The Dema City Council

Lore & Background

The Dema City Council is led by the nine bishops, each named after a vice or mental health struggle, such as Keons (representing death or finality), Nico (representing manipulation or control), and others like Lisden, Reisdro, and Sacarver. These bishops are not merely political figures but are deeply tied to the psychological themes of the band's narrative, embodying the 'vialists' who cling to their own struggles. They oversee the city's strict rules, including the prohibition of color, music, and rebellion, using the 'Torchbearers' to enforce their will. The Council's power is rooted in the city's isolation, with Dema surrounded by a wall that keeps residents from escaping to the 'Trench'—the wild, uncertain outside world. The bishops communicate through a system of neon signs and propaganda, manipulating the populace into believing that safety lies within the city's confines. Their ultimate goal is to maintain control, suppressing any signs of hope or defiance that might lead to escape or self-discovery. Key to the lore is the figure of Clancy, a former resident who escaped Dema and now works to undermine the Council. The bishops view him as a threat, and their pursuit of him drives much of the narrative across the 'Trench' and 'Scaled and Icy' eras. The Council's influence extends beyond Dema, with references to their ideology appearing in music videos, live performances, and the band's broader visual storytelling.

In Their Own Story

The neon glow of Dema's walls flickered as the nine bishops gathered in the council chamber, their cloaks brushing the cold stone floor. Keons, the eldest, stood at the center, his voice a low hum that echoed through the room, carrying the weight of centuries. 'The boy Clancy has been spotted near the eastern wall,' he said, his eyes scanning the others. 'He thinks he can break the cycle, but we have seen this before.' Nico, the youngest, smirked, his fingers tracing the edge of a vial around his neck. 'Let him run. The city's grip is stronger than his hope. The Torchbearers will find him.' Outside, the residents moved in gray lines, their heads down, their footsteps a dull drumbeat on the cobblestones, unaware of the silent war being waged above them—a war fought with whispers, neon lies, and the slow erosion of will.

Reader's Guide

The Dema City Council is the ruling authority of Dema, a walled city that represents a state of mental and emotional imprisonment. Composed of nine bishops, each embodying a specific struggle (e.g., Nico for manipulation, Keons for finality), the Council enforces a regime of control through fear, propaganda, and strict rules—including bans on color, music, and rebellion. Their primary goal is to prevent residents from escaping to the Trench, a metaphorical realm of freedom and self-discovery. Members include the nine named bishops, with Nico and Keons being the most prominent in the narrative; they communicate through neon signs and distorted broadcasts, their 'vialism' (clinging to personal vices) serving as both their power and their prison.

Did You Know?

• The nine bishops are named after vices or struggles, such as Nico (from 'Nico and the Niners') and Keons (from 'Cut My Lip').
• The Council's symbol, a circle with nine lines, appears in various forms across the band's merchandise and music videos.
• The bishops are often depicted with vials around their necks, representing their own struggles or 'vialism.'
• The lore of the Council was expanded through the 'Dema' website and the 'Clancy' letters, which provided backstory on the city's hierarchy.