=Demonic Possession=

Modern psychiatry holds that the concept of demonic possession was a primitive way to explain schizophrenia, mania, and psychotic behavior. Surely many schizophrenics were punished for their infirmities in darker times, but possession by disembodied spirits or demons is more common than modern science suspects.

The tell-tale signs of possession are: the afflicted's ability to prophesy or see the future, to speak in ancient or dead languages, possessing incredible strength or stamina, change of eye or hair color, change of skin color, change of voice.

"Killing" the possessed is in fact killing the demon inhabiting the possessed, and this requires considerable finesse. A daring tactician, the demon will lie, self-mutilate, even risk suicide in an attempt to kill or deter the exorcist from performing his task. Use of the Catholic Rites of Exorcism fell out of favor in the early part of the 20th century but are still used in times of extreme emergency.

It is likely impossible to coax a demon out of a human body- this will ensure its return to hell, a plane of existence even demons dislike- but forcing it to leave can be accomplished by: mesmerizing the afflicted and then performing the Rites in Latin, preparing a bath of holy water and forcing the afflicted to recieve communion, offering another body to the demon. The final option is the most likely to succeed, offering it the body of a less desirable human (convicts prove a good substitute) will enable you to kill both human and demon with little guilt.

-HTK