Path of Náiluv
| Path of Náiluv | |
|---|---|
| Image |  |
| Focus | Control of shadows, darkness, and the unseen |
| Practitioners | Disciples of the Path of Náiluv |
| Origin | Náiluv |
Introduction
The Path of Náiluv is a specialized branch of Osia that focuses on the manipulation of spirits tied to darkness. Its practitioners, known as disciples of the Path of Náiluv, attune themselves to the conscious presence of darkness itself and draw power from Náiluv, the Primordial Spirit of darkness.
Principles
The Path of Náiluv involves the manipulation of the spirits of darkness. Through mental attunement, its disciples can control these spirits and so manipulate darkness.
Followers of the Path of Náiluv believe that darkness holds the key to understanding the unknown, and that by manipulating these spirits they can influence both the physical world and the minds of others.
Role in Society
Disciples of the Path of Náiluv are sought after for their abilities. Their talents in stealth, illusion, and concealment make them valuable to rulers, scholars, and warriors alike, but many people regard them with caution and superstition.
Spiritual Hierarchy
Like all branches of Osia, the Path of Náiluv involves the manipulation of spirits at various stages of development. These spirits represent different aspects of darkness.
- Nascent Spirits are fleeting spirits of temporary darkness. They are the first spirits a disciple of the Path of Náiluv learns to control.
- Mature Spirits linger in perpetual shadow and are tied to places where darkness persists.
- Ancestral Spirits embody darkness that has become mythological in nature.
Training and Attunement
Training as a disciple of the Path of Náiluv takes years of practice. Novices must learn to perceive the subtleties of darkness, tuning their minds to the nuances of shadows and the spaces between light. As they progress, they gain the ability to manipulate nascent spirits of darkness and bend shadows to their will.
Advanced disciples train to influence more complex aspects of darkness, such as mature spirits tied to places of constant darkness, for example the depths of a well or a cave. This requires deep understanding and great focus, as spirits of darkness are secretive, elusive, and difficult to control. To reach this level, followers of the Path of Náiluv spend long periods living in complete darkness.