A well-intentioned group of adventurers in a fantasy world decide that an assassin's skill with poisons would be better reapplied as a friendly herbalist who makes healing potions. It's okay to use mind control magic if it's for good purposes, right?
CW: brainwashing/mind control, mental conditioning, dubcon due to said mental conditioning, internal conflict, humiliation/embarrassment
Prinx: this post went across my dash about a villain being brainwashed to be 'good' by some heroes and it made my brain go 200kmph
https://www.tumblr.com/fangedprinx/748540811217666048/i-love-the-idea-of-a-villain-being-brainwashed-by
Infamous assassin and poisoner brainwashed/mind controlled to be a harmless herbalist who makes potions for the heroes
Every so often it wears off but somehow the villain never remembers to make and drink a potion of resisting mind control before getting discovered and brainwashed again
Probably because when it starts to wear off they're disoriented and then embarrassed and angry and focus on like
Trying to make poison and put a hidden weapon on their person to get revenge instead
But part of them also kinda likes feeling helpful and needed :smirk~1:
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:07
Oh that's very good and very fun 👀 👀 👀
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:08
YEGAG
Yeha
Yeah
Did you read the tumblr post
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:11
I did 👀 👀 👀
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:12
with the poisoner/potion maker of course whenever they try to be sneaky and poison a potion or potion batch for the heroes, it gets found out because they still test that shit for poison probably with some flashy magic weapon that glows or changes colour in the presence of poisons
And then it's like (sad and condescending hero voice) "you were doing so well, too"
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:18
I like the thought of them being a meticulous person, so maybe they end up sabotaging themselves when, in their moments of clarity, they start working on something in secret, but when they slip back under they find their secret project and go "Huh. This shouldn't be here. I better put all this away before someone gets hurt!"
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:18
Oooh, that's fun
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:21
God this has so much potential actually
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:22
I am bigly into the idea that their moments of lucidity becoming less over time
Like the intervals of how often the hero would have to reinforce whatever mind control/programming getting longer and longer
When they're aware of their old self then they have all the memories of being helpful and getting praised for it and whatnot and it's like "disgusting :angyblush: sweetening me up like I'm some sort of pathetic goody two shoes :angyblush: some pet :ohmy:"
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:23
Yessss
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:24
It's like when they have agency they're still conditioned by their experiences
The gap between the fake them and the real them getting shorter and shorter until they're nearly indistinguishable
Becoming The Mask trope but it's a mask someone else forced them to wear
Until eventually one day the mind control wears off totally and the former assassin is completely aware of themself but they don't want the things they used to - they want to stay in the role they're in - there's no Need to control them
I think it would be fun in this idea if the assassin/poisoner was an infamous and completely mundane killer while the heroes who apprehend them use some sort of magical mind control
Bit of resentment at being so easily manipulated by magic because they don't have any
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:29
The heroes bringing in one of their own who's actively dying of some horrible rare poison. The herbalist working desperately to save them, labouring through long nights of nursing them back to health, doing it all with a genuine smile on their face, showered in gratitude and praise. They think they're smiling because they're happy to help, that their skills were enough to beat this obscure poison, etc.. And it's mostly true!
But that first smile was the buried part of them rejoicing at their enemy's suffering.
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:30
Frothing
:froth2:
Foaming at the mouth
I think fantasy DnD ish setting is fun
The hero who does the mind control thing could be some fuckin cleric who is completely well intentioned and swore to only use the power for good and against evildoers
It's fun to have a character use some fucked up magic but insist it's fine because their intentions are pure and their goals are good
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:32
Yeee 👌
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:34
Poisoner/assassin to herbalist reverse corruption is a Flavour
Is it reverse corruption if the mechanics are the same as just regular corruption kink and mind control stuff
Who knows
It's definitely not a Redemption Arc
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:36
A poisoner doesn't often get to see the results of their work. But a healer does. Death is usually quick. Recovery is always slow. I feel like there's a lot of Arc material in that.
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:36
This is true!
The realisation of the herbalist being "awake" but knowing they actually enjoy and find satisfaction in their work being genuinely appreciated more than they ever did when their title as an assassin inspired fear and respect
Mixed with anger and resentment and being made into some toothless helper
Fighting internally against the peace and contentment they've been made to feel - but should be gone when they're in full awareness? - but isn't gone? - it's weakening their resolve like a more insidious poison than they ever made
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:44
"They're all alive because of me. They know it. I know it. They'll have to live with that for the rest of their natural lives. I'll make sure of it." feels so much like a thought their past proud, fierce self would have. But is it?
