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{{Species
[[File:Demon_harvest_book.jpg|right|300px]]
 
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|Title = Demon
{{Quote|Looks good, doesn't it? [[Potential Slayers|They're]] trapped in here. Terrified. Meat for the [[Turok-Han Vampire|beast]], and there's nothing they can do but wait..... That's all they've been doing for days.... waiting to be picked off. Having nightmares about monsters that can't be killed. But [[Buffy Summers|I]] don't believe in that. I always find a way. I'm the [[Slayer|thing]] that monsters have nightmares about. And right now...you and me are gonna show 'em why.|[[Buffy Summers]].|Showtime}}
 
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|Image = Demon harvest book.jpg
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|Caption = The creation of demons, illustrated.
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|First = "[[Teacher's Pet]]"
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|Last = ''[[Finale]]''
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|Name = Demon
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|Alternative Names = Hostile Sub-Terrestrial
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|Status = Extant
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|Type = Sentient extra-dimensional creatures.
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}}
 
{{Quote|Looks good, doesn't it? They're trapped in here. Terrified. Meat for the beast, and there's nothing they can do but wait… That's all they've been doing for days… waiting to be picked off. Having nightmares about monsters that can't be killed. But I don't believe in that. I always find a way. I'm the thing that monsters have nightmares about. And right now… you and me are gonna show 'em why.|[[Buffy Summers]].|Showtime}}
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A '''Demon''', also called a '''Hostile Sub-Terrestrial''', was a type of supernatural lifeform native to various [[Hell dimension]]s separated from [[Earth]] and generally considered to be evil due to their lack of [[soul]]s and their destructive tendencies. The term was widely used to describe any creature that was not a [[Higher Being|deity]], [[robot]], unmodified [[human]], or standard terrestrial animal. Though individual powers varied between different demon species, most, if not all, demon species possessed greater strength, endurance, and natural abilities than humans.
   
A '''Demon''', also called a '''Hostile Sub-Terrestrial''', was a type of supernatural lifeform native to various [[Hell dimension]]s separated from [[Earth]] and generally considered to be evil due to their lack of human [[soul]]s and their destructive tendencies. The term was widely used to describe any creature that was not a [[Higher Being|god]], [[robot]], unmodified [[human]], or standard terrestrial animal. Though individual powers varied between different demon species, most, if not all, demon species possessed greater strength, endurance, and natural abilities than humans. 
 
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[File:Buffy_old_ones_demon.jpg|thumb|left|The Old Ones are banished from the Earth.]]The original and most powerful demons originated eons ago. They were godlike extradimensional beings called the [[Old One]]s. The Old Ones lived on [[Earth]] during the [[Primordium Age]] after they were brought there from their home [[dimension]]s by the [[Seed of Wonder]].
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[[File:Buffy_old_ones_demon.jpg|thumb|left|The Old Ones are banished from Earth.]]
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The original and most powerful demons originated eons ago. They were deitylike extradimensional beings called the [[Old One]]s. The Old Ones lived on Earth during the [[Primordium Age]] after they were brought there from their home [[dimension]]s by the [[Seed of Wonder]].
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However, as time passed, new, mortal creatures began to appear on Earth and turn on and fight against the demons, and the Old Ones either retreated to other dimensions or interbred with humans, thus diminishing their powers through the generations. According to the [[Guardians]], the last pure demon that walked the Earth during this period was killed by [[Sineya]] using the [[]].
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By modern times, demonic creatures native to Earth were not full demons, but had a percentage of human heritage due to their ancestors' crossbreeding, while full demons, like [[Lower Being]]s, were native to other dimensions.
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==Description==
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===Physical characteristics===
 
{{Quote|That's a weird place for a horn. That's not a horn…|[[Dawn Summers]].|Flooded}}
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[[File:DEMONS.png|thumb|A variety of demons emerging.]]
   
 
It's unknown what specifically constituted a demon. [[Maggie Walsh]], the Head Scientist of the [[Initiative]], refereed to demons as a “class” (“demon-class, [[Polgara]] species”).<ref name="TIIN">"[[The I in Team]]"</ref> It’s unknown if by “class” she was referring to the specific rank in the taxonomic hierarchy. [[Anya Jenkins]] an ancient demon herself also claimed [[Sluggoth demon]]s belonged to the same phylum as regular worms.<ref>"[[Beneath You]]"</ref>
However, as time passed, new, mortal creatures began to appear on Earth and turn on and fight against the demons, and the Old Ones either retreated to other dimensions or interbred with humans, thus diminishing their powers through the generations. According to the [[Guardians]], the last pure demon that walked the Earth during this period was killed by the [[Scythe]].
 
   
 
Demons came in a variety of shapes and forms with hundreds of known species of demons with diverse traits. Most demons were commonly bipedal or humanoid, very likely due to generations of interbreeding with humans; along with reptilian, mammalian, and insectoid features such as such as claws, rough skin, horns and sharp teeth. Most demons (obviously barring the Old Ones) were sized roughly similar to or slightly larger than humans, though could be as big as the [[Haxil Beast]]<ref name="Expecting">"[[Expecting]]"</ref> or even tiny like [[Gachnar]].<ref name="Fear">"[[Fear, Itself]]"</ref>
By modern times, demonic creatures native to Earth were not full demons but had a percentage of human heritage due to their ancestors' crossbreeding, while full demons were native to other dimensions.
 
   
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Other demons shared an appearance closer to non-human animals: insectoids such as the [[She-Mantis]], [[Queller demon]]s, [[Ghora demon]]s,<ref name="Forever">"[[Forever]]"</ref> [[Suvolte demon]]s <ref name="As You Were">"[[As You Were]]"</ref>: arachnids like the [[Box of Gavrok|Gavrok Box creatures]],<ref>"[[Choices]]"</ref> the [[Grimslaw demon]],<ref name="Selfless">"[[Selfless]]"</ref> [[Ragna demon]], [[Black Widower demon]], and [[Najakot demon]]: reptiles like [[Machida]], [[lizard demon]]s, [[Kenny (T-Rex)|Kenny]]: and even imitated plant life like the Root demon. <ref name="Couplet">"[[Couplet]]"</ref>
==Characteristics==
 
<gallery type="slideshow" widths="299">
 
300px-Harvest_engraving.jpg|Maloker, father of all vampires
 
1X08IRYJ0121.jpg|Moloch the Corruptor
 
2X07LTM1323.jpg|Drusilla
 
2X10WML1471.jpg|Norman Pfister
 
Gorch.png|Lyle and Tector Gorch
 
Demon book killed by death.jpg
 
2X18KBD1559.jpg|Der Kindestod drawn by Ryan
 
Der-Kindestod-.png|Der Kindestod
 
3X02DMP1145.jpg|Ovu Mobani
 
3X10AME1337.jpg|Harbingers of Death
 
Buffy317_444.jpg|Richard Wilkins
 
Piasca.jpg|Piasca
 
Demon lonelyhearts.png|A demon wearing intestines around its head.
 
4X04FI2329.jpg|Gachnar
 
640px-Book_AnoMovic.jpg|Ano-Movic demon
 
1x08IWRY0915.jpg|Mohra demon
 
4X10HUSH1547.jpg|Gentlemen drawn by Olivia
 
Gentlemens.jpg|Gentlemen drawn by Giles
 
4X11DOOM1317.jpg|Vahrall demon
 
Haxil_Beast.png|Haxil Beast
 
Haxil Beast II.png|Haxil Beast
 
4X13TIIT1081.jpg|Polgara demon
 
Tay.png|Tay, a Vigorie demon drawn by Angel
 
Ethros_Demon.png|Ethros demon
 
1x15PROD0429.jpg|Kwaini demon
 
1x16RING0003.jpg
 
Demonthering.jpg|Kailiff demon
 
Demonthering2.jpg
 
Demonthering3.jpg
 
Demon_4.jpg|Brachen demon
 
Demon_5.jpg
 
Demon_6.jpg|Gnarl
 
Kamal.png|Kamal, drawn by Angel
 
Prio_Motu_Demon.png|Prio Motu demon
 
Darla_image.png|Darla
 
M._James_Menlo_and_Angel.png|M. James Menlo and Angel
 
6X04FLOO0853.jpg|M'Fashnik demon
 
Sorialus_the_Ravager_II.png|Sorialus the Ravager
 
6X13DT2173.jpg|Rawsundi demon
 
3x14COUP0419.jpg|Sehni'D demon
 
3x16ST0371.jpg|Wraith-er demon
 
Glarghk_Guhl_Kashmas'nik.jpg|Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik demon
 
Sahjhan,_drawning_by_Angel.png|Sahjhan, drawn by Angel
 
Quor.png|Unidentified Quor'Toth demon
 
Creature.PNG|Unidentified tentacle demon
 
4x09LDJ0001.jpg|The Beast, drawn by Angel
 
Cordy_drawning.jpg|The half-demon Cordelia Chase, possessed by Jasmine, drawn by Angel
 
Illyriapic2.jpg|Illyria
 
Kith'harn_Demon.jpg|Kith'harn Demon
 
Kith'harn_Demon_2.jpg|Kith'harn Demon
 
Cyvus_Vail.jpg|Cyvus Vail
 
</gallery>
 
{{Quote|That's a weird place for a horn. That's not a horn ... |[[Dawn Summers]].|Flooded}}
 
It's unknown what specifically constituted as a demon. [[Maggie Walsh]], the Head Scientist of the [[Initiative]], refereed to demons as a "class" (''"demon-class, [[Polgara Demon|Polgara]] species"''). It's unknown if by "class" she was referring to the specific rank in the taxonomic hierarchy.<ref name="TIIN">"[[The I in Team]]"</ref> [[Anya Jenkins]] - an ancient demon herself - also claimed [[Sluggoth Demon|Sluggoth demons]] belonged to the same phylum as regular worms.<ref>"[[Beneath You]]"</ref>
 
   
 
Like animals, demonic species could go extinct, such as the [[army of doom]], Sluggoths demons, and Ragna demons. However, the last two were successfully recreated, using [[magic]]<ref>"[[Beneath You]]"</ref> and selective breeding<ref>''[[Predators and Prey]]''</ref> respectively.
Demons came in a variety of shapes and forms with hundreds of known species of demon with diverse traits. Most demons were commonly bipedal or humanoid, very likely due to generations of interbreeding with humans, along with reptilian, mammalian and insectiod features such as such as claws, rough skin, horns and sharp teeth. Most demons (obviously barring the [[Old Ones]]) were sized roughly similar to or slightly larger than humans, though could be as big as the [[Haxil Beast]] <ref name="Expecting">"[[Expecting]]"</ref> or even tiny like [[Gachnar]].<ref>"[[Fear, Itself]]"</ref> Other demons shared an appearance closer to non-human animals such as the spiders from the [[Box of Gavrok]],<ref>"[[Choices]]"</ref> [[Ghora Demon|Ghora demons]],<ref name="Forever">"[[Forever]]"</ref> [[Suvolte Demon|Suvolte demons]],<ref name="As You Were">"[[As You Were]]"</ref> [[Sluk]]s<ref name="The Price">"[[The Price]]"</ref> and even more monstrous forms of existing animals like [[Lurconis]], the [[Bug Demon|Bug demons]],<ref name="Fredless">"[[Fredless]]"</ref> [[Grimslaw Demon]],<ref name="ReferenceA">"[[Selfless]]"</ref> [[Ragna Demon]] and [[Najakot Demon]]. Additionally, [[Kenny (T-Rex)|Kenny]] was a demon that resembled a Tyrannosaurus Rex. 
 
   
Some demons even resembled plant life (auch as the [[Root monster]]).<ref name="Couplet">"[[Couplet]]"</ref> Like animals, demonic species could go extinct, such as Illyria's minions, Sluggoths demons and [[Ragna Demon|Ragna demons]]. However, the last two were successfully recreated (using magic and selective breeding respectively).
 
