Baphomets: Rules of Use By Dijkstrawoo by Bizmass

Baphomets: Rules of Use By Dijkstrawoo

Story by Bizmass on SoFurryJune 2021~11 min read

Bizmass, Demon, Fantasy, HMOMA/, Human, Human Male on Anthro Male, Human on Anthro

Imported from SF2 with no description.

Baphomets, in order to be a definitive species, must have rules and constraints. That is the defining factor between power fantasy and power gradient and makes the difference between a good magic system and an unsatisfying, infinite source of deus ex machinas. Feel free to modify these rules as you wish -- I made this with the intent of a consistent and reusable system. You DO NOT need my permission on anything and I would really rather you not even reference this as if it were word of God (heh) if possible!

What is a Baphomet?

* Caprine demon entity (can be anything, really, but heavily favors caprine variants)

* Can have different rules and abilities depending on the story

* Usually sticks to the rules attributed to traditional demons

* Baphomets are shards of an ancient, unknown God older than the earth itself. Strength depends on the size of the individual shard and the personal growth thereof.

* Baphomets are named after an ancient deity. That's it. I did no other research on this. Almost all of this is either ripped from other media or ad-libbed.

* Due to being named after a deity, the species is also capitalized. This is not a grammar rule -- I just think it's neat.

What can they do?

Again, it depends on the story. Traditionally, we'll follow every other rule stated here to the T.

Baphomets capitalize on the rebellious nature of humans. Any counterculture that human society has will affect the most comfortable biology of appearance of a Baphomet.

* While Baphomets CAN differ, stronger / more comfortable ones are usually going to be of a form meant to evoke the feelings of being "forbidden" or otherwise sinful.

* Rather than traditional foods, Baphomets feed off of the psyche of humans. They do not have metabolism -- instead, their shard becomes larger and more powerful.

* Because of this, Baphomets are often likened to succubi/incubi -- there are very few things closer to a human than sex, after all. Preying on insecurity is very easy through sex.

* Baphomets alone can take physical or non-physical forms, though the physical forms are more limited in terms of power while the metaphysical forms are more vulnerable to The Powers That Be.

Baphomets have very high variance in power. It all depends on how large of a "shard" you want to make them.

* Some are basically just black-furred goat anthros with sick horns and a third eye,

* Others are hideous, multi-eyed beasts whose visage sooner resembles a Lovecraftian elder god than a goat anthro.

* This can be used for taxonomy reasons.

As Baphomets grow in strength, they can essentially "upgrade" or "re-spec" themselves freely, though they can't really be occupied otherwise in doing so.

* Baphomets can gain/specialize extraneous limbs/organs.

* They can set these parts as "remote" (detached and controlled), "reflexive" (detached/attached but AUTONOMOUS), or "rooted" (attached and controlled).

* Baphomets can specialize extra limbs/parts with abilities.

* They can attach spells to parts or dedicate specific abilities to parts.

* They can combine limbs and sensory organs to protect or strengthen the organs.

* However, the most useful option both tactically and in terms of raw power tends to be eyes. A Baphomet's eyes act as not only its casting focus for spells but general sensory utility.

Baphomets can make themselves physically impermeable (see: teleporting) at the expense of exposing themselves to The Powers That Be.

Rules of Possession and Turning

To avoid The Powers That Be, Baphomets can possess willing humans. See the section on the underworld for why they would do so. These contracts are also known as Demonic Pacts.

* They must enter a binding and clear contract with the human. Humans and Baphomets cannot disengage contracts unless both parties willfully annul the agreement.

* While in control with a human's body, Baphomets can do quite literally anything permitted (or "not forbidden") by the human within the context of human abilities and take any form. In this sense, humans are a focus of magical abilities.

* Only one Baphomet can possess a human at a time and a Baphomet can possess only one human at a time.

* While in possession of a human, a Baphomet's "shard volume" is effectively doubled.

* This is metaphysical volume. It is not a literal measurement of power -- take it as a huge power increase dependent upon the initial "shard volume".

* Baphomets that have possessed humans are known as Demons.

* Any holy book, if used in a way that enough humans believe in the efficacy of (i.e. popular world religions that hold specific beliefs on demons), is a strong weapon against Demons and Baphomets.

* Both the form and the means of defeating a Baphomet depend upon the most powerful religions of a local and global population.

Like vampires, Baphomets can also turn humans into weaker Baphomets. This can be for the purposes of consumption, partnership, companionship, or ease of destruction.

* Also like possession, this must be WILLING from BOTH parties.

