History Main / YourHeartsDesire

* Stanley G. Weinbaum's science fiction short story "A Martian Odyssey" has a carnivorous plant monster that reads the mind of its victim and creates a mental illusion of what the victim most desires to lure it into the plant's clutches.

* The female 'space vampire' in ''Film/{{Lifeforce}}'' took [[MsFanservice her appearance]] (her natural form is a winged alien creature) from the subconscious desires of the astronaut who found her. This gives him an unhealthy obsession with her, even after he discovers she feeds on LifeEnergy and is entirely capable of destroying the world.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* This is common with pedophiles and sexual predators, and the process is called grooming their victim.
[[/folder]]

* In ''The Whispering Skull'' from ''Literature/LockwoodAndCo'', those who are ensnared by a glimpse of the bone-glass hear a ghostly, whispering, wheedling voice urging them "''Look. Look. I give you your heart's desire.''" Those who actually do look into it directly, either by their own choice or because they are forced to, die no more than a minute after.

* Stanley G. Weinbaum's science fiction short story "A Martian Odyssey" had a carnivorous plant monster that read the mind of its victim and created a mental illusion of what the victim most desired to lure it into the plant's clutches.

* Creator/{{Chaosium}}'s supplement ''All the Worlds' Monsters'' Volume III. The Dream Beast is a [[{{Telepathy}} telepathic]] plant can cause any creature looking at it to see whatever it wants most. Once the target gets close enough, the Dream Beast grabs it with its 5-10 CombatTentacles and drags it in to be eaten.

* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'':

* ''TabletopGame/InNomine'': When a Lilim (a type of demon) looks into someone's eyes, she can see that person's greatest need. She can then use her demonic abilities and resources to meet that need and gain a {{geas}}} (control) over that person.

* In ''Manga/NabariNoOu'', the Shinrabanshou often tries to tempt Miharu into telling her his greatest desires, and then she will grant him her destructive power, regardless of [[SuperPowerMeltdown whether his body can handle it.]]
* The Infinite Tsukuyomi from ''{{Manga/Naruto}}'' traps everyone on the planet in an endless dream [[spoiler:while draining them of their personalities and defining features, transforming them into White Zetsu.]]

* Rare hero example: Danielle Moonstar, AKA Mirage of the Comicbook/NewMutants, could create a mental illusion of your worst fear, or your heart's desire. She could choose which one, but even she couldn't know ''what'' her victim was seeing.

'''Space Girl:''' Our bodies are unimportant. As you and your men approached in your ship, we [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith changed them for you]]. We entered your minds, and found there new bodies. I took my shape from your mind. [[AliensSpeakingEnglish I took your language.]] I became the woman I found there, in your deepest thoughts, your deepest...needs.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'' had the Mirror of [[SdrawkcabName Erised]], which shows the viewer whatever their greatest desire is. Ron, who feels overshadowed by his siblings, sees himself outdoing them all. Harry, who never knew his real family, sees himself with his parents and relatives. Dumbledore mentions that [[LotusEaterMachine it can be highly addictive]], however. [[spoiler:Dumbledore hides the Philosopher's Stone "inside" the mirror as its final measure of protection--someone who wants to use its powers will just see themselves doing so, but someone who wants the stone for itself, without intent to use it, will magically obtain it]].

'''Soolin:''' ''[Turning Orac off]'' You wouldn't know where to start.

* ''Franchise/StarTrek''
** ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''

*** TabletopGame/DarkSun/World of Athas campaign setting. The Red Silt Horror uses its telepathic/ESP abilities to determine what its target desires most, then uses its False Sensory Input power to create an image of the desired item. After its target moves close to it, it attacks.
*** TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms supplement [=FR4=] ''The Magister''. The Cloak of Delight can cause any creature that sees it to fall into an motionless and oblivious trance for 1-8 minutes by showing the creature its ultimate pleasure and goal. The creature will maniacally attack any creature or thing that blocks its view of the Cloak. If its view is blocked by something without solid form (e.g. darkness or smoke) the trance ends.

* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', this is what the final illusion in Girard Draketooth's pyramid does, trapping anyone in a LotusEaterMachine [[spoiler:so that Girard's clan can kill them. However, by this point, Girard's entire clan is dead, having fallen victim to V's Familicide spell.]] Interestingly, it is [[QuirkyBard Elan]] who breaks the Order out of it by realizing his heart's desire (seeing his dysfunctional, broken family reunited) is too unrealistic to ever happen.

* ''ComicStrip/LilAbner'': On August 31, 1948, cartoonist Al Capp introduced the schmoo, a bewhiskered white blob of a creature that looked like a bowling pin with legs. Schmoos seemed to exist only to provide humanity with its every need. Capp said he came up with the idea of the schmoo when he was driving through the New England countryside and saw the abundance that the earth provided. People of all political stripes -- communists and capitalists alike -- saw the schmoos as an analogy critical of their beliefs. (The fact that "schmoos" rhymes with "schmooze" didn't help.) Schmoos were {{Explosive Breeder}}s that laid eggs and could give milk. If they really loved you, they'd could lay a cheesecake. And if you expressed a desire to eat a schmoo, one of them would die of ecstasy just to provide you with the opportunity. Naturally, a schmoo TastesLikeChicken. Fed up with all the controversy over a character he claimed was nothing more than a commentary on the abundance of nature, Capp carried out a WriterRevolt by slaughtering the entire species in December. Wiki/TheOtherWiki has a more detailed analysis of the schmoos [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmoo here]].

* TSR's ''TabletopGame/AmazingEngine'' system setting supplement ''Bughunters''. ''Magazine/{{Polyhedron}}'' magazine #106 had an article called "Bugging the Hunters" with dangers that UTPRF Marines could face. One is the device known as the Siren. It uses mechanical {{telepathy}} to summons humans to its location and makes them see whatever they desire most. When they approach the Siren, it [[CombatTentacles strangles them with its tentacles]].

* SPI's ''TabletopGame/DragonQuest'' supplement ''The Enchanted Wood''. The {{PC}}s will encounter a living bog that can generate illusions of desirable things to lure them into itself. The bog tricks the characters by creating the illusion of a castle which appears to be a RestAndResupplyStop. When the {{PC}}s touch it, it disappears and reveals that they are trapped in the bog.

** 1st/2nd Edition

** 3rd Edition. ''Creature Collection'' supplement. The Dweller at the Crossroads is a sinister figure that knows its victim's greatest wish and can grant it - for a price. Every gift the dweller gives is cursed in some way to bring corruption and misery to the person receiving it.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Earthdawn}}'' supplement ''Earthdawn Companion''. Questors of the Mad Passion Vestrial have the ability to learn a target's greatest desire, allowing them to manipulate the target by granting their desire. They have another ability that allows them to implant a desire in a target that becomes the target's greatest desire.
* Creator/SteveJacksonGames' ''TabletopGame/InNomine''. When a Lilim (a type of demon) looks into someone's eyes, they can see that person's greatest need. They can then use their demonic abilities and resources to meet that need and gain a geas (control) over that person.
* ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'' RPG. The angel Islington can see into people’s hearts and offer them what they most desire.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' has an Awakened creature ability called "Desire Reflection". It allows the creature to know the greatest desire of another being and trick that being into believing that the creature is that thing.
** ''Paranormal Animals of North America'': Incubus
** ''Paranormal Animals of Europe'': Blackberry Cat, Kludde
** ''Critters'': Quicksilver Mongoose, Siberian Firebird
* Subverted in the Gamescience's ''Space Patrol'' RPG. In an example of play a man walking through a forest sees a beautiful nude woman. [[GenreSavvy Believing that such coincidence is only possible in the movies]], he decides that the woman is an illusion created by a man-hungry alien monster. He draws his blaster and fires at it, reducing it to its component atoms. The text reveals that the man was wrong: it was a real woman and he is now a murderer.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'', this is the BigBad's ''modus operandi''. [[spoiler:[[WickedWitch The Beldam]], a monstrous spider-like fairy, preys on children by constructing a PocketDimension full of all their wildest dreams, complete with idealized versions of their families and neighbours. The Beldam herself is the pièce de résistance of the whole illusion, disguising her [[OneWingedAngel hideous true form]] by pretending to be the victim's "Other Mother". Once she has the child in her grasp, she [[DealWithTheDevil offers]] to let them stay forever in exchange for letting her sew her trademark black buttons [[EyeScream into their eyes]]. Those who ''accept'' the deal are eaten, and they [[YourSoulIsMine have their souls taken]] by the Beldam for good measure.]]

** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. In "Hide And Q", Q grants Commander Riker his powers and encourages him to give his friends on the Enterprise what they most desire. [[BatmanGambit Captain Picard tells him to go ahead.]] Wesley is made an adult, but he rejects this because [[ItsTheJourneyThatCounts he wants to grow up naturally]]. Geordi's blindness is cured, but even though he's smitten by the sight of Tasha Yar [[DealWithTheDevil he doesn't want to owe Q any favors]]. Worf is offered a Klingon mate whom he rejects as [[YouCantGoHomeAgain she's from a world that's now alien to him.]]

** In "The Man Trap", the MonsterOfTheWeek shapeshifts into the form of an attractive member of the opposite sex, either to get close to a victim or prevent themselves from being killed. When the scientist who's been protecting the creature (who's taken the appearance of his dead wife) tries to defend his actions, Captain Kirk is not impressed.

** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. In "Hide And Q", Q grants Commander Riker his powers and encourages him to give his friends on the Enterprise what they most desire. [[BatmanGambit Captain Picard tells him to go ahead.]] Wesley is made an adult, but he rejects this because [[ItsTheJourneyThatCounts he wants to grow up naturally]]. Geordi is given his sight, but even though he's smitten by the site of Tasha Yar [[DealWithTheDevil he doesn't want to owe Q any favours]]. Worf is offered a Klingon mate whom he rejects as [[YouCantGoHomeAgain she's from a world that's now alien to him.]]

* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': In the episode "Bliss", the space-borne equivalent of a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant pitcher plant]] tricked the crew of Voyager into entering it by making it appear to them as a wormhole they could use to [[SeriesGoal return home and be reunited with their loved ones]]. The only people unaffected were the Doctor (a hologram, but the creature tricked the rest of the crew into shutting him off) Seven of Nine and Naomi Wildman (who, only being familiar with life on Voyager, had no real desire to go to Earth) and a Captain Ahab-type alien captain who had been hunting the creature (and was thus familiar with the creature's tricks). It does briefly work on Seven at the end when the creature makes her imagine ''escaping from it'', which she did genuinely desire at that point.
* A whole episode of the original ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'', "The Man Trap", was all about this, disguising itself as a woman who had been dead for some years in order to be protected by the woman's widower and to prey on her old flame.

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' had a variant in one episode: a small, timid animal that can do this whenever scared, hoping to distract a perceived threat. Naturally, [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Iago]] and [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys Abu]] continually frighten it just to get stuff. In the end, Iago [[PetTheDog used a mirror to make the critter scare itself so it would grant its own heart's desire: to go home]].

* ''VideoGame/Persona5[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' has [[spoiler:Takuto Maruki, after he gains Yaldabaoth's powers, granting the wishes of the Phantom Thieves. Unless most examples, this is done out of misguided benevolence rather than malice]].

* ''VideoGame/Persona5Royal'' has [[spoiler:Takuto Maruki, after he gains Yaldabaoth's powers, granting the wishes of the Phantom Thieves. Unless most examples, this is done out of misguided benevolence rather than malice]].

[[

* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog,'' when [[BewitchedAmphibians Tiana]] steals the magical talisman that [[WitchDoctor Facilier]] needs for his EvilPlan, he conjures up a vision where she's a human again, in the dream restaurant that she's been working for years to open, and [[TheFinalTemptation offers to give it all to her]] if she hands it back and lets him keep [[LoveInterest Naveen]]. At this point, however, she realizes that she needs her restaurant ''and'' Naveen to be happy, and tries to smash the talisman instead. Sadly for Tiana, Facilier’s LivingShadow snags it before it hits the ground, but it isn’t long before Tiana turns the tables and actually smashes it, causing Facilier and his shadow to be dragged to the Other Side.

