Editing Heartless (section)

=== Mind Thief ===
The Heartless enact an assault on a target.  They break a target and then create openings, which they ultimately capitalize on to possess the target as a spirit would.  Mental combats or ‘dream doors’ may see the practitioner fighting the target or exploring the target’s psyche as a pseudo-physical space to be invaded.  Some attack, retreat, and marshal their strength before repeating, while others will occupy, gradually affecting the target’s actions.  As more leverage is gained, those that stay gain more time or influence.  Either way, on eventual success, they take over the subject’s mind and body both.  Some variants on this might approach things differently, or in a more personal way.  The right words can worm their way into people’s heads, with curses and key phrases serving to break a person down, for a very effective mind-thieving ritual that requires the consent of the victim.  A therapist might have a patient willingly let them in through hypnosis sessions, exploring the psyche in a purely benign way over prior sessions, then utilize this at one final point, going on the offensive for their one real shot at attacking and conquering.<ref name=":0" />