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:45
:smirk~1: 👌
Smugness over the heroes now owing them a life debt many times over
The emotion is very them, the focus is very different
Ftr I don't think the mind control/brainwashing in this scenario has a sexual component
It's literally, makes you think and act and feel like a happy and well meaning person
Definitely something any villain would consider saccharin
But if the poisoner/herbalist happened to in their moments of lucidity be embarrassed and turned on by their own behaviour and corruption :nyehehe:
And by being praised and needed :nyehehe:
Kitty — Yesterday at 23:57
I feel like safety would be part of it. A poisoner who's spent so long being feared and hunted. Who's cultivated a wildly sharp survival instinct. Strict habits to ensure that no one would ever get the best of them.
They're standing there in their well-stocked lab in their comfortable home, undeniably a prisoner, but those long-honed instincts are quiet. They're safe.
(Prinx) — Yesterday at 23:59
YEAH
Feeling metaphorically wrapped in safety
It's constricting but it's also comfortable
Knowing the instincts and skills they needed to survive are getting rusty the longer they are made to live a comfortable, civilian life
Kitty — Today at 00:09
What if: One of the heroes is an excellent cook who regularly cooks meals for the herbalist. Accepting food should be unthinkable. But it's damn good food.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:09
Y e s
Kitty — Today at 00:10
The herbalist joining the party for group meals and the party taking turns feeding them a bite each.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:10
Lmfao what if that's something that the heroes used to use as a simple test of whether the assassin was still under the spell/control
The food, not specifically the hand feedingbdhsvshj f
Dshshd
Hot
Villain Domestication Not A Joke
I think the herbalist is a little bit, snarkier or meaner or has a little more of an edge to them when they're not under control but have bought into their new life
Their personality showing
Kitty — Today at 00:14
One of them holds up a spoonful and the herbalist, fighting down a hesitation they can't quite understand, opens their mouth. It's delicious. "Good, huh?" the hero says.
The next one does the same with a different dish, and again the herbalist opens their mouth. "Good," the hero says, not talking about the food.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:14
Dead
Murdered
I am deceased
(Prinx) — Today at 00:16
I feel like this could become a regular occurrence (again, as a test of the control over them, at least at first)
Kitty — Today at 00:16
Absolutely!
[00:17]
Dinner and a show.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:18
Becoming more aware of what they're doing in the Middle of one of those times happening and getting mercilessly embarrassed and turned on by it
Kitty — Today at 00:19
It knocks them off balance enough that the next bite leaves a smudge on their lips. One of the party members wipes it off with their thumb, and before they can take their hand away the herbalist opens their mouth again.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:19
"Are you okay? That dish wasn't too spicy for you, was it?"
(the herbalist is red and sweaty but not because of the spices)
[00:20]
Finger suckingffff
Kitty — Today at 00:21
Someone remarks on how eager the herbalist is being, and the blushing herbalist defends themself by saying "It's good." Only partly talking about the food.
