[ EVISCISM ]
Eviscism manifests itself as the manipulation of the latent energies in the world around the mage. From the heat of a roaring bonfire to the gentle motion of the wind, Eviscism and its masters seek enlightenment through manipulating the undercurrent of primeval energies. Be it those of a volatile and destructive nature or those of a stable and equalized nature, it matters not. To perform this magic, these mages sacrifice their own heart, turning it into an organic crystalline structure that pumps living magic through their veins.
-= Heartstones and Foci =-
For as long as there have been Eviscists, there have been their instruments of magical warfare: their Heartstones and the tools used to wield them, the Focus. Often taking on forms of weapons or other armaments, Foci represented the mortal tether and connection to the primordial currents of energy and, at one point in time, were the prime way in which all Eviscists manifested their magical talents. That was before the ascension of Magic altered the very fabric of the Arcane across the realms. The Eviscist's connection to their weapons of yore began to falter as their own magic grew different. Now, emblazoned by the light of the stars, they once more stand within the same chrysalis, their magic and mastery becoming their own, their hearts beating with thunderous tumult.
-= Heart of Eviscism =-
With the heralding of a new age of the arcane comes many changes to all mages across the lands, whether or not they ply Magic with their faith. Now, all Eviscists find their abilities becoming their own, internalizing their magic and further honing their craft beyond what was possible before. All Eviscists, regardless of whether or not they are Stable or Volatile, have gained the ability to cast their spells without the crutch of a Focus.
- The heart of an Eviscist is a peculiar thing. During their Sparking process, their heart itself becomes a form of organic crystal, taking on whatever coloration the mage resonates with most. This is known as a Cruxstone.
- Eviscists gain the passive ability to enter a trancelike state, and during this state, they are able to break down their Heartstones and add them to their Cruxstone. This will directly transfer the unique qualities of that Heartstone to the mage.
- Some gemstones are broken down with ease, while more complex structures seem to fight back against the deconstruction and seem to inherently resist this process. This process takes five minutes.
- Complex and unique Heartstones require ignition before they can be absorbed into the Cruxstone. A mage must pass four individual CA + Resilience checks (five individual rolls against a DC15) to ignite a stone and absorb it. If they fail this process, the gemstone will release a violent wave of energy, immediately atomizing the mage. The stone will survive, and the mage may reattempt the process if they find the stone again.
- Complex structures, such as Nether/Silver Stars, can be absorbed. However, if the mage is slain, these Heartstones can be stolen from their slain body. When they revive, they will revive without this Heartstone if it is stolen by another mage and absorbed by them before revival. The stolen gemstone must be reignited.
- Mages with a Nether/Silver Star within their Cruxstone will have unique Cruxstones. These will always take on a pure white coloration, with speckles of starlight illuminating each and every facet. The same applies to Teal Stones (teal CS) and Viridescence Crystals (dark green CS).
- An Eviscist can store up to three Heartstones within their Cruxstone. They can also expel a Heartstone from their Cruxstone, the gem manifesting within the palm of their hand. They can freely re-absorb it at will or gift it to another Eviscist.
- While a mage can have up to three Heartstones stored within their Cruxstone, they can only have a single one providing active effects. To switch to another, they must spend a minute in meditative thought.
- If an Eviscist is killed, their Cruxstone goes inert. When the mage revives, their heart once again ignites as a Cruxstone with all of their previously held Heartstones.
- By placing their hand upon the chest of a willing target, a mage can ascertain the contents of another's Cruxstone. If the target is dead, they gain this information over the course of a minute. Otherwise, this process takes five minutes.
-= Instruments of Finer Eviscism =-
While this next step of evolution is felt by every single Eviscist, they need not eschew their old weapons of warfare. However, rather than these being a hindrance or a crutch, the Eviscist can now elect to use a Focus regardless of whether or not they are Stable or Volatile.
- Foci remain an integral part of Eviscism and can be fashioned from an appropriate craft without the use of a spell. Additionally, the separation sickness of old no longer plagues Eviscists.
- Separation Sickness is no longer a factor for an Eviscist to contend with.
