They say those who play with fire are bound to get burned.
And in Sorcery: Contested Realm’s next set, Gothic, you won’t be just playing with fire; you will be making deals with it.
Of the three Evil tribes in Gothic, Demons, Undead, and Monsters, none burn as brightly (or as dangerously) as Demons. Largely aligned with the raw and volatile element of Fire, these minions thrive on momentum, risk, and the intoxicating promise of power. But that power, of course, comes at a cost.
In today’s Gothic spotlight, we peer through the flame, past the ash, past the ruins, and into the abyss.
Temptation awaits.
(And spoilers, spoilers await as well!)
Born of Flame and Folly
It’s no surprise that when we polled the community across the Facebook Group and Discord, Demons came out on top as the Evil subtype players wanted to see more of first. Fire has always been the element of unchecked ambition, and in Gothic, Demons are Fire incarnate.
And while Fire destroys, let’s not forget it also liberates. It’s the spark that drives invention, the heat that forges iron. It whispers to the ambitious: take it, if you dare.
While Demons exist in earlier sets, the Demon tribal identity truly emerged in Gothic. Uncovered through playtesting, teased playfully out of the flames in pursuit of a single truth: power must be paid for. Sometimes with blood, sometimes with tempo, sometimes with… your soul.
But never mind the cost. Let’s look at all that could be yours!
Shackled…Until You Break the Chain
Take Shackled Demon, for instance, a hulking powerhouse bound in magical irons. On paper, it’s a terrible play: summoned Disabled, locked in place, an expensive liability. But with a nearby Spellcaster, those bonds can be broken; you just need to whisper in the right apprentice’s ear.
It’s a classic Demon deal: time it right, and you’ve got a brutal tempo swing. Time it wrong, and you’ve summoned yourself a very costly statue. It offers strength, but only when you’re ready to pay the moment it demands.
Blood for Power
Demons in Gothic don’t just ask for sacrifice. They demand it. It’s all part of the deal, and they make no secret of the terms.
Lesser Blood Demon promises power, but you’ll have to bleed for it. Summon it early, and you might seize the tempo. But the price is paid in pain, and you’ll have to hope that the reward is worth the toll.
Of course, exposure to Demons can be corrosive. The very air around them warps and curdles. Corruptor Freak makes that truth plain, soiling everything it touches. It might bring you swift victory, a threat that can’t be ignored, but hesitate or misstep, and you’ll find the rot spreading to you.
And then there’s Flayer, who isn’t so picky about where it draws its blood. It arrives in a burst of pain, lashing out at everything nearby. Friend or foe will suffice; its gift is devastation, delivered indiscriminately.
This is what playing Demons feels like in Gothic. You're feeding a fire that might consume you.
Demons Have Arrived
While we’ve lingered on the fiery heart of the Demonic host, Demons come in all sizes, not all of them are bound to Fire, and not all will demand a steep price. Some Demon lords may even ask nothing of you, content to sow distrust or pilfer ill-gotten gains. But, ahem, no need to worry about Demon lords just yet.
Demons reward those who thrive in chaos, those who dare to walk the razor’s edge between brilliance and collapse. When your bargain works, you’ll feel unstoppable. When it doesn’t…well, you knew the risks.
And yet even knowing the costs, you may find yourself eyeing their power, whispering: “Maybe…just maybe, I can make this work.”
In that case, sign here, Sorcerer.
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