(Prinx) — Today at 00:21
Hoooohooohooo
[00:22]
Okay but the real question is how aware the heroic party members are of the horny overtones happening
Some more than others possibly
[00:25]
My brain says that the Awake and Aware herbalist is more sexual than when they're under brainwashing
Probably does some incredibly stupid fanfic type thing of "if I sleep with this person I can murder them when they're all tired out" and tries to seduce one of the heroes (because they've given up on the poison angle, simply because it never worked and always got found out)
[00:26]
If Evil is Sexy, a 'redeemed?' villain can stay a bit slutty, as a treat (for me)
Kitty — Today at 00:26
(and me )
[00:31]
I like the idea of them being maybe a polycule and/or at least enough on the same wavelength that they collectively pick up on the vibe and are into it This ritual they've had for a while takes on a new feeling. Maybe they start seeing what else gets the herbalist going. Delivering their praise and thanks with a side of gentle touches and petting, for example
(Prinx) — Today at 00:32
I think maybe more on the same wavelength bit
Kitty — Today at 00:32
Yeee
[00:33]
Long familiarity, experienced in working together, knowing each other well enough to know what they're thinking
(Prinx) — Today at 00:33
Although I will also say maybe one party member who is like
Either an oblivious or deliberately chaste paladin type
Would be fun
(so the herbalist can 'corrupt' them a little bit in the sexy way)
[00:33]
I love the silly and trashy tropes
[00:34]
A paladin or cleric or just a party member who has that vibe
Kitty — Today at 00:34
Hell yeah
(back to the petting)
(Prinx) — Today at 00:35
Seeing them melt more and more into the petting, get into a new and different kind of empty-headed state
Kitty — Today at 00:36
Yeeeehehehehe >:3cc
(Prinx) — Today at 00:37
Afterwards the herbalist is like
What Was That
It Wasn't mind control, they know what that feels like
But it was like their brain turned to warm fluff
[00:38]
They have discovered subspace
[00:39]
Heroes -> domesticate a villain
Former villain -> sexually 'corrupts' the heroes because it makes them feel good and in control and also they love love love praise even if they won't admit it
[00:40]
It's vitally important you know that my idea of this adventuring party is very vague except I know there's one dragonborn/Argonian type lizard person
[00:41]
Okay now I have to go to sleep I got a bit carried away
(Prinx) — Today at 00:50
For my comfort levels the herbalist and heroes don't do overtly/explicitly sexual things until the hero group have mostly stopped bothering reinforcing the mind control (with the exception of if the herbalist seemingly "relapses" and tries to harm one of them, which happens less and less often)
It's still a messed up scenario considering the capital B Brainwashing but just for my comfort the sex happens quite a while later
After it's stopped being brainwashing and is more on the conditioning and 'villain has been corrupted to good, still embarrassed about it sometimes' end
eggnog — Today at 09:13
Villain just sitting knuckle fisted angry blushing the first time they “come back to it”
Because damn it why do they feel like this about it.
eggnog — Today at 09:21
lucidity in the small hours of the night, waking up and thinking this isn’t me I need to do something while I have the chance-
But they’re warm, and cosy, for the first time feeling safe in bed- no fear of sudden attacks, no one trying to “get” them.
It’s all to easy to slip back to sleep- and if even their dreams have become softer, more comforting… they wouldn’t tell a soul
(Prinx) — Today at 09:42
YEAH
[09:43]
Yeah!!!
(Prinx) — Today at 09:55
As for why they have lucid periods if it's mind control magic, I think sustaining the spell over such a long period of time could be difficult for the party cleric or whatever
Maybe a number of those periods of awareness happen at night because that's when the cleric is asleep
It does have to refreshed from time to time, so the heroes are always keeping an eye on the way the former villain acts - they get quite good at pretending to be still brainwashed so they can plot but slip up sometimes by being a little snarky and things like hesitation at eating food they're offered (I feel like when the heroes are on down time, having the villain sit with them for a meal is an everyday occurrence)
[09:56]
That shared meal scenario has infested my brain
(Prinx) — Today at 10:04
I think the hero's party has maybe 5 people in it, and they have a table with six spaces
The villain is put sitting in between two of the group all the time
It's the kind of meal setup where you have an empty plate in front of you and there's several dishes of food in the middle of the table to serve yourself from
Very cosy and companionable!
The very first time after the mind control spell is cast on the villain and they're told to sit at the table and eat with everyone, even with the spell imposing a serene and helpful and obedient mindset, they're just staring at the food and making no attempt to have anything
Their wariness and survival instincts are that deeply set, even seeing the group eat in front of them
Even when a portion is put on their plate they make no move to touch it
So that's when the hand feeding them starts
Can't have them going hungry!
eggnog — Today at 10:06
Oooagh
[10:09]
“What’s wrong with them…?”
“Cleric, did you zap their brain a little too hard…?”
“What?! No of course not- let’s just ask them- uh, hey, why aren’t you eating assa- herbalist.”
“… not… safe.”
“Huh? My cooking isn’t that bad is it…”
“They don’t mean the food you idiot- they’re a- were an assassin, so they’re probably iffy about eating, that’d make sense, right?”
“Oh! The poor thing! Here, let’s feed the poor lamb- open wide!”
(Prinx) — Today at 10:13
YEAH
eggnog — Today at 10:22
Calling them a poor lamb would piss the assassin off so bad but the “herbalist” is so meek it feels more than fitting (edited)
1
[10:23]
Also- it’s an adjustment for the heros too.
