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| {{Osia Infobox
| | [[File:Osia Spirits 01.jpg|thumb|Symbolic painting of Nascent Spirits inhabiting trees in a forest.]] |
| |Image=[[File:Osia Symbol.jpg|border|center|frameless]]
| | '''Osia''' is the practice of communicating with the consciousness present in all things in [[Adaris]] and, through that communication, directing it. Because Adaris is the realm of [[Umalyu]], the first consciousness, every object, force and idea holds some measure of awareness in the form of a [[Spirit|spirit]]. A practitioner of Osia, an [[Osiari]], learns to perceive these spirits, to understand them, and to ask things of them. |
| |Practitioners=Osiari
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| |Focus=Manipulation of consciousness and essence
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| |Origin=Spirits
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| }}
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| {{Osia Sections
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| |Introduction=Osia is the ancient and complex art of manipulating consciousness and the spirits that constitute the world of [[Adaris]]. Practitioners of osia, known as <nowiki>'''osiari'''</nowiki>, primarily focus on manipulating Nascent Spirits, which are young spirits who are simple and malleable and exist in a state of pure potential. Master osiari may learn to influence more advanced spirits.
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| Osia focuses on controlling the nascent spirits—the raw conscious particles that give form to elements such as fire, water, wind, and other natural forces.
| | Most Osiari work with [[Nascent Spirit|Nascent Spirits]], the simplest and most fleeting spirits. Skilled practitioners may deal with [[Mature Spirit|Mature Spirits]], but the more developed a spirit is, the less reason it has to listen to a mortal. |
| |Principles==== Stages of Spiritual Development === | |
| The spirits manipulated by Osiari exist in various stages of development, each with its own level of consciousness, power, and influence over the world.
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| # Nascent dpirit:
| | == Principles == |
| #* These are the simplest and most malleable spirits, existing in a state of pure potential. Nascent spirits are akin to the "single-cell organisms" of the spiritual realm, representing small phenomena like flickering lights, gusts of wind, or minor environmental changes. They lack full consciousness and can be easily influenced by their surroundings, beliefs, and even the actions of Osiari.
| | Osia does not create anything from nothing. An Osiari can only work with spirits that already exist: a flame must be present to be shaped, and a doubt or question must exist before it can be deepened or turned aside. Osia directs what is already there. |
| #* Osia practitioners focus primarily on manipulating these spirits, as there lack of self-awareness makes the easy to manipulate. Through attunement, an Osiari can influence these nascent spirits to control elements, reshape matter, or even subtly affect natural events.
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| # Mature spirits:
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| #* Over time, as belief in them strengthens, nascent spirits can evolve into mature spirits. These spirits develop distinct forms, consciousness, and personalities, gaining awareness of their surroundings and purpose. Mature spirits often take on humanoid forms, animals, or elemental beings, and can interact meaningfully with humans, forging alliances or rivalries with other spirits.
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| #* Master Osiari—those who have progressed beyond basic manipulation—may attempt to influence mature spirits. However, this requires immense skill, as mature spirits are more autonomous and resistant to external manipulation.
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| # Ancestral spirits:
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| #* Spirits that have existed for centuries, and whose stories have been passed down through generations, become incredibly powerful and wise. Ancestral spirits are often revered as gods, elemental lords, or protectors, with a consciousness far surpassing that of younger spirits. They are deeply integrated into the culture, religion, and mythology of the people who believe in them, often acting as fundamental forces of nature.
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| #* Ancestral spirits rarely need active belief or worship to maintain their power, having become integral parts of the world itself. Some Osiari theorize that the most powerful practitioners could, in theory, influence ancient spirits or even primordial spirits, such as [[Daathir]] or [[Awenlas]], though this remains largely speculative and dangerous.