- Whereas in the past, a Foci was bound to a singular Heartstone, a mage can now channel their active Heartstone within their Cruxstone through the weapon, changing them over the course of a few minutes of meditative thought, similar to the process of adding a Heartstone to their Cruxstone. This does not free up a slot within their Cruxstone, but merely serves as additional flavour.
- If a mage does not touch their chosen weapon for over a day, it goes wholly inert and loses its magical potency.
- Mages cannot use Foci activated by another but can activate and make use of inert ones.
- A Focus can take many different forms but must hold to the universal truths of old; they require an emitter, a conduit, and a gemstone.
- Whereas once only weapons would be considered true Foci in the past, many different items can now be considered Foci for the purposes of this school of magic. They must contain all the elements outlined above but can be anything from a gauntlet to a dagger.
- Bows can also be made into Foci, the bow being used to fling spells far afield. Arrows, likewise, could be infused with magical energy.
- Foci serve no truly mechanical benefit but exist solely for flavor. However, a mage can elect to create custom spells contingent on one still if they desire.
-= Unique Heartstones =-
There are certain materials or spellbound relics that create unique effects when used by an Eviscist. Below, you can find a list of the current unique heartstones and their effects.
- Teal Stones are crystals of the aforementioned color that cause the Cruxstone and any spells cast from the Focus to manifest in a teal color.
- Viridescence Crystal Heartstones are wrought from the dark olive-green Viridescence crystal and cause the Cruxstone and spells cast from the Focus to manifest in a dark green color with ripples visible within the air surrounding the Heartstone, Focus and any visible spells cast.
- Nether/Silver Stars cause spells to take on a pure white (Nether Star) or brilliant silver (Silver Star) color. The Eviscist's Cruxstone is pure white with speckles of starlight, while spells are brighter and more intense versions of themselves, crackling with energy. These stones give a -1 against any armor rolls made by a target when resisting an energy-based attack.
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[ EVISRAL ]
-= Preface and Introduction =-
With all magic, there is an understanding that is this fantasy. Likewise, with what is written below, it is important to understand that even if a spell has a concept of Negatively Charged Vis in it, it will not cause all of the effects stated below, for example.
Eviscism is a long-standing facet of HollowWorld Lore, and this iteration of Evisral lore was built from the ground up to both pay respects to previous iterations and to encompass them to be as unobtrusive as possible.
-= Positively Charged (‘Vis’) =-
The raw energy stuff- crackling and erratic with a steady heat emanating from it. Anything coming close risks armor warping, flammable objects burning, or objects being scorched by lightning. It is commonly seen as crimson with black flicking on the edges. It is wholly unnatural to see this made manifest in its entirety, and it exists only so long as it has energy to expend to continue its unabated release.
-= Negatively Charged (‘Unvis’) =-
The aspect of Vis, when in the negative charge, acts as an energy vacuum and will actively draw in objects' heat, and act as a lightning attractor for any electric currents nearby. It most commonly is seen as a dark blue energy with an unsettling white flickering at its edges. Where Vis is vibrant and explosive with energy, this reversal is muted and dull, though it will still draw in energies to itself with rapid speeds.
-= Evisral =-
This form of Eviscism is the manipulation of these two concepts - grafting them and weaving them into spells. A Mage may graft negatively charged Vis into a spell to expel a bolt of dark lightning that warps steel armor outwards or leaves deep frostbite injuries on exposed flesh. Likewise, an Evisral firebolt may rend armor outwards as much as it is likely to burn them. Where there is offensive, there can be defensive too; a mage may graft a wall of shimmering energy before themselves that absorbs energy-based spells.
While Evisral is capable of the above and so much more, the nature of the world and things from beyond are where many of its hidden talents lay. Entities that come from Beyond — Figment primarily or other such otherworldly creatures lacking in physical form — are typically composed of a Vis that plays a different tune than what Alterans are familiar with. Many of these entities are even incorporeal, but attacks made with Evisral, ones designed to disrupt the target's Vis, find greater purchase on these enemies.
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