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Historia Daemonum draws from the Lesser Key of Solomon, a 17th-century grimoire rooted in earlier ceremonial magic texts. Its most infamous section, the Ars Goetia, catalogs seventy-two spirits said to have been summoned and bound by King Solomon. These Mighty Kings and Princes of Hell appear across folklore, Renaissance demonology, and modern occultism, each tied to a distinct domain of knowledge or power.
This book reimagines those seventy-two spirits for roleplaying, without locking them into one system. Each entry focuses on traits, not stats, and gives you everything you need to use the spirit at your table. These aren’t stock villains or obstacles to crush. They have goals, rivalries, and the power to shape a story through presence, insight, or mystery. Some lead vast legions. Others whisper secrets. A few just want to talk.
The format matches The Simple Approach. That means clean entries, clear traits, and no mechanical clutter. Each spirit is written to fit a wide range of games—historical drama, surreal horror, high magic intrigue, or something in between. You decide how they enter play. Their presence carries weight without forcing specific outcomes.
This isn’t demonology as dogma. It’s a toolkit for myth-making. These spirits have shifted shape across centuries of manuscripts, grimoires, and fiction. Here, they’re treated as story-bearing figures—alive in the sense that they mean different things depending on who calls them into the story.
Expect a book that honors its sources while making them usable. These spirits don’t hide behind complex rules or dry exposition. They’re meant to speak, threaten, trade, tempt, or teach. Each has a voice, a role, and something to offer. Their identity goes beyond sigils and titles. You’ll get motivations, personalities, and ways they might change your story.
You don’t need to know the Lesser Key to use this book. But if you do, you’ll see careful nods to its structure and tone. If this is your first encounter, think of it as an introduction to one of the oldest collections of supernatural figures still circulating in occult tradition. Use them to populate a world, spark a conflict, or build something new. However they appear, they’ll bring the same intensity they’ve carried for centuries.
Disclaimer
This book adapts historical occult material for use in roleplaying games. It works in fantasy, horror, and modern genres. It is fiction. If you believe it’s real, that’s your problem.
This Book Contains
This book is a reference and story tool. It presents the Ars Goetia with clarity and adaptability for roleplaying, worldbuilding, and creative use. Each section draws from historical sources while focusing on how to bring these spirits into play.
What Is Goetia?
A short overview of the Lesser Key of Solomon and its Ars Goetia section. Covers the origins, structure, and legacy of the text, along with its shift from ritual magic to modern fiction and roleplaying.
The 72 Mighty Kings and Princes
A full entry for each of the 72 spirits named in the Ars Goetia. Each chapter includes a summary of the spirit’s nature, themes, and historical presence, reimagined for roleplaying use.
Traits of the Spirits
Each spirit includes a set of traits that define how it acts, influences, and interacts. Written for The Simple Approach, these traits are easy to adapt into any system or setting.
Granted Powers of the Spirits
Alongside their traits, many spirits offer specific powers. These are written as story tools, rooted in their historical roles and designed to slot easily into different game mechanics.
Conjuration
A translated selection of original ritual material from the Ars Goetia. These invocations provide flavor and atmosphere for roleplaying scenes based in ceremonial magic.
Glossary
A reference list of key terms from the book. This section explains language used in demonology and occult traditions, supporting clear use at the table.
Bibliography
A curated list of sources that shaped this book. Includes grimoires, scholarly works, and references tied to the tone and method of The Simple Approach. Use it to dig deeper or explore new ideas.