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Cognatism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzNcSvKCOyA With the initial connection to the void, scholars were unaware of the untapped potential within the abyss. The only knowledge given was that it is a replacement for substitute power. Unbeknownst to the scholars, the discovery created a pathway to our realm from the void. Each connection pinged the void and the entities within, announcing the mortal realm to those residing in the abyssal void. Discovering that the breach was simple, per new connection grew the intrigue to the horrors, drawing them close. A barrier, however, prevented them from accessing our world. Both worlds separate by a veil neither understood, only able to pass meek connections to either side. Mortality used the void for power, the horrors for consumption. After centuries of waiting, the breeches widened within the void, small voidal pockets filling space within their realm emerged and with this - a pathway. Both worlds, unknowing of each other, finally found an opportunity to meet, the horrors of figuring out ways to aperture the veil could cause a destructive mess, scarring the landscape. Void rifts, explosions, and destruction ensued in both realms. The horrors trying to cross the veil led to explosions that defaced each realm's land. Scholars studying the rifts and void explosions were able to decipher the strange occurrences, this only prompted a further study in the void that ended in two minds meeting. — Evo’lur Tartarus, Cognant. Magic Explanation Cognatism is a symbiosis between twin minds bound at the veil of the void. The connection serves as a tether between two minds fighting for dominance and control over the other, locked between a mortal mind and that of a voidal horror. The binding communion between the two entities is an agreement of protection for an exchange of knowledge. The horror using the mage voidal pocket forms a protective ring defending against outsider attacks, syphoning the host's mana to keep the barrier up. The lesser horror seeks a new host if the reserve of mana and connection isn't grand enough, putting the host in a prismal loop trial. Cognatism is a feat, it can be learned alongside all other voidal rituals. Cognatism can be learned by players with/without magic. Just be aware it takes an initial voidal connection to draw in the horror, described in 'Expanding Ritual'. If you're character/race/magic/alchemical being doesn't allow for this, you cannot become a cognant. To learn Cognatism one must find an applicable teacher or horror stone. You do not get ‘smarter’ for having the twin mind, just access to tools that aid in seeking knowledge. The Horror The void is a split consciousness of many residing horrors seeking consumption and essence to grow in a hierarchical status amongst lesser, greater, supreme and behemoth horrors within; ascending only through the consumption of essence from other horrors may cause one rise within the standing, following the philosophy/culture of Darwinian on the principle of survival of the fittest. The voidal horrors often seem to form into packs, led by pack leaders of greater to behemoth horror standing, allowing greater intellectual control of the horde to seek further essence to grow and command within the void. Ascension is through consuming weaker ‘superiors’ when the opportunity arises, allowing lesser to become greater or greater to superior standing in the horde of horrors. The evolutionary standing of voidal horrors amongst this hierarchy is dim to lesser horrors, offering nothing but a plaything or food to the horrors above them in constant strife and antagonising nature. Seeking a pass to escape and even protection, they seek the aid of rifts accessing their domain to flee through, or even that of magi to house them. Nevertheless, the outside look on their primitive nature prevails even in this state to consume, grow and evolve. Cognatism focuses on those voidal horrors, opening up a barrier of protection along the veil between the void and the mortal world, forming a psychic link between the two providing a protective barrier within the void pocket of the magi to encapsulate the lesser horror free from consumption long as the connection remains untampered. The Prismal Loop The connection between the two minds is an imbalance of a power struggle between two sides, where if faltered, can subdue either party from a grander force applied to the other mind. It is possible that through no fault of the Cognat, the Horror may issue a test of strength on the connection and the strength of the consciousness it shares a mental home with. Should one fail to push the Horror back, the void beast will stick your mind into a Prismal Loop. The focus will spin round and round, disabling the Cognat from reaching consciousness once more. The Loop forces them into a Comatose state, wherein the Horror will administer a series of tests for the Cognat to achieve. Moving the Cognat deep into the mindscape they create, they must battle the demons of the past and self to defeat and conquer each stage. Once all trials are complete, the Loop will break, and