[✓] [World Lore] The Conduits of Enlightenment

[BonesOfTheEarth 2252]

 

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T ʜ ᴇ   C ᴏ ɴ ᴅ ᴜ ɪ ᴛ ꜱ   O ꜰ   E ɴ ʟ ɪ ɢ ʜ ᴛ ᴇ ɴ ᴍ ᴇ ɴ ᴛ

 

 

[Cᴏɴᴅᴜɪᴛ] - Tʜᴇ ɪɴ-ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴀꜱ ʟᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ.

 

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Spoiler

The original lore was terribly outdated, but nevertheless a cool concept that people loved, even if a rather niche section of roleplay. Overall, I’m a fan of the 2021 version, although it is clear it suffers slightly from its own dating already. Hopefully, this will be a version to stand the test of time and last. It’s MAJORLY influenced from Timberbuff’s own version, with the main changes being a combination of 2 abilities into 1, and the addition of 1 more.

 

One thing the 2021 piece lacked however, was flavor and examples of its use. Leading me to notice in recent times some newer conduits have come to treat it as just an ability they gain, rather than the self-reflecting development tool it was meant to be. Whereas the original lore was written almost entirely from a thematic standpoint, the 2021 version was nothing but raw text on what abilities were given, and I'm hoping to see those two sides combined here.

 

I also know people have never wanted conduits to be a "combative" lore - I urge people to thoroughly read the one ability I've included under that category. Though marked as combative, it isn't so in the way one might normally associate combat abilities and (I think) keeps to the original thematic of the Conduits.

 

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[Background]

 

First documented by the prestigious mind of Beranabus Seregon, written down within his own journals and papers, the Conduits of Enlightenment - named thusly by him - have existed long before ever meeting true “Discovery.” This phenomenon manifests itself when a mind and soul touch within the body of a Conduit. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes on accident, such as seen in the cases of baseless religions initiating their followers within rituals that derive them of their senses and leave them with visions of some unspoken horror beyond understanding, solidifying faith. Or those laying on the brink of death awaiting medicine, swearing to bear witness to an angel of the creator, cast down to soothe them in their most vulnerable moments.   Whatever the case, many people first undergo the Conduits of Enlightenment unknowingly in the form of unexplained visions during moments of great development. This does not mean, however, that they are wholly, or even partially, aware of what these are. Taking these visions at face value and little more.

Few are those that pursue a greater understanding and see the visions as something deeper, and in their search they grow to better understand their sense of self, and reach enlightenment in their own mind. It is these few who become known to the world as a Conduit, and master their own mind. The soul and mind are two vastly powerful things on their own, able to achieve a great deal more than often they are given credit for, and even then, they are given credit for quite a lot. Scholars and wizards think about the soul, and wonder how best to fuel their great schematics and plans. Weapons of war. A resource alone, is how a soul might often be reduced to by many viewpoints, and a mind merely the tool for tuning it.   This leads to a great overlooking of the finer tuned abilities of the mind and soul, especially when working in tandem with one another. Things that can tell a story or give a lesson, share a cherished memory or convey an idea, rather than merely killing one another.

 

Those who have learned to attune to their own mind and express the nuances of their own thoughts are known as Conduits, masters of the Conduits of Enlightenment. Through these, a Conduit causes not suffering, but tells a story.

 

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[Abilities]

There are only three abilities within the Conduits of Enlightenment. It is important to note that this is an open-knowledge piece of World Lore, in which anyone who takes the time to read this page has access to it, provided they go through the roleplay of its discovery. It requires no [FA], [MA], or [CA] to practice, and no [TA] to teach, but it strictly may never be used maliciously to anyone, under any circumstances.

 

 

Tethering - [Non-Combative] 

Tethering is the act in which someone first undergoes the Conduits of Enlightenment, before they have learned to control their mind and develop their own Mindscape. This can happen naturally, through those who meditate often. Or, a Conduit who has mastered the Conduits of Enlightenment may artificially manifest this upon a willing student, requiring a hand upon both their heart and head to bring about. In either case, it is through a temporary connection of the mind and soul that the Conduits of Enlightenment begin.

 

The result of Tethering is often considered a scary thing to those who undergo it. But scary does not mean dangerous, as no threat is ever posed to the Conduit. When tethered, the would-be conduit undergoes a freeform set of visions related to their character, generally designed to aid them in self reflection and better understanding themselves. Only after “conquering” this vision does a character become a Conduit. For some this happens in one roleplay, either self-rp’d or controlled narratively by the “Teacher”. For others this takes weeks of trial and error, as some people struggle to accept themselves or their past.

 

Rᴇᴅʟɪɴᴇꜱ:

Spoiler

» Tethering does not require a Conduit to act as a teacher and can be self-rp’d. However, a Conduit may still choose to teach someone.