In a way they’re having to condition themselves to get used to this situation- getting used to treating the previous villain like a companion- a meek little lamb who needs a bit of “guidance”
(Prinx) — Today at 10:27
For real for real
Realising the amount of responsibility involved in settling the former villain into a new life and making sure they're functional
I think something that embarrasses the assassin deeply the first time they wake up a bit is the fact that their clothes have been picked out for them
Soft fabrics and soft colours and an ankle length robe that's appropriate to a herbalist but terribly impractical for someone to sneak around in
(Prinx) — Today at 10:37
Definitely in the first few days the "herbalist" needs help with things - to be directly told what to do - but once they've settled into a new routine it becomes very habitual to them
Being presented with a new lab and work station with all the equipment needed to brew potions, an assortment of herbs and supplies, books on herbalism and benign potion making, their hands twitch to do something but they're not certain what - because their body knows how to distill poisons and their instincts say to replace their confiscated supplies but the magic is telling them to do good, be good, helpful, obedient
At first they need to be told to make such and such a potion but they really take to it quickly once that mental hurdle is overcome
[10:40]
There's definitely at least one of the group (the paladin role type character?) who thinks the plan to rehabilitate a villain using mind magic is completely ridiculous and probably doomed to failure
Eyerolling every time it's obvious the mind control has worn off because the batch of potions the party leader was just handed is making the ring/sword/whatever that's enchanted to glow in the presence of poisons shine brightly
(Prinx) — Today at 10:44
Eventually the "herbalist" stops trying to poison the heroes out of spite/revenge every time they have enough control back to do so
Because it never works and it results in the spell being cast on them again and it's always stronger when freshly cast, so no moments of awareness or autonomy for weeks or months
(Prinx) — Today at 10:52
By the time they come to again after the first poisoning attempt, it's been months, and the habits and routines built up while they were under control feel so incredibly normal that they start going through their daily tasks and whatnot without really thinking about it before going "wait, hold the fuck up, I'm ME, I don't have to do all this"
eggnog — Today at 10:53
I imagine them trying to “seduce” the cleric early on in a moment of lucidity in some plan to get “rid” of them…
Only to be lectured on why that isnt ethical by the cleric who takes this sort of thing Very seriously until they snap and and yell something obscene.
Beat.
“… ooooh it wore off. That explains it! Hold still dear-“
(Prinx) — Today at 10:53
LMFAO ABSOLUTELY
[10:54]
Plan foiled
[10:54]
That's perfect
eggnog — Today at 10:55
They’re still screaming internally after it gets cast
“There we go- all better lamb?”
“Yes.”
(FUCK FUCK SHIT FUCK!)
(Prinx) — Today at 10:58
Oooogh but everything getting squashed into calmness and contentment in their mind, internal monologue quieting down
I bet it feels kind of good, relaxing
eggnog — Today at 11:00
Quiet… beofpre imagine they never stopped thinking. Always having to plan and plot and be aware of threats
[11:00]
Now? Now they don’t need to anymore. It can all be quiet.
(Prinx) — Today at 11:00
The little voice of their old self dwindling to nothing every time the spell is cast
[11:00]
Yeahhhhhh
eggnog — Today at 11:01
It’s nice not having to worry and scheme and plot
(Prinx) — Today at 11:02
They feel physically better than they've ever felt, which pisses them off whenever they "wake"
Because they're sleeping like someone who doesn't have to worry about attempts to kill them first, and eating like someone who isn't afraid of poisoning, not to mention the lack of physical tension from no longer expecting an attack out of nowhere at any time
eggnog — Today at 11:03
Plus also- physical intimacy. Not the sexual kind but just… sitting between people who don’t shy away from brushing against them.
Someone checking their temperature when they look a bit unwell- a cool hand against their forehead.
The hands cupping their face when the cleric casts the spell again
[11:06]
Being touched and touching others- taking in the skin ti skin contact they were so sorely lacking before.
(Prinx) — Today at 11:08
I think one thing driving the poisoning attempts when they wake up is them feeling annoyed, resentful, and conflicted that even though they were squashed into the role of being the kindly herbalist, they actually... Kind of like it. The ease and relaxation of living that way, not needing to worry, being shown gratitude for their efforts.
It would be easier to deal with if the heroes were cruel or neglectful, but at most they're just a bit condescending.
eggnog — Today at 11:09
If travelling on the road- sleeping between two others on their sleeping mat.
Theres a twinge of impulse to act while their enemy is vulnerable.
But instead they just lean into the touch-
Savouring the arm draped across them, the head resting on their shoulder.
