Copyright © 2001 by Robert J. Hall

These spells are new additions to the grimoire of the Diabolist. Some of these dark spells are unique or known only by a few masters. Spells that do not require END to maintain have their endurance cost in parentheses.

Agony

Summoning a Demon without a suitable means of control has been the demise of many a Demonologist. When the usual bribes and attempt at mind control fail, the summoner can threaten the Demon with this spell. The mind of the Demon is assaulted by wave after wave of mental anguish, crippling his ability to resist. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, however, he suffers a severe mental backlash.

Bind Imp Familiar

Through this spell, the Demonologist calls upon one of the greater demons and requests the services of an Imp familiar. If this boon is granted, usually as a result of a bargain or suitable inducement, the Imp appears and is initially cooperative with the caster. An Imp is a cruel and manipulative servant, however, and will often seek to distort its instructions. But the Imp will never knowingly seek to kill or injure the Demonologist, if only from fear of retribution from its demonic master.

This spell can only be cast once per year. If the magic skill casting roll is failed, or if the demon declines the bargain, then the Demonologist is attacked by the Imp. The Imp has +10 Mental Defense, and is enraged with the caster.

Power: Summon Imp (14 points) Active Cost = 33 points. Power: Mind Link, Any Imp, Any Distance, Any Dimension Modifiers: Linked to Summon (-1/2). Active Cost = 20 points. Combined: 14- Activation (Demon declines bargain) (-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), Gestures (-1/4), Incantations (-1/4), Extra Time - 5 Minutes (-2), Character must have at least 30 points in spells from College of Demonology (-3/4), Side Effects (Summon Imp, +10 Mental Defense, Imp is enraged with the caster) (-1/2), IAF - Medallion, Rare and Expendable Inducements (-1), Single Charge per year (-2). END Cost: (5); Magic Roll: -5; Casting Time: 5 Minutes. Real Cost: 6.

Contract of Doom

To cast this spell, the Demonologist prepares a sheet of parchment with a written contract for the death of a specific target. When the sealed contract is accepted by the victim, a powerful demon is summoned who hunts down and attempts to slay him. Once the attempt has been made, the demon returns to the plane from whence he was summoned. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the demon makes a single attack against the Wizard before disappearing.

Create Homonoculus

This spell invests magical life into an alchemical stew, producing the miniature, gnarled humanoid form of a Homonoculus. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The constant desire of a Homonoculus is to slay his summoner, hence the wizard must maintain constant mental control of his creator. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the creature is still summoned but will have an immense hatred of the caster and will be difficult to control.

Curse

This spell calls upon a major power of the lower planes to curse the target with a serious affliction. The caster has little actual choice about the type, the actual affliction being determined by the evil spirit performing the task. To determine the type, roll 3d6 and consult the table below:

  3d6  Permanent Affliction

   3   Physical Limitation: Blindness (All the time, fully impairing)
   4   -10 CON: Wasting Disease.
   5   Psych. Limitation: Claustrophobia (Uncommon, Total)
   6   -5 DEX: Clumsiness
   7   Physical Limitation: Deafness (Frequently, greatly impairing)
   8   -10 STR: Weakness
   9   -10 EGO, Only versus fear (-1): Cowardice
  10   -10 COM, Disfigurement from Warts, Boils, etc.
  11   Age Disadvantage, 5 point
  12   -10 CON, Only versus disease (-1): Poor Health
  13   -1 SPD: Gout
  14   Physical Limitation: Muteness (Frequently, greatly impairing)
  15   Physical Limitation: Amnesia (Common, Total)
  16   5d6 Unluck, only for financial matters
  17   Caster can choose one
  18   Make two rolls on this table, ignoring this result.

If the wizard misses his Magic Skill roll, the curse is placed upon him instead. The curse can only be lifted by a blessing from a god or holy artifact.

Damnation

The target of this powerful ritual is dispatched to one of the planes of damnation. The cursed victim will not suffer from aging or the harsh environment during this period, but is unlikely to survive the dangerous beasts that dwell therein. To cast this spell, the Demonologist must meticulously create a circle of protection, then bind the victim at the center. Rare substances are burned on a brazier while the ritual is read aloud from a tome of the damned. Upon completion, a gate of fiery energy is created which engulfs the victim and sends him to the alternate plane. If the ritual is miscast, however, the Demonologist is instead drawn into the nether planes by a great demon, there to suffer unimaginable torments.