the Cognat will be free. Should such falter, the Cognat will succumb to the mental debilitations threefold as the horror debates to leave you. They are seeking a more extraordinary mind for protection. This occurs if the Horror does not believe that your connection is strong enough to protect it. The Loop can occur more than once. The tests are not easy, not in the slightest. They are hard, and can and will result in damage. The Loop forces the Cognat into a coma, where they must complete trials of the mind in order to get through. This adds some flare to the roleplay, though grants no additional abilities. Whilst in the Loop, the body must still be sustained. Food and water are still required. If wounded inside of the Loop, the Cognat will suffer phantom pain on the body as if it occurred. Accumulating a large sum of phantom pain will fail the trials. Failure of the trials means the horror can leave your mind, breaking the tether. These trials are difficult and will push the Cognat to their limits but will always be within the Cognats ability after the first connection trials. If the Cognat survives, they may still believe they are inside of the Loop even after they have awoken. Mental Effects The voidal horror cohousing within the mind of the Cognat brings an assortment of conditions brought to the single mind they bound to, yours. A Cognat bound by the first connection will suffer from minor debilitations, and the longer one has bound increases to the point, it'll become part of the host's personality. The debilitations can come and go through; some will always be present within the mind at any given time. The horrors’ personality is governed by a teacher or ST melding with your own character. Taking aspects, greed, growth, hunger, ascension, ext. This effect occurs over the duration of the horror being bound. Intrusive thoughts come far more frequently, of the horror's personality. Self-illusions, the mind of the horror might overwhelm the host sending false images across the landscape or area you’re within. Paranoia, a presence is always felt watching you that you can never escape. Despite knowing it is the horror. Sleep paralysis, the horror will wake you from slumber occasionally as it feels threatened by the barrier weakening due to lack of focus. Frequent nightmares, given by the voidal horror to keep you awake of its own experiences. Obsession, when the voidal horror has a set agenda that is right in front of you to get, it’ll attempt to force you to achieve and get it at any cost. Memory Consumption, the voidal horror will actively consume memories which you hold no attachment towards, and root itself further within. The Twin Mind Sharing one’s mind with any consciousness but your own isn’t unheard of, though without a doubt life-altering. Taking in a second mind inhibits you to a tirade of mental debilitations that fatigues the mind, weighing you down without the twin mind speaking to you. The voidal horror paired will send intrusive and controlling thoughts to inhibit your actions, sway mood swings, self-illusions or enact paranoia in the act to weaken the mind for takeover, having no affiliation or opinion on the world around, the horror rather running on its primal urge for ascension. With gaining the third mind, the tri-mind, from either void stalker feat, or another sentience, will amplify the mental debilitations. Although the Cognat and the mind of the horror are linked, the horror wouldn’t share any information given to it back to the Cognatunless learned while bound with the host and imperative on the horror to do so. The exchange of information between the twin minds can only be done if it is imperative to the horror to do so and learnt while bound to the host. You may learn any of the voidal ritual feats, (voidstalker, artificer, scion, eminence). Limited to one, as specified in the respected lore. Losing the Twin Mind/Cognatism, you’ll still suffer from all the mental debilitations if you pass the connection prismal loop (2 IRL Weeks of MA acceptance). The twin mind may not be “tamed” or “befriended”. It is an unbiased entity out for its own survival. The Twin Mind may be purged by a paladin, or cleansed upon a spirit-walk by a shaman. Gaining the Tri-Mind+ doubles exponentionally the mental debilitations, plus the debilitations of the other lore. Teaching https://i.pinimg.com/564x/70/a5/9d/70a59db7195662b7b58b01a3e4fd4efd.jpg Teaching within Cognatism is probably the most strenuous feat in the void archetype; it isn't about learning spells but instead building a symbiosis between two entities. The actual teaching aspect of Cognatism only allows easier access for a student to work on developing this symbiosis, subduing the horror within until the student can take its full strength. The voidal horror is extremely captious when its consciousness is brought from the void into another's mind — often rejecting the new host out of little faults they have unless subdued by the teacher. After the horror has successfully moved into the mind, Prismal Loop trials can begin. The trials are demanding on both the new host and horror, separating their connection to cast any magic until ALL trials