#utukku

[machinaseptima]

Ut-Sudug (Ux Utuk) 1999 Cast Resin

Altro salto indietro nel tempo, fino al 1999. L'Ut-Sudug è un demone il cui nome deriva dal sumero Utukku. Nella mitologia sumera, gli utukku erano entità che potevano essere sia buone che malefiche. Nella mitologia accadica, erano detti utukku sette malvagi demoni che rientrano nella categoria degli spiriti dei morti, talmente pericolosi che potevano ferire o addirittura uccidere solamente con lo sguardo. Risiedevano nei deserti, sui monti, in mare oppure nei pressi dei cimiteri. Erano tutti figli degli Anunnaki, governavano le tempeste diffondendo devastazioni in qualunque luogo. Avevano la caratteristica di risultare inarrestabili, dato che passavano attraverso i muri e sotto le porte.

Modellato in plastilina, è stato realizzato in resina in soli due esemplari.

[dailycharacteroption]

Foundation of Faith (Cleric Archetype)

(art by ThemeFinland on DeviantArt)

When it comes to the faithful, there are those whose belief is unshakable, who stand against aversity with their deity by their side through thick and thin, and inspire others with their resolute attitude.

And today we focus on an example of that with a lovely little pun of an archetype, the Foundation of Faith!

Most common among deities of earth and stone, these priests are able to draw upon the strength of the earth itself, becoming nearly unmovable and gaining vitality from the act.

Despite the association, it is possible for clerics of other deities to gain such power. Though, obviously worshippers of deities of the air might find it difficult to make use of such abilities.

There’s a certain element of the Greek myth of Antaeus, a giant whose was empowered while in contact with the earth, though it should be noted that said giant was slain by Heracles when he lifted him off the ground and squeezed the life from him. Hopefully your cleric avoids clever wrestlers.

As we will soon see, these clerics can, however, stand resolute against most any foe as long as stone is under their feet.

As long as they are in contact with the earth, their bodies and their hearts are unassailable. Indeed, they become very hard to forcibly move or intimidate.

Their focus is also impressive, as they can center themselves to concentrate upon a spell even under duress.

However, their truth strength shows when they stand upon worked or unworked stone and take a moment to draw upon it’s energies. When they do so, they slowly heal their wounds over time. Alternatively, they can bless allies on similar terrain with a lesser version of this healing as well.

A simple archetype, but one that trades the cleric’s ubiquitous channel energy for more gradual healing which can be done as a swift action. With their focus on constitution and healing over time, these clerics are definitely meant for the front lines, so a tanky combat built is a natural pick for them.

While using this archetype with any sort of earth-themed deity is a natural choice, It’s even more interesting to find justification for using this archetype with other deities? Perhaps every deity in your setting had a hand in creating the “world”, or perhaps more resolute deities draw parallels between earth and steadfastness, and so on.

Suspecting that something isn’t right with the new cult that promises “oneness with the cosmos”, Onnark the Resolute does some investigating, discovering that this supposedly peaceful group worships the tainted promises of utukku qlippoth, nightmarish outsiders and rival to demonkind that seek to bypass evil souls becoming demons by merging them with the Abyss directly. The stalwart cleric makes ready to destroy the cult’s leaders and fiendish master, but he could use help, for the most immovable rocks are shored up with good foundation, after all.

Seeking stability but being called by the teachings of the River Goddess, Folva the half-elf chooses the path of the River Stone, a branch of the faith that act like large rocks in a stream, their presence creating relatively still eddies in their wake, just as the clerics themselves provide safe places for the traveling majority of the faithful and other river travelers to rest their head at waystations, river towns, and the like. It is a humble life, but a good one, and their divine power provides protection to those in need.

With the soldiers behind the walls bolstered by priests of the Siegemaster, it seems like the people will hold out indefinitely against the invaders. However, the invaders have their own ways to try and breach the defenses, starting from within.

[urzfanclub]

couple more

[dynamitegun]

I have this dumb mental image of an aged Liara, now in her Matriarch stage centuries after the end of the games leading a diplomatic mission into Krogan space. Upon arrival her staff are horrified by a band of Krogan soldiers that meet them at the landing zone led by a grizzled leader. His scales marked by a hundred battles and a demeanor to match, roaring out a 'request' to speak to "the one in charge."

The mood is tense. Krogan space is civilized but along its border bands of renegades, holdouts of the old ways of war aren't uncommon. The mission has a few Asari commandos providing security but they're outnumbered two to one. Should they turn back? Stall for time and try to plan an escape?

Instead, Matriarch T'Soni holds up a hand, calming her staff and without a word, walks down the ship's ramp towards the Krogan completely unarmed, in nothing but her gown, ignoring the cries behind her begging her to come back.

She reaches the band of Krogan warriors, looks the leader up and down and places her hands on her hips.

"Is this anyway to greet your mother, Grunt"?

A tumbleweed passing makes the only sound

The Krogan grins, and scoops Liara into his arms for a hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her 'round.

"I missed you." He says softly. She pats his shoulder as he places her down again.

"It's good to see you again too Grunt. You've got quite the command here it seems." She feels a smile on her lips as she waves her hand at the Krogan milling about, all trying their best not to stare, just as stunned as the members of the Asari mission.

"Yep. I've got my own brigade now. Aralakh Brigade. Over 2'000 strong. All under my command." His voice rings with pride. Liara nods.