-->'''Carlson:''' [[WhatTheHellAreYou What are you?]] Why are you so human, so perfect? What were the bird-creatures on the [space]ship?
-->'''Space Girl:''' Our bodies are unimportant. As you and your men approached in your ship, we [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith changed them for you]]. We entered your minds, and found there new bodies. I took my shape from your mind. [[AliensSpeakingEnglish I took your language.]] I became the woman I found there, in your deepest thoughts, your deepest...needs.
* ''Film/Legend1985''. Jack's heart's desire is his girlfriend Lili. When the fairy Oona and Jack are trapped in the dungeon of the villain Darkness, Oona offers Jack his heart's desire by assuming Lili's appearance and trying to get him to kiss her.

* Larry Niven's ''Literature/KnownSpace'' series had a gadget called a droud, which stimulated the pleasure centre of the brain directly. Users quickly became addicted and eventually starved to death, immobile in a puddle of their own wastes. Humanity had given up trying to treat the problem, regarding it as Darwinsim in action in a society which was, in any case, hugely over-populated so there was no value is trying to save people who would have nothing to contribute
* In the novel ''Literature/SomethingWickedThisWayComes'' by Ray Bradbury, the carnival tries to entice the boys by showing them exciting and marvelous things. Particularly Jim, who is fascinated by it, and who also has a desire to become older.
* Stanley G. Weinbaum's science fiction short story "A Martian Odyssey" had a carnivorous plant monster that read the mind of its victim and created a mental illusion of what the victim most desired to lure it into the plant's clutches.
* The short story "A Part of the Game" in Dragon magazine #51. A group of desert travelers find an oasis which appears to be a gate to a utopian other world. Most of the group enters the pool only to be eaten by its inhabitant, a monster that can create beautiful illusions.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter'' had the Mirror of [[SdrawkcabName Erised]], which shows the viewer whatever their greatest desire is. Ron, who feels overshadowed by his siblings, sees himself outdoing them all. Harry, who never knew his real family, sees himself with his parents and relatives. Dumbledore mentions that [[LotusEaterMachine it can be highly addictive]], however. [[spoiler:Dumbledore hides the Philosopher's Stone "inside" the mirror as its final measure of protection--someone who wants to use its powers will just see themselves doing so, but someone who wants the stone for itself, without intent to use it, will magically obtain it]].

* In ''Literature/{{Pact}}'', Faysal Anwar, [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Gatekeeper of the Seventh Ring]], offers Blake Thorburn a choice of either immortality (by giving him the ability to return from death indefinitely) or humanity (by restoring the pieces of Blake that were torn away when Blake [[LossOfIdentity fell through the cracks in the world]]), if he'll come work for Faysal's master Johannes. To Blake, who ultimately just wants to be free, both are incredibly tempting not for themselves but what they'd allow him to do.

* The [[BigBad Greeed]] from ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' are all about this. They are basically ancient homunculi who feed on humans' desire indirectly via their [[MonsterOfTheWeek Yuumies]].

* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. In "Headhunter", [[MasterComputer Orac]] is taken over by the MonsterOfTheWeek.
-->'''Orac:''' Join us, Soolin. We can fulfill your every desire.
-->'''Soolin:''' ''[Turning Orac off]'' You wouldn't know where to start.
* ''Series/BattlestarGalactica1978'', episode "War of the Gods Part 1". The mysterious being known as Count Iblis can read the mind of anyone he talks to and determine their greatest desire.
* ''Series/Lucifer2016''. This is a shtick of the title character, who can look into someone's eyes and compel them to reveal this trope. This can vary from wanting to commit murder to [[MundaneWish wanting a cheeseburger]].
-->'''Lucifer:''' [[CatchPhrase Tell me. What is it you truly desire?]]

* ''TabletopGame/{{Earthdawn}}'' supplement ''Earthdawn Companion''. Questors of the Mad Passion Vestrial have the ability to learn a target's greatest desire, allowing them to manipulate the target by granting their desire. They have another ability that allows them to implant a desire in a target that becomes the target's greatest desire.
* ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'' RPG. The angel Islington can see into people’s hearts and offer them what they most desire.

