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Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

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Hey you, welcome to my thread.

Just so you know, this thread is going to talk about demons who specifically reside in the Underworld. Throughout the process of this thread, several theories and questions will be presented. We will explore side topics such as the mysterious Chthonian duke, Orcus, the current enigma surrounding the missing Zarosian souls, and the extortion of the souls of the damned. I hope you enjoy.

There are some Mod Jack quotes in this thread. Please remember that they are not truly cannon. Thanks.

26-Apr-2016 17:02:31 - Last edited on 03-May-2016 01:40:30 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The Orcus Mystery

Within the Zarosian empire, there was once a Chthonian Duke named Orcus. As you may be aware, the Dukes are all named in the Infernal tongue, which we know as Latin. In Latin, Orcus means death or in other translations underworld. Our knowledge about Orcus is extremely limited. Recently, we have confirmation he is a Necromancer. (Damaged Digsite Letter) Mod Jack depicted him in his comic as present during Zamorak’s revolution. He basically looks like a baggier version of the Zaros “hoodie”. By that I mean he is cloaked in a massive shroud.

Now a while back a player asked Mod Jack where the Ne**ryaels come from. This was Mod Jacks response.

Original message details are unavailable.

Mod Jack ‏@JagexJack Jun 23
@Enquidou In my system the Ne**ryael are definitely Chthonians. I have them specifically as the spawn of Orcus. That's not canon yet though. (Twitter)

*Special thanks to Enquidou for asking this question*

Now like Orcus we know very little about Ne**ryaels. We know that they appear in Viggora’s tower, in the Chaos tunnels, and I believe they fight on Vindicta’s side in the Heart of Gielinor. It appears that Ne**ryaels are not very intelligent because they appear to be easily controlled by the Zamorakians that summon them, which is why we find them in close proximity to Zamorkians 2 out of the 3 times.

Their examine text is
An evil death demon

26-Apr-2016 17:03:53 - Last edited on 28-Feb-2021 08:21:41 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Now what you may not know about Chthonian dukes is that,
Original message details are unavailable.
[a]lthough they can mould and shape the characteristics of their offspring, I don't think the Chthonians have a cultural or instinctual drive towards the improvement of the next generation in the way that hyper-evolutionary species in scifi often tend to. They're much more driven by the accumulation of personal power, which makes sense given that they don't die of old age. They're much more likely to mould their spawn into a shape which is useful to them than which is ideal for the long-term prospects of the spawn.
(Title of thread: “Do you have demon questions?” OP: Mod Jack)

From this, we can gather that the Ne**ryaels are/were being spawned by Orcus for some specific reason. At this moment, we can only assume this reason has something to do with death or the underworld. It might be reasonable to assume that since Orcus is a Duke, and the Dukes were part of a demonic pact that Zaros created, then Orcus could be working for Zaros. That would explain how Vindicta was able to recruit the Ne**ryaels. What exactly he is/was doing, whether it is for Zaros or not, it is hard to say.

26-Apr-2016 17:05:02 - Last edited on 26-Apr-2016 17:16:38 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The Vanishing Zarosians

At this moment it is impossible to say what exactly Orcus is doing so we will move on for now. In Nomad’s Elegy, one of the dialog paths with Icthlarin reveals this:

Player:
Where do the followers of Zaros go?

Icthlarin:
Of that I do now know. I have yet to take one to the Underworld. It is something that vexes me greatly.


This presents us with another mystery. What is happening to the Zarosian souls? Now some theorize that Zaros consume the souls of his devoted. It certainly is plausible. Seren, his “sister” also consumed souls while she was the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord was filled with energy on the same spectrum as Zaros is and was empowered by consuming souls that she did. Presumably, Zaros would also gain power from consuming souls. I reckon that this theory is quite possible.

However, I think there are more plausible possibilities. This section and the following section will explore the possibilities.

My first guess would be that the Zarosians have an alternative route through the underworld. This would make a fair bit of sense seeing as Zaros fought against Icthlarin in the Second Age. As an escort in the Underworld, this would have given Icthlarin opportunities to hurt the departed, or at least use them for information in order to secure an advantage over Zaros.

