#servitor

[rangerhippolord]

Servitors that "go rogue" are preventable

I groan every time I hear another story about a servitor that has "gone rogue" and ended up turning into a cobud instead. Given what I know about a servitor's limitations, as well as the unconscious biases and motivations for creating a servitor, I'll explain why this happens and how to prevent some awkward conversations both in and out of system.

Servitors "going rogue" can sound scary, but you need to look closer at the servitor's purpose and what mindsets their cocreator has about it. If the servitor is seen as an entity that carries out a task like shuffling cards and nothing more, that's unlikely to cause problems. However, one that's supposed to mimic being a headmate probably will. While servitors are inherently human because they are part of the human brain, a creator's underlying expectations and desires can lead to cobud creation instead.

Servitor limitations

Servitors aren't designed to solely handle personality-dependent tasks. They are designed to handle basic tasks or serve as a support for these tasks. But they will fall short when expected more of.

A prime example of this is the "body OS", or "body operating system". This is a basic servitor that most people likely have; it seems to come prepackaged with having a brain. Its purpose seems to be making it easier to think and go about your day-to-day activities.

While the body OS can engage in conversations, it's not designed to handle an entire conversation by itself. The body OS echos general opinions and basic conversation behaviors, but that's because it's designed to help you by offloading conscious effort in day-to-day conversations. (I may share my interesting experience with our body OS in a future post.) However, once you do need to make decisions based on your values or do thinking that requires a lot of conscious thought, the body OS falls short. I assume this because we have heard multiple stories about headmates abandoning the front, only for new ones to spawn after it's been too long. Thus, I concluded a headmate being in control must be required and the body OS isn't enough on its own.

A long time ago, I found another system's experience that supported the idea a servitor shouldn't be left alone in the front. They had a dish-washing servitor, but I may have misremembered and it was just their body OS. They have their servitor do the dishes so they can focus on each other in wonderland. However, if someone interrupts them, a headmate will be summoned to address the situation.

Summoning a headmate also happens with different servitor-like thoughtforms we have. We struggle with emotional self-awareness, so we ask these entities if we really feel a certain way or not on certain things. In response, they will spit out a short answer. However, when it comes to explaining why, they will eventually summon the part of us with those feelings instead. If they didn't, that would imply they were just part of us, and not really a separate servitor who's just passing along a message.

Overall, servitors don't seem like they can carry out personality-dependent tasks on their own. Knowing that, it makes sense why a servitor expected to do those tasks likely becomes a cobud instead.

When things go wrong

I assume there are a few underlying expectations that can lead to servitors "going rogue" and becoming disobedient. However, most of them fall under the general unconscious assumption certain "servitors" are actually separate people. There are a few stories I can think of and some of my speculations about escapism that may explain what inspires these mindsets.

One possible mindset could be the self-fulfilling prophecy that servitors could go rogue in the first place. I have heard of multiple reports of servitors going rogue, reports that it happens easily, and fears of servitors going rogue. This seems very similar to the fears authors and role players have for creating cobuds out of story characters. However, it's possible to have story characters and cobuds (like we do). Likewise, there are examples of servitors not going rogue, usually HUD-like servitors. However, fear is one of the easier expectations to identify.

I believe the main expectation for servitors going rogue is unconsciously expecting a servitor to be a person. You can create a cobud starting with a story character, so I feel basing your cobud off of a servitor isn't too different.

I'm not the first to come to this conclusion either. In response to an older system who reported their servitors having gone rogue, another paromancer suspected the servitor creator had a deep desire for a person instead of a mindless robot. A similar response was given by several paromancers to another incident I'm more familiar with.

A long time ago, I was fortunate enough to meet a system with a "servitor going rogue" situation in a public Discord server. They had a fascinating approach to servitor creation- they "programmed" them by having them follow state machine logic: "if this happens, do xyz." However, their servitors were expected to be servants while also having person-like qualities. The servitor creator explained they would scrap servitors that were deemed "too sentient" and created revisions to try and find that line between person and "machine". However, to me as well as others, it seemed pretty obvious the underlying desire for a cobud was still present.

While a lot more complicated, my host, Gray, created a "servitor" but desired a headmate instead. We saw Gray wanting to create more cobud-like thoughtforms as a problem (due to large-system stigma), and this time he wanted to make a "servitor" to serve as our "subconscious representative". Upon closer inspection, we eventually realized it wasn't a servitor- it was Stars, our headmate who went dormant and Gray brought back. (Stars is kind of servitor-like in nature though, which is part of why it's complicated.) We then realized the underlying motivation for creating some of our more recent turned-out-to-be cobud headmates was Gray wanting Stars back, but failing to do so before. We didn't create any other cobuds since, but we kept the cobuds Gray created.

