Post by Starrupaste on Dec 16, 2015 7:37:40 GMT
If you're looking to understand how the powers of this world work, look no further! This thread will explain how
the powers of this world work upon one another and how they're put together.
In Gaiana, everyone should be familiar with the amazing and odd powers that it's occupants possess as each of the unique powers individuals can use fit into one of four broad categories.
To many, all these powers look the same; however, that is simply not the case. Most Humans and Mythos have the same basic layers that make up who or what they are. The innermost layer is the Soul, which acts as a bonding agent that holds everything together. The Soul is the core of being that contains the essence of what makes a person who they are. The second layer is the Life Force layer, which contains the driving force of life within a person. This layer is what enables life, and acts as a defensive layer to the Soul. If the Life Force is drained, the Soul will be released to be claimed by the Gods and enable it to move to the afterlife in most cases. The third layer is where Mana resides. The Mana layer is what enables Magic users to function. By manipulating Mana, Magic users are able to alter what is capable in a normal reality. The Magic layer is “tinted” differently for everybody, and that is what determines the type of Mana that is wielded by each individual. The final, and outermost layer, is the Body layer. This is the layer that protects everything within it, and serves as a vehicle for the inner layers and is the easiest to train and hone with time. Over time, all of the layers are able to regenerate back to a base amount, except for the Soul, which can only be recovered in extreme circumstances. The outer layers recover at a quicker rate than the inner layers, largely due to the fact that inner layers affect the outer layers and thus the outer layers have to be restored before the inner layers can begin to mend. Below, we will go into detail about how each layer works.
the powers of this world work upon one another and how they're put together.
In Gaiana, everyone should be familiar with the amazing and odd powers that it's occupants possess as each of the unique powers individuals can use fit into one of four broad categories.
To many, all these powers look the same; however, that is simply not the case. Most Humans and Mythos have the same basic layers that make up who or what they are. The innermost layer is the Soul, which acts as a bonding agent that holds everything together. The Soul is the core of being that contains the essence of what makes a person who they are. The second layer is the Life Force layer, which contains the driving force of life within a person. This layer is what enables life, and acts as a defensive layer to the Soul. If the Life Force is drained, the Soul will be released to be claimed by the Gods and enable it to move to the afterlife in most cases. The third layer is where Mana resides. The Mana layer is what enables Magic users to function. By manipulating Mana, Magic users are able to alter what is capable in a normal reality. The Magic layer is “tinted” differently for everybody, and that is what determines the type of Mana that is wielded by each individual. The final, and outermost layer, is the Body layer. This is the layer that protects everything within it, and serves as a vehicle for the inner layers and is the easiest to train and hone with time. Over time, all of the layers are able to regenerate back to a base amount, except for the Soul, which can only be recovered in extreme circumstances. The outer layers recover at a quicker rate than the inner layers, largely due to the fact that inner layers affect the outer layers and thus the outer layers have to be restored before the inner layers can begin to mend. Below, we will go into detail about how each layer works.
Physical
Simply put, these are physical traits of a person/being, e.g. how strong/hearty they are. This also includes things like horns, scales, shape-shifting (non-magic based), Wings, tails, extra limbs (like having four arms). Things such as having acidic saliva, secreting poison from the skin, having sharper senses or being more flexible than normal also belong here. These traits are based in biology. As such, exhaustion from using these skills is based on one’s own physical endurance, much like a bird that gets tired from flapping its wings. These are abilities that would otherwise have to be stopped by being bound, hindered or blocked through some sort of means like blinding, blocking or some sort of restraint and would not otherwise be affected by abilities that seal magical powers.
Simply put, these are physical traits of a person/being, e.g. how strong/hearty they are. This also includes things like horns, scales, shape-shifting (non-magic based), Wings, tails, extra limbs (like having four arms). Things such as having acidic saliva, secreting poison from the skin, having sharper senses or being more flexible than normal also belong here. These traits are based in biology. As such, exhaustion from using these skills is based on one’s own physical endurance, much like a bird that gets tired from flapping its wings. These are abilities that would otherwise have to be stopped by being bound, hindered or blocked through some sort of means like blinding, blocking or some sort of restraint and would not otherwise be affected by abilities that seal magical powers.