 
===Morality and behavior===
 
===Morality and behavior===
{{Dialogue a-b|Willow|Look. [[Scooby Gang|We]] don't want trouble. And [[Hellions|you]] don't want trouble.|Razor|Of course we want trouble. We're demons. We're really all about trouble.|[[Willow Rosenberg]] and [[Razor]].|Bargaining, Part Two}}
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{{Dialogue a-b|Willow|Look. We don't want trouble. And you don't want trouble.|Razor|Of course we want trouble. We're demons. We're really all about trouble.|[[Willow Rosenberg]] and [[Razor]].|Bargaining, Part Two}}
By nature, the majority of demons were innately evil, merciless and unsympathetic towards humans, animals and even some other demons. The reason for this seemed to stem from the lack of a soul which provided a sense of feeling culpable to one's wrong doings, evident by the fact that when humans became vampires they lost the ability to feel any type of general remorse. Confusing the issue was that most demons kill as a natural survival instinct while others commit evil acts for their own recreational enjoyment, or religious/cultural reasons. [[Winifred Burkle]] even claimed that the act of a [[Bug Demon|cockroach demon]] planting its offspring into the cranium of a [[Durslar Beast]] was "all fine and Darwinian".<ref name="Fredless"/>
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By nature, the majority of demons were innately evil, merciless, and unsympathetic towards humans, animals and even some other demons. The reason for this seemed to stem from the lack of a soul which provided a sense of feeling culpable to one's wrong doings, evident by the fact that when humans became vampires they lost the ability to feel any type of general remorse. Confusing the issue was that most demons killed as a natural survival instinct, while others committed evil acts for their own recreational enjoyment, or religious/cultural reasons. [[Winifred Burkle]] even claimed that the act of a bug demon planting its offspring into the cranium of a [[Durslar beast]] was “all fine and Darwinian”.<ref name="Fredless">"[[Fredless]]"</ref>
   
For this demons were seen as purely evil creatures with death as the only case for dealing them. There are, however, some cases of morally sound demonic species or individuals such as [[Whistler]], [[Lister Clan|Lister demons]], [[Jhiera]], [[Kwaini Demon|Kwaini demons]], [[Val Trepkos]], [[Mellish]], [[Merl]], [[Kamal]], [[Codger Demon|Codger demons]], [[Yarbnie Demon|Yarbnie demons]], [[Clement|Clem]], [[Carlos (demon)|Carlos]], [[Ken (Thricewise)|Ken]], [[Rory (pub owner)|Rory]], [[Eldre Koh]] and [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]] (who appreciated human culture despite being a member of [[Deathwok Clan|a violent tribe of demons]]). It's also shown that a soulless demon can reform so much they could form special bonds with humans, such as the vampire [[Spike]] who developed a strong love for [[Buffy Summers]] (albeit having it mixed up with a stalker-like obsession), leading him to fight for his soul back.<ref>"[[Grave]]"</ref>
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For this demons were seen as purely evil creatures with death as the only case for dealing them. There were, however, some cases of morally sound demonic species or individuals such as [[Whistler]], [[Lister Clan|Lister demons]], [[Jhiera]], [[Kwaini demon]]s, [[Val Trepkos]], [[Mellish]], [[Merl]], [[Kamal]], [[Codger demon]]s, [[Yarbnie demon]]s, [[Clement|Clem]], [[Carlos (demon)|Carlos]], [[Ken (Thricewise)|Kenny]], [[Rory (pub owner)|Rory]], [[Eldre Koh]] and [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]] (who appreciated human culture despite being a member of [[Deathwok Clan|a violent tribe of demons]]). It was also shown that a soulless demon can reform so much they could form special bonds with humans, such as the vampire [[Spike]] who developed a strong love for [[Buffy Summers]] (albeit having it mixed up with a stalker-like obsession), leading him to fight for his soul back.<ref>"[[Grave]]"</ref>
   
Like humans, some demons and even whole civilizations of demons could change their violent nature. [[Kamal]] was a violent demon who nonetheless became the protector of a woman who was fated to give birth to a savior.<ref name="Judgement">"[[Judgement]]"</ref> A species living in [[Quor'toth]] became pacifists by observing the father-son love between [[Daniel Holtz|Holtz]] and [[Connor]]. The [[Anharrans Demon]]s were known for being blood-thirsty and archaic later became civilized and peaceful through [[Dawn Summers]]'s influence. The [[Old One]] [[Illyria]] also gained faith in humanity shortly before she sacrificed herself.
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Like humans, some demons and even whole civilizations of demons could change their violent nature. [[Kamal]] was a violent demon who nonetheless became the protector of a woman who was fated to give birth to a savior.<ref name="Judgement">"[[Judgement]]"</ref> A species living in [[Quor'toth]] became pacifists by observing the father-son love between [[Daniel Holtz|Holtz]] and [[Connor]]. The Anharrans demons were known for being blood-thirsty and archaic later became civilized and peaceful through [[Dawn Summers]]'s influence. The Old One [[Illyria]] also gained faith in humanity shortly before she sacrificed herself.
   
Being transformed into a demon could also result in one developing their tendencies and a loss in their humanity. When [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] was transformed into [[Fyarl Demon|Fyarl demon]], he shortly began to give in to the desire of killing people.<ref>"[[A New Man]]"</ref>
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Being transformed into a demon could also result in one developing their tendencies and a loss in their humanity. When [[Rupert Giles|Giles]] was transformed into a [[Fyarl demon]], he shortly began to give in to the desire of killing people.<ref>"[[A New Man]]"</ref>
   
Some [[Vengeance Demon|Vengeance demons]] seemed to believe their acts of murder, torture and extreme unpleasantness were justified by the lesser crimes of humans. For example, [[Anya Jenkins|Anyanka]] was a misandrist and did evil deeds based on the wrong-doings of males <ref name="The Prom">"[[The Prom]]"</ref> while [[Halfrek]] focused on the neglect of children. They themselves preferred the term "Justice demons".<ref name="OAFA">"[[Older and Far Away]]"</ref> Though it should be noted that - in some cases - while Vengeance demons claimed to be acting on the behalf of the person they granted vengeance wishes for, the person who made the wish would sometimes end up falling victim to the wish itself. For example, [[Cordelia Chase]] made a wish that created an [[Wishverse|alternate reality]] where she ended up dying. Anyanka, who granted the wish, showed no remorse in that fact. Additionally, Halfrek was willing to leave [[Dawn Summers]] trapped inside her house after wishing that her friends and family wouldn't leave her, literally trapping them inside the house forever. It's likely that they weren't truly interested in making justice, but merely making excuses for the pain they caused.<ref name="OAFA" /><ref name="TW" /> Interestingly, Anya showed disapproval over the [[Trio]] for robbing a bank, believing she deserved to get compensated appropriately for a hard-days work of causing pain and mayhem (though, this is more of an individual personality trait).<ref name="DM">"[[Doublemeat Palace]]"</ref>
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Some [[vengeance demon]]s seemed to believe their acts of murder, torture and extreme unpleasantness were justified by the lesser crimes of humans. For example, Anyanka did evil deeds based on the wrong-doings of males,<ref name="The Prom">"[[The Prom]]"</ref> while [[Halfrek]] focused on the neglect of children. They themselves preferred the term "Justice demons".<ref name="OAFA">"[[Older and Far Away]]"</ref> Though it should be noted that - in some cases - while Vengeance demons claimed to be acting on the behalf of the person they granted vengeance wishes for, the person who made the wish would sometimes end up falling victim to the wish itself. For example, [[Cordelia Chase]] made a wish that created an [[Wishverse|alternate reality]] where she ended up dying. Anyanka, who granted the wish, showed no remorse in that fact. Additionally, Halfrek was willing to leave [[Dawn Summers]] trapped inside her house after wishing that her friends and family wouldn't leave her, literally trapping them inside the house forever. It's likely that they weren't truly interested in making justice, but merely making excuses for the pain they caused.<ref name="OAFA" /><ref name="TW" /> Interestingly, Anya showed disapproval over [[the Trio]] for robbing a bank, believing she deserved to get compensated appropriately for a hard-days work of causing pain and mayhem (though, this is more of an individual personality trait).<ref name="DM">"[[Doublemeat Palace]]"</ref>
   
The morality of [[Half-breeds]] and [[Half-demon]]s tended to vary. [[Billy Blim]], [[Mal Fraser]], [[Pearl]] and [[Nash]] were evil, while the [[Groosalugg]], the [[Lister Clan]], [[Beck]] and [[Allen Francis Doyle|Doyle]] were good.
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The morality of [[half-breed]]s and [[half-demon]]s tended to vary. [[Billy Blim]], [[Mal Fraser]], [[Pearl]] and [[Nash]] were evil, while the [[Groosalugg]], the [[Lister Clan]], [[Beck]] and [[Allen Francis Doyle|Doyle]] were good.
   
A demon's intelligence also varied among different species. A lot of demons such as Vampires, Vengeance Demons and various others possessed intelligence equal to humans while others like [[Hell Hound]]s (though, its [[Hellbeast|Pylean counterpart]] appeared to be tamable),<ref name="Over the Rainbow">"[[Over the Rainbow]]"</ref> [[Drokken Beast]]s and [[Werewolf|Werewolves]] during their lupine period were purely, mindlessly feral and could be manipulated as such.
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A demon's intelligence also varied among different species. A lot of demons such as Vampires, vengeance demons and various others possessed intelligence equal to humans while others like hellhounds (though, its [[Hellbeast|Pylean counterpart]] appeared to be tamable),<ref name="Over the Rainbow">"[[Over the Rainbow]]"</ref> [[Drokken Beast]]s and [[Werewolf|Werewolves]] during their lupine period were purely, mindlessly feral and could be manipulated as such.
   
 
===Reproduction===
 
===Reproduction===
Demons reproduced in diverse and complex ways. Some species, including vampires, [[Wraith-er Demon]]s,<ref name="Sleep Tight">"[[Sleep Tight]]"</ref> and Werewolves, reproduced by infecting humans and then inhabiting them and using their bodies. Others, such as [[Haxil Beast]]s<ref name="Expecting"/> and [[Skilosh Demon]]s,<ref>"[[Epiphany]]"</ref> infected humans in order to use their bodies to gestate their young. Some demon species reproduced via sexual intercourse. Some indeterminate number of these species, for instance [[Brachen Demon|Brachan]] and [[Ano-Movic Clan|An-Movic Demons]], were cross-fertile with humans. Some demon species reproduced via asexual methods, such as budding. Some other appeared to have been created or manufactured by some other entity (magic practitioner, Old One, Power), and do not reproduce on their own. [[Thaumogenesis]] would result in the accidental creation of a demon from a [[spell]], often one of a great deal of power where the said demon acted as a way to balance the effects of the spell.<ref>"[[Superstar]]"</ref><ref>"[[After Life]]"</ref>
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Demons reproduced in diverse and complex ways. Some species, including vampires, [[Wraith-er demon]]s,<ref name="Sleep Tight">"[[Sleep Tight]]"</ref> and Werewolves, reproduced by infecting humans and then inhabiting them and using their bodies. Others, such as [[Haxil Beast]]s<ref name="Expecting" /> and [[Skilosh demon]]s,<ref>"[[Epiphany]]"</ref> infected humans in order to use their bodies to gestate their young. Some demon species reproduced via sexual intercourse. Some indeterminate number of these species, for instance [[Brachen demon|Brachan]] and [[Ano-Movic Clan|An-Movic demons]], were cross-fertile with humans. Some demon species reproduced via asexual methods, such as budding. Some other appeared to have been created or manufactured by some other entity (magic practitioner, Old One, Power), and do not reproduce on their own. [[Thaumogenesis]] would result in the accidental creation of a demon from a [[spell]], often one of a great deal of power where the said demon acted as a way to balance the effects of the spell.<ref>"[[Superstar]]"</ref><ref>"[[After Life]]"</ref>
   
 
===Diet===
 
===Diet===
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Most demons were carnivores, mostly preferring human flesh as the best food source. According to Giles, some demons fed on the flesh of the dead to absorb their souls.<ref>"[[Some Assembly Required]]"</ref>
 
Most demons were carnivores, mostly preferring human flesh as the best food source. According to Giles, some demons fed on the flesh of the dead to absorb their souls.<ref>"[[Some Assembly Required]]"</ref>
   
Some demons had diets tailored towards a specific substance, for example: vampires drank blood, [[Norman Pfister]] (in his maggot-form) devoured his victims completely within in a few minutes,<ref name="What's My Line, Part One">"[[What's My Line, Part One]]"</ref> [[Hell Hound]]s feed on the brains of their victims,<ref name="The Prom"/> [[Lei-Ach Demon]]s were known to eat bone marrow,<ref name="Family">"[[Family]]"</ref> the [[Wig Lady]] enjoyed eating humans who ate the Doublemeat Medley,<ref name="DP" /> [[Sluk]]s needed lots of water (particularly in human bodies),<ref name="The Price"/> [[Gnarl]] ate human skin,<ref>"[[Same Time, Same Place]]"</ref> [[Grimslaw Demon]]s fed on human hearts,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Strom Demon]]s sucked the organs out of their victims,<ref>"[[Release]]"</ref> a [[Finger eating demon|small demon]] was seen eating human fingers as "finger food",<ref>"[[The Magic Bullet]]"</ref> [[Tezcatcatl]] devoured the bloody heart of human heroes to obtain invincibility,<ref name="ReferenceB">"[[The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco]]"</ref> [[Ragna Demon]]s captured and devoured their victims in a manner similar to actual spiders and various species were known to feed off human hearts.<ref name="TPS" /> According to [[Willy]], he was able to generate business by selling his demonic patrons fried chicken fingers.<ref name="TIIN" />
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Some demons had diets tailored towards a specific substance, for example: vampires drank blood, [[Norman Pfister]] (in his maggot-form) devoured his victims completely within in a few minutes,<ref name="What's My Line, Part One">"[[What's My Line, Part One]]"</ref> Hellhounds feed on the brains of their victims,<ref name="The Prom" /> [[Lei-Ach demon]]s were known to eat bone marrow,<ref name="Family">"[[Family]]"</ref> the [[Wig Lady]] enjoyed eating humans who ate the Doublemeat Medley,<ref>"[[Doublemeat Palace]]"</ref> [[Sluk]]s needed lots of water (particularly in human bodies),<ref name="The Price">"[[The Price]]"</ref> [[Gnarl]] ate human skin,<ref>"[[Same Time, Same Place]]"</ref> [[Grimslaw demon]]s fed on human hearts,<ref name="Selfless" /> [[Strom demon]]s sucked the organs out of their victims,<ref>"[[Release]]"</ref> there was a [[finger eating demon]],<ref>"[[The Magic Bullet]]"</ref> [[Tezcatcatl]] devoured the bloody heart of human heroes to obtain invincibility,<ref>"[[The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco]]"</ref> Ragna demons captured and devoured their victims in a manner similar to actual spiders and various species were known to feed off human hearts.<ref name="TPS" /> According to [[Willy]], he was able to generate business by selling his demonic patrons fried chicken fingers.<ref name="TIIN" />
   
Certain demons have a preference for human virgins, including [[Machida]],<ref name="RB"/> [[Yeska]] <ref name="GWBG"/> and [[Avilas]] <ref name="Help"/> or human babies as seen with [[Lurconis]],<ref name="Band Candy">"[[Band Candy]]"</ref> [[Groxlar Beast]]s <ref>"[[Just Rewards]]"</ref> and a [[Baby-killer demon|unidentified species]].<ref name="TOGOM">"[[That Old Gang of Mine]]"</ref>
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Certain demons have a preference for human virgins, including Machida,<ref name="RB" /> [[Yeska]]<ref name="GWBG" /> and [[Avilas]],<ref name="Help" /> or human babies, as seen with [[Lurconis]],<ref name="Band Candy">"[[Band Candy]]"</ref> [[Groxlar Beast]]s <ref>"[[Just Rewards]]"</ref> and a [[Baby-killer demon|unidentified species]].<ref name="TOGOM">"[[That Old Gang of Mine]]"</ref>
Some demons feed on demon flesh. [[Lizard demon]]s ate some of their young during hatching season,<ref name="Judgement"/> [[Drokken Beast]]s ate anything they preyed on,<ref>"[[Belonging]]"</ref> the [[Ano-Movic Clan]] had a time-honored tradition that involved eating the brains of their fiancée's previous husband (demon or not) in order strengthen their love by absorbing his,<ref name="BP">"[[Bachelor Party]]"</ref> [[Sebassis]] drank the blood of his slave belonging to own his species<ref name="LOTP"/><ref name="Not Fade Away">"[[Not Fade Away]]"</ref> and [[Black Widower demon]]s engaged in sexual cannibalism.
 
