kibou
ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ̀ˋ
THAT YOU MAY BE PREPARED IN ALL THINGS
The Outbreak, and Culmination of Violence- In the beginning of the outbreak there was an increase in aggression, depression, and sightings of horrific beings. 15 years ago held the worst cases of suicides, homicides, and mass hysteria that the world had ever seen. Before it started to settle, a sixth of the population was no more. The young do not know normalcy.
America- The country never officially ended the state of emergency or martial law, and the government has seen a few changes. Communications with the rest of the world have been cut off completely. Citizens are not to be outside from 3am - 7am. Most people still hold jobs, have families, and go to school- but there's been a change in culture. Some moved to low-population areas to feel safe, and others to large cities where more measures were implemented. People are unwilling to trust strangers, are more obsessed than ever with appearing to be normal, and an undercurrent of paranoia exists in every interaction. In regards to the apocalypse- there's many different theories on what the demons really are, where they came from, and etc, but many have turned to religion as an answer.
An unexpected result of everything is Wyoming becoming a contender for most populated state.
The Church- They do not follow an official denomination, and the members are an amalgamation. They are the most important church. Supporters not only exist in high offices, but legislation and executive decisions are made in collaboration with them. Not everything the government does they agree upon, however. Their focus is defeating the demonic threat and bringing salvation to humanity. Of course, independent churches still exist- though they are encouraged to get official approval- and many Americans still follow other philosophies and religions.
Demons- Supernatural creatures that began appearing en mass 15 years ago. They can speak telepathically, but most aren't powerful enough to manifest a physical form on their own, and instead force their will onto the world via possession. When many appear in one place, it's an infestation. Contrary to public belief, they range in personalities and desires.
Princes- On the occasion a demon is powerful enough to transfigure its host into a grotesque creature, or even physically manifest on its own, these resulting beasts are referred to as a prince. They seem to be vulnerable to their own kind. No knowledge of any actual demon hierarchy exists beyond speculation.
Possession- An encompassing term for demonic interference.
Subjugation is when a demon shares a living host's body and headspace. Can happen to animals or people depending on the demon's strength. Symptoms include a sudden change in personality, nose bleeds, abnormal strength, dilating pupils, bloodshot eyes, and extreme aggression. Long term affects may be a melding between the personalities of host and demon, severe depression, an obsession with the morbid, paranoia, general body strain, muscle or bone injury, physical pain, developing an aversion to holy water, and death.
Occasionally subjugation will result in physical mutation.
Sometimes a person or location is simply haunted by a demon- this is referred to as demonic oppression. Signs include bad luck, a heavy atmosphere, depression, suicidal ideation, nose bleeds, and moving objects.
Exorcisms- At first properly trained priests used scripture, salt, holy water, and traditional means to fight back. This works for instances of oppression and the weakest of demons. Typically, subjugation is a sentence to confinement and continued attempts at salvation. Both The Church and the Inquisition utilize confinement and have specific buildings for it. Of the few hosts that have survived, none have spoken about their experiences. The Church does not condone exorcisms performed by the unauthorized, but the Inquisition encourages all people to do what they can, and independent persons and mobs are responsible for a number of hosts' deaths.
For serious infestations, possessions resulting in violent situations, or the appearance of princes, the Special Holy Forces are called.
The Holy Forces- A team of special soldiers tasked with helping the possessed and fighting demons powerful enough to manifest physically, and are the result of government research facilities. The Church provides public support, supplies, counsel, and encourages their members to join. They hold public appearances to give hope to the people, and posters and advertisements for them are easy to find. Public understanding of them is that they simply receive training in a combination of applicable practical skills- religion, de-escalation, combat, etc. Bases exist near cities with large populations.
In reality, the desire to understand possession has led to government-sanctioned scientists intentionally summoning demons and having them possess subjects in a controlled environment. The soldiers are a happy, accidental byproduct of these subjugation experiments and permanently live at the facilities to be closely monitored. The side-effects ended up being useful- some examples include increased strength or senses, prophetic dreams, controlling fire or light, being able to speak with animals, and telekinesis to name a few. However, the number of people who successfully complete their first week as a holy forces soldier is small.
Regular support members exist and help in indirect ways such as providing resources to families of the affected, closing off oppressed buildings, creating road blocks to contain violent situations, and the like. They don't get to be called special, though.
The Holy Forts and the Facilities- Homes of the SHF, as well as support staff, so they can be large to accommodate many needs. Built to deal with both attacks from the outside, and special soldiers going berserk. They've been built around the largest of America's urban areas, but the one our rp takes place in is the original Big Piney, Wyoming facility, which contains their center of research.
The Experiments- The first step is summoning a demon. This conducted very carefully, in a special room, and study on the demon begins.
From the pool of ready human subjects, one is chosen who has either a greatly contrasting, or already similar personality to the summoned demon. This is to either try to prevent mental contagion, or minimize its effects. It is inconclusive which option is preferred.
Next is negotiations. The demon is communicated with in order to create a working relationship that does not simply result in complete takeover of the host. What deal is made ultimately depends on the personality and reasonable wants. A ritual is conducted, and the subjugation complete. Physical evidence of the success exists as a seal appearing on one's body.
Many are unable to handle the mental and physical strain, and the experiment ends in an early death. It is unknown exactly what makes some people more compatible both mentally and physically than others beyond a general healthiness. When successful, the now-host is studied to see what types of abilities they may develop. Further training is tailored to whatever powers manifest.
Wyoming- People fled from populated areas in fear of their fellow man, and also to the protection provided by the Big Piney SHF Facility, increasing the state population. Rapid construction underwent as soon as it was possible and over a decade later Big Piney is now a major urban center, which is an unfortunate irony for some.
The Inquisition- An independent religious group that formed in reaction to the outbreak and has grown significantly in the past 15 years. They take pride in taking matters into their own hands. They pushed the government to acknowledge that something unusual was happening in the very beginning, and eventually they managed to elect a supporter into a high office. When they were small they just passed out things like pamphlets with information on how to tell if someone's been possessed, and little protection kits- holy water, salt, etc- and as they grew became more like a neighborhood watch, and performed patrols, inspections, and exorcisms on request.
Members are a bit zealous and obsessed with the idea of being pure to keep your mind from being susceptible. Controversy surrounds them as some people disagree with their methods or beliefs, fear false accusations, and there are rumors about how they treat the possessed they take in.
They have their own brand of holy water.
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