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Lesser fiends are able to possess objects out in the world. These objects are discernible by those who know what to look for, as well as blessed and those who are at least journeyman rank in Cogimency and Animancy. The lesser fiends are perciptible as a dark aura around the object, with subtle physical traces of their demonic influence as well.
When such an object is touched, the lesser fiend will attempt to possess the wielder. Those with a strong will who attempt to reject the lesser fiend will have an easier time resisting the possession, as will those who have been possessed in the past. Should it succeed, the lesser fiend will now inhabit the body of the character, and can be identified as a second presence within by Animancers, Cogimens, or divine probing. The character retains their awareness of who they are, but slowly begins to alter and become possessed. The object they touched will remain, now absent of any signs of demonic possession.
Some entities are immune to possession. Lesser fiends are exceedingly weak, and if an object already has a possessing entity inside of it, a lesser fiend cannot be made to possess the object. The same goes for people: even the avatar of a fledgling Spiritblessed’s elemental will be too strong for a fiendish possession to take hold.
Spreading Possession
Those who have been possessed by a lesser fiend find themselves able to influence others in their vicinity. This, essentially, allows them to temporarily afflict others with the effects of their possession. Those possessed by a Demon of Wrath may make others feel wrothful, Demons of Sloth lazy, Demons of Avarice make others greedy, and so on.
This is a kind of mental influence, and minds which would be immune to such tampering will feel no effect. Against a strong willed opponent, this may be quite fleeting or not be noticed at all as well. To a weaker individual, they will feel the effects of this possession immediately and last for a while - at their player’s discretion. This can only be done against people in the possessed’s vicinity, and they must visibly concentrate on their victims for a moment for the effect to be felt.
If you are Pactbound, and have a lesser fiend possessing you, it becomes possible to infect objects and other people with lesser fiends. This takes an effort of will and leaves your character drained for a time. Objects can be infected at a touch, whereas there must be a ritual element to spreading lesser fiends to people - only possible through certain actions when the victim is particularly vulnerable to it.
It is also possible for persons to be infected by wayward lesser fiends. Not strong enough to manifest in a corporeal form, but strong enough to take on a form similar to the common wisp, able to influence the thoughts and emotions of others to make them vulnerable to possession.
Effects of Possession
It depends on the nature of the lesser fiend possessing them.
Demon of Wrath
Demons of wrath aim for the more volatile, easily angered individuals. Eviscists in particular are targets for these fiends, but that is not to say they are the only ones capable of being possessed. They can weave themselves into the souls of those in moments of rage and fury, their soul too blinded at the time to notice the newcomer, and tend to go out of their way to stir such blinding rage in the first place to make the individual so vulnerable.
Being possessed by a Wrath demon will always make the host more prone to violence, and become much more hateful and unyielding. It does not take long for kindness and warmth to become a distant memory, and often it makes them cold and resentful of all things. Fighting and battle becomes a primary interest, but they also never seem to tire, as if constantly ready for such.
Over time, the following changes occur, at player discretion:
- Fully black eyes, or fiery red.
- Nails becoming more like black claws, and the skin of the fingers and hands becoming black in colour. This will gradually expand to the elbows and the skin will become almost stony in texture, in sections.
- Prone to lashing out violently.
- Lack of remorse, or guilt.
- Great thrill and satisfaction at acts of hate, violence, or death.
- Smoking from the skin in a faint manner and being hot to the touch, never cold (unless in extreme temperatures).
Their skin turning red.
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’re more than welcome to come up with something personalized to your character.
As your character gives into their demon, the demon will grow in power and sentience until it is a living, thinking entity inhabiting their mind with its own thoughts and desires. Talk to a DM about your lesser fiend’s details if you’re interested, as the lesser fiend will be a character that is shared between the two of you.
Demon of Sloth
Demons of Sloth aim for the greedy, lazy individuals. It is not uncommon for them to suggest they can help them bring great wealth, or have things done for them. They can also empower an individual to offer them a drink, in which consuming the drink (or food item) is the acceptance of the demon being given entry.
Being possessed by a Gluttony demon will make the host significantly more lethargic, lazy, and unwilling to help anyone. They are very greedy in all ways, yet lack the willpower to get up and get it themselves. They are uncaring towards others.