   
 
Some demons feed on demon flesh. Lizard demons ate some of their young during hatching season,<ref name="Judgement" /> [[Drokken Beast]]s ate anything they preyed on,<ref>"[[Belonging]]"</ref> the [[Ano-Movic Clan]] had a time-honored tradition that involved eating the brains of their fiancee's previous husband (demon or not) in order strengthen their love by absorbing his,<ref name="BP">"[[Bachelor Party]]"</ref> [[Sebassis]] drank the blood of his slave belonging to own his species<ref name="LOTP" /><ref name="Not Fade Away">"[[Not Fade Away]]"</ref> and Black Widower demons engaged in sexual cannibalism.
Some demons practiced cooking considered illegal in the human world. Examples include eating venues belonging to [[Richard Straley]] <ref name="BP" /> or [[Torg]].<ref name="Showtime"/> When preparing for a negotiation between fueding demon clans, [[Wolfram & Hart]] employed a caterer specialized in ethno-demonic cooking.<ref name="HW"/>
 
   
 
Some demons practised cooking considered illegal in the human world. Examples include eating venues belonging to [[Richard Straley]]<ref name="BP" /> or [[Torg]].<ref name="Showtime" /> When preparing for a negotiation between fueding demon clans, [[Wolfram & Hart]] employed a caterer specialized in ethno-demonic cooking.<ref name="HW" />
Certain demons were herbivores like the [[Vigorie]] from [[Oden-Tal]].<ref name="She"/>
 
   
 
Certain demons were herbivores like the [[Vigorie]] from [[Oden-Tal]].<ref name="She" />
Other demons had obscure and somewhat metaphysical needs for sustenance. [[Der Kindestod]] fed specifically on the life force of sick children,<ref>"[[Killed by Death]]"</ref> [[Gachnar]] fed on fear,<ref>"[[Fear,Itself]]"</ref> [[Thesulac Demon]]s feed on the presence of insecurity,<ref>"[[Are You Now or Have You Ever Been]]"</ref> [[Shur-hod Demon]]s<ref>"[[Heartthrob]]"</ref> and the [[Root monster]] fed on the life force of humans and even other demons,<ref name="Couplet" /> [[Clem]] feed on emotions, [[Soul Eater]]s were known for feeding on human souls,<ref>"[[Calvary]]"</ref> [[Polo]] and the [[Smile Time (show)|Smile Time puppets]] fed on the life force of children,<ref name="st">"[[Smile Time]]"</ref> [[Lorophage Demon|Lorophage demons]] fed on psychological traumas, the demon rock star [[Billy Rage]] fed on the fascination of his groupies, [[Hamelin Demon]] feed on the family-related traumas of children, [[The Soul Glutton]] absorbed human souls and magical energy to strengthen himself, [[Najakot Demon]] fed on magical energy and [[Incubus|Incubi]] fed specifically on the life force of human females.
 
   
 
Other demons had obscure and somewhat metaphysical needs for sustenance. [[Der Kindestod]] fed specifically on the life force of sick children,<ref>"[[Killed by Death]]"</ref> [[Gachnar]] fed on fear,<ref name="Fear" /> [[Thesulac demon]]s feed on the presence of insecurity,<ref>"[[Are You Now or Have You Ever Been]]"</ref> [[Shur-hod demon]]s<ref>"[[Heartthrob]]"</ref> and the root monster fed on the life force of humans and even other demons,<ref name="Couplet" /> Clem fed on emotions, [[Soul Eater]]s were known for feeding on human souls,<ref>"[[Calvary]]"</ref> [[Polo]] and the [[Smile Time (show)|Smile Time puppets]] fed on the life force of children,<ref name="st">"[[Smile Time]]"</ref> [[Lorophage demon]]s fed on psychological traumas, the demon rock star [[Billy Rage]] fed on the fascination of his groupies, [[Hamelin demon]] fed on the family-related traumas of children, [[the Soul Glutton]] absorbed human souls and magical energy to strengthen himself, [[Najakot demon]] fed on magical energy, and [[Incubus|Incubi]] fed specifically on the life force of human females.
===Powers and Abilities===
 
  +
[[File:Vrill.JPG|thumb|left|Vrill, an Old One, the most powerful of demons.]]
 
 
===Powers and abilities===
 
The individual powers that demons possessed varied from species to species, but some appeared to be common to most, if not all species:
 
The individual powers that demons possessed varied from species to species, but some appeared to be common to most, if not all species:
   
*'''[[Super strength|Superhuman Strength]]''' — Most demons are noticeably physically stronger than humans, although the degree varied from species to species. ([[vampire]]s, [[Vengeance demons]][[Old One]]s, [[Fyarl demon]], [[Vyasa]], [[Granok demon]]s, [[Grappler demons]], [[M'Fashnik Demon|M'Fashnik demons]] etc.)
+
*'''[[Super strength]]''' — Most demons were noticeably physically stronger than humans, although the degree varied from species to species. ([[vampire]]s, vengeance demons, Old Ones, Fyarl demon, [[Vyasa]], [[Granok demon]]s, [[Grappler demon]]s, [[M'Fashnik]]s etc.)
*'''Superhuman Durability''' — Because many demons were native to very harsh environments, their bodies tended to be more resistant to blunt trauma and injuries than human bodies, some species even resistant to bulletfire. Some demons had armored bodies, although they were relatively vulnerable if a part or all of the armor was damaged or destroyed. ([[Haxil Beast|Haxil beasts]], [[Dealer Head Demon]], [[The Beast]], [[Skip's species]], [[Granok Demon]]s, [[Turok-Han vampires]], [[Spike's crew]], [[Space-bug-zompire thing]])
+
*'''Super durability''' — Because many demons were native to very harsh environments, their bodies tended to be more resistant to blunt trauma and injuries than human bodies, some species even resistant to bulletfire. Some demons had armored bodies, although they were relatively vulnerable if a part or all of the armor was damaged or destroyed. (Haxil beasts, [[dealer head demon]], [[the Beast]], [[Skip's species]], [[Granok demon]]s, [[Turok-Han]]s, [[Spike's crew]], [[Space-bug-zompire thing]])
*'''Superhuman Speed:''' — The ability to move super-humanly fast. ([[vampires]], [[Soul Eater]]s, [[Doc]])
+
*'''[[Super speed]]:''' — The ability to move super-humanly fast. ([[vampires]], [[Soul Eater]]s, [[Doc]])
*'''Longetivity/Immortality''' — A large amount of demon were shown to live longer than humans, and some of them were actually immortal, living for thousands of year without aging.  ([[vampire]]s, [[Vengeance demons]], [[Mok'tagar Demon|Mok'tagar demon]], [[Boone]])
+
*'''Longevity/Immortality''' — A large amount of demon were shown to live longer than humans, and some of them were actually immortal, living for thousands of year without aging. (vampires, Vengeance demons, [[Mok'tagar demon]], [[Boone]])
*'''[[Empathy]]''' — The ability to sense or feel emotions. (some [[vampire]]s, [[The Judge]], [[Vengeance demons]], [[Empath demons]], [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Illyria]])  
+
*'''[[Empathy]]''' — The ability to sense or feel emotions. (some [[vampire]]s, [[The Judge]], vengeance demons, [[Empath demon]]s, [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Illyria]])  
*'''[[Telepathy]]''' — The ability to read minds. ([[Unidentified telepath demons|Telepath demons]], [[Ethros demons]], [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Sadecki Demon|Sadecki demons]])  
+
*'''[[Telepathy]]''' — The ability to read minds. ([[Unidentified telepath demons|Telepath demons]], [[Ethros demon]]s, [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Sadecki demon]]s)  
*'''[[Teleportation]]''' — The ability to travel to another spot in space without having to transverse the distance between the two points. ([[Vengeance demons]], [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[Granok demons]], [[Stewart Burns]], [[The Beast]], [[Gnarol Demon]]s)
+
*'''[[Teleportation]]''' — The ability to travel to another spot in space without having to transverse the distance between the two points. (Vengeance demons, [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[Granok demon]]s, [[Stewart Burns]], the Beast, [[Gnarol]]s)
*'''[[Telekinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate objects with the mind. ([[Eyghon]], [[Vengeance demons]], [[Balthazar]], [[Ethros demons]], [[Sadecki Demon|Sadecki demons]]) 
+
*'''[[Telekinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate objects with the mind. ([[Eyghon]], vengeance demons, [[Balthazar]], [[Ethros demon]]s, [[Sadecki demon]]s
 
*'''[[Pyrokinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate and conjure fire with the mind. ([[The Judge]], [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Oden-Tal]], [[Child of Words]], [[Sweet]], [[Local Boy]])
 
*'''[[Pyrokinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate and conjure fire with the mind. ([[The Judge]], [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Oden-Tal]], [[Child of Words]], [[Sweet]], [[Local Boy]])
 
*'''[[Cryokinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate cold temperatures to create ice and snow. ([[Eddie Hope]])
 
*'''[[Cryokinesis]]''' — The ability to manipulate cold temperatures to create ice and snow. ([[Eddie Hope]])
*'''[[Paralysis Inducement]]''' — The ability to render beings immobile or incapacitated. ([[Ovu Mobani]], [[Fyarl Demon]]s, [[Wig Lady]], [[Gnarl]])
+
*'''[[Paralysis inducement]]''' — The ability to render beings immobile or incapacitated. ([[Ovu Mobani]], Fyarl demons, [[Wig Lady]], [[Gnarl]])
*'''[[Possession]]''' — The ability to take control of another being's body. ([[Eyghon]], [[Ovu Mabani|Ovu Mobani]], [[Haxil Beast|Haxil beasts]], [[Ethros demons]], [[Child of Words]], [[Sluk Demon|Sluks]]) 
+
*'''[[Possession]]''' — The ability to take control of another being's body. ([[Eyghon]], Ovu Mabani, [[Haxil Beast|Haxil beasts]], [[Ethros demon]]s, [[Child of Words]], Sluks)
*'''[[Precognition]] ''' — The ability to see future events. ([[Deathwok Clan]], [[Asphyx demons]]) 
+
*'''[[Precognition]] ''' — The ability to see future events. ([[Deathwok Clan]], [[Asphyx demon]]s
*'''[[Photokinesis]]''' — The ability to create and emit light. ([[Ovu Mabani]], [[Shrouded Man]], [[Cordelia Chase]], [[Pearl]] and [[Nash]]).
+
*'''[[Photokinesis]]''' — The ability to create and emit light. (Ovu Mabani, [[Shrouded Man]], Cordelia, [[Pearl]] and [[Nash]]).
*'''[[Hypnosis]]''' — The ability to manipulate minds. (some [[vampire]]s, [[Ovu Mobani]], [[Thrall demon]]s) 
+
*'''[[Hypnosis]]''' — The ability to manipulate minds. (some vampires, Ovu Mobani, [[Thrall demon]]s) 
*'''[[Voice Manipulation]]''' — The ability to manipulate once's or other's voices. ([[Vengeance demons]], [[Gachnar]], [[Arney]]) 
+
*'''[[Voice manipulation]]''' — The ability to manipulate once's or other's voices. (vengeance demons, [[Gachnar]], [[Arney]]) 
*'''[[Invisibility]]''' — The ability to make oneself unable to be seen. ([[Der Kindestod]], [[Vocah]], [[Thesulac Demon|Thesulac demons]], [[Pockla demons]])
+
*'''[[Invisibility]]''' — The ability to make oneself unable to be seen. ([[Der Kindestod]], [[Vocah]], [[Thesulac demon]]s, [[Pockla demon]]s)
*'''[[Shapeshifting]]''' — The ability to alter one's appearance. ([[Marc]], [[Vengeance demons]], [[Allen Francis Doyle|Doyle]], [[Ano-Movic demon]]s, [[Deevak]], [[Wraith-er Demon|Wraith-er demons]], [[Eater Demon|Eater demons]], [[Lissa]], [[Thricewise]]) 
+
*'''[[Shapeshifting]]''' — The ability to alter one's appearance. ([[Marc]], vengeance demons, Doyle, [[Ano-Movic demon]]s, [[Deevak]], Wraith-er demons, [[Eater Demon|Eater demons]], [[Lissa]], [[Thricewise]]) 
*'''[[Reanimation]]''' — The ability to raise the dead as [[zombie]]s. ([[Ovu Mobani]], [[Gachnar]], [[Eyghon the Sleepwalker]])
+
*'''[[Reanimation]]''' — The ability to raise the dead as [[zombie]]s. (Ovu Mobani, [[Gachnar]], [[Eyghon the Sleepwalker]])
*'''[[Regeneration]]''' — The ability to quickly heal from injuries and regrow lost body parts. ([[vampire]]s, [[Brotherhood of Seven]], [[Vengeance demons]], [[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[Mohra demons]] [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Nahdrah Demon|Nahdrah demons]], [[Jenoff]], [[Strom Demon|Strom demons]])
+
*'''[[Regeneration]]''' — The ability to quickly heal from injuries and regrow lost body parts. ([[vampire]]s, [[Brotherhood of Seven]], vengeance demons, [[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[Mohra demon]]s, [[Deathwok Clan]], [[Nahdrah demon]]s, [[Jenoff]], [[Strom demon]]s)
*'''[[Levitation]]''' — The ability to rise above the air and stay in suspension. ([[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[The Gentlemen]], [[Thesulac demon]]s, [[Pockla demon]]s, [[John Hancock|Brain Man]], [[Cordelia Chase]])
+
*'''[[Levitation]]''' — The ability to rise above the air and stay in suspension. ([[Mok'tagar demon]]s, [[The Gentlemen]], [[Thesulac demon]]s, [[Pockla demon]]s, [[John Hancock|Brain Man]], Cordelia)
 
