Compulsion
A Compulsion is an ability related to psychic magic wherein a command is laid in the subject's mind. This command can be either conscious or subconscious; either way, the subject is Compelled to fulfill the command to the best of their ability. Even when detected, a Compulsion cannot be disobeyed.
Laying a Compulsion is a complex process that involves delving into the subject's mind, particularly areas pertaining to decision-making and desires. The more complicated the Compulsion, the more difficult it is to lay. For that reason, most Compulsion commands are as simple as possible.
Restrictions
This laying of Compulsions is very, very illegal. House Voldr is known to police its use, and Voldrs known to have laid a Compulsion on someone (particularly against the subject's will) are either prosecuted or, in the Voldr fashion, are arranged to have an unfortunate accident.
That said, because Compulsions are often subconscious so as to remain undetected, Compulsion can be extremely difficult to prove.
Other Limits
A psychic of sufficient caliber may be able to remove a Compulsion affecting someone else. This requires a psychic who is fairly dexterous with their magic (or simply much stronger than the one who laid the Compulsion) as well as passingly familiar with the subject's mind. The exception is the person who laid the Compulsion, as they can usually remove it quite easily.
The subject of the Compulsion, even if psychic, cannot usually remove their Compulsion without outside assistance, though they are more capable of detecting and resisting psychic intrusion in the first place.
A psychic Block stops a Compulsion from being laid. However, if the Blocked mind is already Compelled, a Block cannot retroactively remove the Compulsion.
A Compulsion is a linguistic construction, so a Compulsion will not work if the subject doesn't understand the command. Compulsions laid in a language the subject does not speak will have no effect. Similarly, animals and other beings that do not have the capacity for language cannot be Compelled.
Compulsions cannot be disobeyed, but they can be resisted. Subjects aware of their Compulsion may take pains to reinterpret the command, exploit loopholes, or circumvent their own actions.
Compulsions cannot affect a person's core motivations, beliefs, or personality. One cannot be Compelled to feel a certain way about something (such as love or hatred). Compulsions apply only to external, executable actions.
Side/Secondary Effects
Most subjects of subconscious Compulsions report a sensation like "ringing in the ears" or "constant, distant whispering," indicating that they are able to sense the Compulsion, even if not aware of what it is.
Source
This ability is most commonly attributed to the psychic magic of House Voldr, but is also achievable by other means, such as sorcery or ritual magic. However, laying a Compulsion is a complex psychic process, so it is difficult for non-psychics to achieve.
Related Organizations
Related Discipline
Psychic Magic
Effect Duration
Indefinite, until magically removed by someone who is not the subject
Effect Casting Time
Varies--usually several minutes
Range
Touch, or unlimited distance through a familiar mental signature
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