Draw a demon name from old demonology or from Latin and Greek roots, or switch to demon lord mode for a formal title such as Sovereign of the Abyss.
Table settings
Demon
Vorago, Dusk of the Blight
Say it: voh-RAH-go
Abyss
Dark fantasyBuilt from roots
Demon
Valac, Eater of Gloom
Say it: VAY-lak
Uncertain: a president of the underworld who commands serpents
Dark fantasyOrigin debatedMedium confidenceFrom real demonology
Demon
Ignis, Scourge-Bane
Say it: IG-nis
Fire
Dark fantasyBuilt from roots
Demon
Belial, Cinder-Bane
Say it: BEE-lee-al
Without a master, or worthless
Dark fantasyFrom real demonology
Demon
Tenebrae, Cinder-Bane
Say it: TEH-neh-bray
Darkness
Dark fantasyBuilt from roots
Demon
Mephistopheles, the Hollow Gloom
Say it: meh-fih-STAH-feh-leez
Uncertain: possibly one who loves not light
Dark fantasyOrigin debatedMedium confidenceFrom real demonology
Glossary of these names
Two sources of names
Some names come from real demonology, the old traditions that list and describe spirits. Azazel and Astaroth come from Hebrew sources, Lamashtu from Akkadian, and Shuten-Doji from Japanese legend. These cards are labeled as coming from real demonology. Other names are built from roots: nox (night), mors (death), phobos (fear), ira (wrath) and cruor (blood from a wound). Built names are new mixes of real words, so no old text lists them.
Demon or demon lord
Demon mode adds an epithet in a pattern such as the Pale Sovereign, Light-Bane or Bringer of Ash. The word bane comes from Old English bana, meaning slayer. Demon lord mode adds a rank instead: Astaroth, Sovereign of the Abyss.
The lord titles have different moods. Archfiend is a chief evil spirit. Lord of Flies is a translation of Beelzebub. Duke of Despair feeds on sadness. Chancellor of Darkness runs the paperwork of a dark empire. Pick an office title when your hell has politics, and a plain "Lord of" title when it has only fire.
When the root is uncertain
Old demon names often have unclear roots. Paimon, Valac, Morax, Aamon and Chemosh carry the Origin debated tag, because the sources give only a possible meaning. The tag does not mean the name is wrong. It means you should not state the meaning as proven. For a villain in dark fantasy, the name still works, and Details shows the symbolism each card carries.
Questions
Which names are real demons from old texts?
The cards marked as coming from real demonology. Names made from Latin or Greek roots are original combinations.
What is a demon lord?
A ruler over lesser demons. In this list, an Arch-Demon is a demon of the highest rank, ruling over lesser evil spirits.
How do I say Astaroth?
The respelling on the card is AS-tah-roth.
Does Origin debated mean I should avoid the name?
No. It only warns that the meaning is uncertain. Keep the meaning vague in your story notes if you use one of these names.