Dæmonic pact

"The power... it was intoxicating, like a fire coursing through my veins, burning away the pain, the fear, the doubts. For a moment, I forgot everything—the torment, the loss, the destruction I caused. I reveled in it, in the strength, in the clarity, in the control. But now, with the dæmon gone, I see it for what it truly was—a curse wrapped in sweetness. I was a fool to think I could wield such power without paying the price."

— The cured mortal.

Transmission & Vectors

The beings of Nav, known as dæmons, occasionally manage to escape the realm of the dead right under Eilue's watch. These creatures slip into the world of the living, seeking out a victim with whom they can form a pact. This pact grants the mortal strength borrowed from the dæmon itself, a power that enhances their abilities beyond the natural limits of their kind. In exchange, the dæmon is shielded from any threat of being pulled back into Nav, as the gods are forbidden from interfering with the lives of mortals. Thus, the pact becomes a delicate balance, where the dæmon’s influence is woven into the mortal’s very essence, often with consequences far darker than initially perceived.

Causes

The pact with a dæmon must be spoken aloud, the name of the demon uttered clearly by the mortal who seeks its power. This spoken vow is the key that binds them, a verbal bridge between the living and the realm of Nav. Once the name is spoken, the demon's essence begins to intertwine with the mortal’s, granting them strength beyond their own, but also marking them forever. The act of speaking the demon's name seals the agreement, and from that moment on, both parties are bound by the terms of the pact, the dæmon's power flowing through the mortal’s veins, while the dæmon itself is safeguarded from any divine retribution, as the gods are powerless to interfere.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a pact vary greatly among individuals, and they also depend on the nature and abilities of the dæmon involved. These manifestations often take the form of visual mutations, such as changes in eye color, hair, or skin tone. There may also be alterations in the individual’s genetic makeup, making them appear and behave more feral—both physically and mentally.
Psychological symptoms commonly include headaches, hallucinations, muttering to oneself, fainting, and a loss of consciousness. However, those who enter into a pact with a dæmon also gain remarkable abilities, such as enhanced healing, strength, speed, and heightened sensory perception. In some cases, the very essence of Archana—the magical force that flows through all things—becomes disturbed within the individual, causing strange phenomena to occur. Shadows may seem to manifest around them, smog can swirl in their presence, and elements like fire or water might behave erratically, taking on forms such as ice or steam. This disturbance of Archana is a sign of the powerful and dangerous bond between mortal and dæmon, a reminder of the price paid for such forbidden power.

Treatment

Healing or subduing the condition caused by a pact with a dæmon is a complex and challenging process, requiring a combination of mystical, medical, and sometimes even spiritual interventions. The treatment depends largely on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of the dæmon involved.

Rituals of Cleansing and Banishment

One of the primary ways to address the effects of a dæmon’s pact is through sacred rituals performed by powerful shamans, priests, or cult leaders. These rituals aim to sever the connection between the dæmon and the mortal, often involving the recitation of ancient incantations, the use of holy symbols, and offerings to higher deities. The ritual may also involve expelling the dæmon’s essence from the mortal’s body, requiring great skill and focus.
These rituals are incredibly expensive, as they often require rare ingredients, offerings, and the services of an experienced ritual master. They may take several days to perform and come with no guarantee of success. A failed ritual could cause further harm or even lead to the dæmon's increased influence or death of mortal.

There is little evidence to support the success of rituals meant to sever the pact between a demon and a mortal. Despite the widespread knowledge of such rituals and their use by powerful shamans or priests, most attempts to break the connection are met with failure. The dæmon’s hold on the individual is deeply ingrained, and the ritual often does not work as intended. Many practitioners claim that the ritual’s success depends on the strength of the participant’s will or the alignment of certain cosmic forces, but these variables make it incredibly unpredictable. As a result, most people in the community view these rituals with skepticism, though they are still sometimes attempted in desperation. Given the lack of reliable results, the cost of attempting such a ritual—both in terms of resources and risk—is often seen as too high for the uncertain reward.

Convince the dæmon

The only proven and certain way to break the pact with a dæmon is to convince the dæmon to voluntarily relinquish the agreement and leave. This, however, is an extremely difficult and rare process, as it requires the mortal to gain the dæmon’s trust or, more often, offer something of greater value in exchange for freedom. The dæmon, being a creature of temptation and power, is usually only willing to break the pact if a more enticing offer is made—be it wealth, power, or some other form of appeasement. These negotiations are precarious, as dæmons are notorious for their cunning and trickery. The mortal must be careful not to fall into a deeper trap, as dæmons may twist their words or present false promises. Despite its uncertainty, this remains the most reliable method for breaking the pact, though it often comes at a high cost and requires a great deal of personal sacrifice.

Prognosis

Since dæmons often feed on suffering, pain, or similar mental afflictions, the mortal who forms a pact with them is often subjected to prolonged psychological torment. The dæmon watches from the shadows, feeding off the torment, and over time, the mortal's mind begins to deteriorate. This slow decline can lead to an irreversible mental breakdown, where the individual becomes more and more disconnected from reality. The constant strain of the pact and the dæmon’s influence wears down the mortal’s spirit, often causing them to spiral into despair.
The most common outcome of such a pact is the mortal’s death, typically through suicide, as the mental and emotional suffering becomes unbearable. Psychological issues, such as severe depression, hallucinations, and self-loathing, are common among those who enter into such a deal. The dæmon’s influence makes it even harder for the mortal to escape the despair, trapping them in an endless cycle of pain. In the end, many fall victim to their own tortured minds, the pact a dark and irreversible fate.