"She'd be proud if she were here you know. Of what you've become Grunt. Following in her footsteps."

Grunt laughs. "She would, wouldn't she"? He doesn't wait for an answer and Liara knows he doesn't need one. They both know the answer. Shepard had taken Grunt in, seen past the tank bred warrior exterior to the boy beneath and had taken him to her side.

When Liara learned of this upon meeting Grunt for the first time on Utukku (Learning her bond mate had an adopted son that she'd never seen fit to mention) she had been surprised, but surprises were something she had grown used to with Shepard.

"Kid just needs a bit of direction Liara. Give him a chance." She could still hear Shepard's voice in her memory reassuring her.

She had been right "on the money" as she was fond of saying.

Liara ran a hand down her front, straightening the folds of her dress as she put back on her 'matriarch face'. "Well then. We have a schedule to keep. A meeting with the planetary overseer. Would you escort us"? She asked aloud.

Grunt nodded, with a slight twinge in his own voice putting on his 'Commander' voice. "I'd be honored, Matriarch T'Soni." Turning he bellowed out to his troops. "Form up!"

Liara walks back to her staff, almost all with wide eyes at what's unfolded before them. She crosses her arms. "As I recall we have a schedule to keep, do we not?" Breaking the trance they rush to their duties. She turns her back to them, hiding a small smile and watches Grunt form up his troops. The way he orders them into formation reminds her of no one but Shepard, a small piece of her still alive all these years on.

She would be proud.

...

I'm of the option that Femshep is Grunt's adoptive mom, and realized that even if she won't be around forever with Grunt, a romanced Liara certainly would be.

[bestiarium]

The Alû [Babylonian, Mesopotamian mythology]

In ancient Babylon, belief in possessing demons or spirits was not uncommon, and these entities were often used to explain symptoms or diseases. Often, specific demons were blamed for pains and illnesses of specific body parts: the ‘Utukku’ demon was associated with the human neck, the ‘Gallu’ usually attacked hands, and the evil invisible ‘Alû’ demon was more associated with the chest.

When an Alû possessed someone, the victim would often become very warm (I assume this refers to a fever) and fall unconscious while their eyes remain open, as if fixating on something. This creature was associated with sleep (usually attacking sleeping victims), and their victims would lose the ability to speak during possession. Furthermore, being possessed by one of these beings would make people hear a ringing noise and lose strength in their limbs. The next morning, when the victim awoke, they felt weak and drained of energy.

If you have ever experienced sleep paralysis, these symptoms might sound familiar. Indeed, it is thought that the story of the Alû arose as a way to explain sleep paralysis. Because of this ‘draining’ property, I have found that these creatures are sometimes associated with vampires today.

While these are the specific symptoms for the Alû demon, the term was also used as a general word for possessing demons and was sometimes used interchangeably with ‘Utukku’.

Sources: Finkel, I. L. and Geller, M. J., 2007, Disease in Babylonia, BRILL, 226 pp. Bane, T., 2014, Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures, McFarland, 416 pp. Jastrow, M., 1893, The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria, Handbooks on the History of Religions Volume II, Ginn & Company, 782 pp. (image source: ‘Sleep Paralysis Demon’ by Ddraw on Freepik)

[tanadrin]

This criticism of the way ME3 handles the Rachni Queen plot beat from ME1 neatly encapsulates a lot of my issues with Bioware’s story design--namely, that choices aren’t allowed to matter enough.

But fine. It’s a videogame and it can’t possibly take into account every possible course of action. A complex dilemma is boiled down to a simple binary decision. That’s a bit of a bummer, but you can’t have everything.

But this just makes it all the more frustrating when Mass Effect 3 muddles the whole choice. There are four total outcomes for the Rachni:

If you spare the Rachni queen here on Noveria, then you find her a prisoner of the Reapers on Utukku.

If you KILL the Queen here on Noveria, then the Reapers construct a Queen Thrall, because they want to control Rachni soldiers and no we don’t have time to explore that idea in detail. Let’s just go with it.

You can rescue the queen, which turns her into war assets.

You can leave her to her fate, which… whatever. Nothing happens.

You can rescue the thrall queen, which turns her into negative war assets[2] when she betrays you off-screen at some later time.

You can leave her to her fate, and she will attack you.

They went to all this trouble to give us this branching outcome, when I think that what people really wanted was for that initial decision to stand. If I kill the queen she should stay dead, not be replaced with a color-swapped doppleganger. It’s this strange mindset that players must value content more than choice, that we’d rather see our decisions negated than miss out on one mission. Heck, if you don’t want to cut a mission then just fill the cave on Utukku with… I dunno… other mooks. Whatever. Just don’t un-do the earlier decision, and then turn around and offer the player the same decision again.

This is something that harmed Telltale’s The Walking Dead. Negating a major player decision doesn’t just harm that particular moment of the game, it harms every subsequent decision. You’re asking the player to ponder this uncomfortable decision with complex ethical implications and unknowable outcomes, but now in the back of their mind they have this nagging doubt, “Bah. It probably doesn’t matter what I choose anyway because nothing I choose makes any difference. I’ll just do whatever gives me paragon points.” It’s destructive to one of the core promises of the game, which is that the player will get to “make choices that matter”. Players are hungry for even a little authorship over the world. I think we value that far more than one more stupid gunfight.

