Introduction

Organization books are always fun. Villain books are always fun. As such, I looked forward to this book, as it details the other big name villain organization in the Champions Universe ( the other being VIPER ). I expected something along the lines of the VIPER sourcebook, with an old "mook" organization turned into something competent and scary. In fact, it turned out to be a whole lot more.

Warning: this review contains major spoilers for the organization DEMON.

Res Demonica

The first chapter provides a detailed history of the organization, which in fact, is essentially a life story for its founder, Luther Black. Here can be found the events that inspired Black to create DEMON, as well as those events that have caused him, periodically, to shift his exact goals. This also, not coincidentally, also tracks his decent into madness and utterly inhuman evil. It is a descent that spans a century, stretching from the Pulp era to the present day. Sidebars are provided with plot hooks for any given era of DEMON, in addition to guidelines on how the membership varies from the present day. Nonetheless, the true meat of this chapter is how Luther Black crafts, over the course of decades, a plot of epic evil heretofore unseen in the Champions Universe. Even Kal-Turak's plot for world domination pales before what Luther Black wishes to do: achieve a dark apotheosis by summoning the Kings of Edom, lovecraftian elder horrors trapped outside of creation, and binding their power to his will long enough to transform himself into one of their number. In doing so, not only would the Kings devour the universe, but so would Luther Black.

The Nature of the Demon

Chapter two is an eight page overview of the organization of DEMON, including its structure, goals, methods, and relations. There is alot of material in this chapter, all of it good. Among the highpoints is the roster of the Kings of Edom DEMON plans to summon; these are some really scary entities, representing cosmic forces of evil besides which mere demons pale. Another point of interest is the listing describing who in DEMON knows what about their goals; believe me, given what DEMON is really meant to do, this is very important. Overall, this chapter summarizes much that was implied in the history preceding it, and gives a very firm grasp of the big picture, circa the present day. It also should impress upon the reader just how scary DEMON is, to anyone who finds out something of the truth, if they have not realized so already.

The Doings of the Wicked Ones

Chapter three is a roster of the top most tier of DEMON, including Luther Black, aka the Edomite, his Inverted Trinity, and the Inner Circle of DEMON. Since all of them are critically linked to the overall purpose of DEMON ( either as instigators or dupes ), this section further elaborates the true nature and history of DEMON, to continued good results.

Even as "just" characters, the section is excellent. Luther Black is almost inarguably the best villain yet written by Hero Games in the 5th edition. His whole character has the sort of mad grandeur that marks the truely great and terrifying villains, the ones you cannot help but look upon in awe. The Inverted Trinity, while not really separate characters ( they are essentially constructed servants of his will ), are perfect examples of how Black's means are both vile and grand, as well as marking the evolution of Luther Black over time. They also make for extremely terrifying opponents for any heroes that draw the ultimate ire of DEMON ( unlike Luther Black, who *personally* cannnot oppose the good guys, due to a minor case of total physical debility ).

The Inner Circle, on the other hand, are not quite so impressive, though this is a distinctly relative term. They are, however, weird in the extreme. This is not a bad thing, however, as their position is *not* based on their relative merit or skill, but rather, on their mystic significance as part of Luther Black's plans. To this role, they fit well, in addition to another role: fooling players who have not read DEMON into thinking they are the real leadership. :) Lastly, this chapter describes the Maleficia, the agents in the world of the Inner Circle, with roles and purposes all their own, separate from those of the demonhames that compose most of DEMON.

Mephistophelean Evil

Chapter four, essentially, provides character templates for the common membership of DEMON: the Brothers, Initiates, and Morbanes. However, instead of merely showing how to build them, it provides a map of the hierarchy of the main of DEMON, by means of tracing the path of a new member, from recruitment all the way to Morbane status.

First, there is DEMON's recruitment structure. Essentially, this consists of directing potential recruits to a mundane cult, either operated by members of DEMON, or just frequented. These cults are thus used to filter candidates, determining who has both the mystic talent to be a member, and also the proper background and mindset for cult indoctrination. Guidelines are provided for how DEMON builds or chooses such a cult, as well as examples set in the Millenium City area.

Once recruits, a person is initiated as a Brother. The second section provides stats for a Brother, including various archetypes for their personality, most rather interesting, in a pathetic sense ( the personality represented, not the quality of the writing ). It also details the initiation ceremony and procedures, in detail. This is more useful than it might sound, as inevitably, some player or other is going to try and infiltrate DEMON, though they will soon regret such a mistake. . .

