Talk:The Void/@comment-39855345-20190627012329

Imagine if this was put in the hands of an organization with no qualms about assassination. A loyal member is ordered to conduct this ritual. The perfect murder, as a pathway to unimaginable power. As powerful figures are killed, civilization begins to destabilize.

Word spreads, and people that are willing to risk everything also conduct the ritual. Business rivals, spiteful former romances, impatient heirs, vengeful criminals, etc, bringing down those they hate or simply wish to be rid of. Trust erodes as people start refusing economic and social interactions for fear of becoming a target. Legal authorities start being afraid to do their jobs.

Soon a cottage industry springs up, with people conducting the ritual for those unwilling to conduct it themselves. Supernatural murder for hire. And the justice system is powerless to do anything about it. The days leading up to Halloween to into debauched excess - Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow one may be dead. Post holiday cleanup strains legal, social and financial services with devastated families, destroyed businesses, power vacuums etc.

Soon all those that are left are the bland, inoffensive, unimportant folks that have nothing anyone wants, are too boring to excite hatred, too powerless to be considered an obstacle to a person's goals. The government is forced to step in to mandate economic and reproductive activity just to ensure humanity's survival. Orders are given anonymously and face masks/ID numbers are worn in public to prevent targetting. And all people must report to public meeting areas on Halloween to prevent someone from conducting the ritual. As further insult, anyone with a sensory disability is ostracised (or worse) on the false assumption that they tried to kill someone and failed.

Yep, that's horrifying. :O