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| === Principles of Osia ===
| | The practice is organized into paths. A path is a human tradition, comparable to a religion, devoted to the spirits associated with one [[Primordial Spirit]] or [[Ascendant Spirit]]. The [[Path of Metihi]], for example, concerns spirits of fire, and the followers of [[Mavai]] work with spirits of mystery and uncertainty. A path is not a property of the spirit itself; it is the body of knowledge that people have built around it. |
| The practice of Osia is rooted in the understanding that all matter and energy in Adaris are interconnected through a web of spirits—primarily nascent spirits. These spirits are fragments of consciousness, present in everything, forming the foundation of reality. By manipulating these spirits, Osiari can influence both the physical and metaphysical aspects of the world. | |
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| Each branch of Osia, such as Tejasia (fire), Shasia (wind), and even [[Awenlasia]] (imagination), involves the manipulation of nascent spirits related to their respective elements. Osiari attune their consciousness to the flow of these spirits, gaining control over natural elements and phenomena.
| | === Stages of practice === |
| | Osia is learned in three stages, described in detail under [[Attunement]]: |
| | * '''Perception''' – learning to see a spirit and to recognize its presence. |
| | * '''Understanding''' – learning to hear it: to comprehend its nature, its aspect and its temperament. |
| | * '''Balance''' – learning to ask: making a request of the spirit or striking a bargain with it. Attunement works in both directions, and the Osiari must keep from being changed by the spirit in turn. |
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| === Nascent spirits: the building blocks of reality === | | == Spirits and their responsiveness == |
| Nascent spirits exist in a fluid and malleable state, representing the raw potential of creation and transformation. They are present in every element, belief, concept and object in Adaris, and osiari can influence these spirits to alter reality.
| | How an Osiari deals with a spirit depends on its stage of development. |
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| Nascent spirits are highly reactive and sensitive to their environment, making them ideal for manipulation by osiari. Skilled practitioners can use their mental focus to guide these spirits, commanding the elements, influencing physical forms, or even shaping emotions and perceptions in the world around them. | | === Nascent Spirits === |
| | Nascent Spirits are brief, simple and largely without self-awareness, and they respond to direct command. Among the elements they are easy to identify: a gust of wind, a flicker of flame, a ripple of water. Among concepts they are harder to recognize. A Nascent Spirit of mystery, for example, is a fleeting doubt or a passing question; it forms when such a thought arises and fades when the thought does. |
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| === Mastery of osia: beyond nascent spirits === | | === Mature Spirits === |
| While most osiari focus on, and indeed are only capable of focusing on, nascent spirits, masters of osia—those who have spent decades honing their craft—may be able to influence mature spirits. This requires immense skill and discipline, as mature spirits possess a will of their own and can resist manipulation.
| | Mature Spirits are self-aware and have their own will. They cannot simply be commanded. An Osiari must negotiate with them, and the larger the request, the longer and more careful the exchange. |
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| Theoretically, the most powerful osiari could influence ancient spirits or even primordial entities like Daathir and Awenlas, but this is seen as exceedingly rare and dangerous. The manipulation of such powerful spirits risks destabilizing the balance of reality and could have catastrophic consequences for Adaris.
| | === Ancestral Spirits === |
| |Training and Attunement=Becoming an osiari requires years of training, starting with osial attunement, where practitioners learn to perceive and manipulate the nascent spirits that exist within all things. Once attuned, they progress to controlling specific elements by aligning their consciousness with the spirits that govern them.
| | [[Ancestral Spirit|Ancestral Spirits]] are old and powerful, and seldom have any reason to heed a mortal. Dealings with them are rare and uncertain. |
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| Advanced osiari train to understand the nature of mature spirits and attempt more complex manipulations, though few ever reach this level. The manipulation of ancient spirits is considered the pinnacle of osia, and it is a pursuit fraught with ethical and spiritual dangers.
| | === Ascendant and Primordial Spirits === |
| |Applications and Ethics=The manipulation of nascent spirits through osia allows osiari to affect both the material and spiritual realms. They can reshape elements, heal, protect, and influence emotions. However, as spirits become more powerful and autonomous, the ethical dilemmas grow more profound.
| | Ascendant and Primordial Spirits are beyond the reach of Osia for practical purposes. They have no reason to listen to mortals, and as a rule they do not. |
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| Many osiari adhere to strict ethical codes, understanding that the manipulation of powerful spirits—especially mature or ancient ones—can disrupt the balance of nature and consciousness. The ethical debate surrounding osia often centers on whether the manipulation of these spirits is an acceptable path to enlightenment or whether it risks overreach and hubris.
