WARLOCK
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occupational hazard
SPIRITS - DEMONS
IMPS
the lowliest type. their magic is humble and most cannot change from their original form. they are easily directed and present no danger to the summoner. because of this, they are more frequently summoned for minor tasks.
FOLIOTS
more vigorous than imps, but not as perilous as djinn. a warlock's favored for their stealth and devious behaviour. they are adept at changing shape and make excellent spies.
DJINN
the largest class, which makes them difficult to summarize. while limited in raw power, they make up for it in cleverness and audacity. excellent at shape-shifting and they carry a vast arsenal of spells. a djinni is a favored slave for most competent summoners.
AFRITS
mighty, often imposing in stature, and arrogant. they are less subtle and their strength frequently exceeds their intelligence. they're best used as vanguards and guardians for monarchs.
MARIDS
the most parlous and least common of the five. they're supreme in their magical abilities while remaining discreet or under gentle guises. they can form into vast and hideous shapes. only the most excellent summoners will call on a marid.
Summoners have good reason to fear their summons. The more powerful the spirit/demon, the more risk is incurred. Should one fumble in their speech, slip as much as one cell out of their pentacle, leave gaps in their behest, they will die. Spirits/demons are slaves and as such they will use every tactic and device to slay their masters.
And then, there are the few who claim to love their masters...
. . .
The human realm makes a painful existence for demons as they must take physical form. Such large essences in a compact shape.. that alone makes them irritable, but punishments keep them in line.
FREQUENT SUMMONS . . . KHALI'S SLAVES
ꟽ∀⅂∀ - imp - the most hideous of the lot. Alam is a lofty demon when not at Khali's side, often gloating to other demons or warlocks of his master's prowess. because his cleverness exceeds that of his station, Alam is a constant in Khali's registry and very rarely allowed to leave the mortal realm as the imp is in a constant state of use. unlike djinn, afrits, and marids who pose a threat to their summoners, Alam can only rely on his toady behaviour to keep himself in his master's good graces.
he never appears any larger than three feet even with the extension of his leathery wings. grey, bilious skin clings tight to his scanty skeleton. Alam's mismanagement in emotions often shows up in pink blemishes along his shoulders and chest.
HS∀H∀N - djinni - a demon who takes on the guise of a young Khoisan girl or woman unless her charge requires otherwise. Nahash is the least vocal, never questioning the demands of her master or exhibiting any visible form of resistance. if she does this in hopes of eventually mitigating Khali's caution, it's a vain effort. there's much ambiguity around how Nahash feels towards her master which is unusual for a demon, but her time in his registry greatly surpasses most. perhaps her apathy stems from a place of involuntary secrecy. her undertakings are usually at a distance, running operations in Khali's absence.
ꟽƎHSI -djinni - a newer demon to the registry. he still clings to the appearance of a strapping Hellenes. Ishem is the one who prods and scrutinizes his master's every command and, ironically, Khali keeps this demon the closest. he is less callous than Nahash, but far more wrackful physically and verbally. it's in the crudeness of his tasks that he detests his servitude. he never takes it too far, though. his master is not like other warlocks and his punishment may go beyond that of the mortal realm.
ꓕƎSꓕ -marid - unbecoming in initial appearance, but if close enough, any demon can feel the power seeping from this impressive spirit. Tset is capable of devouring most demons and warlocks alike. Khali only ever summons this spirit for such things and while this is often, it isn't like Alam, Ishem, or Nahash who are his master's sole company. Tset never leaves the mortal realm without a meal. after having survived numerous, torturous episodes from his master, the spirit doesn't bother with disobedience and instead finds more rewards in his charges than not.
