A quick question...
So, which Pathfinder unique fiends come out of mythology and which ones don't?
I know that a lot of named fiends are based on figures from mythology, like Orcus, Pazuzu, Dagon, and Lamashtu are based on myths from various cultures, while others like Asmodeus, Belial, Moloch, and Barbatos are based on demonology and folklore. Others like the Malebranche, Geryon, and Mammon are based on literature. And there are a lot of others that I cannot figure out the origins of. So where do they come from? Just kind of wanted to know.
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Abadon is an angel of death, not sure if that counts
Ahriman was a synonym for destruction in Persia
Mephistopheles was the antagonist in the german folktale Faust
Dispater was a roman underworld god
Mammon means money. In the bible Jesus mentioned, that people souldn´t serve the Mammon.
Abraxas is an mystic word, used by gnostic sects
Charon was the Boatsman in greece
Baalzebub is a christian version of the name of the heathen god Baal
Baphomet was the demon, the knight templars were accused of worshipping
Kostchtchie was a figure in russian folklore
Haagenti is mentioned in demonology
Dolores spanish, the short form of Our lady in sorrow. Doloras has the nickname Our lady in pain.
Mahathallah is based on a demon in jewish folklore.
Those are the ones I know. At PathfinderWiki there a sometimes links to the inspiration.
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Nergal and Nurgal are based on the real-world deity Nergal, who was a deity of war, famine, pestilence, death, knowledge (his title of "the Burner" was taken from what he did to outdated books of knowledge), justice, equality, freedom (he seriously opposed slavery), agriculture (he protected farms from blights), and the noontime summer sun. He was also the father of the god of medicine for his culture, and is well known for the romance he had with Ereshkigal (which, in the original tale, had her as the dominant figure). The only reason he's known as evil is the ancient Hebrews.
Areshkagal is based on Ereshkigal, who was a goddess of death and the Underworld. Keep in mind that the Underworld was both the good afterlife and the bad. In particular, she is known for her romance with Nergal, where in the ancient tellings he courted her and fled and she pursued him. Until much later tellings, she remained the dominant ruler of the Underworld, with Nergal as her consort.
I wouldn't investigate further, really.
Probably easier to list the Fiends that are NOT based in some way on mythology/folklore/Occult
Well, I believe that all of Malebranche come from the Inferno by Dante, and the Archdevils are from the bible or texts like the Ars Goeta. Many of the names came from the 15th century, if not earlier, then were handed down in many occult texts. Of course, it's worth noting Asmodeus was also the name of the devil in DnD.
As for Demons, there's a difference in that it draws from other cultures the world over, as opposed to simply medieval Europe. Many come from classical Mediterranean or Celtic cultures, i.e. Orcus, while others come from the near East, like Lamashtu (who, I believe, was also a deity in DnD lore along with Pazazu). A similar theme run in the Empyreal Lords, although I believe a lot of more of them are made up.
The daemonic harbingers, on the other hand, I believe are mostly creations of Paizo. I don't know of any divine beings by names of the harbingers; by contrast, the names of the Horsemen are generally borrowed again from the bible or classical Greek/Roman sources. Additionally, while Szuriel (and Ragathiel) are not directly borrowed from biblical or Christian references, their names suggest that they are angels (as Michael, Raphael, etc).
Well, I believe that all of Malebranche come from the Inferno by Dante, and the Archdevils are from the bible or texts like the Ars Goeta. Many of the names came from the 15th century, if not earlier, then were handed down in many occult texts. Of course, it's worth noting Asmodeus was also the name of the devil in DnD.
As for Demons, there's a difference in that it draws from other cultures the world over, as opposed to simply medieval Europe. Many come from classical Mediterranean or Celtic cultures, i.e. Orcus, while others come from the near East, like Lamashtu (who, I believe, was also a deity in DnD lore along with Pazazu). A similar theme run in the Empyreal Lords, although I believe a lot of more of them are made up.
The daemonic harbingers, on the other hand, I believe are mostly creations of Paizo. I don't know of any divine beings by names of the harbingers; by contrast, the names of the Horsemen are generally borrowed again from the bible or classical Greek/Roman sources. Additionally, while Szuriel (and Ragathiel) are not directly borrowed from biblical or Christian references, their names suggest that they are angels (as Michael, Raphael, etc).
Maybe Ragathiel is based on Raguel.
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Maybe Ragathiel is based on Raguel.Well, I believe that all of Malebranche come from the Inferno by Dante, and the Archdevils are from the bible or texts like the Ars Goeta. Many of the names came from the 15th century, if not earlier, then were handed down in many occult texts. Of course, it's worth noting Asmodeus was also the name of the devil in DnD.
As for Demons, there's a difference in that it draws from other cultures the world over, as opposed to simply medieval Europe. Many come from classical Mediterranean or Celtic cultures, i.e. Orcus, while others come from the near East, like Lamashtu (who, I believe, was also a deity in DnD lore along with Pazazu). A similar theme run in the Empyreal Lords, although I believe a lot of more of them are made up.
The daemonic harbingers, on the other hand, I believe are mostly creations of Paizo. I don't know of any divine beings by names of the harbingers; by contrast, the names of the Horsemen are generally borrowed again from the bible or classical Greek/Roman sources. Additionally, while Szuriel (and Ragathiel) are not directly borrowed from biblical or Christian references, their names suggest that they are angels (as Michael, Raphael, etc).
My guess is that he based largely on Michael, not due to similarities in backstory but to their militant dedication to destroying Satan/Asmodeus/Hell/etc.'s forces.
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Yeah, most of the demon lords and archdevils are based off old mythological figures.
It kinda ties into the "demonization" of pagan deities that the Jewish and Christians often indulged in.
Dolores spanish, the short form of Our lady in sorrow. Doloras has the nickname Our lady in pain.
It may reference this poem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolores_%28Notre-Dame_des_Sept_Douleurs%29