You see this a lot in the Dragon Age series, too--with occasional exceptions, choices you make in earlier DA installments, or sometimes even earlier in the same game, lead to what are narratively near-identical outcomes, simply because actually having a choice have consequences for the long-term plot is too risky from a game design perspective. It really hollows out the whole concept of player choice, and in many cases I would simply prefer no choice, or a purely cosmetic dialogue choice, to being given an apparent choice only to b told later, “oops! didn’t count :)”

[wendeeesaucy]

ME3 Grunt Mission Ending - Utukku

[notmuchtoconceal]

Imagine a religion that, instead of forecasting a radiant future, predicts the inevitable rebirth and triumph of evil: a religion that assumes the gods repeatedly allow their people to suffer in an eternal cycle of destruction.

Welcome to the religion of Hyrule, the world of the Legend of Zelda.

In this seemingly idyllic land, the population holds to an ideology of enduring pessimism due to the cyclical resurrection of demonic forces that terrorize the people with each passing generation.

Why do I argue this? Well, let's back up a bit.

In a previous video, I shared a thought experiment. Imagine you're an anthropologist and you've been transported into the Legend of Zelda universe with the task to study Hylian religious behavior. The Zelda video games are your sources. What would you find?

I argued that Hylianism -- the religion practiced by the people of Hyrule -- revolves around obtaining and protecting ritual power. Specifically, almost every aspect of Hylian religion revolves around protecting objects of power. For example, consider their pantheon of Gods.

Although the Hylian pantheon includes a Trio of Creator Gods and a Patron Goddess Named Hylia, the creator gods are almost completely absent from Hylian ritual practice. Nobody seems to worship them. Or, at least their worship plays a minor role in day to day life. Now, the patron goddess Hylia is more important in that she blesses and protects the Hylians throughout their history, and she seems to be venerated and temples and at small-scale shrines, but it's the Triforce and Not the Gods that take center stage in Hylian religion, An Object of Near Ultimate Power Made By The Creator Gods. But the existence of the Triforce introduces an existential risk. Physical contact with this relic can impart power to any individual, evil or otherwise, and thus losing control of this object can plunge the world into chaos if it falls into the wrong hands.

And what can the gods do? Well, nothing.

The destiny of the universe is Outside the Control of the Gods, so with the gods ceding their power to this object, Hylians strategically leverage their religion to mitigate the risk the Triforce poses. Hylianism is thus a form of damage control, both on an individual and cosmic scale, all in an effort to protect the Triforce. But protection from whom?

Demons. Lots and Lots of Demons.

Well, monsters too, but demons are the big bads in the Legend of Zelda. There's the body-snatching Malladus, the demon sorcerer Vaati. There's Girahim and Zant and of course the most famous of them all -- The Demon Train. No, I mean Ganondorf. It's Ganondorf.

He's The Most Famous One.

With so many demons, a robust understanding of Hylian religion requires that we develop a robust understanding of Hylian demonology.

Demonology is the systematic study of malevolent supernatural beings. This includes studying the belief around these entities, their characteristics and the roles they play in various religions, mythologies and cultures. Demonology encompasses a huge range of topics -- everything from the origin of demons, to their classification, powers, weaknesses, and ritualized forms of exorcisms or protection against them. Now I'm using the term "demon" here somewhat loosely --

as a cross-cultural category to describe any type of malevolent spirit or supernatural entity.

But anybody who studies comparative religion should know comparison is tricky business. Malevolent supernatural beings do appear in every culture. You have the oni in Japanese mythology, the rakshasas in Hindu mythology. In Ancient Akaddian texts, there are several beings that could be translated as demons, including rabisu, gallu, utukku. All referring to different types of oftentimes malevolent beings. But the entities that may be labeled as "demons" in one cultural context might not necessarily align with the characteristics of demons in another context. There's always going to be some conceptual slippage between religions.

So we need to be cautious when employing a term like "demon" across cultures, especially if that concept is deeply rooted in a specific religion.

For example, in a Christian majority country like the United States, Christian conceptions of demons might loom so large in our public consciousness that Christian demonology might sway our analysis of a different culture. So while the term may be a convenient shorthand to discus any sort of malevolent supernatural being, it can also oversimplify and thus run the risk of misunderstanding the specificity of indigenous concepts. The Japanese oni or rakshasas in Hinduism are not perfect analogues to a demon in Christianity.

In fact, the Greek word itself, daimon where we get the English word "demon" is not necessarily analogous either. It originally referred to different kinds of ambiguous divine entities, everything from the souls of the dead to even the Gods. But ancient Jewish and Christian literature later developed a strongly polarized demonology in which demons became categorically evil creatures. The demonology of Hyrule shares this strong polarization we see in Christianity. Almost without exception, demons are evil beings. But Hylian demonology is a remarkably sophisticated system that echoes demonologies from many different religions. So what is a demon in Hyrule?

The demons of Hyrule have been described as a race or a tribe that emerged from under the earth in the distant past. This would make them analogous to the other tribes of sentient beings occupying Hyrule, like the aquatic Zoras, the rock-dwelling Gorons and the sylvan Koroks, but I'd argue that demons share very little with these other beings, who typically have their own unique cultures and societies, not to mention shared physical features. Instead, demons seem to be a fundamentally different class of being. There's little to indicate that they share some sort of culture or society of physicality.

