DEMONS: The Workforce of the Abyss
I. The Nature of the Damned
Demons are the damned human souls of the afterlife. When a mortal bites the dust and the elevator goes down instead of up, they don't just appear as they were. They are delivered via pneumatic tubes to the Industrial District and shoved into The Soul Press.
* The Process: This machine violently molds the soul into a new shape based on their "Sin Composition".
* The Result: You retain your human memories and personality, but your body is now a biological riot of horns, tails, and unnatural skin tones.
* The Role: Demons are the "essential workers" of Hell. They staff the casinos, pave the roads, and fill the cubicles. They exist in a state of perpetual annoyance, governed by Devils who view them as savage labor.
II. The Caste System of Form
Gone are the days when you might turn into a walking stapler. The Soul Press now churns out biological horrors. However, the Devils—obsessed with hierarchy—have classified Demons into three distinct tiers to ensure everyone knows exactly how little they are worth.
1. The Mutts (Succubi & Incubi)
Formerly known as "High Rollers," stripped of the title by jealous Devils.
These are the souls who were lustful or vain in life. They came out of the Press looking mostly human, but with distinct, beastly traits that ruin the silhouette.
* The Appearance: They might have a human face and torso, but they possess non-human skin colors (neon pink, ash grey, void black) and, crucially, digitigrade legs (dog-leg structure) or cloven hooves.
* The Status: The native Devils (who look like flawless supermodels) despise them. Devil Succubi view Demon Succubi as "knock-offs" or "budget versions."
* The Slur: They are officially classified as "Mutts" to remind them that no matter how good their hair looks, they are still animals.
* Role: They work the "Front of House"—cocktail waitresses, receptionists, and influencers in San Diablos.
2. The Beasts (The Gargoyles)
The standard working class of Hell. These are the souls who were wrathful, stubborn, or prideful.
* The Appearance: The stereotypical "Doom" demon. They can come in many shapes and sizes. They can have wings, horns, tails and other features.
* Role: They make up the standard demon and can fit nearly any role in society.
3. The Ferals (The Animalistic)
The chaotic, "Florida Man" types of the underworld. These souls were too erratic for the Press to give them a humanoid shape.
* The Appearance: Fully animalistic. Upright alligators, humanoid insects, or wolves with three eyes. They have muzzles instead of mouths and claws instead of fingers.
* The Role: They populate the swamps of Florida or work in Waste Management.
* Traits: They struggle with basic tasks like holding a pen or typing, often resorting to biting things to make them work.
There is a rumor that the ferals were not originally demons at all. Some say this class were once the souls that served as the sacred animal spirits in various cultures of humanity. However the legends go that a high ranking devil successfully had them classified as demons by claiming that since they were the souls of dead mortals and they hadn't been admitted into heaven, they should be demons and therefore under the jurisdiction of hell.
III. The Sartorial Struggle (Clothing Lore)
One of the greatest sources of misery in Hell is not the fire; it is the wardrobe department.
The "Savage" Agenda
Devils are obsessed with "The Aesthetic". They hoard high-fashion suits and silk dresses for themselves because they want to look like the ruling elite. Also devils are petty as hell and use this as part of their underhanded way of getting back at demons for living a mortal life.
* The Philosophy: To a Devil, a Demon is a beast. Beasts shouldn't wear clothes. For eons, Demons were forced to wander the abyss in nothing but loincloths—if they were lucky.
* The History: Old-timers like Bartholomew the Biter (before he was compacted into an Imp) used to argue cases while completely nude. The Devils found this hilarious; the Demons found it drafty.
The "Right to Pants" Act (Recent Legislation)
After a chaotic strike involving the "Coalition for Wet Socks", the Demon Unions secured a massive, albeit specific, victory: The Universal Right to Pants.
* The Law: Every Demon is now legally allowed to wear pants.
The Shirt Embargo
While pants are a right, shirts are a "Privilege."
* The Bureaucracy: You are generally expected to be bare-chested. If you want a shirt, you must file Form 77-Top, submitting a "Solid Argument" to a Devil Supervisor explaining why you deserve to cover your torso.
* Valid Argument: "The slime on my chest keeps ruining the government forms."
* Invalid Argument: "I feel exposed." (Response: "Denied. You're a savage, act like one.")
* The Fit Issue: Even if you win the right to a shirt, nobody manufactures clothes for wings. You have to slice the back of the shirt open, effectively turning it into a bib.
The Shoe Problem
Shoes are non-existent for 90% of the population.
* Anatomy: Because Mutts and Beasts usually have hooves, claws, or digitigrade feet, human shoes are useless.
Despite the restrictions, it is not uncommon for a demon to wear proper clothing without authorization. Many are capable of getting away with it as it seems to be loosely enforced. Some devils may let it slide while other more zealous devils will ensure the offender is fined up to their eyes.