Old One

In the Buffyverse the Old Ones are the extremely powerful pure-breed demons that once dominated earth before humankind appeared. Illyria is one of these demons, though her real form was revealed only in an illustration.

The information regarding the Old Ones is limited. Giles tells Buffy in "The Harvest":


 * "This world is older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons demons walked the Earth. They made it their home, their...their Hell. But in time they lost their purchase on this reality. The way was made for mortal animals, for, for man. All that remains of the Old Ones are vestiges, certain magicks, certain creatures..."