IN> Death Junkies

[James Walker]

Large numbers of ethereals are created by the human
desire for someone to kill. Often, this will be a
famous figure, such as a politician of a rival party.
Other times, it will be a generic member of a hated
group. And occasionally a special individual for a
ritual killing, such as a red headed king.
Few of these figments survive within their original
dreamscapes, much less outside. But those that do are
fascinated with the idea of their own deaths, addicted
to the thrill of Ethereal and Corporeal obliteration.
And they have attracted the attention of the demons of
Drugs, who train them up and then sell them to Death.

A trained Death Junkie needs 6 Forces, to be strong
enough to trigger Saminga's "kill the vessel of a
being with more than 5 Forces" Rite. They also need a
Will of 12 to avoid losing Forces to Trauma. Vessels
are not a problem; a single essence will pay for a
vessel loaded down with vessel Discord – inevitably
including Aura/6.

Death Junkies often have an Affinity that demands that
they be the center of attention – perhaps Distraction,
Entrancement or Glamour. Here the focus of their death
is on them. The others have an Affinity for the means
of death – often Drowning/Suffocation or Destruction,
sometimes Fire or Ice. Here the nature of the death is
important.

Either way, Samingans find Death Junkies very useful
for establishing their Word in a new territory. As the
Death Junkie returns within a day or two, it's easy to
persuade local authorities that the death was 'just a
faked show'. The killing provides essence, the vessel
is food for the zombis. Humans who would draw the line
at truly killing someone can grow very fascinated at
the 'realistic' ritual, and become inured to the
violence: preparing them to murder humans who won't
come back. And human sacrifices can once again thrive,
twisting Pagan groups to Saminga's ends.

A Pusher or Murderer can buy a Death Junkie as a
Class/5 Servant: expensive, but remember, they're
rare. Also, they can be used as Familiars during their
execution.

The return of human sacrifice matters a great deal to
the Aztec gods (among others) and they are now a
supply of a variant form of Death Junkie –
dreamshades. The Dreamshade Soldier needs the Blessed
Advantage; it seems that Aztecs with it double their
Will when resisting Trauma. The Aztec gods happily
supply cheap vessels, loaded with vessel Discord to
ensure that they will die within a few days even if
not sacrificed, and sell the Pagan Saint to any demon
who needs a quick human sacrifice.

Meanwhile the Pushers are exploring the biochemistry
of being Addicted to being killed, in the hope of
finding a drug that can force the Addiction on
celestials – especially Malakim.

Cheers, James.


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