Over time, the following changes occur, at player discretion.:
- Eyes becoming fully golden in colour, or white.
- An unending hunger coupled with only minor weight gain.
- Air around them becomes almost hazy, cloudy, within a 5 block radius.
- Music plays around them, changed to whatever tune they desire.
- Profound laziness to the point they remain where they are for long periods of time and don’t move if they can help it.
- Skin taking on a golden shimmer, hair included.
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’re more than welcome to come up with something personalized to your character.
As your character gives into their demon, the demon will grow in power and sentience until it is a living, thinking entity inhabiting their mind with its own thoughts and desires. Talk to a DM about your lesser fiend’s details if you’re interested, as the lesser fiend will be a character that is shared between the two of you.
Demon of Avarice
Demons of Avarice are drawn to beings prone to bouts of jealousy, envy, vanity, and longing. The desire to have something you currently do not is a powerful factor, and so they trick the host by being accepted as an item desired and considered beautiful, or by accepting the attentions of an individual like a dance, or a kiss.
Being possessed by a demon of Avarice will generally warp the individual to be envious of most things around them, and to not feel guilt or shame in taking it for themselves. They are relentless hoarders and grow to be excessively power hungry, and focus the want over the need for something.
Over time, the following changes occur, at player discretion:
- Eyes become a beautiful, unnatural shade of green.
- They seem to become overall more beautiful, but also shameless, vain, and prideful.
- They smell irresistible, and those in a 5 block radius are more mesmerised than aggressive or neutral.
- All teeth become sharp, much like a shark.
- They are drawn in by beauty, desirable objects or people, and tend to help themselves impulsively.
- Prone to attacking people if they do not give them what they want, or acting in a hostile manner.
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’re more than welcome to come up with something personalized to your character.
As your character gives into their demon, the demon will grow in power and sentience until it is a living, thinking entity inhabiting their mind with its own thoughts and desires. Talk to a DM about your lesser fiend’s details if you’re interested, as the lesser fiend will be a character that is shared between the two of you.
Demon of Ambition
Demons of Ambition are drawn to beings who believe they are better than others, or driven by an unquenchable desire to be. They are often spread by the granting of an opportunity, a chance to prove oneself or be given the power they have long coveted, but with a catch.
A Demon of Ambition’s host will be quite callous, finding it easier to betray others or discard them outright. Shortcuts to power - betraying a friend for a short term advantage, say - will have never seemed so tempting. Should a Demon of Ambition’s host gain power, they will hold it in a stranglehold and never share it with anyone if they can help it.
Over time, the following changes occur, at player discretion:
- They grow horns atop their head, or if they already had horns, their existing horns become magnificent and huge.
- They have a healthy glow, like they’re in the best shape of their life.
- They grow taller.
- They stop being able to feel love and emotional warmth.
- Their eyes may become purple, or at least shift in that direction.
- Their arrogance becomes staggering.
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’re more than welcome to come up with something personalized to your character.
As your character gives into their demon, the demon will grow in power and sentience until it is a living, thinking entity inhabiting their mind with its own thoughts and desires. Talk to a DM about your lesser fiend’s details if you’re interested, as the lesser fiend will be a character that is shared between the two of you.
Demon of Despair
Demons of Despair prey on two kinds of people primarily: those who believe they are so beyond redemption that they can never be saved, and the severely depressed. To this end, it can take the form of something willing to help them end things on their own terms, or a helping hand who might finally pull them from the brink.
A Demon of Despair’s host will struggle to feel joy at anything, except spreading their despair to others. Making other people just as miserable as they are provides intense but fleeting relief to their own constant misery, sometimes even outright joy.
Over time, the following changes occur, at player discretion:
- Their eyes become a lifeless grey.
- Their hair starts to lose its luster, and become grey.
- They grow pale, like they haven’t been outside in years.
- Their skin is cool to the touch.
- They gain an innate sense for the source of others’ happiness.
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’re more than welcome to come up with something personalized to your character.
As your character gives into their demon, the demon will grow in power and sentience until it is a living, thinking entity inhabiting their mind with its own thoughts and desires. Talk to a DM about your lesser fiend’s details if you’re interested, as the lesser fiend will be a character that is shared between the two of you.