Charlatans

“Unsettling are the days in which everyone is an expert.”
― Criss Jami

Nowadays you can't go a day without some phony prophet trying to peddle their wares to you.

Driven by the increased interest in the supernatural, charlatans from palm readers to televangelists are everywhere. And while the vast majority of witches, psychics, magicians, hypnotists, cures, potions, faith healers, and clairvoyants are complete fakes, they do make a living.

As the saying goes, "it's easier for an actor to make it in alternative medicine than Hollywood." 

Most people scoff at these clearly-phony supernatural services, yet those same people often buy into at least one scam.

The most dangerous charlatans are the self-styled monster hunters who carry a mall-ninja arsenal and guns with silver bullets. Most have never encountered anything supernatural and do absolutely nothing besides burn some sage and patrol the area for a night or two. Even so, those who are superstitious, fearful, or desperate enough will hire them to solve the problems they simply don't understand. In some cases with disastrous results. 

For Contractors, charlatans are red herrings and obstacles. Clumsy fakes that conjure a smokescreen of misinformation and escalate the situations they're in.

Learn more about charlatans in The Illumination.