| Category | Lexicon |
| Type | divine lore |
The term Demon Lord emerged during the tumultuous period known as the Abyssal Release, which spanned from 7777 DE to 8777 DE. The primordials employed this moniker to designate the commanding figures leading the widespread insurrections occurring across the domains of Piranoth's Steps.
Today, the term is used for the ultimate phase of demonic progression, signifying mastery over a vast domain or one or more realms of the Abyss.
When Piranoth's Steps was created in the furthest reaches of Chaos, it is said that the malignant forces emanating from this realm corrupted some of the mighty primordials. Demogorgon, Baphomet, and Orcus were primordials who became infused with chaos and evil, reshaped into the embodiment of pure destructive malevolence. They ascended as the demon lords, dominion over entire realms.
When we vanquished the primordials, we paved the way for this demon invasion.
Naraz-Nâru, from a mithril plaque at Ginbar-Karud - "From One Darkness to Another"
Some demon lords are also Higher Powers. Similar to the other members of the pantheon, they derive their divine power from followers residing within the Mortal Systems.