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| Details |
| Author: | Athena |
| Summary: | An example of one of Pippinlopper's ongoing lectures about his study of demon manipulation and fel energy. 1200-ish words. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
In the open lecture hall of the Tinker Town gnome building often referred to by others as ‘the university,’ despite the fact that it doesn’t seem to have any actual formal education so much as cooperative, community driven instruction, a gnome stands on dark pink platform, speaking to a group of students. There is a very large chalk board behind him, which has currently been covered by a soft pink sheet of cloth and has a projection from a machine near it showing an image upon the sheet. Currently on display are large, bullet pointed words in an easy to read black type font:
- Manipulation
- Chaos
- Corruption
The gnome on the platform is small, with a bright pink beard, bright pink hair, and bright pink eyes. His voice is high-pitched, but pleasant and steady as he speaks at a slow, clear, and easy to understand speed.
“The key element is to remember the ultimate goal! What does a demon want to achieve? Much like any great scientist, they have established an end to their research. Every moment is an opportunity to further a hypothesis, test it against new data, and adjust accordingly. There is an effect that is being attempted, and each subsequent point of data is intended to lead to this goal. So, what is that goal? Well, we can certainly speculate on it further if we want, but in many cases we have enough data to firmly point with a 97% accuracy that they must further the goals of The Legion, and their own nature of destructive chaos.”
“Chaos is not inherently evil, by the laws of physics and some would even say dating, but the type of chaos we speak of when we examine the fel isn’t a little unexpected collision of elements into something helpfully productive! No, this is destructive chaos. There is no necessary balance here of trying to find a little chaos and a little order. The fel is dangerous precisely because it exists outside that power struggle of perfect order and perfect chaos. So! Why do we use it?”
“For much the same reason we use dangerous chemicals and addictive magics – sacrifice safety for power. But that doesn’t mean we have to handle volatile radioactive material with our bare hands! That is why we learn what we are working with, and how to protect ourselves to prolong our ultimate demise.”
“Everyone dies eventually, or succumbs to their own vices! Understand that your chosen professional use of the fel will not make you an exception to this. It’s just a matter of using the time you have most effectively and responsibly. What makes this more difficult than dealing with something like radioactive nuclear power, however, is that you aren’t working with an inert substance that isn’t trying to slowly corrupt you, that’s just its nature. With the Fel, not only is it its nature, but it is also its temperament and goal!”
“The primary tool the Fel uses for corruption is the demon summon. The higher you rise in power for summoning, the greater your risk is to put yourself in direct communication with the most manipulative of the demonic forces. Take the imp, for example. Such limited speech patterns and obvious predilection for destructiveness makes few warlocks susceptible to its manipulations. They seem obvious, and it can, in fact, falsely imbue the warlock with a sense of control. After all, weren’t we all warned about demonic corruption, and this little thing seems to have no sway over us? We must be very much in control.”
There is a thumping sound as the gnome taps a large book on a podium by his side on the platform he stands on.
“Wrong! Remember – you are never in as much control as you think you are, and only through constant assessment of your current state and sheer willpower to remain in control can you maintain it.”
“When we get to the succubi and incubi, we can clearly see the risk in such a thought process of that early confidence. Those who keep their demons out at all times are at a special risk, as they provide a copious amount of data! Let’s take an example: I kept my succubi out for an entire day that I spent with my sister, with whom I have a complicated relationship with due to our differences in opinion about the culpability of the masses in the destruction of Gnomeregan. I won’t get into that now, but those who are curious about my opinion on it are welcome to attend my office hours in their free time. Now, what is important is that my succubi spent the first part of the day adding in sarcastic comments about my sister’s appearance. Why?”
A clicking sound as the projection changes to display a new image with three new bullet points:
- What we say
- What we do
- What we think
“To see what I would do or say! You see, each and every point of data I gave her allowed Agwen to paint a picture of our relationship. Do I come to my sister’s defense, do I smirk, do I rush off and buy her new clothes and insist she change so my succubi won’t say anything mean anymore? All of this gives Agwen more information on how to manipulate me. Once she had her data from that, she switched tactics, instead choosing sly remarks intended to come across as overtures for a sexual relationship with my sister, and hinting that Agwen and I have one as well. Again to what purpose?”
The lecturer waves his arms around in a circular motion, and then shakes his finger in a single wagging motion to the attendees.
“To see what I would do or say! Remember, even if you do nothing at all, and do not react, you are still ‘reacting.’ There is no true neutral option to take, as long as you are being actively observed by your demon!”
“Well, I hear some of you thinking, what’s the harm in my demon knowing more about me, if I know to not listen to them. Because, dear thinker, your demon does not simply disappear when you are no longer looking at it. Your demon returns to a space where he, she, it, or they can interact with others, including your other demons, all of which have other ways of manipulating you. For example! As I documented in my study of this behavior for four weeks that some of you may recall from earlier this year in the spring, if you seem to shy away from interactions with people as you stomp about with your felguard on your heels, but stop to pet every stray dog you see? Suddenly, the next time you summon your felhound, it behaves as though it is just another puppy, and shouldn’t you summon it more? Don’t you want to have more power to be able to protect your ‘puppy’?”
“Manipulation! That is the method. Chaos! That is the structure. Corruption! That is the goal."
A soft chime sounds and the lecturer pauses.
"Aha! Perfect timing as always. We will continue our study of this method of interaction with our demons after we take a brief respite for nourishment. Post consumption — do not forget to hydrate well everyone! — we will start today’s differential diagnosis of what meanings and intents are behind some of the things our demons have said or done. Make sure that if you did the assignment that you are willing to share intimate, personal details about yourself during the differential! We can’t learn when we’re lying or refusing to add accurate data to the assessment! Remember, we, as warlocks, always have a choice in how we operate, and our goals do not need to align with our source of power!”
The lecturer hops down off his platform, his pink hair bouncing slightly as he lands.