How society deals with victims of demonic possession

[Sharad9]

The soul of a human being has its own metaphysical circulatory system that exists withing the body. At its center lies the core, which supplies the body with life energy that sustains the human physcial form, and works in tandem with other bodily functions. This core also produces a metaphysical barrier that surrounds the body and protects it from supernatural predators.
For a daemonic possession to take place, a dark and difficult ritual must be performed. Ritualistic markings must be carved into the still living victim''s body from top to bottom. These runes bind the daemon and allow it to penetrate the barrier. Then the ancient incantation is performed, summoning the demon and giving it access to the victims''s core. Other ingredients are needed, and the spell can take many hours, during which the person may expire from the pain. If done correctly, the runes will prevent the victim from dying and result in a daemonhost. The person now exists as a passenger in their own body, able to see and hear, but unable to control motor functions and subject to the daemon''s tortures.
Spiritual violation is a traumatic experience for the victim, akin to rape of the soul. As such, it is considered one of the worst heresies, and anyone connected to such a horrific crime is often put to death. A person is forever changed by demonic possession, even after being freed. The exorcism of the evil spirit leaves a "hole" in the soul from where it was removed, which leaves the victim prey to future possession. This hole can be closed and the barrier restored through time and healing. However, the soul is now scarred, a permanent reminder of what was once there. This scar cannot be seen by normal means, but can be "felt" by others, like an unseen mark.
Life can be hard for these individuals. Some never recover from their experience and suffer from continued physical and mental problems. These are locked away due to them being a continued danger to themselves and others, or euthanized as a form of mercy. For those that eventually make their way back into society, how they are treated depends heavily on where they are in the world. Some are treated like victims and survivors, getting the help they need from their governments and communities in the form of restitution and support. Others are ostracized as tainted individuals that are forever defiled in the eyes of their people, or locked away in gated communities never to rejoin larger society. Their souls are dirty and inpure, marked by the evil spirit in a way that can never be healed. These individuals suffer persecution along with the many other difficulties resulting from their trauma, and many turn to crime or other anti-social behavior, leading to the self-fulfilling conclusion that their souls still possess the demons taint.

Comments? Suggestions?

[jqavins]

Neat, interesting concept.

A key question is: how common is this? Are the scarred former victims of possession pretty commonly, like the homeless is a big city, or are they as rare as present day lepers? That would have a big effect on how people see them.

You say the treatment of those who "make it back" depends on where they are. I would expect that all the attitudes you describe would be present everywhere, expressed by different people, but to different degrees in different places. So in a region where they can expect to be treated sympathetically there are still some people who will never accept them and may treat them badly. Likewise, in regions where they are generally ostracized there will be some people who try to help anyhow.

You wrote "many turn to crime or other anti-social behavior." I bet many turn to alcohol and/or whatever recreational drugs you've got.

The physical wounds could be eliminated by healing magic; Heal should do it if they are fresh, but Restoration might be necessary if they are healed and scarred. There ought to be a spell for healers that removes scars at lower level than Restoration, but I digress. Can the scar on the soul ever be healed by magic? Perhaps some sort of Psychic Restoration, perhaps requiring a cleric not a healer, like Remove Scars is available to healers and not clerics.