Editing Imp (section)

=== Other descriptions===
Imps are often shown as small in stature and not good-looking. Their behaviour is described as being wild and uncontrollable, much the same as fairies', and in some cultures they are considered the same beings, both sharing the same sense of free spirit and enjoyment of all things fun. It was later in history that people began to associate fairies as being good and imps as being malicious and evil. However, both creatures were fond of [[pranks]] and misleading people. Most of the time, these pranks were harmless fun, but some could be upsetting and harmful, such as the switching of babies or leading travelers astray in places unfamiliar to them. Although imps are often thought of as being [[Immortality|immortal]], they can be damaged or harmed by certain weapons and enchantments, or be kept out of people's homes by [[Apotropaic mark|wards]].

Imps were also portrayed as [[Loneliness|lonely]] little creatures in search of human attention, using jokes and pranks to attract human [[friendship]]. This often backfired when people became annoyed with the imp's endeavours, usually driving it away.

Even if the imp was successful in getting the friendship it sought, it still often played pranks on its friend, either out of [[boredom]] or simply because this was the nature of the imp. This trait led to using the word “impish” for someone who loves pranks and practical jokes. Eventually, it came to be believed that imps were the [[familiar spirit]] servants of [[witch]]es and [[warlock]]s, where the little demons served as spies and informants. During the time of the [[witch hunts]], supernatural creatures such as imps were sought out as proof of [[witchcraft]], though often the so-called imp was merely a [[black cat]], a [[lizard]], a [[toad]] or some other form of uncommon pet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/livesnecromance04godwgoog|title=Lives of the Necromancers|author=William Godwin|year=1876|page=17}}</ref>

==== Objects ====
Imps have also been described as being “bound” or contained in some sort of object such as a [[sword]] or a [[crystal ball]]. In other cases, imps were simply kept in a certain object, and then summoned only when their masters had need of them. Some even had the ability to grant their owner's wishes, much like a [[jinn|genie]]. This was the object of the 1891 story ''[[The Bottle Imp]]'' by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]], which told of an imp contained in a bottle that would grant the owner their every wish, but their soul would be sent to [[Hell]] if they didn't sell the bottle to a new owner before their death.

==== Culture ====
Imps can be found in art and architecture throughout the world, most of the time carefully and painstakingly hidden and only being found by the most interested and observant of people.{{Clarification needed|date=July 2024}}