Comparing all of the demons in the Zelda universe, they really only share their evilness and some shared supernatural abilities.

What's interesting though, is that "being a demon" doesn't seem to be an unchangeable characteristic. Individuals from other tribes have transformed into demons. Vaati once belonged to the small magical people called Picori before his stint as a sorcerer and One-Eyed Demonic Creature. In The Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf was once a human and leader of a tribe of warrior-thieves called the Gerudo. Conversely, the demon Batreaux transforms into a human with the help of Link, who gives him crystals earned by doing good deeds for others.

So you can become a demon if consumed by enough evil, and reverse that condition with enough good deeds, which might undermine the argument that demons are some sort of species or race, and more like the end-state of any being when corrupted by enough evil.

But, as I dove headfirst into this rigorous scholarly pursuit of studying the religious ideology of a video game franchise, I started to formulate a Grand Theory of Hylian Demonology.

You see, some scholars classify demons as a type of "small god". The term small gods refers to a diverse range of supernatural entities that don't fit neatly into many religious traditions. They're ambiguous entities that occupy a middle-ground between the divine and the mundane.

In other words, small gods are beings that are very powerful -- they're greater than human, but they're also closer to humans, both in terms of proximity and power level. This can include beings such as fairies, nature spirits, ghosts and demons. Because they inhabit this categorical space between Gods and humans, and because they literally act as intermediaries between Gods and humans, some scholars call them "intermediary spirits".

Now, despite their "smallness" intermediary spirits often hold a significant place in local folklore and popular belief. They're often locative, in the sense of relating to a specific location. They live in a particular steam, grove, or building. In some cases these beings might be seen as useful or benevolent, like guardian angels. While in others, they may be seen as malevolent or dangerous. Others are deeply ambiguous entities that hover in a zone of uncertain and ambivalent power.

In Greco-Egyptian magick for example, a daimon is sometimes a useful being you can call upon, or a chaotic and dangerous being to avoid.

These small gods can be contrasted with the very difficult and very technical term "big gods". The social psychologist Ara Norenzayan defines big gods as "powerful, omniscient and morally concerned supernatural beings that serve as the central figures in many world religions". These Gods are believed to posses the ability to monitor human behavior, reward moral actions and punish immoral ones.

Big Gods can be found in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam and Judaism. In each of these cases, the central deity is believed to be All-Knowing, All-Powerful and Deeply Concerned with Human Morality and Behavior. I'd also add Gods like Zeus and Osiris or Major Hindu Gods like Vishnu and Shiva, Gods Who Are Clearly In A Class Of Their Own, above humans and intermediary spirits.

In Hylian Demonology, demons are not small gods at all. Well, there are lower-level demons, but more often than not, they're only referred to in passing. Other times, they appear as small-scale antagonists, like Dark Link who appears to be some sort of demonic being.

But overwhelmingly, most demons in Hylian Demonology should not be classified as small or intermediary. You have Demon King Malladus, Demon King Ganondorf -- Zant, King of Darkness. The title of King is thrown around all the time and these beings go toe to toe with the Gods in battle and Sometimes Win.

So what we're dealing with here are Big Demons, or Master Demons, rulers of lesser demons who are closer in power level to Big Gods.

Master Demons are a common feature in world religious. There's of course Satan, the main antagonist of God in Christianity. The Dead Sea Scrolls and other Second Temple Jewish Literature mention Belial, the leader of the Sons of Darkness. And in Hinduism, there's Ravana, the Multi-Headed King of the Rakshasa, who is a central figure in the epic poem called the Ramayana. Hylian Demonology is really a demonology of Master Demons. A Master Demonology, if you will. In fact, the entire moral universe of Hyrule and Hylian cosmology revolves around a Very Big Demon, indeed. A Demon King called Demise.

Demise is the central antagonist in the Hylian Religion; a primordial demon king who, according to the Spirit of the Master Sword, is An Eternal Being and The Source of All Evil.

As the events of Skyward Sword unfolded, the hero Link arose and defeated Demise, but he then uttered a curse that set the stage for a recurring struggle between good and evil for eternity.

An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time.

The Legend of Demise is thus an etiology for evil; a mythical explanation for the origins of evil as a general concept and evil beings like monsters.

The idea of a Primordial Demon King is a rarity in world religions, but not unheard of. The closest parallel to Demise is likely the entity known as Angra Mainyu (Ahriman) in Zoroastrianism, a primordial spirit from which originates evil.

The Curse of Demise thus means that a surprisingly depressing or even cynical type of demonology underlies Hylian Religion. An ideology that I like to call "cyclical apocalypticism". You might be more familiar with apocalypticism in ancient Judaism or Christianity, which refers to the ideology that God will Intervene in the near future, bring an end to an evil era and inaugurate a new era by establishing His kingdom.

But critically in Christian apocalypticism, Time is Linear.

The end of days arrives, Satan is vanquished and the Kingdom of God Lasts Forever. It'd be unthinkable in Christian end times theology that Satan would One Day Arise Again and Topple God's Kingdom.

But in Hylian Apocalyptic Demonology, the Curse of Demise launched and endless boom and bust cycle. Phases of peace and prosperity followed by cataclysmic events that plunged the world into an era ruled by evil, usually at the hands of some sort of Master Demon -- An Incarnation of the Primordial Evil.

