Demons (Ownage)

Categories

Humans have found it convenient to classify the forces their up against. Normal taxonomy is not only unsuited for this task, it's worthless. To the average person, the biological details of whatever they're fighting is much less significant than what they can expect from it. Hence, the development of the categorization system.

Creatures are assigned a category based on what can be observed of their power, Awakened impressions of the potency of their souls, and the overall danger they present. These range from category 1 (the most basic demons, little more than grunts) to Khronos, rated at category 9 (a somewhat arbitrarily chosen number; Tartaros was ranked slightly lower, at category 8). No demons above category 5 have been encountered on Earth, aside from the two aforementioned Gods.

In addition to the category number, a system of alphabetical codes has been developed to provide more detailed information. Saying that a creature is a 'category 1' may let an infantryman surmise that he stands a decent chance against it, but will not tell him how to prepare or what to expect.

More codes are added as more variation of demons are encountered, and every once in a while letters will be shuffled around.

At present, the codes consist of the following:

• A: Armored, extremely resistant to damage. Complaints have arisen about this code not being precise, as some code A demons can be countered by armor-piercing rounds, whereas others will shrug off rocket-propelled grenades.
• B: Burrowing
• C: Cunning. Used to designate demons which display behavior consistent with an estimated IQ of 160 or higher. It is preferred to engage these head-on, rather than allowing them a chance to resort to tactics similar to guerilla warfare.
• F: Flying
• G: Gargantuan. Although there's no official cutoff, this refers to extremely large demons. The use of explosives is preferred, and it's often possible to bring an operative in close, lay an explosive (in some cases even attaching it to the demon itself), and then detonate it from a distance. The possibility of using high-yield nuclear warheads on suicide runs against extremely large code G enemies has been considered. Code G enemies are considered relatively low-risk, as a Hellfire missile or any modern bomb will typically have no trouble hitting the target, and produce satisfactory results.
• H: Healing. Originally R for Regenerating. It was recoded when parasitic (P) demons were discovered (at the time, Replicating demons were classified P for Propogating, and S (for Symbiotic) was already occupied by Shapeshifter). The remains of category H demons are to be destroyed as completely as possible; while most cannot recover from fatal wounds, some can, and it's best to just not take chances.
• I: Illusionist. There has been some talk of merging this with M. The primary difference is that while code M's induce hallucinations, code I's actually create phenomenon which produce sensory responses. Infrared, sonar, and other non-standard methods of detection have proved effective against these, especially at lower categories.
• M: Mind-affecting, from mental domination to inducing hallucinations, paranoia, et cetra. Code M's are considered some of the most dangerous demons to attempt engaging, and Awakened are typically called in to handle the task. When that is not an option, protocol for most militaries requires an absolute minimum of twelve to one odds against the enemy, or more depending upon their category.
• N: Noncorporeal, either permanently or capable of temporarily assuming such a form.
• P: Parasitic. This is typically applied only to demons which actually
• R: Replicating. For demons which reproduce at uncontrollable rates once they've settled in an area. Detection of a code R guarantees a rapid and overwhelming response from local and nearby military presences, or, if too late, evacuation and sterilization of the area.
• S: Shapeshifter
• T: Teleporting.
• W: Swimming, not necessarily capable of remaining aquatic for long periods of time.

For reference, Wyverns are considered 1F, whereas Khronos was posthumously classified as a category 9ACG (he may have possessed additional characteristics which would have been coded, but if so he died too quickly to demonstrate them).

Overlods

Needs-a-name. Escaped to Earth and went into hiding in an attempt to make a bid for power, hoping to reach the level of the Gods. Probably specializes in extreme long-distance chanelling of power; would set self up as something satanic or maybe wicca-esque, do things for people (make them stronger, help them pass that test, bestow bad fortune on people they don't like, etc.) in exchange for things--living sacrifices, or a piece of their soul, or whatever.

Gods

Tier 1:
Ananke (asleep), Khronos (hit w/ massive damage), Thesis (half-dead)

Thesis tried to amass too much power too quickly. Although it did become phenomenally powerful, it also wound up dying, as it was unable to sustain its physical body. By that point in time its soul couldn't truly die, but nor could it continue to exist in a full active state. Thesis' remains spiritually 'alive', in a half-dormant state, tied to its physical remains (which may not be totally dead). Zombies?

Khronos got nuked, and unlike Thesis, that was enough to well and truly kill him. However, a soul that massive being severed from its body away from its worldsoul had some interesting effects. Namely, it broke apart and latched onto a number of humans, turning them into Thirds. Probably special ones, or maybe Khronos is the source of all Thirds.

Ananke saw Thesis' mistake, but didn't want to be like Khronos and simply stop gathering power after reaching a certain plateau. She went into hibernation, and enough dust and such eventually acreted around her tha she more or less turned into a moon. She's semi-conscious, and can physically manifest without moving her body--something which she is loath to do, due to how much energy it would expend.

Tier 2:
Gaia, Ouranos, Tartaros (gets cancer)

Tier 3:
Nyx, Erebos, Hemera, Aither, Khaos

Erebos tries to escape to the demiurge's "universe," the Archons show up and destroy it. For some reason its soul gets shunted to Earth, where it takes on a (substantially weakened) human form, setting itself up as satan.

Khaos shifts between various elemental-themed forms. Range of mountains, giant ball of fire, immense windstorm, etc.

Tier 4:
Okeanos, Phanes, Tethys, Pontos, Thalassa