*'''[[Flight]]''' — The ability to go airborne and propel oneself through the air. ([[Lohesh]], [[Illyria's killers]], [[Burge]], [[Flying Monkey|Flying Monkies]], [[Demonic Jetliner]]s) 
 
*'''[[Flight]]''' — The ability to go airborne and propel oneself through the air. ([[Lohesh]], [[Illyria's killers]], [[Burge]], [[Flying Monkey|Flying Monkies]], [[Demonic Jetliner]]s) 
*'''Razor-sharp fingernails''' — The ability of having one's nails sharp enough to wound or shred flesh. ([[vampire]]s, [[Der Kindestod]], [[Vahrall Demon]]s, [[Gnarl]], [[Turok-Han Vampire]]s)
+
*'''Razor-sharp fingernails''' — The ability of having one's nails sharp enough to wound or shred flesh. ([[vampire]]s, [[Der Kindestod]], [[Vahrall demon]]s, [[Gnarl]], [[Turok-Han Vampire]]s)
   
==Demon Summoning==
+
==Summoning==
{{Dialogue a-b|Giles|Oh... Anyanka... I-I beseech thee... to Um... In the name of all women scorned... Come before me.....Oh!|Anyanka|Do you have any idea what I do to a man who uses that spell to summon me?|Giles calling forth Anyanka|The Wish}}
+
{{Dialogue a-b|Giles|Oh… Anyanka… I-I beseech thee… to, um… In the name of all women scorned… Come before me… Oh!|Anyanka|Do you have any idea what I do to a man who uses that spell to summon me?|Giles calling forth Anyanka|The Wish}}
Certain demons could be beckoned, controlled and directed by specific methods. [[Tucker Wells]] trained a group of dangerous [[hellhound]]s to hunt prom goers by forcing them to watch prom-related movies.<ref name="The Prom"/> This influenced his younger brother [[Andrew Wells|Andrew]] who could summon demons to attack Buffy by using certain musical instruments such as panpipes and a didgeridoo. These demons include [[Jaarvlen Flesh Eater]]s (which he claimed was hard to control),<ref name="DT">"[[Dead Things]]"</ref> [[Rwasundi Demon]]s,<ref name="DT">"[[Dead Things]]"</ref> [[Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik|Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik demons]]<ref>"[[Normal Again]]"</ref> and an [[Unidentified Construction Site Demons|unnamed species of demon]].<ref name="LS" />
+
Certain demons could be beckoned, controlled and directed by specific methods. [[Tucker Wells]] trained a group of dangerous [[hellhound]]s to hunt prom goers by forcing them to watch prom-related movies.<ref name="The Prom" /> This influenced his younger brother [[Andrew Wells|Andrew]] who could summon demons to attack Buffy by using certain musical instruments such as panpipes and a didgeridoo. These demons include [[Jaarvlen Flesh Eater]]s (which he claimed was hard to control),<ref name="DT">"[[Dead Things]]"</ref> [[Rwasundi demon]]s,<ref name="DT">"[[Dead Things]]"</ref> [[Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik]] demons <ref>"[[Normal Again]]"</ref> and an [[Unidentified Construction Site Demons|unnamed species of demon]].<ref name="LS" />
  +
Angel command a giant spider [[Najakot Demon]] for to defeat [[Amy Madison]].
 
 
Angel command a Najakot demon for to defeat [[Amy Madison]]. [[Halfrek]] implied that Grimslaw demons were possible to house train, though difficult.<ref name="Selfless" /> Others demons, although having a free mind, were completely malleable by an higher being. It was the case of [[Glory's minions]] or the [[zealot]]s with [[Jasmine]]. Some individual demons could be summoned, but not controlled through certain spells. Anyanka could be called via a spell that required her [[Symbol of Anyanka|necklace]],<ref name="TW">"[[The Wish]]"</ref> while such worshiped figures such as Machida,<ref name="RB">"[[Reptile Boy]]"</ref> [[Lurconis]],<ref name="Band Candy" /> "goddess" [[Yeska]]<ref name="GWBG">"[[Guise Will Be Guise]]"</ref> and [[Avilas]]<ref name="Help">"[[Help]]"</ref> could be brought upon for a ritual sacrifice and the Queller demons were only summoned to eliminate insane humans.<ref>"[[Listening to Fear]]"</ref>
[[Halfrek]] implied that [[Grimslaw Demon|Grimslaw demons]] were possible to house train, though difficult. <ref name="Selfless" />
 
Others demons, although having a free mind, are completely malleable by an higher being. It is the case of [[Glory's Minions|Glory's minions]] or the [[Zealots]] with [[Jasmine]].
 
Some individual demons could be summoned, but not controlled through certain spells. [[Anya Jenkins|Anyanka]] could be called via a spell that required her [[Symbol of Anyanka|necklace]]<ref name="TW">"[[The Wish]]"</ref> while such worshiped figures such as [[Machida]],<ref name="RB">"[[Reptile Boy]]"</ref> [[Lurconis]],<ref name="Band Candy"/> "goddess" [[Yeska]]<ref name="GWBG">"[[Guise Will Be Guise]]"</ref> and [[Avilas]]<ref name="Help">"[[Help]]"</ref> could be brought upon for a ritual sacrifice and the [[Queller Demon|Queller demons]] were only summoned to eliminate insane humans.<ref>"[[Listening to Fear]]"</ref>
 
   
 
==Society==
 
==Society==
 
{{Dialogue a-b|Anya|I made the rounds, myself. Tried to dig up anything useful from the demon community.|Xander|They're a community now? What's next, a ladies' auxiliary? |Anya and Xander|Showtime}}
 
{{Dialogue a-b|Anya|I made the rounds, myself. Tried to dig up anything useful from the demon community.|Xander|They're a community now? What's next, a ladies' auxiliary? |Anya and Xander|Showtime}}
 
Most demons possessing near human intelligence adapted to most of the fundamentals of modern human society, but still retain traditions and attitudes that would be considered tribalistic and archaic. They had an underworld status and took part in human pastimes such as playing poker,<ref name="LS">"[[Life Serial]]"</ref> though kittens were considered a delicacy, as well as currency, among demons.<ref name="Tabula Rasa">"[[Tabula Rasa]]"</ref> However, human money was still valued by mainstream demons<ref name="Enemies">"[[Enemies]]"</ref><ref name="WTWTA">"[[Where the Wild Things Are]]"</ref>(an exception being an [[unidentified M'Fashnik demon]] who, despite belonging to a mercenary race, considered money to be nothing more than paper).<ref name="LS" /> Also, pure innocence, especially that of a human child, carried a high deal of street value in hell dimensions.<ref name="st" /> According to Anya, massacres were treated as social events by demons, similar to parties in the human world where demons would require invitations and even use these events to form romantic/sexual relations with other demons.<ref name="Showtime">"[[Showtime]]"</ref>
   
Most demons possessing near human intelligence adapted to most of the fundamentals of modern human society. They had an underworld status and took part in human pastimes such as playing poker,<ref name="LS">"[[Life Serial]]"</ref> though kittens were considered a delicacy, as well as currency, among demons.<ref name="Tabula Rasa">"[[Tabula Rasa]]"</ref> However, human money was still valued by mainstream demons<ref name="Enemies">"[[Enemies]]"</ref><ref name="WTWTA">"[[Where the Wild Things Are]]"</ref>(an exception being an [[unidentified M'Fashnik demon]] who, despite belonging to a mercenary race, considered money to be nothing more than paper).<ref name="LS" /> Also, pure innocence, especially that of a human child, carried a high deal of street value in [[hell dimension]]s.<ref name="st" /> According to Anya, massacres were treated as social events by demons, similar to parties in the human world where demons would require invitations and even use these events to form romantic/sexual relations with other demons.<ref name="Showtime">"[[Showtime]]"</ref>
 
 
===Clothing===
 
===Clothing===
Most demons sported clothing of the modern era, though some, such as [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Mok'tagar Demon]]s,[[Thesulac Demon]]s, [[Glory's Minions|Glory's Minion's]], [[Pockla Demon]]s, [[Sahjhan|Sahijan]], [[Rwasundi Demon]]s, the [[Fell Brethren]] and many more wore archaic robes. Feral demons (like [[Hellhound]]s, [[Polgara demon|Polgara Demons]], [[Queller]], [[Drokken Beast]] and [[Bug Demon]]s) didn't wear any clothes.
+
Most demons sported clothing of the modern era, though some, such as [[D'Hoffryn]], [[Mok'tagar demon]]s, Thesulac demons, [[Glory's minions]], [[Pockla demon]]s, [[Sahjhan]], [[Rwasundi demon]]s, the [[Fell Brethren]] and many more wore archaic robes. Feral demons (like [[Hellhound]]s, [[Polgara demon]]s, Quellerjv, [[Drokken Beast]] and Bug demons) didn't wear any clothes.
   
 
During a social occasion, Anya wore entrails as if wearing a dress.<ref name="Showtime" /> She also claimed that burlap with blood larva was traditionally used as bridesmaids dresses in demonic wedding ceremonies where the grooms were forced to perform the rite of self-flagellation.<ref>"[[Smashed]]</ref>
 
During a social occasion, Anya wore entrails as if wearing a dress.<ref name="Showtime" /> She also claimed that burlap with blood larva was traditionally used as bridesmaids dresses in demonic wedding ceremonies where the grooms were forced to perform the rite of self-flagellation.<ref>"[[Smashed]]</ref>
   
===Interactions between other Demons===
+
===Interactions between other demons===
[[File:Kittypoker.png|thumb|left|A group of mixed race demons playing "kitty poker"]]
+
[[File:Kittypoker.png|thumb|A group of mixed race demons playing Kitten Poker.]]
Despite the degree of modernization, a lot of demons still relied on tribalism. They preferred to stay in packs or clans consisting of members of their own species that practiced ancient rituals and traditions that often involved barbaric sacrifices to their respective deities. They often waged feuds with other clans, as seen with the [[Deathwok Clan]] and [[Sebassis' species]]<ref name="LOTP">"[[Life of the Party]]"</ref> or the [[Vinji Clan|Viniji]] and [[Sahrvin Clan|Sahrvin]] clans,<ref name="HW">"[[Harm's Way]]"</ref> along with bigoted views of humans and demon species closely related to them such as vampires, who were less socially tolerated and even rejected by others demons. For example, [[The Scourge]] considered them like the lowest of all the half-breeds,<ref name="Hero"/> while the [[Ano-Movic Clan]] ,<ref name="BP"/> [[Vyasa]]<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon">"[[The Shroud of Rahmon]]"</ref> and the [[Hellions]] <ref>"[[Bargaining, Part One]]</ref> were either offended or bothered to associate with them. Additionally, the Scooby gang found it odd that a vampire and a demon of a totally different species were fighting alongside each other. [[Rupert Giles]] himself claimed that, as rule, demons lacked empathy towards other demon species and even viewed vampires as abominations.<ref name="WTWTA" />
 
Even though they tended to abandon ancient demonic values and still enjoyed a naturally malevolent status, they did follow some loose rules when socializing with other demons as [[Spike]] was briefly rejected by his demon brethren for killing other demons after receiving his chip.<ref name="Goodbye Iowa"/>
 
   
 
Despite the degree of modernization, a lot of demons still relied on tribalism. They preferred to stay in packs or clans consisting of members of their own species that practiced ancient rituals and traditions that often involved barbaric sacrifices to their respective deities. They often waged feuds with other clans, as seen with the [[Deathwok Clan]] and [[Sebassis' species]]<ref name="LOTP">"[[Life of the Party]]"</ref> or the [[Vinji Clan|Viniji]] and [[Sahrvin Clan|Sahrvin]] clans,<ref name="HW">"[[Harm's Way]]"</ref> along with bigoted views of humans and demon species closely related to them such as vampires, who were less socially tolerated and even rejected by others demons.
=== Integration into Human Society===
 
According to the site [[Demons, Demons, Demons]], there is a dozen species indigenous to [[Los Angeles]] County alone.<ref name="TR"/>
 
Demons like [[Marc]],<ref name="TPS">"[[The Puppet Show]]"</ref> [[Norman Pfister]],<ref name="What's My Line, Part One"/> [[Ken]],<ref name="Anne">"[[Anne (episode)|Anne]]"</ref> [[Vengeance Demon|Vengeance demons]],<ref name="OAFA"/><ref name="TW" /> [[Kathy Newman]],<ref name="LC">"[[Living Conditions]]"</ref> [[Talamour]],<ref>"[[Lonely Hearts]]"</ref> [[Ano-Movic Clan]], [[Doc]],<ref name="Forever" /> the [[Wig Lady]],<ref name="DM"/> [[Wraith-er Demon|Wraith-er demons]],<ref name="Sleep Tight"/> [[Lissa]],<ref>"[[First Date]]"</ref> [[Helen Brucker]],<ref>"[[Power Play]]"</ref> [[Ken (Thricewise)|Kenny]], [[Billy Rage]] or [[Incubus]] knew perfectly well how to disguise and to imitate the customs of human society.
 
