Djinn

By Crusader1307

 The somewhat iconic Middle Eastern myth that was The Djinn, is somewhat complex. Thousands of years old, it has many variations. Traditionally, The Djinn was viewed as the ultimate in Evil Entities. One of Islam's fables regarding "The Fallen Ones", they were the "original" Devil's. Condemned to Earth and the fires of Perdition, The Djinn existed in a semi-corporeal state. They preferred the Desert with it's many Caves and Caverns. They roamed the World seeking the ruination of Man. In later years, The Djinn were made into Antagonists of Arabian fable. The "first" Djinn was imprisoned (through treachery), in a brass lamp. As part of their eventual freedom from eternal imprisonment, The Djinn could be summoned forth by a Human. They had to "grant" a series of requests (wishes), upon after which they would receive release from their captivity.

In this incarnation, some Djinn were malevolent, while others were evil. One had to be very precise as to "what" was requested of a Djinn. They would used trickery to escape their confinement if they could. Although Djinn were male and human in appearance and mannerisms, this form was taken as a form of Djinn trickery. Their true forms were unknown. It was later in Western literary culture, that The Djinn were made female and made Objects of luster (lending some origins to The Succubus). It was said that if one of one's first wish was to free The Djinn first - then they would be obligated to serve one for life. This was a problem if The Djinn was evil, for they would still torment their former Master.