[center][h1][color=crimson]Brief Glossary[/color][/h1][/center]

[center][h2][color=crimson]Devil[/color][/h2][/center]

[center][img]http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/highschooldxd/images/2/2a/Devil.png/revision/latest?cb=20131016150946[/img]
[i][color=yellow]A group of Devil soldiers[/color][/i][/center]

[color=yellow]The Devils are one of the Three Factions in High School DxD, alongside the Angels and Fallen Angels.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Appearance[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow]Pure Devils look exactly like humans, albeit with at least one pair of black bat-like wings that can be hidden at will. Reincarnated Devils can come in any variety of shapes and sizes, depending only on what their previous race was.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Abilities[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow]All Devils have increased physical abilities, such as superhuman strength, endurance, with enhanced senses such as an increased hearing range and eyesight. In addition, as they are creatures of the night, Devils have the special ability to see clearly in the dark. Devils also have the ability of flight through their bat-like wings. All Devil possess a passive ability, called "Language", where people listening to them will hear it in the language they are most familiar with; and vice versa.

High-Class Devils are able to gain peerages, rule over other Devils depending on their family's rank and powers, Can have up to 15 "servants", which are represented by each piece in a chess game (Rook, Knight, Pawn, etc.). The High-Class Devil takes the position of "King". Lower-Class Devils are often looked down upon, and usually serve a Devil of higher authority. High-Class Devils also have the ability to reincarnate Humans and other races into Devils through the Evil Pieces system.

Members of High-Class clans appear to inherit special innate magical abilities unique to that clan, though occasionally descendants of those who marry out of the clan will also inherit these abilities. Like thoughts of the Phenex's Clan who have the power of immortality, the Bael's and Gremory Clan who has the Power of Destruction, and the Abaddon's Power of Hole. The origins of these powers are large unknown. The pure-blooded Devils who don't inherit such powers are looked down upon, even by members of their own family.

Devils also have the ability to cast magic spells, not limited to those in which their family specializes. The most common usage would likely be the magic circle used by Devils for travel, and especially to make contracts.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Weaknesses[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow]A common weakness for all Devils is that they cannot go near/get involved with anything that has to do with the Biblical God, as they will suffer nasty side effects (headaches, immense pain, etc.). They are vulnerable to holy objects such as crucifixes, holy water, and the Bible, and can get killed easily by Holy Swords and Sacred Gears with divine properties.

They are also susceptible to light which significantly drains them of their energy once hit. Also, intense light, such as the light-based weapons used by Angels and Fallen Angels and the light swords used by exorcists, can severely wound, if not kill, a Devil. Devils with higher demonic power, however, can develop a certain degree of resistance to light.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Ranking[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow]The Devils use a hierarchical system that is split into four different ranks. The ranking here refers to the hereditary title given to Devils base on their classes and clans and do not reflect on strength. They are:

[b]Ultimate-Class Devils:[/b] This class is the second strongest that Devils can gain by training or be born with the power. As an devils becomes into the class they gain a rank in the underworld as Satans, Great King, King, Archduke, Archduchess, Duke, Duchess, Prince and Princess.

[b]High-Class Devils:[/b] Is the Three class most of devils are mostly the younger devils who have yet to master their power. Includes Marquis, Marchioness, Margrave, Margravine, Count, Countess, Viscount, Viscountess, Baron, and Baroness.

[b]Middle-Class Devils:[/b] Is the middle class of new devils who have passed one of the three raise ranking. Includes Baron, Baroness, Knight, and Dame.

[b]Low-Class Devils:[/b] The weakest class who are usually reincarnated as a Devil or are just commoners. They are a part of a High Class Devil's peerage and serve one of the higher class. Low-Class Devils can promote themselves to higher rankings depending on their performance.

There are three different ways to raise one's ranking:

[b]Contracting:[/b] Doing Devil Jobs by granting the client's wish. This includes having a high number of contracts completed and/or receiving high quality rewards. Devil contracts will garner points over time, but it is a gradual process unless the human customer is someone with great power and influence (such as a president or leader of a country). This is considered to be the slowest method; also, a promotion through contracts is seen as more of a tradition.
 
[b]Military Accomplishments:[/b] Obtaining great achievements in times of crisis or situations. This includes showing exceptional ability or skill in combat. By defeating high ranked enemies of the Devils, such as leaders of the Angels or Fallen Angels, a Devil can be rewarded. This is the fastest method, however, this route is unlikely in the current stalemate without a full-scale war.

[b]The Rating Games:[/b] The last method is by doing well in Rating Games. This includes earning high points, public esteem, and opinion in official Rating Games. This is the modern path for ascent in Devil society, as it was designed to promote and train new powerful Devils. The Rating Game allows reborn Devils to hone and show off their skills and abilities against others in a controlled non-lethal environment. Performing well in the Rating Game raises reputation and leads to promotion. This is by far the best method to raise one's own ranking.[/color]

[center][h2][color=crimson]Evil Pieces[/color][/h2][/center]

[color=yellow]The Evil Pieces, also known as the Devil's Pieces, are a set of 15 chess pieces given to top-class Devils to increase their ranks by reincarnating other beings into Devils.

The Evil Pieces were created by Ajuka Beelzebub to help replenish the number of Devils after the Great War which had caused the death of countless Devils. While many Devils were able to adapt to the Evil Pieces, only the Old Satan Faction rejected in the usage of the Evil Pieces, believing them to be a disgrace to Devils for reincarnating Humans and other races into Devils. The creation of the Evil Pieces eventually lead to the creation of the Rating Game.

Evil Pieces are commonly given to Pure-blooded High-class Devils, so that they can gather servants of their own. Reincarnated Devils are also given the chance to receive Evil Pieces should they rise in rank and become a High-class or Ultimate-class Devil.[/color]

[center][img]http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/highschooldxd/images/4/40/Vlcsnap-2012-05-08-22h20m40s211.png/revision/latest?cb=20120630002614[/img]
[i][color=yellow]A set of Evil Pieces showing their relationship with their Chess counterparts.[/color][/i][/center]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Queen[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow][b]Queens[/b] are worth 9 Pawns. Queens possess all the characteristics of Rooks, Knights, and Bishops, making them the most balanced piece as well as the most powerful.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Rook[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow][b]Rooks[/b] are worth 5 Pawns. Rooks gain superhuman strength, leading to high offense and defense. However, they are not very quick, and can get beaten easily by a high-speed opponent. The King can perform castling with a Rook piece.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Bishop[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow][b]Bishops[/b] are worth 3 Pawns. Bishops gain enhanced magical abilities which they can use to conjure up a multitude of spells (offensive, healing, etc.). However, more powerful spells consume most of their magical power, which takes a long time to regain, forcing them to use their power carefully or risk becoming vulnerable to physical attacks.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Knight[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow][b]Knights[/b] are worth 3 Pawns. Knights gain increased speed and mobility, enabling them to perform high-speed attacks and maneuvers. However, their main weakness is their low defense, making them vulnerable to powerful attacks if they are not careful. Another weakness among knights are their legs; if their legs are injured, their mobility is greatly reduced.[/color]

[center][h3][color=crimson]Pawn[/color][/h3][/center]

[color=yellow][b]Pawns[/b] are worth 1 Pawn each. The traits of Pawns is the ability to promote into a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop in enemy territory (as seen in the anime when Issei enters the church to save Asia) or with the permission of their King (as seen when Issei asked Rias for permission to promote before fighting Riser to break off the engagement).[/color]