Others demons were still motivated by outdated customs, such as the [[The Tribunal]] [[Kamal]] who held to medieval codes of honor.<ref name="Judgment">"[[Judgment]]"</ref>
 
Human sacrifice was something of strong religious significance to demons such as [[Carnyss Demon]]s<ref name="Judgment"/> and [[Thrall demon]]s.<ref>"[[Dear Boy]]"</ref> Other demons practiced human sacrifice even as a personal hobby or pastimes, such as in the case of [[Eli]] who dismembered virgins for fun during his free time.<ref name="HW"/>
 
   
  +
For example, [[The Scourge]] considered them like the lowest of all the half-breeds,<ref name="Hero" /> while the [[Ano-Movic Clan]],<ref name="BP" /> [[Vyasa]]<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon">"[[The Shroud of Rahmon]]"</ref> and the [[Hellions]] <ref>"[[Bargaining, Part One]]"</ref> were either offended or bothered to associate with them. Additionally, the Scooby gang found it odd that a vampire and a demon of a totally different species were fighting alongside each other. [[Rupert Giles]] himself claimed that, as rule, demons lacked empathy towards other demon species and even viewed vampires as abominations.<ref name="WTWTA" />
The [[Ano-Movic Clan]] moderated their cult to live in the human society, tolerating even human beings in their family. However, they were still keen on continuing their culture's tradition of eating the brains of their bride-to-be's ex-husband (though only with his permission, which was given in the form him proving his blessing to the new union).<ref name="BP"/>
 
Certain demons were somewhat progressive, rejecting the ideas enforced by their species which they considered archaic and preferred to live among humans with whom they admired the freedom to make their own pursuits like [[Kathy Newman]],<ref name="LC"/> [[Jhiera]] and the females of her species,<ref name="She">"[[She]]"</ref> [[Carlos (demon)|Carlos]],<ref>"[[Underneath]]"</ref> or [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]].<ref name="Over the Rainbow"/>
 
However, it's not always the case. [[Rieff]] complained that his only contact with the human world was during Halloween.<ref name="Hero"/>
 
In the case of [[Nash]] and [[Pearl]], they considered themselves an evolved form of demons and felt superiors to humanity and others demons alike.
 
   
 
Even though they tended to abandon ancient demonic values and still enjoyed a naturally malevolent status, they did follow some loose rules when socializing with other demons as [[Spike]] was briefly rejected by his demon brethren for killing other demons after receiving his chip.<ref name="Goodbye Iowa">"[[Goodbye Iowa]]"</ref>
===Interactions with Humans===
 
  +
Mainstream demons tended to mix with demons of other species as well as tolerate some humans who could accommodate needs such as food from [[Demon Bar|demon friendly bars]], treatment from Korean bathhouses<ref name="Parting Gifts">"[[Parting Gifts]]"</ref> and legal support from Wolfram & Hart. One the other hand, it was demons that serviced humans through their own special demonic talents such as Lorne's physic abilities, [[Demon Brothel|demon brothels]] which fueled certain men's fantasies<ref name="Couplet" /><ref name="WZ">"[[War Zone]]"</ref> and the demon [[Jenoff]] who granted humans their wish in exchange for their soul<ref name="Double or Nothing">"[[Double or Nothing]]"</ref>[[File:Demon_casino.png|thumb|250px|A demon-run Casino]]Some demons offered power and wealth in exchange for live, human sacrifices.<ref name="RB" /><ref name="GWBG" /><ref name="Help" /> However, certain demons like [[Skyler]] had replaced these old values by cash money.<ref name="Enemies" />
 
 
===Integration into human society===
 
According to the website ''[[Demons, Demons, Demons]]'', there were a dozen species indigenous to [[Los Angeles]] County alone.<ref name="TR" />
  +
 
Demons like [[Marc]],<ref name="TPS">"[[The Puppet Show]]"</ref> [[Norman Pfister]],<ref name="What's My Line, Part One" /> [[Ken]],<ref name="Anne">"[[Anne (episode)|Anne]]"</ref> [[vengeance demon]]s,<ref name="OAFA" /><ref name="TW" /> [[Kathy Newman]],<ref name="LC">"[[Living Conditions]]"</ref> [[Talamour]],<ref>"[[Lonely Hearts]]"</ref> [[Ano-Movic Clan]], [[Doc]],<ref name="Forever" /> the [[Wig Lady]],<ref name="DM" /> [[Wraith-er demon]]s,<ref name="Sleep Tight" /> [[Lissa]],<ref>"[[First Date]]"</ref> [[Helen Brucker]],<ref>"[[Power Play]]"</ref> [[Ken (Thricewise)|Kenny]], [[Billy Rage]] or [[Incubus]] knew perfectly well how to disguise and to imitate the customs of human society.
  +
 
Others demons were still motivated by outdated customs, such as [[The Tribunal]] [[Kamal]] who held to medieval codes of honor.<ref name="Judgment">"[[Judgment]]"</ref> Human sacrifice was something of strong religious significance to demons such as [[Carnyss Demon]]s<ref name="Judgment" /> and [[Thrall demon]]s.<ref>"[[Dear Boy]]"</ref> Other demons practiced human sacrifice even as a personal hobby or pastimes, such as in the case of [[Eli]] who dismembered virgins for fun during his free time.<ref name="HW" />
  +
 
The [[Ano-Movic Clan]] moderated their cult to live in the human society, tolerating even human beings in their family. However, they were still keen on continuing their culture's tradition of eating the brains of their bride-to-be's ex-husband (though only with his permission, which was given in the form of him proving his blessing to the new union).<ref name="BP" /> Certain demons were somewhat progressive, rejecting the ideas enforced by their species which they considered archaic and preferred to live among humans with whom they admired the freedom to make their own pursuits like [[Kathy Newman]],<ref name="LC" /> [[Jhiera]] and the females of her species,<ref name="She">"[[She]]"</ref> [[Carlos (demon)|Carlos]],<ref>"[[Underneath]]"</ref> or [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]].<ref name="Over the Rainbow" /> However, it's not always the case. [[Rieff]] complained that his only contact with the human world was during Halloween.<ref name="Hero" /> In the case of [[Nash]] and [[Pearl]], they considered themselves an evolved form of demons and felt superior to humanity and other demons alike.
  +
 
===Interactions with humans===
 
Mainstream demons tended to mix with demons of other species as well as tolerate some humans who could accommodate their needs such as food from [[demon bar]]s, treatment from Korean bathhouses<ref name="Parting Gifts">"[[Parting Gifts]]"</ref> and legal support from Wolfram & Hart. On the other hand, it was demons that serviced humans through their own special demonic talents such as Lorne's physic abilities, [[demon brothel]]s which fueled certain men's fantasies<ref name="Couplet" /><ref name="WZ">"[[War Zone]]"</ref> and the demon [[Jenoff]] who granted humans their wish in exchange for their soul<ref name="Double or Nothing">"[[Double or Nothing]]"</ref>
  +
  +
[[File:Demon_casino.png|thumb|A demon-run Casino.]]
  +
  +
Some demons offered power and wealth in exchange for live, human sacrifices.<ref name="RB" /><ref name="GWBG" /><ref name="Help" /> However, certain demons like [[Skyler]] had replaced these old values by cash money.<ref name="Enemies" />
 
The predominately demon biker gang, the [[Hellions]], seemed to have possessed some human members, despite rejecting vampires due to their inability to remain in the sun.<ref>"[[Bargaining, Part One]]"</ref>
 
The predominately demon biker gang, the [[Hellions]], seemed to have possessed some human members, despite rejecting vampires due to their inability to remain in the sun.<ref>"[[Bargaining, Part One]]"</ref>
   
Demons also seemed to have rather different views on beauty since the loose-skinned demon [[Clem]] found Buffy ugly because "her skin's so tight I don't know how you [Spike] look at her", [[Torg]] rejected Anya's offer of sex because he found her human appearance as unattractive despite once having a fling with her during her demon days<ref name="Showtime" /> and the inhabitants of [[Pylea]] found the half-demon [[Groosalugg]]'s appearance to be monstrous and considered his human features as "defects" despite the Groosalugg being a physically attractive male by human standards,<ref>"[[Through the Looking Glass]]</ref> however, some demons have been shown to be attracted to humans, such as [[Moloch the Corruptor]] with [[Willow Rosenberg]]<ref>"[[I Robot, You Jane]]"</ref> a [[Chaos Demon]] and [[Fungus Demon]]s who had a relationship with [[Drusilla]],<ref>"[[Fool for Love]]"</ref><ref>"[[The Harsh Light of Day]]"</ref> [[Kathy Newman]] flirting with [[Parker Abrams]]<ref>"[[Living Conditions]]"</ref> [[Allen Francis Doyle]], since [[Richard Straley]] with [[Harriet Doyle]]<ref>"[[The Bachelor Party]]"</ref> [[Dreg]] complimenting [[Glorificus]]'s human appearence <ref>"[[Shadow]]"</ref> [[Glory's Minions]] have called [[Glorificus|Glory's]] human counterpart [[Ben Wilkinson]] attractive,<ref name="Checkpoint">"[[Checkpoint]]"</ref><ref>"[[Spiral]]"</ref> [[Krelvin]] who flirt with [[Carol Harris]],<ref name="Hell's Bells">"[[Hell's Bells]]"</ref> [[Syd Frzylcka]] with [[Winifred Burkle]],<ref name="Double or Nothing"/> [[Clement]] who fell for [[Harmony Kendall]], [[Nash]] who proposed wedding to [[Sophronia Fairweather|Sophronia]] and [[Lavinia Fairweather]] and the demonic prostitute [[Lina]] who was willing to service the vampire Angel so long as he didn't change into his vampire face.<ref name="WZ" /> The demonic princess [[Jhiera]] also demonstrated an attraction toward Angel<ref name="She" /> and [[Beck]], [[Charlotte]] or the [[Courtesan demon]] [[Morgan]] tried to seduce [[Spike]].
+
Demons also seemed to have rather different views on beauty since the loose-skinned demon Clem found Buffy ugly because "her skin's so tight I don't know how you [Spike] look at her", [[Torg]] rejected Anya's offer of sex because he found her human appearance as unattractive despite once having a fling with her during her demon days<ref name="Showtime" /> and the inhabitants of [[Pylea]] found the half-demon [[Groosalugg]]'s appearance to be monstrous and considered his human features as "defects" despite the Groosalugg being a physically attractive male by human standards,<ref>"[[Through the Looking Glass]]</ref> however, some demons have been shown to be attracted to or have relationships with humans.<ref>"[[Living Conditions]]"</ref><ref>"[[The Bachelor Party]]"</ref><ref name="She" /><ref name="Hell's Bells">"[[Hell's Bells]]"</ref><ref name="Double or Nothing" /> the demonic prostitute [[Lina]] who was willing to service the vampire Angel so long as he didn't change into his vampire face.<ref name="WZ" /> The demonic princess [[Jhiera]] also demonstrated an attraction toward Angel<ref name="She" />
  +
[[File:Demon_bar_salvage.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Vampires, demons and humans in a [[Demon Bar]]]]
+
[[File:Demon_bar_salvage.jpg|thumb|Vampires, demons and humans in a demon bar.]]
   
 
The [[Slayer]] posed a sense of fear among demons, especially vampires. Demons would use the Slayer as a Boogeyman figure to scare their children into behaving.<ref>"[[Doomed]]"</ref> When Buffy led a group of powerless [[Potential Slayer]]s into a demon bar for training, she claimed her presence was the only thing preventing the demons from attacking them.<ref name="Potential">"[[Potential]]"</ref>
   
 
Ironically, some demons considered the human beings as monsters to them. When [[Halloween]] was celebrated in the premises of [[Wolfram & Hart]], the demon [[Devlin]] dressed himself as a human being (using real human skin to that effect), aping them excessively to the point it irritated the human-loving [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]].<ref name="LOTP" />
The [[Slayer]] posed a sense of fear among demons, especially vampires. Demons would use the Slayer as a Boogeyman figure to scare their children into behaving.<ref>"[[Doomed]]"</ref> When Buffy led a group of powerless [[Potential Slayers]] into a demon bar for training, she claimed her presence was the only thing preventing the demons from attacking them.<ref name="Potential" />
 
Ironically, some demons considered the human beings as monsters to them. When [[Halloween]] was celebrated in the premises of [[Wolfram & Hart]], the demon [[Devlin]] dressed himself as a human being (using real human skin to that effect), aping them excessively to the point it irritated the human-loving [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]].<ref name="LOTP"/>
 
   
 
===Technology===
 
===Technology===
 
{{Quote|Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, but are hopeless with technology.|Adam|Primeval}}
 
{{Quote|Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, but are hopeless with technology.|Adam|Primeval}}
 
When it came to modern technology, the majority of demons remained inept with most advances that humans possessed. Though some demons, mainly vampires, made use of human inventions such as newspaper,<ref>"[[Becoming, Part One]]"</ref> television,<ref>"[[Checkpoint]]"</ref><ref name="Potential" /> and electricity. Though they made very little use of modern weaponry, usually limited to basic hand-to-hand combat and medieval weapons, such as swords and axes. Additionally, it was unusual for a demon to use bladed tools for disembowelment as they already had teeth and claws powerful enough to do the job.<ref name="TPS" />
   
