Zamiel the Demon Huntsman

"HA HA - Somebody who wants to strike a bargain!"

- Zamiel delights in seeing a foolish greedy human

Zamiel the Demon Huntsman is the main antagonist in the book by Philip Pullman. Zamiel is the feared Demon Hunter who haunts the Swiss Alps on stormy nights. Every so often he will approach a greedy, power-hungry or cruel human who dares approach him, and grant their wishes. His main power is wish granting, and he can make a deal with them that they will keep their wish for at least ten years, after which they will have to repay him likewise. It is unknown if anyone has actually succeeded in repayng Zamiel, but the most notable case was Count Karlstein, a cruel man who wanted respect, and he went to the haunted valley where Zamiel was meant to be seen and he blew a hunter's horn, summoning Zamiel, and asked for riches, wealth, power, a grand estate, and respect. Zamiel mockingly said "Is that ALL?" and Karlstein enquired if he could have more. Zamiel then laughed and said it was too late, but he could keep all he asked for for ten years, then Zamiel wanted a human sacrifice, live, in the hunting lodge. If Karlstein succeeded, he could keep his wish forever. If he failed, then Zamiel would take Count Karlstein - which did indeed happen, Count Karlstein was thwarted in his sacrifice of his neices, and an angry Zamiel came to claim his soul, scaring Karlstein so much he ran forever to vainly try to escape the clutches of Zamiel.