» Once tethered, all abilities are inherent to the user and can be discovered as they see fit. A teacher-conduit may elect to further teach and describe the abilities to the new Conduit however.

» Tethering may be undergone by any creature bearing a greater soul within them that is capable of performing magic.

» The vision offered by one's original tethering still exists with all the usual regulations of Mindscape Travel.

 

Mindscape Travel - [Non-Combative] 

Through a state of enhanced meditation, the Conduit may enter a representation of their mental state within their mind. This is often, but not always, known to manifest as the place that the Conduit is most comfortable with in the real world. A particularly troubled Conduit may have the opposite occur, wherein what manifests is the place where most of their troubles are rooted within. This space is not a perfect copy however, and like a dream it frays upon the edges, the mind filling in gaps where a hole might be found otherwise.

 

After being made, a Conduit may then control and manipulate their Mindscape as though a lucid dream, showing what they please to their passengers, or simply allowing them a greater freedom to explore their own mind.

 

Rᴇᴅʟɪɴᴇꜱ:

Spoiler

» This is a representation of the Conduit’s mind, and will change to reflect that. Cracking or shaking as they grow more troubled, etcetera.

» Through contact with the heart or head, the Conduit may bring up to 2 willing passengers with them into their Mindscape.

» Absolutely no true harm may be done here, and those within cannot feel pain.

» Anyone within feels intuitively that they are “In a dream” and through force of will can wake up at any moment.

» While in a Mindscape, the Conduit and any passengers do not perceive anything around them. Sudden loud, sharp noises, or physical contact, can rouse them.

» Things such as practicing swordplay may be done here, or learning lessons. This does not apply to any MA/FA/CA Lessons however, and those must be learned normally outside of a Mindscape.

» Though notions and ideas can be presented forth, you cannot try and convince people to stay here via influence.

» Conversations here happen in reality, muttered quietly aloud. Mindscape Roleplay should generally be done in #W (Whisper) chat on the server, or Quiet if needed. Anyone who approaches can hear what you say in it.

» This can not be used as a metagaming tool to show memories as evidence. If you chose to show memories, it must be made abundantly clear in some regard that the Conduit character is controlling what is being seen, and thus could all be faked.

» Any dreams after gaining this ability are lucid dreams, when a Conduit goes to sleep.

» Time is not sped up or slowed down within a Mindscape and passes at the same rate in and out. Notions of the passage of time can be applied for the sake of stories, but it cannot force someone to spend extended periods of time 'locked' within a single minute, for instance.

» There is no FTB in a mindscape.

 

Passing Thoughts - [Combative] 

There are times in which words cannot bring about peace, where the inevitability of conflict brings two Conduits to clash upon a field of battle. These situations are beyond rare, given the already rare existence of Conduits in the first place, but therein lay the potential for the extraordinary to occur. Should these two Conduits fight with closed hearts and steeled minds, or even just one of them, nothing will occur. A fight as normal, with no outward effects. However, should reason and the hope for resolution exist within both, then through the trading of blows, their blades might speak for them. With souls resonating with a similar wish, their minds may touch upon one another with each clash of a blade. Flashes of thought from one to another. 

 

This is not true communication, but an extending of ideas and desire. Flashes of memories. An example among two knights, both graying in their hair and wishing not to slay one another, one might receive flashes of the other’s memory, a vision of the child their foe has at home, smiling and wishing them a safe journey. In return, the other might receive a flash of a bride they never met, asking and begging them not to leave home, and to put aside their blade and remain. The end outcome of this is not one set in stone. This ability cannot, at the end of the day, affect one’s actual combat ability. It may portray among the two Conduits a desire to put aside their weapons, or even build camaraderie within them even as they slay one another. One is not forced to give up on their ideals in order to accomplish this - they must merely hope that the other side might come to reason, and thus no longer be deemed a foe.

 

Rᴇᴅʟɪɴᴇꜱ:

Spoiler

» This can only be used among 2 Conduits.

» This ability cannot be used at will, and only manifests should heightened emotion and a desire for peace sit within the hearts of both Conduits. A desire for peace does not mean you have to be willing to stop fighting for your cause, only that you be willing to stop fighting should the other recipient bend their own creed, and submit to yours. Though it could be the former if it is decided to make sense for the character.

» This is a flavorful way of having weapons "do the talking for you" among Conduits, and perhaps - if both sides are willing - realizing that there are better solutions to conflict than stabbing one another.

» This requires OOC (and, technically subconscious in-character) consent among the 2 Conduits to perform. Additionally, this is performed either in #Whisper channel on the server, or through /msg on the server, alongside your combat emotes. A Conduit is not intuitively aware In-Character if they are fighting a Conduit, but can become aware should the OOC consent for this ability be granted.