On a slightly different note, I also speculate wanting someone or something else to live your life will also lead to a failure in creating a servitor. I vaguely remember some people wanting to create a servitor to do things like chores, but they never produced results. On the other hand, the system I mentioned earlier with the dish-washing servitor wasn't stressed about doing dishes, they were just bored. I feel those different mindsets going into servitor creation are significant.

However, it's possible this situation is more rare and less understood than I initially thought. Hosts who abandon the front, an already rare situation in of itself, don't usually need a servitor to take their place. Plus, my feelings of wanting cobuds to be treated like people unless told otherwise is probably making this situation seem more common to me than it really is. I will be very surprised if a system can successfully pull off creating a servitor that does stressful tasks for them. But I don't recommend it either because it would ultimately be a band-aid solution to a deeper problem.

Preventing "rogue" servitors

Ultimately, I feel the underlying biases and desires into servitorship are the driving force that lead to servitors going rogue or not. Since servitors aren't designed to handle deep conscious thinking and decision making on personal values, asking a servitor to do that is ultimately asking for a cobud instead. Being mindful of potential mental health related motuvations, accepting the possibility of more cobuds, blah blahhh

First, if you like the idea of having a servitor doing chores or act as a servant for you, think about what it would be like to have a servitor and consider the possibility you want another cobud and/or are trying to escape responsibility. Do you want to zone out and be distracted while a servitor is doing simple tasks, or do you want to avoid the task all together? If you want a "yes" person who always says yes to you, are you sure this isn't a trauma response from bad past experiences with people, and you just want someone who would genuinely want to say "yes" to you? Addressing any underlying trauma will lead to a happier experience a servitor can't offer you.

Keep in mind it's not normal to have a trauma response or a panic attack for things like cleaning and doing homework. You shouldn't have to suffer trying to force yourself to do these things. If possible, please seek professional help and/or look into self-help resources.

Second, if you want to create more than one cobud, do it. Discouraging cocreators from creating large systems doesn't usually work and creates stigma and shame. It also leads to cases like ours where systems will create "servitors", unconsciously hoping to find a loophole. There's no point in adding unnecessary restraints. Instead, it's more effective to understand why you want to create more cobuds instead and go from there.

Third, there's also no need to humanize servitors either. You can still respect a servitor that isn't intended to be a person. The servitor may need times to recharge, just like how focusing on anything for too long can be exhausting, you shouldn't lash out at a servitor doing what it was expected to do, etc. It's like respecting the body- understand the servitor's limits and don't push far beyond them.

So hopefully, next time you want to dive into servitorship, you have a clear understanding of what you want and your intentions. No one wants their cobud sharing the "So my host thought I was a lifeless robot!" story!

[lordmortimor]

[dancwart]

Servitor

We can rebuild them

[wh40kartwork]

Pasqal

by sanatorium

[caffichai]

@praxinas warlock Harlow, for the very last day of Artfight 2023!

I love the Eliksni armor from Season of Splicer and the aesthetic, just in general

[drmikhailov]

Subject: Servitors (REAL BEINGS) Will sell BEINGS Different ages and stages of development. Will sell or give away to a new master into good hands.

Each being possesses

SIGIL ACT OF CREATION PHYSICAL RESIDENCY LOGBOOK

Ps Please do not contact me if you didn't understand what you've read. It's important for me that m beings will be well taken care of an loved! Despite my big graditude I am unable to give them as much attention anymore.

Some beings possess big achievements… Write what you need a being for and I'll try to help!

[creature-wizard]

Is creating servitors dangerous? I feel like they can harm you

I know this is anecdotal, but personally I've noticed that people who have the most trouble with spirits attacking them are often some of the most nasty, rancid people you could ask to be around.

I personally suspect this is because the spirits are actually projections based on their perception that the world is full of people who are nasty and mean, because people like this usually attract other rancid people into their lives and because they always think they're the victims when anybody in general doesn't just let them walk all over them.

Others who have experiences with malevolent entities often seem to be having some kind of mental health crisis, frequently of a psychotic or anxious nature. In my personal experience at least, they often have a background of being among people who very seriously believed in malevolent spirits such as demons.

In theory, a servitor is a custom-built spirit, which should mean that you can make it able or unable to do anything you want. It ought to be possible to make one that cannot harm you in any way; at least, assuming that servitors have independent existence. It should also be possible to create an entity that is reasonable and capable enough that it shouldn't have to resort to violence when its needs are unmet.

If servitors were real independent entities, I think it would be reasonable to consider them like any kind of animal. Animals don't just attack for no reason; they attack because they feel threatened or because they're hungry. It should be easy enough to make sure your servitor doesn't feel threatened - don't be cruel or negligent. It should be easy enough to make sure it's never hungry - just make its sustenance something easy to find, like sunlight.

