Interesting backstory of NMs in Dy-Xarc

[Tilo]

The Ars Goetia (Greek, probably: "The Art of Witchcraft"), often simply called the Goetia, is the first section of the 17th century grimoire Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. Much of the text appeared earlier, with some material dating to the 14th century or earlier.


The circle and triangle, used in the evocation of the seventy-two spirits of the Goetia. The magickian would stand within the circle and the spirit was believed to appear within the triangle. Some believe that the central circle of the triangle was actually a magick mirror, similar to a crystal ball as used for scrying.It contains descriptions of the seventy-two demons that King Solomon is said to have evoked and confined in a bronze vessel sealed by magic symbols, and that he obliged to work for him. It gives instructions on constructing a similar bronze vessel, and using the proper magic formulae to safely call up those demons. The operation given is complex, and includes much detail. The 'howling' of the title is believed to refer to the incantations made by the conjuror. The Ars Goetia differs from other goetic texts in that the entities summoned are to be compelled into obedience, rather than asked for favors.

The Ars Goetia assigns a rank and a title of nobility to each member of the infernal hierarchy, and gives the demons' 'signs they have to pay allegiance to', or seals. The lists of entities in the Ars Goetia correspond (to high but varying degree, often according to edition) with those in the Steganographia of Trithemius, circa 1500, and Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum an appendix appearing in later editions of his De Praestigiis Daemonum, of 1563.

A revised English edition of the Ars Goetia was published in 1904 by magician Aleister Crowley, and it serves as a key component of his popular and highly influential system of magick. It has since become a relatively well-known book of magic (arguably, the most popular of the grimoires) and has even been featured in places like the graphic novel Promethea by Alan Moore.

The demons' names (given below) are spelled differently in different extant copies of the Ars Goetia, as is common in texts of the period. Other spellings of the names are given in the articles concerning them.

King Baal, ruler over 66 legions
Duke Agares, ruler over 31 legions
Prince Vassago, ruler over 26 legions
Marquis Samigina, ruler over 30 legions
President Marbas, ruler over 36 legions
Duke Valefor, ruler over 10 legions
Marquis Amon, ruler over 40 legions
Duke Barbatos, ruler over 30 legions
King Paimon, ruler over 200 legions
President Buer, ruler over 50 legions
Duke Gusion, ruler over 40 legions
Prince Sitri, ruler over 60 legions
King Beleth, ruler over 85 legions
Marquis Leraje, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Eligos, ruler over 60 legions
Duke Zepar, ruler over 26 legions
Count/President Botis, ruler over 60 legions
Duke Bathin, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Sallos, ruler over 30 legions
King Purson, ruler over 22 legions
Count/President Marax, ruler over 30 legions
Count Ipos, ruler over 36 legions
Duke Aim, ruler over 26 legions
Marquis Naberius, ruler over 19 legions
Count/President Glasya-Labolas, ruler over 36 legions
Duke Bune, ruler over 30 legions
Marquis/Count Ronove, ruler over 19 legions
Duke Berith, ruler over 26 legions
Duke Astaroth, ruler over 40 legions
Marquis Forneus, ruler over 29 legions
President Foras, ruler over 29 legions
King Asmodeus, ruler over 72 legions
Prince/President Gaap, ruler over 66 legions
Count Furfur, ruler over 26 legions
Marquis Marchosias, ruler over 30 legions
Prince Stolas, ruler over 26 legions
Marquis Phenex, ruler over 20 legions
Count Halphas, ruler over 26 legions
President Malphas, ruler over 40 legions
Count Raum, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Focalor, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Vepar, ruler over 29 legions
Marquis Sabnock, ruler over 50 legions
Marquis Shax, ruler over 30 legions
King/Count Vine, ruler over 36 legions
Count Bifrons, ruler over 60 legions
Duke Uvall, ruler over 37 legions
President Haagenti, ruler over 33 legions
Duke Crocell, ruler over 48 legions
Knight Furcas, ruler over 20 legions
King Balam, ruler over 40 legions
Duke Alloces, ruler over 36 legions
President Caim, ruler over 30 legions
Duke/Count Murmur, ruler over 30 legions
Prince Orobas, ruler over 20 legions
Duke Gremory, ruler over 26 legions
President Ose, ruler over 30 legions
President Amy, ruler over 36 legions
Marquis Orias, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Vapula, ruler over 36 legions
King/President Zagan, ruler over 33 legions
President Volac, ruler over 38 legions
Marquis Andras, ruler over 30 legions
Duke Haures, ruler over 36 legions
Marquis Andrealphus, ruler over 30 legions
Marquis Cimejes, ruler over 20 legions
Duke Amdusias, ruler over 29 legions
King Belial, ruler over 80 legions
Marquis Decarabia, ruler over 30 legions
Prince Seere, ruler over 26 legions

Source

[Auspice]

Since I'm a RDM and therefore partial to all things Red Mage, pointing out these two demons:

Duke Bune, ruler over 30 legions

In demonology Bune is a Great Duke of Hell, mighty and strong, who has thirty legions of demons under his command. He changes the place of the dead and makes them demons that are under his power to gather together upon those sepulchres. Bune makes men eloquent and wise, and gives true answers to their demands and also richness. He speaks with a comely high voice.

Bune is depicted as a three-headed dragon, being his heads like those of a dog, a griffin, and a man (although according to some grimoires he has two heads like a dragon and the third like a man).

Duke Berith, ruler over 26 legions:

In demonology Berith is a Great Duke of Hell, powerful and terrible, and has twenty-six legions of demons under his command. He tells things of the past, present and future with true answers; he can also turn all metals into gold, give dignities to men and confirm them. He speaks with a clear and subtle voice, and according to some authors he is a big liar when not answering questions.

To speak with him the conjurer must wear a silver ring and put it before his face in the same form as it is needed in Beleth's case and demons do before Amaymon.

He is depicted as a soldier wearing red clothes, a golden crown, and riding a red horse; according to other grimoires his skin is red too.

Books on the subject tell that he is called according to whom invokes him, being called Berith by the Jews (see below).

According to some demonologists from the 16th century, his power is stronger in June, meanwhile to Sebastian Michaelis he suggests murder and blasphemy and his adversary is St. Barnabas.

His name was surely taken from Baal Berith, a form of Baal worshipped in Berith (Beirut), Phoenicia.

So, all I have to do to get my Chapeau is get a silver ring huh? *goes to AH*

[Jackyhuang]

Thank You, Tilo, very interesting information^^

[Kirakun]

Holy crap o_O