 
On rare occasions, some demons made use of firearms. Examples of this behavior included [[Darla]] when fighting Buffy,<ref>"[[Angel (episode)|Angel]]"</ref> [[Griff]] when collecting a debt,<ref>"[[Rm w/a Vu]]"</ref> [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]] who killed [[Lindsey McDonald]] with a silenced pistol,<ref name="Not Fade Away" /> [[M. James Menlo]]<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon" /> and [[Razor]], the leader of a [[Hellions|demon biker gang]] who used a starting pistol when destroying the [[Buffybot]].<ref>"[[Bargaining, Part Two]]"</ref>
When it came to modern technology, the majority of demons remained inept with most advances that humans possessed. Though some demons, mainly vampires, made use of human inventions such as newspapers,<ref>"[[Becoming, Part One]]"</ref> televisions<ref name="Checkpoint"/><ref name="Potential" /> and electricity; though made very little use of modern weaponry and were usually limited to basic hand-to-hand combat and medieval weapons such as swords and axes. Additionally, it was unusual for a demon to use bladed tools for disembowelment as they already had teeth and claws powerful enough to do the job.<ref name="TPS" />
 
 
On rare occasions, some demons made use of firearms. Examples of this behavior included [[Darla]] when fighting Buffy,<ref>"[[Angel (episode)|Angel]]"</ref> [[Griff]] when collecting a debt,<ref>"[[Rm w/a Vu]]"</ref> [[Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan|Lorne]] who killed [[Lindsey McDonald]] with a silenced pistol,<ref name="Not Fade Away"/> [[M. James Menlo]]<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon"/> and [[Razor]], the leader of a [[Hellions|demon biker gang]] who used a starting pistol when destroying the [[Buffybot]].<ref>"[[Bargaining, Part Two]]"</ref>
 
   
 
The demon Toth was considered a sophisticated demon for his use of mystical tools, such as the [[Ferula Gemini]].<ref>"[[The Replacement]]"</ref>
 
The demon Toth was considered a sophisticated demon for his use of mystical tools, such as the [[Ferula Gemini]].<ref>"[[The Replacement]]"</ref>
Line 188: Line 158:
 
Demons like [[Ken]] and [[Kathy Newman]] even knew how to use convincing prosthetic makeup.<ref name="Anne" /><ref name="LC" />
 
Demons like [[Ken]] and [[Kathy Newman]] even knew how to use convincing prosthetic makeup.<ref name="Anne" /><ref name="LC" />
   
==Human Awareness of Demons==
+
==Human awareness of demons==
For most of history, the majority of humans remained unaware or in denial of the existence of demons, with notable exceptions including the [[Watchers Council]], the [[The Initiative (organization)|Initiative]], the [[Slayer]]s, the [[Scooby Gang]], the [[Angel Investigations]] team, [[Demon hunter|demon]] and [[vampire hunter]]s like [[Sid]], [[Charles Gunn]], [[Daniel Holtz]], [[Justine Cooper]] or [[Robin Wood]]. Since the public revelation of demons, all the police departments include a paranormal force division.
+
For most of history, the majority of humans remained unaware or in denial of the existence of demons, with notable exceptions including the [[Watchers Council]], the Initiative, the [[Slayer]]s, the [[Scooby Gang]], the [[Angel Investigations]] team, [[Demon hunter|demon]] and [[vampire hunter]]s like [[Sid]], [[Charles Gunn]], [[Daniel Holtz]], [[Justine Cooper]], or [[Robin Wood]]. Since the public revelation of demons, police departments included a paranormal force division.
  +
 
[[Rupert Giles]] explained this as the tendency for people to "rationalize what they can and forget what they can't."<ref name="Harvest">"[[The Harvest (episode)|The Harvest]]"</ref> [[Aimee Mann]], a guest singer at [[The Bronze]], remarked that she hated playing in "[[vampire]] towns."<ref>"[[Sleeper]]"</ref> To those who did know, demonic culture and mythology was the subject of scholarly research with ancient books and texts documenting their history. Having had knowledge of his real nature, [[Harriet Doyle|Harriet]], the ex-wife of [[Allen Francis Doyle|Doyle]] became an [[ethnodemonology|ethnodemonologist]] and had even become engaged to a demon.<ref name="BP" /> The website ''Demons, Demons, Demons'' also contained accurate information on demons.<ref name="TR">"[[The Ring]]"</ref>
   
[[Rupert Giles]] explained this as the tendency for people to "rationalize what they can and forget what they can't."<ref name="Harvest">"[[The Harvest (episode)|The Harvest]]"</ref> [[Aimee Mann]], a guest singer at [[The Bronze]], remarked that she hated playing in "[[vampire]] towns."<ref>"[[Sleeper]]"</ref>
 
To those who did know, demonic culture and mythology was the subject of scholarly research with ancient books and texts documenting their history. Having had knowledge of his real nature, [[Harriet Doyle|Harriet]], the ex-wife of [[Allen Francis Doyle|Doyle]] became [[Ethnodemonology|ethnodemonologist]] and had even become engaged to a demon.<ref name="BP"/> A website titled "[[Demons, Demons, Demons]]" also contained accurate information on demons.<ref name="TR">"[[The Ring]]"</ref>
 
 
The [[Sunnydale High School]] board and the police department also appeared to be aware of the supernatural goings-on in [[Sunnydale]], as the police often covered up vampire and demon attacks under orders from [[Richard Wilkins]]. When [[Spike]] and members of the [[Order of Aurelius]] attacked Sunnydale High to kill [[Buffy Summers]], [[Principal Snyder]] and the [[Bob Munroe|police chief]] wrote it off to the public as an attack by a gang on PCP, an excuse that has apparently been used before.<ref>"[[School Hard]]"</ref>
 
The [[Sunnydale High School]] board and the police department also appeared to be aware of the supernatural goings-on in [[Sunnydale]], as the police often covered up vampire and demon attacks under orders from [[Richard Wilkins]]. When [[Spike]] and members of the [[Order of Aurelius]] attacked Sunnydale High to kill [[Buffy Summers]], [[Principal Snyder]] and the [[Bob Munroe|police chief]] wrote it off to the public as an attack by a gang on PCP, an excuse that has apparently been used before.<ref>"[[School Hard]]"</ref>
In [[Los Angeles]], it seems common that businessmen without scruples, gangsters or criminals, without counting the lawyers of [[Wolfram & Hart]], are associated with demons in more or less doubtful business.<ref name="Parting Gifts"/>
 
All the people present in [[Los Angeles]] when it was moved to a hell dimension by the [[Senior Partners]] of [[Wolfram & Hart]] in 2004 became aware of demons.
 
In the early 21st century, the existence of vampires, and demons by extension, became public knowledge and vampires instantly became the subject of a fad, capitalizing on the fact that many humans experience a thrill when bitten by vampires. [[Harmony Kendall]] became the face of vampires in the media, starring in a reality show called ''[[Harmony Bites]]''. Since, all humans are aware of demons' existence on Earth. It was seen after the end of magic that demons were employed for various jobs like one, used by UC Sunnydale staff like debt collector to collect Buffy's student loan. In London, Parker and Tricia were racketed by an human associate with two demons.
 
   
 
In [[Los Angeles]], it seemed common that businessmen without scruples, gangsters or criminals, without counting the lawyers of [[Wolfram & Hart]], were associated with demons in more or less doubtful business.<ref name="Parting Gifts" />
===Views of Demons===
 
Humanity's views of demons, like their views of one another, vary considerably depending on individuals:
 
   
 
All the people present during the [[fall of Los Angeles]] in 2004 became aware of demons.
*Though the Scooby Gang and the Angel Investigations team were dedicated to destroying demons, they only sought to destroy those they saw as evil. Both teams employed the services of demons on several occasions and many key members of both groups had been demons. In fact, the demon members of Angel Investigations often outnumbered the humans. Both also argued that werewolves should not be held accountable for their actions in bestial form as long as they found ways of restraining themselves. Regardless, both sides were perfectly willing and able to kill demons for committing bad deeds; for example, when Anya granted a wish that resulted in the deaths of several fraternity boys, Buffy immediately decided that she had to kill Anya for it despite having peacefully talked [[Dark Willow]] down after she did the same thing, justifying her actions by stating that Willow was human and Anya wasn't, and that as the Slayer, her decisions and judgement were absolute.<ref name="Selfless" />
 
   
 
In the early 21st century, the existence of vampires, and demons by extension, became public knowledge and vampires instantly became the subject of a fad, capitalizing on the fact that many humans experience a thrill when bitten by vampires. [[Harmony Kendall]] became the face of vampires in the media, starring in her own reality show ''[[Harmony Bites]]''. Since, all humans were aware of demons' existence on Earth. It was seen after the end of magic that demons were employed for various jobs like one, used by UC Sunnydale staff like debt collector to collect Buffy's student loan. In London, Parker and Tricia were racketed by an human associate with two demons.
*[[Xander Harris]] has a deep hatred for all vampires, partly because of the death of his friend, [[Jesse McNally]].<ref name="Harvest" />
 
   
 
===Views of demons===
*[[Willy the Snitch]] ran a [[Willy's Place|neutral bar]] for all beings, including demons.
 
 
Humanity's views of demons, like their views of one another, vary considerably depending on individuals.
   
 
Though the Scooby Gang and the Angel Investigations team were dedicated to destroying demons, they only sought to destroy those they saw as evil. Both teams employed the services of demons on several occasions and many key members of both groups had been demons. In fact, the demon members of Angel Investigations often outnumbered the humans. Both also argued that werewolves should not be held accountable for their actions in bestial form as long as they found ways of restraining themselves. Regardless, both sides were perfectly willing and able to kill demons for committing bad deeds; for example, when Anya granted a wish that resulted in the deaths of several fraternity boys, Buffy immediately decided that she had to kill Anya for it despite having peacefully talked [[Willow Rosenberg]] down after she did the same thing, justifying her actions by stating that Willow was human and Anya wasn't, and that as the Slayer, her decisions and judgement were absolute.<ref name="Selfless" />
*[[Gib Cain]] hunted werewolves for their skin, uncaring that they were humans outside of the full moon.<ref>"[[Phases]]"</ref>
 
   
 
[[Willy]] ran a [[Willy's Place]], a neutral bar for all beings, including demons.
*The Watchers Council refused to help Buffy Summers cure [[Angel]] of the [[Killer of the Dead]] poison on the grounds that he was a vampire, which resulted in her severing ties with the Council for over a year.<ref>"[[Graduation Day, Part One]]"</ref>
 
   
 
[[Gib Cain]] hunted werewolves for their skin, uncaring that they were humans outside of the full moon.<ref>"[[Phases]]"</ref>
*On multiple occasions, the U.S. government and its different groups showed a desire to study supernatural beings and find a way to use their power for military purposes, the most prominent examples being the Initiative and the [[Demon Research Initiative]], its World War II-era predecessor.<ref>"[[Primeval]]"</ref><ref>"[[Why We Fight]]"</ref>
 
   
 
The Watchers Council refused to help Buffy Summers cure [[Angel]] of the [[Killer of the Dead]] poison on the grounds that he was a vampire, which resulted in her severing ties with the Council for over a year.<ref>"[[Graduation Day, Part One]]"</ref>
*[[The Scourge]] sought to destroy all [[Half-breeds|non-pure demons]] and humanity itself.<ref name="Hero" />
 
   
 
On multiple occasions, the U.S. government and its different groups showed a desire to study supernatural beings and find a way to use their power for military purposes, the most prominent examples being the Initiative and the [[Demon Research Initiative]], its World War II-era predecessor.<ref>"[[Primeval]]"</ref><ref>"[[Why We Fight]]"</ref>
*[[Cordelia Chase]] initially believed that all demons, besides Angel, were evil until she discovered [[Allen Francis Doyle]]'s [[Brachen demon]] heritage.<ref name="Hero">"[[Hero]]"</ref>
 
   
 
[[The Scourge]] sought to destroy all non-pure demons and humanity itself.<ref name="Hero" />
*One of the strains on the relationship between Buffy and [[Riley Finn]] was that he automatically assumed that all supernatural creatures were evil, harshly criticizing the Scoobies when he discovered that they had been harboring Spike,<ref name="Goodbye Iowa"/> though he realized that demons were capable of both good and evil just as humans were when he helped save a [[werewolf]], [[Daniel Osbourne|Oz]], from the Initiative, especially after he witnessed his superiors' inhumane treatment of Oz while he was in human form.<ref>"[[New Moon Rising]]"</ref>
 
   
 
Cordelia initially believed that all demons, besides Angel, were evil until she discovered Doyle's brachen demon heritage.<ref name="Hero">"[[Hero]]"</ref>
*Certain human beings use demons as bodyguards.<ref name="WZ" /> Others enslave them.<ref name="TR" />
 
   
 
One of the strains on the relationship between Buffy and [[Riley Finn]] was that he automatically assumed that all supernatural creatures were evil, harshly criticizing the Scoobies when he discovered that they had been harboring Spike,<ref name="Goodbye Iowa" /> though he realized that demons were capable of both good and evil just as humans were when he helped save a [[werewolf]], Oz, from the Initiative, especially after he witnessed his superiors' inhumane treatment of Oz while he was in human form.<ref>"[[New Moon Rising]]"</ref>
*Madame Dorion<ref name="WZ" /> and Madame Anita<ref name="Couplet" /> held brothels where the prostitutes are demons.
 