If someone really, really wanted to make sure there was no possible way a servitor could become a problem, it should be possible to give it a deactivation code, like a word or phrase that essentially turns it off or makes it self-destruct.

So yeah, assuming for the moment that servitors are genuinely independent spiritual entities, I think the only way one could actually become a threat to you is if you design or treat it badly.

[ederiuss]

Did some Servitor art last night, took some 2 hours, pretty happy with it Channeling your misery apparently works, and I kinda get moody horror art now

[popculture-hag-shit]

H. N. Elly (Kirsten) Servitor

Purpose: to contain memories eliciting distressing emotions

Needs:

A box

Lock

Paper

Pen

Marker

1) On the sides of your box write the following in runes:

These memories are yours to keep, covetous box witch, H. N. Elly (Kirsten).

Draw substance from these living memories. Feed on their negativity.

And when I die, and they die with me, be at peace, be released.

On the bottom of the box write the runes for Elly's wish:

I only have one wish. Box up that memory.

2) write down your memory in as much detail as possible, pouring your emotions into the words

3) fold up the paper and place it in the box to feed the servitor

4) lock the box so the memories stay put.

Notes:

Witchcraft isn't a substitute for therapy and/or medication, this servitor is simply an aid

Your box needn't be as elaborate as mine, it can simply be a box

For the runes, I used the archaic version since they seemed to most closely match the ones seen on her screen in the anime

In my experience with Elly's servitor, the memories aren't erased or anything. Feeding them to her gives me a sense of relief. When the memories come up, I feel less and less upset the longer she's had the memories. This is strongest in the first couple days after I've given her a memory and has been quickly replaced by a sense of peace.

I feed her as memories come up, the time period between feedings doesn't matter as she feeds off any of the memories already at her disposal when I remember them

Her design is to siphon energy from the memories and then use that fuel to contain the memories, so I recommend feeding her immediately after making her

[astra-ravana]

What Is An Egregore?

An egregore is a collective thought-form or psychic entity created by the shared beliefs, emotions, and intentions of a group of people. It exists on the astral plane and is sustained by the energy it receives from those who acknowledge or interact with it. Egregores can range from simple constructs, like a shared group mindset, to powerful spiritual forces that take on a life of their own.

As they become more autonomous, egregores may begin to influence even more individuals, leading them to act in ways they might not otherwise choose. They can also become malevolent, manipulating their creators or growing uncontrollable if their energy is not properly managed or if the group’s intentions shift. The longer an egregore exists, the harder it becomes to control, and it may exert a disproportionate influence over those who have fed it, making it a potentially dangerous force in occult practices.

Origins and Function

The concept of egregores dates back to ancient mystical and occult traditions, particularly in Western esotericism, Kabbalah, and ceremonial magick. The term comes from the Greek word egregoroi, meaning “watchers” or “guardians.” In modern occultism, an egregore is often likened to a psychic servitor, but instead of being created by a single person, it is formed and strengthened by collective consciousness.

Types of Egregores

• Religious & Spiritual Egregores – Gods or angels that have been empowered by centuries of belief and worship of organized religion.

• Cultural & Societal Egregores – Nations, political movements, or even corporations that develop their own energy and influence.

• Magical & Esoteric Egregores – Thought-forms created intentionally by occult groups for protection, knowledge, or power.

• Pop Culture Egregores – Fictional characters or mythologies that gain psychic influence due to mass belief and emotional investment.

How Egregores Are Sustained

An egregore requires attention, emotion, and ritual to survive. The more people interact with and reinforce its presence—through belief, symbols, rituals, or storytelling—the stronger it becomes. Some egregores can gain autonomy, influencing the thoughts and actions of those connected to them.

Working With or Disrupting Egregores

• Creating an Egregore: Occultists and magickal groups sometimes create egregores for protection, guidance, or manifestation. These are carefully built through ritual, intention, and structured feeding of energy.

• Dissolving an Egregore: If an egregore becomes negative or harmful, it can be weakened through neglect, conscious dismantling, or banishing rituals.

• Recognizing Their Influence: Many egregores subtly shape reality through collective belief. Understanding their power can help one navigate group dynamics, avoid manipulation, or harness them for magickal purposes.

Egregores exist everywhere, from spiritual traditions to modern fandoms, corporations, and ideologies. Whether viewed as independent entities or as psychological constructs, their impact on the world is undeniable, especially within witchcraft and occult circles. Learning how to recognize egregores for what they are allows a practitioner to circumvent unwanted influences and protect their energy.

[majokkid]

Basics of Servitor Creation and Implementation

For those new to chaos magic, or who are unfamiliar with the terminology, a servitor is an entity created by a magician to perform certain tasks autonomous from its creator.