are completed. Prismal Loop trials can be incredibly imaginative to the horror or incredibly simple; the trials are here to test the will and drive of the host to form the symbiosis between the two entities. These trials are not without risk. The horror can easily manipulate the host if seen weak and consume the host's memories if the trial is accepted. The teacher must caution the student and make sure they're aware of these risks; otherwise, the student might lose themself to the horror during this stage of connection. The initial connection of the student's mind to the horror is something that doesn't cause pain or torment to the individual, yet a sense of surrealness. While the horror subdued, it won't lash out or probe the mind until the trials have begun. Without the subduction of the teacher on the horror, it can lead to disastrous mental affecting damages to the new host before leaving if not forcefully forced to remain. The Prismal Loop trials on beginning cognatism last for two IRL weeks, the trials happening periodically through this period and dictated by the teacher/ST. While within the two IRL weeks of obtaining, once connected to a horror you’ll be unable to cast any archetype of magic. While connected, all mental debilitations will constantly barrage the host, until full symbiosis is achieved. Failing prismal loop trials considerably will lose you access to Cognatism, dictated by teacher/ST during the period of connection. (2 IRL weeks). Aka - you lose the magic. You can attempt to link to a new horror after two IRL weeks of failing the prismal loop trials. Practising Cognatism https://i.pinimg.com/564x/e0/15/8f/e0158fb401fe4867f5bccddb6e90b97b.jpg The practice of cognatism once passed the Prismal Loop trials after connection can finally begin. The voidal horror begins to dig its roots through your mind, from either empty or occupied space taking over memories feasting on them if needed. The mind would take some personality of the horror unto the person, only amplifying the further tiers you progress through the feat. The horror bestows the feats amongst the host occurs periodically as the beast roots itself deeper into the mind. It shares consciousness by amplifying its grasp for survival and sharing a deep root of knowledge with the host. Voidal Commune (Passive/Non-combat) An endless abyss and the mortal world, the twin mind connection rests in between to commune. While the connection between horror and cognant exists, all information gathered through any senses is collected and stored within the mind of the horror, for them to share back to the cognant if desired. The host cannot do the same, only hearing whispers of intangible moonspeech screeches through the void. The voidal horror is able to translate moonspeech into the common tongue and vice-versa only if the horror wills it. The only exception is a power superior to the horror commanding it to do so. Redlines: This is a passive ability, active once the initial prismal loop trials have been passed. The ability is always active. The horror will not always respond or answer questions, queries or have a casual conversation with the cognant. They’re not your friend. The horror will not teach you moonspeech, the horror will not translate moonspeech for you unless forced by a superior horror. To draw out information stored and gathered from bound, you need to use the ability ‘Notes’ listed below. Infusion (Passive/Non-combat) The link between the twin minds equalises a pool of mana shared between them, the reserve is unusable or able to be directly drawn from by both parties. When a time of need, be for the horror to create a barrier to protect itself from creatures in the void or the cognant drained of all mana, an infusion will commence taking the reserve mana to prevent Thaumburn. When either the horror or cognant is suffering from Thaumburn, exhausting all mana an infusion will instantly commence from the reserve mana collected. The reserve mana is unable to be used for spells, nor does it revitalize the expended pool of mana, purely all it does is prevent Thaumburn for a single-use per IRL week. Redlines: Prevents Thaumburn, one IRL week cooldown. If a mage uses all of their mana, the infusion will save them from death/pass out, recovering faster so they may “walk it off”. Doesn’t refill/refresh your mana to cast further spells. Notes (Non-combat) The mind is a fickle thing, forgoing memory, knowledge lost or minor details left unable to be recollected or traced. The Voidal Commune link can be brought forth by drawing stored information collected by the horror back into the mind of the cognant, able to reminisce the forgotten parts of the mind. While the Voidal Commune link is active, any information gathered/collected by the cognant is stored by the horror, able to be drawn forth and brought back into the mind of the host. Information lost from short-term memory or degradation can be brought back if desired. Emotes: Connection to the horror -> Discuss information to be brought back -> Information sent to cognant. Redlines: The information gathered/collected can only be brought back from when you learned it post horror