Awenlasia
| Awenlasia | |
|---|---|
| Practitioners | Awenlasiari |
| Focus | Manipulation of creativity, dreams, and imagination |
| Origin | Awenlas |
Awenlasia is the most abstract and elusive branch of Osia, dedicated to the study and manipulation of creativity, dreams, and the formless potential of imagination. Practitioners, known as Awenlasiari, do not command physical forces but instead attempt to interact with ideas before they are realized, with visions before they solidify, with inspiration before it takes form. Their art is not simply to create but to reshape the very nature of possibility itself.
Awenlasia is not a school of magic but a pursuit of attunement—a way to perceive and even guide the currents of imagination that weave through Adaris. However, such a pursuit is perilous, as Awenlas does not grant mastery over ideas, only the chance to glimpse the infinite—and in doing so, risk becoming lost within it.
Principles
At its core, Awenlasia is the study of the formless, a philosophy of engagement with inspiration itself. Because Awenlas exists beyond the tangible, Awenlasiari train themselves to perceive and influence the unseen forces of creativity.
However, Awenlasia is not a discipline with rules, nor a structured art—it is a series of endless, evolving approaches to understanding how thought precedes reality. Awenlasiari believe:
- Ideas exist before they are known. The act of thinking is merely the process of discovering them.
- Dreams are not illusions but blueprints of unrealized possibility.
- Perception shapes what is real. The way a thing is imagined can influence how it manifests.
Because of this, the practice of Awenlasia is unpredictable, and no two Awenlasiari follow the same path.
Role in Society
Awenlasiari are rare and often misunderstood. While they are closely associated with artists, dreamers, and inventors, their goals extend beyond artistic creation—they seek to explore the intangible, to study the unseen, and, in some cases, to alter the trajectory of history by influencing how people think.
Rather than shaping the elements like other Osiari, Awenlasiari shape inspiration itself. Some are revered as visionaries, while others are seen as dangerous and erratic, unable to fully distinguish their dreams from reality. Their pursuits include:
- Dreamshaping – Exploring the relationship between subconscious vision and reality, attempting to guide the flow of inspiration.
- Perception Manipulation – Studying the ways in which imagination and thought subtly alter how people understand the world.
- Architects of Thought – Crafting symbols, myths, or concepts that become embedded in cultures, subtly influencing civilizations for generations.
Though they rarely wield tangible power, their influence can shape the course of history, the rise of artistic movements, and the evolution of philosophy.
Training and Attunement
Unlike other forms of Osia, Awenlasia has no formal path of mastery. Its practitioners are often self-taught, following only their own instincts and inspiration. However, common methods of training include:
- Dreamwalking – Entering the shared dreamscape of Adaris, where thoughts take form, and visions of the unreal can be studied. Some never return.
- Symbolic Creation – The use of intricate symbols, paintings, or music to attune one’s mind to the currents of creativity, allowing deeper insights.
- Lucid Perception – Training oneself to see patterns, hidden meanings, and unrealized connections in the waking world.
Though these techniques are pursued, true mastery remains elusive. The greatest Awenlasiari are not those who impose their will upon imagination but those who lose themselves within it, becoming part of the endless flow of creativity itself.
The Limits and Dangers of Awenlasia
For all its promise, Awenlasia is one of the most perilous paths of Osia. Unlike the elements, which are tangible, imagination is infinite, and the mind is fragile. Many Awenlasiari experience:
- Over-immersion in the unreal. Some become so entangled in ideas that they can no longer distinguish dreams from reality.
- Dream-obsession. Those who frequently enter the dreamscape sometimes begin to prefer it over the waking world, losing all connection to real life.
- Paralysis of possibility. The weight of infinite potential can overwhelm the mind, leaving some unable to create or act at all.
There are whispers of Awenlasiari who have disappeared entirely—lost not in the material world, but in thought itself.
Applications and Ethics
Because Awenlasia does not directly alter the physical world, its ethics are complex. What does it mean to guide a dream? To shape a thought? To introduce an idea into the minds of others? These questions form the heart of many Awenlasiari debates.
Some believe that all ideas should come naturally, that attempting to influence inspiration is a violation of free thought. Others argue that since Awenlasia does not impose its will but merely guides the currents of imagination, it is a natural extension of the creative process.
Because of this, Awenlasiari rarely seek direct power—instead, they act as muses, mentors, and wanderers, shaping history not through force but through inspiration.
In Adarian Culture
The influence of Awenlasia is felt throughout Adaris, though most do not realize it. Every great invention, every shift in culture, every story that lingers for centuries may have been nudged into existence by an unseen Awenlasiari.
- Artists and inventors often claim to receive visions, as though ideas simply “arrived” in their minds. Some say this is Awenlasiari at work.
- Philosophers debate whether imagination is a power or a burden, with some believing that those who dream too deeply risk becoming part of Awenlas itself.
- Legends speak of wandering visionaries, nameless figures who appear in times of great artistic or intellectual change. Some believe these are Awenlasiari who have fully merged with the flow of creation, no longer bound by time or form.
Bibliography
* ''"The Dreamer's Path"'' - A philosophical treatise exploring the nature of imagination and its influence on reality.
* ''"The Art of Awenlasia"'' - A collection of artistic works inspired by the study of Awenlasia.
* ''"Between Thought and Creation"'' - An exploration of the link between dreams, creativity, and the material world.