IkselamInfernal/Infernalism
Infernalism
v0.5 12/11/03
Since the beginning of time, there have been men and women who make obeisance to the beings whose Creation the world is. Even after the gods and their Exalted cast down the Primordials, this worship did not wholly end. To this day, there exist people who offer prayers and sacrifice to Cecylene, Malfeas, the Ebon Dragon, and all the other Yozis. Some do so because they seek power or knowledge which only the Demon Princes possess, others because of traditions passed on from their ancestors, and still others because they are tired of being ground under the heel of corrupt gods.
Although the ignorant apply the label "infernalist" indiscriminately to anyone who worships Yozis or demons, this is inaccurate. True infernalists are those who summon and bargain with demons, and the majority of Yozi-worshipers never set eyes on even the least of the Demon Princes' innumerable progeny; often, even those who style themselves infernalists are nothing more than self-aggrandizing charlatans who use their supposed commerce with demons as an excuse to indulge their own perverse and depraved lusts. Those with the determination, fortitude, and occult skill necessary to actually summon demons are few and far between, and most of them are wise enough to know that only a fool would purposefully draw the attention of the devils of Malfeas. However, there are those whose hearts are so full of grief, madness, avarice, or pride that they undertake to call up the residents of the Demon City and enter into contracts with them.
Instances of demons actually using the Endowment Charm to grant infernalists access to demonic Charms (often called "Investments") are rare, though not unheard-of; typically, an infernalist will simply summon demons and send them to perform tasks for him, as most demons are unwilling (or unable) to expend the much greater effort necessary to infuse mortals with their power.
Sidebar: Demon-Summoning For Dummies
Infernalists' practices are viewed as horrible blasphemy by almost everyone in Creation; even most Yozi-worshipers condemn demon-summoning, viewing it as an act of unforgivable hubris. True infernalists who are not very circumspect will shortly find themselves attracting all manner of unwelcome attention, ranging from jealous rivals to Immaculate devil-hunters. Many of them count on their chthonic allies to protect them from such threats; this is usually a mistake, since no matter how grand and powerful infernalists may feel themselves to be, no mortal can ever be accounted more than a gnat by the Yozis and their offspring. Even the most mindless First Circle demons will refuse to imperil themselves for the sake of a mortal sorcerer, and many of the more intelligent ones take a spiteful pleasure in leading their "masters" to an early grave.
