According to the 17th century field guide, Compendium Maleficarum by Francesco Guazzo, there are six main families of demons:
- Fiery: These demons reside in the upper realms and won't cause problems until the 'Last Judgment' arrives.
- Aerial: While occasionally making themselves visible to humans, this brand of demon brings about turbulence in the atmosphere that leads to destructive hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms.
- Terrestrial: The most common type of demon, these tricksters typically live in forests and knolls, lying in wait for guileless passersby. They can also secretly live among people, befriending and then betraying them.
- Aqueous: These denizens of oceans and rivers can brew up storms at sea, and cause ships to sink and swimmers to drown. They sometimes appear as seductive forms such as sirens and mermaids.
- Subterranean: Dwelling in caves and caverns they create havoc for miners and others who come near their environs. Earthquakes, wildfires, and hot winds are their tools of the trade.
- Heliophobic: The most malevolent of all the demons, they appear only at night. With just one blast of their toxic breath, they can strike a person dead. Who knew that halitosis could kill?
Source: The Devil by Tom Morgan and Genevieve Morgan