The Creative Implementation of Dark Arts into Deific Arts

[Swgrclan 2638]

Discussions that had taken place several times within the LT regarding dark arts (most primarily Blood Magic, based on its nature) and its compatibility with deity magic have motivated me to create a revision that would allow a small set of exceptions to pass for deity magic users whom think utilizing the creative concepts in the dark arts spectrum will provide a little variety for their respective groups. I’ve thought on a small set of rules that must be followed in order for a dark art to be compatible with deity magics of “divine” design, like Clericism, Paladinism, or Ascended Magic.

 

I; If it is capable of covering two spectrums (good/evil), its suitable.

II; If it exists solely to harm, it is unsuitable.

III; If it is based on a natural essence (Lifeforce/Genus [Blood]/Mana), it is suitable.

IV; If it is based on an unnatural essence (Necrotic/Shade/Harbinger/Mystic Corruption/Taint), it is unsuitable.

V; If the very base function can be considered morally “gray”, it is suitable.

 

Using these rules, we may apply them to a variety of deity magics. I have a few in mind, as I’ll show:

 

Blood Magic may agree with Druidism, Clericism, Paladinism and Moon Magic because it agrees with rules I, III and V, and not II and IV. It may be either good or evil just as a sword may kill the innocent or the guilty, and therefore could have practical uses for these magics, such as types of rituals and boosting their powers for the caster’s given purpose, and by extension their patron’s.

 

It may not agree with Ascended Magic, as all magics designated as “dark arts” mark the soul with their objective use, whether or not the magic (in this case Blood Magic) is used malevolently.

 

Necromancy may agree with Druidism and Moon Magic because it agrees with rules I, III and V, but because it also indirectly agrees with rules II and IV in the case of the majority of its spells, the use of Necromancy when also mastering Druidism may have effects on a Druid’s ability not unlike that of using Voidal Magic. However, this is mostly based on the fact that the use of these more unnatural spells would affect a Druid; if Lifeforce Control is utilized creatively and not used to produce taint or reanimate the dead, the Druid may remain uneffected. Moon Magic may remain unaffected either way (need this clarified from some Kharajyr lore specialists).

 

It may not agree with Clericism, Paladinism and Ascended Magic, because it the direct reason for a majority of Tahariae’s perceived impure presences (like undead and taint), has the knack for inciting chaos and disrupting the desired order of Xan, and because it is a Dark Art and marks the soul, which Ascended Magic detects.

 

Shade Magic may agree with no deity magic, because it only agrees with rules II and IV, and disagrees with rules I, III and V. The establishment or preservation of a deific connection is also deterred as the result of Shade Magic being produced by a malicious parasite of darkness upon the soul.

 

These three examples display the “spectrum” of tolerance that deity magics have; Blood Magic is tolerated by most of them because its sole, primary use is to empower spells and also do such through the means of rituals, and is only considered morally corrupt based on its powersource. Necromancy is tolerated by less because of the morally gray stance its very base power, Lifeforce Control, retains, but is considered widely heineous because of how Lifeforce Control can be used for sinister feats. Shade Magic is tolerated by none because its very design is based on the infliction of pain unto others and unto the self, the cultivation of chaos, as well as the fact that the Shade parasite’s presence may deterrence the additional presence of a deific connection.

[ski_king3 0]

I endorse this.

[ShameJax 1392]

Yes, please.

[GodEmperorFlam 3447]

Only thing I disagree with is how you're saying that using life-force manipulation through necromancy in a creative fashion wouldn't cause issues with druids. Even if you're not re-animating the dead or creating taint, messing with the life-force of nature/people is upsetting the balance as it's not a natural act.

 

Although, if this was implemented, I'd assume the LMs would have no qualm with clerics/paladins/druids/et cetera disconnecting anyone that delves into "dark" magic. As even if the lore was passed, you'd have to completely wipe the ideology that many characters have concerning certain magics.

 

I'm on the fence about this, but for now I don't believe this should be implemented until a more detailed thread is compiled on the subject detailing ALL possible combinations and how it effects the person, along with the allowance/not protecting characters with OOC barriers when it comes to disconnecting a person that has delved into "dark" magics.

[Gladuos 857]

Despite the sound logic that some of the more morally grey forms of dark arts might be able to be used in line with deity magics, I don't think it'll work out. Generally, aengudaemons aren't the compromising type with these things. They're often pompous jerkbags that have highly biased opinions of the world they operate over. A dark art might not be fully evil, but most aenguls would probably see it that way. This is pretty obvious from the fact that every deity magic seems to prevent usage of voidal magics, which are arguably far more neutral than some of the dark arts you've listed here.

[Space 2333]

What is this? Lore, or like... What? Isn't this all something that should be discussed in character?