(Prinx) — Today at 11:10
Cute....
eggnog — Today at 11:11
Also, picking up habits from the party…
[11:11]
The clerics way of healing, of getting close and being so gentle yet firm and commanding…
[11:11]
And other tics and habits from the rest…
(Prinx) — Today at 11:13
I think they've been probably set up with a cosy little shop to sell potions and not brought along much for travel because of the concern that if there's a conflict situation/the group is attacked and the herbalist has to defend themself they might easily slip back into bad habits
eggnog — Today at 11:13
lol yep… I was thinking the first time when they’re “got” they’d have to move them of course to their new home
(Prinx) — Today at 11:14
From the cleric they definitely pick up getting into party members' space when someone is sick or in need of healing
eggnog — Today at 11:14
Yesss
[11:14]
Once their set up the party go adventuring then return back- always picking up potions from them before they head out again.
(Prinx) — Today at 11:22
Later on
The party showing back up after a difficult adventure looking worse for wear, the cleric completely tapped out of magic, several of them obviously looking hurt
"How has our favourite herbalist been doing?"
The cleric being completely out of magic means the passive spells have stopped too - the mind control magic fading off - but (to their own chagrin) the herbalist feels a wave of worry and concern seeing the group hurt, these people that some growing part of them is comfortable with, feels safe around
The passing thought that this would be the perfect time to strike and be rid of the lot of them is actually painful
They're pulled in two directions over what to do, and their habits win out - setting up equipment, pulling out the healing potions they had stashed away just in case, and after a long moment of hesitation surreptitiously pouring one of them down the drain that only they can tell is subtly different
eggnog — Today at 11:24
Hehe
[11:25]
Ok but would they try to justify it… “oh this is me taking control of their lives, their lives are in my hand” blah blah etc
(Prinx) — Today at 11:25
Oh for real
[11:26]
Clawing back some pride and self-respect with that way of justifying what they're doing
eggnog — Today at 11:29
Cupping a party members face tenderly as they feed them the healing potion….
(Prinx) — Today at 11:30
Good fucking food
[11:31]
I think when they're confident they won't get magic cast on them again they start to get a little snarkier
Calling the group names and giving out that they didn't look after themselves
[11:31]
I think when they've started to accept life as the herbalist even while not under any control, they're a complete mess mentally
Resentment is a big emotion that keeps coming back at being made into something they never were before, but the desire to hurt the adventurers for it is less over time - it feels bad and unpleasant, where they never would have had that conscience weighing on them before, because nothing mattered except surviving and being the deadliest person in any situation - knowing they could strike anyone down before being struck, not allowing their weak scraps of conscience to grow because it could easily be their own death
And they know the heroes actually help people so hurting them would make others' lives actively worse
eggnog — Today at 11:35
Also.. imagine.
The spell wearing off but by now they’re able to act “convincing”…
… because it’s become so much of a habit.
Not doing anything because rhey need to “bide their time for the perfect moment” (an excuse)
… until one night they’re struggling to sleep. Their brain is too noisy.
So. They seek the cleric out.
“I want you to cast that spell again. I can’t sleep.”
“Wait- it wore off?”
“Has for a while now, thanks for noticing”
Snarky, sarcastic-
But it feels odd to talk like that now.
Wrong almost. It irks them but…
There’s a thrill at being so radically changed like this…
The cleric smiling and casting a spell- and their mind quiets…
But. They’re still lucid.
“… ? What did you do. Are you losing your touch?”
Again, the snark comes out but there’s a hint of concern.
“… no. I just don’t think you need the full spell anymore. That was just a light one- to quiet your mind, so you can sleep.”
“… oh.”
[11:35]
And the thing is the cleric is right.
They DONT need it anymore. They’re too entrenched in their habits-
And the cleric just smiles sweetly at them all the while as they realise this.
(Prinx) — Today at 11:37
That's the stuff
eggnog — Today at 11:37
People thinking the cleric is naive and hopelessly optimistic… maybe they’re are the latter but they’re not stupid.
