Principalities (comics)
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The Principalities are a fictional kind of supernatural being featured in several Marvel Comics stories. They were first mentioned in writer Stan Lee's run of Doctor Strange stories in the Strange Tales comic book series in the 1960’s and developed later by Lee and other writers. Note that the term ‘Principalities’ was coined in recent editions of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and was not in use in the original comics, which referred to these beings as ‘mystic entities’ and other irregular terms.
[edit] Fictional character biography
Little is known about the Principalities. It is known that they are beings of great magical power who grant specific magic spells to sorcerers who call upon them (apparently in an indiscriminated manner) and occasionally act as patrons to specific individuals, granting them special powers or aid in return for their servitude. The Principalities should not be confused with either gods or cosmic entities. Some of them might be demons. It is possible that they were once lesser beings who greatly increased their powers; this was the case with Dormammu and may have been the case with Agamotto.
Among the best known Principalities are:
-The Vishanti, a trio composed of Agammotto The All-Seeing, Oshtur the Bright Lady, and Hoary Hoggoth. They are three separate beings but they often act together; they’re invoked for power both as a trinity and independently. They are best known for their patronage of benevolent sorcerers (apparently a rarity; most Principalities seem to be neither good nor evil.) The Vishanti seem to be opposed by another trio of mystical entities, the Trinity of Ashes, who may be Principalities as well. Dr. Strange often calls upon them, though once, he refused to serve them in a millennia-long war and they withdrew their patronage, greatly reducing his powers for a time. First mentioned: Strange Tales #115.'
-Dormammu (and his sister, Umar) were once part of an extradimensional race called the Faltine (The Faltine themselves seem to be Principalities). Exiled from their home dimension, the siblings came to the so-called “Dark Dimension” where Dormammu eventually became the ruler, and absorbed the power of a great mystical flame, gaining his present god-like powers. Dr. Strange actually called on Dormammu’s powers before discovering what an evil being he was. First appearance: Strange Tales # 126.
Other Principalities known (some of them only by name) include:
-Cyttorak, a crimson crystaline being, known for granting the spells ‘The Crimson Bands of Cittorak’, ‘The Crimson Crystals of Cittorak’, and ‘The Crimson Circle of Cittorak’.
-The Seraphim, who grant the ‘Shield of the Seraphim’ and the ‘Light of the Seraphim’. Note: connection to the seraphim, if any, currently unknown.
-The Faltine, magical energy beings who grant the ‘Flames of the Faltine’.
-Ikonn, a strange green entity (possibly a demon) who grants the ‘Illusions of Ikkon’.
-Valtorr, who grants the ‘Vapors of Valtorr’.
-Munnopur, who grants the ‘Mists of Munnopur’.
-Watoomb, a mage who grants the ‘Winds of Watoomb’, and created the ‘Wand of Watoomb’, a powerful artifact that mages often fight over.
-Cynnibus, who provides the ‘Seven Suns of Cynnibus’.
-Ikthalon, an icy being (may be a demon) who grants the ‘Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon’.
-Farallah, who grants the ‘Fangs of Farallah’.
-Raggadorr, who grants the ‘Rings of Raggadorr’.
-Krakkan, who grants the ‘Chains of Krakkan’.
-Balthakk, who grants the ‘Bolts of Balthakk’.
-The Tetragramaton, invoked once by Dr. Strange against Dracula.
Long ago, a group of eight Principalities (Balthakk, Cyttorak, Farallah, Ikonn, Krakkan, Raggadorr, Valtorr, and Watoomb) known as The Octessence, met to discuss which one of them was the most powerful. They decided to settle the matter by having eight mortal champions, known as the Exemplars, battle each other. They left artifacts hidden on Earth so that they could be found by humans, who would then gain powers from them, and would later be forced to fight each other. The first of these artifacts, the Crimson Ruby of Cyttorak, was found by the man who would become the Juggernaut. The other artifacts were not activated until years later. Forced by a magic spell to cooperate until the “tournament” was ready, the Exemplars caused havoc on Earth, bringing the attention of several superheroes who interrupted the proceedings. The wager is apparently unresolved. (First appearance: (Octessence) Iron Man vol.3, #22; (Exemplars) Peter Parker: Spider-Man #11)
[edit] Sources
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe deluxe edition (Demons Entry); 1996 update (Vishanti entry); 2006 edition (Dormammu entry and Exemplars entry)
