Demon Summong Magic Style

[Porklet]

I had recently posted some of this material as the beginnings of a Cosmic Framework, but I found that I was being amazingly unclear about what I wanted to do with it and what it all meant, if anything.  I decided to turn it into a magic style instead.  I have toyed with this idea for awhile, but I have never put it all together.  I have posted what I have been able to put together and clarify in the last week (minus work to future sections).  Any feedback would be appreciated.

The Argulite Path:

The Argulite Path is a classic demon summoning and negotiation-based magic style.  The motives behind the Origins have purposefully been left ambiguous.

Origins:
Asta Luria, the Demon-Goddess, seeks to destroy the world.  To that end, she laid with the other Elder Gods and gave birth to 8 demons of divine blood called Primarchs.  These Primarchs beget the Demon-Princes who, in turn, beget the demonic Vassals that complete the demonic hierarchies known as the Paths (see uploads).  There are 77 major demons in all (Asta Luria, 8 Primarchs, 24 Demon-Princes, and 44 Vassals), and there is 1 Primarch, 3 Princes, and a variable number of Vassals per Path.  Each demon has a Gate and a Confliction (a sphere of influence) based on their position in the hierarchy.   All demons reside on the demonic plane of Argul, and they are formally called Argulites.

The Conflictions listed on the Paths are dark concepts.  For example, Usa is the Primarchess of Beauty.  Beauty, in and of itself, might seem to be a positive trait, but when used to perpetuate Lust, Hate, Temptation, and even seduce Thevar, the God of Truth, it becomes a decidedly disruptive and malevolent force.   The Conflictions are not the devices that Taint a mortal summoner.  A person does not descend into Argul upon their death simply by committing Murder or succumbing to Lust.  The Conflictions are simply concepts juxtaposed to the eight Divine Concordances of the gods (diagram uploaded).  Anyone who comes into contact with demonic magic either thru opening a gate, bearing a demonic fetish, or even being the target of demonic energies becomes Tainted to varying degrees.  This Taint can cause the person's spirit to travel to the demonic plane of Argul upon their death instead of joining the gods in Etheb.  The more Taint accrued by an individual the more likely the chance of Descension.


The Path Key and the eight Paths have been uploaded into this post.  Most of it is self explanatory.  
If anyone would like to offer some feedback it would be most welcome.  

1.  The Aspected Powers will be covered under Rituals, and there are some brief notes on the Path Key uploaded.  However, the sources of Aspected Powers also have a philosophical connection.  For example, Fear and Frailty beget Cowardice, Cruelty and Ignorance beget Hate, Pleasure and Violence beget Pain, etc.
2.  Does anyone have any trouble making out the small text on any of the Paths?
3.  On the diagram outlining the eight Divine Concordances (Light, Ascension, etc.) and the eight Demonic Conflictions I have 'Thought' listed as a Concordance.  I have been trying to replace it with a more arcane term: 'divine spark', will, willpower, life, liberty, but I have been unable to find a satisfactory replacement.  It must oppose the demonic notion of Dominion (Will would seem to fit, but I am looking for something with more flavor).  Any ideas?
4.  I have not covered the remaining sections (see below), but I tend to be long winded and unclear, at times.  If anyone has a problem understanding the preceding section or has an idea on how it might be spiced up it would be greatly appreciated.


This magic style will be used in a GURPS setting, but it can easily be converted to a d20 system.  I am currently working on the Rituals, Negotiations, Powers, Taint, and Miscellaneous sections of the style.  I have scattered notes regarding most of it, but I have found that my notions of how it should work have changed.  So, it's taking me longer than expected to piece all of this back together.   Thanks.

[Superfluous Crow]

Wow, this is a pretty extensive and detailed system! 77 sins, names and 77+ titles, as well as the interplay with Aspected Powers. Kudos.
Demonic summoning is a favorite of mine when it comes to classical magic.
I am not so sure about Argulite=demons, not a fan of the name. But that's a matter of taste I guess.
I can read the small text easily.
Liberty, Idea/Creativity, Freedom, choice, volition, independence could be alternatives to "Thought".
What can you accomplish with a pact to one of these guys?

[Porklet]

Wow, this is a pretty extensive and detailed system! 77 sins, names and 77+ titles, as well as the interplay with Aspected Powers. Kudos.
Demonic summoning is a favorite of mine when it comes to classical magic.
I am not so sure about Argulite=demons, not a fan of the name. But that's a matter of taste I guess.
I can read the small text easily.
Liberty, Idea/Creativity, Freedom, choice, volition, independence could be alternatives to "Thought".
What can you accomplish with a pact to one of these guys?

I am a big fan of demon summoning magic styles as well.  I was always intrigued by the original AD&D demon and devil pantheons, but I was unsure of how to use them.  Which was a little disappointing.

RE:  Argulites        
A demon by any other name would smell as sour.  Argulite is not a commonly used term.  Those who would refer to them as Argulites are likely theological or occult sages, and those who deal with demons directly are not likely to speak openly of them at all.

RE:  "Thought"
Creativity is a possibility.  Simply, the Concordances are supposed to relate to and support their opposite.  Creativity, being an extension of Creation (Creation-Creativity/god-humanity) could work nicely.  [Pause for Thesaurus usage]  Muse, Inspiration, Prophecy, or Revelation might work with Muse and Inspiration being the current frontrunners.  Thanks.  I had always been preoccupied with the idea that the opposite of Dominion would be mental, but surely inspiration and creativity are victims of domination.  Besides, the Thought aspect of humanity could be considered Truth.

RE:  What can you accomplish with a pact to one of these guys?
The basic list is direct intervention (thru use of their powers or minions), spell-like powers (works like a spell but the demon actually casts it), binding demons into items (creates a magic item that uses energy and can ultimately take control of the wielder), information (reliable or otherwise), renunciation of an existing pact to a lesser or opposed demonic force (the jilted demonic partner will be an active enemy and it requires a new pact with your new demonic contact), passage to Argul (not recommended), familiars (good for minor powers, companionship, and for spying on you), lesser demonic servants (demonic slaves of varying power), or tutelage in the Argulite Way (provides a truer understanding of the art than any text or mortal teacher can provide, but it'll cost you).

Each of these endeavors is going to Taint the caster to some degree.  Information and Tutelage are less likely to Taint than bearing a demonic item or foolishly entering the demon-plane.  And those that are exposed over long periods of time are going to suffer exponentially.  While Taint allows the caster to perform evermore perilous and intricate summoning rituals it also attracts the attention of more powerful demons; as the Tainted caster is more and more ready/likely to be dragged into Argul.  Once a mortal caster descends to Argul they either become a part of the Arguloam (the energy that perpetuates demonic magic), or they become a slave to a demonic power, called a Descended.  Pardon the digression.

I am currently working on the Rituals section, and the Negotiation and Taint sections will follow it.  This kind of information would be contained in the latter two sections, but that's the gist of it.

Thanks for the feedback.  I hadn't really delved into what a caster might be seeking from one of these demons aside from the obvious: power.  If you have any other ideas please share'¦