Fantasy The Otnyz Project (reboot) - Mechanics

[MightBeASithLord]

This tab is to explain the system of magic, aura, conduits, ascension, and magical items in the Otnyz Project world.

• Aura
• Magic
• Conduit
• Ascension
• Transcendence
• Human Form

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  Before we go over anything else, it is paramount that we first cover the subject of aura.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  What is "aura"?
  
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  In this universe, aura is the physical manifestation of one's soul that is "stored" in their mind. Much like the soul, aura has a color that corresponds with the subject's personality. Think of it as a reservoir of your favorite drink. There are a total of eight possible colors that a soul may have: Red, blue, yellow/gold, green, orange, purple, white, and black. These colors determine what magics one can use, but aura has many uses by itself.
  
  
  
  
  
  What can aura be used for?
  
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  Aura can be used for many things. The two most important uses, however, are magic, and magic channeling. Magic channeling is the act of transferring one's aura to their weapon(s), so that they're magic can be imposed on the blade/bludgeon, without damaging the actual weapon. One can also manipulate the shape of their aura to create weapons. A fantastic example would be Nicholi, father of the Otnyz, who manipulates his black-ish gold aura to make blades on his hands that are so sharp, they cant cut holes through the thickest of walls. Aura can also give physical buffs, protect from possession/mind control, heal minor wounds (like cuts and stuff. Amputation and damaged organs are for healing magic), and can protect one from a fatal blow. Yes, that's a lot of power, but it means nothing if you're aura is weak.
  
  
  
  
  
  What determines "Aura Strength?"
  
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  Well, to put it simply, the strength of one's aura is almost entirely dependent on their willpower. In the end, it doesn't matter how many spells one has in their arsenal, or even what race they are. A human with indomitable willpower, can overpower demons, even weak-willed Otnyz. Willpower also determines your aura's defensive properties. Although, do be careful. Should you make something out of aura with enough of your, and it gets destroyed, your willpower can practically disappear, leaving you nothing more than a husk that has been drained of power and desire to live. Some have even committed suicide after using all of their aura. Although, as long as there is some left, you will eventually revert back to your old self.
  
  
  
  
  
  Does that mean Aura is expendable?
  
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  Absolutely not! Aura is an invaluable part of one's being, and should be treated with just as much, if not more, respect than one's physical body. If you're aura is abused, or used in a way it wasn't meant to, it can damage your soul, causing it to rot away slowly as your magic gets weaker, and your willpower shrinks. Aura is a life energy that is vital to one's being.
  
  
  
  
  
  How can aura be "abused" or "misused?"
  
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  A simple example would be to simply use it too much magic or aura powers in a short period of time. A more abstract example would be "will-imposing" on other humans. Think of it like channeling, but it's to violate the targets psyche. One of the many downsides to will-imposing include stealing a fraction of the victim's aura in the process, not only tainting your aura, but leaving a hole in their soul that is almost impossible to fix.
  
  
  
  
  
  In conclusion?
  
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  Aura is the building block of magic, and an indispensable life energy. It is the embodiment of your own will, and should be treated as such.
  
  
  
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  How does magic work in the Otnyz Project world?
  
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  As stated back in "Aura," the type of magic one has access to depends on the color(s) of their aura. Like a mana gauge in RPG's, magic uses up aura when cast. The aura sacrificed is directly proportionate to the strength of the spell. I.E., the stronger the spell, the more aura it costs to cast. The eight aura colors have one to two types of magic available:
  
  
  
  
  
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    Red: Pyromancy (fire magic), Sanguine (blood magic)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Blue: Aquamancy (water magic), Cryomancy (ice magic)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Yellow: Electromancy (electricity magic), Areomancy (wind magic)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Green: Floramancy (plant magic), Venomancy (poison magic)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Purple: Psychomancy (illusion magic, telepathy, telekinesis etc. Not mind control, though.)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Orange: Geomancy (earth magic)
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • White: Photomancy (light magic), Healing magic
    
  
  
  
  
  
  • Black: Umbramancy (dark fire magic/void walking), Necromancy (raising the dead.
    
  
  
  
  
  Are there people who can't use magic?
  
