World of Darkness

Demon: The Fallen

Demon: The Fallen is a role-playing game and part of the World of Darkness series created by White Wolf Game Studio. In this game, players take on the roles of demons, which are fallen angels who were expelled from Heaven for supporting Lucifer in a millennia-long conflict against God. The game was designed with a deliberate restriction on the number of published books.

The game explores themes of redemption, morality, and power struggles, offering players a unique experience in a dark and intense world.

The Main Idea

In Demon: The Fallen, players immerse themselves in the complex narrative of rebel angels who turned against their Creator out of love for humanity. After their defiance, they were cast into the Abyss, a dark and twisted prison that reflects their suffering and despair. Over countless millennia, the once-noble angels have been transformed by their anguish, embodying the Torment that plagues them—a constant reminder of their fall from grace. As the Sixth Great Maelstrom unleashes chaos across the kingdoms of the dead, fissures begin to form in the Abyss. These cracks, though small, offer a glimmer of hope for the weakest and most desperate of the Fallen. They fight against the relentless force of the storm and the seductive pull of the Abyss, making their way back to the living world, where their journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty.

To survive in the material realm, these Fallen must possess a mortal host. The ideal candidate is someone whose soul is sufficiently weakened, allowing the Fallen to establish a connection and gain a foothold. This possession becomes a delicate dance; the Fallen must navigate the memories and emotions of their host while protecting them from the ravages of their own Torment. During the process of possession, the Fallen become intimately aware of their host’s life experiences. For most of them, these memories have little impact, serving only as a backdrop to their struggles. However, a select few begin to feel the weight of their host's humanity—moments of love, flashes of courage, unyielding ambition, or even bursts of rage. These powerful emotions can serve as catalysts, jarring the Fallen from their Torment and momentarily reconnecting them with the angel they once were.

This unexpected spark of humanity can act as a bulwark against the encroaching darkness of the Abyss. It provides the Fallen with a chance to confront their past, allowing them to experience fleeting moments of clarity and purpose. These insights not only enhance their connection to the mortal world but also create profound internal conflicts as they grapple with the remnants of their former selves. The player character starts as one of these fortunate few, granted a rare second chance through the vivid memories and emotions of their mortal host. As they navigate their new reality, they must make choices that will define their journey. Will they embrace their newfound humanity and seek redemption, or will they succumb to the darker impulses of their nature? Their decisions will shape not only their own fate but also the lives of those around them.

The world they inhabit is rich with intrigue, conflict, and moral ambiguity. Players will encounter other demons, both allies and adversaries, as well as mortals who may unwittingly become entangled in their struggles. Each encounter presents opportunities for exploration, self-discovery, and the potential for redemption or further descent into darkness. Demon: The Fallen challenges players to delve into the complexities of their characters’ identities and the choices they make. Will they reclaim their lost humanity, or will they fall deeper into the abyss of despair? The journey promises to be one of deep emotional resonance, fraught with danger and filled with the potential for both salvation and destruction.

Cosmology

The seven Houses of the Fallen, the Sebettu, were created by God in the first days of Creation. It is impossible for a Fallen to change their House; it is, in a very real sense, the core of their beings, an essential part of who they are. Upon their escape from the Abyss, the Fallen divided their society into five Factions based on their outlook on humanity, God, and themselves. Each Faction is composed of like-minded demons who, although from different Houses, share similar goals. Demons relate to mortals in two special ways: they reap Faith from mortals in order to gain power, and they can engage in pacts with mortals, creating thralls. Earthbound use a variation on the latter technique to create particularly warped individuals, and also require constant worship by their mortal followers.

Demons have a number of innate powers that are rather low-key but constantly "on". In addition to these, they can manifest their Apocalyptic Forms, the remnants of their true angelic selves, and use their Lore of Creation to create a variety of effects. All demonic powers require Faith to function - if a demon runs out of it, he becomes a mere mortal with strange memories until he regains some of it. One other important characteristic of the Fallen is their immortality. Though their host bodies can be destroyed and their spirit forms sent back to hell, they don't die; they will only weaken and become increasingly consumed by pain with each "death". The only way a Fallen can actually die is if their soul is consumed by another Fallen.

The Fallen face two main groups of antagonists: mortal demon hunters and Earthbound. The lords of the Fallen comprise a third group, but one that won't be important early in the game. Vampires, hunters, and mages are the three supernatural factions most likely to cross swords with the Fallen at one time or another. Apart from fighting their more monstrous fellow Sebettu, a number of other themes lend themselves to the Demon setting:

• Recovering Old Artifacts and Lore: These objects may either be dangerous and wreaking havoc on Creation, or still hidden and much sought after.
• Summoning High-Ranking Fallen: Fallen of the player characters' status were sent out to pave the way for the return of their masters.
• Control: Fallen will probably try to establish a power base without attracting too much attention. Power, however, always draws attention.
• Redemption Through Good Deeds: This may be a goal for any faction except Raveners - how to repair Creation. However, each of the factions would go about this in a completely different way.

Character Creation

Character creation in Demon: The Fallen is a dark and gritty process that involves exploring your character's past, motivations, and relationship to their demonic nature. First, choose a demon type, which represents your character's unique strengths, weaknesses, and cultural themes. Examples include the Imp and the Succubus. Next, determine your character's fallen reason, the reason for their expulsion from Hell. This could be a rebellion against the demonic hierarchy, a failure to fulfill a specific task, or a personal transgression.

Then, create a detailed backstory for your character, exploring their life in Hell, their fall, and their experiences on Earth. Consider their relationships with other demons, their goals, and their fears. Allocate points to your character's attributes (Physical, Mental, Social) and abilities (Strength, Dexterity, Stamina, Intelligence, Wits, Perception, Charisma, Manipulation, and Composure) based on their concept and desired playstyle. Choose a patron demon, a powerful entity that grants your character special abilities and protection. The choice of patron demon is often tied to the character's demon type and backstory.

Develop a demonic power, a unique supernatural ability or skill that sets your character apart. This could range from manipulating others to controlling elements. Finally, define a character concept that combines all of the elements you've chosen. This will help you understand your character's motivations, fears, and strengths. Character creation in Demon: The Fallen is a dark and immersive process that involves exploring the character's demonic nature and their place in the world. By following these steps, you can develop a demon who is both powerful and deeply flawed.