Leander's Cult Signs, Psychic Moths And Manipulative Bottoming.

Leander's cult signs, Psychic Moths and Manipulative Bottoming.

!(DEMO UPDATE SPOILERS; LEANDERS ROUTE)!

''What are you doing sitting around, good-looking? the demo's been out, why don't you hurry that cute little body of yours and spend some time with me?''

Call me the Unnamed Oracle because in this post I'd made the point that that Leander would want to make you feel powerful, in control both physically and mentally to stop you from questioning his behavior.

I'm so giddy that I was actually right about this lmfao, and it got me thinking more about Leander's control tactics.

Safety, even if false, creates a safety blanket- it also breeds codependence; for MC, safety looks like the ability to not hurt anybody using the power of their hands.

We can also see this when MC manages to push him down onto the bed to keep him from leaving, exactly what he would've wanted.

MC believes it was from their own volition, but it was all Leander's play, he'd promised them answers to the question they so desperately want to be answered, and then tried to leave in a hurry immediately after.

It makes them feel more in control, like everything they're doing comes from their decision alone and not somebody elses influence, which could render doubt.

This also plays well into all of the cult symptoms I noticed within the new update, something they seem to be pushing more with the Abberstone/Bloodhounds.

One of the first signs of a cult is love-bombing, something that can be expressed in multiple different ways, I'd be willing to overlook Leander's fascination and desire to know every detail about MC as simply a cultural difference due to the exchange of knowledge

BUT on the other hand, another way of love-bombing that's quite popular when it comes to cult activities especially is the act of singling the possible new member out in a positive manner.

He chose you out of everyone vying for his affection, the only difference being that they're completely hooked on him and you aren't yet.

It's human nature to want validation and to feel special, and he's offering that to you in particular, oh, don't you feel so wanted? it makes you feel more akin to stay.

Who wouldn't want to stay somewhere that makes them feel special and adored, especially by the flock leader themselves.

One of the main things we learn about the Abberstone/Bloodhound's is that they're protective of one another, they're good Samaritans who've even lended a hand fixing a leaking roof once or twice.

But if you look on the other side of things, another sign of a cult is both Fear Factor and Hate-Bonding.

Very little unites people like a shared hatred, think about it, have you ever bonded more with a friend because there is someone at work or school you both just cannot stand?

This is also another weapon used by flock leaders, they usually pick a certain group or organization to turn into the cult's enemy, someone everybody can mutually boo.

This also brings a sense of belonging as everyone shares at least one point of view with the rest, it's a very base instinct to agree with something that a large group is saying.

It's like if a person who's spent their life sober goes out with a group of friends who love drinking, they're more inclined to join in despite their own beliefs due to fear of missing out.

It ignites unity within the group, keeping them more loyal to each other and the cause.

This also ties hand in hand with creating bonds within the cult, something to give you a reason to stay.

Leander is your friend, don't you trust him? :)

Sharing secrets is a good way to bond with people, similar to the instance of shared trauma, something exclusive between two people that makes them feel like they can only talk to that other.

Leander love-bombs quite early on until they easily start calling MC a friend, almost desperate to win them over for that exact reason.

He knows MC is alone and desperate, the ideal target for a cults influence, so he's eager to be their first friend.

He even discourages trying to befriend the likes of Mhin or Kuras, pointing out the flaws in all the others so you'd feel more inclined to spend time with him instead.

Not that they really have much of a choice, because another thing that's extremely prominent in the structure of a cult is Financial Control.

But how could Leander do that if everything is free? it's an almost genius method, but the effect goes the opposite.

MC likely doesn't look wealthy, like at all, and it seems that travelers have a reputation for being scraggly if the sighting of the other at the beginning of the game is anything to go off of (before they went insane, I wouldn't be looking too hot either if my mind was broken.)

They're also extremely tight about the information given, anybody can tell that from just five minutes talking about that.

And with Eridia's information value, they're not exactly going to get far.

Leander knows that, so like the good Samaritan he is, he lets them stay at the Wet Wick for free, even offering free meals and drinks.

But this also leaves MC under his thumb, they can barely afford food let alone another place to stay, and Leander is there and kind and oh-so-willing to lend a hand.

Constantly being surrounded by a cult is a sure way to get indoctrinated, especially when they're so much warmer compared to the harshness of the other people they've met, I.E Mhin and Vere.

But we're also overlooking the most crucial sign of Leander being a flock leader.

This has been crucial to his rise in power and keeping his followers hooked on him and his ideologies, enough to overlook any sort of red flag.

Look at those tiddies fr i'd fall for that any day, we don't need any indoctrination fam we're already hooked 😍😍 I'd say we don't need a leash but I know we'd still like it

Big tiddy cult forever