[KBR 1484]

I

11 minutes ago, The Pink Lion said:

Only thing I disagree with is how you're saying that using life-force manipulation through necromancy in a creative fashion wouldn't cause issues with druids. Even if you're not re-animating the dead or creating taint, messing with the life-force of nature/people is upsetting the balance as it's not a natural act.

 

Actually within Xion, there are Necromancers called Weirheints. They solely use their power of life-force manipulation for the betterment of nature.

[Swgrclan 2638]

8 minutes ago, The Pink Lion said:

Only thing I disagree with is how you're saying that using life-force manipulation through necromancy in a creative fashion wouldn't cause issues with druids. Even if you're not re-animating the dead or creating taint, messing with the life-force of nature/people is upsetting the balance as it's not a natural act.

 

Although, if this was implemented, I'd assume the LMs would have no qualm with clerics/paladins/druids/et cetera disconnecting anyone that delves into "dark" magic. As even if the lore was passed, you'd have to completely wipe the ideology that many characters have concerning certain magics.

 

I'm on the fence about this, but for now I don't believe this should be implemented until a more detailed thread is compiled on the subject detailing ALL possible combinations and how it effects the person, along with the allowance/not protecting characters with OOC barriers when it comes to disconnecting a person that has delved into "dark" magics.

Objectively, the shift of Lifeforce from one place to another isn't really that much differing or distanced from the Druidic act of enhancing the growth of a forest, or inspiring life back into a tract of desolate earth, though its more confined to the function of just revitalizing the plantlife that already wilts - not what is simply gone. Druids may completely turn the tide of nature in places whereas spreading lifeforce to wilting areas affected by war or blight may just rejuvenate the greenery. The case of unnaturality is actually switched, in this case.

 

I suppose the second point would be the case, yes, but this is for the purpose of broadening the horizons of deific magic users, not giving them the pass to become a master Necromancer-Blood Mage as well as a Druid. There must be some limitations, of course.

 

The rules I made kind of lay out what's possible, anyway. Writing every detail for every branch of dark and deific magic would be very much a tedious pain in the ass to write.

[𝙻𝚞𝚟 XO 3217]

Interesting, I like it!

[Tom_Whiteman 949]

This clears up a lot Cam, thanks for this.

[Ventusyr 232]

58 minutes ago, Gladuos said:

Despite the sound logic that some of the more morally grey forms of dark arts might be able to be used in line with deity magics, I don't think it'll work out. Generally, aengudaemons aren't the compromising type with these things. They're often pompous jerkbags that have highly biased opinions of the world they operate over. A dark art might not be fully evil, but most aenguls would probably see it that way. This is pretty obvious from the fact that every deity magic seems to prevent usage of voidal magics, which are arguably far more neutral than some of the dark arts you've listed here.

 

I echo this. Aengulic superiority complexes aside, if we are to make Dark Arts no longer actually "dark", and usable by deity magics, why not Voidal magics as well, which are explicitly neutral and only upset the Druidic balance of nature?

 

The only Dark Art here I can see becoming legitimately gray would be Blood Magic, but I think I'm biased because I've wanted to start making rituals that involve blood sacrifice and anointment for clerics, and this would introduce a magical reason for said rituals. I was also under the impression spells that utilize the power of mana in the blood were tainted.

[Zarsies 6115]

Not a fan with most of this. Holy (Paladin and Clerical) magic, Druidism, and Ascended magic -- in my mind -- do not belong with Dark Arts at all. They're all too heavily guided by their deities who each would disagree with some sort of use of Dark Art. Muun'Trivazja could potentially but I'd rely on Benbo for that verdict. While interesting for sure, I don't like all these flavors coming together. I'd rather keep things separated so that people can, when making characters, follow branches -- you can't dip between Deific and Dark.

 

Deity magics should allow more voidal magic imo, the real gray area, not so much Dark Arts.

[excited 10836]

I'd rather not have clerics with Blood Magic seeing as it is a Dark Art that breaks their tenets. Druidism is greyer however and I'm fine with that.

[ℤ∃ʁ∅ 823]

Not a big fan of it because as said above. 

Being a cleric, using blood magic would just boost us. Even if said ritual was to happen, depending on the person harming an innocent is a no no. If it was causing harm to a bad guy, then it would seem fine. But.. I don't see the full logic with the mix. 

 

"Yo bro lemme use ya blood for a buff kay fam?" 

"Let's sacrifice this impure in the name of Tahariae and use their blood as nurtrients." 

 

Doesnt seem to make much full sense to me. Thanks for the thought/idea though. 

 

Voidal magic would seem a better mix with Clericism than dark magic. Saves stress and doubt it will piss off our deity. 

[MangoArt 399]

I think it's a neat idea.