Arasia
| Arasia | |
|---|---|
| Practitioners | Arasiari |
| Focus | Control of shadows, darkness, and the unseen |
| Origin | Arafia |
Arasia is a specialized branch of Osia, focusing on the manipulation of spirits tied to darkness, shadows, and the unseen. Arasia harnesses what is hidden rather than what is seen, using the presence of darkness to alter perception, obscure truth, and unveil hidden knowledge. Practitioners, known as Arasiari, do not merely command shadows—they attune themselves to the conscious presence of darkness itself, drawing power from the primordial force of Arafia.
Principles
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.
Role in Society
Arasiari exist in a paradoxical position within society—they are sought after for their ability to guard secrets yet feared for their power to conceal the truth. Their talents in stealth, illusion, and concealment make them valuable to rulers, scholars, and warriors alike, but many also view them with caution and superstition. Some whisper that Arasiari can erase memories, steal shadows, or walk unseen even in direct sunlight, though few can confirm such tales.
Spiritual Hierarchy
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 ("Whisperlings") – Fleeting spirits of temporary shadows—the flicker of a candle, the darkness beneath a passing cloud, the brief obscurity of a shifting curtain. These are the first spirits an Arasiari learns to control.
- Mature Spirits ("The Duskborn") – Greater, self-aware spirits that linger in perpetual shadow, tied to places where darkness persists—the hollows of deep forests, forgotten corridors, and caves where light has never reached.
- Ancestral Spirits ("The Umbral Veil") – Enigmatic entities that embody eternal darkness—the void between stars, the silence of Noirra, the presence that exists beyond perception. Few Arasiari dare to commune with them, for their whispers erase identity as easily as they bestow wisdom.
Training and Attunement
Training to become an Arasiari involves 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, 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.
One of the most defining moments in an Arasiari’s training is the Trial of Arafia. To complete this rite, a student must spend an entire cycle of darkness—whether a single night or an endless eclipse—in complete isolation, stripped of all light, sound, and distraction. During this trial, they must navigate unseen pathways using only their attunement to darkness, sensing shifts in the shadows and listening for the silent voices of the unseen.
Those who fail emerge disoriented, lost, or forever haunted by something they glimpsed but could not understand. Those who succeed return with a heightened awareness of darkness, able to move through it as if it were an extension of themselves.
Applications and Ethics
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.
Arasiari face a constant moral dilemma—to what extent should the unknown remain hidden? With their ability to obscure truths, cloud perception, and even erase their own presence, they often struggle with the question: Should all knowledge be revealed, or are some truths better left in darkness?
Some Arasiari become keepers of secrets, ensuring that dangerous knowledge never falls into the wrong hands. Others walk a dangerous line, using their abilities to shape reality—altering history, concealing vital truths, or guiding events from the shadows.
There are stories of Arasiari who have vanished completely, not because they died, but because they erased all memory of themselves, becoming nothing but a lingering presence in the dark.
In Adarian Culture
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.