Level II Cruelty
Level III Immorality
Level IV Wrongdoings
Level V Corruption
Level VI Mortal Sin
Level VII Heresy
Level VIII Grand Evil
Level IX Life Bond
Level X Soul Pact
Some people are never satisfied. Driven by power-madness; they make bargains they cannot keep, mortgaging their lives and afterlives to Otherworldly forces.
(Sorcerer pg83)
The time-honored traditions of apprenticeship and
fealty share a perverse reflection in the Foedus pact
that binds an Infernalist with her Patronus. Like the bonds
between a master and apprentice, this pact exchanges
favors and teaching for service; it assumes a certain degree of
servitude in exchange for protection. It slants in
favor of the stronger party, but gives each party things
neither can accomplish without the other.
The agreement and its
elements are universal. Essentially, the Infemalist calls
upon a demon for aid; the demon responds, often testing its
supplicant. Both parties outline what they want from one
another (usually through a contest of wills), and an agreement is forged. The supplicant gets some supernatural
consideration, often in the form of Investments, magic or
both, while the demon gets a mortal agent on Earth.
Together, they spread corruption and bring the Reckoning
closer to hand.
Sometimes, if one seems especially promising, a
demon might appear to her and offer the pact without an
initial request. More often, the Infernalist begins the bargaining session with an unholy rite and a sacrifice or two.
When and if the
Patronus appears, the demon throws a commotion, then
judges the supplicant by the way she reacts. The terms of the
bargain arise from the impression the Infernalist makes, so
most demons put on a fairly theatrical show; the “show” in
question can be anything from a carnal temptation to a
cacophonous storm. If the witch has half a brain, she’ll have
prepared a protective circle, pentacle or other ward; most
supplicants who call a demon without safeguarding themselves are considered too stupid to make decent pawns, and
are summarily devoured.
Once the demon and witch have one another’s measure, the Foedus is prepared. In literate societies, a written
agreement spells out the obligations of each party; Infernalists
who come from non-literature backgrounds strike the pact
in elaborate ritual language. Many demons prefer written
Foederis when they can get them — the written word (often
inscribed in the sorcerer’s own blood) establishes a lasting
bond between the demon and its servitor; verbal pacts are phrased in words of power, but lack the physical consummation of a written document. Other kinds of consummation
— often carnal, usually degrading — signal the completion
of the pact.
Despite common misconception, few Infernalists give
their souls away in the initial pact; a sorcerer who surrenders
her soul at the outset enjoys a very short career. Most pacts
involve services, a quid pro quo of corruption in which the
supplicant acts as the demon’s assistant. The Investments
an Infernalist receives in return serve a triple purpose: they
tempt the supplicant into service, establish a bond between the demon and its pawn, and turn that pawn into a powerful agent of destruction. Soul pacts come later, when the supplicant is desperate enough to give up her most value possession.
Pact Ratings
Level I Malice
Small tasks and minor sins (theft, slander, ect.)
Injuring, killing or corrupting one or two innocents.
Extreme cruelty; sacrificing several innocents.
Actively spreading evil, or opposing religious authorities.
Leading others into evil; killing a major force for good.
Founding and leading an Infernal cult; desecrating a pure Cray and dedicating it to malice.
Large-scale corruption; founding and leading major cults; destroying sites and churches of goodness.
Corrupting a city; founding a major Infernalist Covenant or Cray.
Dedicating entire life to the Patronus' every whim.
Swearing life time fealty to the Patronus, and promising it the soul after death. No further pacts can be made to the same demon at this point, although a truly nervy Infernalist might secretly strike Soul-Pacts with several demons at once. (Gods help him when he dies, however....)
(Infernalism: PoS pg 71)
The initial pact will grants the diabolist 3 dots worth of some Path for free. Suddenly the secrets are revealed and the power flows through the black magician. If the path requires Rituals, 3 of them are granted. Special Paths, called Ritualis Infernal, Dark Sorcery or Dark Thaumaturgy can be bought only by pact. These demonic powers channel the power of hell straight through the warlock.
A greater pact, which includes the soul and a promise of servitude add 5 dots worth of magic and six new Rituals.
Next step are Demonic Investments. These powers rip the warlock's humanity to shreds. With each "gift", he becomes less a man and more demonic freak.
You get cool powers with little work, an Otherwordly tutor. Suddenly you gain new insights, wild friends, and a whole new perspective. Taboos disappear like glass beneath a sledgehammer and confidence swells.
However, other creatures and sensitive people can sense his allegiance and some may flock to him but most avoid him. One day, the Patron will come to collect the balance due. From there, the best the sorcerer can hope for is service in some greater demon's household--not pleasant but better than what happens to most.
In game terms, an Infernalist who enters into a
Foedus gains a few character points. With them, the character can “buy” her new Investments or magical
abilities: The Level of each pact shows how many
points that service is worth. Pacts of nine points or less
can be made as many times as the Infernalist can
manage to fulfill them — demons love a debtor.
(Infernalism:PoS 70-71)