   
 
Certain humans used demons as bodyguards.<ref name="WZ" /> Others enslave them.<ref name="TR" />
*[[Mr. Maclay]] deceived both his late wife and his daughter [[Tara Maclay|Tara]] into believing that they were demons, allowing him greater control over them.<ref name="Family" />
 
   
 
Madame Dorion<ref name="WZ" /> and Madame Anita<ref name="Couplet" /> held brothels where the prostitutes were demons.
*[[M. James Menlo]] was considered a human criminal by the police. Because he was a specialist in explosives, it is possible that the authorities perceived him as a deformed human being.<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon"/>
 
   
 
[[Mr. Maclay]] deceived both his late wife and his daughter [[Tara Maclay|Tara]] into believing that they were demons, allowing him greater control over them.<ref name="Family" />
*[[Gio]], a rogue member of [[Gunn's Crew]], led them on a fanatical crusade to destroy demons all over Los Angeles, regardless of their moral alignment.<ref name="TOGOM" />
 
   
 
[[M. James Menlo]] was considered a human criminal by the police.<ref name="The Shroud of Rahmon" />
*[[Anthony Harris]]' bigoted attitude toward Anya's demonic guests incited a riot between the two families. However, he was not aware of what they were really, considering them circus artists or a certain religious confession. It is plausible to say that he was simply reactionary by nature to all which is different from his own point of view.<ref name="Hell's Bells"/>
 
   
 
[[Gio]], a rogue member of [[Gunn's Crew]], led them on a crusade to destroy demons all over Los Angeles, regardless of their moral alignment.<ref name="TOGOM" />
*[[Clem]] claimed that [[Rack]] had "a thing" against [[Loose-Skinned Demon|his demon species]].<ref>"[[Two to Go]]"</ref>
 
   
 
[[Anthony Harris]]' bigoted attitude toward Anya's demonic guests incited a riot between the two families. However, he was not aware of what they were really, considering them circus artists or a certain religious confession.<ref name="Hell's Bells" />
*[[Tobias Dupree]] was a demon's rights activist <ref name="HW" />
 
   
 
Clem claimed that [[Rack]] had "a thing" against his species of [[Loose-Skinned demon]]s.<ref>"[[Two to Go]]"</ref>
==List of Demons==
 
  +
''See [[Demon/Listed By Appearance]] ''
 
 
[[Tobias Dupree]] was a demon's rights activist.<ref name="HW" />
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
{{User Gallery Box}}
 
{{User Gallery Box}}
   
==See also==
+
==References==
 
{{References|scroll=1}}
*[[Demon Bar|Demon bar]]
 
  +
[[de:Dämonen]]
*[[Demon Brothel|Demon brothel]]  
 
 
[[Category:Demons| ]]
*[[Half-demon]]
 
*[[Old One]]
 
 
==Notes==
 
*In "[[Where the Wild Things Are]]", Giles specifically states that demons do not mix with members of other species as a rule. While true to an extent, this is contradicted by the many episodes where demons of different species are shown socializing peacefully (for example, "[[Life Serial]]" and "[[Double or Nothing]]"). It could be that, despite his large knowledge of demons, he may have not encountered demonic facilities like [[Demon Bar|demon bars]] first hand, and that the [[Watcher's Council]] is perhaps misinformed about their interpretation of demonic society. 
 
*Demons had a tendency to use the term 'clan' to refer to their own species as a whole. This could be seen with the [[Kulak of the Miquot Clan|Miquot Clan]], the [[Ano-Movic Clan]], the [[Lister Clan]], the [[Tothric Clan]], the [[Deathwok Clan]], the [[Vinji Clan]], the [[Sahrvin Clan]], the [[Grox'lar Beast|Grox'lar Clan]] and the [[Goran Clan]]. It's likely that most demon species would only consist of a small population each due to their long lifespans, exclusiveness to other demon species and their predatory nature in general, requiring them to remain in small numbers which may explain the use of the word 'clan'.
 
*It's odd that the demons of Pylea characterize the Groosalugg's muscled arms as defects when demonic champions like [[Landok]] also possess a muscular physique. It's possible that due to demon's naturally possessing superhuman strength, it's only a rare occurrence in Pylea that a demon's muscles may develop as demons may generally not require extensive training to know how to fight or hunt. 
 
*In "[[Doublemeat Palace]]", Spike claims that demons like fluorescent lights because it makes their skins twitch.
 
{{references|scroll=1}}
 
[[Category:Demons|Demons]]
 
[[Category:Demon species|Demon species]]
 
 
[[Category:Terminology]]
 
[[Category:Terminology]]

Revision as of 01:37, 23 July 2020

Looks good, doesn't it? They're trapped in here. Terrified. Meat for the beast, and there's nothing they can do but wait… That's all they've been doing for days… waiting to be picked off. Having nightmares about monsters that can't be killed. But I don't believe in that. I always find a way. I'm the thing that monsters have nightmares about. And right now… you and me are gonna show 'em why.
Buffy Summers.[src]

A Demon, also called a Hostile Sub-Terrestrial, was a type of supernatural lifeform native to various Hell dimensions separated from Earth and generally considered to be evil due to their lack of souls and their destructive tendencies. The term was widely used to describe any creature that was not a deity, robot, unmodified human, or standard terrestrial animal. Though individual powers varied between different demon species, most, if not all, demon species possessed greater strength, endurance, and natural abilities than humans.

History

Buffy old ones demon

The Old Ones are banished from Earth.

The original and most powerful demons originated eons ago. They were deitylike extradimensional beings called the Old Ones. The Old Ones lived on Earth during the Primordium Age after they were brought there from their home dimensions by the Seed of Wonder.

However, as time passed, new, mortal creatures began to appear on Earth and turn on and fight against the demons, and the Old Ones either retreated to other dimensions or interbred with humans, thus diminishing their powers through the generations. According to the Guardians, the last pure demon that walked the Earth during this period was killed by Sineya using the .

By modern times, demonic creatures native to Earth were not full demons, but had a percentage of human heritage due to their ancestors' crossbreeding, while full demons, like Lower Beings, were native to other dimensions.

Description

Physical characteristics

That's a weird place for a horn. That's not a horn…
Dawn Summers.[src]
DEMONS

A variety of demons emerging.

It's unknown what specifically constituted a demon. Maggie Walsh, the Head Scientist of the Initiative, refereed to demons as a “class” (“demon-class, Polgara species”).[1] It’s unknown if by “class” she was referring to the specific rank in the taxonomic hierarchy. Anya Jenkins — an ancient demon herself — also claimed Sluggoth demons belonged to the same phylum as regular worms.[2]

Demons came in a variety of shapes and forms with hundreds of known species of demons with diverse traits. Most demons were commonly bipedal or humanoid, very likely due to generations of interbreeding with humans; along with reptilian, mammalian, and insectoid features such as such as claws, rough skin, horns and sharp teeth. Most demons (obviously barring the Old Ones) were sized roughly similar to or slightly larger than humans, though could be as big as the Haxil Beast[3] or even tiny like Gachnar.[4]

Other demons shared an appearance closer to non-human animals: insectoids such as the She-Mantis, Queller demons, Ghora demons,[5] Suvolte demons [6]: arachnids like the Gavrok Box creatures,[7] the Grimslaw demon,[8] Ragna demon, Black Widower demon, and Najakot demon: reptiles like Machida, lizard demons, Kenny: and even imitated plant life like the Root demon. [9]

Like animals, demonic species could go extinct, such as the army of doom, Sluggoths demons, and Ragna demons. However, the last two were successfully recreated, using magic[10] and selective breeding[11] respectively.

Morality and behavior

Willow: “Look. We don't want trouble. And you don't want trouble.
Razor: “Of course we want trouble. We're demons. We're really all about trouble.
Willow Rosenberg and Razor.[src]

By nature, the majority of demons were innately evil, merciless, and unsympathetic towards humans, animals and even some other demons. The reason for this seemed to stem from the lack of a soul which provided a sense of feeling culpable to one's wrong doings, evident by the fact that when humans became vampires they lost the ability to feel any type of general remorse. Confusing the issue was that most demons killed as a natural survival instinct, while others committed evil acts for their own recreational enjoyment, or religious/cultural reasons. Winifred Burkle even claimed that the act of a bug demon planting its offspring into the cranium of a Durslar beast was “all fine and Darwinian”.[12]

For this demons were seen as purely evil creatures with death as the only case for dealing them. There were, however, some cases of morally sound demonic species or individuals such as Whistler, Lister demons, Jhiera, Kwaini demons, Val Trepkos, Mellish, Merl, Kamal, Codger demons, Yarbnie demons, Clem, Carlos, Kenny, Rory, Eldre Koh and Lorne (who appreciated human culture despite being a member of a violent tribe of demons). It was also shown that a soulless demon can reform so much they could form special bonds with humans, such as the vampire Spike who developed a strong love for Buffy Summers (albeit having it mixed up with a stalker-like obsession), leading him to fight for his soul back.[13]

Like humans, some demons and even whole civilizations of demons could change their violent nature. Kamal was a violent demon who nonetheless became the protector of a woman who was fated to give birth to a savior.[14] A species living in Quor'toth became pacifists by observing the father-son love between Holtz and Connor. The Anharrans demons were known for being blood-thirsty and archaic later became civilized and peaceful through Dawn Summers's influence. The Old One Illyria also gained faith in humanity shortly before she sacrificed herself.

Being transformed into a demon could also result in one developing their tendencies and a loss in their humanity. When Giles was transformed into a Fyarl demon, he shortly began to give in to the desire of killing people.[15]

Some vengeance demons seemed to believe their acts of murder, torture and extreme unpleasantness were justified by the lesser crimes of humans. For example, Anyanka did evil deeds based on the wrong-doings of males,[16] while Halfrek focused on the neglect of children. They themselves preferred the term "Justice demons".[17] Though it should be noted that - in some cases - while Vengeance demons claimed to be acting on the behalf of the person they granted vengeance wishes for, the person who made the wish would sometimes end up falling victim to the wish itself. For example, Cordelia Chase made a wish that created an alternate reality where she ended up dying. Anyanka, who granted the wish, showed no remorse in that fact. Additionally, Halfrek was willing to leave Dawn Summers trapped inside her house after wishing that her friends and family wouldn't leave her, literally trapping them inside the house forever. It's likely that they weren't truly interested in making justice, but merely making excuses for the pain they caused.[17][18] Interestingly, Anya showed disapproval over the Trio for robbing a bank, believing she deserved to get compensated appropriately for a hard-days work of causing pain and mayhem (though, this is more of an individual personality trait).[19]

The morality of half-breeds and half-demons tended to vary. Billy Blim, Mal Fraser, Pearl and Nash were evil, while the Groosalugg, the Lister Clan, Beck and Doyle were good.

A demon's intelligence also varied among different species. A lot of demons such as Vampires, vengeance demons and various others possessed intelligence equal to humans while others like hellhounds (though, its Pylean counterpart appeared to be tamable),[20] Drokken Beasts and Werewolves during their lupine period were purely, mindlessly feral and could be manipulated as such.

Reproduction

Demons reproduced in diverse and complex ways. Some species, including vampires, Wraith-er demons,[21] and Werewolves, reproduced by infecting humans and then inhabiting them and using their bodies. Others, such as Haxil Beasts[3] and Skilosh demons,[22] infected humans in order to use their bodies to gestate their young. Some demon species reproduced via sexual intercourse. Some indeterminate number of these species, for instance Brachan and An-Movic demons, were cross-fertile with humans. Some demon species reproduced via asexual methods, such as budding. Some other appeared to have been created or manufactured by some other entity (magic practitioner, Old One, Power), and do not reproduce on their own. Thaumogenesis would result in the accidental creation of a demon from a spell, often one of a great deal of power where the said demon acted as a way to balance the effects of the spell.[23][24]

Diet

Judge feed

The Judge needs to kill benevolent or hopeful lifeforms to sustain himself.

Most demons were carnivores, mostly preferring human flesh as the best food source. According to Giles, some demons fed on the flesh of the dead to absorb their souls.[25]

Some demons had diets tailored towards a specific substance, for example: vampires drank blood, Norman Pfister (in his maggot-form) devoured his victims completely within in a few minutes,[26] Hellhounds feed on the brains of their victims,[16] Lei-Ach demons were known to eat bone marrow,[27] the Wig Lady enjoyed eating humans who ate the Doublemeat Medley,[28] Sluks needed lots of water (particularly in human bodies),[29] Gnarl ate human skin,[30] Grimslaw demons fed on human hearts,[8] Strom demons sucked the organs out of their victims,[31] there was a finger eating demon,[32] Tezcatcatl devoured the bloody heart of human heroes to obtain invincibility,[33] Ragna demons captured and devoured their victims in a manner similar to actual spiders and various species were known to feed off human hearts.[34] According to Willy, he was able to generate business by selling his demonic patrons fried chicken fingers.[1]

Certain demons have a preference for human virgins, including Machida,[35] Yeska[36] and Avilas,[37] or human babies, as seen with Lurconis,[38] Groxlar Beasts [39] and a unidentified species.[40]

Some demons feed on demon flesh. Lizard demons ate some of their young during hatching season,[14] Drokken Beasts ate anything they preyed on,[41] the Ano-Movic Clan had a time-honored tradition that involved eating the brains of their fiancee's previous husband (demon or not) in order strengthen their love by absorbing his,[42] Sebassis drank the blood of his slave belonging to own his species[43][44] and Black Widower demons engaged in sexual cannibalism.

Some demons practised cooking considered illegal in the human world. Examples include eating venues belonging to Richard Straley[42] or Torg.[45] When preparing for a negotiation between fueding demon clans, Wolfram & Hart employed a caterer specialized in ethno-demonic cooking.[46]

Certain demons were herbivores like the Vigorie from Oden-Tal.[47]

Other demons had obscure and somewhat metaphysical needs for sustenance. Der Kindestod fed specifically on the life force of sick children,[48] Gachnar fed on fear,[4] Thesulac demons feed on the presence of insecurity,[49] Shur-hod demons[50] and the root monster fed on the life force of humans and even other demons,[9] Clem fed on emotions, Soul Eaters were known for feeding on human souls,[51] Polo and the Smile Time puppets fed on the life force of children,[52] Lorophage demons fed on psychological traumas, the demon rock star Billy Rage fed on the fascination of his groupies, Hamelin demon fed on the family-related traumas of children, the Soul Glutton absorbed human souls and magical energy to strengthen himself, Najakot demon fed on magical energy, and Incubi fed specifically on the life force of human females.