| | == Paths of Osia == |
| |In Adarian Culture==== Osiari ===
| | Each Primordial Spirit except Umalyu has a path: |
| The term osiari refers to individuals who practice osia. Osiari are not merely "magic users" in the traditional sense; they are scholars, mystics, and philosophers who dedicate their lives to understanding and manipulating the essence of reality. They are often regarded with a mix of awe and caution, as their abilities to influence the fundamental aspects of existence make them both revered and feared.
| | * [[Path of Pavkanai]] – imagination and dreams |
| | * [[Path of Náiluv]] – darkness |
| | * [[Path of Tñarilu]] – light |
| | * [[Path of Yairan]] – earth |
| | * [[Path of Metihi]] – fire |
| | * [[Path of Yavi]] – air |
| | * [[Path of Aahi]] – water |
| | * [[Path of Konmai]] – time |
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| Osiari are known for their deep knowledge of the [[cosmology of Adaris]] and their ability to see beyond the physical world into the underlying structures that shape it. They are often called upon for their wisdom in matters of great importance, especially when it involves understanding or interacting with the fundamental spirits.
| | A Path of Umalyu exists in theory but is not practiced. Many Ascendant Spirits also have paths, such as the [[Path of Tahami]] among the [[Mifajene]] and the path followed by the masked disciples of Mavai. |
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| === Cultural Impact === | | == Training == |
| Osia and the Osiari have a profound influence on the culture, philosophy, and governance of Adaris. Their knowledge of the spiritual hierarchy—from nascent to ancient spirits—shapes the way societies interact with nature, understand the cosmos, and approach metaphysical problems. | | Osia can in principle be learned anywhere, but instruction tends to gather where the spirits themselves are found. For an Ascendant Spirit, the center of training is usually its house, where the spirit lives; a student of mystery and uncertainty, for example, would seek instruction at the [[House of Mavai]]. Houses and schools generally choose their students, and entry often involves a period of selection. The Primordial paths, which have no single house in [[Dalel]], are taught by orders and schools in many places, organized much like guilds within a city. [[Ierițairan]], a center of the Path of Yairan, is one example. |
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| The Osiari are often called upon for their deep understanding of spiritual dynamics, particularly when it comes to matters involving spirits. They play crucial roles in religious ceremonies, governance, and even conflict resolution, where their insights into the nature of reality and consciousness are invaluable.
| | Training is mainly through meditation and exposure to the spirits of the path. Students learn first to see spirits, then to hear them, and finally to ask things of them. |
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| | === Ranks === |
| | Osiari are commonly ranked in four grades: |
| | * '''Hikkasi''' – student |
| | * '''Yarraittu''' – disciple |
| | * '''Hilakkasle''' – teacher or master |
| | * '''Andirakasle''' – grand master |
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| | === Effort and mastery === |
| | Using Osia takes focus and effort in the way any demanding activity does. Long or difficult work tires the practitioner, and endurance improves with practice. Nothing prevents an Osiari from studying more than one path, and many have some knowledge of several, but mastery generally requires devotion to one. Only rare individuals have mastered more than one path. |
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| | == Practitioners == |
| | Humans have no innate Osia and must learn it through training. Many of the native peoples of Dalel, created by Ascendant Spirits, are attuned from birth to the Osia of their creator; the Mifajene, for example, are attuned to Tahami. |
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| | == History == |
| | Humans were created by Pavkanai, and the Path of Pavkanai was open to them from their beginning on [[Haberria]], where they appear to have practiced it to some degree. After the [[Great Migration]], as human settlers spread through Dalel, the Ascendant Spirits taught them to work with the spirits of their own aspects. Once they had learned, humans attempted more complex attunements and branched out toward more powerful spirits, including those that stem from the Primordial Spirits. The paths of Osia developed from this teaching and experiment. |
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| | == Risks == |
| | {{main|Attunement}} |
| | Spirits are not passive. An Osiari who seeks attunement without proper understanding may be rejected, with harm to mind or body, and excessive attunement can lead the practitioner to take on the traits of the spirit. |
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| | == See also == |
| | * [[Spirit]] |
| | * [[Attunement]] |
| | * [[Osiari]] |
| | * [[Primordial Spirit]] |
| | * [[Ascendant Spirit]] |
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| | [[Category:Osia]] |
| | [[Category:Cosmology]] |