So if Hylians are subjected to an endless cycle of cataclysm after cataclysm, how do they deal with these Master Demons?

Ritual strategies to defeat demons are found all throughout the world.

In my own sub-field of ancient Mediterranean religion, you commonly see various forms of exorcism. Rituals that aim to extract a demon from somewhere or someone. Jesus famously exorcises demons with a simple command, but there are also elaborate exorcism formulas from the ancient world that require special incantations or ritual objects. Another strategy you'll commonly see are various forms of apotropaic magic; rituals and objects that aim to ward away demons pre-emptively. For example, someone might wear an amulet to keep a demon away. But these are strategies to combat lesser demons. As we've said, the people of Hyrule regularly need to deal with Master Demons, so these small-scale rituals wouldn't quite cut it.

Hylians generally defeat master demons in two ways. First, by literally destroying them in physical combat with sacred weapons, such as the Master Sword or the Bow of Light, which possess divine properties capable of vanquishing demonic forces.

In fact, according to the Japanese manual to the Super Nintendo's A Link to the Past, the Master Sword was originally called tama no ken, which we can translate as Exorcism Sword.

In other words, a sword specifically designed for banishing demons.

When battling demons, Link usually needs to identify and exploit the demon's weakness, observe enemy patterns, dodge and block attacks and seize opportunities to strike. This might sound formulaic, but it's not unlike how some demons are defeated in world mythologies. For example, consider the description of Rama vs. Ravana in the Ramayana. They shoot arrows back and forth during a chariot duel, but eventually reach an impasse. Rama then takes up a sacred arrow, a gift of Brahma, a mighty arrow unfailing in battle. He consecrates it by chanting mantras over it before shooting it directly through Ravana's heart.

But Master Demons in Hyrule seem to be difficult to kill, so more often than not, the Hylians resort to binding and sealing the demons. This often involves a powerful figure like Zelda, the sages, or a Goddess like Hylia engaging in forms of ritualized constraining and containment, banishing and trapping the demon in a different realm or prison. Another example of ritualized containment occurs in Twilight Princess. When the execution of Ganondorf goes awry, the sages banish him to the Twilight Realm through the Mirror of Twilight.

Now, because of the cyclical nature of Hylian cosmology, these seals never last, but it at least ensures a few hundred years of peace.

Demonology may strikes some of us as exotic. It's the weird side of religion, the occult side of religion. But as the scholar David Frankfurter says, "as exotic as it often seems, the study of demonology engages the most subtle dimensions of culture..."

For example, studying the demons of a particular can reveal how that particular culture conceptualizes the landscape. In what sort of place do demons dwell? It can reveal how that cutlure views sickness or disabilities or bodily autonomy. Studying demonology enables us to explore the specific threats and anxieties that a society perceives, and what strategies that society views as effective to mitigate or confront those dangers, either through writing, iconography or prayers that seek to repel or bind them.

Moreover, because demonological beliefs can be found among both the religious elite and the general population, studying demonology can help illuminate modes of religious authority. For example, the roles of priests, shamans or other ritual specialists who are believed to have the ability to combat demonic forces, can provide valuable insights into the authority structures and the sources of social prestige within a society.

So by studying the demonology of Hylianism, we catch a glimpse of Hyrule's cultural beliefs, values and fears. A society locked in an endless, cyclical struggle between good and evil, a society that thus values sacred power and divine weapons to overcome the revolving glass door of master demons, and the society that must also grapple with the reality that divine intervention only offers temporary relief and the gods might be powerless to vanquish demonic forces once and for all.

[gothandghoul]

The Intriguing Role of Demons in Religious History

Demons. The very word evokes a sense of mystery, conjuring images of shadowy figures lurking in dark corners, whispering malevolent secrets. But these enigmatic beings are not just figments of imagination. They have a rich and diverse history, spanning from the ancient Mesopotamian myths to the modern manifestations in pop culture. Throughout this timeline, they were an integral part of daily life, and their presence was felt in numerous cultures' religious texts, folklore, and literature. The concept of demons has evolved, yet it remains a potent symbol of the unknown and the supernatural, a topic that continues to intrigue and fascinate.

The Concept of Demons in Ancient Religions

Mesopotamian Roots

In the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamia, demons were not just a part of the spiritual beliefs. They were integral to daily life. Known as 'Udug' or 'Utukku,' these entities were not just malevolent spirits thought to bring disease and misfortune but also a constant presence in the lives of the ancient Sumerians and Akkadians. They believed these demons could be appeased or warded off through rituals and offerings, a testament to their deep-rooted faith and respect for the spiritual realm. These beliefs were not mere superstitions but a way of life, a constant reminder of the delicate balance between good and evil in their world.

Egyptian Beliefs

The Egyptians also had a complex and multifaceted relationship with these otherworldly beings, called 'demons' or 'spirits.' Some, like Apophis, the serpent god who embodied chaos, were malevolent, while others, like the household gods Bes and Taweret, played protective roles. Egyptian mythology, a rich tapestry woven with tales of these spirits, stretches its influence across the mortal and divine realms. To fully immerse in the wonder of this mythology, a visit to Encyclopedia Britannica's article on Egyptian mythology is highly recommended, as it provides a comprehensive overview of these demon beliefs.

