[✗] [Feat] Metanoia: Earthly Peace

[Luxury 603]

Introduction

Shamans, Sages, Priests, Clerics, Soothsayers, Druids, and Gurus are all names of different spiritualists who’ve come to find peace through their practices. Masters of these lifestyles all seem to attain a supernatural level of serenity, felt merely by being in one's presence. This state is the culmination of gathering an intimate understanding of the human condition. One way or another, flocks are drawn to these people bringing with them woes and ailments, seeking a final relief.

 

 

Magic Explanation

It has long been supposed that there was symbolic power in the spoken word, and behind gestures or symbols. In accordance with the seemingly mechanical logic driven Material Realm, there is an underlying intelligent flow, or rhythm that all beings might attune to. Words can move a nation to action, the power of Phonetics. Business deals are sealed with signatures and handshakes, the power of Somatics. A musician might strike a chord with an audience, delivering them to a state of somber; the power of Acoustics. These are merely outlines of a greater truth that spiritualists have long tapped into with fervor.

 

Further on fundamental truths, Mana is considered the bedrock of life. It underlays all reactions and interactions that are conceptualized in the mortal experience. Divine or Mundane, all creation is based upon the mechanisms of this omnipresent ichor. That is to say, by nature we influence it and so too does it influence us. Be it passively in the conventions of the day to day, or intentionally through the various feats of Magic. These few elevated individuals, in all their varied communities, have found natural ways of enacting their intentions upon the flow of Mana, and thus their environments and their fellow descendants.

 

 

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Learning Earthly Peace

Progression within this feat is less about scaling power, and more on aligning one's character with a spiritual discipline. Growth is determined only by how deeply they’ve delved into developing an interpersonal connection to their idea of serenity. The touchstones outline this path through the magic.

 

Ooc explanation:

-Earthly Peace is a feat and uses no magic slots

-Its purpose is to accompany many popular avenues of spiritual roleplay/ alternative medicine.

-It is self-discoverable by characters who are not magically prevented from having peace of mind. I.e. Practitioners of  Dark Magics, Void Stalkers, etc.

 

Definitions:

Spiritualist- An undefined practitioner of any variety of cultures or religions that may come to discover this feat.

Touchstones- These supplant the need for tiers in the traditional sense.

Flow- The direction and interaction of mana with the material realm and the descendants. 

 

Reverence to Life

There are touchstones to success that one can base their progress on. The very base of these is deemed simply ‘reverence’. It is the main quality that defines spiritual beings, in relation to their place in the world. It is the will to pursue this path to enlightened peace that marks the practitioner as a true agent of personal change, as opposed to one who is behind a mask or a display of good intentions.

 

On Mental Aptitude:

Less of a facet of the magic itself and more of a natural inclination to behave a certain way, a practitioner will become increasingly more inclined to feats of altruism; charity, reaching out to assist the less fortunate, aiding the elderly or those who are dying.

 

-Dedication to this path incites a change in aura; one's aura may become a brighter version of their present aura and more delicate or spectral.

-A character may radiate an undeniably calming or peaceful presence, relaying their own personal intent but may not force this feeling upon another.

-A descendant with a reverence to life has an empowered will; malign forces that seek to upheave or alter this mental state must use twice as many resources to do so. I.e. doubled exhaustion factor, or emote count.

 

 

The Curated Environment

An area of powerful intention that has become remarkably tranquil, and can be identified by a descriptive aura that permeates the place. Further defined, this is a location wherein its primary purpose is to practice, teach, or spread spiritual practice. The core component being the presence of the practitioners themselves, with their influence upon the Mana flow of the locale being the driving force behind the aforementioned effects. Applicable structures may range from Gardens and Groves, to Churches and Meditation dens.

 

-The Curated Environment is a ST approved, area of effect passive soothing aura that may scale to the size of the location. The aura may be described by any creative means.

-Requires RO consent to place.

-The area must be functional and conducive to roleplay; I.e. may not simply be an empty room or a dirt hut. 

-The location is typically indicated by a sign, but region messages may apply to locations larger than a mere room.

