Devil Variants

Devil Variants are alternative forms of Devil power apart from pure-form Devils. For information on Devils in general, visit the Devils page.

There are two known forms of Devil Variants: Fiends, creatures resulting from the consensual and contractual possession by a Devil, and Warlocks, humans which have formed a contract with a Devil in exchange for power. Neither Devil Variant is able to grant contracts themselves; a Fiend loses its ability to form contracts, and Warlocks cannot grant contracts, though they can continue to sign them.

## Fiends

Fiends are the more notorious of the two forms of Devil Variants. A Fiend is spawned when a human allows a Devil to possess their body. Doing so results in a singular body which is concurrently occupied by two consciousnesses: that of the host and that of the Devil. Fiends are an inconvenient product for both parties: the host loses agency and autonomy, and the Devil loses a significant amount of power as it is becomes restricted to the confines, needs, and limitations of the human body. It follows that Fiends are a rare breed and one which occurs mostly out of desperation and as a last resort.

Becoming a Fiend is a complicated process involving an extremely restrictive pact. Both parties must consent and establish terms, and once the forms are merged the effect is irreversible. This means that the occupying Devil now suffers the needs and limitations of the human, and further will die if the host body dies. On the other hand, Fiends have exceptional regenerative powers (due to the Devil's magic) especially upon the initial merge. Most Fiends have been the result of a Devil and a nearby human both on the verge of death agreeing to merge in order to survive: the human body needs to be healed, and the Devil needs to consume substantial amounts of flesh and blood to recover--more than a single human could provide. The Devil subverts this need by sacrificing a large part of itself and its power--including its very own form--and becoming mostly human (that is, a Fiend). Once in the host body, the Devil is able to heal it.

The most complex and concerning attribute of Fiends is the presence of dual consciousnesses within one body. Both minds and personalities are present in the resulting creature and can hear and communicate telepathically with one another at all times. Furthermore, both consciousnesses experience everything seen, felt, and heard by the host body--though only one can be in control of the body at a time. In most cases, the Devil naturally maintains control of the host body. At any time it may delegate control to the human host--but it is rare for a Devil to willingly do this unless conditions are stipulated by the contract. Given that most Fiends are formed in a moment of desperation, it is uncommon for such specifications to be made and typically the human becomes trapped as a watcher in their own body.

Fiends typically retain the appearance of the original host body, though some pacts have allowed for structural modifications such as horns or other attributes which resemble the original Devil's form. Fiends are also able to make use of some of the Devil's original power, albeit this power is severely reduced. Even so, Fiends enjoy increased durability, stamina, physical strength, and regenerative abilities.

Fiends are not allowed to exist in society outside of the control of the Elyrium government. While it is not illegal to become a Fiend, doing so conscripts one into the service of and monitoring by the Elyrium government.

## Warlocks

Warlocks are the second Devil Variant. Like their Fiend counterpart, they are the result of a contract with a Devil; but, unlike Fiends, they are at their core still human. "Warlock" is a label applied to any human which has formed a non-Fiend contract with a Devil. These contracts traditionally involve a sacrifice on the part of the human in exchange for power lent by the Devil. Contracts vary wildly in intensity, duration, and stipulation: some are one-time exchanges, others are long-term deals requiring small sacrifices for every use of a Devil power, and still others are long-term deals involving a major sacrifice for the receipt of reusable power. Exactly what power is lent depends on the contract and the Devil involved.

Partaking in even a one-time exchange qualifies one to be a Warlock. In contrast to Fiends, there are no long-term ramifications of being a Warlock outside the terms of the contract. However, it should be noted that contracts are supernaturally binding: naturally (unless otherwise stipulated by the contract) if either side fails to fulfill its obligations, the result is death. Becoming a Warlock thus not only requires some degree of self-sacrifice, but is also existentially dangerous.

Civilians of Elyrium are forbidden from becoming Warlocks, but employees of the Elyrium government may become Warlocks with the proper approvals for the purpose of public service. Contracts may only be made with officially sanctioned Devils, though there are few restrictions on the contract so long as it is not detrimental to the interests of the government. Many branches of the Elyrium government in addition to the Akademiya (under supervision of the government) employ Warlocks. The biggest concentration of warlocks exists in the EPD's Devil Hunting Divisions, which require magic in their duty of hunting Devils: becoming a Warlock is one way for those lacking the Mage Gene to be able to inflict magical damage.