Mana
Mana is a fairly quickly replenishing pool that allows for the casting of spells via magic. Magic can be used to effect or create a variety of things that can be either physical projections of Mana or elements or, depending upon the user's magic ability, diverse and complicated spells, hexes, and whatever else the mage can conjure up. Any and all uses of magic will drain Mana, and once it’s completely run out, the mage will begin to become physically exhausted as there is no longer a buffer between the body and life force. Despite the diverse and wide variety of things that magic can perform, it is also vulnerable as it can be easily canceled out by anti-magic (or Null Magic, which will be covered below), magic-sealing abilities, or by exposing Mana to its opposite element. It can also be overloaded, causing Mana burns and even physical pain, by utilizing more Mana than one is capable of, or by experiencing dark magic hexes. Magic can affect or be combined with any of the other layers in various ways; however, it can also be affected or hindered by altering the two layers beneath it, and if one's magic requires physical movements to be cast, it can also be hindered by restraining someone physically. In addition, one’s Mana pool can be small or large but can be trained and honed to become larger much in the way training one’s muscles will increase their physical capabilities, and the skill of one’s casting can be trained as well to learn additional and more complicated spells. Rarely, individuals are born without Mana, those individuals have a higher capacity for Life Force and Soul based skills.
Mana is a fairly quickly replenishing pool that allows for the casting of spells via magic. Magic can be used to effect or create a variety of things that can be either physical projections of Mana or elements or, depending upon the user's magic ability, diverse and complicated spells, hexes, and whatever else the mage can conjure up. Any and all uses of magic will drain Mana, and once it’s completely run out, the mage will begin to become physically exhausted as there is no longer a buffer between the body and life force. Despite the diverse and wide variety of things that magic can perform, it is also vulnerable as it can be easily canceled out by anti-magic (or Null Magic, which will be covered below), magic-sealing abilities, or by exposing Mana to its opposite element. It can also be overloaded, causing Mana burns and even physical pain, by utilizing more Mana than one is capable of, or by experiencing dark magic hexes. Magic can affect or be combined with any of the other layers in various ways; however, it can also be affected or hindered by altering the two layers beneath it, and if one's magic requires physical movements to be cast, it can also be hindered by restraining someone physically. In addition, one’s Mana pool can be small or large but can be trained and honed to become larger much in the way training one’s muscles will increase their physical capabilities, and the skill of one’s casting can be trained as well to learn additional and more complicated spells. Rarely, individuals are born without Mana, those individuals have a higher capacity for Life Force and Soul based skills.
Life Force
Life Force is the driving force that bonds the Soul to the rest of the outer layers, as well as acting like a buffer that protects the Soul from the unstable Mana layer. Unlike magic, Life Force is more often manipulated directly in order to augment one’s Body and natural powers, such as in the cases of Chi and Psionics. In addition, dark magic tends to draw on the Life Force of oneself or another, in addition to Mana. as it has no regard for the survival of the caster or regard for their safety. An example of this would be blood curses that require one to trade part of their Life Force for a tainting of another’s Body. Using Life Force in this way is incredibly difficult and dangerous, as such these types of mages are almost entirely evil and desperate for power. One does not necessarily need Life Force to be alive, such as vampires, or other 'undead' creatures whose Souls thrive purely off their Mana pool. (see 'undead' below)
Life Force is the driving force that bonds the Soul to the rest of the outer layers, as well as acting like a buffer that protects the Soul from the unstable Mana layer. Unlike magic, Life Force is more often manipulated directly in order to augment one’s Body and natural powers, such as in the cases of Chi and Psionics. In addition, dark magic tends to draw on the Life Force of oneself or another, in addition to Mana. as it has no regard for the survival of the caster or regard for their safety. An example of this would be blood curses that require one to trade part of their Life Force for a tainting of another’s Body. Using Life Force in this way is incredibly difficult and dangerous, as such these types of mages are almost entirely evil and desperate for power. One does not necessarily need Life Force to be alive, such as vampires, or other 'undead' creatures whose Souls thrive purely off their Mana pool. (see 'undead' below)
Soul
The Soul is the very core of someone's being, that contains everything that makes them...well, them. Soul “magic” comes about when someone is born without any trace of Mana and instead an excess of Life Force. Typical humans are born with Mana pools even if they are unable to harness them, but Soul Channelers lack that trait. Instead, Soul Channelers are born with an excess of Life Force, enabling them to harness their Soul in ways that normal humans cannot. There are many different types of Soul Channelers, ranging from common SoulFists to the rare SoulReaders. Soul Channelers can use their Soul to perform acts that may appear like magic, but are immune to magic cancellation techniques, as they are not reliant on Mana. While using magic-like abilities without the downside of Mana seems great, with every use of their powers, a Soul Channeler's Life Force is depleted. Because of this, most Soul Channelers only live to around the age of 30, with some more reclusive types living up to 40 years. Souls can be extremely strong, but very fragile, as they are the core of one's being. As excessive Life Force is necessary to utilize Soul, individuals with Mana are unable to harness their soul regularly; however, there is one technique accessible to everyone with a soul called a Soul Pulse (See Below).
