Fiends
Evil comes in many forms. And the Fiends of Daestra and Devum know that quite well. The Fiends are the embodiments of evil where it is Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic. The Demons took the form of Chaos while the Devils took the form of Order. This evil used to be united under one banner as they had one goal: Destroy good. And they nearly one, changing the fabric of Avestran history. But as evil eventually does, they turned on each other.
Fiends are varied in personality and beliefs as much as mortals are but it is always linked back to their version of evil. However, just as the Celestials question themselves, the Fiends begin to do the same. But it comes on two fronts. The first group wonders what the point of Evil even is at this point. While they don't embrace good, it's clear that there are forces out there that show that evil is not always the strongest such as the X'ith'ila and Eternals. The other group believes that Evil can no longer be divided. It must unite under one banner to survive.
So with fallen Fiends occurring on one end and Fiends uniting on the other, what will become of them? What new form will they take? And what effect will their choices have on Avestra as a whole?
Basic Information
Anatomy
The most numerous form of Fiends are the Demons, native to the chaotic realm of Daestra . From the corrupted depths of Maligos to the highest peaks of Mount Vixicos, the demons come in varying shapes, sizes, and appearances. They usually appear as animalistic like creatures such as the Balgura, Abyssal Chicken, or even the Armanite. Other times, they can appear as just monstrosities or ordinary people.
There are the Devils, native to the lawful realm of Devum. Unlike the Demons, Devils take forms that are more fair and humanoid like, wishing to convince people of deals. Only when they wish to absolutely break someone's will or if they are weaker do they take monstrous forms.
And there are the Daemons, who align with the neutrality of evil. Their homeland is unknown for they spread like cancer to every other realm. They can be beguiling like Devils and take attractive forms or be like Demons and take monstrous forms that terrify others. Anything in their bid to eradicate all life from the universe.
Besides those three are countless fiends who take various forms. Since they don't prescribe to be a Devil or Demon, they do not apply to the previous categories.
Civilization and Culture
History
The Fiends were born from the realm of Daestra and Devum. Scholarly fiends and Ano, when he wants to mess with people, claim he created their realms as a connection to Cosmic Evil in antithesis to his brother. After the Eternals disappeared, the twin worlds developed on their own. From Daestra came the Demons and Devum the Devils. These two worlds often clashed as they constantly argued on what the greater evil was. And neither could believe they were equal parts the truel evil.
When they chose not to fight, the Devils sent scouts out to explore The Astra and came across the other realms. Of course, they were discovered by the Celestials and the two mainly ignored each other. Until the Calling came. They heard countless voices, whether it be Gods, Eternals, or the Elders supposedly, calling for them to conquer the other realms. Those voices spawned the Blood War where Cosmic Good and Cosmic Evil would clash.
The Fiends absolutely devastated the Celestials, forcing their way to their worlds. It seemed as though they would win if not for the constant infighting that stopped them. That was that infighting that gave the Celestials an opportunity to cast a curse that would seal the Fiends out of their heavenly realms if they could not cease their infighting and lay claim to both worlds. As such, the Blood War turned to Devil vs Demon.
Their infighting wouldn't stop until the X'ith'ila invaded. They swept through both homeworlds with ease but could never hold them as the methods of fighting the Fiends knew kept the Elders from truly taking the planet. However, the constant wearing of their numbers signaled that they could never hope to win the war, only survive. That was until the Eternals came. The fiends were united under Ano and Belim and they threw themselves into the conflict. With the Eternals' aid, they finally beat back the X'ith'ila.
Now the Fiends stand at the crossroads. Many fight against each other even with the curse ended. Others search for another way to escape the curse such as in other realms. And a growing number continue to question what purpose Evil in this world has when it's been devastated by the Elders and becomes too weak compared to the Eternals. These hellish figures have to wonder if their existence should continue or if they need to finally change and unite once again.
However, one force of Fiends remains unaffected in their campaign: Daemons. While Devils and Demons were lost in their war against each other, Daemons chose to follow thier own goals, playing the long game to destroy good and eradicate life. Even when the X'ith'ila caused problems, they did not join in battle, staying hidden. Now, in the wake of the cosmic conflict, they wage a war against all, even their own fiendish kind. And will stop at nothing to annihlate everything.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Fiends spawned Tieflings and as such, they see them as children they have to teach the proper ways. Most will shun their older kin, earning their fiendish wrath. And some take their gifts and do their bidding to get even more gifts. Fiends also try to get their hands on Aasimar, wanting to corrupt the spawn of Celestials to rub their nose in their failures.
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