* The Baphomet will almost invariably become weaker by doing this -- it is essentially breaking off part of its own shard to embed in a human.

* This is done through violence, sexuality, ritualistic underwater basket weaving, or some combination of the above. It really doesn't fucking matter. Whatever floats your fetish boat.

Sub-variant: Taming

* This isn't really a thing I'd implement by default, but if your world's magic system permits, Baphomets can be captured and have their free will overridden.

* If this is possible one-way, I personally think it should be possible the other way around, but that's my main issue: that would be the source of thousands of plot holes and possibly be way too powerful.

* Make your own rules here for that very reason.

Why would a Baphomet want to become a Demon?

* The Powers That Be

* Power magnification

* The feelings of flesh and blood, sexual pleasure, eating/digesting food, being able to feel a breeze on your skin, taking a shower, taking a hot bath, drinking someone under the table, or just feeling the blood of a human run between his fingers. It honestly just depends on the personality of the Baphomet in question.

* Pre-existing sexual relationships that involve a Human or Demon.

Why would a Human want to become a Demon?

* Power fantasy/disparity

* Health (BMI, illness, proximity to death, etc.)

* Feeling of freedom

* Safety through power

* The enhancement of all forms of pleasure

* Sensory manipulation

* Immortality

* The gratification of any number of wishes that a given Baphomet can grant as part of the terms of a contract

* Pre-existing sexual relationships that involve a Baphomet or Demon.

* Huge dick (and large penetration) privileges.

* These are referred to as "adjustable blood pressure" and "hammerspace" if you must take a taxonomic approach to it

Interspecial (And interspatial) Relationships and You!

So, you want to become a degenerate and be a human in a sexual relationship with a Baphomet. Here's what you need to know:

* Baphomets are very, very, very needy and want to be around at least one human at all times because of The Powers That Be.

* They are also very charismatic by nature. If you're not careful, a Baphomet can trick a fish into buying water.

* Baphomets are the very literal embodiment of dishonesty in most cases. They use contracts for a reason -- without them, they could not be trusted to keep their word.

* If you want a monogamous sexual relationship with a Baphomet, you need to do one or more of the following:

* Demand a contract

* Bind it in place by the magic system that your fictional world uses

* Marry it.

* Yes, I'm serious. Marriage is treated as a permanent and binding Demonic Pact that should be given its own special rules and privileges with context to the world that you're trying to create.

* Secondary perk: Baphomets have full protection from The Powers That Be if they're married and honest.

World Mechanics

What is the Underworld like?

If you're familiar with Warhammer 40k, imagine chaos or at least something resembling an extraspatial realm of souls.

* The underworld is a swirling, chaotic vortex of human souls that can destroy anything and can be used to fuel anything.

* Baphomets do not usually enjoy this for the same reasons that a bear probably doesn't enjoy being outside during a blizzard: risks of casualty, poor navigation, risk of destruction.

* Those who are bounded to the physical world are not affected directly by the underworld. However, Baphomets are special in that they can ESCAPE the underworld and re-enter freely.

* Teleportation and disappearance within the physical world REQUIRES traveling through The Underworld and thus becoming (more) vulnerable to The Powers That Be.

* This includes humans that are not protected by a Baphomet through a Demonic Pact!!!

* Even the weakest shard of Baphomet is a thousand times less susceptible to The Powers That Be than an unprotected human!

* Also, Demons are not as easily able to phase in and out of the physical world as Baphomets due to the meat shield adding conversion overhead.

What rules do Baphomets follow to stay in the physical world?

* The Powers That Be, Hellfire, Void, Underworld etc. are all nicknames for the swirling mass of human souls.

* Like gravity, Baphomets are pulled back to the underworld based on how far away they are from the underworld.

* The Powers That Be cannot operate while humans (a divinely protected and special race) are in vicinity.

* Note: this extends to anthros as well -- basically, anything that can be tempted and possesses sapience can protect a Baphomet from The Powers That Be.

* The Powers That Be are, however, strongest in areas with natural sunlight. An un-possessing Baphomet exposed to direct sunlight will begin to dissipate into its metaphysical form, making it much more susceptible to The Powers That Be.

* Likewise, The Powers That Be are weakest in areas with reflected, refracted, or strongly-filtered sunlight.

* For this reason, Baphomets are strongest in forests with strong overgrowth...

* Densely-wooded forests with heavy amounts of moss

* ...cities with nigh-constant or consistent overcast...

* Seattle, WA, USA

* London, GB

* ...cities with dense populations...

* Tokyo, Japan

* ...caves filled with crystal...

* ...or daylight with recent snowfall or immediate rainfall.