Category:Zarenyia

“Succubine,” Zarenyia corrected him.

“I’m not familiar with that term.”

“Succubine is a more general sort of category,” she explained. “A method of feeding. The succubi are the examples everyone thinks of, but they’re not the only ones, you know.”

“I know now.”

“There’s a whole— I don’t know what you’d call it … a phylum?— of spider-ish demons and devils, but many of them just have venom and enzymes and suck out liquidised innards.” She grimaced. “Bit uncouth if you ask me. Lacks the personal touch.”

“Your finer feelings are an ornament that suits you well, madam.”

“You think so? You’re such a sweet boy, Johannes. I’m glad I dibbed.”

– Johnathan L. Howard, A Long Spoon

 

Demons tend to be social creatures. Devils not so much. Though some devils content themselves with the scheming and politicking in Hell, Zarenyia always found it tedious and boring. As a side effect of not being invited to Satan’s parties, Zarenyia’s name seldom appeared in the more popular grimoires and spell books, and as a result, rarely summoned. So when Johannes Cabal called on her as a guide and bodyguard on an adventure in the Abyss, she volunteered with little hesitation. Though he did make her promise not to eat him, he did allude to some epicurean opportunities on the way.

So began the strange friendship between the necromancer and the spider-devil. Zarenyia never much cared for his long-winded reasons, she was along for the fun. Although Cabal took exception to some of her excesses, he never judged her. What more could a devil ask for in a friend? Especially since he gifted her her most prized piece of wardrobe, a pink angora sweater.

The second time Johannes called her up for a quest, he brought along some friends. At first, they were quite put-out by her nature and her appearance, and Zarenyia chaffed at their self-righteousness. But she had to admit they turned out alright in the end. She became good friends with Miss Smith, a witch with a bad attitude. And even the prickly prude, Leonie Barrow, saved Zarenyia when she was wounded, by luring in some rough fellows with bad intentions for Zarenyia to dine upon.

Of late, Zarenyia has tried to limit herself to victims whose actions and demeanor make them a terrible bother to others – murderers and rapists and such. No one seems to mind. It also means that those whose company she does enjoy don’t suffer an untimely demise, and thus may be around a bit longer for more fun and conversation.