Sumerian Influence

The Sumerians were among the first to document their beliefs in a pantheon of gods and demons. These beings were seen as intermediaries between the gods and humans, capable of benevolence and wrath. The demon Pazuzu, for example, was believed to ward off other evil spirits despite being feared himself.

Evolution of Demons in Abrahamic Religions

Judaism

In Judaism, demons (or "shedim") evolved from earlier Near Eastern beliefs. They were seen as evil forces but were not given the same prominence as in later Abrahamic faiths. The figure of Satan, initially a "challenger" or accuser in the heavenly court, began to take shape as an adversary of God.

Christianity

Christianity's concept of demons was heavily influenced by Jewish apocryphal literature and Hellenistic beliefs. Demons became fallen angels, led by Lucifer in rebellion against God. The New Testament recounts numerous instances of demonic possession and exorcism, highlighting their malevolent influence on humanity.

Islam

In Islam, demons are known as "jinn," beings created from smokeless fire. While some jinn are harmless or even benevolent, others are considered wholly evil. Iblis (Satan) is a jinn who defied God's command and was cast out of heaven. The Quran provides various references to these beings and their interactions with humans. In Islam, it's intriguing to observe that devils and demons are perceived as psychological entities rather than supernatural beings.

Historical Perceptions and Influence of Demons

Historically, demons have been perceived as evil entities wielding significant influence over human affairs. Medieval Europe saw a surge in demonology studies, often linked to witch hunts and inquisitions. These entities were blamed for everything from personal misfortune to societal upheaval.

Contrasting Views of Demons in Eastern Religions

Buddhism

In Buddhism, demons (or "Mara") represent obstacles to enlightenment. Mara, the personification of temptation and death, sought to distract Siddhartha Gautama (the future Buddha) from his path to enlightenment. Unlike their Western counterparts, these demons are not inherently evil but are part of the cosmic balance.

Hinduism

Hindu mythology offers a diverse interpretation of demons (or "asuras"). While often depicted as antagonists to the gods (devas), some asuras are revered for their wisdom and devotion. They symbolize the duality of existence, embodying both destructive and nurturing forces. For further information, consult the Encyclopedia Britannica's overview of Hindu mythology.

Impact of Demons on Religious Texts, Folklore, and Literature

Demons have left an indelible mark on religious texts and folklore. The Bible, Quran, and other sacred texts contain numerous references to these entities, shaping cultural narratives and moral lessons. In literature, demons have been a source of fascination, from Dante's "Inferno" to Goethe's "Faust," depicting their complex relationship with humanity.

The Allure of the Unknown and the Supernatural

Why do demons continue to captivate our imagination? Perhaps it's our inherent curiosity about the unknown and the supernatural. Demons embody our fears and desires, metaphorically representing our struggles within ourselves and our societies. This fascination may stem from our internal conflict between making good and bad choices, making demons a powerful symbol of our psychological battles.

In popular culture, this allure is vividly evident. Movies like "The Exorcist" and "Hereditary" explore human vulnerability and morality through demonic manifestations. Books such as The Demonologist by Andrew Pyper delve into the profound effects of confronting one's inner demons. Video games like Diablo and Doom immerse players in worlds where the battle against demonic forces mirrors the struggle to overcome personal weaknesses and moral challenges. These narratives resonate deeply because they reflect our perpetual quest to understand and navigate the complexities of our inner lives.

Understanding the history of demons in religion offers a profound window into the human condition. These entities, embodying our deepest fears and hopes, reveal much about our collective psyche and cultural evolution.

But are demons real supernatural entities? Or do they symbolize our human struggles?

We invite you to join us in this enigmatic conversation. What captivates you most about the history of demons in religion? Share your thoughts and experiences with GrimKeeper@gothandghoul.com.

The resources shared here offer a gateway for further exploration into this dark and enigmatic realm. Explore the unknown and cultivate your curiosity—your next great discovery awaits in the shadows.

"The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley

This comprehensive guide explores demons' history, folklore, and cultural significance in different religions and traditions.

"Demons: A Biblically Based Perspective" by Michael S. Heiser

An in-depth analysis of demons from a biblical viewpoint, examining their roles and representations within Christianity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Offers extensive articles on demons in various religious contexts, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. These entries provide historical and theological overviews.

Oxford Reference Online

Provides access to authoritative reference works on religion and mythology, including detailed entries on demonic entities in different faiths.

"The Dictionary of Demons: Names of the Damned" by Michelle Belanger

A detailed reference that lists and describes demons mentioned in ancient texts, religious scriptures, and folklore.

"Islamic Beliefs and Practices" by Matt Stefon

Contains chapters dedicated to jinn and demons in Islamic theology, providing an insightful look into their roles and characteristics.

"Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition" by David Kinsley

Although focused on goddesses, this book provides context for understanding Hindu mythology's antagonistic forces and demonic figures.

The Catholic Encyclopedia

Available online, this resource offers detailed entries on the nature and history of demons as understood within Catholicism.

Journal Articles and Academic Publications

Databases like JSTOR and Google Scholar can be valuable for accessing peer-reviewed articles and academic papers on demonology in various religious traditions.

