Bliss and horror

Bliss and horror
Guillame produces euphoric feelings, renewing his people's faith in him
Held by:	Guillame (deceased)
Ability to:	Bring about feelings of bliss and horror in others

"Bliss and horror" is the Haitian's description of his father's ability to induce either overwhelmingly positive (joy, happiness, pleasure, arousal, kindness, etc.) or overwhelmingly negative (fear, hunger, pain, despair, etc.) sensations in other people.

Characters

• Guillame is the only character known to have had this ability. (It Takes a Village, Part 1)

Limits

Guillame was able to make people feel extreme pleasure or discomfort. He has induced "bliss" in his followers and "horror" in his enemies. Used as a weapon, this power could effectively incapacitate victims with weakness and nausea.

So far, there is no indication that he could cause both pleasure and pain at the same time. All subjects experienced whatever single feeling he projected.

This power appears to require active concentration to use.

Examples

• 
  Guillame raises his arms at a campfire...
• 
  ...making the people of his village elated.
  (It Takes a Village, Part 1)
• 
  Guillame defends his village by using his power to cause members of the Tonton Macoutes...
• 
  ...to become sick...
• 
  ...and vomit...
• 
  ...as the power seems to emanate from his hands.
  (It Takes a Village, Part 1)
• 
  To regain favor with his people, Guillame brings about euphoric feelings at a religious ceremony...
• 
  ...renewing his people's faith in him.
  (It Takes a Village, Part 2)
• 
  At the crossroads, Guillame's power is intensified by his passion--this time...
• 
  ...he uses the power on his son.
  (It Takes a Village, Part 4)

Memorable Quotes

"It was common for the Tonton Macoutes to come for popular leaders like my father... But never my village. My father never let them get close enough. Bliss and horror. My father's tools. My father's gift."

- The Haitian (It Takes a Village, Part 1)

"I am bliss and I am horror and you, my friend... have made a terrible mistake."

- Guillame (It Takes a Village, Part 1)

"I could drive men to ecstasy or horror. I could lead, move nations...Instead, I get them high and I sleep with their women."

- Guillame (It Takes a Village, Part 3)

Notes

• In the It Takes a Village series, Guillame has variously caused his subjects to feel bliss, horror, love, fear, shame, ecstasy, subjugation, euphoria, and desire. It is unknown whether or not Guillame had the ability to directly cause these feelings or if they were byproducts of an umbrella sensation.
• In an interview, Joe Kelly called Guillame "a 'walking drug'. So essentially, he could send you on a 'good trip' (as he does during the ceremonies) or a 'bad trip' (as he does to the Tonton Macoutes)." "To me, he messes with the endorphins of people around him--so when he wants people to be happy, their brains release more endorphins. When he wants them terrified, it's either an overload or some other brain chemical and they freak out. I also liked that it was related to the Haitian's power."
• Writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite said Guillame "liked to use his ability to sleep around."

See Also

• For a similar ability to manipulate the emotions of others, see empathic manipulation.