-The aura is flavorful, and by no means forced onto a character but it’s presence is undeniable.

-The Curated Environment is required to utilize any abilities mentioned hereafter.

-If the location is desecrated or otherwise destroyed, all of the featured abilities cease.

 

 

The Instruments

Of the touchstones of progress, after the location is the creation of the instruments through which practitioners work. Amidst the environment, and under the intention of the spiritualist, these items channel Mana to a breadth of effects based on the coupling of their design and intended purpose. Outlined below are the most common.

 

Aromatics- Candles, Incense, Flowers and Herbs.

Often used to passively enact change in the flow of mana, and acts as a vehicle to carry the mind to sublime states of sensation through the senses of smell and taste.

 

Somatics- Acupuncture, Meditation, Breath work, and Hydrotherapy

Bodily practices that calls one to be present with one's physical relation to the Material realm, using a more direct and applied change in the flow of mana. Deals in the sensations of feeling, and touch.

 

Acoustics and Phonetics- Prayer, Chanting, Bells, Chimes, and Singing Bowls

A combination of applied and passive techniques, these speak to the subconscious and carry the conscious mind through many phases of thought.

 

 

Abilities

Alter Flow [Non Combat/ Passive]

This indicates the freeform use of the varied instruments to beckon a variety of effects upon the surrounding mana. The spiritualist’s intentions may be conveyed more concretely through the Instruments, and alter how certain sensations echo into the surroundings. The aromatics used may hint at a certain idea, the somatics may more acutely guide the body into a meditative state, and acoustics may call to mind more specific thoughts.

 

-Effects are temporary, providing boons only while within the Curated Domain.

 

The Healing Sessions [Non Combat/ Ritual]

A culmination of achieving all of the touchstones. Practitioners may coax a change in the flow of mana emanating from fellow Descendants, should they be open to it. Within these ‘sessions’ the Spiritualist may utilize one or more of the Instruments, bringing about alleviation from suffering by inducing natural healing. A descendant may be invited into one session per narrative week, or one per OOC day, and must undergo a comprehensive series of phases. While there is no cap on the length, each session should encompass an emote count of at least 5. The content of the ritual varies greatly depending on the Instruments used, but must overall be treated as guided meditation.

 

 

1st Session/ 1 Instrument; Relieve

An ailed descendant comes into the embrace of the spiritualist in their curated domain, so that they may establish the foundations of peace. In this phase of opening, one finds that they are guided towards mental relief from the struggles weighing on the forefront of their mind, and a balmy aura soothes minor aches and pains.  This may be performed with one or more descendants.

 

-Effects are temporary, lasting only while the session endures.

 

2nd Session/ 2 Instruments; Renew

Having embraced the flow of peace, the body has been prepared to enter a stage of healing. This represents a phase of acceptance, and a new path for the ailed as they find their mental anguish ceding domain over their mind to the benevolent flow radiating from their healer. The body activates its own natural healing factor and finds it bolstered by the ritual. One may find a welling inner strength to overcome trauma, and simple non threatening wounds become a distant memory as the body regenerates over the course of the session. This session may be performed with one descendant at a time.

 

-Effects are engaged only during the session.

-Major mental afflictions may not be blanket-cured by this method

-Major lacerations and broken bones require active medical attention and cannot be magically cured by this method.

-Short term disabilities or illnesses such as a flu or migraines may be relieved in the second Session, but lifelong afflictions may not.

 

3rd Session/ 3 Instruments; Release

The final phase is one of surrender. By now the spiritualist has formed a unique understanding of the suffering of the ailed descendant, and likewise has convinced them of the benefits to confronting their inner turmoil instead of avoiding it. In this final exchange, a specific memory may be surfaced and challenged, initiating a shift in perspective by which the ailed may come to terms with the occurrence. Upon success, the newly released individual will enjoy a period of indomitable peace lasting beyond the session, notated as Serenity.  This session may be performed with one descendant.

 

-Spiritualists may not actively alter memories. Any suggestions given remain at the deliberation of the target descendant on how to proceed.

