Raiken Magic
Although the talent is quite rare, some Raiken are capable of harnessing the powers of magic to perform incredible feats. Their magic is drawn from their entire species' collective ancestor worship and rich storytelling tradition. Those capable of using magic are typically descended from powerful Sages of old, where genetic markers line up just right to produce a new spellcaster.
Origins
The first Raiken capable of utilizing magic were clan shamans and oracles. Through strange ritual and incantations, these early Sages predicted the future, smote their enemies, and spoke to Surrai. These early casters evolved into the Sages that the storytellers speak of, with their ever growing tales of grandeur. For most Raiken, the magic in these tales is attributed to embellishment, but that is not the case.
In the present day, with all the advancements in technology, the old rituals have lost their usefulness and some clans have ceased their practice. As such, the practice of magic has dwindled.
The Ten Sage Disciplines
The old ways detailed ten different disciplines of Sages. That is, ten different methods the old Sages used to help those who sought them out. Each section of Ranil'inas has two disciplines attributed to them based on their geography and climate. These disciplines are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of each part of the planet.
For magic users, these ten disciplines act much like a 'lore' of magic. Each magic user is bound to a specific discipline based on their bloodline, the blood of their ancestor who once used magic. Typically, any single magic user is only capable of drawing from one lore of magic, however, it is possible to have access to two.
Global Spells
- Lorsk - Want or Desire. A primal spell bound to the desires of its caster. Lorsk works in mysterious ways and no caster can predict the results upon casting it. While its effects are tied to the user's bloodline, Lorsk is capable of exceeding any caster's actual skill, creating results far and beyond what any master could do.
Sage of the Twin Moons
Originating from Relatir, these Sages read the Twin Moons, Rel and Ral, to foretell omens, both ill and fortunate. Their spells revolve around predicting the future and attempting to change said future, for good or ill.
Twin Moon Spells
- Fortell - Perhaps the most iconic Twin Moon spell, fortell attempts to read the future. The caster experiences a vivid fragment of some future event, although with focus, they can get more specific on what they attempt to divine. Fortell has no outward effects, besides the caster's eyes glowing.
- Twisted Omen - To tell a Twisted Omen is an attempt to manipulate someone's future negatively, though to what degree is up to the caster, with greater peril requiring greater skill.
- Ral's Boon - The polar opposite of Twisted Omen, to grant Ral's Boon is an attempt to change the future for the better, limited by the skill of the caster.
Sage of Ice
Sage of Heavens
Ormak, the wisest of all Raiken, spent much of his time meditating atop the Sky Pillar, reading the heavens and communing with the greater universe. These Sages draw knowledge from the heavens themselves, for better or worse. In addition, Sages of Heavens are capable of bringing the mighty power of the cosmos to bear upon those foolish enough to oppose them.
Heavens Spells
- Star Paths - Heaven Sages can walk upon star paths, usually in order to commune with the celestial objects, but also for transportation. Skilled casters can go further or even send another onto the Star Paths. When one traverses the Star Paths, they seem to fade away on blue wind.
- Heaven's Wrath - While Heaven Sages are considered to the be the wisest of all, they are not above causing harm when required. By harnessing the latent power of celestial objects, Heaven Sages can call down strikes of pure energy.
Sage of Deep Earth
Sage of Beasts
Within Rakavasu, Sages of Beasts commune with the wild to draw closer to Surrai. Rakava, the Favored Child of Surrai and Tamer of All Beasts, is the most renowned Sage. Those who practice this discipline will always find innumerable allies in beasts large and small, of ground and sky.
Sage of Storms
Sage of Sands
Sages of Sands draw power from the infinite grains within the desert. They obscure their homes with powerful sandstorms and trap their foes in the same. While sand sages usually work with fine sand, they are capable of molding loose earth to their will.
Sage of Life
Vexa, founder of Resa Sarhi Slevexa, was named the first Sage of Life. She used her gifts to spread prosperity across Slevexa and the Sages that followed in her footsteps strive to do the same. Sages of Life are blessed with the power to heal and renew, flesh and plant alike.
Sage of Fire
A practice originating from Delrasu, at least most prominently, these Sages utilized the power of fire. By nature, fire is unstable, destructive, and all consuming. However, the warmth fire provides is life bearing. The paradoxical nature of fire is captured within the discipline devoted to it.
Sage of Shadows
A practice originating from Delrasu, these Sages utilized the omnipresent shadows cast from Ranil'inas' sun, some to deceive their clans foes and others to provide shade from the sun's heat. Delras used this discipline to hide her armies and ambush her foes.