» Passing Thoughts cannot be used to metagame specific instances about a player, and the details offered must be vague.

» The visions seen through this are perceptions of the truth and not hardlined to reality. That is to say, what you show or might be shown is not necessarily true, but should generally be a believed truth.

» Passing Thoughts is most readily used with a sword and done with each clash of blows, attack or defense. However, it may additionally occur with wizards/ranged attacks, occurring both with each swing of a weapon as well as each final cast or projectile launch emote.

 

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[Citations]

Credits to Booklight12 for the original writing of the Conduits of Enlightenment!

» [Original Booklight12 Lore]

 

Credits to TimberBuff for updating it when it became very outdated!

» [2021 TimberBuff Lore]

 

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[KeiaTypeBeat 3276]

I like mindstuff so it's cool I guess... pugsy you later, William

[StingyParrot 1595]

lore glowup

[Metamancy 1759]

holy shit its awesome

[PolarLoLs 983]

Can i get credit

[Hodgeling 403]

This looks and reads amazing! Clearly a lot of love poured into it.

[Turbo_Dog 3566]

Hey erm buddy im claiming royalties on this as someone who spoke 2 whole messages about this with you 

 

+1, cooking with this

[Luxury 1081]

This reads like a modern lore piece, I like! I am also a COE fan :)

I do think there is such a thing as a spell that is too niche - I'd either try to extend its use cases, or remove it.

[Farryn 860]

Always loved this lore, especially when Booklight first told me about it when he was planning it! So I'm glad to see it being updated! +1

[Venomous_Pup 2978]

6 hours ago, BonesOfTheEarth said:

Passing Thoughts - [Combative] 

There are times in which words cannot bring about peace, where the inevitability of conflict brings two Conduits to clash upon a field of battle. These situations are beyond rare, given the already rare existence of Conduits in the first place, but therein lay the potential for the extraordinary to occur. Should these two Conduits fight with closed hearts and steeled minds, or even just one of them, nothing will occur. A fight as normal, with no outward effects. However, should reason and the hope for resolution exist within both, then through the trading of blows, their blades might speak for them. With souls resonating with a similar wish, their minds may touch upon one another with each clash of a blade. Flashes of thought from one to another. 

 

This is not true communication, but an extending of ideas and desire. Flashes of memories. An example among two knights, both graying in their hair and wishing not to slay one another, one might receive flashes of the other’s memory, a vision of the child their foe has at home, smiling and wishing them a safe journey. In return, the other might receive a flash of a bride they never met, asking and begging them not to leave home, and to put aside their blade and remain. The end outcome of this is not one set in stone. This ability cannot, at the end of the day, affect one’s actual combat ability. It may portray among the two Conduits a desire to put aside their weapons, or even build camaraderie within them even as they slay one another. One is not forced to give up on their ideals in order to accomplish this - they must merely hope that the other side might come to reason, and thus no longer be deemed a foe.

 

Rᴇᴅʟɪɴᴇꜱ:

» This can only be used among 2 Conduits.

» This ability cannot be used at will, and only manifests should heightened emotion and a desire for peace sit within the hearts of both Conduits. A desire for peace does not mean you have to be willing to stop fighting for your cause, only that you be willing to stop fighting should the other recipient bend their own creed, and submit to yours. Though it could be the former if it is decided to make sense for the character.

» This is a flavorful way of having weapons "do the talking for you" among Conduits, and perhaps - if both sides are willing - realizing that there are better solutions to conflict than stabbing one another.

» This requires OOC (and, technically subconscious in-character) consent among the 2 Conduits to perform. Additionally, this is performed either in #Whisper channel on the server, or through /msg on the server, alongside your combat emotes.

Is this literally just

 

[Gnomeh 470]

As someone who plays a Conduit, I got really scared that you were going to try and implement combative abilities but upon further reading the one you have suggested is actually really cool and, if accepted, I would look forward to using it. Good job on the writing, I enjoyed reading it.

[BonesOfTheEarth 2252]

8 minutes ago, Gnomeh said:

 

I was tempted to mark it as non-combative because it really does not vibe as something aggressive, and was worried the 'combative' tag would make people narrow their eyes at it in an inherently non-violent set of abilities, but I couldnt justify that given it only exists when conflict occurs. I did do my best to honor the intention of the conduits with it while still acheiving my vision.

 

I was originally taught by a combination of both Booklight12 and Gladuos, so I'd be damned if I tried anything to twist their lore into something it was never meant to be!

[Hom 1987]

I LOVE CONDUITS I LOVE CONDUITS

[Morigung-oog 5697]

Love this. A much-needed update to a grossly underrated lore piece. +1 - Good job

[Gaea_Foundation 625]

I love Conduits, the idea of being in control of one's own dreams was a wild concept. Love the formatting and the combative idea.  Pleaseeee give this to me I beg