[11:37]
Kind doesn’t mean soft
(Prinx) — Today at 11:42
It happens a few times that they go to the cleric worked up and go on a bit of a rant and ask to have the spell cast again - literally saying right out that they want to kill the cleric for doing this but they also don't and it feels awful being stuck in between and they don't want to hurt people anymore and thinking is too much - they need to stop - saying rather viciously that this is why mind magic is reviled more than even necromancy - but begging to be put under control again so they don't have to be holding back the urge to hurt the party, to get revenge, they don't want to be that person anymore but also hate on some level that they were forcibly "defanged"
The cleric listens and then casts the spell at full strength again and is very upset by the whole thing for some time
eggnog — Today at 11:44
Oooagh… yeah…
(Prinx) — Today at 11:48
I have some pretty clear visuals for the assassin/herbalist in my mind, hopefully I can do a little scribbling later
eggnog — Today at 11:48
[11:48]
Looking forward to seeing it
(Prinx) — Today at 11:53
They're a very tall and strong (but not ripped) dmab non-binary person who originally has pretty close cropped red hair (of course people afraid of them describe it rather dramatically as blood red lmfao) to keep it out of the way and so nobody can grab it to get the better of them in a struggle
All dark clothing pale dour mildly Vetinari looking asshole (no goatee though I just mean like facial structure and vibes)
Their hair starts growing out when they're the herbalist, originally because when they're under mind control they simply don't care what way it is, but I think they keep growing it and take to braiding it a little
It's kind of a luxury for them, this personal detail that makes them feel soft and vulnerable, but they realise they like that feeling
eggnog — Today at 11:54
Having someone braid it for them… brushing their hair
[11:54]
Just letting someone take care of them
(Prinx) — Today at 11:54
I realise the hair bit reminds me slightly of Theo so I could change the colour to dark brown or black but they're different enough
[11:54]
Yeah!!
eggnog — Today at 11:55
“Black as the night or like pitch black poison-“
Dramatic ass
(Prinx) — Today at 11:56
Hair as black as the night, as dark as their SOUL
eggnog — Today at 11:56
Hehddhdh starts lightening a slight bit because they’re spending more time outside in the sun after
(Prinx) — Today at 11:57
Hair as... Dark brown as someone who has dark brown hair??
eggnog — Today at 11:57
FFYFUGG
(Prinx) — Today at 11:57
They get freckles
[11:59]
I mentioned a lizardy team member who I think keeps his/her/their/idk (do dragons/lizard people need human genders) claws filed down/rounded to not accidentally hurt anyone, I bet having those scrape very gently against their scalp is really pleasant
Lizard person intrigued by human hair who learned to braid it, likes feeling it on the softer scale-less pads of skin on the underside of their fingers and palms
eggnog — Today at 12:00
Yessss
(Prinx) — Today at 12:02
Lizard person idly telling the herbalist seated between their legs to get hair braids done that they're soft and warm
"I don't think anyone has ever described me as either of those things before"
A Bit embarrassed, a bit happy
[12:03]
Any pronouns lizard person, they dgaf about distinctions of human gender
[12:06]
I don't think ze (the lizard person) has a fetish for human hair, is rather just intrigued and delighted by it
It's a little like the feathers that lizard people in some places in the world grow, but not where ze is from
eggnog — Today at 12:21
Aww… ends up being the best at doing hair
[12:23]
Want your hair done nice? Go to the one without any
(Prinx) — Today at 12:34
Yep!