 

Serenity [Non Combat/ Passive]

A boon granted to those who have participated in all of the Sessions. Serenity provides a sense of well being for an OOC week starting after the successful third Session. Likewise, akin to the Spiritualist themself, the spiritually motivated descendant possesses the quality of indomitable peace during this week. Malign forces that seek to upheave or alter this mental state must use twice as many resources to do so.

 

General Redlines:

-All boons and effects are suggested enhancements; They may be accepted or denied at OOC or IRP will.

-Abilities have a prerequisite of being performed in a specific location, with specific tools.

-The sessions must be sought out to have an effect. A practitioner must additionally reveal that an attempted healing is taking place. Minimum of 5 emotes per session.

-Sessions must be performed within one OOC week of each other.

-Magics and entities that manipulate either the practitioner’s or those with the Serenity boon’s mind to an ill effect must double their emote count or double the exhaustion factor.

 

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The Walking Temple

“Many of the great teachers were found to preside over their domains, those ivory halls of blissful peace; pondering, teaching, healing… They became like the mountains, firm and stationary. Few were the rocks that broke free from the mass, and rolled out onto the world.”

 

Certain beings have inlaid responsibilities within them to become catalysts for change in the world. Their fate was forever plunging them against the stream, determined to take them to the sources of agony and conflict. The Walking Temple is a figure whose life’s work has become entangled with the greater cosmic mechanics of peace and balance. These Descendants have been enveloped in the practice of Earthly peace for at least 3 OOC months, and may come to sense a calling to rise from their Curated Domains to undertake a pilgrimage, carrying with them all that they have learned.

 

-The final state of progression in Earthly Peace. Instruments and Sessions may be wielded outside of the Curated Domain, but never in combat.

-Aside from three months of practice, one must have achieved Reverence, created at least one Curated Environment, and wielded one three-stage Session.

 

The Union of Mind, Body and Soul

Life through the lens of a Spiritualist is one of perfect harmony. Their sphere of influence reaches all that is within their sight, and it seems that they seamlessly come to conclusions founded in love for oneself and one’s surroundings. While this may be expressed and spoken amongst one's fellow descendants, there exists yet another way; One that is internal and personal. Having navigated the external worldly paths, so too must the Spiritualist traverse the internal labyrinth of the mind. The Earthly practitioner is intimately familiar with meditation, and coming home to oneself invites another path to enlightenment.

 

-From hereon, the Earthly Peace practitioner may self-teach Conduitism.

-Existing Conduits may likewise discover this feat and express an understanding of the concepts presented naturally. 

-Conduits may bypass the 3 month requirement, but will still be required to pursue the other facets of the Feat to become a Walking Temple.

 

 

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Purpose:

I wrote this with the idea of bringing a patient-involved metaphysical healing practice into the magical mainstream. It is written to be as roleplay intensive as any other form of healing- Doctors, Medicinal Alchemists, Herbalists, Druids- but fills a niche that they do not. Beyond that, I’d like to see a class of peacekeeper characters elevate into the magical realm. Secondarily, this piece marries nicely into the existing Conduitism lore so I included a route into that as well.

 

Credits:

FadedQuartz- Writing, Concept

Booklight12- Ideas, Feedback

Timberbuff- Conduits Rewrite

 

Sources:

Conduits of Enlightenment-

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/203574-%E2%9C%93-world-lore-conduits-of-enlightenment/?tab=comments#comment-1853281

 

[Changelog]

-Curated Environments require RO permissions

[E__V__O 1984]

I like thr flavour of this, its nice. 

[Jentos 6848]

Very based, very cool. 

[satinkira 5871]

[Astrophysical 1003]

Oh yea, it's Buddha time

+1

[Royal Peasant 445]

This reminds me of what the Monk side of roleplay that interested me before it vanished into the eternal closet of the universe. The serenity, meditation, peace and healing that were tied too it. I will look forward to seeing how this turns! 

[wowj 2781]

Buddha RP :D

[Kalehart 1062]

This lore has been denied. You will be sent a forum PM regarding the reasons for denial within the next 24 hours.