Editing Human (section)

=== Gaining and Losing Humanity ===
Humanity is a spectrum; some [[Other]]s are more human than others, while some humans - especially [[Practitioner]]s - give up or lose some of their humanity and become more Other.<ref>I’ve wondered for a long time why the monsters gather in the same places the practitioners do. The obvious answer is that the practitioners follow where the monsters are, drawing on the power the monsters can give them. But I don’t think that’s it. The monsters should want to avoid the practitioners, who are the best equipped to bind them.<br><br>The second answer is that monsters are practitioners. We know about some cases. See Mara in the files for Jacob’s Bell. It’s a common theory with Faerie, and obviously the likes of vampires and werewolves, which are much rarer and more monstrous than conventional media would have us believe. Again, it’s an answer, but it doesn’t feel like ~the~ answer.<br><br>This is a thought I’m putting together as I put pen to paper, something I’ve thought about in the shower, but what if the monsters are following practitioners because there’s some fallout we’re not fully aware of? What if we’re gouging reality? I sit in on the council meetings, because I don’t trust Eva to go alone, and I won’t stop her from seeing what she views as ‘the drama’. I watch Sandra and Johannes interact, and I see them practicing. A part of me wonders, are each of those displays generating some attention? Are some or all of the monsters detecting magic in the air like sharks in the water detecting magical signals or sniff out blood?<br><br>They become a little less human over time. They make compromises, and they might unwittingly be inviting the monsters into Jacob’s Bell. - [https://pactwebserial.wordpress.com/2014/09/04 Excerpt] from [[Gathered Pages 10]]</ref><ref>In '''Eclipsed Self''' we list some of the ways that a human might take steps to become Other, and why. Some practices are listed, and are somewhat scattershot in approach, providing only some waypoints for further research. The expert should already know where they wish to be, the beginner will want to start at chapter one and then turn to this chapter to get direction on where to go.<br><br>In '''Fullest Dark''' we explore the ramifications of Other involvement in human affairs. What becomes of a family or bloodline? A marriage? It is possible for an Other to step into humanity and assume nearly everything about a human life, including the ability to practice, or to take up the life as a role, where they then assume responsibility for deals and contracts. Conversely, a life may be entirely abandoned, shirking off name, responsibilities, or consequences. What, truly, is the end result? Does an individual remember? Contains some transcripts. - [[List of Books#Quasi|Quasi]], quoted in [https://palewebserial.wordpress.com/2020/09/03/4-5-spoilers-bedtime-reading/ Bonus Material: Bedtime Reading].
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Devouring/absorbing humans or human [[Echo]]es can give an Other some humanity and make it easier for them to function in human society.<ref>The Sinful Creature has been here for longer than humans. A primeval beast. It ate enough corrupted, twisted reflections of humanity that it can get by. Talk, understand. - [[Mile End]]: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14jc7V-O3VsFPxWrwjTB5-uAFk9-JPobq2P1rXFpCxtg/edit#heading=h.y9hwjxop2ofc Awakening]</ref><ref>“I prefer subjugation over death. I surrender my self,” Canfield said. “It’s my understanding that an incarnation needs to root itself in humanity from time to time, to stay relevant and rooted in the doings of man.”<br><br>“Yes.”<br><br>“All I ask is that my daughter is taken care of.”<br><br>“You’ll have it.”<br><br>With that, the Incarnation stepped forward until it intersected Canfield.<br><br>For an instant, Canfield was the one wearing white.<br><br>Then, a moment later, the one wearing white had a trace of Canfield’s features.<br><br>Those features were soon swallowed up in a greater ocean. - [https://pactwebserial.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 5]]</ref><ref>“He isn’t human,” I thought aloud, interrupting the conversation between husband and wife. “He follows a set of rules. There are things he can do, but there are an awful lot of things he can’t.”<br><br>“Yes,” Rose said. “But any Incarnation will tap the ranks of humanity for fitting subjects and sacrifices, to give themselves a reservoir to draw from. Pride might be able to perform actions that don’t raise its standing or gain the ability to bow to others in a pinch. If they go too long without sacrifices, they start to become more… I don’t know how to phrase it…”<br><br>“Mechanical,” I said. “They become more mechanical.”<br><br>“Basically. Parts of the overarching machine of reality.”<br><br>“Well,” I said, “That’s a weak point. How often do they need sacrifices?”<br><br>“Depends how often they break their own internal rules. Once every thousand years? Once every hundred years? Daily?” - [https://pactwebserial.wordpress.com/2014/03/11 excerpt] from [[Collateral 4.4]]</ref> [[Heartless|Halflight]] Practitioners will often keep a store of humanity in case they lose too much, such as fingernail clippings or old [[blood]].<ref>In '''Harsh Moonlight''' we look at the means of storing and restoring humanity. Those who have been set on this path by another may find the techniques therein a good way to stave off transformations or progression of a condition, such as becoming a ghoul or securing a fading Self. Beginners of Halflight practices are advised to read that section next, and take steps to prepare and stock up on measures to control or recover from what follows. When a situation gets out of control, the stock of old fingernail clippings or stored blood may prove invaluable for a quick infusion of one’s prior self. - [[List of Books#Quasi|Quasi]], quoted in [https://palewebserial.wordpress.com/2020/09/03/4-5-spoilers-bedtime-reading/ Bonus Material: Bedtime Reading].</ref>