Sceond outcome in many cases, the dæmon’s influence grows so strong that it completely overtakes the mortal’s body, effectively possessing them. As the pact deepens, the dæmon can slowly seize control of the individual’s physical form, overriding their will and actions. This possession is often preceded by signs of physical and mental decline, but eventually, the dæmon takes full command. The mortal becomes little more than a vessel, their mind pushed to the background as the dæmon manipulates their movements, speech, and decisions. During this possession, the dæmon can force the mortal to carry out its will, sometimes causing them to commit heinous acts or fulfill the dæmon's dark desires. In some cases, the mortal may be fully aware of the dæmon’s control but powerless to stop it, trapped inside their own body as an unwilling passenger. This form of possession is one of the most terrifying consequences of making a pact, as it results in the loss of one's autonomy and identity, leaving the mortal as nothing more than a puppet to the dæmon’s whims.

Sequela

The condition resulting from a pact with a dæmon is deeply pathological, affecting both the mind and body in profound ways. As the pact progresses and the dæmon's influence grows, a range of pathological conditions manifest, with varying degrees of severity. These conditions can escalate over time and, if untreated, lead to significant complications. For example: Mental Health Deterioration, Physical Mutations and Genetic Deformities, Neurological Disorders, Psychological and Emotional Instability, Self-Destructive Behaviors and Archana Disturbance.

Prevention

Protection against the condition caused by a pact with a dæmon, and the subsequent influences it brings, is not easily achieved through conventional means like vaccines, medication, or physical barriers such as amulets or neck guards. The nature of this affliction is deeply spiritual and metaphysical, involving both psychological and magical elements.

Epidemiology

The condition caused by a pact with a dæmon does not spread in the traditional sense, such as a contagious disease. Instead, it is an isolated event triggered by an individual’s choice to enter into a pact with a dæmon, typically during a moment of vulnerability, desperation, or temptation. The dæmon's influence is not passed from person to person but is tied directly to the individual who forms the pact. Once the host dies, either through self-inflicted harm or the mental and physical decay caused by the dæmon's influence, the dæmon will abandon the body and search for a new host. However, it is important to note that the dæmon itself has its own spirito-physical body and does not require a human host to survive. The dæmon’s presence is not contagious, and it does not spread through the population like an infection.

History

It is believed that dæmons are the souls of mortals who were cast from the realm of the dead, banished to the land of Nav, the kingdom of death. These souls, however, were so corrupted and twisted by their sins in life that even Nav, the place of death itself, could not purify them. Instead, these souls underwent a horrifying transformation, mutating into something far darker and more malignant. They shed their former identities, becoming dæmons in the vast, eternal expanse of Nav, and now serve the very being of death, Eilue. However, not all of these dæmons are content with their fate. Some grew weary of their eternal imprisonment in Nav, a place that, over countless ages, has become their only home. These dæmons long for escape, driven by an insatiable desire to break free from the endless cycle of torment and isolation. In their desperation, they find a way to escape Nav, though they do so without fully understanding how. They manage to slip through the boundaries of death and emerge into the world of the living, bringing with them their malevolent power and corrupting influence.
Once in the realm of the living, these dæmons seek out mortals vulnerable enough to strike a pact with, often preying on those weakened by despair, grief, or loneliness. This interaction leads to the dark condition that plagues those who make such a pact, as the dæmon slowly consumes the host's mind and body, leaving behind only destruction in its wake. While these dæmons do not spread the affliction through contagion, their influence can lead to widespread chaos, especially when a dæmon is allowed to roam freely, unchecked and unchallenged.

Cultural Reception

The condition caused by the dæmonic pact is widely feared and hated in the culture. Those who fall victim to it are often viewed with a mix of disdain and pity, but primarily, they are feared and ostracized. The transformation that occurs in the host—both physical and mental—renders them unrecognizable in many ways, becoming a reflection of the dæmon’s twisted influence. As the dæmon takes hold, the individual often grows weaker, more unstable, and sometimes feral, making them a dangerous presence in the community. Victims of the pact are seen as tainted, their very existence a mark of shame and corruption. It is believed that they have willingly surrendered their souls to dark forces, making them a warning to others of the perils of temptation and desperation. The community often views these individuals with suspicion, unwilling to trust or associate with them due to the fear that they might be carrying the dæmon’s influence or could succumb to it at any moment.
While some may feel pity for the victims, especially if they are seen as having made the pact out of desperation or coercion, the overwhelming cultural sentiment is one of fear and avoidance. The dæmon’s power is considered a contagious corruption, and even being near a victim of the pact is believed to be dangerous, as the dæmon could influence others or spread its malevolent influence. As a result, many victims are cast aside, living in isolation or in exile from the rest of society.
In extreme cases, individuals who are fully overtaken by the dæmon are often hunted down, either to be executed or forced into seclusion, to prevent them from causing further harm or spreading the curse. In this culture, the condition is seen as a blight, something to be eradicated rather than embraced or revered. The victims of the pact are treated as outcasts, with little hope of redemption or reintegration into society.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Thalarians