connection. Anything lost prior to the connection cannot be returned. The information gathered/collected happens passively and is stored within the mind space of the horror to be recollected by the cognant if desired. If your character died in any capacity the information of that death is lost unable to be brought back, following guidelines of death rules on the server. Memoir (Non-combat) Amassing knowledge is something both cognant and horror do best though with some information, it is best to forgo. The wonders of the world or attained memories are something that can harm the overall individual and by will, the cognant may ask the horror to consume these discoveries. While done so without much affliction done to the cognant, they will feel part of them taken as what was consumed cannot come back. Communing with the horror, you may request anything gathered from past events within memory to be consumed. The information of whatever the memory was is lost by the cognant and only known to the horror. Emotes: Connection to the horror -> Discuss information to be consumed -> Consumed memory. Redlines: The information consumed is lost by the cognant, unable to be obtained except through the spell ‘Notes’. The information lost, cannot be sparked back in memory from another party speaking about it. The horror can be deceitful. If a memory contained a prominent/non-prominent figure/item it may consume all information in other memories on that same item. This is consensual, unable to be forced. Scrambling (Passive/Combat) The twin minds are a link bound through the relationship of the horror and host, forming an interconnecting bond that aids in the prevention of interference of outside sources of magic. If one mind is taken hostage from an ability, both are afflicted for better or worse upon the cognant and horror. Both an ability that can be used to detriment the cognant or be beneficial. Detriments with the affliction on the mind afflict both causing both minds to be affected by the spell that may cause amplification on ‘mental debilitations’ listed above. Beneficial would be if someone attempts to search or implant images within one mind finding two instead, potentially not afflicting the cognant but the horror instead. Redlines: Spells that afflict the mind with disorientation, sounds, afflictions affect both cognant and horror. This may double the effects of ‘mental debilitations’ listed above in ‘mental effects’. Illusions/spells that target a sole mind on the cognant will have a chance to fail, doing such unannounced to the horror instead. This can be done through a simple “/roll 1d2” or puzzle. Broadcast illusions work normally. Self-Illusion (Non-combat) Varying abilities cast by the horror cannot be articulated down through the link between the twin minds, so much so deciphering objects are pushed to a near mundane level of power to the cognant. Only able to cast illusions the cognant sees themself in a limited capacity to calculations that aid in the feat of discovery. The mechanics of this ability are as follows; the cognant may only procure illusions which they see themselves limited to; 3D Models. A full, and complete three-dimensional model of an object can be constructed. Calculations. Creating a visualization of operations in front of you, like drawing lines/functions on a chalkboard. This, however, will only aid someone who is able to work out calculations normally, as the connection does not increase your intelligence. Another use of this is the ability to project a visual aid such as a ruler to measure an object. Data Projection. A complete projection of data is shown to the user through a visual rendition of a table. This can include numbers and other information regarding the object, such as weight, height and contents should the cognat already know them. Horror Projection. The cognant is able to work with the horror and able to project an illusionary form of themselves or another being to be seen by the cognant. The illusion can move independently but requires active focus to maintain. Alongside self-illusions, if one possesses voidal illusion (sensory illusion), they may be able to see their own illusions. This is optional and to be able to do all the above self-illusion spells you must follow the emote guidelines. Emotes: Connection to the horror -> Charge -> Self-Illusion. Redlines: Self-illusions can only be seen by the cognant. If two cognants are together they cannot see each others illusions. This spell doesn’t increase the user’s intelligence. The spell is similar to if you had a chalkboard writing notes, just now to yourself. Horror Projection is like an assistant to point things out you might’ve missed, although may not provide further help in discovery. Inducement (Combative) The twin mind isn’t without fault and an overwhelming sense of emotions will flood the minds of both, pulling and twisting actions of the horror and cognant alike. When time of complete focus is necessary however to prevent the constant pulls of temptation, inducement can be called upon. Inducement is called on when the cognant feels the need for intense focus and aid themselves without being pressured by the horror