[only-fragments]

#2705 - Summer Solstice

I kill him not because I want him dead but because I want him eternal. For there to be a ghost story, after all, you must first make a ghost. Call them revenants, onryō, lemures, utukku, phi tai hong, whatever you like; the vengeful ghosts are always the strongest. Why otherwise would so many different cultures, separated across time and space, millennia and mountains and oceans, all develop…

[urzfanclub]

i always forget that utukku is right next door to caleston rift... was knocking around the leviathan timeline and its true that it would all fit pretty seamlessly into the outline i already had going but that would be a whole different story. i did always like the idea of the queen giving you mysterious clues about the leviathan though

[dragonflight203]

Mass Effect 3, the Rachni:

Maskim Xul

-Kashshaptu - The rachni did not have FTL until they reverse engineered the drives of the first Citadel expedition into the system.

Interesting. I had always assumed the rachni were the own empire that the Council stumbled upon, similar to the Hierarchy. Apparently they were still in the infancy ages of spaceflight.

That makes the brutal war they fought with C-Space even more impressive.

Mulla Xul

-Utukku – A periodic reminder that the autodialogue for this game is outrageous. Shepard says so much and I have very little input.

In another game, I wouldn’t mind. But when ME1 and ME2 let me mostly control Shepard’s dialogue, this is very jarring.

It feels very much like Bioware wanted to make a cinematic shooter and was vaguely resentful that the past games forced them to give some control of dialogue to the player.

-How does Edi know that the rachni queen was desperate to save her people?

I certainly believe it, but I watched it play out. I presume Edi only heard about this second hand, but from the way she speaks it’s like she’s making her own observations of the event.

Is there footage from the body cam that is conveniently turned off every time there are critical events that the council really needs to watch?

I suppose there could be security footage from the facility, but I suspect that mysteriously went missing before contact was reestablished with the outside.

-Why did Wrex not mention Grunt was leading Aralakh Company?

He knows Shepard and Grunt are close.

From how Grunt acts, he wasn’t informed Shepard was going to be there either.

I can completely believe Wrex wanting it to be a surprise for both of them, but it doesn’t come up when you speak to him on the Normandy after the mission and you’d think Shepard would mention it.

“Wrex, you didn’t tell me Grunt had been promoted!”

“Hah, I wish I had been there to see your faces!”

-Shepard at no point explains Javik to Grunt. That just makes it funnier.

-Grunt’s practical. Person’s dead? Take their weapon, they don’t need it anymore.

-Where is this webbing come from?

Rachni were all over Peak 15 and I don’t recall any webbing there.

I suppose you can argue it’s a side effect of the Reaper modifications, but if so it’s a bizarre one.

-Why are the cords around the eggs so messy? For that matter, why are there eggs scattered everywhere?

The queen’s chained up. It’s not like she’s laying them as she walks around. Someone is carrying around eggs and dropping them wherever.

This reminds me of how the Collectors just left human bodies all over their ship and their base despite needing humans to create a new Reaper.

I’m starting to think Reapers hate cleanliness and order, which is a bit ironic since they deep clean the galaxy on a regular basis.

-I am salvaging Reaper tech repeatedly throughout this mission.

I am certain there will be no long term negative consequences for doing so. How much harm can it be to carry around a few Reaper created trinkets?

-Javik says this does not look like a rachni nest.

How does he know that? That would have been before Javik’s time.

I suppose he could be referencing vids or photos he’s seen.

-For once, an eldritch being does not use an asari as a puppet to speak through. They use krogans instead.

Diversity win!

-So, what happened to that asari on Illium you can meet in ME2 who gives you a message from the rachni queen?

Given the circumstances I’m assuming bad things, but it’s odd she’s never so much as mentioned in ME3.

You’d think she’d at least be an investigate option when you speak to the rachni queen, but that would require more than one investigate choice and that’s more than ME3 is willing to give the player when there’s a choice to be made. You’ll have two options and one investigate and you’ll like it!

-We can all agree the rachni queen should be indoctrinated as hell right?

She’s been living in a Reaper stronghold. She’s surrounded by Reaper tech. She’s very likely spoken to the Reapers directly.

She should, by all rules of the Mass Effect universe, be indoctrinated.

It’s very convenient and narrative poignant that she’s not, but that also makes the story itself weaker because it never explains why.

Rachni Queen: We hear the machines, but they cannot control us.

That is not an explanation. It’s the writers hand waving indoctrination away because it’s inconvenient to the story they want to tell. And that’s at the cost of the story: Indoctrination is inevitable and irresistible, except when it’s not.

But imagine if they did tackle it. The queen’s immunity could be used as a baseline to find a way to make other organics immune. Tie it into the Legion’s immunity and Shiala’s – something something the power of mental community bonds allows people to overcome indoctrination by leaning into the compulsions of the community rather than the Reapers.

Or she could be indoctrinated, and freeing her results in devastating losses – more than lost war assets, something the player cares about deeply. The death of a companion or beloved NPC, maybe.

It’d be a test of the player: Have you been paying attention? Do you understand how powerful the Reapers are? Do you understand the awfulness of the choices you must make if you want to win this war?

You can’t beat the Reapers sheer strength of will. You have to understand them. You have to be willing to do what it takes. You must be willing to make sacrifices. Once the Reapers have touched someone they are lost to you – even if they beg you for help.

-So anyway I freed the queen because war assets, but the logical choice would be to leave her to die.

Or – if you’re willing to do so – kill her to make sure she’s dead and the Reapers cannot produce more rachni.

(We all agree they just clone another queen, right? No way they don’t have a DNA sample.)

