Magic, and the Spiritual Trinity
Spiritual energies are commonly seen as a trinity that define who an individual is on Cerolia. These three different parts to the life essence of a being can be directly manipulated, though some require certain prerequisites to be met before they can be tampered with by another. Advanced manipulation of these life energies can allow someone to preform feats of ‘Magic’.
Everyone on Cerolia with a Symbiont has a natural understanding of basic energy manipulation.
The Being
This is the primary aspect of the spirit, and is normally simplified to "Life Energy" or "Æther" in conversation. It is the essence of an individual, and what is considered to feed a Symbiont upon death if targeted. This energy is also the level of the spirit that allows for the activation of a Symbiont Crystal (AKA Birthing Crystal), and is vital to the continuation of Cerolia's races. It is the essence of who someone is, their memories, their life, all distilled into the soul.
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All sentient races on Cerolia, as well as the Mek'Vatir, have compatible life energy. Souls of beasts and those from the stars differ greatly, and thus are unable to be consumed for sustenance. This allows all the major races to interbreed, forsake the Mek'Vatir which reproduce via spores.
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Forced manipulation of this energy can cause extreme pain in a victim, and has been used as a method of torture by nefarious individuals and organizations. It's only effective when a person's will has been significantly weakened. Killing someone by drawing out this energy is impossible unless they perish near a pure gathering point on a person's body. Absorbing the soul of another sentient being is a deliberate act and cannot be done passively. The only exception is the Mek'Vatir, who can be passively devoured by the Symbiont, killed via draining, or directly manipulated without issue.
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The souls of the Mek'Vatir and the other major races do not carry the same weight. Two Mek'Vatir are required daily to stave off Æther Sickness, but a single soul devoured from another Cerolian can sustain an individual for weeks.
The Projection
Known as "Æther Projection" or simply "Magic". This refers to the physical manifestation of life energy outside of the body that can be manipulated by the host. It takes on the color and characteristics of an individual's attunement, and can sometimes be enhanced by attunement abilities. It is through this energy that the Terra attunements are used - allowing "Medis" and "Botanicals" to heal others and grow plants respectively. The most advanced form of this projection is trained for use by Paladins and Acolytes of the Temple of Aludra, and can be used for offensive and defensive combat.
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Outside of an individual's natural attunement abilities, anyone who wishes to manipulate and use Projection must have an above average level of discipline and mental fortitude. The only known users of this are those who train at the Temple of Aludra under Lady Zara. However, through advances in technology, the Aeon Technical Institute and Silver Tower Corporation have both had success in harnessing the power of The Projection. Personal shielding, offensive weaponry, and other Æthertech evolve on a daily basis.
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The Projection is directly powered by the Symbiont, and in the case of the Latherian Race, it can potentially use Projection abilities autonomously for defensive or offensive purposes. Untrained use of Projection energies can rapidly advance a user through the stages of Æther Sickness and potentially lead to death or leave the user in a comatose state.
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The Aura
Commonly referred to as "Pleasure Energy" or the "Energy of Relaxation". This energy is different for nearly every person and can shift wildly throughout a day depending on an individual's mood or intentions. It can be manipulated by oneself or another, and the effects can range from raw euphoric sensual pleasure at any part of the body to calming and meditative tranquility. This practice is commonly referred to as "Aura Manipulation" or "Aura Therapy". It cannot be manipulated against one's will, and requires absolute consent in order to control. The only exception to this is the Mek'Vatir, who can be manipulated via this energy to the point of death. Careful use of this ability on the Mek can cause them to become addicted to its effects and the individual who uses it on them.
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"Pleasure Dens" and "Tranquility Dens" exist in every major city as tourist attractions and form a multi-million *creen industry. There are also “Aura Spas” that specialize in manipulating this energy in the form of intense massages with the intent of relaxing customers.
*Creen / Cen = Universal Cerolian Currency