Demon Horde

This spell allows the caster to open a portal to the lower planes and draw through a gnashing horde of lesser demons. The demons will be eager to devour the wizard, so he will need an immensely large sacrifice with which to bargain. This is a desparate act under almost any circumstances, and is only used as a last resort to strike at powerful foes. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the demons will be all but impossible to control and will have an intense hatred for the wizard.

Demonic Form

Upon casting this spell, the Demonologist undergoes a horrific transformation into a demonic being. While in this form, the Demonologist gains some of the attack and defensive abilities of this beast. If the magic skill roll is failed, however, the upper body of a major demon appears through a gate and slashes the spell caster with both its claws. This spell will fail if cast upon holy ground sanctified to a "good" religion.

Eye Wall

This spell will create a stone wall that is covered with hundreds of demonic eyes. These sinister eyes shift and look in every direction, observing all that is occuring in the vicinity. They constantly secrete a slimy mucus that drains down the wall, giving the surface a slick, moist appearance. Note that any damage inflicted to the eyes will also harm the Demonologist. If the magic skill roll is failed, however, the caster is momentarily blinded.

Fiendag's Pit of Hades

Upon completing this ritual, an intense spark of fire will fly from the casters fingertips, growing into a hot pit in the floor and opening a direct portal between a demonic plane and the current world. The pit will release a great deal of heat, causing those nearby to sweat profusely. Pit of Hades is a dangerous spell that is rarely used save in the most extreme circumstances, or when cast by the foolish or insane. It is often impossible to predict the types of beasts which may pass between the planes by this means, so the caster had best be prepared with suitable defenses. If the magic skill roll is failed, the Demonologist is engulfed by flames from the pit. A separate spell must be learned for each demonic plane where a pit can be opened.

Hellish Flames

The Demonologist can create many tiny portals into the demonic planes, unleashing a torent of hellish flames that smell of brimstone. Unlike normal heat, this scorching area of red flames is impervious to cold and rain, and can effect creatures normally immune to heat. Strangely, however, the flames do not seem to ignite flammable materials. Indeed, the caster can move with complete safety through this burning area. Should the Demonologist fails his magic skill roll, however, he will be incinerated by a column of intense flames.

Kragholder's Tunnel of Terror

A Demonologist can use this spell to create an abomination, as every wall, floor and ceiling within the area of effect is covered by hideous demonic claws, jaws, tentacles, tails, horns, and a seething mass of other body parts. The sight is enough to stay even the bravest heart, and any who would enter this passage are subject to continual attacks throughout the length. The vicinity of the demonic mass will be uncomfortably warm, but not unbearably so. Any flying creatures can safely traverse the passage, unless they choose to land upon a surface. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, he suffers a severe mental backlash.

Pitch Fork

A glowing hot pitch fork appears in the hands of the Demonologist, allowing him to use the implement as a melee weapon. If the magic skill roll is failed, the hands of the Demonologist are burned.

Scourge

Hundreds of tiny demonic creatures arrive to slash at the flesh of the victim, causing him to bleed profusely from many wounds. The demons penetrate every opening in the armor of the victim, causing intense burning agony with every prick of their hardened claws. If the magic skill roll is failed, the Demonologist is raked by demonic claws.

Summon Major Demon

This spell summons a major demon, one of the demons of greater power. The major Demon will wish to slay the caster but can be bribed. A special sacrifice of considerable value will be required to placate the demon. Otherwise this spell functions much like the other demon summoning spells.

Summon Succubus

This spell summons a Succubus, an infrequently summoned demon that can be useful for certain special tasks. The Succubus will want to steal the soul of the caster, and will appear to be cooperative to achieve this goal. A similar spell exists for summoning an Incubus, the masculine equivalent of the Succubus. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the creature is still summoned but will be much more difficult to control.

Witches' Watch

The corpse of an evil witch that has been burned at the stake is cooked to remove the fats and oils. The resulting lard, and strands from the witches hair, is used to produce a Witches' Watch lamp. Burning the lamp increases the wizards magical powers while performing demonic rituals. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, he suffers a mental backlash.

Spell Determination

To randomly determine the spells known to a typical adept of the College of Demonology, use the tables of disciplines below. An experienced Diabolist will commonly have several spells from a single primary discipline, plus a spell each from the other disciplines. In addition, before attempting to cast a spell from one of the summoning disciplines, an experienced Demonologist will also have mastered several rituals from the discipline of binding.