or mental debilitations pulling them down. Focusing on a singular emotion the cognant may induce it on the mind pushing all others to the side temporarily. Emotes: Connection to the horror -> Charge -> Inducement. Redlines: Is only to be self-cast. The exception to this is within the ‘expanding ritual’. Once cast, inducement will last until the encounter is over or the cognant breaks focus. Casting the inducement spell temporarily subsides all emotions but the one is chosen and mental debilitations. Once the encounter is over/focus is broken the mental debilitations will come back onto the cognant twice fold for the next thirty RP minutes. Focus can be broken by a forced void connection disruption. Expanding Ritual (Non-combat) A ritual between three, the cognant, the horror and the apprentice to expand one mind through coupling/circling. The cognant pulls mana to feed to the horror, asking it to reach into the mind of the apprentice opening a rift within to the void without a voidal connection made. The mana fed to the horror is used to draw near a lesser horror calling them to the void pocket of the pupil, once one has successfully been drawn in - teaching may begin sending the student through the prismal loop. Emotes: Connection to the horror -> Feed Mana-> Open apprentice to the void -> Call Horror -> Prismal Loop. Redlines: Inducement can be done on the apprentice to lessen the abruption of the void/horror. This is the ritual to call forth a lesser voidal horror, thus creating a cognant. The horror creates a voidal connection, not the teacher during the ritual. A voidal connection is not required to practice Cognatism after however. After the ritual, follows all guidelines/redlines of ‘Teaching’. Cannot be forced. Enchanting Cognatism enchantments have been undefined for the most part, while bringing the feat back I wish to put some limitations and allow only selected spells to be used to prevent abuse/loopholes. This list may expand/retract some spells in the future to be used or further clarified if needed. Overall Enchantment Redlines: Any enchantment made follows the restrictions on combat/non-combat of its given spell. A ‘note’ enchantment cannot be used in combat as per the spell. This can be amended by the creation of a MArt. Possible Enchantments: Notes. Enchanting an item with notes, allows it to work similarly to a ‘voice recorder’. Able to take in information given to it through mana-transfer into the item or vocal command. Notes may be applied to any other voidal enchantment, and do not require MArt to be applied to an already existing one, unlike other enchantments. Memoir. Able to take information from one mind if they draw mana onto the object. The object can then return the information if siphoning the mana back out through the same process. You may only take/return information from the person collected. The information given requires RP consent. If destroyed, the information is lost. Self-Illusion. All self-illusions can be enchanted with the specifications given to them. You may ‘save’ information on the enchantment if the spell ‘Notes’ is attached. Self-illusion may only be enchanted alongside ‘Notes’ on the same object. Cannot enchant ‘Horror Projection’. Inducement. All inducement enchantments will focus on one emotion bound to it when held/on users body. Multiple emotions cannot be induced even if one has multiple enchantments. Once the enchantment breaks, they’ll suffer heightened emotions of the other emotions for thirty RP minutes. Expanding Ritual. The enchantment known as the ‘horror stone’ will follow all rules/redlines of the spell. If a player willingly connects to the horror stone, they need to contact the Story Team to continue. This is effectively self-teaching. Without a teacher, the initial prismal loop will be extremely strenuous and will most likely fail. Depending on the ST handling the ticket. Single-Use. If you fail the trials you cannot try again with the same stone. Tier Development: T1: - After successful Prismal Loop Trials (2 IRL weeks) - Voidal Commune - Scrambling. T2: - Four IRL weeks to get to T2. Including Prismal Loop trials. - Infusion. - Notes. - Self-Illusions, except horror projection. T3: - Two IRL Weeks from T2. - Self-Illusions, full list. - Inducement. - Memoir. - Expanding Ritual. Purpose: The purpose of bringing back Cognatism isn’t to take over from voidstalker lore, rather be its own rendition of old Cognatism while following current standards of roleplay. Similarities between the two lore pieces do exist, though as voidstalking is more subservitude and cognatism written here is co-existence there is a big difference between the two. I wanted to further address why the list of abilities is mostly self-rp reliant, simply as I didn’t want to cross over the power which other more intensive magics bring, as taking example from voidstalking. That magic breaks the soul and gives access to ‘voidal feats’ previously unobtainable, cognatism forms a connection through the mind so the feats will be lesser. I hope to of created enough differentiation between the two for it to be considered its own piece of lore as I didn’t want to overlap anything