Auristics
Quick Facts: Full Name: Auristics Practiced: Worldwide Gained Through: Current Practitioners, Books Ability: Read and Interact with Auras Use: Intelligence Gathering Risks: Fainting + Overview: Auristics is a form of magic, which offers its users the ability to read, conceal, and interact with auras. Every person, animal, plant, and object possesses an aura, but those of humans and other sentient beings are the most multifaceted. An aura possesses many different pieces of information, which an aurist may read. For example, an aura may be used to locate an object, or determine whether or not another person is injured, or find out information about a specific injury. Experienced aurists are capable of picking up on the various nuances within an aura, allowing them to discern emotion, a person’s fears, and their desires. Aurists are also capable of detecting other magical forms, by picking up on remnants of aila, which linger within the air. How it Works: Everything in existence possesses an aura. Inanimate objects tend to have a very thin aura, which blankets every portion of their being. The aura of any item infused with magic may possess a large, medium, or small aura. It is believed that the type of power contained within the object determines the size of the aura. Flora and fauna tend to have thin auras, which aren’t very complex in nature. However, they are thicker than the auras of inanimate objects. Sentient beings, such as humans possess more complex auras, which are often described as having more than one layer. The aura is said to stretch for several feet around its owner. The gods and goddesses of Ariael have the most complex auras, which can stretch for several feet. Their light can be blinding, and uncomfortable for mortals to look at, if the god or goddess fails to dim their light. Aurists have the capacity to sense auras. Most aurists read auras by using their sense of vision; although an aura may be read by using all five of the senses- sight, taste, touch, smell, and sound. For example, an aurist may pick up on the scent of charred meat, which would suggest that the owner of the aura they are reading is a poor cook, and/or likes to eat meat. Attaining vague information, such as that found within my example, is a largely passive ability for any aurist. In order to use their magic to its fullest potential, an aurist must concentrate on a specific aura or group of auras. It is this shift- from minimal focus, to intense focus- which poses a threat to the wellbeing of the practitioner. An aurist deepens their sense of concentration and focus by consuming their amra, in order to integrate their mind with the aura or set of auras s/he is attempting to comprehend. There is no true moment in time when an individual is “done” concentrating; instead, the longer an aurist maintains their concentration, the more information they become capable of gleaning from the aura or group of auras. Attaining basic information from an aura typically takes a few seconds to a full minute. However, gleaning more advanced information, and the nuances held within a specific aura can take several minutes, if not an hour or more. Each aura looks and feels different to the practitioner who is studying it. The mind of each aurist adapts to the information they glean from any aura, organizing and arranging it in such a way, that it becomes easy for the aurist to understand. Sometimes, the shade of an aura will shift, or its scent will shift, or its texture will shift, betraying different types of information about its owner to the individual studying it. The possibilities are simply endless; as are the interpretations of any aura. In the most basic sense however, less experienced aurists are more likely to glean inaccurate information, or interpret their view of an aura incorrectly than those who have had more experience reading auras. Master level aurists possess the ability to manipulate their aura, as well as that of other individuals, plants, animals, and objects. They can subdue their aura, as well as alter the appearance of their aura, in much the same way that the gods and goddesses of Ariael are able. As a result, they can trick less experienced aurists into believing false information about them. Being that the master level aurist is also capable of manipulating the aura of entities outside of themselves, they may also trick less experienced aurists into believe incorrect information about them as well. Aurists with the same amount of experience will nullify the effects of each other’s magical use. What Auras May Determine: Auras have their limits. For example, an aurist is consistently rendered incapable of reading another person’s mind, or the mind of an animal. However, they may give off the impression that they can accomplish such a feat through consistent, accurate readings, and the skillful use of speech to direct a conversation. Skillful questioning and the use of both logic and reason, can help an aurist dictate what is on another person’s mind as they progress through their conversation with one another. Those who are more experienced in controlling their emotions, however, may “trick” an aurist, into reading too far into false signals. With that being said, auras can reveal a number of things, such as: · Physical Characteristics · Internal Structure · The Nature of Injury · Emotions · Magical Activity · An Object or Individual’s Past · Temperature · Shape · Intent Each piece of information, which may be revealed in one’s reading of an aura, is not revealed in a linear fashion. Instead, each type of information tends to develop simultaneously. Even a novice is capable of gleaning all of these different pieces of information. However, s/he is unlikely to interpret everything properly, and will probably struggle to work through different aspects of their reading. Furthermore, the prolonged use of magic can seriously injure and/or weaken an inexperienced aurist, who must consume more amra than a more experienced practitioner, who has conditioned their body to withstand the drain of magical use. Initiation: Assuming that an initiate hasn’t already been unbound by their entrance into another magical school, an auristics initiate must be rid of their binding. The unbinding process will allow a mage access to their amra channels, which will render them capable of practicing magic. Once an initiate has been unbound, they may walk either of two paths to become fully initated into the practice of auristics. One option is for the future aurist to pour over magical tomes, studying auristics until they learn how to read them on their own. The second, and far easier option, is to have a current practitioner teach the initiate all the things they would need to know in order to start reading auras with any degree of success. Risks: Being that like all Earthen Magic, auristics is fueled by one’s use of their amra, the discipline is not without its risks. Given the fact that an aurist tends to employ their skills for the purpose of intelligence gathering, there is far less risk involved with auristics than many offensive and defensive forms of magic. With that being said, one may fall violently ill on account of their use of auristics. Overuse: Listed below are some examples of what may occur at the different levels of overuse. Mild Overuse- · Dilated Pupils · Trouble Keeping Eyes Open · Headaches Moderate Overuse- · Migraines · Blood Tears · Nose Bleeds Extreme Overuse- · Blindness · Fainting · Hallucinations · Seizures Skill Progression: Novice (1-25) · A novice cannot focus on more than one aura at a time, and may only glean rudimentary information from that aura. They cannot yet see the auras within inanimate objects, and can barely perceive the aura of plants and animals. They can make out the aura of other sentient beings, but remain likely to misinterpret what they see. Reading the aura itself requires the majority if not the entirety of a novice’s focus, may only be done if they can clearly see their subject, and often leaves the practitioner extremely fatigued. Competent (26-50) · A competent aurist is capable of reading a pair of auras at any given time, and keep track of them even if they fall outside of his/her direct line of vision. They may clearly view the aura of sentient beings, flora, and fauna, and just begin to perceive the aura of inanimate objects. They may rely on their power to locate hidden objects, and perceive the magical field surrounding sentient individuals. They can easily obtain the basic information found within an aura, and have an easier time gleaning more advanced pieces of knowledge. Expert (51-75) · An expert is capable of reading multiple auras at once, even if they fall outside of his or her direct line of vision. They may clearly view the aura of flora, fauna, inanimate objects, and sentient beings. They are capable of discerning the magical field surrounding all things. They can perceive everything that an aura has to offer, if only they take the time. However, advanced auristic techniques do not come easily to them. (Although they do not struggle as much as novices or competent users). Basic facts can be gleaned without having to exert any degree of effort. Master (76-100) · A master is more than capable of discerning every piece of information that an aura has to offer. Furthermore, they are able to alter the state of their aura, if not subdue it entirely. The altered state of a master’s aura can easily mislead the inexperienced aurist, however those of a similar level of experience may suspect that something is amiss. Masters become capable of studying several dozen auras at once, even if its owner passes outside of their field of vision. In addition, a master aurist is capable of instantly recognizing any aura they have already studied.