Though they may seem wild and chaotic (and in truth, they certainly are), Demons also have a hierarchy by which they operate. It is not a construct of society or logic, but an immutable part of their being, forcing them into an eternal contest of strength, wits, and the unrelenting drive to raise their own station at the expense of others. This organization is known as the Infernal Hierarchy, and a Demon's place in it determines their power.
When a Demon is spawned, it comes into being with a number. The higher a demon's number, the less powerul the Demon is, and the lower the number, the stronger the Demon. The only way a Demon can rise in power is to wholly consume the essence of a higher-ranking Demon - their body, memories, and even personality. In doing so, the Demon's number rises to that of their prey. However, they do not only inherit the power of their prey's former number, but also imprints and fragments of their memories and personality. In this way, higher-numbered Demons are almost immortal amongst their kind, as the higher the number and power of the Demon consumed, the more powerfully it will imprint upon its new host. The cruelty of the Infernal Hierarchy ensures that even when Demons of weaker numbers triumph, that victory is short-lived.
The Infernal Hierarchy is roughly divided into eighteen ranks, called orders, of which the first and last are typically excluded. The 'Greater Eight' orders are given Old-World titles, and represent Demons who are highly complex beings, influenced by their cardinal sin, but not wholly of it. By contrast, the 'Lesser Eight' orders are named by the sins they embody, for though their Demons may be beastial or refined, they are all wholly of the sins they embody.
The first order of the Hierarchy is occupied solely by the Demon who bears the number 0 - Echidna, the Mother of Demons, from which all other Demons are spawned. Though infinitely more powerful than any other Demon in the Infernal Hierarchy, Echidna is also unconcerned with the rest of existence, and thus poses little active threat.
The second order of the Hierarchy are the Lords and Ladies of Hell. Bearing the numbers 1-9, the Lords and Ladies are the unquestioned rulers of Hell, and hold large domains on Earth following the Infernal Incursion. It is likely one of them is responsible for the Incursion. The names of the Lords and Ladies are all well-known. They are Lucifer, Beelzebul, Satan, Sammael, Ba'al, Leviathan, Lillith, Horned Black, and Baphomet.
The third order of the Hierarchy are known as Kings and Queens of Hell, subservient though they may be to the Lords and Ladies. While a Lord or Lady might rule the Infernal equivalent of a continent, the Kings and Queens rule Infernal Nations (and a few Earthly nation, post-Incursion). They are numbered 10-99. Many of their names are also widely-known: Paimon, Belial, Apollyon, Asmodeus, Abbadon, and Moloch, among others.
The fourth order of the Hierarchy are known as the Dukes and Duchesses of Hell, and they oversee large regions within the territories of Kings and Queens. They are numbered 100-999. While their names are not as widely known, some have certainly made their reputations strong, such as Astaroth, Choronzon, Berith, and Valefar.
The fifth order of the Hierarchy are known as Princes and Princesses of Hell. They hold the smallest territories within larger domains, and are often unconcerned with seeking more land, instead preferring to plot and scheme among their own number. It is rare for a Demon of lower standing to ever ascend past this rank, as almost all become caught up in the political machinations of the fifth order. They are numbered 1,000-9,999.
The sixth order of the Hierarchy are known as the Marquis of Hell. They are responsible for overseeing the legions of Demons subservient to those in higher orders - in essence, the Generals of Hell. They are often talented strategists, and often skilled with magic as well. They are numbered 10,000-99,999.
The seventh order of the Hierarchy are known as the Counts and Contessas of Hell. While they nominally hold command under the Marquis, they often care little for battle, and spend their time in the Infernal Courts instead, spending their time in opulent luxury and flattering their betters to maintain their positions. They are numbered 100,000-999,999.
The eighth order of the Hierarchy are known as the Barons and Baronesses of Hell. They are the battlefield captains of Hell, serving as direct lines of command and powerful warriors in their own right. They are numbered 1,000,000-9,999,999.
The ninth order of the Hierarchy, and the last of the so-called 'Greater Eight' orders, are known as the Knights of Hell. They are the elite battlefield forces of Hell, not as strong as the higher orders, but magnitudes greater in number. They are numbered 10,000,000-99,999,999.
The tenth order of the Hierarchy, and the first of the so-called 'Lesser Eight' orders, is the order of Superbia, representing the sin of Pride. Demons of this order are typically well-versed in Infernal magic. They are numbered 100,000,000-999,999,999.
The eleventh order of the Hierarchy is the order of Vanagloria, representing the sin of Vainglory. Demons of this order are highly competitive, bickering and fighting over relative station. They are numbered 1,000,000,000-9,999,999,999.
The twelfth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Ira, representing the sin of Wrath. Demons of this order are typically experienced combatants, and often form the bulk of Infernal infantry. They are numbered 10,000,000,000-99,999,999,999.
The thirteenth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Avaritia, representing the sin of Greed. Demons of this order are often paranoid, seeing conspiracy against them in every action. They are numbered 100,000,000,000-999,999,999,999.
The fourteenth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Luxuria, representing the sin of Lust. Demons of this order are often referred to broadly as succubi and incubi, though other types of Lust Demons exist. They are numbered 1,000,000,000,000-9,999,999,999,999.
The fifteenth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Gula, representing the sin of Gluttony. Demons of this order are typically some of the largest Demons of the 'Lesser Eight' orders. They are numbered 10,000,000,000,000-99,999,999,999,999.
The sixteenth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Acedia, representing the sin of Sloth. Demons of this order are known to hibernate for large periods of time, occasionally becoming part of the infernal terrain. They are numbered 100,000,000,000,000-999,999,999,999,999.
The seventeenth order of the Hierarchy is the order of Tristitia, representing the sin of Sorrow. Demons of this order are the lowest Demons capable of sentience. They are numbered 1,000,000,000,000,000-9,999,999,999,999,999.
The eighteenth order of the Hierarchy, the lowest of the low, are known variably as Fragments or Vestiges, representing the uncountable hordes of undeveloped Demons. While the Demons of Wrath form the bulk of Infernal infantry, the hordes of uncountable Vestiges form the sweeping hordes that crash against one another on the battlefield. Fragments and Vestiges represent the majority of Demons used on Earth in Infernal devices. While they have numbers, the numbers rise so high as to become meaningless.
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