Arasia

Arasia is a branch of Osia, the ancient art of manipulating spirits and consciousness in Adaris. Arasia specifically focuses on the manipulation of the nascent and mature spirits associated with darkness and shadows, drawing power from the Primordial Spirit of Darkness, Arafia. Practitioners of this discipline are known as Arasiari, who seek to attune their consciousness to the unseen forces, the mysteries of the night, and the secrets hidden in the shadows.

Principles of Arasia edit

Arasia involves the manipulation of the spirits of darkness, entities that govern the unseen and mysterious aspects of the world. These spirits represent shadows, concealment, and the hidden forces that exist in the absence of light. Through mental attunement, Arasiari can control these spirits, manipulating shadows, influencing perceptions, and tapping into the power of darkness itself.

Darkness in Adaris is not just the absence of light—it is a presence, a tangible force that can be shaped and controlled by those skilled in Arasia. Arasiari believe that darkness holds the key to understanding the unknown, and by manipulating these spirits, they can influence both the physical world and the minds of others.

The Role of Arasiari edit

Arasiari are often sought out for their ability to control shadows and influence the unseen. They play critical roles in stealth, illusion, and concealment. Their powers allow them to:

Manipulate shadows to obscure objects or people.
Create illusions by altering perceptions of light and dark.
Conceal their presence or that of others by bending shadows around them.
Tap into the mysteries of the unseen world, gaining insights into secrets hidden in darkness.

Arasiari are often mysterious figures, revered for their ability to move unseen, influence events from the shadows, and guard secrets.

Spiritual Hierarchy in Arasia edit

Like all branches of Osia, Arasia involves the manipulation of spirits at various stages of development. These spirits represent different aspects of darkness and shadow.

Nascent Spirits: Simple, malleable spirits that represent fleeting moments of shadow or darkness, such as the shadow of a tree or a passing cloud. Arasiari often begin by manipulating these nascent spirits to control shadows or obscure light.

Mature Spirits: These spirits are tied to more defined aspects of darkness, such as the shadows cast by mountains, caves, or regions that are perpetually shrouded in darkness. Influencing mature spirits requires a higher level of attunement, as these spirits are more self-aware and difficult to control.

Ancestral Spirits: These are powerful spirits that embody entire realms or concepts of darkness, such as eternal night or the void. Only the most skilled Arasiari would even attempt to communicate with these spirits, as their power is vast and their motives often inscrutable.

Darkness as Consciousness edit

In Arasia, darkness is viewed as a conscious force, a presence that exists in balance with light. Arasiari learn to attune to the consciousness of shadows and the hidden, tapping into the depths of darkness to uncover secrets, manipulate the unseen, and harness the power of the unknown.

Arasiari are often seen as keepers of secrets and guardians of hidden knowledge, as their mastery over shadows allows them to perceive what others cannot.

Training and Attunement edit

Training to become an Arasiari involves years of practice, beginning with Osial Attunement. 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, bending shadows to their will.

Advanced Arasiari train to influence more complex aspects of darkness, such as mature spirits tied to regions of eternal night or areas steeped in myth and legend. This requires deep understanding and immense focus, as darkness spirits are notoriously difficult to control due to their secretive and elusive nature.

Applications and Ethics of Arasia edit

The practice of Arasia allows Arasiari to control shadows, concealment, and the unknown. They can use their abilities for protection, stealth, or to guard important knowledge. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Manipulating darkness carries the risk of corruption, as one who delves too deeply into the unknown may become lost in the very shadows they seek to control.

There is also the ethical dilemma of using Arasia to deceive or manipulate others, as Arasiari have the power to obscure the truth, hide the light, and alter perceptions. As a result, many Arasiari follow a strict code of ethics to avoid abusing their powers and maintain balance between light and dark.

Arasia in Adarian Culture edit

Arasiari are often viewed with both reverence and caution. Their ability to manipulate darkness makes them valuable in roles requiring secrecy and protection, but their connection to the unseen often leads others to view them with suspicion. Festivals and rituals in Adaris that honor the balance of light and dark often involve Arasiari, who perform ceremonies to honor the mysteries of the night.

In regions where darkness holds special significance, such as areas with long nights or dense forests, Arasiari may serve as protectors or spiritual guides, using their powers to keep the balance between light and shadow.