The Notable Presidents

Presidents are the Goetia’s scholars and scientists. They reveal hidden knowledge, teach sciences, and are generally less violent than the Kings.

The dual-nature healer. Marbas can cure any disease but also cause it — the same knowledge weaponized. He teaches mechanical arts (engineering, craftsmanship) and can change men into other shapes. His healing/harming duality makes him one of the most practically useful and most dangerous of the Presidents.

One of the most recognizable demons in all of demonology thanks to Le Breton’s 1863 illustration of his starfish-like form. Buer teaches philosophy, logic, and the properties of all herbs and plants. He heals all infirmities, especially of men, and gives good familiars. He is one of the gentlest Goetia spirits — a doctor-philosopher with no recorded violent tendencies. His rolling, wheel-like locomotion is unique in the Goetia.

The most violent President. While other Presidents reveal knowledge peacefully, Glasya-Labolas is described as “the author and captain of manslaughter and bloodshed.” He teaches all arts and sciences instantaneously, reveals past and future, makes the summoner invisible, and causes love and hatred — but his primary function is killing. He is the assassin of the Goetia.

One of the most powerful spirits in the Goetia — dual-ranked as both President and Prince with 66 legions. Gaap can teleport men between places, teach philosophy and the liberal sciences, make men insensible (stupefied), and render men invisible. He can also consecrate items under Amaymon’s dominion and deliver familiars from the custody of other magicians. His teleportation abilities make him unique among the 72.

Ose teaches the liberal sciences and gives true answers on divine and secret things. His unique power: he can change a man’s shape so completely that the person believes they ARE the thing they’ve been transformed into — an induced delusional identity. This makes Ose the demon of madness and identity dissolution. He can also make the mad wise (the reverse function). The transformation is not physical but perceptual — he reshapes consciousness itself.