(Prinx) — Today at 12:43
I think the herbalist's eventual vibe once they've resolved the internal conflicts caused by MIND CONTROL and essentially behavioural conditioning is like, healer but a bit edgy
They dye some of their new clothes red or black to make it feel more like Them, and sometimes they joke with the heroes about poisoning just to see how they'll react, but people in the community like them! They're not necessarily Nice to customers in the potion shop (they feel like it would be a bit much) but they are polite and if someone has an unusual illness they put a lot of effort into making a cure or medicine, and get a lot of satisfaction from it
They still like having the power over life and death but now it's about cheating death
Although I think it's several years until they're not so much of a mess mentally at times that they'll plead to be put back under mind control
(I think the healer should get to feel upset and uncomfortable about that because trying to control and reshape a person is a fucked up use for magic even if your intentions are Good and it more or less worked out in the end)
eggnog — Today at 12:51
Uuuagh yeah
[12:51]
I think they were very well meaning… but… yeah
(Prinx) — Today at 13:14
I think the group were hired to protect like... Some politician who actual works to put in policies to improve people's lives in whatever town or city it is, who is afraid of being assassinated because not being able to be bought by the rich and the aristocracy makes you a lot of enemies
Our assassin has been hired to do the deed but the group are ready and waiting, and knock them out, and one of the group recognises the assassin from descriptions and mentions they're famous as an assassin and poisoner so somebody must have paid a Lot for their services
They're trying to decide what to do with them (hand them over to the city guard? If they're even trustworthy and won't be bribed into letting them escape) when the cleric says it's a shame the assassin's skills couldn't be used for good because they're obviously skilled at distilling poisons from plants and mixing new ones, if only there was a way to convince them to work to benefit others instead of their own self interest
Another of the group saying "didn't you learn that spell recently? So you could cast the counter-spell on us. You know, that one"
eggnog — Today at 13:47
Man… all of them turning to look at them
(Prinx) — Today at 13:51
I feel like in the group there's two who are in favour (the leader and the cleric), one who is against (the paladin type who thinks it's a bad idea and won't work out), one who isn't too fussed either way (lizard person, where ze comes from the assassin would be executed immediately, by comparison anything else feels merciful) and one who is concerned about the ethics and undecided on whether they should do it or not (undefined character role, maybe the one who cooks the most)
[13:53]
I am thinking the lizard person is probably a ranger or some sort, and the cook who's concerned about the ethics is some other magic user (a general wizard or a druid maybe)
(Prinx) — Today at 14:01
Only adventuring group whose regular potion supplier/healer later on is someone who will threaten to forcefeed the most reckless member of the group a knock-out potion to keep them out of harm if they keep getting hurt doing reckless shit
Only 50% a joke
[14:06]
I think the herbalist can be a bit possessive or demanding over the group later, a kind of entitlement coming from feeling the group are responsible for the person they are now and for making the herbalist be someone who cares whether bad things happen to people other than themself
Like "you made me care about you, so if you don't look after yourselves I'll be pissed off"
(Prinx) — Today at 14:09
But even when their words are harsh their touch is gentle
Firm sometimes, but gentle
eggnog — Today at 14:23
Aww
[14:23]
Aggressively caring.
(Prinx) — Today at 14:41
Like the pissed off way some tsundere characters care for people but without the bit of denying they care
They're just kinda cranky about it
eggnog — Today at 14:42
Yessss
(Prinx) — Today at 14:43
And it's hard to deny wanting attention and care from the members of the group in turn
Cranky herbalist who melts when shown affection
[14:48]
Very defensive over not wanting to give up being hand fed after they've grown to trust the group
It feels good in a lot of different ways
They get embarrassed when it's pointed out that they could totally feed themself, but they like being fussed over and indulged
eggnog — Today at 15:10
“… remind us why we’re still feeding you again?”
“Shut up.”
(Prinx) — Today at 15:11
Almost or literally climbing into someone's lap to be fed and have their head petted and hair played with
[15:12]
It's embarrassing to be watched by the rest of the group but it feels blissful getting such close attention
eggnog — Today at 15:13
Someone calls them needy (in a non horny way)
But it affects them so much they need to go sit somewhere quiet alone for a while /j
(Prinx) — Today at 15:14
Being petted and fussed over makes their brain switch off for a short while, no mind magic needed
(Prinx) — Today at 15:43
Pondering why they don't try to leave the little house/shop (ground floor shop with a cute little living area above and a basement for brewing potions) they were put in the first time they fully wake from mind control and the hero group are off on an adventure
I think when they try to leave they feel deeply vulnerable and unsafe because the only weapon they have are small knives for cutting and preparing herbs, they have no armour, their clothes are made for comfort not maneuverability, they're out of practice on top of everything else, what if one of their enemies recognises them
Safer to go back into the house that they know has been warded for protection
[15:47]
They get better about going outside without being overcome with The Fear but by the time they're confident enough to go wherever, they want to go back to their cosy home when they're done going out, the idea of running away has become absurd
eggnog — Today at 16:11
Ehehe
(Prinx) — Today at 17:07
I think it would be fun if nobody except for the assassin knew their real name (they're only known by some edgy nickname) so after the cleric casts the spell on them the party realises they don't have anything to call them other than "herbalist"
So the group picks a new name
[17:08]
The adventurers are not excessively creative in terms of names so it's like "why don't we name them after a plant?"
And they decide to call the former assassin "Fern"
eggnog — Today at 17:56
Lmao
[17:56]
Cute
[18:02]
Many names to choose from… maybe they cycle through a few ideas until they settle on fern
(Prinx) — Today at 18:03
There's a lively discussion on names while waiting for the assassin to wake up
eggnog — Today at 18:04
“Holly?”
