The abyssal magic refers to a form of dark and forbidden magic that is associated with the deepest depths of the abyss. It is said that the abyssal magic draws its power from the malevolent forces and dark entities that dwell within the abyss. Unlike other forms of magic, which tend to be more neutral or positive in nature, abyssal magic is inherently destructive and corruptive. Those who practice abyssal magic are often referred to as abyssal mages or warlocks. They are known for their ability to tap into the chaotic and destructive energies of the abyss in order to unleash devastating spells and curses. However, this power comes at a great cost.
The Abyss is a plane populated by demons. [1] It may be synonymous with Hell and the Underworld [2] (but is not to be confused with Theros' Underworld).
The Babe grew to be a powerful sorcerer and became associated with the Cult of Shadows, he taught the principles of his black magic to a small group of disciples who became his first acolytes. However, the demigod child, who inherited some of his father s mastery over life and death, did not die in the womb and was born healthy from his mother s corpse.
However, this power comes at a great cost. The practice of abyssal magic exacts a heavy toll on the user, slowly corroding and corrupting their soul. Abyssal magic is often associated with necromancy and the summoning of demons.
the Abyss
Early in Magic’s history, a lot of cards were designed and named not from world documents or deep-spanning lore, but simply by conceptualizing something from the culture around at the time. Much of the ‘nerd culture’ of the 80’s and 90’s had some element of the Christian Hell in them as a place of demons and damned souls, and Magic was no different. This was in the time before the concept of planes as we know them today were truly defined, and so when demons summoned by planeswalkers were pulled from Hell itself they were referred to as coming from ‘The Pit’ or ‘The Abyss’ as well as just ‘straight from Hell’, and that was all there was to it.
Fast-forward to the Satanic Panic of the 90’s, when Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering became associated with the occult and were deemed too dangerous for children to associate with. Wizards of the Coast pulled out demons and any references to Hell for over a decade, until the premier of Grinning Demon in Onslaught in 2002. Since then, The Abyss hasn’t been addressed much, as almost every plane in the Multiverse has its own demons, and many have their own underworlds. In 2023, Planechase finally cleared up the naming convention of the plane, however, and officially named it as “The Abyss”, with the other main name, “The Pit” being a location within it. Still, this is what is generally assumed to be known of the plane known as ‘The Abyss’ in Magic lore:
The Lore of THE ABYSS
The Abyss is a plane full of demons, fire, magma, devils, and all manner of dastardly and evil creatures. Primarily black and red-aligned, it is linked to multiple other planes (most notably Dominaria and possibly Innistrad) by either artificial or natural planar portals, and may be the source of Dominaria’s now-native demons in the same way that Rabiah and Wildfire are the sources of its Djinni. Throughout history, The Abyss has been visited by numerous planeswalkers, mot of which were looking to make pacts with demons for their service. Most notably, the mage Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar summoned a lord of the pit named Vincent from The Pit, but ran out of stuff to feed it, and was forced to serve him in the underworld as his personal chef for seven years and seven days. It is there she published The Underworld Cookbook.
The Abyss is home to a multitude of other demons, including The Wretched, demons who domineer the minds of enemies and force them into servitude for eternity; Belzenlok, an elder demon and master of deceit; and Boris Devilboon, a boogeyman and associate of devils. These creatures, along with their demonic brethren, fought in a gigantic battle known as ‘The War in the Abyss’ at some point in the past, and in doing so possibly sealed the plane off from the rest of the multiverse.
In the modern era, the Cabal of Otaria summoned forth the elder demon Belzenlok from The Abyss in an attempt to summon their dead god Kuberr.
The ancient Amalorian gods were seen as fallible characters who had the capacity for both good and evil despite their immense power and wisdom. The story of the Babe of the Abyss tells of a meeting between a sickly prostitute and the God of Death in a dark alley in Ancient Amaloria. Although she was dying, the God of Death was lustful and found her emaciated frame beautiful as death was his art. The God of Death, overcome by his basal desires made himself into the form of a man. He impregnated the woman knowing that she would soon be dead and the child would not be fertile. However, the demigod child, who inherited some of his father's mastery over life and death, did not die in the womb and was born healthy from his mother's corpse. The Babe of the Abyss grew up as a living relic worshipped by the Cult of the God of Death. The Babe grew to be a powerful sorcerer and became associated with the Cult of Shadows, he taught the principles of his black magic to a small group of disciples who became his first acolytes. In some retellings, the corruption of the gods by the Babe himself led to the fall of the Amalorian Empire. Around the time of the fall, the Amalorian Empire which was characterised by a number of raids, uprising and invasions, the Cult of Shadows and the Babe of the Abyss appear to have been destroyed and their remnants faded in the obscurity. In the present day, more than 1000 years since the disappearance of the cult, little evidence of its existence remains. Many modern scholars consider the story of the shadow-masters of ancient Amaloria to be mythical, however the rediscovery of the Tomes of Black Magic may lend credence to at least some of its elements.
Abyssal mages are known to have a particular affinity for raising the dead and commanding infernal creatures. They can invoke powerful curses that bring about ruin and despair. The spells and rituals associated with abyssal magic are often complex and dangerous, requiring great skill and knowledge to perform correctly. Due to its dark and destructive nature, abyssal magic has been shunned and condemned by most societies. Its use is typically deemed illegal and punishable by death. Organizations and orders of powerful magic users known as the arcane councils have been established to hunt down and eradicate those who practice abyssal magic. Despite its inherent dangers, there are those who are drawn to the power of abyssal magic. Some seek revenge or power, while others are driven by a darker and more twisted desire. These individuals are often consumed by their pursuit of power, ultimately leading to their downfall. In conclusion, the abyssal magic is a form of dark and forbidden magic that taps into the malevolent forces of the abyss. It is inherently destructive and corruptive, and its practitioners are known to wield devastating spells and curses. However, the use of abyssal magic comes with a heavy price, corrupting the soul of the user. Due to its dangerous nature, it is widely condemned and punishable by death..
Reviews for "The Lovecraftian Influence: The Connection between Abysd Magic and Eldritch Horror"
1. Jane Doe - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Abyss Magic." The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The writing style also left a lot to be desired, with excessive descriptions that slowed down the pacing of the story. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and not worth the hype it received.
2. John Smith - 1/5 - "The Abyss Magic" was a complete letdown for me. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, who felt one-dimensional and lacked any kind of emotional depth. The story itself was predictable and didn't offer any surprises or twists that could have made it more engaging. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and the writing lacked the necessary finesse to create a captivating narrative. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Abyss Magic," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot felt disjointed, with unnecessary subplots that didn't contribute to the overall narrative. I also found the dialogue to be stilted and unnatural, which made it hard to believe in the interactions between characters. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and don't think it lived up to its potential.
4. Michael Thompson - 3/5 - While "The Abyss Magic" had an intriguing premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts of the story dragging on and others feeling rushed. The character development was also weak, and I struggled to care about their fates. However, the world-building was interesting, and I could see the potential for a captivating story within the book. Despite its flaws, I believe some readers may still find enjoyment in "The Abyss Magic" if they can overlook its shortcomings.
5. Emily Adams - 2/5 - I wanted to like "The Abyss Magic," but I found it to be a mediocre read. The writing style was overly descriptive, to the point of being distracting, and it took away from the actual plot. The characters lacked depth and felt like mere caricatures. The pacing was also off, with some sections dragging on for too long while others felt rushed and unresolved. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "The Abyss Magic" as there are better fantasy books out there that offer a more engaging and well-developed story.