Scourge of Violation

The Scourge of Violation enables demons to extend their corrupted psyches into the minds of others. With its use, they can send out nightmares, communicate telepathically, or invade and root out memories. More powerful uses of the Scourge enable memories to be altered or created, and all manner of illusions to be projected. True masters are able to achieve effects similar to the Scourge of Domination, inflicting psychic pain, and more notably, to be able to so thoroughly insert their consciousness into a victim that they can control their actions, though this power does not work on other spirits.

## Mechanics

Violation involves demons touching their dark, twisted psyche's with the minds of their victims. This is intrusive and deeply unsettling for any who experience it, especially for non demons. Though individuals without telepathic abilities may not understand what is occurring, and will not detect the demon's mental presence, they will still be very uncomfortable for as long as the demon is in their mind. Additionally, all supernatural beings are resistant to abilities of this Scourge, especially if they themselves possess mental powers which they may use to resist the effects of Demonic Violation.

For the purposes of this Scourge, demons acquire the mental signature of any fellow demon whose direct presence they are in or who they are in mental contact with. From then on, they may use Violation powers on that demon at any time, regardless of distance. On other entities, however, most demons must engage in continuous instances of mental contact with their victim in order to get a feel for their mental signature, though the extremely skilled can do so with a single instance. Even then, distance remains a factor, and most demons must be within a proximity of their victim determined by their skill in Violation. However, any mortal who the demon has forged a sufficiently strong demonic pact with can have Violation powers used on them without concern for distance.

Any victim who is subjected to Demonic Violation who is skilled with telepathy may attempt to mentally fight the demon off, and if they are magically concealed, these powers will not be able to work.

## Powers

### Lower Mastery (Levels 1-2)

* **Phantasm (Level 1):** This ability is a simple yet potent tool in the arsenal of Violation that a demon wields. Phantasms are one way visions or messages that demons can send to any being whose mental signature they possess, which can be done over any distance. They can project any mental image, sound, or other sensation that they choose into the minds of their target. These visions will superimpose themselves over their current topic of thought if they are awake, or whatever dream they are having if they are asleep. Longer Phantasms require longer periods of concentration from the demon in question, as they mentally project the Phantasm for however long it takes to play out.
* **Probe Mind (Level 2):** This ability enables demons to scan the thoughts of a victim. The more shallow their dive into the victim's consciousness, the easiest this ability is to use. Surface thoughts can be scanned with the greatest ease, while probing memories is much harder, and rooting out deep, hidden thoughts is hardest of all. Of course, everything becomes much easier the greater one's skill in Violation, which is important if a demon wishes to use this power on supernatural beings, as they are much more resistant to its use. When used in conjunction with Phantasms, this power essentially allows for telepathic communication with those who lack the necessary telepathy to project thoughts themselves.

### Minor Mastery (Levels 3-4)

* **Warp Dream (Level 3):** Beginning their first forays into mental manipulation, Violation users are able to employ this power to shift the subconscious musings of their victim's minds. This allows them to not only enter the dreams of other beings, but begin to twist them to their will, warping a pleasant reverie into a twisted nightmare that wakes their victim up in a cold sweat.
* **Suppression (Level 4):** With this ability, a demon is able to Suppress certain facets of a victim's mind. Present thoughts are easiest to suppress, with demons being able to force their victim to forget what they were thinking about in any given moment, requiring them to think of it again later. This particular use can also be employed to prevent victims from encoding information they have just learned, as without it existing their minds to be recalled, it is effectively eliminated. Memories can also be suppressed, though this requires far more effort on the demon's part. Memories are easiest to Suppress when they are recent, and have not yet been encoded into the victim's long term memory, and if the memories are unimportant or dull, and thus easier forgotten. Particularly potent and significant memories are harder to Suppress, and are often beyond the ability of demons to Suppress completely, with the memories resurfacing after a period of time. This weakness can be mitigated by mastering Violation to a greater degree.
* **Violate Horde (Level 4):** This power allows demons to use Violation on multiple subjects at once. The more they master Violation, the more victims they can influence at once.

