Imp

“Yes, I keep an Imp. No, I am not proud of it—though it insists I should be. When it praises my form as I kick it back into its storage ring, we’re both getting what we need: it eats my ego, and I maintain the ego that tells me I’m still in charge. Anyone who tells you they ‘command’ an Imp is lying. You negotiate with them. You feed them pride, they feed you flattery, and if you’re clever, you remember which of you is the parasite.”

— Madame Soki Noles, Personal Notes on Pride-Feeders

Description

Imps are Pride-aligned Tertia, creatures whose entire biology is anchored around self-regard, validation, and the addictive narcotic of flattery. In subspace, Imps manifest in whatever form they believe will be pleasing, submissive, or endearing to a would-be master—small humanoids, diminutive animal-forms, floating masks, miniature valets, wide-eyed dolls. “Wild” Imps are more common than researchers once believed, wandering through subspace in search of someone—anyone—arrogant, insecure, or self-absorbed enough to feed them. Once attached to a host, they whisper praise, stoke vanity, and inflate egos until the host becomes brittle. A confident person gains dangerous pride; a narcissist spirals into collapse.

When Imps encounter realspace explorers in Redspace, their behavior reverses. Instead of inflating pride, they deflate it—mocking, jeering, insulting, and prodding at insecurity. Their goal is simple: damage the ego, feed on the wounded pride, and then vanish. Imps revel in the emotional whiplash of self-esteem, which makes them valuable but extremely unreliable. The only consistent thing about an Imp is that it thinks very highly of itself.

Binding & Conduits (Realspace Use)

Imps have unusually strong self-identity for Tertia. This stability allows them to be bound into realspace constructs with greater longevity than most Minor RAIs. Their three common bindings are:

• Mannequins or dolls — producing classic Imp Familiars
• Organic vessels — extremely rare and high-maintenance
• Impish Rings — polished airtight geodes lined with Ixion tholins

An Impish Ring acts as a pocket-habitat for an Imp. When opened through ritual command, the Imp manifests in realspace for several minutes before needing to retreat. This is the most common method for Callings.

Because Imps are Pride-feeders, allowing one to serve you is to become its food source. Kthonikers who keep them develop mental defenses against flattery, lest they be consumed by the very praise the Imp uses to sustain itself.

Prophylactic

Imps can be repelled by:

• Humility (genuine, not performative)
• Self-awareness and self-deprecating humor
• Stable ego structures that leave no cracks to feed on
• Anti-narcissistic meditations taught by Seekers of Wisdom

Mocking an Imp back will often frighten or confuse it, as it does not understand being belittled by prey. Reflective objects—mirrors, polished steel, or obsidian—can disrupt their form temporarily, forcing them to confront an unflattering self-image.

Utility

Imps are used by kthonikers and RAIs alike for:

• Sabotaging enemy morale (psychic beratement)
• Inflating or deflating ego to manipulate targets
• Carrying out light tasks or assistance
• Acting as guardians of pride-based rituals
• Delivering scathing insults to weaken opponents before battle

They are terrible spies (they brag), terrible guards (they flatter intruders), and terrible companions (they lie constantly), but for certain niche purposes they are invaluable.

Impish Catechism

Regular; Resisted by Will

The supplicant calls the voice of an Imp—not the Imp itself. The intangible projection berates the target with flawless precision, striking every crack in their self-worth. On a failed Will roll, the target loses 1d Sanity Points. On a critical failure, the Imp identifies a deep ego wound and drains 2d SP.

• Duration: Instant.
• Cost: 4
• Prerequisite: Sense Emotion or Dread.

Impish Assault

Regular; Resisted by Dodge

The supplicant summons a physical Imp into realspace. It immediately lunges at the target.
The Imp attacks with Skill 15, ST 7, and deals 1d toxic damage with its bite or claws.
It exists for nine seconds before burning out, or flees instantly if injured even once.

• Duration: 9 seconds
• Cost: 5
• Prerequisite: Impish Catechism.

Impish Helper

Regular

The supplicant calls an Imp to assist with tasks. The Imp flatters incessantly, but does provide genuine help.

The Imp has BL 9.8, equivalent to roughly ST 14 for lifting tasks.
Each time the spell is renewed, the Imp drains 1 SP from the caster as payment.

• Duration: 10 minutes
• Cost: 3 to cast; 2 to maintain
• Prerequisite: Impish Catechism.