The Bovo Popuo

[aldarron]

Isn't gonzo is what Blackmoor is all about?

Heh, well yeah there is that..

In the original game, one guy played an Efreet. We have also debated the Gin of Salik, even though he might not be an actual Djinn.

Efreet - I missed that. Do you know who?

Again, I was inclined to disagree at first, but there is more than one way to look at this. The generally accepted version is that Balrogs became Demon Type IV (later Roaring Demons in BECMI and Balors in AD&D) after the Tolkien Estate Lawsuit.

However, in the original Blackmoor and Greyhawk campaigns, Balrogs were the only type of demon. This means, that going by later editions, you could replace Balrogs with a number of creatures, ranging from the very powerful to the weaker, but yet utterly evil beings. Most BECMI Demons are incredibly powerful, but there is the Ostegos (Death Demon) and Imps which are more on par with mortal level heroes. So with this understanding, I dont think our views are in conflict.
-Havard

That's seems a sensible approach, although I think I might be more comfortable with the "devils" label than the demons one. Seems a little silly perhaps, but devil is somehow more generic.

Upon reflection I realized part of my objection to the demon label is because of what demons are supposed to be - that is immortal, indestructable, evil angels; magical spirits with incredible powers able to manifest in flesh at will or vice versa.

I've also never bought the "Maiar are angels" argument. Sure, Tolkien was Catholic, but the maiar are clearly very different from angels, in the judeo christian sense. I think they have at least as much in common with the Aesir and Vanir. That is, they are god-like, but made of flesh and can be killed, permanently. Balrogs seem to me more as children of Loki than Azazel and Balzebub, and Gandalf reminds me more of Odin and Njodr than Michael and Gabriel,