### Lesser Mastery (Levels 5-7)

* **Warp Memory (Level 5):** Advancing on the powers of Warping Dreams, this improved ability enables demons to alter deep rooted memories of their victims. Using this ability, a demon can twist the matter of a victim's memories to suit their whims. The greater the alterations the demon wishes to create, the more difficulty they will encounter in altering the memories, especially if they wish to do so for a supernatural entity.
* **Memory Walk (Level 6):** This particular power was devised as a method of torture for use against prisoners, or alternatively for simple demonic fun. In order to use it, a demon must have mastered the ability to Warp Memories. Memory Walk entails a demon forcibly pulling memories to the forefront of a victim's thoughts, forcing them to relive any memory of the demon's choice, including forgotten ones that are buried deep within the minds of their subject. Most often, such memories are of traumatic events, or of the victim's greatest failures, meant to bring their mental state to utter ruin.
* **Override Senses (Level 7):** Demons wielding this ability are able to precisely distort the interpretations a victim's mind has in perceiving sensory input. Essentially, it allows them to create mental illusions. They can completely alter what their victim perceives, making them think they are in a jungle being devoured by serpents, or selectively alter only a few of their perceptions, for instance, making a random passerby appear as a dead loved one.

### Major Mastery (Levels 8-10)

* **Crush Will (Level 8):** A supreme manifestation of the power of Suppression, Crush Will enables demons to unleash a mental sledgehammer upon a victim which temporarily shuts down every thought in their mind. So bereft of will, any thoughts telepathically inserted into the victim's mind will be instantly carried out, as they mindlessly act upon whatever thought is in their heads. After a period of time dependent upon the demon's mastery of Violation and their intent, this will usually fade.
* **Ravage Mind (Level 9):** This potent ability allows for Violation to be wielded as a weapon. After having mastered a suitable amount of Warping abilities, demons can learn to twist a mind so thoroughly as to cause severe damage to it. Any victim affected by this will often be sent writhing to the ground, screaming in pain as their mind is Ravaged. Once the process is complete, their psyche will be terribly damaged, depending on the Violation mastery of the demon who Ravaged them, and how thorough they were in the act. At best, a victim will be left with disjointed memories, shuddering nightmares or utterly numb to the world for a few weeks, and at worst, they will be rendered catatonic, unable even to feed themselves. Such damage typically can only be resolved by extensive telepathic repair.
* **Extract Mind (Level 10):** The power to Extract Minds allows for demons to disconnect a mental consciousness from a body, extracting it into their own spirit. If they so choose, they can hold it there, where the victim will be forced to endure the full force of the tormented consciousness of a being powerful enough to perform such a feat. Alternatively, they can also insert the mind into another body, be it a creature of the same species or an animal, though that will by necessity force out the mind of whatever is having their body appropriated, or else result in a terrible clash for control over the form. Which admittedly, some demons might want. The demon can also place them in an inanimate object, and while the victim can perceive their surroundings, they will be unable to act unless they have the magical power to do so. Any body left unoccupied by this power shall remain alive, continuing to breathe and have a heartbeat, but will be unable to feed itself, remaining in a coma, and will die if left unattended for too long. If death occurs, the extracted mind will exit whatever vessel it was forced into, and have the opportunity to pass on or become a ghost. Any mind left outside a body will be left disembodied, but will naturally be drawn towards their own, and will be able to attempt to reinsert themselves and force out anything occupying it.

### Greater Mastery (Levels 11-13)

* **Battlemind (Level 11):** An ability developed by the Greater Demons as they warred against the forces of Heaven, Battlemind allows them to telepathically connect with and influence entire armies at a time. WIth this ability, they can observe the flow of a battle through the eyes of its soldiers, and send them psychic urges to coordinate their attacks. Forming a Battlemind takes time and concentration, and cannot be done in the middle of combat, so Greater Demons who wish to employ this ability must spend time before battle begins linking with their soldiers.
* **Perpetual Probing (Level 12):** Greater Demons who master Violation eventually have the act of intruding into the minds of others come as easily to them as breathing. With this ability, they constantly Probe the minds of anyone who enters their presence, without the need to devote any effort to doing so. This ability can be selectively adjusted, allowing certain individuals the privilege of not being Probed, or turning it off entirely. However, few beings so mighty and so evil feel the need to do so.
* As Asmodeus has not attained absolute mastery of this Scourge, no Level 13 powers exist.