IN> [Asmodeus Month] Investigating The Media

[James Walker]

Obsessed with recording anything that can keep an
audience, Fakers assume that Gamesters will be easily
bribed with surveillance tapes, bugging equipment and
so on. To a degree this is true, but misses The Game's
real interest in The Media – Servants.
With up to 6 Servants just from their Band
Attunements, the Nybbytes are completely ensconced in
mortal society; while their massive corporeal
influence allows them to determine how society
perceives Hell, Damnation, selling your soul...and
serving Hell.

Preventing Servants going Renegade is scut work for a
Gamester, but still important. For starters, since the
Asmodean is probably already out of favor, this is
probably the last chance Asmodeus will give them. This
desperation pleases The Media. A secure Hound might
delay a report on a potential traitor, waiting to
discover who else they can sniff out: much to the
disgust of the Nybbasians who want a news story *now*.


Most mortal Servants aren't actually Soldiers; they
lack the potential. So they need to be Damned the old
fashioned way. Gamesters will demand that Fakers know
the fates of all of their Servants (buying the
information of the nearest demon of Fate) and will
want to know what has been done to push the Servant
towards Hell. As Kronos and Nybbas are Associated,
Fakers don't complain; besides, a fine Fate is often
media worthy. Alternatively, Servants can spend a
stint serving a Shedite of The Media; this corruption
can normally be counted on to push the mortal into
Hell's arms.

A Nybbyte may also be required to accept a Gamester as
a nominal 'Servant', allowing the Humnaity wielding
Asmodean to observe demonic society from a
comparatively safe viewpoint. This is particularly
common in Hell.

More importantly, the Hounds want to know how the
Media is influencing mortal opinions on Damnation. Are
there stories of mortals selling their souls, and then
tricking Lucifer? Of stealing their souls back? Of
being winning contests against demons?
Excellent!
As long as the mortals instinctively turn to vices to
save their souls, such as theft or deception, or have
the arrogance to rely on their skills being superior
to beings who have practiced for millennia – their
fate is sealed. Should a story involve a mortal
actually *repenting*, showing humility, or worst of
all demonstrating compassion for their fellows(!) the
Nybbasians are expected to stamp the story out.

The best place to observe The Media from is often the
stage, so Gamesters are often tempted to play cameo
roles in police and spy dramas. Balseraphs and Lilim
are particularly tempted by these bribes. Of course,
being famous make unobtrusive spying harder, so the
Asmodean's Vessel is normally disguised – or even
youthened/aged – for the part.
An Asmodean who has performed well investigating The
Media will face a dilemma: being promoted will put
them back into the tasks that got them punished with
Media scutwork in the first place! A possible solution
for a Hound who enjoys playing The Game in The Media
spotlight is to defect, and serve in Kandid Kamera. Of
course, Nybbas won't trust him, but his skills will be
a valued contribution to The Media. And Asmodeus? He
enjoys having blackmail information on demons in other
Prince's security organizations. Welcome back to The Game.


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