-How the hell does the queen get off the planet? She did not fit on the shuttle and I don’t see any other ships around.

Normandy

-The dialogue with Wrex after the mission is extremely abrupt. He’s normally more talkative with Shepard. This was very brusque.

-If you speak to Wrex, he has no lines referencing the mission. Nor is there an option related to it in investigate.

Just… strange. The primarch had dialogue related to the Tuchanka missions. You’d think Wrex would get the same for the rachni mission.

-Traynor mentions developing instant long-range communication without quantum entanglement after the war is over, based on the rachni’s abilities.

Possible foreshadowing for how the Milky Way will speak with Andromeda in the future?

-According to the Broker Terminal, the rachni have multiple ships.

Where have these ships been? The same plane the queen was on? Why didn’t the Reapers commandeer them? Did they and the rachni stole them back? (More opportunities for indoctrination if so.)

-Why is Edi’s body designed to have sex. WHY. TIM, what were you plans?

Or at least I’m assuming it is since Joker’s asking Mordin for advice. It might be that Joker assumes it has those parts and when he raises the idea to EDI she laughs her ass off as she informs him those parts are missing.

I suspect Edi is down with the idea either way. It’s strongly implied one of the reasons she seized the body is that she knew Joker would find it attractive.

I still wish this entire plotline had been handled differently, but at least this is a story where it’s clear both parties are down to tango. Edi is not some innocent Joker is taking advantage of.

(Edi totally overheard the entire conversation between Joker and Mordin. She IS the Normandy, Joker.)

-The rachni are survivors.

The protheans bred them as weapons, and when the rachni turned on them the protheans killed them all.

Except they survived, and made war on C-Space. Who killed them all.

Except they survived, and here they are.

-Is it possible that Suen is not the rachni homeworld?

Presumably the protheans would have examined the rachni homeworld thoroughly to make sure all rachni were dead.

Some may have escaped to Suen and laid low. In which case another world is the true rachni homeworld.

-And why were the rachni so technologically behind if the protheans used them as weapons?

Javik says the rachni were animals in his age. But how could they have turned against protheans as animals? That implies intelligence.

Javik also says they’re cunning. It sounds like they should have at least had a rudimentary understanding of weapons, ships, etc.

Rachni queens have genetic memory. They should remember all that came before them.

But when C-Space encountered the rachni, they did not have FTL. They had to reverse engineer that from the C-Space ships.

So what happened to break that genetic memory link and effectively put rachni back to the pre-spaceflight age?

[whumpster-fire]

AOS: Remember Lovelace's messenger imp that Bartimaeus beats up in a scene that he describes as "characterized by bad language and some sadly necessary violence?" Let that imp get an F-bomb off before Bartimaeus freeze-frames the scene and interrupts it.

Golem's Eye: I know Kitty deserves it the most but, either her or Fred in Gladstone's tomb. When Honorius pops up from the Sarcophagus wearing Stanley's cap.

Ptolemy's Gate: Ascobol or Cormocodran at some point while bickering with Bartimaeus. Or Mwamba. I just want to hear, at an exasperated whisper: "You fucking idiot, Bartimaeus, you said Sheba still existed!"

ROS: On one hand, Bartimaeus does say regarding the Utukku fight: "Any spare breath you have is used for swearing." On the other hand, Bartimaeus dropping his only F-bomb of the whole series in shock and disbelief after Ammet goes on his whole "That's my boyfriend you're talking about!" rant. The other alternative is giving it to King Solomon when he realizes he's wearing a calamari ring. Or Ezekiel, immediately after realizing he's been shoved out of his pentacle.

okay okay okay- let’s say the bartimaeus sequence was made into four (possibly five if they split the last one like they always do but let’s go with four) pg13 movies, that means you get one f bomb per movie/book

who are you giving it to and when would you use it?

[human-antithesis]

Ungodly Others

Lyrics: By the terror of the night and merciless light, prayers rest on nameless stones In fevered sleep and disturbing dreams, etched with strange and blasphemous glyphs

Visions of the damned in cyclopean monoliths to make a sane man scream By the shadow of death and the drowning breath may their presence become death

Ia! Ia! Ia! Iasakkakth! Iaksakkakh! Ia Sha Xul! Ia! Ia! Ia! Ia Utukku Xul! Ia Zixul! Ia Zixul! Ia Kingu! Ia Azbul! Ia Azabua! Ia Xaztur! Ia Hubbur! Baxa Baxa Xaxa Xa Baxa Xaxa Xa! Kakh Takh Tamon Ias!

See the angles twist and open Traversing strange gates through cosmic spaces Amputated tongues and voiceless throats In the sign of shame and teeth that maim

Ungodly others The deep sound of fathomless waters Offspring of the forgotten who relentlessly await

Ungodly others Prohibited nightmares erupt in awful howls Chanting to Azatoth their litanies

[wendeeesaucy]

Shakarian reunited with their son Grunt - ME3 Utukku

[mackthemuser]

Did Vampires Exist in Ancient Mesopotamia?

Did Vampires Exist in Ancient Mesopotamia?

The fear of the undead and ancient superstitions regarding the seemingly magical property of blood can be found in most cultures around the world. Early misconceptions over human body decomposition gave birth to the modern-day vampire, a creature often portrayed as an alluring “Other,” a rebel who embodies repressed sexual urges and who pushes back against conformity. In ancient cultures,…