between the two lore pieces. Citations: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/152537-✓-magic-cognatism-rewrite/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/158898-✗-additioncognatism-the-mind-of-a-horror/ https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/197734-✓-voidal-feat-voidstalking/ Credits: Ttwesten / Jenny_Bobbs - Main Writer/Ideas/Conception. Booklight12 - Ideas. Z3m0s - Ideas. Kalehart - Ideas. CephalonAir - Ideas/Edits. ImStuckInHell- Edits. TojoTime - Edits. TwistChunky - Edits. Zarsies - Voidal Horror Help. The intention of Distribution: If the feat is accepted, I will be in discussion with ST members on selected members of the community not aligned with each other to help spread out the magic and not have it gatekept. If you’re interested please reach out to me on discord: E__V__O#0001

Cognatism Lore Contents Introduction Explanation Abilities New Changes Learning/Progression Time for Abilities Pros and Cons Introduction “These thoughts are not my own. The Void has shifted, and through a connection I have yet to describe, the voices have entered my mind. Voices unakin, random and chaotic in nature, sprung from the black.” - Crumena Izalith “Odd. In meditation, I’ve heard the voice of an old friend. He uttered to me as I thought and spoke, ‘Wanderer’ It said. Could Errant return? Our voices mingled and our thoughts cluttered, like old times indeed.” - Avenel of Wyleid Cognatism-- the art of self proficiency has taken a turn, the spectator mind vanishing from sight as the void quaked and tumbled. All previous Cognats would hear the voice of an otherworldly another in their cranium, confused and curious by the arrival of a new voice-- the two will perhaps form a relationship, or discard another. Explanation The Spectator mind is replaced with the Horror. Cognatism has all of its original abilities with a few additions. The Horror will, at first, want to test you, spamming information into your mind in a mania inducing trial, to quell the Horror’s wrath before the trials would be to do its task. Because of this change, anyone who has illusion or mental magic is able to learn Abilities Due to the connection between the Cognat and the Horror, certain abilities may be harnessed through a developed relationship with the Voidal Horror. Symbiotic Minds Scrambling Due to the simple fact of having two minds working in tandem with one another, there is a constant output of voices and factors which make the mind of a Cognat a difficult place to walk. Signals and thoughts are being sent back and forth at a constant rate through the connection to the Voidal Horror, which, should a Mental Mage attempt to penetrate the mind, will offer nothing but scrambled thoughts. ((A Master or Adept Mental Mage will be able to enter the mind with some difficulty, yet any unconscious Cognat can be entered through with ease by a novice.)) Redirection While a Cognat’s mind is not impossible to penetrate, thanks to the connection with the Horror they are able to hold a second layer of defense. Should a Mental Mage hiccup the process of invasion, their attempts will succeed in getting into the mind… Of the Horror. It is possible, should the Mental Mage incorrectly connect with the user, to accidentally slip into the mind of the Horror. This acts as a counter-attack to the Mental Mage, and can often lead to the Horror toying and attacking back at the Mental Mage. Storing Information Notes Due to the nature of the curiosity of Voidal Horrors, the connection between the Horror’s mind and the mind of the Cognat is a near permanent feature, with the Horror listening and noting every piece of information that it is fed. The Horror maintains these “notes” and can offer them back to the user upon request. Memory Conversion Through a similar method, the Horror will assist the user in converting the short-term memories the Cognat has into long-term ones, and using the connection between the two minds to enhance the storage capacity of the user. Visual Aid Visual aid itself is very broad, but the best way to explain it would be the horror helping the Cognat see things they normally wouldn’t with the hope of assisting them. It is very free-form, but here are some examples: 3D Models Through the use of the Horror, the user of Cognatism can call upon and utilise a visual aid through their own sight. Visible only to the user, a full, and complete three-dimensional model of an object can be constructed to aid the Cognat in his or her tasks. Calculations Due to the innate abilities the Horror possesses, the constant connection to the being will allow the mind to operate at a higher level, and calculate various operations in a much short time. This is done by creating a visualisation of the operations. This, however, will only aid someone who is able to work out calculation normally, as the connection does not increase your intelligence. Another use of this is the ability to project a visual aid such as a ruler to measure an object. Data Projection To aid the user, a complete projection of data is shown to the user through a visual rendition of a table. Much alike all visual aids, this process is only visible