The Soul is the very core of someone's being, that contains everything that makes them...well, them. Soul “magic” comes about when someone is born without any trace of Mana and instead an excess of Life Force. Typical humans are born with Mana pools even if they are unable to harness them, but Soul Channelers lack that trait. Instead, Soul Channelers are born with an excess of Life Force, enabling them to harness their Soul in ways that normal humans cannot. There are many different types of Soul Channelers, ranging from common SoulFists to the rare SoulReaders. Soul Channelers can use their Soul to perform acts that may appear like magic, but are immune to magic cancellation techniques, as they are not reliant on Mana. While using magic-like abilities without the downside of Mana seems great, with every use of their powers, a Soul Channeler's Life Force is depleted. Because of this, most Soul Channelers only live to around the age of 30, with some more reclusive types living up to 40 years. Souls can be extremely strong, but very fragile, as they are the core of one's being. As excessive Life Force is necessary to utilize Soul, individuals with Mana are unable to harness their soul regularly; however, there is one technique accessible to everyone with a soul called a Soul Pulse (See Below).
THE ORDER OF THE LAYERS
As explained above, there is an order in which these layers work. It was stated above how it works, but this is to put it in a clearer format. So I provided a simple visual!
Soul > Life Force > Magic > Body
One thing to note is that with the Layer system, hampering an inner layer would affect the outer layers. So if there's damage to a Mage's Mana pool, it would most likely have Physical repercussions. Same goes for the Soul. If you injure or alter the Soul, it will cause harm or change to everything else, since the Soul is the core of being; however it is the hardest to injure as it is beneath the other layers.
{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{The Layers Diagram}
Soul > Life Force > Magic > Body
One thing to note is that with the Layer system, hampering an inner layer would affect the outer layers. So if there's damage to a Mage's Mana pool, it would most likely have Physical repercussions. Same goes for the Soul. If you injure or alter the Soul, it will cause harm or change to everything else, since the Soul is the core of being; however it is the hardest to injure as it is beneath the other layers.
The Undead
Undead come about when one's Life Force is completely drained, and they instead thrive off their Mana pool, which is strong enough to support the Soul, like a (turned) Vampire. However this can all happen in different ways, but the most common one is the loss of Life Force. One can lose their Body and continue to live off Life Force surrounding the inner layers instead of a Body, like a ghost with an abundance of Life force. One can also live without a Soul, however they'd be more like artificial beings, like a Golem or Homunculus, and most likely wouldn't exhibit emotions or feelings the same way--or at all. An exception to this would be Reanimated Dead, like Zombies and Skeletons. These beings lack a Soul and are instead fueled by their master’s Life Force.
Artificial Souls
Artificial souls are a bit more tricky than normal Souls, since most artificial Souls would be made with Magic or Technology. They would be layered in a similar way that normal souls are (Soul > Life Force > Mana > Body) But would not be the same as a real Soul. Since these Souls are artificial they might have other side effects based on how they were created (but that's up to the people making them). They can be like children in grown up bodies, or vise versa, because their Souls can either be young and fresh or made to be older and wiser but in a younger Physical Vessel.
Transplanted Souls
Transplanted Souls are located outside of their original Body and placed into a new host Body, or even a vessel of Mana to contain the Soul. These could be anything from a human downloading their consciousness into machinery to a powerful wizard placing a Soul into another vessel for preservation like a jar. Transplanted Souls can never quite gain their original comfort level in their new bodies even if the Body has been specially crafted for them, because of the time the soul spent developing alongside the Body, Mana pool, and Life Force of their original Body. Typically, Transplanted Souls experience amnesia with familiarity towards things they used to know in their past Body.
Augmented Bodies
Various individuals opt for enhancing their Body with technology or Mana. In this way, individuals are able to exceed what is normally physically capable by drawing on alternate power sources other than their own physicality. Examples of this include bionics, runic tattoos for magic, and even replacing body parts with upgraded pieces. No matter the augmentation, it must have a power source, such as electricity for cyborgs and bionic enhancements or Mana for tattoos and magical implants. The physical body can be temporarily enhanced by the other layers of being; however, each layer will have its own unique drawbacks and risks.
Chi and Psionics
There exist those who utilize their Bodies at full capacity, and in doing so unlock ways of using Life Force that go beyond what traditional casters can do. Those who master their Body can utilize Life Force as chi and do all sorts of things like empowering their strikes and infusing elements into their fists, while those who master their mind can project Life Force simply by thinking of doing so, which causes psychic force to permeate the air around them and allow for manipulation of the physical world through their mind and Life Force alone. As these powers do not rely on Mana, they can ignore effects that nullify Mana and cannot be used if the individual has access to their Mana pool, in addition these effects are much more costly than their magic counterparts as Life Force is a much more vital resource.
