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Message: <blockquote data-quote="seasong" data-source="post: 365810" data-attributes="member: 5137">I don't know how much I should post here - at least one of my players reads here <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />.The question seems to be soul-purchase-specific temptation, so I will relate some bits on that.Duelling Demons, AKA Good Cop, Bad CopThe first demon sets the stage, by being a general bastard, doing horrible things to things the PCs care about. Gets them in a righteous, vengeful mood. He may even pose it as a test - if they offer their souls, he'll make the pain stop.They'll refuse, naturally, and start looking for ways to hose him.That's when Demon #2 comes in. Or rather, when he becomes available. #2 isn't that interested in anyone's soul. He's just a very powerful, semi-retired demon who runs a bar the players happen to frequent. He doesn't really want to get involved, but a soul is still valuable/useful to him, so if the cause seems worth it (this will take some persuading - take on that demon? heck no!), he'd be willing to do a small trade.And he'd not abuse the soul, of course. He's retired, you see. He can just use a certain number to achieve certain powers.They may not take the bait, of course. In which case he'll just shrug - it is no matter to him.If they do take the bait (then or later, when they get desparate), demon #1 fakes a glorious death, and then the two of them split the take.Other twists on this include #2 posing as a contract, mercenary angel; both demons posing as opposing sides in a shadow war; and other vicious lies.The Sacrificial HeroSome heroes will destroy themselves utterly if they think it will save the world. Getting the soul in this case is child's play... the demon just has to convince the hero (through smoke & mirrors or simply lying outright) that giving the demon his soul will, in fact, save the world.In at least one case, the players (believing that a demon was going to consume the world) put together a plan to feed the demon a stream of specially-prepared souls to keep it sated and sleepy, to prevent world destruction. Alas, it was not to be, for someone remembered Hitler & Poland.At least one cult I've had in another game was based around something similar - the cultists believed that the demon they were feeding would destroy the world if they failed to provide. The demon just kept feeding them cthulu-esque imagery.It may not even have to be the whole world. Some people are patriotic enough that they'd do it to defend their country (or even just increase their country's standing in the world). Wouldn't you?Lies, Damned Lies, and StatisticsPersuade the character that they are only signing over part of their immortal soul - renting it, really. And look at what you get for such a pittance!Character CreationHit a twinker when she's most vulnerable... offer a package at character creation - the character has sold her soul, and now has a full load out of nifty powers. Treat the sold soul as a duty or never-ending favor owed.Or maybe even the hook for adventures.No Really!Demons are the good guys. Trust me.Preparation & Passionate MomentsOne of the most effective strategies (mimicked in the bar demon example at the beginning of this post) is to let the characters know that soul-selling is an option well ahead of time. Outline what it entails, and what kind of advantages you can get if you do it.But don't push it, don't sell it, don't even look interested in getting them to do it. Emphasize, in fact, that it's usually a bad idea, unless one is really desparate.Let the idea marinate for a few sessions, as the action gets heated.Then, at a climactic moment of player/character passion, casually remind them that they have several options. Make sure you have at least two - one with soul-selling, one without - but make sure the soul-selling one is the most likely to succeed.They won't always take the bait. Mostly, they won't. But demons work on the longterm plan, and longterm, most people eventually take the easier path.Passion can be found in a lot of situations, also. It doesn't have to be combat. It can be vengeance (ruining the life of someone otherwise untouchable), hatred (a destructive campaign against all orcs), love (giving you the means & status to pursue the hand of a princess) and so on.A Note About PartiesA savvy demon will follow a two simple, additional guidelines when there is an entire party of yummy souls at hand.1. If you get one of them, make it as pleasant as possible. At least until you've got a significant number of them. You don't want to scare off the other prey. Similarly, don't demand too much initially.2. Tell them all the same lies. They wouldn't be a party if they didn't talk occasionally.</blockquote>

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