Astaroth and Culsu by Sotaknuck on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Two major NPC of the campaign Gates of the Netherworld I'm running in Hyakuji High School.
The proud Demon of War Astaroth and the crazy and unpredictable Culsu, the Demon of the Gates.

Astaroth is blatantly inspired by Shinrabansho's Astaroth, with a personal spin (I admit I love the colors they used to define their Astaroth!). A small trace of a moon motif has been added as the goddess Astarte, whose Astaroth's myth generated from had as common symbol the crescent moon.
In my interpretation, she's the Demon of War. A tough, proud and battle hardened demon that loves the heat of battle and fiercely defends her domain. She has a soft spot for Mastema's Daughter, Heleth.

Culsu is simply that: a green haired demon based on the Etruscan Goddess/Demon of the same name. Traditionally Culsu used to be a powerful Psychopomp (a figure tasked with escorting the deceased souls to the afterlife). She was associated with gateways and snakes, but was represented as a winged fury.
In my interpretation, she has complete control on portals and gateways, and can freely open them at any time. Simple minded, oblivious and annoying yet at times incredibly observative, Culsu speaks in third person, loves to confuse people, and may know way more than she appears to...