Other Definitions
cacodemon (dict)
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CacodemonA cacodemon (or cacodaemon) is an evil spirit or demon. The opposite of a cacodemon is an agathodemon or eudemon, a good spirit or angel. Cacodemon comes from the Greek kakodaimon, meaning "bad spirit" or "bad demon". In psychology, cacodemonia (or cacodemonomania) is a form of insanity in which the patient believes that they are possessed by an evil spirit. The first known occurrence of the word cacodemon is from the 16th century; it possibly originated around the creation of the Enochian constructed language. In games In the first edition of the fantasy role-playing game Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, "Cacodemon" is a seventh level wizard spell. It was used to summon a type IV, V, or VI demon to the player character's location in the game world. The spell was omitted from the early versions of the second edition of the game, and was later revised in the Planescape product line, in which it could summon a variety of powerful tanar'ri or baatezu. The spell was eventually phased out in the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game in favor of a more comprehensive creature-summoning spell. Cacodemons are also an enemy in the Doom series of computer games developed by id software. It is a floating large red ball with small horns, one eye, and a gaping mouth that can spit fireballs or bite. The first cacodemon appears on the first level of episode 2 of DOOM. Almost every level in the second and third episode of DOOM has a cacodemon. In Doom 3, Cacodemons fill essentially the same role as in the earlier games; they again fly about and fire bolts of unholy energy at the player. However, in Doom 3 Cacodemons are taupe in color and possessed of much wider mouths and a row of several small glowing eyes, wheras the earlier versions were red and had only one large eye. The Cacodemon's design was inspired by the beholder and the astral dreadnought from Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, the artwork has been discovered to be a replication of an illustration of an astral dreadnought from the Dungeons & Dragons Manual of the Planes. The history of the Cacodemon has also attracted much attention in the Doom community. In fact, a plush Cacodemon known as Hissy exists, created by a member known as Chrozoron. This particular Cacodemon has been sent on a world tour to several Doom players, and is a cult icon in their community.
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