Defeat a Demon Lord in 5 Easy Steps!

Having a demon lord in your backyard can be both stressful and dangerous. Blighted crops, shadowy nighttime threats, and even daytime raids are enough to drive you crazy, if they don't kill you outright.

But there's still hope! As the original personal guard of the Hero Atticus, we of the Royal Rose Brigade have experienced these threats first-hand, and we've come up with a few tips to help you conquer your own demon lord the next time one arises.

Step 1: Don't Do It!

The first step is, of course, to just not summon a demon lord in the first place. Demon lords are bound to the demon realm, and as such, they are stuck there unless someone invites them into our much more peaceful plane with an arcane ritual that essentially promises the world to any demon who can manage to seize it.

No invite, no demon lord. Easy, right?

Unfortunately, if you're reading this guide, chances are good that you're trying to clean up the mess of some other soul. Keep in mind, though, that many people summon a demon lord by accident, or they're tricked into it for the promise of a tax break. Regardless of the reason for the appearance of your demon lord, it falls to you to put an end to the threat* for you and your loved ones.

*Note: I specifically did not say, "put an end to the threat once and for all," because someone will inevitably try it again. Quite a bother for the sane who remain.

Step 2: Mitigate the Damage

So, someone did it. They invited an incredibly powerful, nearly immortal, and absolutely malevolent being into our world.

We've failed the first step, and now we've got a demon lord consolidating power from his fortress somewhere nearby. He (or she) will send out waves of minions and destructive energy as he seeks to establish a foothold in our world.

Naturally, these waves of corruption can be a great danger for the unsuspecting people in his path. While finding shelter at a nearby Adventurers Guild is sometimes an option, these waves often strike fast and hard, leaving whole communities bereft of lives and livelihoods.

Against such a fast-moving threat, preparation is key. In a recent study, the Mage Tower of Ilcrest found that city walls reduce the average casualty rates during monster waves by 45%. In another study, researchers found that towns that had a well-kept temple, staffed with even just two or three priests to heal injuries and purify corruption, reduced deaths during demon incursions by an average of 23%.

But it takes time to build a wall or a temple, and even more time to adequately staff them against a monster wave. That's why it's so important to prepare for a demon lord incursion far in advance!

While it is true that such endeavors take significant monetary and manpower commitments, there are resources available to provide these lifesaving amenities to even the humblest of villages. Royal Rose is a proud partner of No Town Left Behind, a philanthropic organization that provides labor, funds, and materials to build walls and otherwise shore up the defenses of underprivileged villages. If you know of a town in need, simply contact your local Adventurers Guild to refer them for the program.

Step 3: Find the Hero

Every time a demon lord is summoned, a Hero is also chosen to lead the charge against the forces of evil and, eventually, deal the final blow to the demon lord. But the Hero is not just any normal mortal, for he (or she) is granted great powers from the gods to counter the might of the demon lord. Historically, the Hero's powers have taken many forms, seemingly tailored both to the specific demon lord that is summoned and to the Hero's unique personality.

But why can't a normal mortal take up the mantle without the gods' blessing? They've certainly tried, and many more mundane heroes have done much good in the campaign against evil. But the nature of a Hero is to counter the specific threat posed by the demon lord. "The gods of our world enforce a balance to keep the immense forces of nature in check," Atticus once explained, "To maintain that balance, whenever a demon lord is summoned to this plane, the gods imbue a mortal with potential that meets or surpasses that of the demon summoned."

Basically, as a dwarven friend summarized, "You can dig for ore with a garden hoe or a pickaxe, but in the end, the pickaxe will get more gold. The right tool makes all the difference." Heroes are the right tool for their particular demon lord. They're neither hoe nor pickaxe, but more like one of those steam-powered drills developed by the gnomes, tailor-made to do the task with overwhelming efficiency.

So, the gods provide us with a Hero to combat the demon lord. The problem is, how do we find him? Unfortunately, there is no divine message written in the clouds with directions to the Hero's home. The only answer is to keep our eyes open for signs that someone has been blessed by the gods, including the following:

1. Honor: The Hero is always someone of upstanding moral character. Maybe their early life was completely unremarkable, but they've always stood up for what was right, no matter the consequences.
2. Strength: Whether he was a warrior or a farmer before the demon lord's arrival, the Hero will find that he suddenly has inexplicable strength. Feats of strength will herald each Hero's rise, but not always physically. Records of the Hero Kairus describe him as "possessing an exceeding and unwavering mental fortitude," even though his body was wracked by age. His mental strength proved invaluable when facing the mind wraiths of Var'nixal.
3. Charisma: The Hero must be able to inspire others and gather worthy companions to aid him in his quest. His strong personality and sense of purpose lend him the unmistakable air of a leader.

If you find someone possessing these traits in great abundance and you suspect they may be the Hero, notify your local Adventurers Guild and encourage the potential Hero to submit to their tests. Once the gods confirm the Hero's role, he can begin his quest to cast evil from the land.

Step 4: Support the Hero

Every Hero, whether prince or pauper originally, will require help to succeed in his quest. Your role in his quest may be as minor as that of a merchant selling toiletries, or as major as a personal companion to the Hero. Whatever your role, the Hero needs your help to bear the immense burden that is placed on his shoulders.

While traveling with the Hero Atticus, the Royal Rose Brigade supped on rations and whole meals that warmed our hearts and strengthened our bodies. These meals were provided at low or no cost by common citizens, but to us they were no common gift. Without that sustenance, we and the Hero would have been too weak to fight, and the quest would have fallen to ruin.

Who sharpened our weapons and repaired our armor? Who gave us pillows for our heads and stables for our steeds in the towns and villages we passed through? Who laughed with us in victory and mourned with us in defeat?

You did. Those with noble souls, with or without noble blood. It is your support that permits the warriors to continue the fight and the Heroes to win the fight.

Step 5: Recover and Rebuild

Just because the Hero defeats the demon lord, that doesn't mean there isn't more to be done. As the Sau'jian proverb goes, "There can be no defeat in death, except my purposes die with me."

The demon lord's rise can last years, and during that time, countless monsters overrun the land. Villages are burned, crops are trampled, and innumerable lives are lost. If we leave things as the demon lord intended, he will have been victorious in the end.

So after the demon lord falls, it falls to each of us to rebuild. Warriors coordinate with local and regional Adventurers Guilds to sweep the remaining demons from the land. Architects, carpenters, stonemasons, and even mages work together to restore walls and buildings. Neighbors share supplies and shelter. Druids heal the land, and farmers sow new seed.

Together, we can defeat the demon lord and restore peace to our world. The road will be long, but as we work together, the ravages of the demon lord's reign will be erased from our world—

At least until the next fool starts it all over again.