of sensation, and it is impossible to remove. They lead legions of Demons on the lands of Ashan. Unlike true demons, they are also not bound to Sheol and can leave it freely, making them excellent agents of the Overlord within the territory of Ashan. Hell Knights are not great masters of Chaos Magic themselves, but the ritual they underwent grants them various "chaotic" abilities.