to the Cognat, and will simply offer a list of various properties and data that the Cognat, or Horror, already has available in regards to the objects. This can include numbers and other information regarding the object, such as weight, height and contents should the Cognat already know them. Hyper-thought By the Horror and Cognat’s will, they will be able to actively think at the same time, and raise the curtain from one realm to another-- allowing the minds to be closer to one another. This state is known as Hyper-thought, when both minds are in complete synergy: This allows for incredibly powerful illusions on the self, as well as increase the processing of information and the potential of figuring out of said information. This ability is not usable in combat; however, in the research and problem solving spectrum, this is a boon. With this, the ability to have a revelation is possible. Mental Aid/Inducing Mental Aid Due to the nature of the Horrors note taking, the constant connection between the user and the other mind allows for easy sharing of information between the user and it’s Horror. Being able to bring forth previously stored data on the fly, the Horror uses it’s connection to aid the memory of the user, and allow for the user to utilise previously forgotten information to adequately handle and or approach a situation. Inducing While connected, the user has the ability to call upon the assistance of the Horror, and request the creation of scents, sounds, feelings or any other sensory experience. Though largely used for intellectuals purposes, this serves as "self-illusion." This could be used to calm one down, or place someone in a focal trance/berserker’s rage. Revelations Following the stages of Hyper-Thought, an inducement of ‘Revelations’ are possible through prolonged and intense synergy with the Horror’s mind. A Revelation is a sudden realisation of imaginative proportions. The Revelation the Cognat can receive can be anything, from coming to the understanding that they left the Bread to go stale, or a solution to an engineering problem. The Revelations can even be so powerful as to analyse patterns and make predictions for Future World Events, or aid in the users understanding of the Void. There can, however, be horrible side effects or failures resulting from this attempted connection. Due to the nature of the process, one must bring the mind of the user and the Horror closer together in a state of hyper-flux, and should one make even the slightest mistake, the two minds may coincide with one another, which can cause the user to suffer prolonged fatigue, muscle and mental pain, and even short-to-long term mania. ((Revelations must be pre-approved by the LT, and may even require Administrative approval. One may also use this in conjunction with the ET to aid in their plotline)) Enchanting Ability to imbue the Cognats abilities onto the object. [Note, artificial minds are no longer accepted]. To enchant, one must obviously have the knowledge of Enchanting. To do so, one must be a Transfigurationist, and must understand just how to Enchant an object before they attempt to do so. Expanding Ritual A magic ritual that employs arcane coupling/circles. The Cognat pulls upon mana from the participant(s) of the ritual, and feeds the horror, asking for it to reach into the minds of the others, allowing the Cognat to portray what they wish to the minds of others. This is mainly used for a teacher wishing to teach their student, beckoning their horror to make a pathway for another horror to enter the apprentice’s mind, however… a mass revelation is not unheard of. New changes Uses a Voidal Horror to process and induce. Interested in knowledge, willing to listen for information as well as bring its thoughts upon you. (Voidal Feat, now able to work with illusions and mental magic to a certain extent. You will be required to go into a trance like state before communicating with the Horror.) Also Cognitism now spelled Cognatism because that makes more sense. Cognat - Cognitism = no. Due to the nature of sped up processing of information, a Magic will take half a month less than usual to Master. While a Magic would normally take six months to Master for someone without, a Cognat will be able to Master an art in five and a half months. Learning/Progression To learn this magic, one must first acquire a 'Horror Stone' which is frequently in circulation. If you'd like to know more or the location of these stones, feel free to contact the Lore Holders. The mage must first connect to the void with the Horror Stone through meditation. From there, the mage will have to connect, mayhaps in a way that is unlike usual connection, and accidentally find the Horror’s conscious. This phenomenon causes the minds to connect with one another, and then the initial process begins. The first few days are difficult, the minds throw information back and forth, perverting thoughts best unperverted. The beginning can be considered mania inducing to weaker minds. After those few days, the Horror and mind will calm, the horror ceasing its chatter lest called upon. Due to the nature of a Voidal Horror, the beginning weeks of