Null Mana
Null Mana is a parasitic force that gets into Mana and corrupts it from the inside out, consuming and adapting the Mana to its benefit if given enough time. Null Mana learns from the Mana it consumes and gains increased efficacy when consuming Mana of the same type, thus making it more efficient when being passed between people who have similar Mana types. Null Mana is incredibly rare as it is hard to handle and very dangerous for its wielder, typically taking the form of a parasitic curse placed on one’s enemies. That being said, there exist those who use Null Mana to turn a caster’s spells against them by feeding the Null Mana their opponent’s Mana then effectively stealing their spells and causing the original caster to be adaptive and work their Mana in new ways. Null Mana feeds on its caster’s Mana and thus, a Null Caster requires feasting on another’s Mana like a vampire.
Soul Pulse
Soul Pulses are a sort of limit break that allows one to use power that expresses who they truly are, deep in their Soul. These can be an inversion of their usual powers, a release on their Body's safeties in times of need, or a completely new skill. Whatever the case, Soul Pulses are incredibly dangerous and harming to the individual using them, which can cause one to go into a coma or do irreparable damage to their Body or Mana pool in the time spent in the Soul Pulse.
Undead come about when one's Life Force is completely drained, and they instead thrive off their Mana pool, which is strong enough to support the Soul, like a (turned) Vampire. However this can all happen in different ways, but the most common one is the loss of Life Force. One can lose their Body and continue to live off Life Force surrounding the inner layers instead of a Body, like a ghost with an abundance of Life force. One can also live without a Soul, however they'd be more like artificial beings, like a Golem or Homunculus, and most likely wouldn't exhibit emotions or feelings the same way--or at all. An exception to this would be Reanimated Dead, like Zombies and Skeletons. These beings lack a Soul and are instead fueled by their master’s Life Force.
Artificial Souls
Artificial souls are a bit more tricky than normal Souls, since most artificial Souls would be made with Magic or Technology. They would be layered in a similar way that normal souls are (Soul > Life Force > Mana > Body) But would not be the same as a real Soul. Since these Souls are artificial they might have other side effects based on how they were created (but that's up to the people making them). They can be like children in grown up bodies, or vise versa, because their Souls can either be young and fresh or made to be older and wiser but in a younger Physical Vessel.
Transplanted Souls
Transplanted Souls are located outside of their original Body and placed into a new host Body, or even a vessel of Mana to contain the Soul. These could be anything from a human downloading their consciousness into machinery to a powerful wizard placing a Soul into another vessel for preservation like a jar. Transplanted Souls can never quite gain their original comfort level in their new bodies even if the Body has been specially crafted for them, because of the time the soul spent developing alongside the Body, Mana pool, and Life Force of their original Body. Typically, Transplanted Souls experience amnesia with familiarity towards things they used to know in their past Body.
Augmented Bodies
Various individuals opt for enhancing their Body with technology or Mana. In this way, individuals are able to exceed what is normally physically capable by drawing on alternate power sources other than their own physicality. Examples of this include bionics, runic tattoos for magic, and even replacing body parts with upgraded pieces. No matter the augmentation, it must have a power source, such as electricity for cyborgs and bionic enhancements or Mana for tattoos and magical implants. The physical body can be temporarily enhanced by the other layers of being; however, each layer will have its own unique drawbacks and risks.
Chi and Psionics
There exist those who utilize their Bodies at full capacity, and in doing so unlock ways of using Life Force that go beyond what traditional casters can do. Those who master their Body can utilize Life Force as chi and do all sorts of things like empowering their strikes and infusing elements into their fists, while those who master their mind can project Life Force simply by thinking of doing so, which causes psychic force to permeate the air around them and allow for manipulation of the physical world through their mind and Life Force alone. As these powers do not rely on Mana, they can ignore effects that nullify Mana and cannot be used if the individual has access to their Mana pool, in addition these effects are much more costly than their magic counterparts as Life Force is a much more vital resource.
Null Mana
Null Mana is a parasitic force that gets into Mana and corrupts it from the inside out, consuming and adapting the Mana to its benefit if given enough time. Null Mana learns from the Mana it consumes and gains increased efficacy when consuming Mana of the same type, thus making it more efficient when being passed between people who have similar Mana types. Null Mana is incredibly rare as it is hard to handle and very dangerous for its wielder, typically taking the form of a parasitic curse placed on one’s enemies. That being said, there exist those who use Null Mana to turn a caster’s spells against them by feeding the Null Mana their opponent’s Mana then effectively stealing their spells and causing the original caster to be adaptive and work their Mana in new ways. Null Mana feeds on its caster’s Mana and thus, a Null Caster requires feasting on another’s Mana like a vampire.
Soul Pulse
Soul Pulses are a sort of limit break that allows one to use power that expresses who they truly are, deep in their Soul. These can be an inversion of their usual powers, a release on their Body's safeties in times of need, or a completely new skill. Whatever the case, Soul Pulses are incredibly dangerous and harming to the individual using them, which can cause one to go into a coma or do irreparable damage to their Body or Mana pool in the time spent in the Soul Pulse.
Credit goes to Grayson for solving and putting together 90% of this lore!