Stampeding Chief

[Dictionary]

So, the answer to this question may be very simple, and there might be an easier example than this, so I apologise in advance if I'm over-complicating things here.

If I play Stampeding Chief from being stacked on a possession via Pandemonium, does it trigger his penalty? Because his penalty triggers if he's played "from hand" but Pandemonium plays him "as if from hand". So I guess I'm asking if "as if from hand" is an absolute effect or if it's just a clarification sentence.

[Tonio]

I think that the penalty does not apply...

"Play him as if from hand" still doesn't makes you actually play it from your hand!

[Dictionary]

Yh I'm probably just overthinking it. I think the fact that a lot cards' wordings have to be taken literally is what throws me off here...