The rapture never came. Instead, Lucifer opened the gates of hell and released demons upon Earth. Lesser demons, their form similar to a cross between a reptile and a canine, and their humanoid demon brethren terrorized the world. Their might varied, though they often possessed magical powers or elemental control limited only by their imagination and will.

Demons and humans were able to interbreed, for humans are not far from demons themselves. Part-demons became more and more numerous, possessing power of varying degree, until pure humans were all but wiped out. The newly created hybrids varied greatly, from the traditional depiction of horned and tailed horrors to those who almost pass for human.

Bored and wishing for the company of his subjects Lucifer recalled his demons to hell after fifty years. Only the strongest, great demons, were able to resist and remain on their playground Earth, but the damage was done. Earth was overrun with part-demons and the offspring of the lesser demons who had not been born in hell. Society had collapsed and reformed, the new variety in the population and lack of government or religious influence removing many prejudices or inhibitions that had previously plagued the Earth. Technology had progressed, but there was no space age future for the people of Earth.

In large swathes of what was once the United States of America a great demon named Dantalion presides, several hundred years after the demons returned to hell.