“Onion!” “No.”
“Aww…”
“Fennel?”
“Mm… an f name might be nice…”
“… Fern?”
“Oooh! I like that one!”
(Prinx) — Today at 18:04
ONION
[18:04]
Not even brainwashing could stop them committing revenge if the group renamed them that
eggnog — Today at 18:05
They call them onion and they immediately snap out of it to start strangling whoever called them that
(Prinx) — Today at 18:05
Jhgghjbvg yep
[18:07]
When the adventurer group tell the soon to be ex assassin after they wake up that their name is Fern they're like "???" (internally thinking that they know their own name and it's not that) but they're inclined to go along with whatever they're told so they just accept it
[18:08]
"Guess that's my name now "
Kitty — Today at 18:18
Very Good and Fun Thoughts
(Prinx) — Today at 18:46
The heroes didn't intentionally rename them because it would make conditioning them to be a different person than before easier, but the end result is that it does anyway
[18:49]
Like, the mind control magic having worn off and someone calls for the herbalist like "Fern, are you in?" and without thinking they reply "I'm here in the back, one moment" and a couple of seconds afterwards they mentally go
Wait that's not my name
(But they respond like it is so it might as well be)
(Prinx) — Today at 18:53
I was thinking that their name previously was Dane (one later off from Bane fjfhhd dramatic)
But THEN I started thinking of a tragic backstory of them being orphaned at a very young age and picked up off the street by a master assassin who wanted to train a successor to pass on some sort of legacy but would only trust an apprentice he literally raised
So Dane isn't even their original name, not that they remember what that was
[18:53]
+1 tragic backstory
eggnog — Today at 18:57
Oof
(Prinx) — Today at 19:01
Their life has been one long montage of bullshit (a great quantity of said shit was committed by them for money during their adult life, to be fair, but also. Oof.)
Casually bringing it up on conversation on day way later on like "Hey what do you think is more messed up? Mind controlling someone to provide you with a valuable service, or raising a child to be a professional killer from a young age? I'm trying to decide."
Everyone is like What the Hell
eggnog — Today at 19:02
Everyone is just: ??? You good?
“No.”
(Prinx) — Today at 19:07
Somebody working up the courage to ask if it was their parents who raised them to be an assassin
"No, they died in some sort of accident. I don't really remember, I was fairly young."
[19:08]
Idk, is the tragic backstory too much they could have just been an asshole who decided it was an easy-ish way to make money
Though the tragic backstory thing explains their critical weakness to things like praise, affection, and closeness
eggnog — Today at 19:11
Nothing wrong with an angsty backstory
(Prinx) — Today at 19:14
And also explains how nobody looked for them when they just Vanished (i.e. the whole brainwashing and put into a new life entirely) thing
[19:17]
Plus I just like the idea of there being a reason why the name they thought of as their name wasn't their original name, which probably makes it a bit easier to accept a new name
eggnog — Today at 19:17
Yeah!
(Prinx) — Today at 19:25
Fern is several identity crises in a trenchcoat /jk (edited)
[19:26]
I got off topic fleshing out the character, I nearly lost sight of the horny
I am trying to think of who they sleep with first and how it happens
[19:29]
I think the druid is not into other people sexually so that leaves, the leader of the group (a warrior type), the cleric, the lizard ranger, and the paladin who is sus of Fern for a long time
eggnog — Today at 19:31
Hmm…
(Prinx) — Today at 19:43
I might be biased but I feel like maybe the lizard person...
After getting their hair braided by zem one evening during a little trip that they've finally been trusted to come along on, now that there's no need for mind controlling them and nobody thinks Fern might relapse to wanting to kill people if they get a little too close to a fight (not even the paladin anymore)
Sitting around the campfire, after dinner, lazy and relaxed, leaning back against the ranger who braids their hair
Zir hands start to wander a little down to Fern's shoulders and ze asks if ze can touch them, Fern says yes
Then the ranger starts gently groping them and moving their hands lower, right there where any of the rest of the group could notice, and it's embarrassing and thrilling, not only the possibility of being watched but being the more passive party, letting themself be touched, trusting that they can be that vulnerable
[19:48]
The ranger hissing quiet praise in their ear as Fern muffles their noises with their hand, it's been so long since they were with someone else that simply being touched through their clothes and held close and praised is almost overwhelming