XLV - FORNEUS

45 - Forneus - Appears in The Discoverie of Witchcraft, Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, The Lesser Key of Solomon, and Dictionnaire Infernal

FROM THE LESSER KEY

FORNEUS. – The Thirtieth Spirit is Forneus. He is a Mighty and Great Marquis, and appeareth in the Form of a Great Sea-Monster. Heteacheth, and maketh men wonderfully knowing in the Art of Rhetoric. He causeth men to have a 17 See ante, Spirit No. 13 Good Name, and to have the knowledge and understanding of Tongues. He maketh one to bebeloved of his Foes as well as of his Friends. He governeth 29 Legions of Spirits, partly of the Order of Thrones, and partly of that of Angels.

FROM PSEUDOMONARCHIA

Forneus is a great marquesse, like unto a monster of the sea, he maketh men woondeffull in rhetorike, he adorneth a man with a good name, and the knowledge of toongs, and maketh one beloved as well of foes as freends: there are under him nine and twentie legions, of the order partlie of thrones, and partlie of angels.

Original Text: Forneus magnus Marchio, similis monstro marino, reddit hominem in Rhetoricis admirabilem, optima fama and linguarum peritia ornat, tam amicis quam inimicis gratum facit. Subsunt huic vigintinovem legiones, ex ordine partim Thronorum, partim Angelorum.

FROM THE DICTIONNAIRE INFERNAL

Forneus, infernal Marquis, resembles a sea monster. He instructs man in the highest affairs, soothes his friends and harms his enemies; he has under his power 29 legions of Thrones and Angels

Original Text : Fornéus, marquis infernal, semblable à unmonstre marin. Il instruit l'homme dans les plushautes affaires, fait du bien à ses amis et du malà ses ennemis; il a sous son pouvoir vingt-neuflégions de Trônes et d'Anges.

Appearance: A great sea monster, often depicted as a whale

Subrace: Fallen Throne

Abilities: Rhetoric, reconciliation, language

Legions: 29

Rank: Marquis

Notes: Name seems to be from the latin “fornus” meaning “oven”. I absolutely love the image of an infernal whale, drifting slowly through the waters of the underworld, the kiln in their belly slow-cooking their great thoughts. This brings up the idea that there is a body of water in hell large enough to support a whale. Dante never mentions the relative depth of the rivers of hell, but we can forgive him for his lack of interest in infernal hydrography. To start, Forneus probably doesn't hang out down in cocytus, as its mainly occupied by satan. Dante describes the Styx as muddy and swampy so it is unlikely a whale would be comfortable there. The Acheron and the Lethe are possible homes for Forneus, but I think the Phlegethon is the most likely given his association with ovens and heat. Perhaps Forneus is what keeps the phlegethon boiling? 

Brand of the Tongue - The marked can perfectly translate and speak all languages. Use slowly increases internal body temperature, and bares the risk of overheating.