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  Yes, but that doesn't mean they lack aura, or are weak-willed. Some people just can't use magic for one reason or another. One reason is that they were just born unlucky. There's no way for them to cast magic. Although, they are extremely proficient with aura manipulation, and are some of the most strong-willed humans. Another reason is that their magic is forbidden. Either by law, or social customs.
  
  
  
  
  
  Forbidden magic?
  
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  Yes, I said it. There are types of magic that are prohibited either law, or social customs. Magics prohibited by law are the black aura magics, an sanguine magic. All of these are punishable by either a life sentence, or death. Magic prohibited by social custom depends on the god you serve. For example, followers of the War God are not allowed to use green or blue aura magic, and Followers of the Life God are not allowed to use black or red aura magic. This puts the fellon at risk of exile from their religion.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Is magic different for Forces/Gods/Otnyz/etc.?
  
  
  
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  Not really. They just have a larger aura pool, allowing them access for greater magical power. Forces are raw power, so limits like an aura pool is obsolete. Same thing applies to the Parents. Demons/Forces can offer their strength to humans/Otnyz, but for a price: The spirit possesses them, and they become a conduit
  
  
  
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  What is a conduit?
  
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  A conduit is a human or Otnyz that has a spirit inside of them. No spirit is allowed to enter someone without consent, so it must be part of a deal. While a human/Otnyz is a conduit, the spirit at hand can take control of them.
  
  
  
  
  
  How much control does a spirit have over its Conduit?
  
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  Well, that depends on a lot of things.The conduits willpower is an obvious factor, since one can simply retain control through sheer force of will. Although, there are other important factors. Such factors include how much of the spirit's power one is using, since you are replacing your own will with the spirit's.
  
  
  
  
  
  Are there upsides to being a conduit?
  
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  Of course! Being a conduit is more of a bargain than a curse. Although, normal humans do fear conduits for their immense power and risk of destroying entire cities. The main upside belongs to humans, as they will gain access to an ability once only available to Gods and Otnyz: Ascension.
  
  
  
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  What is Ascension?
  
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  Ascension is a state that can be attained by Conduit Humans, Otnyz, and Gods. It is when the the psyche is broken through trauma, and desperation has broken the dam over the well of magic and will power that is in their soul, breaking the limitations and allowing the user to attain power beyond what they originally thought possible.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ascension Risks/Rewards
  
  Rewards:​
  
  
  
  
  • Gargantuan power increase
    
  • Massive Aura defense increase
    
  • Flight
    
  • Increased magical capability
    
  • Aura consumption almost negated (meaning spells will not be as taxing, if at all.)
    
  
  
  
  Risks
  
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  • Emotional instability
    
  • Potential possession (this is dependent on the power gain. The greater the power gain, the greater chance of possession)
    
  • The body constantly, and forcefully, leaks magic while in ascension, but if the pain is too great, one can pass out. If they refuse to let it leak out, then they could explode. One can train long enough to keep magic from leaking without the risk of exploding.
    
  
  
  
  
  Appearance Alteration
  
  

  
  
  
  
  With the massive power boost, ascension changes the body's appearance to help the ascended one best acclimate to the amount of power they have. Ascension always gives the user wings for flight, which can also be used as an impressive defense, and horns to be used as a new focal point for magical release.
  
  
  Things like hair and eye color also change, but that depends on the magic increase. The greater the increase, the greater the change. One may also get markings on their skin, if the magic increase is REALLY high.
  
  
  An ascended can grow even stronger, and breach yet another threshold, allowing them to access Transcendence.
  
  
  
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  Transcendence is the next level of ascension. The user becomes strong, and desperate, enough to break a second threshold, allowing the magic to engulf their body. All moral restraint becomes obsolete, and the only focus of the Transcendent is to destroy the target(s) at hand, no matter the costs. For a human to become transcendent, they must submit their will entirely to their conduit demon. If one is not familiar enough with magic, or if the body simply can't handle it, the Transcendent's body will dissipate.
  
  
  
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  A quick note that Demons, Forces, and Parents all have access to a human form. This human form is inherently weaker, but allows actual humans to process the presence of such powerful beings. The power removed from the being to make a human form is stored into a weapon, should they need to defend themselves.