The higher (moral, magical, macroscopic) external universe is composed of six Demon Realms, a pattern which repeats and resonates throughout all creation and is mirrored by the (individual, microscopic) internal universe within all sentient beings capable of moral choices.

This internal universe is a sequence of six impulses that direct individual behaviour. Mediating between the internal and external are six Pillars of Capability that form the mind-body composite.

Game significance of the Demon Realms:

• The six-fold attribute/ability spread should be familiar to OSR fans. The Ability Scores themselves (the “mediating Pillars of Capability”) are used mostly as you’d expect, for task checks, saving throws and other random rolls.
• Impulses come in at the personal level; they’re used to tie freeform background stuff like personal history, relationships and so on into the rest of the game. All PCs have a number of lines of Backstory which are just single sentences that describe formative history, personal views, affiliations to certain groups, etc. and each of these lines hinges on a particular Impulse.
• Finally on the universal, cosmic or magical scale there are Demons. Each type of Demon is tied an Ability Score and is the manifestation of the character’s potential in that Realm. Demons provide all of the exceptional powers in the game.

Realm of Violence

The Realm of Violence represents directed force. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous the directed energy that burns away corruption and extraneous matter; and at the most base, absolute chaos and destruction.

Realm of Violence	Significance
Impulse: Forceful	aggressive, violent, and destructive actions
Ability: Strength	fighting; shoving, lifting, or applying force; restraining or hanging on
Demons of Violence	Demon Weapons and Demon Fighters

Realm of Durance

The Realm of Durance represents survival. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous fertility, health, and harvest; and at the most base, perpetual agony.

Realm of Durance	Significance
Impulse: Steady	patience, persistence, reliability
Ability: Constitution	working; travelling; staying awake; resisting pain, fatigue or illness; Body-based saving throws
Demons of Durance	Demon Armour, Guardians and Wards

Realm of Flux

The Realm of Flux represents dynamic change and motion. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous change and evolution; and at the most base, confusion and entrapment, and distortion of time and space.

Realm of Flux	Significance
Impulse: Quick	speed, balance, reactions
Ability: Dexterity	moving quickly; moving stealthily; manual dexterity; reactions and Reflex-based saving throws
Demons of Flux	Demons of Movement, Teleport Demons, Gates

Realm of Science

The Realm of Science represents understanding. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous foresight and truth; and at the most base, the boundless truths of the universe, and therefore the futility of mortal existence.

Realm of Science	Significance
Impulse: Curious	asking questions, insight
Ability: Intelligence	situational awareness; languages; spotting clues
Demons of Science	Demons of Knowledge, Divination and Scrying

Realm of Desire

The Realm of Desire represents dreams and imagination. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous the realisation of desires and the formation of new worlds; and at the most base, the inability to separate truth from illusion.

Realm of Desire	Significance
Impulse: Sensitive	intuition, empathy, feeling, the subconscious, dreams
Ability: Wisdom	gut feel and intuition; telling reality from illusion; Will-based saving throws
Demons of Desire	Demons of Illusion and Reality-Shifting

Realm of Majesty

The Realm of Durance represents interaction and leadership. The Gods of this Realm (if they exist) represent at their most virtuous organisation and moral leadership; and at the most base, falsehood and self-serving manipulation of others.

Realm of Majesty	Significance
Impulse: Vocal	expression, articulation, creativity, charisma
Ability: Charisma	intimidating, charming and leading people
Demons of Majesty	Demons of Command, Control and Possession

Summary

Impulses, Ability Scores and Demons map onto each other like this:

Impulses	Ability Scores	Demon Realms
Forceful	Strength (STR)	Realm of Violence
Steady	Constitution (CON)	Realm of Durance
Quick	Dexterity (DEX)	Realm of Flux
Curious	Intelligence (INT)	Realm of Science
Sensitive	Wisdom (WIS)	Realm of Desire
Vocal	Charisma (CHA)	Realm of Majesty