* Creator/{{Chaosium}}'s supplement ''All the Worlds' Monsters'' Volume III. The Dream Beast is a [[{{Telepathy}} telepathic]] plant can cause any creature looking at it to see whatever it wants most. Once the target gets close enough, the Dream Beast grabs it with its 5-10 CombatTentacles and drags it in to be eaten.
* SPI's ''TabletopGame/DragonQuest'' supplement ''The Enchanted Wood''. The {{PC}}s will encounter a living bog that can generate illusions of desirable things to lure them into itself. The bog tricks the characters by creating the illusion of a castle which appears to be a RestAndResupplyStop. When the {{PC}}s touch it, it disappears and reveals that they are trapped in the bog.
* TSR's ''TabletopGame/AmazingEngine'' system setting supplement ''Bughunters''. ''Magazine/{{Polyhedron}}'' magazine #106 had an article called "Bugging the Hunters" with dangers that UTPRF Marines could face. One is the device known as the Siren. It uses mechanical {{telepathy}} to summons humans to its location and makes them see whatever they desire most. When they approach the Siren, it [[CombatTentacles strangles them with its tentacles]].
* Creator/SteveJacksonGames' ''TabletopGame/InNomine''. When a Lilim (a type of demon) looks into someone's eyes, they can see that person's greatest need. They can then use their demonic abilities and resources to meet that need and gain a geas (control) over that person.

* Pretty much the reason people enter into ''VideoGame/TwistedMetal''.
* The PC horror game ''VideoGame/ThePath'' can be interpreted this way, as it seems that [[spoiler: each girl's wolf]] is something that appeals to them according to their personality, and thus they are lured in one by one.

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' had a variant in one episode: a small, timid animal that can do this whenever scared, hoping to distract a perceived threat. Naturally, [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Iago]] and [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys Abu]] continually frighten it just to get stuff. In the end, Iago [[PetTheDog used a mirror to make the critter scare itself so it would grant its own heart's desire: to go home.]]
* The ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTales'' episode "[=LarryBoy=] and the Bad Apple" dealt with the [[AnAesop aesop]] of temptation and how difficult it is to fight it by revolving around a dangerous villain who literally [[PocketDimension trapped]] her victims [[IronicHell inside their own obsessions]].
* An accident more than a malicious act, but the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Cutie Pox" involves Apple Bloom misusing a plant that's outright called Heart's Desire in order to get her cutie mark. She got it, all right... [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor dozens of them]].
* The ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'' ChristmasEpisode revolved around the group SavingChristmas from an enchanted box that grants the user whatever they want most, with the cost of the BlackMagic used to create it turning them BrainwashedAndCrazy.

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' has a rare heroic example. The Pig Miraculous, which grants the power of Jubilation, reveals what a person truly desires to help the target overcome their negativity and encourage them to pursue what makes them happy. [[spoiler: Ladybug entrusts this Miraculous to Rose Lavillant, now the new superheroine Pigella, to save her best friend Juleka/Reflekta from her despair.]]

* In ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', the Book of Darkness trapped [[TheWoobie Fate]] in a world where her EvilMatriarch of a mother loved her and the dead girl she was cloned from was her CoolBigSis. Fate even admits that this is what she always wanted as she breaks down in tears. This was meant to be a case of LetThemDieHappy rather than any form of malice, but ended up being crueler than any torture could have been since Fate knew almost immediately that it wasn't real ([[TragicDream and that it never would be]]). [[spoiler: Although it does help Fate come to terms with being a separate person from Alicia and [[HappilyAdopted accept Lindy's offer to adopt her]]]].

* In ''ComicBook/ForTheManWhoHasEverything'' a LotusEaterMachine of this sort is used on {{Superman}}, who hallucinates that he's back on Krypton.

* In DC's ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'', when Shrinking Violet was under the influence of the Emerald Eye (unbeknownst to her teammates), she started granting the Legionnaires their hearts' desires. It went fairly well until Leviathan got his, which was to die as a hero. Attempting to bring him back to life, Violet was taken over entirely by the Emerald Eye.
* Black Mamba of the B.A.D girls (seen in ''ComicBook/CableAndDeadpool'', among others) can temporarily incapacitate people with an illusion of their ultimate fantasy. This failed to work on Shen Kuei / the Cat, a GentlemanThief and martial artist who already ''is'' living his ultimate fantasy.