Lesser Deev Lords & Named Demons

The Named Deevs of Scripture

Beyond the greatest Deev Lords (Āz, Aeshma) lie many named demons from the Bundahishn and other Zoroastrian texts. In current era, these are fragmented but still identifiable threats.

Akvan Div (اکوان دیو)

From Shahnameh: Demon that fought Rostam. Threw him into the sky. Defeated through cleverness.

Domain: Chaos, disruption, physical violence

In Némand:

• Tier: 4 (powerful regional threat)
• Appearance: Varies—sometimes as white demon, sometimes as dark specter
• Power: Tremendous physical strength. Can hurl humans hundreds of meters.
• Weakness: Not intelligent. Can be tricked (as Rostam did in legend). Strategy beats strength.
• Habitat: Wilderness, particularly areas with ancient Rostam connections

Story Hint: Protagonist facing Akvan fragment. Direct combat suicidal. Remembers Shahnameh tale—Rostam tricked Akvan by reverse psychology ("throw me on rocks, not water"). Protagonist uses similar trick. Akvan throws them exactly where they wanted to land. Victory through cunning, not power. Teaches classical literature study has practical application.

Deev-e Sepid (دیو سپید) - The White Demon

From Shahnameh: Major antagonist. Fought multiple heroes. Eventually defeated.

Appearance: Massive white-skinned demon, tremendously strong

In Némand:

• Tier: 5 (one of strongest remaining Div fragments)
• Habitat: Likely imprisoned or dormant. If awakened, regional catastrophe.
• Story Integration: Major late-game threat. Zahhak might attempt to awaken Deev-e Sepid as ultimate weapon. Protagonist's quest includes ensuring he stays bound.

Vizarsh Div (ویزرش دیو)

Domain: Unknown (name appears in Bundahishn)

In Némand: Minor demon, specific regional threat. Details can be creatively filled based on narrative need.

Ashmoogh (آشموغ / آهلوغ)

Domain: Frost, winter, cold death

In Némand:

• Tier: 3
• Seasonal Threat: Strongest in winter. Weakens in summer.
• Method: Causes hypothermia, freezing, winter despair
• Counter: Fire (obvious), but also community warmth. Families gathered around hearth cannot be touched—collective consciousness creates heat.

Kamak (کمک / کمک مرغ) - The Drought Bird

Domain: Drought, desolation, crop failure

Appearance: Giant bird with dark wings

Mythology: When Kamak flies over land, rain ceases. Opposes Tishtrya (rain Yazata).

In Némand:

• Tier: 3-4
• Effect: Creates drought aura. Clouds evaporate, wells dry, plants wither.
• Annual Cycle: Part of Tishtrya vs. Apoosh (drought demon) battle. Kamak serves Apoosh.
• Defeat: Cannot be killed permanently. Must be driven away through ritual, allowing Tishtrya fragment to bring rain.

Story Hint: Village suffering drought. Crops failing. Elder explains: Kamak has nested nearby. Protagonist must either: (A) Find nest, drive Kamak away through fire/noise, or (B) Perform Tishtrya invocation ritual (requires learning from Zoroastrian priest). Either solution requires preparation, knowledge, community cooperation—not solo hero violence.

Apaosha (آپوش دیو) - The Drought Demon

Domain: Drought, thirst, water denial

Mythology: Eternal enemy of Tishtrya. Battles annually for control of rain.

Appearance: Sometimes black horse, sometimes demonic figure

In Némand:

• Tier: 4-5
• Cycle Battle: Each year, Apaosha vs. Tishtrya. Humans tip balance with sacrifice/prayer to Tishtrya.
• Political Use: Zahhak could be supporting Apaosha (allowing Angra to win annual battle) causing droughts to weaken provinces.

Medium Demons: Tier 2-3 Threats

Poulad Ghandi (پولاد غندی)

From Regional Lore

Appearance: Iron-bodied demon ("Poulad" = steel)

In Némand:

• Tier: 3
• Armor: Natural metallic hide. Difficult to wound with normal weapons.
• Weakness: Joints, eyes, mouth—anywhere metal doesn't cover. Requires precision strikes.
• Loot: Body contains Angra-corrupted ore. Can be purified and repurposed.

Arzhang Deev (ارژنگ دیو)

Region: Regional folklore

Tier: 2-3

Details: Lesser demon. Can be developed as needed for specific plot requirements.

Agash Div (آگاش دیو) - The Evil Eye

From Regional Lore

Domain: Curses, evil eye, hex-casting

In Némand:

• Tier: 2-3
• Power: Malevolent gaze causes misfortune. Not instant damage—gradual bad luck accumulation.
• Method: Corrupted Didār (Observation). Where Yazata observes to understand, Agash observes to curse.
• Counter: Traditional evil eye amulets (blue eye symbols) actually work—reflect gaze back at Agash.

The Demon Hierarchy Refined

Based on collected entities, the clear structure emerges:

Tier 5 - Deev Lords (Strategic Threats)

• Āz (Greed)
• Aeshma (Wrath)
• Deev-e Sepid (White Demon)
• Akvan (Chaos)
• Apaosha (Drought)

Impact: Affect nations, alter weather, corrupt kings. Cannot be fought directly by protagonist until late game.

Tier 4 - Named Deevs (Operational Threats)

• Spazg (Slander)
• Kamak (Drought Bird)
• Vizarsh

Impact: Affect regions, cities, large groups. Mid-to-late game boss fights.

Tier 3 - Regional Deevs (Tactical Threats)

• Ashmoogh (Frost)
• Poulad Ghandi (Iron Demon)
• Arzhang Deev
• Agash Div (Evil Eye)

Impact: Terrorize provinces, require hero intervention. Mid-game encounters.

Tier 2 - Lesser Deevs (Encounter-Level)

• Nasu (Corpse Demon)
• Bushyasta (Sloth)
• Busalame (Sea Monster)
• Ghool variants
• Boz-Mar (Goat-Serpent)

Impact: Dangerous to individuals/small groups. Regular encounters.

Tier 1 - Div Fragments (Common Threats)

• Āl variants
• Pa Kashak (Leg-Puller)
• Denu Shemar (Tooth Counter)
• Pirezan Marku (Terror Grandmother)
• Goje-Ferfer (Tomato Rider)

Impact: Scary to civilians, manageable for aware protagonists. Early-game threats.

Encounter Design

When writing demon encounters:

1. Identify Tier: Determines difficulty
2. Identify Domain: What aspect of consciousness/reality does it corrupt?
3. Identify Counter: Which of Six Laws or which Yazata opposes it?
4. Determine Environment: Some Deevs stronger in specific locations
5. Consider Non-Combat Solutions: Many demons defeatable through knowledge, ritual, or moral behavior rather than fighting