the connection will be difficult for the Cognat. While the Horror will allow and aid the user in their tasks, the Horror may use this time to analyse and ‘test’ the Cognat by vaguely meeting the request given, and offering ‘side-effects’ to the user such as unexpected actions which afflict the senses, or simply taking the request too literal. As time goes on, the relation with the Horror builds up, allowing them age to do the abilities without harm of oneself (Ideally, two months to be able to do all abilities without much harm on the psyche). The innate knowledge the Horror grants without giving the side-effects are: Symbiotic Minds, Storing Info A few days after the minds calming down (or mind trial): Mental Aid and Visual Aid. Week after: Inducing. Three weeks after: Hyper-Thought A month after: Revelations, and expanding ritual. An alternative way of learning are comprised of two options: Learning from a teacher who will ask their horror (after four months of being a Cognat) to ask another horror it is aware of to settle inside the mind of the student, OR to make the initial mind trial two days less, the Horror may ask for something to be gained, and within a day-- they will link with the mind of the Mage, calmly and soundly. NOTE: Although this magic is a Voidal Feat, it may not be self taught without the acquisition of a Horror Stone. Please contact the Lore-Writers before writing your app so they can give you the green-light. Time for abilities: This talks about abilities and how long it takes. Some of them are practically instant, while others will require more time, given one is asking the Horror to assist in certain articles which would require more effort on their end. Storing Info: Instant/Inherent, requires no connection. Memory Conversion: Requires a little bit of time for the Horror to transfer the information to one’s long-term, requires one emote. Symbiotic Minds: Inherent Visual Aid: Requires the Horror to take the time to project the information to your person, takes two emotes. Inducing: Having the Horror induce mental feeling and thought into you takes time: 3-4 emotes, with a ten emote duration (though this increases by one, as one gets higher in the field, meaning the max will be fifteen). Hyper-thought: The synergy of minds requires meditation, and cannot be used in combat-- the thing with this is be reasonable, generally this should take six or so emotes. Revelation: Requires one to go into Hyper thought first, 10 emotes total (including the Hyper thought. Bare in mind, a member of the LM, ET, and MAT will have to approve said revelation). Expanding Ritual: Same as a circle, plus an additional few emotes to share the information. Enchanting: Be reasonable. As long as you do it in the time frame of the standard enchanting process, you’re fine. Pros and Cons Pros: Cognatism is now more accessible A new Dynamic to Cognatism Cons: Very little combat value Potential of mania, induced by the Horror should one not build the relationship. Potential of having to do something for the Horror so that the initial mind-trial will cease earlier. Mania induced if the Cognat fails the revelation. Redlines One must always communicate with the appropriate team, be they ET, MAT or LT, when wishing to use Revelations. Cognatism does not make you smarter. It simply permits you to utilise more aspects to allow you more fluid self and mental RP. Having Cognatism does not make your connection to the Void suddenly stronger, and you do not have a constant connection. Instead, one has a constant mental connection to a Voidal Horror. The mental connection to the Voidal Horror can be disrupted, through warding or sudden disconnect in successful the event of a Mental Mages attack being successful. The Cognat’s mind is not impenetrable, there will always be leaks into their scattered mind, especially when they are unconscious. By no means is the horror your friend. Think of this like a mutual relationship between a knowledge leech and a human being (though the leech could be fond of you). By giving it knowledge, the leech spits out some knowledge to you. However, there is always the growing chance of mania from the horror. In fact, the first few trials are very much mania inducing. The Horror cannot have any physical manifestation on the world, it only remains with the person. Written by: Tahmas, knghtArtorias Original Lore by: Ptah, rewrites by ski_king3 ((To clarify. Cognatism and Mental Magic have not merged, this is simply the rewrite for the previous magic to make it more interesting, and hopefully provide the magic with a little more umph on it's own.) On the topic of the Horror: The Voidal Horror is not always communicating with you. This isn't like a Shade Parasite who constantly whispers in your ear. Instead, imagine it like an audio connection. The Horror has it's speakers on, but it's muted his Mic. The Horror will always be able to hear you, and you may speak with it, though it will not be constantly chatting in your ear. The Horror may occasionally speak up and request something of you, though most of the time it will remain silent and simply listen and note down the information you are taking in.