Phil Hine writes in Condensed Chaos: Adventures in Chaos Magic that servitors are essentially a kind of psychological complex created "by deliberately budding off portions of our psyche and identifying them by means of a name, trait, symbol", after which "we can come to work with them (and understand how they affect us) at a conscious level.”

Servitors can be created to perform a wide range of tasks, from the specific to the general, and may be considered as expert systems which are able to modify themselves to take into account new factors that are likely to arise whilst they are performing their tasks. They can be programmed to work within specific circumstances, or to be operating continually.

Phil Hine, Condensed Chaos: An Introduction to Chaos Magic (New Falcon Publications, 1995)

Note: While some purport that servitors are a part of a ‘thoughtform continuum’, starting with ‘unintelligent’ sigils and eventually getting to the complexity of egregores and godforms, I think it would be prudent to mention that I don’t think I agree with the distinctions people tend to make between servitors and thoughtforms, namely that servitors are simpler and have less agency than thoughtforms. I can see why it may be helpful for some to keep them disparate but I find the separation unnecessary especially since there are certainly instances where servitors can be sophisticated enough to harbor agency and even intellect.

Generally, I’ve seen magicians follow a model similar to Austin Osman Spare’s sigil creation technique to encode a particular intention for a servitor to operate within. Alternatively, a magician may choose to create servitors from negative aspects of their psyche so they can interact with those traits as personal ‘demons’ and eradicate them. This is to say there are probably limitless ways you can program a servitor to aid you in your magical and mundane life.

When creating a servitor, I begin with a similar mindset as creating any other magical tool by first determining my intentions. What do I need help with? What am I seeking? Try to take note of the thoughts and emotions that are influencing your intentions and even try to imagine what things will be like after the task is complete; by collecting and holding all of this mental data during servitor creation, you can strengthen the complex it is born from.

Note: This is why I find there can be varying degrees of success when trying to use a servitor that someone else has created. While someone could have had great success with their servitor and enthusiastically shared the steps for its creation, you do not have the same psychological and magical ties to that entity and therefore may not really be tapping into what makes it tick.

During this inception process, also consider the level of sophistication you want your servitor to have. Ask yourself questions like:

Is your servitor made for one specific task and then it is banished or does it work in perpetuity (or until you stop it)?

Do you have to summon it each time you need it to perform a certain task? If so, how?

Is your servitor like a magical automaton, doing a set action like a machine, or can it learn from its experiences and adapt how it operates?

Does your servitor have a lifespan? Are you able to resummon the same entity if needed again or would you create a new version of itself?

Does your servitor have agency?

Does your servitor communicate? If so, how? Can it interact with other beings besides yourself?

Does your servitor require energy or sustenance? What does it require and how often?

By having set rules or constraints baked into the creation of your servitor, you can ensure it operates the way you want it to.

As you are thinking of all of this, picture what your servitor looks like, how it moves, if it has a sound or a voice—the more detail, the better.

Give your servitor a name and a sigil. You can create the sigil based on the servitor’s name or task using something like Austin Osman Spare’s sigilization technique or something more abstract. (My personal divination deck, much like Sakura Kinomoto’s cards in Cardcaptor Sakura, also houses an entity in each of the cards and the art on the card is essentially the entity’s sigil.)

Before launching your servitor, determine a ‘kill switch’ for the entity if anything goes sideways or you need it to cease working immediately for any reason. This can be a phrase or an action but make sure it is something you cannot accidentally do. If you connect your servitor to an object, simply destroying that object would also work.

Finally, with all of this information at hand, you can launch your servitor. You can do this as you would fire off any other sigil or you can choose to do something more ceremonial. (The defunct account @trollkunnig outlines a method of essentially ‘contracting’ a servitor in this post.) At this point, you can tether your servitor to an object, if you choose to do so. I have also connected a servitor to an additional object after its programmed task was completed with a renewed intention and a course of action should its original services be needed again.

This post is part of my Magi Praxis series. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or you have attempted anything I have shared and want you share your experiences, please send me a message! I am always happy to go back and provide further explanation as well. ☆

[moociaoafterdark]

... Do we have Sanguinius' thoughts on cherubs?

Because I think I finally comprehended the problem and why Sanguinius is so scared and insecure, despite literally being an angel man (who is secretely a vampire, but, shhh)

[wh40kartwork]

Sisters Of Battle

by Vitalii Datsenko

[theterrornaut]

Hoffman activities + bonus

[antvmnosbn]

Rogue Trader von Valancius - servant of Chaos, with Cassia and his servitors

[dungeons-and-dregs]

Fallen Machine PNGs

Below the cut I mean

Shanks

Servitor and Brig

Fallen Walkers/Spider Tanks (One is higher resolution than the other)

In-game edits

Enjoy :)