Your Heart's Desire: Difference between revisions

This is a favorite technique of the [[Master of Illusion]], who may use it to trap others in a [[Lotus Eater Machine]], or the kinds of monsters that get satisfaction out of [[Emotion Eater|manipulating their victims' emotions]]. After all, it's much easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar, and the victim often won't even be able to realize the danger until it's [[Death by Irony|too late]]. This is why your parents always told you not to take candy from strangers.

{{examples}}

== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==

* In ''[[Nabari no Ou]]'', the Shinrabanshou often tries to tempt Miharu into telling her his greatest desires, and then she will grant him her destructive power, regardless of [[Superpower Meltdown|whether his body can handle it.]]

== [[Literature]] ==

* In the novel ''[[Something Wicked This Way Comes]]'' by Ray Bradbury, the carnival tries to entice the boys by showing them exciting and marvelous things. Particularly Jim, who is fascinated by it, and who also has a desire to become older.

* The short story "A Part of the Game" in Dragon magazine #51. A group of desert travelers find an oasis which appears to be a gate to a utopian other world. Most of the group enters the pool only to be eaten by its inhabitant, a monster that can create beautiful illusions.

* ''[[Harry Potter (novel)|Harry Potter]]'' had the Mirror of [[Sdrawkcab Name|Erised]], which shows the viewer whatever their greatest desire is. Ron, who feels overshadowed by his siblings, sees himself outdoing them all. Harry, who never knew his real family, sees himself with his parents and relatives. Dumbledore mentions that [[Lotus Eater Machine|it can be highly addictive]], however. {{spoiler|In the climax, Dumbledore hides the Philosopher's Stone "inside" the mirror, with the proviso that only someone who wants to find the stone but not use its power can reach it. The villain sees himself with the stone, but Harry's reflection slips it into his pocket.}}

*** Adventure ''[[wikipedia:Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth|S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]]''. A group of dao (similar to djinn) create an illusion of a desirable setting to lure the party into a cave. When the party enters, the dao attack.

*** [[Dark Sun]]/World of Athas campaign setting. The Red Silt Horror uses its telepathic/ESP abilities to determine what its target desires most, then uses its False Sensory Input power to create an image of the desired item. After its target moves close to it, it attacks.

** 3rd Edition. ''Creature Collection'' supplement. The Dweller at the Crossroads is a sinister figure that knows its victim's greatest wish and can grant it - for a price. Every gift the dweller gives is cursed in some way to bring corruption and misery to the person receiving it.

* ''[[Shadowrun]]'' had an Awakened creature ability called "Desire Reflection" that was basically this. Only a few magical creatures possessed it.

* The PC horror game ''The Path'' can be interpreted this way, as it seems that {{spoiler|each girl's wolf}} is something that appeals to them according to their personality, and thus they are lured in one by one.

* The aptly-named Desire Demons from '''Dragon Age'''

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==