IN> [Asmodeus Month] Investigating Lust

[James Walker]

Self-indulgent degenerates, Andrealphans insist that
they are enjoying themselves too much to consider
betraying Hell. They happily show the mortals they
have corrupted, that they have taught to betray their
loved ones, taught to use their fellow humans. If
pressed (and they like to be pressed) they will
confess, not to crimes, but to deserving to be
punished: by the Gamester, of course!
Gamesters never resist these temptations – they know
better. The Balseraph of Lust attunement can make
anything pleasurable, but an unsuccessful attempt to
resist it risks the effect becoming permanent. Better
to enjoy yourself, and walk away afterwards.
Although this may rattle a junior Asmodean, senior
Hounds regard investigating Lust as a pleasant
holiday, a chance to unwind and remind themselves what
Hell is all about. Although this is a common minor
reward, the Gamester is still on duty, and expected to
sniff out disloyalty. 
And, of course, play politics.
Asmodeus *loathes* Andrealphus' allies, Lilith and
Valefor. It may only be the company Andrealphus keeps
that annoys Asmodeus. But that company can be useful,
for investigating a Lusties' relationships with
Freedom and Theft is very productive. 

Naturally, the Andreaphite must work with the allies
his Superior has chosen; The Game understands. But the
nature of that work is important. Is the Andrealphan
seeking to tempt a Free into binding herself to Lust?
If not, why not?
Perhaps the Lustie is fond of Lilith? What harm to say
yes?
Lilith is human – for an Andrealphan to feel any
concern or fondness for Lilith is dissonant! This
rarely occurs to the Lustie until too late, of course.
Still, if the Lustie can demonstrate that he is about
to persuade a Free to bind to Lust, charges will be
dropped. And the task has just become somewhat easier
– any Lilim will see the Need/6 in his eyes, as the
alternative is his being executed. Although Lilim will
rarely be persuaded so easily, word gets around the
sisterhood; and Lilim tempted to join Lust will
quickly find out that in addition to other rewards,
she can get powerful Geases from this Lustie. And
persuade herself that she has just thwarted The Game,
by preventing an execution.
Asmodeus knows this, and still encourages the tactic.
After all, *he* doesn't owe the Geas, and Lilim seem
to stay loyal to Lust. It costs the game nothing, and
will occasionally push a wavering Lilim into binding.

Dealings with Magpies are also investigated closely.
Typically, a Gamester will want a 'cut' of the
trinkets that has sweet talked out of the Thief. If
the Lustie hasn't been exploiting the Magpie,
then...perhaps he'd care to explain himself to the
PFD? Lust's internal security doesn't like any form of
emotional affection. They like attention from The Game
even less!
Another concern with Theft is time – how long did the
Lustie keep the Thief in bed? An hour? A day? A week? 

Tying a Magpie down for more than three days (or tying
a Free up!) can cause them dissonance. Not that The
Game could care less if a Thief or Tanstaafl dissolved
into a puddle of Discord, but there are rules to
follow. A boastful Andrealphan can get both himself
and a lover into very deep trouble very quickly.
Again, getting out is simple – persuade the lover to
swear to Andrealphus. Besides, 'stealing' a lover from
Theft has a certain poetic justice.

Between debauchery and politics, the Hounds may forget
to actually check for possible Renegades – but
there'll be Hell to pay (literally!) if they do.
Lust's dissonance conditions are very dangerous; Djinn
and Impudites can gain dissonance through their band
natures, while Songs and the Habbalite resonance can
inflict it on other Lusties. Caring about others
pushes the Andrealphan directly towards Heaven –
Renegades of Lust are the ones most likely to Redeem.
Still, if the Lusties have done their work well, the
Gamester might even get a sexual thrill out of his own execution!


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