In folklore, mythology, and fantasy literature, fiends are often depicted as malevolent supernatural beings—typically associated with chaos, destruction, or temptation. They appear across cultures under many names: demons, devils, imps, or evil spirits.
Fiends are commonly believed to:
- Corrupt or tempt humans into sin or wrongdoing.
- Bring misfortune, disease, or disaster.
- Serve dark deities or infernal rulers.
- Haunt places of suffering or moral decay.
- Engage in battles against angels, heroes, or divine forces.
While modern fantasy sometimes portrays fiends with complex motives or even tragic backstories, traditional tales almost always cast them as adversaries of humanity and virtue.
Understanding what fiends "do" reveals more about human fears and moral frameworks than about the creatures themselves—they are mirrors of our anxieties about evil, power, and the unknown.