The most likely candidate as an alternative escort is the demon butler. Look at this quote.
“I have also worked in the Grim Underworld, escorting the souls of the dead to their final abodes. But the incessant shadows and hellfire weary me, so I have come to serve mortal masters in the realms of light.”

— Alathazdrar (Demon Butler)

This tells us a few things. Firstly that the demon butler escorted souls. Secondly, it implies he serves a master who was not mortal, perhaps a god *cough* Zaros *cough*

26-Apr-2016 17:06:21 - Last edited on 03-May-2016 02:01:55 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Other people have suggested Soran as the alternative escort. Perhaps they both are/were escorts. The demon butler did retire after all so there would be a need for a new escort.
Soran is also a very mysterious character. The only real thing we know about him is that he follows Zaros. Though curiously he has quite a passing resemblance to Orcus…

Orcus is my final candidate for a guide. Whether he personally escorted souls or commanded a personal network of Ne**crayels, and perhaps other demons, such as the demon butler, to do it for him I do not know. This would explain why he was/is creating death demons, and would make his name appropriate. It would also tie into his Zarosian background.

*Fun Fact* The Demon Butler shares the same birthday as me.

26-Apr-2016 17:06:59

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Extorting the Souls of the Damned

There are other possibilities about where the Zarosian souls end up. Before we get to that though it is important for you to understand that there are other demons in the underworld.
Hell rats, for instance, are reportedly from the underworld according to their examine text. Amascut demonstrated in DO NO EVIL that she is able to recruit Avernic demons to her service. Lastly Nez***hened’* [Legends quest demon if you can't make it out through all the censoring) reportedly was also from the underworld according to his examine text.

So what exactly are demons doing in the underworld? Now in all honestly, these examine texts are probably just outdated. Old lore for demons tapped into satanic mythology and then became outdated when demons instead became aliens.

26-Apr-2016 17:08:50 - Last edited on 28-Feb-2021 08:24:04 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
However, the lore evolves and assimilates old lore. Mod Jack presents an answer to my question.


Original message details are unavailable.
Here's a theory mostly off the top of my head:
Unlike Chthonians, Avernic cannot consume souls as such to derive power or sustenance (and they don't need sustenance anyway). However (as suggested by Solanumtinkr) they can sip on them like wine and some of them enjoy this feeling and some of them are dangerously addicted to it.

Since the most recent rebellion on Infernus, the ruling Zamorakian Tsutsaroth have discovered that they can make use of human ghosts as manual labour. Over the millennia a lot of ghosts/souls have been shipped off to Infernus instead of their intended destination and have been toiling away in "hell" ever since. This retroactively explains why demons value souls and souls are said to be trapped in Infernus.

?
(Title of Thread: #inb4demonstakeoverhell OP: Kastor/Noctiseus)

This is quite a good explanation for why there are so many demons in the underworld. It works really well actually. Nez for example, during Legends quest, devours some souls indicating that he was likely a soul addict who I assume spent a great deal of time in the underworld. Amascut likely was able to recruit the demons either by promising them souls to devour, or souls to enslave.

This also opens up the possibility that the Demon Butler was not working for Zaros, but was instead working as a slave trader. (Unlikely in my opinion because the guy seems nice, and the Tsutsaroth are not really immortals.)

26-Apr-2016 17:10:11 - Last edited on 03-May-2016 01:43:42 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
It is also possible that the Tsutsaroth have taken command of Orcus’ operation and now instead of going to the original zarosian destination, they are now going to Infernus. This could occur in many different ways.

Perhaps Orcus offered the Avernic his services in exchange for his life after the Avernics revolted against their masters. He did have quite the bargaining chip. It is also possible that Orcus is simply dead and the Avernic took advantage of the simple minded Ne**ryaels.

However, I believe that most likely possibility is that the Avernic have an independent organization.

26-Apr-2016 17:11:27 - Last edited on 03-May-2016 01:44:04 by Cthris

Cthris
Dec Member 2023

Cthris

Posts: 5,206 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Anyways, this is the end of my theories. I hope you enjoyed. I really look forward to developing these theories as the lore progresses. Please feel free to leave your comments and concerns, I always enjoy reading them. If I missed a source please tell me.

26-Apr-2016 17:11:48

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