Powers and abilities

The individual powers that demons possessed varied from species to species, but some appeared to be common to most, if not all species:

Summoning

Giles: “Oh… Anyanka… I-I beseech thee… to, um… In the name of all women scorned… Come before me… Oh!
Anyanka: “Do you have any idea what I do to a man who uses that spell to summon me?
— Giles calling forth Anyanka[src]

Certain demons could be beckoned, controlled and directed by specific methods. Tucker Wells trained a group of dangerous hellhounds to hunt prom goers by forcing them to watch prom-related movies.[16] This influenced his younger brother Andrew who could summon demons to attack Buffy by using certain musical instruments such as panpipes and a didgeridoo. These demons include Jaarvlen Flesh Eaters (which he claimed was hard to control),[53] Rwasundi demons,[53] Glarghk Guhl Kashmas'nik demons [54] and an unnamed species of demon.[55]

Angel command a Najakot demon for to defeat Amy Madison. Halfrek implied that Grimslaw demons were possible to house train, though difficult.[8] Others demons, although having a free mind, were completely malleable by an higher being. It was the case of Glory's minions or the zealots with Jasmine. Some individual demons could be summoned, but not controlled through certain spells. Anyanka could be called via a spell that required her necklace,[18] while such worshiped figures such as Machida,[35] Lurconis,[38] "goddess" Yeska[36] and Avilas[37] could be brought upon for a ritual sacrifice and the Queller demons were only summoned to eliminate insane humans.[56]

Society

Anya: “I made the rounds, myself. Tried to dig up anything useful from the demon community.
Xander: “They're a community now? What's next, a ladies' auxiliary?
— Anya and Xander[src]

Most demons possessing near human intelligence adapted to most of the fundamentals of modern human society, but still retain traditions and attitudes that would be considered tribalistic and archaic. They had an underworld status and took part in human pastimes such as playing poker,[55] though kittens were considered a delicacy, as well as currency, among demons.[57] However, human money was still valued by mainstream demons[58][59](an exception being an unidentified M'Fashnik demon who, despite belonging to a mercenary race, considered money to be nothing more than paper).[55] Also, pure innocence, especially that of a human child, carried a high deal of street value in hell dimensions.[52] According to Anya, massacres were treated as social events by demons, similar to parties in the human world where demons would require invitations and even use these events to form romantic/sexual relations with other demons.[45]

Clothing

Most demons sported clothing of the modern era, though some, such as D'Hoffryn, Mok'tagar demons, Thesulac demons, Glory's minions, Pockla demons, Sahjhan, Rwasundi demons, the Fell Brethren and many more wore archaic robes. Feral demons (like Hellhounds, Polgara demons, Quellerjv, Drokken Beast and Bug demons) didn't wear any clothes.

During a social occasion, Anya wore entrails as if wearing a dress.[45] She also claimed that burlap with blood larva was traditionally used as bridesmaids dresses in demonic wedding ceremonies where the grooms were forced to perform the rite of self-flagellation.[60]

Interactions between other demons

Kittypoker

A group of mixed race demons playing Kitten Poker.

Despite the degree of modernization, a lot of demons still relied on tribalism. They preferred to stay in packs or clans consisting of members of their own species that practiced ancient rituals and traditions that often involved barbaric sacrifices to their respective deities. They often waged feuds with other clans, as seen with the Deathwok Clan and Sebassis' species[43] or the Viniji and Sahrvin clans,[46] along with bigoted views of humans and demon species closely related to them such as vampires, who were less socially tolerated and even rejected by others demons.

For example, The Scourge considered them like the lowest of all the half-breeds,[61] while the Ano-Movic Clan,[42] Vyasa[62] and the Hellions [63] were either offended or bothered to associate with them. Additionally, the Scooby gang found it odd that a vampire and a demon of a totally different species were fighting alongside each other. Rupert Giles himself claimed that, as rule, demons lacked empathy towards other demon species and even viewed vampires as abominations.[59]

Even though they tended to abandon ancient demonic values and still enjoyed a naturally malevolent status, they did follow some loose rules when socializing with other demons as Spike was briefly rejected by his demon brethren for killing other demons after receiving his chip.[64]

Integration into human society

According to the website Demons, Demons, Demons, there were a dozen species indigenous to Los Angeles County alone.[65]

Demons like Marc,[34] Norman Pfister,[26] Ken,[66] vengeance demons,[17][18] Kathy Newman,[67] Talamour,[68] Ano-Movic Clan, Doc,[5] the Wig Lady,[19] Wraith-er demons,[21] Lissa,[69] Helen Brucker,[70] Kenny, Billy Rage or Incubus knew perfectly well how to disguise and to imitate the customs of human society.

Others demons were still motivated by outdated customs, such as The Tribunal Kamal who held to medieval codes of honor.[71] Human sacrifice was something of strong religious significance to demons such as Carnyss Demons[71] and Thrall demons.[72] Other demons practiced human sacrifice even as a personal hobby or pastimes, such as in the case of Eli who dismembered virgins for fun during his free time.[46]

The Ano-Movic Clan moderated their cult to live in the human society, tolerating even human beings in their family. However, they were still keen on continuing their culture's tradition of eating the brains of their bride-to-be's ex-husband (though only with his permission, which was given in the form of him proving his blessing to the new union).[42] Certain demons were somewhat progressive, rejecting the ideas enforced by their species which they considered archaic and preferred to live among humans with whom they admired the freedom to make their own pursuits like Kathy Newman,[67] Jhiera and the females of her species,[47] Carlos,[73] or Lorne.[20] However, it's not always the case. Rieff complained that his only contact with the human world was during Halloween.[61] In the case of Nash and Pearl, they considered themselves an evolved form of demons and felt superior to humanity and other demons alike.

Interactions with humans

Mainstream demons tended to mix with demons of other species as well as tolerate some humans who could accommodate their needs such as food from demon bars, treatment from Korean bathhouses[74] and legal support from Wolfram & Hart. On the other hand, it was demons that serviced humans through their own special demonic talents such as Lorne's physic abilities, demon brothels which fueled certain men's fantasies[9][75] and the demon Jenoff who granted humans their wish in exchange for their soul[76]

Demon casino

A demon-run Casino.

Some demons offered power and wealth in exchange for live, human sacrifices.[35][36][37] However, certain demons like Skyler had replaced these old values by cash money.[58] The predominately demon biker gang, the Hellions, seemed to have possessed some human members, despite rejecting vampires due to their inability to remain in the sun.[77]

Demons also seemed to have rather different views on beauty since the loose-skinned demon Clem found Buffy ugly because "her skin's so tight I don't know how you [Spike] look at her", Torg rejected Anya's offer of sex because he found her human appearance as unattractive despite once having a fling with her during her demon days[45] and the inhabitants of Pylea found the half-demon Groosalugg's appearance to be monstrous and considered his human features as "defects" despite the Groosalugg being a physically attractive male by human standards,[78] however, some demons have been shown to be attracted to or have relationships with humans.[79][80][47][81][76] the demonic prostitute Lina who was willing to service the vampire Angel so long as he didn't change into his vampire face.[75] The demonic princess Jhiera also demonstrated an attraction toward Angel[47]

Demon bar salvage

Vampires, demons and humans in a demon bar.

The Slayer posed a sense of fear among demons, especially vampires. Demons would use the Slayer as a Boogeyman figure to scare their children into behaving.[82] When Buffy led a group of powerless Potential Slayers into a demon bar for training, she claimed her presence was the only thing preventing the demons from attacking them.[83]

Ironically, some demons considered the human beings as monsters to them. When Halloween was celebrated in the premises of Wolfram & Hart, the demon Devlin dressed himself as a human being (using real human skin to that effect), aping them excessively to the point it irritated the human-loving Lorne.[43]

Technology

Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, but are hopeless with technology.
―Adam[src]

When it came to modern technology, the majority of demons remained inept with most advances that humans possessed. Though some demons, mainly vampires, made use of human inventions such as newspaper,[84] television,[85][83] and electricity. Though they made very little use of modern weaponry, usually limited to basic hand-to-hand combat and medieval weapons, such as swords and axes. Additionally, it was unusual for a demon to use bladed tools for disembowelment as they already had teeth and claws powerful enough to do the job.[34]

On rare occasions, some demons made use of firearms. Examples of this behavior included Darla when fighting Buffy,[86] Griff when collecting a debt,[87] Lorne who killed Lindsey McDonald with a silenced pistol,[44] M. James Menlo[62] and Razor, the leader of a demon biker gang who used a starting pistol when destroying the Buffybot.[88]

The demon Toth was considered a sophisticated demon for his use of mystical tools, such as the Ferula Gemini.[89]

Demons like Ken and Kathy Newman even knew how to use convincing prosthetic makeup.[66][67]

Human awareness of demons

For most of history, the majority of humans remained unaware or in denial of the existence of demons, with notable exceptions including the Watchers Council, the Initiative, the Slayers, the Scooby Gang, the Angel Investigations team, demon and vampire hunters like Sid, Charles Gunn, Daniel Holtz, Justine Cooper, or Robin Wood. Since the public revelation of demons, police departments included a paranormal force division.

Rupert Giles explained this as the tendency for people to "rationalize what they can and forget what they can't."[90] Aimee Mann, a guest singer at The Bronze, remarked that she hated playing in "vampire towns."[91] To those who did know, demonic culture and mythology was the subject of scholarly research with ancient books and texts documenting their history. Having had knowledge of his real nature, Harriet, the ex-wife of Doyle became an ethnodemonologist and had even become engaged to a demon.[42] The website Demons, Demons, Demons also contained accurate information on demons.[65]

The Sunnydale High School board and the police department also appeared to be aware of the supernatural goings-on in Sunnydale, as the police often covered up vampire and demon attacks under orders from Richard Wilkins. When Spike and members of the Order of Aurelius attacked Sunnydale High to kill Buffy Summers, Principal Snyder and the police chief wrote it off to the public as an attack by a gang on PCP, an excuse that has apparently been used before.[92]

In Los Angeles, it seemed common that businessmen without scruples, gangsters or criminals, without counting the lawyers of Wolfram & Hart, were associated with demons in more or less doubtful business.[74]

All the people present during the fall of Los Angeles in 2004 became aware of demons.

In the early 21st century, the existence of vampires, and demons by extension, became public knowledge and vampires instantly became the subject of a fad, capitalizing on the fact that many humans experience a thrill when bitten by vampires. Harmony Kendall became the face of vampires in the media, starring in her own reality show Harmony Bites. Since, all humans were aware of demons' existence on Earth. It was seen after the end of magic that demons were employed for various jobs like one, used by UC Sunnydale staff like debt collector to collect Buffy's student loan. In London, Parker and Tricia were racketed by an human associate with two demons.

Views of demons

Humanity's views of demons, like their views of one another, vary considerably depending on individuals.

Though the Scooby Gang and the Angel Investigations team were dedicated to destroying demons, they only sought to destroy those they saw as evil. Both teams employed the services of demons on several occasions and many key members of both groups had been demons. In fact, the demon members of Angel Investigations often outnumbered the humans. Both also argued that werewolves should not be held accountable for their actions in bestial form as long as they found ways of restraining themselves. Regardless, both sides were perfectly willing and able to kill demons for committing bad deeds; for example, when Anya granted a wish that resulted in the deaths of several fraternity boys, Buffy immediately decided that she had to kill Anya for it despite having peacefully talked Willow Rosenberg down after she did the same thing, justifying her actions by stating that Willow was human and Anya wasn't, and that as the Slayer, her decisions and judgement were absolute.[8]

Willy ran a Willy's Place, a neutral bar for all beings, including demons.

Gib Cain hunted werewolves for their skin, uncaring that they were humans outside of the full moon.[93]

The Watchers Council refused to help Buffy Summers cure Angel of the Killer of the Dead poison on the grounds that he was a vampire, which resulted in her severing ties with the Council for over a year.[94]

On multiple occasions, the U.S. government and its different groups showed a desire to study supernatural beings and find a way to use their power for military purposes, the most prominent examples being the Initiative and the Demon Research Initiative, its World War II-era predecessor.[95][96]

The Scourge sought to destroy all non-pure demons and humanity itself.[61]

Cordelia initially believed that all demons, besides Angel, were evil until she discovered Doyle's brachen demon heritage.[61]

One of the strains on the relationship between Buffy and Riley Finn was that he automatically assumed that all supernatural creatures were evil, harshly criticizing the Scoobies when he discovered that they had been harboring Spike,[64] though he realized that demons were capable of both good and evil just as humans were when he helped save a werewolf, Oz, from the Initiative, especially after he witnessed his superiors' inhumane treatment of Oz while he was in human form.[97]

Certain humans used demons as bodyguards.[75] Others enslave them.[65]

Madame Dorion[75] and Madame Anita[9] held brothels where the prostitutes were demons.

Mr. Maclay deceived both his late wife and his daughter Tara into believing that they were demons, allowing him greater control over them.[27]

M. James Menlo was considered a human criminal by the police.[62]

Gio, a rogue member of Gunn's Crew, led them on a crusade to destroy demons all over Los Angeles, regardless of their moral alignment.[40]

Anthony Harris' bigoted attitude toward Anya's demonic guests incited a riot between the two families. However, he was not aware of what they were really, considering them circus artists or a certain religious confession.[81]

Clem claimed that Rack had "a thing" against his species of Loose-Skinned demons.[98]

Tobias Dupree was a demon's rights activist.[46]

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References

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