The next section describes the Initiates, those Brothers with enough talent and perseverance to rise in the ranks. New powers are for them, but a new induction ritual is required first. One involving demon summoning. In fact, it is the Initiates who deal primarily with the demons that serve DEMON. . . including binding them into their own flesh. Quite a few types of Demon-Bound are described, providing enough variety to challenge the players, as Demon-Bound are perhaps DEMON's most common weapon for dealing with pesky superheroes.

Those with enough talent may eventually rise to the status of Morbane, gaining black magic powerful enough to put them on tier with superheroes, as well as leadership of their own demonhame. This is assuming they survive one more, even worse, intiation procedure. More personality archetypes are provided, as those who reach the rank of Morbane have different motivations and goals than most lesser ranked members. A variety of alternate magics are also shown, allowing much greater flexibility. Should the heroes become used to dealing with the usual hellfire and mind powers, one can face them with a Morbane specializing in necromancy, or city magic.

Finally, a handful of supervillains connected to DEMON are listed. They have some potential uses, but frankly, pale before the prior sections. While the Brothers, Initiates, and Morbanes may be "generic," they greater structure to which they belong, the ladder on which they climb, makes for more interest than some relatively generic supervillains ( though the Devil Dog has some potential. . . ).

The Demonhames

Chapter five discusses the places of operation for DEMON, the dark temples known as Demonhames. It begins with a basic overview of how most Demonhames are operated, including how they are funded, and required features, such as a demon summoning circle. Two demonhames are described in detail as examples, one set in a long-abandoned church, the other in an old movie studio. These include not only the physical structure of the demonhames, but also their leadership, main sources of funds, and recruitment schemes. Finally, the chapter concludes with an overview of DEMON's activity worldwide, descibing major demonhames from New York City to Micronesia, as well as a number of places that DEMON simply cannot set up a demonhame ( some of the results being rather funny ).

Between this chapter and the prior one, there is all the material necessary to build an interesting, and perhaps horrifying, demonhame for one's own campaign.

Infernal Devices and Malevolent Magics

Chapter six is essentially an equipment guide for DEMON, describing the various magical devices that DEMON employs, instead of the usual high tech gear of most villainous organizations. Most are weapons of various sorts, suitable for outfitting primarily Morbanes, and further mixing up the exact capabilities of any given DEMON member. Some of them are pretty hefty firepower, such as the Argent Wand and Juggernaut. Of greater potential use, however, are the non-combat devices. Some things that only the most expensive supertech can do, such as intangibility or full shapeshifting, are reasonably practical with magic. Consider the implications for what a demonhame can do, with just relatively plentiful shapeshifting alone. Its scary, much like the rest of DEMON.

Demonic Designs

The final chapter discusses how to run a campaign involving DEMON. A discussion of DEMON's threat level opens the section, including advice on how to adjust it. Interestingly, this does not focus on altering the actual power of DEMON, but rather, on shifting the timeline to make Luther Black's plot come to conclusion sooner or later. A discussion of how to design a black magic plot follows, with particular emphasis on how such an adventure differs from normal villainous plots. Alot of this links back to earlier chapters, and DEMON's various philosophies of operation. Next is a discussion of DEMON's relations with other villains. For the most part, this boils down to "does not have any, and wishes to keep things that way," with the occasional case of bitter hatred. The bit regarding Takofanes is interesting, though. . .

Lastly, suggestions for fitting DEMON into other genres is included. This is not really especially easy, as DEMON is so centered around the fundamental plot of Luther Black, that it feels wrong to strip it of that ( necessary for almost all alternative usages ). In addition, information on the future is provided under the Galactic Champions heading. It is not bad, save for that Luther Black deserves to be in control of Sharna Gorak in the future.

Conclusion

Wow. That is really all I can say about the story of DEMON, and the writing quality of this sourcebook. It has weaknesses: the supervillains are somewhat blah, the future has a big missed opportunity in it. Nonetheless, I cannot say enough good things about this book. My review does not do justice to the backstory and true nature of DEMON, and the evil of Luther Black. It cannot, without reprinting most of the applicable chapters. Suffice to say, DEMON: Servants of Darkness is the best sourcebook yet published since fifth edition began.